Meet Me In The Garden 2012 Pt. 1

6/17/12 Hey everyone. Sorry for the late start to my posts. I have been gardening but so busy being Michael Jackson. I'm Newark, NJ's first female impersonator and I go by Mikette. I've been making so many appearances lately. I had to pause and say "What about my urban gardeners like me? I have to keep them interested in such a relaxing and fun past time." Thank you all who have been following me this long. This year is my second year with my community plots. My family and I are trying to have a much more successful looking garden after learning from mistakes we have made the previous year. We did have a late start and still pretty awkward run because the conservancy still haven't sealed the rain barrels properly, so the water is exposed to contaminants. Luckily, we have had plenty of rainy days to supply water. Other than that we a lugging our watering cans across the street, but we are not too far from the plots. We still have to place marigolds in the plots for insect control. As Mikette in the garden after my performance This year we decided to plant less in each box, because last year the vegetables were fighting for sunlight and water. They were a bit too close together. This year we are growing cabbage, collards, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and with a new addition of broccoli. This is my first time growing broccoli and I can't wait to see how it turns out. We also used Vigoro All Purpose Plant Food the first week to help them root stronger. Tuesday May 29, 2012 Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Around the garden Wednesday June 13, 2012 Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Around the garden My sister in the garden

Spring Block Party and Performance

5/12/12 I was invited back to the Greater Newark Conservancy to perform at their Spring Block Party in my hometown newark,NJ. It felt good to be back in front of my hometown crowd spreading Michael Jackson love the entire time. This festival opens up the gardening season, which I will be getting into soon in my community garden. There were so many people out there today men, women and of course the children. There were venders, plant giveaways and sales, face painting, and entertainment. There was even a cow named Crystal there. I was super excited to be asked back to perform again. I wore my "Bad" tour outfit and danced to a Michael jackson mega mix I found a while back. My mother and sister joined me on this adventure. We were later joined by her friend, Barry and my friend and fellow MJ tribute artist, Lamar "MJ" Coleman and his mother. The people were happy to see me when I arrived and started taking plenty of photos. Before I went out to perform, I met and greeted people, included another performer of the day, E.R.I.C (Extra Rich In Class). He is a great singer and sung songs from hit artists like The Spinners, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, and the Commodores plus original songs as well. He was awesome and definitely received a standing ovation. Now it was time for me to perform. I went out there and gave the crowd my inner MJ. I definitely felt the crowd's energy. I was in my zone with the music and clapping of their hands. After I was done, I brought out Lamar to show the crowd what he had to offer and he gave his all. We were like the dynamic MJ duel. I was so glad he came out to support me. It was such a beautiful day. Positive people and beautiful weather. I also won a raffle with a bag full of goodies from Whole Foods. Here's the video: Here are some photos:

Fall Block Party and Performance

Nov. 5th 2011, was the annual Greater Newark Conservancy's Fall Block Party here in my hometown Newark, NJ. They are the ones responsible for helping my street obtain a community garden. This festival closes out the gardening season and brings people together one last time before the winter. They have many activities, such a raffles, pie tasting contests, apple tasting, games, apple tasting, and information booths. I was so happy that I was there main entertainment as a MJ Tribute Artist performer.



When I heard about the event and knew I was gonna be the entertainment, I quickly gathered my music together. I also had the perfect outfit idea as well. I chose and mixed five songs, "Another Part of Me," "Can't Let Her Get Away," "Billie Jean," "Jam," and "Wanna Be Startin' Something." So since it was a Fall event and in the "Jam" video he wore an orange button up, I decided to wear that outfit. It fits the fall color scheme.



My mom and my sister were on this adventure with me. When we arrived at the place, some people were looking at me like "Why is this girl dressed like Michael Jackson?" They had no clue I was their entertainment. Others that didn't know, didn't care, they were happy to see me.




People then became excited when they heard I was gonna perform. I performed outside in the sundial section and there were step seats surrounding it. This is my second time performing in Newark, so I was a little nervous, but like I thought, they showed me love. They were sticking by me as I danced my heart out. Michael was sitting right in the front row, cheering me on. After I was done people began to hug me, shake my hand and take photos with me. They were impressed and I was happy that I showed people how much Michael means to me. My mom and sister were also excited. My mom was proud of me. She also won the grand raffle prize, too. LOL

My Performance Video

Meet Me In The Garden Pt. 19, 20, and 21

Sorry everyone for the late update. It has been the most craziest fall weather happening here. It has been raining cats and dogs most of the time. Hard for me to go out and photograph my progress. The most recent photos I have of my garden are from today, which is rare because I usually photograph once every week. I have also been doing plenty of running around with work and hanging out. In these three weeks, Fall has officially begun, October has rolled in, I've been to New York a few times and even met Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson 5 and the brother of the late Michael Jackson. So I've been quite busy.

The garden is coming close to the conclusion of the gardening season. People have been clearing their boxes and prepping them for next year. We still have tomatoes, peppers, and collards growing. My mom pulled up most of the red cabbage and all of the green cabbage. She's prepared some as well for dinner along with fried green tomatoes. There is still one eggplant hanging in plot 2 from the last time. Some were starting to grow but the rain and cold air we've been having may have stopped them. Eventually we will cut that one off and try to prepare a meal using within it. After a while I will have to wrap up my series of "Meet Me In The Garden" until next year but I'll will make you aware when it will conclude.

Don't worry I will keep this blog up to date with tips and garden related experiences over the winter months. So stay tuned! :-)

Tuesday October 4, 2011
Plot 1






Plot 2






Plot 3



Around the garden: Everyone has been picking their vegetables