What’s the difference between A Boat Ride & A Yacht Cruise?

Well Dressed Adult Professionals who want to cruise & dine around New York City

on luxurious multi-level luxury vessels with flat screens, luxurious powder rooms, private outdoor decks & great music by New York’s creator for adult entertainment!

3 Decks of Music

On the Main Deck

The best in

Old School Classics, New School R&B, Hip-Hop, House, Funk & New Jack Swing

The 107.5 WBLS Family salute to the Legendary Hal Jackson aka “The Chairman of the Board

BIRTHDAYS & GROUPS WELCOME

CALL (646)696-8879

The INKwell Tuesday After-work Summer Yacht Club

3 DECKS OF MUSIC

Music by your favorite INKwell DJ’s The King of Clubs Kevin “Sugar-Daddy” Woodley, DJ LA, THE FINISHER MISTER CEE & THE ORIGINAL DJ Hollywood

Reggae deck with Selector Elliot Ness  Hosted exclusively by Boogie Black

The INKwell Tuesday Summer Yacht Club is  catered exclusively by Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine

For group rates or  celebrate your birthday, special event, corporate event with

The INKwell on the Water call (646)696-8879. 

IF YOU MISSED LAST SUMMER GRAND OPENING with CRYSTAL WATERS VIEW LIVE BELOW

MEMORIES FROM THE  ANNUAL RADIO & RECORDS SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE CRUISE

Sharon Heyward is a 30 years industry music marketing maven who has built multi-platinum and/or Grammy-winning hits for some of the biggest names in R&B including Paula Abdul, After 7, Evelyn Champagne King, Mint Condition, Vicki Sue Robinson, Soul II Soul and Sounds Of Blackness.  Sharon Heyward began her career right out of high school at Columbia Records as a file clerk.  Simultaneously, she began the job that remains most dear to her, raising her daughter.  ”Back then, just being a Black woman in the music industry was tough enough. I was also a single parent.  Succeeding during those times, I know there’s nothing I can’t do, once I decide to do it.”

Sharon’s career turning point came in 1971 when she was hired as Assistant Sales Manager at Buddah Records, where she was later promoted to National FM Radio Promotions Rep, then to Director of Club Promotions.   In 1974, Sharon joined RCA Records as product manager and in 1987 she was hired at Virgin Records as Marketing Director. Subsequently, Sharon was promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager at Virgin.  By 1993, she was named President of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ Perspective Records and in 1996 she struck out on her own forming Sharon Heyward Enterprises (SHE), a marketing consulting firm.

Summoned back to the daily workings of a record company, in 1998, Harmony Records named Sharon Heyward Vice President and General Manager of the company.  When asked her greatest accomplishment to date, for Sharon the answer is simple: “My greatest hit to date is my daughter, a well-known and highly respected executive in the music industry.”

FULL FORCE the Brooklyn-based original hip-hop vocal band, can boast twenty charted singles and half-a-dozen best-selling albums Providing a slew of artists from the first Latin hip-hop diva Lisa Lisa to soul legend James Brown and '90s global superstars Backstreet Boys and N’Sync with hit records FULL FORCE has with a diversity of acts including Britney Spears, The BackStreet Boys, NSync, LFO, Selena, Patti LaBelle, U.T.F.O., Samantha Fox, Monifah, Bob Dylan, Jasmine Guy, Teddy Riley, Cheryl Pepsii Riley and M2M.

FULL FORCE has been able to maintain and sustain in an ever-changing musical climate may have much to do with their roots as a family team. Early on, the George brothers (Bowlegged Lou, Paul Anthony and B-Fine) received vocal coaching from their father (Lucien George Sr.) and uncle Cito. Hooking up with cousins Curt-t-t (guitar), Baby Gerry (keyboards) and Shy Shy (bass), the brothers (with B-Fine on drums) formed FULL FORCE. The band quickly became Brooklyn's No. 1 group and after paying dues performing on street corners and in local clubs, the group won the much-coveted first prize at the famed Apollo Theater's renowned 'Amateur Night,' four times in a row.

Shows with the likes of Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and The Whispers were a prelude to FULL FORCE's explosion onto the recording scene which initially came when they produced and co-wrote "Roxanne, Roxanne" for U.T.F.O. in 1985. It was Bowlegged Lou’s college buddy (and FULL FORCE’s ex-co-manager) Steve Salem, who gave FULL FORCE the idea to start producing. Never wanting to produce for anyone but FULL FORCE, Steve took Lou aside and explained that producing would be a way to grab the attention of the recording industry, who were, at that time overlooking FULL FORCE. If FULL FORCE were successful in producing other artists, the recording industry’s attention would be on FULL FORCE, the artists. And needless to say, he was right. In short order, the group secured its own recording deal with Columbia Records and quickly became chartmakers in their own right.

The Ladies of Skyy performed their hits “Call Me”, “Start of Romance” “Here’s to You”, “High” & “Let’s Celebrate”.  Click on photo

above or below to listen to the Ladies of Skyy classic hits.

Radio Personalities Eddie Love, Ken Webb, Vauhn Harper & Rocky Bucano, Music Executive & DJ Kevin “Sugar-Daddy” Woodley, Publicist Rose Cooley, Producer Allen George, Singer Alyson Williams, Honoree Hal Jackson, Radio Personality Debbie Jackson & Music Executive Deidre Tate.

     The Legendary

      FULL FORCE   

   Music Maven

Sharon Heyward   

Vinny Brown is a native New Yorker recognized and distinguished among the elite in Radio Programming. An accomplished Radio Air Personality, Music Director, Program Director, Operations Manager and Station EVP, Brown’s unprecedented achievement in New York City Urban Radio remains unrivaled. As an NYC OM/PD he’s credited for leading two different radio stations, WRKS and WBLS respectively, to the top of the ratings more times repeatedly in America’s #1 radio market. Brown’s leadership and proven track record validates his ability to maximize performance and ascend radio stations to winning levels of competitiveness.

Vinny’s multi-format expertise specializes in Urban Mainstream, Urban AC and Smooth R&B & Classic Soul. Brown’s experience includes General Market Contemporary Hit Radio, Classic Rock, Country, News/Talk and Gospel, which offer an impressive range of versatility and diversity among his most respected credentials spanning from New York to LA.

Vinny has built a strong reputation for talent development through the years. It includes working with a number of high profile air personalities as well as training many celebrities to be on-air performers. Subsequently many have become most successful in major market radio, national syndication and satellite radio. Brown has been responsible for the creation of network programming for national radio syndication and the development of international shows for FM stations in Kobe’ and Tokyo Bay Japan. His imaging marketing background includes voicing nationally aired radio spots and producing TV commercials marketing radio stations. Vinny also has appeared as himself on TV sitcom “Martin” and was a contributing consultant to the movie “Juice.”

Brown has received numerous awards and prestigious recognition for excellence and outstanding achievement within the radio industry and community service. Brown currently serves as EVP/Consultant to KJLH Radio Los Angeles and on the Board of Directors of the Living Legends Foundation.

Dedra N. Tate, a Howard University graduate, has been a thriving contributor to the entertainment industry for over twenty-five years.  After thirteen years as president and general manager of Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Entertainment, Tate stepped into the entrepreneurial arena with her company Unlimited Contacts, Inc.  Under the UCI banner, Tate has successfully leveraged her years of experience and contacts to segue into TV/Film production, event planning, career management, promotion/marketing consulting and public speaking.

Tate started her career in 1984 as advertising sales assistant at MTV Networks, Inc.  Tate transitioned to the music industry as National Promotion Coordinator for UNI Records followed by executive positions in Radio & Video Promotions at MCA, Motown & BIV 10 Records.  

Flavor Unit Entertainment partners, Queen Latifah and Sha-Kim, offered Tate the position of president and general manager where she handled the daily operations of three record labels, a management company and a burgeoning television and film production division.  Dedra was the Supervising Producer for UPN’s VIBE AWARDS and produced projects for Flavor Unit Television and Films, including "KIDNAPPED," developed with Lions Gate Entertainment and “WIFEY’S” with VH-1 & BET Networks.

Tate is the associate producer of the independent film “Blackout,” with an ensemble cast enhanced by the performances of Jeffrey Wright, Saul Rubinek, Latanya Richardson-Jackson and Melvin Van Peebles.   “Blackout” was written, directed and produced by Tate’s Unlimited Contacts, Inc. client, Jerry Lamothe and was an instant audience hit at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival and the Urbanworld/VIBE Film Festival.   Dedra also co-Produced Lamothe’s latest creative venture, “The Tombs,” a short film starring Nashawn Kearse that chronicles the journey of an African American man processed into NYC’s central booking system.

Tate has now added the moniker of casting director to her credits with her latest independent film “Life, Love, Soul.”  Tate wore multiple hats to bring LLS to fruition including Producer, Casting Director, Music Supervisor and also played a key role in securing private investors to fund the production.   LLS stars Jamie Hector and Chad Coleman from HBO’s “The Wire,” Terri J. Vaughn (“The Steve Harvey Show”/”All of Us”), Tami Roman  (CBS’s “Moonlight”/”Wifey’s) and Ashford & Simpson’s Valerie Simpson, in her acting debut. 

Life, Love, Soul secured a limited theatrical release at select AMC Theaters and a DVD distribution agreement with Melee Entertainment.  LLS was the winner of the prestigious “Audience Award” at the 2011 BET Urbanworld Film Festival and was also an HBO Finalist at the 2011 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.  The Links, Incorporated and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women also unanimously selected Life, Love, Soul as the opening night red carpet premiere for the Teaneck International Film Festival in November, 2011, with all proceeds benefiting their charitable work in Bergen County, NJ.   Tate is busy working on her latest project titled “ZOO,” serving as the films Associate Producer.

The list of artists Tate has worked with, and helped guide the careers of, reads like a who’s who of the record industry:  Queen Latifah, Boyz II Men, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, New Edition, GUY, Shanice, Aaron Hall and The Boys, to name a few.   Tate is currently focused on utilizing her years of knowledge and "unlimited contacts" to guide the careers of burgeoning independent artists and labels.  

Tate is a jury member for the International Emmy Awards and serves on the Board of Directors for A Better Bronx For Youth and Support Network, Inc., honored by both organizations for her work in the community.   Tate has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious National Urban League "Building Brick Award", Ebony Magazine’s “Outstanding Women In Marketing & Communications,” National Action Network’s "Women of Excellence Award,” 98.7 KISS-FM “Phenomenal Woman” Award and was part of the first group of “40 Under 40 Achievement Award” recipients.

Dedra attributes her success to the love, strength and support she gets from her family, each specializing in their own area of expertise for her development.  Business savvy and hard work from her mother Sandra; ambition, comedic style and vivacity from her father Bob, attitude and spirit from her older sister Jeannine, her youthful exuberance from her nephew Robbie and her love for life from her teenage son Jian.

    Radio Icon

VINNY BROWN  

     Music Manager

      DEDRA TATE   

Boarding: 6:30-7:15pm  Departure: 7:30pm SHARP    Cruise, Dance & Dine until 10:30pm

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