Talented Dunedin

Dunedin Hip-Hop Goes Hero to Strike Out Cancer

Freestylists attending the Dunedin Lyricist Society's weekly hip-hop open mic night at Blur on Monday are hoping to raise funds for Dunedin Relay for Life.

Jon Didier arrives a little frazzled on a recent Monday at Blur Night Club. Didier, 25, a city parks and recreation employee recognized by his trademark dark-rimmed glasses and dreadlocks, explains a crazy day wrought with car problems. He made it just in time to start setting up for Hip-Hop Open Mic Night with his pajama-clad friend Derek Saballos, only to discover an unprecedented problem with the mic lines.  All of the tension melts away when Didier lets go and allows his hip-hip alter ego "J Ditty" take over as emcee at 10 p.m. when free-styling is scheduled to begin. In the back, live local graffiti artists are spraying on large planks of wood or other canvases.  He introduces the small, loyal gathering to Dunedin Lyricist Society's …

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Blur Crowns Naomi Wynters Miss Mardi Gras 2013

Jaeda Fuentes and Bob Moore relinquish their crowns at the 22nd annual Miss Mardi Gras pageant at Blur Nightclub on Sunday, Feb. 10.

Fans packed into Blur Nightclub on Sunday night to watch pageant contestants shake, strut and flaunt their stuff for the Miss Mardi Gras 2013 crown. Legendary female impersonation artist Melanie Minyon hosted a wild night of glitz, glamour, bouffant wigs and evening gowns ... and some boys led on leashes.  Minyon emceed alongside Natasha Richards, who performed between sets, and 2012's reigning King Bob Moore and Miss Mardi Gras Jaeda Fuentes. The 22nd annual pageant glittered with eight contestants:  The fiercely beautiful and talented Naomi Wynters first wowed audience members in her daring gold body suit while leading a boy on a chain leash, and then took the crowd's breath away in her long, racy backless, black diamond evening gown, …

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