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Monday, September 3, 2012

Combining a vision & a Rastafarian D.J = ViZionary


Recently while keeping with my easy going ways, I was made the acquaintance of a D.J. from Vermont.  Mr. Addam Cram D.Js @ WERU 89.9 FM rocking out of Blue hill, Maine.  He is usually rocking out to reggae, smoke tunes, alternative or conscious vibes, feel free to listen @ http://www.weru.org/ .  Mr. Cram is a reggae/folk/ alternative musician known as “Visionary.  Like most people that I’ve met from Maine, Mr. Cram is a free thinking, music loving, strong minded individual with his own unique style.  He specializes in drawing, photography and playing instruments of different cultures like the dulcimer, djembe, or the Didgerido.  Watch here as he demonstrates his skill playing the dulcimer  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUo-Q2TshWg&feature=bf_prev&list=UL9pvq2DC2u8MThe cool thing about all of the projects and art that he does is how it all fits together in the circle of things when he assembles his album.  One of his projects that he has done was calling all of the musicians that walked by his apartment and recorded them for the weekend. The album of his work readily available is “Third-I”.  It can be viewed and purchased from the Visionary Sight website @ http://vizionarysight.weebly.com/music.html .  Do check it out sometime.  Visionary’s sound is versatile as he is sometimes doing alternative music and sometimes conscious vibration reggae, and Rastafarian chants.  Check out his sound on sound cloud @  http://soundcloud.com/vizionarysight . Visionary also has a youtube site where he allows others to watch his creative progress, check it out at  http://www.youtube.com/vizionaryrasta .  Combining his vision with yours and you might come up with a new favorite being that he's not in a hurry to sound like the usual.  This artist instead prefers to develop his art and have fun while doing so.  He produces a unique and original sound.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Indie Director, B. Rain keeps his lens, lit and ready for action


When I mention calisthenics, most people will think of a warm-up or short set of push-ups to keep them a little more toned.  Calisthenics are simple systematic rhythmic bodily exercises, stretches, movements performed repetitively, usually without apparatus, extra weights or equipment.  Calisthenics use different and various patterns of lifting one’s own body weight, to become physically fit, and improve psychomotor skills. Calisthenics are exercises that transcend a simple classification and fit perfectly in parts of gymnastics , sport training, yoga, or Buddhist meditation, pole dancing and contortion.
When you see groups like the Bartendaz , or world record holder of the human flag Dominic Lacasse, some tend to wonder how to learn to do the sort of training that produces these metaphysically powerful results.  Indie movie director B. Rain Bennett says though calisthenics was once a subculture, it’s now going main stream.  Mr. Bennett plans to prove this as he has been doing a majority of the filming on these fantastic events.  Working along with Flying Founder Productions he is currently producing a feature length documentary about these iconic innovators of calisthenics, titled RAISE UP: THE WORLD IS OUR GYM. 

RAISE UP: THE WORLD IS OUR GYM not only is to expose the modern day urban calisthenics workouts in the parks but also explains the origins of the workouts that derived from the classic bodyweight exercises.  Mr. Bennett brings clarity to how this calisthenics culture has become a world-wide sensation through film.  This Brooklyn, NY producer has been working with the calisthenics community since 2007 and plans to enlighten the world on health, fitness and how to strengthen their communities.

B. Rain is currently shooting short videos in NYC and shooting “Raise Up”, so following his events you may end up being filmed in one of his documentaries or shorts.  Though he is busy producing and writing, he still frees up his time to interact with others.  Follow B. Rain Bennett @ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/raiseupthemovie or on twitter @ https://twitter.com/RaiseUpTheMovie or contribute toward the documentary @ http://www.indiegogo.com/Raise-Up or @ http://igg.me/p/72354.

Follow the Bartendaz @ http://www.bartendaznyc.com/ or on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/originalbartendaz .  Follow Dominic Lacasse @ http://www.dominiclacasse.com/indexe.php .

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Uk hip hop artist Dragg is bringing a sense of hearing and feeling to his music that most artist can’t envision.


When recently approached by Ms. Jazzy Ayer of Jaz PLR Promotions and asked if I mind posting one of her artist to the blogs, I thought, "cool, I love indie artist."  Once she explained to me that this young hip hop artist is also vision impaired, I thought this experience will be a bit more special.
  I have a theory that if you are forced to hear the musical creation with the heightened sense of hearing, listening and identifying sounds by ear, that the music will be formed into a more pleasant sound.  In this case I seemed to be right.
Who is this hip hop artist?  His title is Dragg.  Dragg is a young man, who has stayed in positive spirits and focused into completing his craft.  Drag is from the United kingdom via Johannesburg, South Africa.  Johannesburg is where this hip hop artist started in his rap roots.  Composing his lyrics in a way more satisfying to him, opposite the way that many of his favorite songs went astray, Dragg strives to uplift the spirit of his listeners.
According to the opinions of Dragg, one thing he noticed in his native Africa, was the need for music containing less violence.  Dragg seems to be troubled that in most of his favorite music, violence was the only option and everything great was just given to those with an aggressive, obnoxious attitude.  Dragg solution to this is exposing listeners to lyrics that demonstrate that there are struggles and how he approaches them and overcomes them.  The interesting thing about this artist is that his messages do not sound forced.  He understands how to melodically create a song.  He along with his production staff are creating excellent music.
Dragg is established and focused for and indie artist.  In September, 2009 Dragg was invited to join Project Feenix for a performance on The Sesh Stage at Freedom Festival in Hull. He has also made appearances on BBC Radio Humberside was with Sarah Burton and was broadcasted twice on Andy Comfort’s breakfast show. Alan Raw also invited Dragg into BBC Radio Humberside on 2 occasions in 2011 were he performed live in the studio on the Raw Talent Show.You can check out his sound @ http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/DraggakaSeanS/profile/  or http://www.reverbnation.com/draggakaseans or http://soundcloud.com/draggakaseans or http://www.draggofficial.com or http://www.myspace.com/DRAGGAKASEANS or http://www.youtube.com/DRAGGOFFICIAL  or http://retwedia.com/ and understand what I mean when I say that Drag is very melodic.

 Dragg has just released a mixtape, and he would love it if you could check it out and review it for him.
It is called The Warm Up Vol .1, Check it out at http://retwedia.com/tape/gnnl7o .
 Dragg is very interactive and can be contacted through most social media like www.twitter.com/draggakaseans or
www.facebook.com/draggakaseans  or his management.  To book drag if you’re feeling his music, simply use his contacts: 
UK Management Contact:
David Okwesia
email: redloczhull@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile: 00447721526768
www.twitter.com/redlocz
US Management Contact:
Shelly Meyer
email: shellymeyer@mail.com
Skype: shellymeyer1
PR Contact: Celebritize You and Lena Hunt PR
lena@celebritizeyou.com
Skype: lena9875
Jaz PLR Promotions plrpromotionsceo@gmail.com

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Caught in the mix with twice "Band of the Year" winner, D.J. Anthony Provalone.

This week's Indie, D.J. is Anthony Provalone, a native of Buffalo, NY.  He's not your average joe, not your average D.J. either.  This D.J has simply paid his dues but he has sold stocks in himself, invested in himself, then bought himself as an entirety.  It might sound crazy but sometimes genius can take you there.  D.J Provalone makes mixes that range from your mixes that you'd hear in a high speed action movie fight scene, to the type of mix for vampire movies, skateboarding scenes, intense sport scenes, or eye opening clarity.  Though Anthony Provalone is Indie, he's no "new jack".  
D.J Anthony Provalone started off with the ambition to do a solo project but considered the difficulties of conducting business by himself, so he took on band mates.  With band mates comes selling percentages, so that's what he did.  Bands break apart when band mates have other priorities ahead of a band and so did this one.  So this D.J bought back the percentages and using his d.j skills, mixed each band mates parts to his satisfaction.  Believe it or not, this little adaptation done in the pursuit of happiness happen to work in this d.j's favor.

His mix CD " The First Time" was rated best of 1996 according to Night-Life music editor Kevin Hosey.  His single "Look" on the "Elevation of Depression's" CD,  was included on the "Buffalo Music Collective Vol.1". Also Mr. Provalone won the "Best New Artist" at the Buffalo Music Awards.  His single mix "Chigger" was included on "Buffalo Music Collective Vol. II".  
  Elevation of Depression won "Best Experimental Artist" at the WBNY local show music awards and was named "Best of Buffalo" for a second time, only this time in the category of Best Local Industrial Band".  Mr. Provalone also won Buffalo Music award for Top "Hard Core/Metal band".
His mixes, like most icon D.J.s of today, held fans attentions during the 90's all the way in to the 2000's.  This D.J is one of the coolest that I have met in a long time.  He not only mixes for show's where he opens for bands like Vast (Electra Records) and Twelve Rounds (nothing Records), but he also D.J.s mixes at weddings.
Being an indie d.j of a unique genre, starting in the 90's, a period where great music was being produced in massive amounts, he is still mixing it up, producing, recording artist and doing a solo band.  I'm on him to set up his band site and as soon as it's up, I'll have it posted here. Don't hesitate to contact this d.j and have him send you a sample via email, because he will.  D.J Anthony Provalone can be contacted for bookings or music samples @ Anthony.Provolone@yahoo.com . 

Monday, July 23, 2012

Who’s that girl? Catherine Tayler



In the Adult industry a term “Milf” was developed to describe a more mature woman, around a mother’s age.  Some women are considered “Milf”, even though they are not mothers.  Just as there is a slang where women are referred to as “mommies” and guys referred to as “poppies” or “daddy”.  “Milf” is an acronym for “Mother I’d love to fuck”, as if you didn’t already know this.



Catherine Tayler is described as a “Busty Canadian Milf”.  She is also a sexy tattoo model and is available for professional shoots.  She is a firm believer of tattoos in the workplace.  As you can see she is ornamented with tattoos as well as piercings and an anchored piercing beneath her eye.  She’s quite the enchanting taboo model.  So if you’d like to include her in your calendars, posters, magazines, billboards etc. , you may book her through model mayhem @  http://www.modelmayhem.com/catherinetayler.  Her model mayhem number is #2529027.  
Catherine also does lesbian porn photo shoots.  You may have seen her in photo sets like this one found at:  http://www.kyliedeville.com/sets/kylie-cat/photoset.html .  Here Catherine shoots collaborates with another sexy Canadian Milf, Kylie Deville.  Catherine has her own website http://catherinetayler.com. Ms. Deville has her own website, found at http://www.kyliedeville.com .  


In October 2011, you may have seen Ms. Tayler in porn scenes with Dirk Huge on Twisted Bliss Entertainment @ http://twistedblissent.com, or with Chris Jenkins as seen on http://catherinetayler.com.  Even though you may view Ms. Tayler in one or two porn movies, she does not perform in porn any longer.  She has decided to remain a webcam performer.  Performing some of the hottest busty webcam interacted masturbation and nude scenes around.  Check her out on http://catherinetayler.cammodels.com/ .   She has even received the 2012 Webcam entertainer award.  
Ms. Tayler is very interactive as you’ll find out if ever you enter her blog, @ http://catherinetaylerxxx.tumblr.com .  She not only speaks with you and answers questions, but connects you to her other activities going on.  She has a team of cam models, even though she performs daily.  So if she interest you, check her out. Like I told her when we first spoke, "I know of you already, I always keep up with the best."

  So if you come across this article and wonder "Who's that girl?" Know that she's Catherine Tayler and she's definitely worth remembering.   

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Go back to the Future of D.J’s with D.J. Fade





               From a place known for its many dedicated and creative musicians, the world’s tallest rollercoaster, among other things, comes one of the next hot independent talent, D.J Fade.  I’m talkin’ bout Joy-z, uhh, eh emm’, I mean New Jersey.  This hot spot adjacent to New York City must have a way to spawn originality because the sound that is created by this young D.J/engineer/producer is definitely of a unique quality.  I’m pretty certain that this D.J goes to his own universe and brings back space dust on his music.  He tells me it’s from the future. 
He creates a sound that is referred to as “Brick City Club Music”.  When I listen to his sound, I definitely hear elements of club music, as well as electro, techno, and house music.  He could be compare to a David Guetta or D.J Mom Jeans, but then you would have to separate his talent and list his many original qualities also.  Check out what I'm speaking of:>> http://soundcloud.com/dj-fade-1   
D.J Fade currently has worked with hip hop artist on a few of his tracks, but has the potential to work with many other genres of music based on the sound he produces.  Hopefully this young D.J doesn’t limit his creative reach to one genre since his talent can go way beyond an arrested development. 
If you haven’t heard his sound yet, then you are missing out.  Since it’s summer, then it's the time to expand your horizon and check out the sounds of D.J Fade.  You can check out his sound on Soundcloud @ http://soundcloud.com/dj-fade-1
To book D.J Fade for your night club, party, event, movie, video game, simply interact with him on twitter @ https://twitter.com/djfadethefuture  or on myspace @ http://www.myspace.com/dakidmetz#! .

Saturday, July 14, 2012

“Who’s that girl, twisting to a swirl” Remember the name “Visha Loo”.





 It’s absolutely amazing when you see the skills that a person can have.  Some skills are thought to be given to a person naturally.  With certain attributes, this is true, like politeness, kindness, caring, etc., this seems true.  When it comes to a sense of being artistically versatile, this comes from practice, dedication, development and vision.  These are all character traits found in the attention holding, kind of freaky, talents of Ms. Visha Loo.


If you’re looking for an international talent to create a setting to turn your ordinary party into an event, then this sizzling hot contortionist, and adult model of Alberta, Canada, could be just the touch that you’ll need.  One of Ms. Visha Loo’s many talents is contortion.  For some of us that don’t recall the definition of contortion, it is the ability to bend, stretch, move and hold our body into positions.  For example the human pretzels that get us to thinking of the many positions in the Kama Sutra. 
You won’t see Ms. Loo in a normal flashy circus outfit doing contortion.  Ooh no.  Ms. Loo will display her other artistic qualities while performing.  Another artistic quality that this 5’2, 115lb, adult talent possess, is alternative modeling.  She is what is considered an alternative model.  When you see her modeling it’s more considerate of an art form.  Many Ms. Loo’s photo sets may be considered erotic, adult model, or fetish, some are more fashioned for tailored fashions, while other shoots will be considered horror, rock genre, or gothic.  She may be booked for her modeling skills at Model mayhem. Com @ http://www.modelmayhem.com/4299 or http://www.modelmayhem.com/visha 
  So you might be among the fortunate to see her in sheer lingerie with nipple pasties, bending into a box, or dressed as a horror film character coming at you like 3-D HD, or one of your favorite Disney characters.


If any ladies take notice of her latex attire and realize the quality that it must be to both hug the body while giving enough elasticity to cater to the body movement of her contortion, you should know that Ms. Loo produces these latex line of clothes.  This special latex line of clothes by performer and model Visha loo, is known as Deetz.  Deetz is showcased and modeled on face book @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deetz-by-Visha-Loo .  She can be contacted about your request there or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Visha-Loo or booking@vishaloo.com 

This small talented beauty with huge talent is of international fame.  Hailing out of Calgary, Canada, you hear of her with very high regards because she is a very interactive person who is constantly performing and willing to work with any venue to create a memorable performance and show.  
She is also Creative Director of Crimson Events.  Crimson Events is said to be Calgary’s premier kink, and fetish friendly event performer talents, that organize events that fuse an artistic creativity with fetish play and BDSM, as well as all the other various sex positive lifestyles.  I’ll let you be the judge of that when you book them for your event.  You can check out her events and/or collaborate with her and her team @ vishaloo@crimsonevents.ca @http://www.crimsonevents.ca/ or http://www.vishaloo.com/ .  She can be booked @ http://miss.vishaloo.com/ or booking@vishaloo.com
 I first met Ms. Loo, two years ago, and can honestly say that she is as cute, warm and kind as the first day that we spoke.  Get a chance to glance at Ms. Visha loo on her websites http://www.vishaloo.com/ , http://miss.vishaloo.com/ , under the tab videos.  Also you’ll be able to check out her photos on her sites or buy her pin-ups  on amazon @ http://www.amazon.com/Visha-Loo-Twisted-Michael-Enoches/dp/1936882434 .  You can also subscribe to the Crimson Events Calgary youtube channel @ http://www.youtube.com/CrimsonEventsCalgary .  It’s an experience that you’ll never forget.  So when you’re wondering “who’s that girl, bending like a swirl?”, with a class that’s not matched by many.  The ladies name is Visha loo. 


So if you happen to be in Canada, it would be a great idea to check out Crimson Events @ http://www.crimsonevents.ca/ , to see where the incredibly talented Visha loo, will be performing next.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Breaking the monotony by tuning you into Brooklyn, NY talent "The False Alarms".

Brooklyn, NY a place that gives birth to many great talents.  Not an easy place to earn anything.  Out of the callus, corruption, and the striving, comes this awesome sound from a band that I promise you, that you'll be glad to know and remember.  
This band is known as "The False Alarms".  They accept the categorization of Blues/Punk, but when you analyze those two genres of music, you can just imagine the devilish funk that will come about when you combine the two elements.  
Keep up with the fellas while they perform and you'll find yourself visiting some of the most unique spots in the city and supporting a band that is earning their keep. They've performed at places from Brooklyn's rock & roll spot "The Trash Bar" to "South paw".
As I was telling lead vocalist/ guitarist Mr. Donway, when he was speaking to me about the band, "You do know that I already am listening to you fellas, right?" "I keep up with the best."  To keep up with the False Alarms is to keep up with the best.
If you'd like to keep up with "The False Alarms", here's how you can get started. Know the members: Ethan Donway: Guitar/Vocals, Jay Sharp: Guitar, Alex Sochinsky: Drums, "New York" Nick Curran: Bass.
Also check out their music @ http://thefalsealarmsband.bandcamp.com or @ Reverb Nation @ http://www.reverbnation.com/thefalsealarms or on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-False-Alarms .
guarantee a sound worth checking out, a band worth watching, listening to and interacting with. Breaking the monotony by tuning you into Brooklyn, NY's own "The False Alarms".
  

Sunday, July 1, 2012

History of Enslavery in New York City

     Ever since I've moved out side of New York City, I've realized that their are things that I've taken for granted.  One of those things is the cultural knowledge that you obtain from being from within this ethnically diverse city.  There are certain stories that I've been asked to tell over and over, as others listened in awe.  This was weird to me since it came as second nature, living in NYC.  I also took for granted the lessons of being a first generation American, where you learn to have an element of the brain more accepting of another point of view. 
    
 There are two good sources of the following account of this "Interesting unknown history" that you may want to check out.  One is "African Burial Ground", located in lower Manhattan.  Their links are http://www.africanburialground.gov or http://www.nps.gov or http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101077 or http://www.abgfoundation.org/ or on Twitter 

@AFBurialGrndNPS.



The other source is a book by the very businessman who began the enslavery trading of Africans as a vice to build a new world for the Netherlands that was stolen form the wealthy Anglo Saxon Protestant by the Spainish.  The author and businessman was Willem Usselincx.  The book can be found in three translations.  In Dutch/Portuguese it is, "Vertoogh: hoe nootwendich, nut ende profijtelick het sy voor de Vereenighde Nederlanden te behouden de vryheyt van te handelen op West-Indien, inden vrede metten Coninck van Spaignen. (Dutch Edition) by Willem Usselincx.
    
  In English it is, "More excellent obseruations of the estate and affaires of Holland In a discourse, shewing how necessarie and conuenient it is for their neighbouring ... to trade into the West Indies. (1622) by Willem Usselincx".  
In Swedish it is, "Uthförligh förklaring öfwer handels contractet angåendes thet Södre compagniet uthi konungarijket i Swerighe. (Swedish Edition) by Willem Usselincx".     
 Check it out, no matter how biased you may be at this point in time,   you may learn something that refines your thinking.
              
 Ed Einstein Wanabe Einsteinwanabe Blog Interesting Unknown History
The History of Enslavery in New York City

Slavery in New York City is said to be the work of a Kingdom of Belgian businessman “Willem Usselincx”.  Usselincx was born in the time of the Eighty Years War (1568-1648) in which the Dutch revolted from Spain and formed the Dutch Republic.  Usselincx was born in Antwerp and during the recapture of this Antwerp area which was renamed the Spanish Netherlands, Protestant citizens were forced to flee into exile.  Ironically Usselincx ends up in Spain and later Portugal.  He went on to write a book “Naerder Bedenckingen”, or in English translation “More Excellent Obseruations of the Estate and Affaires of Holland in a Discourse, Shewing How Necessarie and Conuenient It Is for Their Neighbouring Countries, as Well as the Netherland Prouinces, to Trade Into the West Indies.” (1622)  Amazingly as it might seem, this book is very business oriented and callus.  Usselincx sees this as nothing more than a business and enslaved captured Africans as subhuman.


Usselincx owned and founded the Dutch Company that had a primary motive to steal men and woman out of the land of Africa to the West Indies in Islands like Curacoa, St. Eustatius , under a contract with Spain called “Asiento”.  They also carried slaves to South America or “the Brazils”, Guyana, Surinam in order to flourish an industry of chocolate and sweets.  The company was named “The West India Companies” of Sweden.”  In Historical Society of Pennsylvania books, it is referred to as “The South, Ship, and West India Companies of Sweden.” The debate began in the Dutch Republic Parliament in which the Company broke the power of Spain and won the independence of the Netherlands.  Usselincx explained his business ventures to Sweden.  Usselincx was granted Sweden’s resources for success in the marketplace and received royal privileges from King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden for his trading company.  On June 2nd, 1621, the West India Trade Company was granted a trade monopoly in the West Indies by the Netherlands and given jurisdiction over the African slave trade of Brazil, the Caribbean and North America.  It operated in a area of West Africa, the Americas and the eastern part of New Guinea to eliminate all competition.


Usselincx hoped to create a better society for Protestants who would migrate to this New World.  He named these new territories New Netherlands (now known as New York City) and was supported by the States General of the Netherlands.
The story goes that this very same company used 30 Statian blue beads to purchase New York’s Manhattan Island from the Native tribes.  These Natives were fooled in more ways than one.  Statia beads were from the Island of St. Eustatius in the West Indies.  There lived Caribe, Taino, and Arawak Natives who were direct descendants of American Native tribes.  These beads were taken from the enslaved African Natives that were bought to St. Eustatius that they used to barter with.  The enslaved African natives wore these beads to signify their own value.  So seeing these beads and wanting them was a Native right that was sold to the Native American tribes by the Dutch company as a business tactic.  The story goes that after of all of the disasters and wars over the island of St. Eustatius and hurricanes have hidden the beads, but they can be found in the sand of the island if someone is observant and lucky.  One bead is worth U.S $25.


In 1625 the West India Company introduced slavery to New Netherland bringing eleven African enslaved people and German and French Anglos of servitude.  They were put to work as farmers, fur traders and builders.  The builders built a wall to protect Dutch of this company from the Native tribes in a place today known as “Wall Street”.  Dutch enslaved were allowed to attend Dutch Church, be married by ministers, be baptized along with their children, testify in court, sign legal documents, bring civil actions against Anglos, and work enslavement hours to earn wages equal to Anglo Dutch West India Trade Company Workers.
The West India Trade Company failed and went bankrupt due to bad investments like wars with the English.  English Businesses similar to West India Trade Company took over where they left off.  When the English competition arrived slave laws in their colony were more harsh.  Slaves were considered “chattel or property and enslavement only could be terminated by death or emancipation. 
It’s said by the first ever U.S. Census, the slave population in New York grew to 21,324 by1790, making New York the largest slave owning state north of the Mason Dixon Line.  This held true for two centuries that the state practiced slavery.  In New York City, slave ships made over 150 trips to Africa between 1715 and 1776. Most of the enslaved people brought to Manhattan were transported from New York after a brief time in port to the Caribbean or else to Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia.


In 1799, the state legislature passed emancipation acts that freed all enslaveed born after that date.  Any enslaved born prior to that year were required to serve until girls reached the age of 25 and boys reached the age 28.  In 1817 a new emancipation law was passed freeing all enslaved people born before 1799.  Slavery was finally abolished in New York on July 4,1827.  


After this New York slave owners were said to be selling their enslaved to slave traders, who then transported them to markets in the Deep South, where slaves were still in high demand.  Free blacks lived in New York at risk of enslavement. The colonial courts ruled that if an Anglo person claimed his Negro employee was a slave, the burden was on the Negro person to prove he was not.  Negroes on the street who could give no plausible account of their movements or proof of their freedom often were picked up by the authorities and jailed on suspicion of being runaway slaves.  


These were all reasons that many freedom-seekers followed the Underground Railroad on their way to Canada.  Its prime location, with access to major water routes, made it the destination of choice for many Africans fleeing slavery along the eastern seaboard.  New York City and State seemed like a safe haven for freedom-seekers who knew they would be protected in New York's many Negro, Quaker, mixed race and other progressive white communities as well.  A large and vocal free black population was present after the manumission (freeing) of slaves in New York State in 1827.  Anti-slavery organizations were abundant in New York State - more than any other state.  The reform politics and the progressive nature of the state gave rise to many active anti-slavery organizations.  Many nationally-known and locally influential black and white abolitionists chose to make their homes in New York. Among them were: Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Gerrit Smith, Henry Ward Beecher, Sojourner Truth and John Brown.


Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_West_India_Company
http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/geography/slave_laws_NY.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_Usselincx
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9504EEDC1639E433A25752C3
http://nysparks.com/historic-preservation/heritage-trails/underground-railroad/
http://www.slavenorth.com/newyork.htm
http://www.statiatourism.com/
http://www.jobeanglassart.com/statiabluebeads.html