Damien D. Smith - The "Directorial" Force to be Reckoned With

Damien D Smith is a multi-talented artist, actor, director, and activist who uses his art form to create awareness and initiate conversations around a range of social issues. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and has dedicated his life to making a difference in the lives of those who are historically underserved and undervalued. His work has been widely acclaimed and awarded due to his dedication to sparking awareness on human rights. His award-winning directorial projects, are Target: St. Louis, Detangling The South, and Free To Be Free. These projects have been widely acclaimed and awarded, and have made a huge impact on the world. Jejune is excited to put Damien D. Smith on your radar and explore his inspiring commitment to making the world a better place.

Editor's Pick, Art, zIssue 48Jessica MoraMarch 24, 2023Actor, Director, writer, artist, human rights, advocateComment

Being A Hero Over The Generations

In celebration of Women’s History Month Joe’s Pub has an amazing cast of women coming to their stage! I had the pleasure to watch one of their monthly shows, Generation Women. This heartwarming show of female empowerment will have the audience laughing and crying in their seats in no time!

Behind the Lens - Documenting With Raphael Sbarge

You may know Raphael Sbarge as Jiminy Cricket from Once Upon a Time, but his role as a conscience has expanded over the years as he has added directing to his skill set. Now it can be said he is “creating content with a conscience.” He has directed several films, short stories, and, most recently, documentaries — with an ever increasing drive to spread awareness of social and environmental issues within several different communities. Jejune got a chance to talk to him about his Emmy nomination, new film Only in Theaters, and his latest mini-series 10 Days In Watts, among other topics. Please read on!

Shambolics - Changing Lives Through Rock & Roll

Scotland based Rock and Roll band, Shambolics, will have you falling in love with their classic rock vibe. Inspired by The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, The Smiths, and more, their music is all kinds of dreamy mixed with a clever play between mellow acoustic tones and heavy rock sounds characteristic of a rock band. The band loves touring and playing live gigs, which includes a yearly performance to raise funds for the Kirkcaldy Foodbank. With their latest single ‘Living in Shadows’ out now, Jejune had the pleasure to interview band member Darren Forbes. Please read on to learn more about this great band.

zIssue 47, ArtTejasvi PradeepFebruary 20, 2023music artist, music industry, music production, Musicians, rock and roll, rock band, mental health advocateComment

Queer Youth Animated - Through the Lens of the LGBTQIA+ Youth

Queer Youth Animated is a new project from the Future Perfect Project. The team consists of Celeste Lecesne, Ryan Amador, Jon Wan, Julie Novak, and Emma Jane, based out of New York City, Kingston and Los Angeles. The project was initiated with the aim of encouraging youth belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community to share their stories in hopes of inspiring other members. The show features 2 seasons that start with heart warming stories in the United States and then expand to stories around the world. Bringing to light people’s stories from various walks of life, the show has inspired many to share their own journeys. Let Jejune Magazine take you through this interesting interview with the team at Future Perfect Project, and go check out what some of these inspiring kids have to say!

Stefano May - The Healing Power of Music

Stefano May’s music is nothing short of moving. His musical acumen coupled with his soul touching songwriting makes his songs a must listen! Born in Italy, Stefano started growing as a musician from the age of seven, when he received formal training, and was popular on Italian television. As Stefano’s popularity grew, he was able to work with famed producers like Chico Bennett on songs like ‘Crazy’, which is about the dark corners of devotion. His new single ‘Hope It Will Remind You’ was produced in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, a cause close to his heart. Through this song, he hopes to bring awareness to the disease and use music to help patients heal better. Read on to know more about Stefano May and his heart wrenching music.

zIssue 47, ArtTejasvi PradeepFebruary 15, 2023music artist, music production, Musician, artist, italian, alzheimer's, songwriter, singerComment

Laura Bryna - A New Holiday Tradition

Laura Bryna is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and children’s book author. For Laura music and writing is her way of expressing love, joy, and pain. She talks about her new illustrated Children’s book ’The Christmas Tradition" and using birds and giving back as her inspiration for it. Read on to know more and maybe start up this tradition yourself!

Art, zIssue 46Disha GuptaDecember 16, 2022Author, children's book, songwriter, christmas, music, birds, make-a-wish, youth, communi, Holidays, ChristmasComment

Nadine Gagne - Sounds of Change

Art, zIssue 46, Editor's Pick, Most PopularJessica MoraDecember 12, 2022#singer, children, indigenous artists, indigenous, orange shirt day, music artist, musician, #kids

Enjoying ‘Peeled Fruit’ With Xavi de Guzman

Actor cum writer, Xavi de Guzman has a flair for bringing people together through shared experiences — his acting, book ‘Peeled Fruit’, his Non Profit ‘The Play On Foundation’, and through food. Xavi’s book is a sweet culmination of his childhood memories and the immigrant experience. It will leave you thinking of family, community, and a little hungry. Let Jejune Magazine introduce you to the writer that is Xavi de Guzman.

Art, zIssue 46Tejasvi PradeepNovember 28, 2022writer, Actor, screenwriting, screenplay, Non-profit, book, asian, asian artist, asian canadian, family, philippinesComment

Mikalah Gordon - So Much More Than An American Idol

Mikalah Gordon is so much more than an American Idol hit! Having gained recognition through the show, she has worked her way up to where she is right now, a true star! From singing to comedy, Mikalah dabbles in a little bit of everything and she is nothing short of killing it. But what really inspires us here at Jejune is her passionate for women and LGBTQ rights, which can easily be seen in her songs and her work on Channel Q. Let Jejune Magazine acquaint you with this sensation as you read more about her life, passions, work, and so much more.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 45Tejasvi PradeepNovember 18, 2022music industry, music production, musicvideo, Musician, artist, American Idol, host, LGBTQ SupportComment

The Connection Between Art and Sexuality

Art has the power to tell beautiful stories, and we are thrilled to introduce you to not one, but three exceptional artists! Explore art with Darren Jones' mixed media paintings, travel deep into the cold Antarctic with photographer Jonathan Pozniak, or immerse yourself in Chris Zaccaria's colorful Abusive Robot World! These artists have truly stunning one-of-a-kind pieces that you must see! Read on to learn more about each of their distinct art forms, including the process, inspirations, and any future exciting art pieces!

Art, zIssue 44Maddy MaierSeptember 19, 2022Art, artist, paintings, Painters, Photographers, antarctica, outdoors, LGBTQ, gay artists, colors, sexuality, colorfulComment

Coming Together to Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion

Devastating news breaks on June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has officially reversed Roe v. Wade declaring that the federal constitutional right to abortion in the United States has ended. This ruling erases nearly 50 years of precedent but this fight is far from over! On July 31st (next event on September 21st at 9:30pm!), The Meteor, a group of journalists, artists, filmmakers, and media leaders who embrace the value and importance of stories through the power of words, hosted Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion at Joe’s Pub. This event consisted of various talented artists performing a personalized piece addressing this crucial moment in time. You will want to continue reading below to learn more about the event and performances along with further information about The Meteor.

Art, zIssue 44, Editor's PickSophie LaSalaSeptember 2, 2022Abortion Rights, abortion, feminism, feminist, female power, empowering women, women supporting womenComment

Save the Penguins with Davey Harris!

Save the penguins with Davey Harris! Singer-songwriter Davey Harris is producing music not only for us to enjoy but also to promote awareness and change. Harris was a member of the band "The Tins" for ten years before going solo and releasing songs like "Predictable" and "Self Saboteur," as well as his most recent single, "PNGN DNCE." which was released on June 16, and addresses the negative effects of the global climate crisis. Harris not only writes songs about change but also participates in them by working with an organization called ASOC, or Antarctica and the Southern Ocean Coalition. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Harris's transition to a solo career, his singles, "Predictable," "Self Saboteur," and "PNGN DANCE," and how you can assist with the current climate crisis.

A Talk of Peace With Belle Scar

The war in Ukraine is far from over. We spoke with advocate for Ukraine, UK Based music artist, Belle Scar about her recent single “Kyiv in my heart”. This song and music video not only features Ukrainian Artists, but also depicts the horror and destruction the ongoing war in Ukraine causes. We highly suggest you stream “Kyiv in my heart” to gain insight into the importance of advocacy and staying connected with Ukrainians, even if they are an ocean away. The 16 Ukrainian artists featured in “Kyiv in my heart” tells a story, and each creation is compelling as the next. If that isn’t enough, Belle Scar’s vocals mixed with the work of a choir are sure to leave you with chills. Please continue reading below for more information about Belle Scar and her new single!

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 44SAMANTHA COLÓNJuly 11, 2022music artist, Musicians, Ukraine, Art, artist, Advocating, advocacy work, peace, end war, Kyiv, war, stopwar, change, hope, future, russia, AmericaComment

SafeUp with Harry and The Chicks

Say hello to Harry and The Chicks! This UK-based music group is dropping music with a moving and all too familiar message behind it. Harry and The Chicks’s new single “Snakes in The Streets” depicts their experiences with street harassment from stalkers and cat-callers alike. Her outspoken and informative tone when addressing these topics is refreshing and reminds women everywhere that they are not alone in their experiences. But most importantly, that men should do better and steer clear of predatory behavior. You will love Harry and The Chicks just as much as we do! If you are interested in their newest single, “Snakes in The Streets,” their work with SafeUp, an app that keeps women safe, or their upcoming projects — “Miss Oblivious”, please continue reading the interview below!

Let's Embrace Our Flaws with vanillacooldance

Amsterdam-based American cartoonist Jessica Stahl, vanillacooldance, is empowering women to to live a shame-free, unapologetic, and confident life, embrace your vanillacooldance! In a world where dating is hard and women are underappreciated vanillacooldance has our backs with humor and truth. Stahl is helping to change the way women see themselves in relationships, breaking taboos about sexuality, body appearance, romantic and even awkward situations on dates, and much more. When Stahl isn’t giving women a voice through vanillacooldance, she is the Creative Director at Dopper and is responsible for making ocean-saving campaigns. Keep reading to learn more about this incredible artist!

The Future Perfect Project: The New Generation of LGBTQ+ Storytelling

Meet the Future Perfect Project (FPP)! This New York-based Organization promotes LGBTQ+ Youth expression and their music! Founded by Celeste Lecesne and Ryan Amador, the Future Perfect Project amplifies the queer youth narrative through workshops and social media. If you wish to see their work in action, the Future Perfect Project is hosting a free immersive event at Lincoln Center's Hearst Plaza on June 4th at 12 pm EST, kicking off Pride Month nicely! Nine artists from all around the country will perform their collaborative album “Not What You Pictured” at the event. All performances are of course LIVE! Jejune is ecstatic to get to know this small collective of artists through their music, and can wait for the show! If you are interested in the Future Perfect Project’s story and want to support LGBTQ+ youth, please continue reading the interview below!

Raising Awareness for Refugees With Rapper Star2

Star2 was born in a Thai refugee camp, Mae La, in Thailand. He lived there with his family until the age of six, then his grandmother and her four children migrated to San Diego, CA. Star2 and his family are Ka-ren, a persecuted indigenous tribe from Burma, now named Myanmar. He currently lives and works out of San Diego as a rapper with an affinity for conscious songwriting. His newest single, “Run Away” was recently released. The single is about the current state of the world, with references to the Black Lives Matter movement and current refugee crisis in Thailand, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. The music video for the single is just as powerful, with videos of current atrocities happening throughout the world on loop in the background. Star2’s hope is to raise awareness for these issues and give back to those helping out. He works with several nonprofits such as The Border Consortium, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand, The International Rescue Committee, and Karen Outreach to support refugees in Thailand and Ukraine. Read on in our interview with Star2 to learn more about his music, upcoming EP, and how he is offering support to these organizations.

Cirque Du Soleil's Ovo Will Have You Crawling To Go! - By Quentin Fears

Cirque Du Soleil's Ovo is an insect-themed kaleidoscope of wonder and color, a fantasia that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Visually the show is dynamic, thanks to a wall of projected colors and images measuring 64 feet wide and is 30 feet tall. Initially, Ovo was created as a touring Big Top show but was revamped in 2016 for arenas. The show starts with a curious inflated "ovo," the name for egg in Portuguese, taking center stage, representing the enigma of and the cycle of the insert's lives. The egg stands at an impressive 22 feet and is 28 feet wide, making for an impactful first visual of the show.

Art, zIssue 42, Most PopularJejeune MagazineMarch 25, 2022circus, live shows, theatre, Art, artist, LA, contortionistComment

Folk Duo HuDost and the Collective Voice

HuDost is a Kentucky based musical group made up of members Moksha Sommer and Jemal Wide Hines. The folk duo recently released their newest album, ‘Anthems of Home’ with singles ‘Our Words Will Be Louder’ and ‘Home is Bigger Than Us.’ The single ‘Our Words Will be Louder’ was inspired by the painful polarization around BLM in their own community. The duo put together a powerful music video to match the song and invited friends and local activists to join. Additionally, all proceeds from the song went towards The Poor People’s Campaign, a local non-profit that empowers people with greater challenges to register to vote. Moksha and Jemal are also social activists and representatives for ONE, a non-profit organization working to end extreme poverty. The pair has lobbied with their representatives both locally and at their offices in DC on various issues such as extreme poverty, the rights of girls and women and HIV/AIDs. They also work with ONE’s sister organization Blood:Water, a grassroots organization that addresses the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. Read on in our interview with HuDost to learn more about their new album and the non-profit organizations that they partner with.

Art, zIssue 40Kaylyn WenzelFebruary 15, 2022Folk, Music, Music Group, Duo, Album, New Single, BLM, nonprofit, Vote, social activism, Poverty, HIV, AfricaComment