NEW YORK CITY- Great chocolate, pure street. Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar turns back the clock, goes back in the day and throws down a stylin’ new line of choc-o-graphic Graffiti Bars to debut this March, 2007. Ten legendary New York City graffiti artists including Blade, Crash, Crachee, Crime 79, Dondi, Dr. Revolt, Iz the Wiz, Lady Pink, Spar One and Voice of the Ghetto (Stay High 149) have created one-of a kind works transforming wrappers for an array of new candy bar of which a portion of the proceeds will benefit the All Stars Project. Produced and manufactured by Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar, each Graffiti Bar weighs an impressive 2.25 ounces and is filled with classic treats enrobed in the finest gourmet chocolate. New bar flavors include Milk Almond, Milk Cafetto, Caramel, Cookies-n-Cream, Smores, Dark Strawberry, Dark Toffee Crunch, Banana Milk, Dark Rum and Dark Chocolate. Individual bars can be purchased for $4.00 each or a Limited Edition “gallery box” includes the full 10 bars and an authentic graffiti stencil created by Brooklyn-based artist Stencil1 used for customizing wallets, walls, t-shirts or whatever. Price $40. To inquire about pre-orders please contact 800.481.2462 or email info@chocolatebarnyc.com. Press contact Workhouse Publicity, Lauren Gould via lauren@workhousepr.com or telephone 212. 645. 8006.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Provided by @149st New York City Cyber Bench www.at149st.com

BLADE ONE Aliases: STEVE 1 Started: Early 70s Primary affiliations: TC5 Local origin: Bronx, NY Main lines: 2s 5s. Blade, one of the original members of The Crazy Five can be given the title of longest reigning whole car king of the 2s and 5s. Blade started writing in the early 1970s and continued into the 1980s. From 1975 to 1980 Blade was a dominant force on the 2s and 5s. It was like almost every other train had a Blade whole car running on it. Blade’s Style was very unique, he did not follow the crowd. His work could never be confused with anyone else. He did not adhere to any set notions of style or trends common to other writers. Blade did not do wild style; yet still had incredibly imaginative letter forms. He did lettering and imagery that played with perspective and the abstraction of geometric shapes. His style was so distinguished that it drew criticism from many writers, stating that it wasn't graffiti style. But Blade’s admirers far out numbered his critics. Many writers bombed and also did whole cars but, Blade bombed with whole cars. Lee Quinones frequently credits Blade’s approach as being inspirational. Lee would become Blade’s fiercest artistic rival on the IRT 2 and 5 subway lines. During the 1970s Blade started doing window down straight letters covering the full length or the car named block busters. Though not necessarily the first writer to do a block buster, he clearly helped to establish the trend. Among Blade’s many credits was his boldness. He frequently painted at places like Esplanade near the passenger platform in broad daylight and still managed to post his famous quote "Never Busted!!!!!!". Blade’s more recent focus has been the art galleries of Europe.

CRACHEE Started: Early 70s. Primary affiliations: TC5. Local origin: Bronx, N.Y. Main lines: 2s 5s. One of the original members of The Crazy 5, Crachee was a true pioneer during graffiti's Golden Age, throwing up hundreds of pieces. He began bombing in 1972 with Vamm - another TC5 original - and decided early on to keep track of his work. So along with spray cans, Jif- foam nozzles and gloves, Crachee would carry a Kodak Instamatic camera to lay ups and train yards. When he was done, Crachee would snap away. As a result, he was able to document thousands of pieces between 1972-75 - a  critical time when a writer's "name" was the design. Crachee was the first writer to paint a two-man, top-to-bottom whole-car cloud. He also was one of the first ones to use bubble letters. Lifelong friends, Blade and Crachee have known each other since kindergarten. They became hitting partners in 1973. Blade and Crachee were so close they formed a band in 1974,  playing funk and disco and writing original songs. Their band - Bazay - played night clubs all over the New York City area. (One morning, Crachee and Blade even painted a piece honoring their band. By their names were images of Crachee playing the sax and Blade holding a bass).  Crachee stopped hitting in the late 70s, and later moved to Chicago to pursue a journalism career. He reached the top of his profession in 2004 when he received the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Journalism. A book based on his award-winning series - "Tiger Force: A True Story of Men and War," was published in May by Little, Brown & Co. It has received critical praise by major newspapers, including the Washington Post and Miami Herald. Crachee just finished his second book - The Crazy 5 - a coming-of-age novel about five friends growing up in a Bronx housing project in the early 1970s.

CRASH Started: # Primary affiliations: BLS Local origin: Bronx, NY Main lines: 1s, 3s, 5s,2s 6s CRASH hit the IRTs with vigor during the late 70s and early 80s. He produced dozens of window down whole cars with writers like Kel 139 and Daze. Via hard work and talent Crash has made one of the most successful transitions to the conventional art world. His works are displayed and sold globally. His current works still possess the vivid color and energy he produced on subways, with a twist of Lichtenstein. Crash maintains the lettering and image abstraction that many writers feel are crucial to the art form. He continues to innovate.

CRIME 79 Aliases: BC, WAVE, SUPRA ONE, 79ER Started: 1977 Primary affiliations: SIS, CIA Local origin: Brooklyn Main lines: LLs, Js, Ms
Crime 79 started writing on the streets of the East New York Section section of Brooklyn in the late 1970s. Though he hit all three subway divisions, he focused his most consistent writing efforts on the J, M and LL lines of the BMT division. The early 1980s saw the peak of his activity on the subway system. He wrote along side popular Brooklyn writers such as Peo, Sis and Baby 168 formerly of The Bronx. In 1985 CRIME concluded his transit career.

DR. REVOLT Aliases: ORB, RVLT, LINE 129, 2 RAD Started: 1977 Primary affiliations: RTW Local origin: New York City, NY Areas hit: IRTs, BMTs, INDs Main lines 1s, 3s
When you speak of Broadway you inevitably will speak of Revolt. His prolific writing and creative efforts helped to establish RTW as one of Broadway's most well known and respected crews. He put forth equal efforts on tagging insides as well as designing elaborate pieces. He as did many other members of RTW expanded from Broadway to all-city in the early 1980s.Revolt has experienced success in many venues. His work has been seen in international publications and art galleries. He has designed CD sleeves for various recording artists. Revolt part took in creating the opening animated sequence in the Charlie Ahearn film, Wild Style. He was also featured in Henry Chalfant's film Style Wars.

DONDI (memorial bar) Aliases: Asia, Bus129, Naco, Pose 2, Pre 2, White 761, Wirm, 2hot, 2many Started: Approx. 1975 Primary affiliations: CIA, TOP, MAFIA Local origin: East New York, Bklyn. Areas hit: IRTs, INDs, BMTs Main lines: Js, LLs, Ms, 5s,2s, As, CCs. Dondi was a well rounded writer, covering all bases; bombing, whole cars and wild style. He achieved global popularity for his straight letter top to bottoms via the media, in publications such as Subway Art. He gained respect from his peers by doing major work tagging prolifically on the insides of all three subway divisions. Though well accomplished in the fore mentioned, Dondi’s definitive attribute was the mastery of wild style lettering. Dondi on the BMT Most newer generation writers are more familiar with the body of work Dondi accrued on IRT subway division, but DONDI made considerable accomplishments on the BMT subway division. During the late 1970s Dondi was hitting the BMTs with style and color schemes far more sophisticated than his peers. At this point in time skilled writers like the Prisoners Of Graffiti crew, Don of Mafia crew and most members of The Fabulous 5 had stopped painting. For the most part throw-ups and quick straight letter pieces rendered in a limited color pallet were the rage. If not for Dondi, his crew and a small handful of others benching would have been pretty dismal.

IZ THE WIZ: All time all-city king  Aliases: IZZY, CI (CRAZY IZ), IKE 327, CLICK. Started: 1972 Primary affiliations: TMB, POG, TOP, 3YB, TC Local origin: Queens, NY. Main lines: ALL CITY
Iz The Wiz is without question one of New York City's most prolific writers. In aka Kill 3 is credited with the most extensive all-city bomb in NYC during 1975 and 76, but Iz was the longest reigning all-city king in NYC history, taking the title many times throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Iz was well known for his throw-ups in the mid 1970s on the IND and BMT subway divisions. In the late 1970s he broadened his focus by working on top-to-bottoms, burners and scenery whole cars on the prestigious 2 and 5 lines of the IRT subway division. During this period he simultaneously maintained all-city throw-up king status. He painted for a variety of top level crews. He has served as president of The Master Blasters and the Queens division of Prisoners Of Graffiti. He has also painted for The Odd Partners, The Crew, The Three Yard Boys and others too numerous to mention. Iz appeared in the documentary film Style Wars and portrayed a transit police detective in the film Wild Style. His work has been displayed in museums and galleries throughout the world. His most recent exhibition was at the Queens Museum of Art in June 2001.

LADY PINK Started:1979 Primary affiliations: TPA, TC5 Local origin: Queens, NY Areas hit: IRTs, INDs, BMTs Main lines: 2s, 5s, CCs
Pink aka Lady Pink is the most committed and enduring female writer of all time and can without question be labeled the most accomplished woman in the history of writing. In 1979 PINK came into prominence in the New York City subway graffiti scene. There had been few female writers of significance since the early 1970s. During the late 1970s and early 1980s PINK wrote on a variety of subway lines with the top crews in the city. Her artistic ability progressed rapidly; prompting respect and admiration from within the graffiti community. Along with the admiration came jealousy and spite, particularly because she was talented and female. PINK remained unintimidated and continued to break new ground. Her career would excel well beyond those of her critic's, both in quantity and quality. In addition to her accomplishments on the subway system PINK was involved in many important gallery exhibitions of aerosol art during the early 1980s including the Fashion Moda gallery. Her work has also been displayed at the Whitney Museum and the Bronx Museum of the Arts. She has remained active in graffiti culture on many levels, from formal art venues such as art galleries, museums and commissioned paintings to traditional graffiti street murals and even freight trains. She has style and painting ability that are clearly the results of a powerfully creative mind. PINK has painted all over the world and is still very active.

STAY HIGH 149 - Pioneer . Aliases: VOICE OF THE GHETTO Started: Early 1970s Primary affiliations: Ex Vandals (Bronx division), U.G.A. Local origin: # Main lines: All-city
During the early 1970s Stay High 149's name adorned hundreds of New York City's subway cars, particularly on the IRT division. He is one of the most famous, influential and admired writers in the history of New York City aerosol art. Most notably admired for his unique tag. He drew a smoking joint as the cross bar for his "H". Each tag was accompanied by a stick figure from the television series The Saint. He also frequently wrote the phrase "Voice of the Ghetto". His logo/name came to define "street cool" for many subsequent generations of writers. He is one of the most frequently mentioned influences for New York City writers. One of the most famous pieces in aerosol art to date is the STAY HIGH 149 top-to-bottom on the IRT subway; documented in Norman Mailer's 1974 book The faith of Graffiti. The painting done in 1973, was an early top-to-bottom whole car. As with most pieces of the time period, it was basically an extremely large version of his tag. His subway paintings also appeared in 1974 in a Richard Goldstein article for New York Magazine. STAY HIGH also participated in early presentations of graffiti art on canvas at Hugo Martinez's United graffiti Artists. By 1974 Stay High had pretty much retired from writing. After his retirement he was seldom seen and eventually went into total obscurity. His absence would span almost twenty years. In June of 2000 he made his first public appearance in the graffiti community at The State of the Art gallery in Brooklyn. Needless to say the many writers who met him for the first time were nothing short of awestruck. He remains an unblemished icon within the aerosol art culture.

SPAR ONE Aliases: LED 2 Started:1975 Primary affiliations: TFP, TNS Local origin: NYC Areas hit: Street walls Bronx, Manhattan, Queens Lines hit: Js, LLs, Ms, CCs, Ds,Es, Fs, RRs. As a native New Yorker SPAR observed subway art from its earliest stages. He began his writing career on the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side during the mid 1970s. He made his transition to the subway system in 1977. At this point he formed a partnership with his classmate the Late EL 3. SPAR favored the E, F, LL, J, M and RR lines. He wrote for Lower East Side crews like The Mad Artists and The Non Stoppers. Spar has painted with a wide variety of artists including Sent Tfp, King Kase, Noah, Duro, Soe, Joe 61, Cel, Lac, Keo, Chain 3, Jamestop and many others. Spar’s work has been formally exhibited in a variety of venues including Black and White in Color Gallery, American Vision 145, The New York Public Library and The Fun Gallery. His work has appeared in the books Spraycan Art, and New York Graffiti 1972-82 as well as Stress Magazine. In 1998 Spar One founded the Web site @149st New York City Cyber Bench (www.at149st.com). The site is dedicated to the preservation of the history of New York City subway art. @149st is the result of SPAR's long-term observation and commitment to New York City aerosol art and culture. Spar’s objective is to offer comprehensive documentation of the New York school's many generations crews and artists. SPAR utilizes connections with transit era writers across the city to ensure the factual integrity of the site's content.

All Stars Project
The All Stars Project produces one of America’s leading after-school performing arts and leadership training programs. All Stars is a ‘school for growth’, enriching the lives of over 10,000 inner city children, teens and young adults annually and is funded privately by caring adult professionals. Headquartered at a unique performing arts and education center on 42nd Street in Manhattan, All Stars sponsors developmental theatre by adults and young people and an award-winning volunteer initiative. All Stars-inspired youth programs are currently operating in six U.S. cities as well as in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.allstars.org.

Chocolate Bar New York
In the heart of New York’s West Village sits a small storefront that has started a mini-revolution among chocolate lovers. Chocolate Bar, a cozy but cosmopolitan sweet shop has broken chocolate out of its stuffy Valentine mold and inspired the notion that this cherished treat can be fun, unfussy and possess more than a dash of decadence. Fully devoted to reviving the nostalgia-influenced confections that once graced the tables of the World’s Fair, Automats, Boardwalks, dime-store candy shops, carnivals and the diners of yesteryear, Chocolate Bar continues to churn out retro-reconfigured favorites using only the freshest ingredients and highest quality. This holiday season the future is now and chocolate is the life of the party! Not a substance to be treated with reserve, it’s a slightly sweet-bitter-caffeinated, completely legal, party enhancer. It’s serious brew. All aspects of youth culture, from punk rock to mod fashion, luxury and graphic design are prevalent in this season’s provocative collection. At Chocolate Bar, the world of cosmopolitan cocoa is filled with swinging sugar soirees and perfect chocolate martinis.

Chocolate Bar is a candy store for grown-ups offering cosmopolitan luxury through old-fashioned collections and unique inspirations. Incorporating style, comfort and classic New York treats, Chocolate Bar features retro-reconfigured sweets along with a signature line of nostalgia-influenced chocolate bars. Since it’s inception in 2002, Chocolate Bar has received numerous awards including “Best Chocolate Store” from Timeout New York, 2 Citysearch “Best of Shopping” Awards, the Gourmand World Cookbook Award and more. The boutique's dazzling menu includes authentic New York egg creams, rich coffee, fine teas, nine kinds of iced and hot chocolates and pastries. Decadent confections are available for everything from Corporate gifts to personalized wedding and party favors. Online orders are available through Chocolate Bar's dynamic web site which allows visitors to order a host of scrumptious items including truffles, chocolate bars, hot chocolate, tea and more. Chocolate Bar is located at 48 Eighth Avenue between Horatio and Jane Streets. For more information visit www.chocolatebarnyc.com

Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar announced recently that the company has reached a partnership deal with Dubai-based NewCo, a newly established subsidiary of United Restaurant Development (URD), to expand the brand to Duabi (UAE) and the Middle East. The deal could bring as many as 30 Alison Nelson Chocolate Bar’s to the region whose territories include the Kingdom of Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The boutiques are expected to begin rolling out over 2007 as part of an aggressive expansion plan to bring Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar’s into new settings and markets. In 2006, the company opened its second location Chocolate Bar LBI in Long Beach Island located in Beach Haven, NJ which includes a retail component, a bar counter and a new line of baked goods. In 2007, Chocolate Bar at Henri Bendel will be unveiled with its own line of chocolate confections, baked goods, savory sandwiches, soups and salads, imported wine, beer and champagne while Chocolate Bar Toronto, a hybrid chocolate boutique/ spirits bar, is planning to open in partnership with nightclub legend Peter Gatien. Chocolate Bar products can be found around the globe in such illustrious destinations as Soho House, Henri Bendel, IFC Waverly, The Chambers Hotel, Charlie Trotters, Landmark Theaters, the Andy Warhol Museum, Mission Bay Foods, Sunshine Cinemas, Le Grand Marche, Haute Chocolate and Zanzabelle to name a few.

Chocolate Bar DTW
Chocolate Bar DTW is located at the legendary Dance Theater Workshop (DTW) at 219 West 19th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Now entering its fourth decade as one of the most influential performing arts centers in the United States, DTW has supported three generations of this country's most talented artists. A multi-faceted organization devoted to developing dance programs and resources, nearly 1,000 artists have found an artistic home at Dance Theater Workshop whose programs have evolved into effective networks that enhance the lives of artists and the communities they serve. Chocolate Bar DTW offesr an expansive line of baked goods such as Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread, Spicy & Classic Brownies, Oatmeal White Chocolate Cherry Cookies, desserts including Peanut Butter and Coconut Patties, Chocolate covered Pretzels & Oreos, Classic Truffles and a fine selection of wine and beer. Curb your cravings through even the most complicated shimmies, struts and spins as dance enthusiasts can now enjoy the sweet treats of Chocolate Bar DTW. Be it before a show, during intermission or merely on a stroll through the neighborhood, avoid a misstep and head to DTW where Chocolate Bar always ensures to keep you in motion. Chocolate Bar DTW café operating hours are Monday - Sunday from 8:30AM – 9:30PM and you do not need a ticket to come in and partake of the venues free Wi-Fi.

Chocolate Bar LBI
Pack your bikini’s! Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar, New York’s candy store for grown-ups hits the beach and unveils Chocolate Bar LBI located at 218 Centre Street in Beach Haven, New Jersey. Operating hours from 10am- 10pm Monday- Sunday. Delivering the Shore’s most delectable treats with grown-up flair, beachcombers will finally be able to enjoy a classic drink menu of iced milk shakes, fresh baked goods including muffins, croissants, spicy brownies, cookies and scones and dig into truffles, signature bars, retro and artist bars, toffee and more. Avoid a chocolate wipeout and head to the Atlantic Ocean where the surf’s up and you can always find Betties hanging 10. Directions: Exit 63 from the Garden State Parkway. Take 72 East to the end and make right on Long Beach Boulevard. Follow for 7 miles. Make left on Centre Street (Kapler's Pharmacy on the corner). Chocolate Bar is located a 1/2 blocks down on the right.

Chocolate Bar: Awards
Winner Shecky’s 2006 New York City Best Chocolate Fix: Chocolate Bar
Winner of 2 Citysearch 2005 Shopping Awards: “Best Gourmet Store” & “Best West Village Shop”
Winner Citysearch Best Hot Chocolate: Chocolate Bar
Winner 2006 Crain’s “40 Under 40”: Alison Nelson, Founder & Owner
Timeout New York 2004 Eat Out Award Winner: “Best Chocolate Store”  
Winner 2005 Gourmet News “20 Under 40”: Alison Nelson, Founder & Owner
Winner 2005 Gourmand World Cookbook Award Chocolate Bar: Recipes and Entertaining Ideas For Living The Sweet Life
Winner 2003 New York Daily News Best Holiday Sampler: Chocolate Bar
Finalist: 2003 London Design Awards: Chocolate Bar Packaging