Friday, December 30, 2005

out 26 (THE BEST OF MAATSPEAR)








THE BEST (AND NOT SO BEST)OF OUT--BY MAAT

Hello cyberfriends. Just wanted to let you all know that I will be back up and running the second week in January for what is going on around the town. With this being the New Years weekend, there is I'm sure all kinds of parties that you and I will be going to. Drop me a line and tell me how your New Years went at maatspear@yahoo.com and I will post it on my blog.
In the meantime, I will give you my opinions of the best and no so best while I was out and about telling you all what's been happening. Ever since I started this blog July 8 (two days after my b-day), I didnt realize how popular this site would be and because of that, it gave me the motivation to continue on with this. OK, here is my take on what I thought was happening in 2005:


Best Party: The Best of the Riverfront Times, Moolah Lounge
Packed house., Free invite through RSVP. Free food. Great ambience. Drag queen Dieta Pepsi hosted. Rapper Vice performed. Over 1500 showed up. Big ups to Charrise Pantella for a great party!

Worst PArty: T-Shirts and Panties, Panama Reds
No one showed up (only eight). There were no T-shirts or panties going on. I left a hot pary at Seven to go to this.

Best Special Event: Regional Emmys, Hyatt Regency, Union Station
I was nominated for an Emmy this year for Best Program Segment for my hotsing duties on Charter's now defunct Reel Entertainment Show on jazz vocalist Rene Marie (thanks to Pete Foggy!)and it was an experience attending an event where big hitters like TV news journalists Mandy Murphey, Dick Ford and Karen Foss were in attendance.
I will treasure this forveer!

Worst Special Event: Webbie Concert at Toxic
The crowd was rowdy. Webbie was drunk. when the concert was over, the cops were waiting for something to happen.

Best Ongoing Event: 5 Spot, Club Dreams/Vault/Hard Rock Cafe
Although the venue changed, 5 Spot returned to its home at Club Dreams, formerly the Kastle. Great venue for local artists. Before I was "banned " from there, I saw Coco Soul and national artist Eric Roberson there. A great neo-soul spot and house band Level Ground is always on point.

Shocking Moment: Charlie Murphy gets booed at the Fox during Mike Epps Live at Fox
It was too unreal to be true. I guess he just wasnt funny to the crowd. He got so pissed that he threw down his mike and gave two fuck you signs to the audience before he left off the stage.

Wildest Moment: Two black guys making a human sandwich with a white girl at Common. De La Soul/ John Legend concert at Pageant

They had to have been drunk. Soon after the show was over, two black guys had a white girl in between them . One guy was behind her. One was in front. One guy wrapped his hands around the other guys butt , while the other guy wrapped his hands around her waist and all of them were hugged all up and grinding each other. That was too much playing for reality's sake, for real!

Honorable mention: Melvin M's kissing rage with a chic in the Pepper Lounge's men's restroom!


Weirdest Moment: Drunk White guy at Drunken Fish
I was doing a pre-celebration of my Emmy nod with Kameron and Christiaan when this white guy got candid with me about his black girlfriend, even showing me a pic of her on his camera celly, while his white wife was sitting next to him! Then asked me why guys cant show their dicks when women can show their panties in public. I would have gotten uncomfortable about all this, but he was buying me drinks, so I just blew it off.


Scariest Moment: Guy throwing a bottle outside Plush
No, I wasnt there when a guy had shot outside of Plush a couple of weeks ago, but earlier this year, me, Kameron and Christiaan were standing outside waiting to get in for Syleens Johnson's mini concert and a guy threw a bottle on the ground around some other guys. I wouldnt have been able to run cause this was when I stubbed my toe earlier on the den table at home.

Best Concert: Common/De LA Soul/John Legend at the Pageant
Great show. Everyone was on point. It lasted about four hours because of the history lesson the dee-jay was giving by playing old school R&B and hip-hop between each act. Common was the highlight. Legend was OK, but as the night started winding down, so were the people to their cars.

Worst concert: Webbie at Toxic
Nuff said about this one.

Best Club: The Formula
Formerly Club Isis, The Thompsons, Kwame, Tony and Sonia Branscomb had a great concept to have a diverse crowd during each night they were open. Who would have thought they could have brought Boy Geoirge (right before he got caught with that coke in hi scrib earlier this year) to open up their club and it being full capacity? Actress Markla Gibbs even showed up for a CD listening party for her jazz CD. Great atmosphere.


Best Dee-Jay in a Club:DJ NAppy Needles
Whether its at Seven, 609, or the new Improv, you know you are going to get your party on when Needles are on the 1s and 2s. Besides, he's from East Boogie and his pop is the legendary radio dee-jay Jim Gates for God sakes!


Club Song of the Year: In YA FAce--Ebony Eyez
I love this song! The hook is crazy and energetic. Although it sounds like the sister to J-Kwon's Tipsy (both produced by the now disbanded Track Boyz), the song got people moving in the clubs. Too bad it didnt do as well nationally, but locally it was definitely a No. 1 jam!


Most Outgoing Person,male: Kameron Hopson
Wherever he was, I was, so no question he was the most outgoing. And the brother can dress! His trademarked dark shades and suit with tie and jeans had the clubs talkin'.


Most Outgoing Person, female: JAmelle

This sister was everywhere in the 2005. Whether it was modeling for someones fashion show, being a hair model for Steve Lacy's Hair Show at the Hyatt, or passing out Halloweeen necklaces at Club Dreams, this chic was the Paris Hilton of the Lou(and is always smiling and cheery). Big ups to your sexy self.

Best Movie I saw: Crash
This film about the goings on in L.A. based upon cultural and racial differences struck a chord with me. Strong performances by Don Cheadle, Ludacris and Oscar worthy Terrence Howard., A must see for real!


Worst Movie I saw: Get Rich or Die Tryin
50 Cent should stick to rapping cause his acting is HORRIBLE. This movie was supposed to be a docudrama about his rise in the rap game, but the only saving grace was Terence Howard who wasnt trying hard in this film. Oh , the shower scene in prison was definitely something for the joke reel!


Missed Event: Kanye West Private PArty at Nectar
I hate I missed this cause I hear Kanye was cool and talked to everyone who was invited there (It was a special invite of 50 plus a guest through Hipster and Synergy). I would have loved to rap to him about his take on the world. The brother is deep anbd has balls to talk what he talks about!

Best Live Theatre Show: I-2195, Touhill
The play was very interesting about a former freedom fighter woman who hides in the woods until the government comes to arrest her. What made it interesting was the cast was all-black with no reference to race. Unity theater's Thomasina Clarke starred in this great play (check out my review on kdhx.org).

Best Local Individual Perfromance: The girls performing as Destinys Child at Steve Lacy's Hair Show at Hyatt Regency
Hot to death! They all did their thing pantomining Destiny's Child's hit, "Lose My Breath." The sista who portraed Beyonce should definitely be applauded, with all her bootyliciousness.

Best Host: Isis Jones
Always gracious. She is exteremly talented (she even can sing releasing her own CD, Woman Child, out now). If it's hosting for Majic 104.9, the former Q95.5, or 5 Spot, she keeps it real and still is a lady with it without shouting or being forced to be ghetto (Even when she was calling for sista's on stage for the Bad Bitch contest at the Webbie concert she was still a lady with it).


Well, that's a little taste of my blog. I could have donw more, but if you all feel yay or nay on my choices, let me know by posting here oir emailing me at maatspear@yahoo.com.
Again, I will return with a new post the second week in January 2006.
Until next time, see ya outside!

Friday, December 23, 2005

out 25


Wassup cyberfriends

I got an email about this hot party going on on Santa day. Peep this out.


Midwest Management presents "The Winter White Slow Jam", December 25,2005 at The Improv Theater @ Union Station featuring 2004 American IdolFinalist DeAndrae Perryman and FriendsDecember 19, 2005 - St. Louis, MO -- It is with the greatest pleasure and excitement that I announce the"Winter White Slow Jam" featuring DeAndrae Perryman and Friends at thepremier venue for live performances -- THE IMPROV THEATER(www.theimprovstl.com) in Union Station!!! Please join me on Christmas night at this "Grown and Sexy Event" wherethis artist will sing about real relationships, real stories and love.Your soul will be infused with desire and your reality will be mixedwith tantalizing grooves. DeAndrae's musical cocktail of rhythm and souland a touch of jazz saturated with a hip hop edge will hit you andcreate an intoxicating brew for your heart and ears.The Winter White Slow JamSunday, December 25, 2005

Doors open @ 8pm, the show starts at 9pmFeaturing American Idol Finalist, DeAndrae Perryman (with a live band),Dem Girlz, Anthony David, DJ Sir Los and a special celebrity guest host- Comedian Darius Bradford.Admission: In Advance - $10/$15 for couples * At the door $15/$20 forcouplesDrink Specials All Night Long!!!

Tickets in advance may be purchased at:The Improve Theater @ Union Station - (314)621-2727Midwest Management and Entertainment Services, Inc. - (618)593-9237

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

out 24 (revised)


Hello blogfriends, far and wide in the Lou, this is your No. 1 blogger, Ma'at trying to give you my recap of my days since the last recap. Man I tell ya, it has been drama already with my trying to get this post done. First, my computer has fried. It was seven years old and it pretty much was a dinosaur. So, I had to travel to Impakt Gaming Center, a cyber cafe in Belleville just to post this (the cafe dont allow uploading photos so I have to upload my Dwele shot in the near future), but I am here for you all so you all can get my take on what my eyes have saw for the past seven days. (THE SHOT IS NOW UP__TO YOUR RIGHT AS OF DEC. 22)


First off, I want to give the Freeman Bosley Junior Show a shot out for telling their radio audience last Sunday about my blog. Nikki Roach during her Nick At Nine report, told the radio ears about my site. I was busy resting from the weekend rendevous when I turned on the radio and heard it. The last time I talked with Nikki was about a month ago when I saw her at The Best of the Riverfront Times Party at the Moolah and she said that she would give me a shout out--and she did. Much love to the Freeman Bosley Junior Show (Now, maybe I can be a guest on the show and tell y'all aboyut my blog? LOL)


With the X-mas holidays quickly coming near, I just want those to know that X-mas is not really about Jesus' birth or anything like that, lets face it, its all about eating and getting gifts and thirdly, being with family. When churchgoers say, "Jesus is the reason for the season," they must have forgotten the Galleria and St. Clair Square Mall as secondary reasons. But I digress. On to the recap

My weekend started when I attended the Platinum Group's yearly X-mas holiday and networking party. This year, it was at the Casa Lama Ballroom on Iowa and Cherokee on the South Side (previous years it was held at the Sheldon Concert Hall). I got there around 8 p.m. or so , so I can get an early start on all the food and free Anheuser Busch beer products I can drink(I'll chime in on this later on). When I got there, I paid my 25 bones to attend it and called my boy Kameron, so he can get the directions to the event. Oh, BTW, I was wearing a tannish cotton-like sweater that had puffy cotton sleeves and collar that was definitely original (I got it about 10 ago when I went to Chicago--attending that debacle of a Manhattan Model Search--at an under-the-street warehouse). The people up front told me to go upstairs so I can start getting my network on and play there guess what game with the different business reppin at the party. I saw Platinum co-owner Leata Price and gave her a nice hug. She told me to enjoy myself and have a good time and to go upstairs to get my gift bag and networking going. .So before I went upstairs, I ran into Melvin Moore of the St. Louis American (who told me he was still juiced from his American newpsaper office party he attended earlier that day)and rapped with him for a minute about the festivities, then went upstairs. Meanwhile, a pretty sista in aSanta skirt and hat gave me a blue survey that had clues to the businesses who were participating in the game, so I proceeded on to the area. I ran into other local VIPS including the Post's Kevin Johnson (who was weraing a suit and tie! I know the world is ending soon now LOL), local singers Coco Soul and Arron Foster (you was looking pretty dap in teh suit) and Clear Channel's Angie Brown. Now mind you, before I got there, I had some KAMO so I was pretty much on my way of being lit already, but I was able to maintain walking as though I had some balance. So I went up to each organization and pretty much guessed their business from teh clues on teh card. Some of them were Bally Total Fitness (D Anthony and another trainer guy from Clayton were reppin there), Brooke Financial Services, New Day Realty, UPS, Bassett in Farview Heights (I'm getting a gift certificate from them pretty soon just because I'm also on teh east side), Supreme Lending, The Computer Outlet Store, and Vincent's Jewlers, who were giving away free pearls for the ones who arruived at their store the next morning as soon as they opened and say, "I attended the Platinum Group Party." (I thought this marketing tool was very creative and daring, giving away theri profits like that, but hey everybody aint able). So, I answered all of the survey questions and walked back over to the Sista Santa to claim my gifty bag which had a variety of things like a Seagram;s T-shirt, a 2006 calendar. keychains, and two small non-alcohol gin-and juice bottles(what was up with that). As soon as I was going back downstairs, Kameron called and said that he was lost and I had to give him the directions again. I saw that the crowd was swelling up with people who I wanted to see (and didnt want to see), as I headed to the food spread. To me, it seemed as though the food spread wasnt as lavish as last year. They had the prme rib, but the rest of the food was pretty much finger foods like, chicken (fried and spicy) crackers and cold shrimp. I saw that they had the chocolate dipping machine, but I didnt really see all of the desserts that they had like last year. Hmm, I was wonering what was going on with that, but just when I was about to answer my own question, Christiaan called my name and I saw he was about three people down from behind me in the food line. I waited up on him when he got his food as he went to his cousin Cynthia Boone's table so we can eat. As I was at the table, several local VIPS walked passed the table like local music producer James Glasco (whassup with the new number?), and model Lester Robinson, who also works out at Ballys in Clayton (I saw many many people, women and men who go to Ballys up in the party, hmmm, was there a comnnmection there?). Countercorner to out table was the St. Louis American table where I said hello with a handwave to Controller Robin Britt and Editor Melequecia Meadows (Hope I'm spelling your name right). As I was socializing, I got a call from Kam asking where I was. I asked was in and he said yes. So, I told him I was put my hand in air to signal where I was. He said he saw me and when I turned around my boy had a plate of chicken already and I was like, "Man I thought you were still on teh raodm, you already chillin with chicken." While me, Kam and Christian and this sista who sat next to Kam was getting sociable, they had live entertainment on stage. Now I know I missed some of the singing last year and I wanted to attend it because many of the ST. Louis Ameircn Idol contestants were performing like Aloha and Pierre, and that was the reason why I came early to hear the singers, but I didnt know it was going last for nearly three hours! Now, dont get me wrong, the singers were on point like Coco Soul who threw down on Chaka's Through The Fire, Terry Hutchins and tween girl group Sosy, but after 11 p.m., people were ready to get their party on. But when it was about that time when everybody was juiced from the drinks, oh speaking of drinks, we ha dto buy our drinks, there were NO FREE BUSCH PRODUCTS this year. I was crushed like a jellybean under a shoe during an Easter Egg Hunt. I saw my boy Jacque LAnd (who was sharp as a pin in his suit and he said that everybody was asking for it but they couldnt swing it this year). Man, that was a shame and Busch prez Johnny Furr was up in there, too. He couldnt have swiped a few bottles for the party? Mmmm. Guess not. Anyway, bout time it was for partying, jazz sax man Tim Cunningham started blowing Silent Night, What? No! People wanted to party, not sleep. I mean, he was good and all, but it was just time to get on the dance floor. While the live enetertainment was going on, I walked to one of the bars to purchase a Long Island (liek y'all already know), and ran into my high school friend Monica Robinson who is now PR for Fox Theatre. I talked with her for a minute, hugged her and went on my drink hunt. I got to the bar and saw photographer Maurice Meredith who had his ammunition camera in his grasp talking with a guy. i was about to ask if he could take my pic, but I was ansy for my drink. So, I purchased my drink (which was 7 bucks) and walke dback to my seat. My boy Kam staretd rapping to Channel 4 beauty Vickie Newton. He gave her a message thearpy card and who knows what else afterward. LOL. But she was looking OK. Not as "glamorest" as she usually is on TV, but she got people talking (especially after she was seen hugged up on a brotha up in there). The sista that was sitting next to us was drinking and she said, "I dont feel like a lady anymore." Now, you know me, I couldnt resist, the punchline, so I touched her neck to see if she had an Adams Apple. Peopel at the table where I was cracked up laughing. They also had a gift drawing and it was all good until they called Eric Rhone, super manager for Cedric The Entertainer. You can hear grumbling in the audience and I knew what their sentiment was: For someone who got everything and then some as far as dollaz, he had to win a gift where teh rest of us is struggling to pinch a Lincoln penny. But I digress....Then I saw Entertainment Editor Bill beene walking to the St. Louis American table to get comfortable. I assisted him with his long black Superfly coat and then said to him, "Dont say I never done anything for you." I dont know why I said that, but being me, I say whatever comes to me, but it was all in fun. It was close to 11:30 pm when it was time to party, but the dee-jay (his name slips me now), but he was an old schooler dee-jay. The lastest song he played was Kanye's Goldigger." Well, I guess beggers couldnt be choosey and went on and got our party on. I partied with unknown sisters even pretending I was John Travolta and pointing at everybody. I believe I was sauced up good cause I cant believe how I was dancing, but it was all good. When it was over, people started grabbing the flower centrpeieces (I got one too), I talked to a few other people, hugged Leata again, and Kam, Christiaan and I headed out. When I drove off, I called my boy Carlos to see if he still was kicking it at Plush for his birthday (I thought it was Saturday nite, but it was the same nite of the Platinum Party) and he told me that he and his crew was at Nectar getting their groove and told him I was going to be there(he even put his on and off again lady Gina on the phone asking where I was!!!!), but I changed my mind, when I took a wrong turn on 44 and went out of my from downtown (I think it was too many LOng ISlands that was given to me at the party). So, I just went to the crib.

Oh before I forget, the Kanye West after party at Nectar two weeks ago was just OK. He showed up after his opening for U2 and greeted with some of the invited few who was able to email Hipster and Syngery to be apart of the RSVPers. He showed up in a hooded jacket, greeted everybody and was chill. No red caroet stuff or none of that. A source of mine said that many sistas were trying to give him their numbers and that he was definitely was obliging on a pussy hunt. If I hear of any hotel party stuf I will let you all know.

Last Saturday, I attended Virgin recording artist Dwele concert hosted by Club Seven. I enjoyed the concert, but I knew what to expect when it comes to Dwele. Great music, Great singing. Great piano playing, but no stage presence. I remeber when he performed at Jazz at the Bistro in 03 when The Flow Ink brought him and the opening act Coco Soul, who was pregnant at the time and featured her cousin Tina Pate busting the background) was blazin more than him on the performing tip. He was there to promote his latest CD, "Some Kinda." Kam and I jetted up there through access from Cliff Wade of Spin City Recordz who had two of his artists Jzanell and Nick Demio to open up for Dwele. befor eanyoine came up on the makeshift sytage that was set in one of the VIP areas of the club, the crowd was listening to Floetry; latets CD, "Flo'Ology". Meanwhile, some of the STL VIP was up in theer liek Majic's Selena J, who was looking sexy and flyy and who was bringing out the opening act (She spat a poem about being tired of waiting that was deep to match the accidental spit that came from my mouth when I was talking to her prior to her getting up on stage. LOL), The Flow Ink' s Charles Brown and his lovely wife and his brother Daniel, Joe Whitfield(I saw you freaky deakin that chic!), Kevin Johnson I'm not mad about not getting invited to your boy's private party), and Christiaan. I also saw Seven owner Harry Michel and saw that his wife is pregnant. Congrats to both of them. I also saw my former STL American collague and current business reporter for the Post Tavia Evans who is sportin some karats on her finger now that she is engaged to be married. I played it cool on flirtin with her cause her mini-Mack 10 fiance was holding her hand. Anyway, the show started about 10:30 p.m. and Jzanell did her thing as always (she was weraing a hella sexy halter top and skin pants) sinhging tunes from her upcoming CD, like "Get to Know Me," and Dont Be Skurred (that was accompanied by her labelmate Nick Demio) and Cliff was telling me that she will be opening up for Mary J Blige Feb 11 when she blaze through the Lou to promote her latest Cd, "Breakthrough.". Thats all and right! Another Stlousian gettin their exposure on! When she did her 10 mninutes, Foxy 95's Garth Adams brought on Dwele. His fans went bananas for him as he sang tunes from both his debut 2003 CD, "Subject" and his latest "Some Kinda." he had a live five piece band from Detroit and they had it on blast for about 90 minutes. The highlights of his show was when he pretended his show was like a radio cast and he asked for the ladies to walk up to the stage area and request their favorite songs and he sang them AND when he got a real big applauded when he performed the song. "Truth" off his last CD (even sista girl Vanita Applebum had to get happy when she heard that song) During his concert, Cliff introduced me to Nick Demio ( he looks like a little kid who just stole some cookies out the cookie jar!). I dont know if he was nervous to meet me, but whatever Cliff said to him, had him looking skurred, but he was cool. Around 11:30 p.m., people were beginning to talk and get restless during his set. People were ready to get their party on (hmmm, sounds familiar) and Dwele's music is more mellow than Laffy Taffy (My boy Kam even went to the Art bar, the other side of Seven to get his lay down for a minute). After his set was over, Dwele chilled up in VIP for a minute and DJ Napply Needles and guest Dee-jay, Deejay Mark from Chciago took turns on the 1s and 2s. You can really tell the difference in styles cause the dee-jay from chi-town was thumping and housing people like Jill Scott and even playing Kanye's "Heard Them Say." It was a whole different vibe than what STL is used to, but it was cool mix. After aboiut an hour of walking around and seeing what was going on, i was about to hit Club Dreams to Murphy Lee's Birthday Party, but I started to lose steam from partying from last nite and then going to the gym that day, so I drove my car east to the crib.


QUICK BITS. Happy Birthday to Tia Hodges who celebrates on Dec 21. Check out my story on the Big River City Concert featuring Dianne Reeves and Ellis Marsalis at the Sheldon coming up Dec 29 in West End Word Newspaper (you can also peep it out at westendword.com) and I just got a modeling gig with Anheuser Busch to do an outsiude a photo shoot with them on Jan. 18. and Jamie Spencer is going to Chicago in Feb 2006 to audition to be one of John Legend's background singers.

Well that will be all for me. Next week, I will skip a week to recoup from all this blogging in the past six months. I will resume the first week in January with a report on the Roberts Brothers Party and other things happening during the X-mas/New Years party weekFor next week, I decided to do a Best and Worst List of events attended during my blog season.

In the meantime, If you all want anything mentioned or you have a scoop on something happening in the Lou and beyond, just email me at maatspear@yahoo.com and I will post it up on here.Until the next time, be out!

Thursday, December 15, 2005

out 23





What's happening all. This is Ma'at about to give you all the outside report on the last 7 days since the last time I blogged you. Well sorta. This week, I'm doing something different. I took a hiatus of sorts and let my V.I.PEEPERS, who were out on the town gave the word on what was happening last week. I trust them and here is what they attended. OK. here we go.

Last weekend was the opening of the new venue, Improv and they had two events to celebrate their grand opneing, a free comedy show showcasing some STL comics last Friday and a dj-dance jam on Saturday. My VIPEEPER, CC, told me that the comdey show was packed like a chitlin bucket (I would think so, if the letters spell F-R-E-E_). The comics who performed were BET comic and Club Dremas co-owner Maurice G (pictured in the black and white photo), who also hosted the event, BET Coming to the Stage star Arvin Micthell (pictured on the right in the color pic)(who host Funny First Sundays at Blue Berry Hill) , former BET This is the Way We Do it star Darius Bradford (who host a Monday Comdey Night at Plush) and a white chick named Bree Johnson. CC said hat each comedian did theri thing. the highlights were when Arvin did an impersonation of a robber getting his gun taken at a store, Darius talking about whyy mammas let their kids go to the store knowing that the neighborhood dog was going to chase them and the white chick saying a line like, "You know, I just want a man to take me out to dinner and give me anal." I think that line is hilarious but CC said that the joke didnt go over well with the crowd (and it was a mixed crowd). Oh well. Anyway, STL comics are doing their thing and STL should recognize that ( I hear Last Comic Standing star Jessie Taylor is getting ready to do his thing at the Funny Bone Dec 21-23; He's also host of his own comedy night at Toxic on Wednesday night doing it like he used to at the Spot on Sundays) . I need to digress here. What was up with 100.3 the Beat Morning SHow host Dee-Lee saying a couple of weeks ago that Maurice G was spotted inside Faces Nightclub? That was FOUL. His co-hosts did not even break a giggle on that joke. I dont think that that is true. And if it was, Dee-Lee shouldnt have said that(And if it is, what does he know about Faces........) Speaking of comedians, we lost a big star of the genre this past weekend, Richard Pryor. He dide dof a heartattack at the age of 65 (Did you know he was born in Peoria, Illinois?). he ha s been battling health problems since the mid 80s with MS and I guess it was too much for him to bare. He was definitely a genius. he taught the book on how to be a comic, showing your true self behind the laughter. My fave movie of his was "Which Way Is Up." That movie showed his comical talent and the different characters he played in one movie (This movie definitely had to influence Eddie Murphy's Nutty Professor films). The Grandpa role was the funniest (who couldnt forget that line, "Somebody stole my last piece of CHICKEN"). He will be deeply missed.

Last Saturday, CC attended Matthew Dickey's Boys' and Girls' Club Fashion Show Benefit at Adams Mark Hotel (here we go) at one of the ballrooms upstairs. Now, I have to digress again, why do we still keep having events at this hotel when it is known that this hotel discriminates against people of color!!! Couldnt they have had this function at the WS or the Orpheum that is black owned by the Roberts Brothers. Enough of my soap suds, lets get back to the report.........Over 30 models from agencies West, Talent Plus, Thee Rasberry Company and Samaj (thats James spelled backwards) strutted their stuff on the runway. Some of them were my boy Carlos McClaurin (thanks for the invte to your B-Day celebration at Plush this coming up Saturday), sexy 5 Spot background singer Lynette brown, Lakeisha Halbert and, according to CC, "Two Jasons and a Donald." The event was emceed by KTVI's Bonita Kornute (who, by the way, is the reporter that got worked it out in her work out at Ballys in the Blind Item question from last week). KTVI sports anchor Rob Desir (who was dresseed in a tux) was the escort for the female models. It was definitely a dressy occassion cause teh tickets were 30 bones (even Mayor Francis Slay and his wife were in attendance) and it was a sit down dinner. I asked CC if there were any backstage dirt that was going on and it wasnt too much happening (CC did want me to report that one of the male models needed a lesson in fashion 101 when he put his street clothes on a hangar with the labeled clothes for the show. DUHHHH-DOH)......Later that night CC went to the Improv's second night of grand opening with jazz band Level ground performing and DJ Charlie Chan spinning on the 1s and 2s . CC said that it wasnt as packed (It was 10 bones to get up in there). People were probably nearby at Plush or Toxic. (I was going to say a dee-jay joke here, but I changed my mind)

Last Tuesday, an old friend of mine and I decided to have dinner at Red Lobster on the East Side across from the Fairview 10 Cine to catch up on old times and getting the update on people we knew. While we were there ( I had shrimp, lobster and crawfish pasta with a LOng Island tea), we were sitting by a large family that was seated in the center (It was about 10 of them) of the restaurant. Come to find out, the elderly lady who was sitting at the end of the table was celebrating her 69th birthday, Now, I must add that the olady was one of thos eblack mammas. And I love black mommas cause I have one myself. I add color into this becasue you had to have been there when her family opened her gift at the table: It was a long black mink coat. When they opened it, you would have thought she was on one of thos etalk shows when peopel are reunited with their love ones they havent seen in years. She was screaming and crying, "OH, thank you Jesus, Oh Lord Have Mercy!" It was dra-ma-tic. Over a Fur coat? I joned to my friend and said, "I hate to see if they bought her a car, they might had to get an ambulance." Then my friend said, "I hope there arent any people from PETA up in here." Too much playing. But it was nice to see black love like that-up and personal. Anyway, when she clamed down (she even had our waitress almost in tears), her family brought over her cake and they sang, "Happy B-day" to her (not the Stevie Wonder version but the traditional vesrion). I thought the waiters and waitresses were gonna do their B-Day song clap thing, but I dont think red does that (I Know Joe Crab Shack does, LOL). After that, the mamma got up, withher coat on (with peach, high heel boots , I'm noet mad at her with those) and started talking to peopel around, inclduing us saying, "I am not ashamed that I turned 69. I raised 10 chidlren, 8 boys and two girls, and my oldest is 5." The elder son was looking at us and said, "People think that we are sister and brother." I wanted to say so badly, "More like Husband and wife." he wa slooking older than his mamma! What's up with that? I just thought I share that only outside moment with you all.

Last Wednesday, Kanye West was in town as the opening act for superrock band U2 at the Savvis Center(The pic above is not from the Savvis, but a stock photo). My other VIPEEPER, BK, was there working and gave me the skinny on the concert. Overall BK told me that Kanye was supposed to be on stage at about 7, but the Savvis was half packed. Most of the people there was there to see u2 and most of them were either still getting tickets, t-shirts, or trying to find a parking space (I drove passed there around 6:45 and the crowd was just started to swell around ether). I could just imagine how Kanye was acting when he saw that the Savvis was half full. He is too big of star to perform before a half empty venue. So, BK said Kanye got on stage about a quarter to eight and the crowd was decent, but still not packed. Kanye performed for about a half and hour (wheras u2 performed nearly three hours!) BK did say Kanye was dressed flyy. He had on a t-shirt, a light blue track coat, jeans, tennis and his trademark sunglasses, but the topper was him wearing a huge platinum and gold canary style necklace with a picture of Jesus Christ as a medallion. Now that is si-us, not serious, but si'us. Now suprisingly Kanye did not do any "George Bush hate black people" isms, he just rapped for about a half an hour. He had a live orchestra behind him as he rapped. He did stuff from both College Dropout (Like Through the Wire and Workout SANS the Fitness workout girls) with mild response and Late Registration (Diamonds, the concert opener and Touch the Sky). And he ended on, you guessed it, GOLD DIGGER. BK said when Kanye performed that, the U-2 heads got up from their seats and bopped their heads to it (I would think so, the song spent 10 straight weeks at the top of the charts this year). Afterward, he ran off stage and didnt say goodnight according to BK. It was liek Kanye knew that the U2 crowd was not his crowd and had the attitude of hurrying up and getting his set over and done like a Calculus test. Now that's the Kanye I know. That Fucc you Americatude!!! BK said it took about 15 minutes for U2 hit the stage and they ruled the stage and the lighting for the stage was phenomenal casting images of the band and everything. BK said it was like Woodstock up in there with people passing out, drunk and sick. Now that's what I call a party!

Now here is the killer. Hipster Magazine and Synergy had a private party that Kanye was going to attend to after his performance at the Savvis to celebrate the double platinum release of his Late Registration CD. It was held at Nectar Lounge (near the Pepper Lounge near 19th and Locust ) Hipster had it wher the 1st 50 people to RSVP at their website can get an invite. Well, when I got the e-vite, I got it a day late (talk about LATE REGISTRATION. LOL), and I knew it was tool ate to RSVP and I was not feeling trying to find someone I know to get me so I just sat this one out. When I told my sister about the party, she was running around her house like a chicken with her neck cut off. She LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVES some Kanye. (Even got Kanye' s picture as her screen saver). She was trying hard to try and go with her girlfriends, but I told her that the list is tight and I didnt want her to get her feelings hurt if she wasnt able to get in (I heard my sister's friend's boyfriend had tickets but he wasnt feeling trying to take anybody). I had my cell phone taggers who was going to let me know if they were going to open up the list, but I fell asleep waiting. The following day, I called around to those who were going like The Post's Kevin Johnson, Jamie Spencer, Hollabackboi, and former Track Boyz producer Capo (who ended up not going and wasted two tickets!!!!). Oh speaking of Capo, he told me that he split with the Track Boyz and doing his own thing. I will get more scoop on this maybe next week. Anyway, as of Thursday, I am still waiting to get the skinny on how Kanye was with the STLers up in Nectar (I will probably have to give you the scoop hopefully by Monday). But I must say, for Hipster and Synergy to bring in one of the hottest hip- hop artists around is most impressive.

RADIO DAZE. Veteran shock jock Howard Stern is leaving radio, well not really. His last syndicated show will be Friday "retiring" after 25 years on terrestrial radio (due to the constant heavy fines from the FCC, he was forced out of radio). Starting Jan 9 he and his crew will be broadcasting from Sirrius radio sattellite. I must say, I am a closted Sternie. Controversial? Yes. But thats what got people listening to him (as well as local radio guy Onion Horton--love him too)) I have been listening to him since 1998 and I have yet to get my radio to hear him. Oh well. As Sam Cooke sang 40 years ago, "A Change 'Gon Come." ..Bets selling urban author Michael Baisden show is making its debut here in the Lou on 95.5 at 2 p.m. tackling serious issues (how's that for a pun). I heard one topic teh other day,The Lockdown on religion (or something like that) when he was talking about the passivity of the black church and preachers talking loud and saying nothing. OUCH.

Well, That's it for me. I hope you enjoyed my not-so-my-report. I will promise to get back on track. Next week, I will give you the recap on the Platinum group's X-mas Party at Casa Loma, Carlos Maclaurin's B-Day at Plush, possible St. Lunatics' Murphy Lee's Birthday Bash at Club Dreams and anything else that may pop up while I'm outside.

Until next time, see ya outside!

Level Ground

red Lobster

kanye West

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

out 22



Hello again outsiders, this is your
outside observer Ma'at here trying
to give you the happenings around the Lou and beyond and still be able to walk around for the next go around. Alright, let me be like a hammer to a rusty nail and hit it.


This blog post will be kind of short because I wasnt really feeling going out in that windy hawk last weekend, but I managed to go to a few things that I promised I would tell you about so, here it goes.

Last Friday, I attended this funny one man play called the SantaLand Diaries at the Lemming Armada Theatre in downtown Belleville. This is the same rathskaller that put on the Taffetas last month. This play was way out funny. It is about a down on his luck shopping Macy's shopping mall elf who tells his story about being an elf (I wrote a review of this on kdhx.org and you can hear a live review of this on KDHX-FM 88.1. this Thursday at 10 a.m.).

Here is my written review of Sanataland:

The Santaland Diaries, currently being staged at the Lemming Armada Theatre in downtown Belleville, is a one-man play about a sarcastic, sad sack Macy's store elf named Crumpet, played by Charlie James, who tells his wacky journal stories about his experiences playing a shopping mall elf.
Written by NPR humorist and best selling author David Sedaris and directed by Lemming Armada co-owner Tim Daly, The Santaland Diaries reminds me of the 2002 film Bad Santa as it deals with the anti-Christmas slant of the holiday season, and disgruntled temporary employees who have to be happy and jolly in order to pay their bills.
James does a credible job with Sedaris' piece. His performance is a mixture of Ray Ramano's deadpan wit and Andy Dick's nerdiness. Some of the better journal sketches include his talks on elf training, how children and department store managers treated elves as opposed to Santa, the rude parents of the children and different celebrities who come to see Santaland like Phil Collins and Goldie Hawn.
There is also a Mad Magazine-esque undertone to the play. For instance, when James talks about how two husbands sat on Santa's lap and asked him, " I want a woman with big tits."
The Santaland Diaries has become an anti-holiday cult classic and Daly definitely didn't stray from the original. Although, it would had been nice if Daly had taken poetic license and changed the setting from Macy's to let's say the Galleria or St. Clair Square Mall, it is still enjoyable.
That is my review of The Santaland Diaries. For more ticket information and performance times, call 618-234-5998 or visit the
Lemming Armada web site.


If you go to check it out, it is about an hour and a few minutes. What made my viewing of this show interseting was, well, free drinks from the owner of the Lemming (I started off with two Kamos, WHOOOOOOOOOOO) and they had a false fire alarm just when the actor was about to go on stage. The owner of Lemming had the crowd to leave the theater and wait outisde for the firemen to go upstairs where the fire alarm was going off. They had a blowing fan in front of teh thetaer just in case they needed it. Talk about Third Watch, okay? What made things even more interesting, I had to take my glass of wine outside and hide in my leather coat so the cops wouldnt see an open glass of alcohol. Mind you it wa salso pretty cold, so, I walked up and down the street until it was time to go back in the theater which was about 20 minutes later. Two wine glasses later, and half way to my car, I had to urinate. It was too late to turn bakc to the theater, so I had to let nature take its course so I went in an alley between the theater and another building and let Mr Richard set free of his water balloon. One guy was walking near me but stopped and saw what I was doing and said, "You know there are cameras around here. up above the buildings." I turned around, looked at him like he was fly in my ear. I wanted to tell him, "As long as you aint hoolding the camera, mind your damn bizness!" So, I drove off and headed to First Friday which was Formula of all places. I thought that this wa san interseting spot to have FF. There must be a change in the wind becasue I wouldnt even think that FF owners Harry Michel and Fred Finely would even go to another club to hold their popular event, and Formula of all clubs which is their stiff competition. Anyway, I met up with my boy Kameron and we were ready to parlay the crowd. Oh, I had on an outfit that was very Common (as in the rapper): brown kangol hat, light brown collared shirt, with rolled up sleeves, a brown tie with pink , brown and white dots on it, a multipatterened brown vest, brown courduroy pants and brown dress boots. And to top it off I had pink sahdes and a retro light brown coat with dark brown fur collar. I was dressed for coverstion for sure. We got there around 11 ish and my boy Clifford Wade of Spin City Recordz hooked us up in there. I was there to check out his artsist Nick Demio and sexy Jzanell (both are pictured in the pictures above). this was definitely a change of pace cause FF rarely has performers entertain for FF. It is usually people walking around drinking, netwowrking (on all levels) and dancing). Before the entertainment , I peeped out who were there. Up in there were comedian Arvin Mitchell (you have nothin to worry about. LOL) , BET's Timothy Lampley, the-person-who-I-refused-to-talk-about (I did gunslinging signs at them),Kwame thompson, Jamie, Ingrid Sams, Nathan and his lady (who danced background for Jzanell) and Rams tackle Orlando Pace. Now I must talk about him. He showed up there and doing his thing checking out the scene. Let;s fast forward to Saturday when I was checking out KMOX and the sports announcer on theer was saying that Pace may not play in the Redskins game on that Following Sunday becaus eof a hamstring problem. Huh? Now mind you, I know you can walk with a hamstring problem, but dont you think he shouldnt have been walking around in a crowded club like Formula with over 500 people in there and take the chance of stepping on someones foot, tripping over somebody, whatever. Or even walking on it period. Hamstring problem? Okay. I'm sure he didnt have a problem with his leg when he was stepping onto the dance floor. But I digress. I also was tripping off of actor Kelvin Roston who I'm cool with and is a bartender up in Formula. I greeted him and all and Kam was behind me. Kelvin said, "Man you two are always together." I just smiled and laughed it off. I'm sure he didnt mean anything by it, but I must say, if people are talking about you and you are a part of the VIP click in the Lou, then you must be in the in crowd. I love all of my fans. LOL. My thing is if people stopped talking about you, then it is a problem. Around midnite, Jzanell came up on one of the stages in the club and performed. She was fully clothed from head to toe (a black hat, jeans, a coat). I was shocked. She is usually dressed in a sexy, skimpy garb (like the pic above), but I guess the winter hawk got even this sexy siren to put on some clothes. But she did OK. It has hard to hear her. I dont know if the sound system was too loud, or what, but she did her thang. She performed a couple of tracks from her upcoming CD, Private Thoughts, and got the crowd's attention with her club banging joints. I was then expecting Nick Demio, but Cliff told me he wasnt performing (I dont know if he told me what happened or not cause I was little lifted from the drinks I had consumed before getting Formula and the free samples they had up in the club.)

Before I go on, I had the chance to review teh new single by rapper Nick Demio, that was given to me by Clifford Wade, CEO of Spin City Recordz, called, "We (Bout My Hustle)" I promised Wade I would review it and I had a chance to peep it out and the following is my review:

Spin City Recoirdz recording artist Nick Demio definitely has a catchy ditty on his hands with the single, "We (Bout My Hustle)" This club jam, with a haunting, sinister crunk beat, will definitely get the crowd head bobbing moving from side to side. Demio's delivery reminds me of a gangsta LL Cool J with a touch of DMX. He definitely has a rap style that punctual and tight. The catchy hook is also worth mentioning: We creep/we ride/We grind/We Shine/I'm all about the hustle/Lasies call me hustle man..." He also has a self imposed testimony in the song quipping, "If I wasn't rappin,I'll be pistol packin."

Overall, this single will fit right on in with the other gangsta crunkstars like Lil Jon and David Banner. It would not be surprising if this jam starts gettig heavy airplay and requests from the hip-hop stations here in the Lou the same way Ebony Eyez' summer jam "In Yo face" was played in constant rotation.

OK now back to the Formula recap

Afterward, me and Kam went up in one of the VIP areas (I saw darrious from teh Freeman Bosley Show up in VIP there) and spoke to Sonia Brascomb, one of the owners of Formula. I must give it to my girl. Even though she is plus size, she has no problem showing off her body. She had on a sleeveless top and was sexy in it. I tip my hat off to her for reppin the big sexy girls. She was telling about a book signing one of her friends were having the following night at the Formula and the celeb guest was Soul Food (the flick not the tv show) and Living Single star Mel Jackson (the light skinned cat from "Deliver Us From Eva." Around 2 in the morn, it was time to roll out of there and sleep off the alcohol and gear up for the rest of the weekend. NOT!

Last Saturday, I went to the gym at Ballys in Clayton (I saw a couple of fitness trainers who work there up in FF, one of them actually was able to work but was yawning at the front desk--not cute)and was planning on going to BET personality Big Tigga's party at Toxic. I was not feeling that mainly cause money was gettin tight for gas and the cold cold weather. So, I just chilled and watched some Tv like Saturday Night Love (I love the Weekend Update segment--Maya Rudolph must still be on maternity leave).

Last Sunday, I was supposed to go to Arvin Mitchell's Funny First Sunday event at Blueberry Hill and Kam even text messaged me to see if I was going. I wanted to. Then I got a booty call text and wasnt feeling that either. I was just not into partying this past weekend., I just wanted to chill. So, I just watched TV and checked out Desparate Housewives which is actually apretty good show that is a dark comedy spoof on thoise nighttime soaps of the 80's but with a new school twist. Its good that they put some more color on the show with Alfre Woodard and Mehcad Brooks, beside Latin siren Eva Longoria. I also peeped out Michael Ealy's (Halle Berry's new flame) new show on Showtime called Sleeper cell, about an ex-con Muslim who joins an Arab terrorist group that is planning an attack on Los Angeles. talk about interesting. This show is definitely a must watch. All of the dynamics are there (Black Muslims v Moslem; terrorism, racism, Moslem punishment etc.) When you get the chance, check your local lostings and peep this one out.

BLIND ITEM: What female local TV reporter was recently spotted at Ballys gym in Clayton getting worked out until they couldnt sweat anymore and begged for their work out partner to stop torturing them? I'll give you a hint, she works at Fox 2. If you think you know who, post up on my blog or hit me at maatspear@yahoo.com (Aaron you should know this one.LOL).

Well that is it. Again, thanks for those who have been hittin me on my email and in person who say they have been checking out this site (and even those who ask that I dont call them out in my blog. LOL). Until next time, see ya outside---with gloves, hat and winter coat on!

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Out 21


Hello outside people, this is Ma'at giving you all the info in the Lou. Just recouperating from Turkey Holiday. If I see one more turkey leg, turkey soup, turkey giblets, turkey gobble, turkey whatever, I'm going to start spitting out turkey feathers. On the real. That is one thing about Turkey Day and the days following--you got to eat what your mamma makes, cause if you don't, she's going to think something is wrong. My moms is from the South and she was raised on eating means you love her and I couldnt dare not eat what she cooked which was everything--turkey, ham, dressing, greens, cornbread, potato pie, egg pie, oooh let me stop before I gain another lb just typing about it. Good thing I am maintaining with my regimen of being a work-outaholic (on the right is a pic of myself during my beginning stages of my work out regimen in 2002, photo taken by Japhus Johnson of Hot Shots) , cause I would be trippin out big time of the lbs I did gain. But it was cool on the real. It was nice being with the family at the dinner table saying grace, carving the turkey and eating and talking about how blessed we are and will be and of course the usual,-What are you gouing to do with your life speech" from my parents. That is always a given. I hope you and yours had a good one. Ok, let me get like Russell Simmons and get to the biz....


Before the Turkey Day rush, I had to watch the American Music Awards this year because
1)Its my yearly tradition since the early 80s to watch this show where I try to predict the winners and see ho wmany I got right and 2) St. Louis' own Cedric The Entertainer hosted.
The award show came on last Tuesday and I must say I was not-so- excited about this year's show mainly because there were no real star power artists performing this year--the big name they were hyping all night were the Rolling Stones and they were not even there at the award show but live via satellite. Now dont get me wrong, Rolling Stones is a legendary group and has entertainment value, but if ABC only had the Stones to keep people watching, that was a much ballyhooed stepped down to when Prince, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie and Madonna reigned supreme (Babyface's backstage Memory Lane segments were too short and not worth the trip taking) and they were worth the last few minutes of a three hour show to be glued to the telly and watch them perform (I remember back in the day in 1987 when Janet first performed on the AMAs and lip synched/danced to her hit "Control" WOW! That was the best performance Ive ever seen of her!). Anyway, Cedric did OK. He did his thing. He started off on point, coming on stage with a ghetto blaster in his hand , pimping to D4L's wacky booty song, "LAffy Taffy." Then he cracked on everybody including Britney Spears husband Kevin Federline syang that he has a new cologne out called, "Freeloader," and when he mimicked Will Smith's nude pose in the film, "I Robot." After that, he played it safe and just intro's many of the acts. The show really needed a shot in the arm in the hosting category (maybe a Chris Rock or Mike Epps even) cause the performances on there were painstakingly awful especially Lindsey Lohan's non-singing self and Hilary Duff's lip synched high pitched dread. Mariah Carey did OK. When she won her sole award at the top of the night, and she blamed her voice on not hearing the monitors. I dont know what's going on, but I hope next time the schedule of singers and acts are better (even Ciara, didnt cut a rug like she usually do, she was relagated to singing her chorus to "Like You" with Bow Wow on a makeshift set of the hood). Omarion was probably the best act even though he did his best Michael Jackson dance routine through most of his solo time. And there was no way Missy Elliot could perform (who was on crutches) cause she was walk-deprived. Oh well, maybe it was becasue AMA producer Dick Clark is still recovering from his stroke that the show was lackluster this year. Who knows. Hopefully the Grammys will be better (I hope to attend that next Feb, fingers crossed).

As far as going out last week, I mostly chilled with the fam. My boy Kameron said he attended Nelly and Murphy Lee's pre-thanksgiving party at Club Dreams and said it was packed, but I think he didnt have too much fun cause he rode with Brandin and Tony who had VIP tickets to it and didnt tell Kam about the VIp tickets and he had to pay 10 bones to get in. OUCH. Then he said his driving crew wanted to step after about 10 minutes in. Kam was passed pissed. That was too much playing. Not telling someone they didnt have VIp tickets and their having to pay was FOUL.

Thanksgiving Day I ate and ate and watched the Good Times Marathon on Nick at Night that lasted until last Sunday. That was cool. It was nice analyzing the shows like the James Evans (John Amos) years (1974-76)--the best episodes; the post-James Evans years (1976-1979) that had Florida (Esther Rolle-God rest her soul) leave the show in 1976-77 because of a dispute over JJ's (Jimme Walker) bafoonery and Willona (Ja'net dubois) taking over as surogate mother; the Keith (Ben Powers) years (1978-79) and watcvhing how bad of an actor and impersonator he was and the final episode, "Looking Over the Rainbow" in 1979 when the Evans family got out of the ghetto. I always liked Good Times. I would a little kid when it first came on, but I have always watched it ever since the frist syndicated run in 1980 onward. Now as a gron up kid, I can understand why Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis) and Willona were the eye candy of the show. I always used to wonder if JJ or James ever tried to flirt with them off camera? I wouldnt blame them. Both of them were hotties back in the day.
Here are my best and worst episodes and when teh show KILT THE GUN (when the show went into overkilled and died)

Best Good Times episode: Neighbor Gertie came over to the Evans home and brought over meat loaf for the dinner and they all thought the meat loaf was made out of dog food. CLASSIC

Worst Good Times episode: Penny almost burned the Evans couch and the Evans kids give their story of how the couch got burned. HORRIBLE--A WASTE of 30 MINUTES.

When did Good Times KILT THE GUN? When the producers of the show introduced Carl (played by the late STL actor Moses Gunn) on the show as a love interset for Florida. This was when teh show died for me. It was enough that James was killed off at the beginning of the fourth season (1976-77)and then to bring in a love interest for Florida so quickly after James' death was nothing but a contrived, plot device that didnt work for me.

On Friday, I decided to see what was the big fuss about this Black Friday craze (black as in in the black that is) , shopping for sales a day after Thanksgving. So I did my own little assesment and got up at about 7 in teh morning and checked out the Walmart Superstore in Ofallon Illinois. It wasnt as jammed packed as I thought it would be (the Walmart stores in St. Louis were no joke with all of the people cramming and running in the store like it was Armaggedon) until I went to the electronics section of the store. It was a long line that wrapped around that little section of the store like it was rush hour on the highway, people were grabbing DVDs, TVs, cameras, you name it. I was waiting for the Santa hats that people were wearing to be knocked off cause of someone getting the last of whatever, but everyone was cool, even polite, no drama at all (They did have an ambulance oustide of the store just in case). For about an hour of this, I decided to roll out. Later on that evening, I decided to go out and check out Cafe Eau at the Chase. I was going to Chingy's party at Formula, and even called the club manager , Kay, and told her I was coming through, but I was not feeling the club thing. My girl Tiffani Blackmore had voice and e0mailed me earlier that day cause Carlos M and Gina wanted to know if I was going drinking at Club Dreams. I was confused at the message as far as why Tiffani would contact me for Carlos, but then I realized that Carlos' celly must still be missin (and I guess Carlos and Gina are back together) I tried calling Tiffani and Carlos back to see what was up, but I didnt get a repsonse back. I met up with Christiaan, Kameron and his "in from out of town" lady Teresa up there about 11. It was jammed packed mainly because it was too cold to be outside. But inside, I ran into some socialites and the person I talked about last time that I refuse to talk about was there. Kam was about to tell me that they were here but I saw that person before Kam did and let him know before he answered that I saw that person. The band was backing up Haromy Fernandez, a white chick who could sing soul. I talked with her briely during the intermission and she was drinking a drink that was colored blue. I forgot what she said she was drinking cause it was loud up in there but she did tell me to check out her site harmonyfernandez.com. I have yet to check it out, but eventually I will. We stayed at Cafe Eau til about 1 in the morn. I was nice and only had one drink--a Jack and Coke that was about $5.50. Kam and Christiaan and Teresa had Long Isles.

Last Saturday, I decided to change it up in my Bally locations and check out the one in Dorsett. I got there about noon. It is bigger and spacier and more equipment than the one in Clayton (they close dteh one on Rock Road by the way) . I ran into music man Aaron Foster up in there who usually goes to the Bally in Clayton. He asked me if I still needed music for my talk show or had I gotten someone else and I said "HOLD UP LIGHT SKIN". (Naw, I didnt say that. A little jokey joke there. )Naw, I reassured him that I didnt get anyone else and I woudl keep him posted on when Tia and I may need his music genius. Kam works there as a message therapist and I decided to check that area out and it looks like a dungeon down there. Kam wasnt there that day cause he was busy in afterglow from the previous night. LOL. Kam said thats what they call downstairs too--the dungeon. I checked out Red Sea. They usually have reggae on Saturday nites and decided to go there. I met up with Kam and Teresa and it was ghost town up in there. I got there about 10:30 It was few people up in there 20 tops and everyone stayed upstairs to listen to reggae. Before I got there, I had a kamo that put me right and Kam bought me a Jamican beer that was really nice. I was toasted after that--talking loud, acting crazy while Kam and Teresa laughed at me. The bartendar chick was even drunk--what was up with that? It was too funny. We started complaining aboutthe gnats that kept flying our direction and I made the comment--these must be racist gnats cause they are only messing with the niccas. LOL. While we were laughing and drinking, I got a call from hollabackboi that he attended the Earthquake show at Roberst Orpheum that was hosted by STL's Lavelle Crawford, and opening acts STL's Arvin Mitchell (are you trying ti be sexierthan me now? LOL), and Guy Torry. Man, I forgot about that show. I usually can get in with a comp, but I wasnt even trying to go through all that drama to call up the PR people, get a ticket and try covering it. Besides, Ive seen all of them perform before so it was no biggie. But hollaback said the show was good. I could barely hear him from teh music playing at the Sea but he did ask me why backstage looked toe up to the floor up. OOps! I then asked him, how did he get backstage and he said through his buddy Ricky McWoods, whose married to Guy Torry;s sister. Oh, him. No comment, Anyway, hollaback was suppoed to get back with me as far as how the show was, but I guess I'll read it in Partyline with Delores Shante cause I know someone from the American was there reppin. We stayed a little bit longer as we saw the white girls up in there gettin drunk and looking for love. I also took Kam and Teresa's photo withTeresa's digital cam (I gave her an idea that they should take nude pics 2gether. LOL--I must have bene drunk to say that. GOSH GEE) ) At about midnite or so, Kam took me to my car and I jetted to the crib.

FOXX WATCH: Did you all see Jamie Foxx on Oprah? It was definitely a love-you-love-you fest. Foxx is cool and he knows how to give the "right Tv image" now that he is an Oscar winner. Nothing was really revealed on the show as far as the supposed rumors about Jaime that he was going to set the record straight about. The ones revealed were not all that compelling like Jaime kicking it with Oprah (yeah right) and the supposed nude pics of Jaime found by a trash man in his dumpster (Jaime did say that was true) . The only things I saw that were interesting was Jaime talking about Whitney and Bobby being at one of his infamous parties and they saing Karoke (that aint all I hear be going on at his parties--or as Jaime said on Oprah--"At my parties people can let their hair down--uh-huh), teh other was R&B singer Tank being in the audience as one one of Jaime's three closest friends that he always hangs with even when he is on a date with a lady. Hmmm, what is going on there? And when did Tank become superfriends with Jaime? Hmmm, inquiring minds would like to know I'm sure. I knew Oprah wasnt going to talk about Jaimes' supposed bisexuality thatI heard from a STL comedian here who told me that he goes both ways. OR getting into Jaime, Rev Jessie Jackson and Snoop Dogg's mission to stop the execution of Cripp founder Tookie Williams (who Jaime portrayed in a cable movie last year called Redemption and was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performnace BTW) Now that would have been compelling TV and would have made Jaime even more interesting or as Barbara Walters' lame TV special said the other day, about the 10 people she interviewed for 2005, including Jaime-- "Fascinating."

MILES OF HONORS: Kudos to the Miles Davis Family--the late great jazzologist from East Boogie was recently named into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that will take place in March 2006 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan.

My boy Kam recently told me that my pic is in the new issue of Hipster Magazine, posing with my girl Tiffani Blackmore. If I get a shot of it, I will post it here next week.

Well, that will cover it for me. Next week, I will give you a report on Santa Land Diaries at Lemming Aramda Theater in Bellville , First Friday at Formula (Hmmm, interseting choice of venue) and my take on gospel superstar Kirk Franklin coming clean to Oprah about being a porn addict. Until next time, see ya outside!

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

out 20 (revised)


Greetings all. This is Ma'atology here one more time and I would first like to say thank you to those who have been reading my weblog, responding and telling folks about it. I have gotten several people tell me they keep up with it and that I have made several people who I hang with celebrities especially Kameron. I must say, the power of words and imagination is definitely an ongoing phenomenon in our celebrity-driven culture. I try to tell and report the truth of my travels and journeys as openly as possible because it is what makes human curiousity--as well as keep you popular in our mass society. OK, enough of the classroom talk, let's get to the jizz..........................................................................

Last Thursday, I went to Marla Gibbs' jazz CD listening party that was held at The Formula. I got there a little late (It started about 6 p.m. and I got there about 8:30 p.m.) But I had a chance to mingle and interview Ms. Gibbs who looked stunning in a dark blue pants suit. I first ran into Monica Tyson, who was over this event, to lead me to Ms. Gibbs so I could chat with her about her newfound career. So Monica lead me to her who was signing autographs of her CD, "It's Never Too Late." She stood up (She's tall--about 5' 10) and I shook her hand. It hit me then that I was about to talk to a living Tv legend. This lady has made history being in the longest running sitcom, "The Jeffersons, in TV history. It lasted for 10 seasons from 1975 to 1985 and was still high in the ratings when it went into TV Heaven (True, "Friends" ran for 10 seasons, and Happy Days for 11 seasons, but the Jeffersons also started off on All in the Family starting in 1971). She also made history becoming the first African AMerican-actor or actress to be on Tv for 20 consecutive years. Soon after the Jeffersons went off the air in the spring of 85, in the fall of 85 she turned back around with the hit show, "227" which ran for 5 years (1985-1990). So because of this, I was truely excited talking to Ms. Gibbs. So, when I asked my first question to her, I fumbled her Cd title. I said, "So, what made you decide to release your first CD, "It's About Time." YIPES! DOH! I felt so embarrassed and thought she was going to go into diva mode, but she was gracious and treated it like a comedy bit. She grabbed my forearm and said, "No, it's called, "It's Never Too Late, but, believe me, it is about time." And for those who know Ms. Gibbs and how she can curl a phrase, you know that the line was funny, I was expecting her to end her line by saying her classic ending, "chile." But anyway, she said that her Cd was two years in the making and she worked with her son, who is a music producer and worked on several songs with her grandson. I also asked how her Cd was doing and she said that everyone seems to love it and throughout her tour of the Cd across the country people are pleased of the CD. She also said that she uses her acting skills through the various songs of the CD. Then I asked her what she was currently woking on acting wise and she said that she was working on an untitled pilot for TV Land and a new stageplay. She was recectly in David Talbert's play, "Love on Layway" starring Mel Jackson ("Living Single" ) fame and R&B singer Deborah Cox. At this time, about 10 minutes had passed and her people were motioning to us for her to sign for copies of her Cd so before our departure, I gracefully shook her hand and said, "You are looking very beautiful this evening." And she blushed and said thank you. And I must say, she really did. She is 74 years old and she looks 20 years younger. I must say it;s one thing about black women and black people in general, when we age, we age gracefully when you take care of yourself, or as the streets would say, "black don't crack." Meanwhile, I made my rounds throughout the club. They were running old footage of the Jeffersons sitcom on a screen near the front of the club and had sumptuous finger foods and pastries caytered by Keith Tyrone. The tables had red tablecloths on them with romantic lit candles on top of them setting the jazz mood. In the house were Denise Thimes (looking divaish in her brown polka dotted full length fur), the Bosman Twins, April Spencer, Lisa May, Chrsitiaan Coffield, Brian, photographers Maurice Meredith and Dr. Pam Jackson David A.N. Jackson (I will try and make a Saturday performance at 609 soon), Erica Sutherlin, Alvin Jackson (Can I get some, too? LOL), Kwame Thompson, Formula owner Tony Thompson, Mariah Richardson (who was singing Sade during Karoake--no comment. LOL), and "someone-who-I-almost-got-into-an-alteraction-with-who-came-up-to-me-with-an-idle-threat-and-who-I-ignored-and-who-is-not-worth-mentioning-here" . Afterward, they brought out the Karaoke machine with a band playing the instruments. There were some who could sang (like bartenders Kevin Roston and Andrea Hayes who did a cute Marvin gaye-Tammi Terrell number and Rolston doing Anthony Hamilton's "Coming From Where I'm From") and some who was, well, neednt use a mike to elevate their voices (especially the brother who tried to sing Jefferey Osbornes' Love Ballad") I peaced out and went to 609 to meet up with my buddy Kameron to celebrate my NABJ Award that I was going to receive that Saturday..........

I drove up to 609 and got a parking space near the apartments around the corner from 609. As I was driving, I gave a sister 75 cents to get home on the bus and while I was walking toward 609, there were about 4 guys in a scuffle. Three guys were holding down one guy near a car saying that his life was over. I was like, here we go. This is not good. It was as cold as two popcicle sticks in a freezer and these brothers are in a scuffle over on eof the following: 1)a girl 2)money owed and/or 3) talking smack about ABC. As I was walking, I kept looking back making sure they didnt bring their altercations near me cause that was all I needed to be a part of that Human Tornado, but luckily, it didnt happen. So I walked up to the front of the bar/restaurant and paid my 3 bones to one of the owners, an Asian guy, to get in. Just as I was about to walk in, the Asian guy close dthe door before I was about to walk in. The other guy that was inside opened the door and said, "Man, he coudl have at least held the door for you." I was livid. I was like, yeah, but I regrouped, saw Kam, gave him a frat hug and proceeded ondown where the makeshift dance floor was where DJ Nappy Needles was spinning in the 1s and 2s. Before getting there I saw sexy singer Coco Soul and gave her nice long hug and asked her where she was performing and she told me Blueberry Hill that Saturday and made sure to be there. Me and Kam were standing next to STL boxing champ Cory Spinks who was chilling in the cut. I told Kam, that Spinks should be somewhere training to lose another fight (implying the alleged fight he had with his wife earlier this year). It was a bad joke, but hey, someone had to say it. Kam was buying drinks and I asked for a Long Island. I forgot what he ordered, but we toasted on the success of winning my award and gulped away. Before you know it, I wa sgetting my buzz on--quickly. The Island I got was definitely NOT watered down. It was as stronger as Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1970s . At this time, Christiaan, Brian, and Kevin Johnson was up in there. Meanwhile, I was saying my hellos to the socialites and told Kam about my stop at Marla Gibbs' Cd party and the near altercation I almost had with someone up in there (his name is not even worth mentioning here) and proceeded to drink my buzz juice. The music was blazed and I was feeling nice. Kam and I walked around in the now packed area to the bar area where Christiaan, Brian, Kevin J and Coco Soul were and stayed there. Kam had said that some sista had touched his ass, and, in my drunken stupor, said, "I think a brother just touched mine, oh shyt!"I had everyone near me rolling in laughter. Then, I saw Keith HArris roll up in there and I teased him about his fight he had in front of Club Seven a few weeks back with some other guys and I said to him, "Oh don't hit me." and motioned as though he was about to hit me. He laughed it off and kept walking by. I asked Kevin about whether if he found out who was the stupid gossip blogger that Delores Shante talked about in a recent article in Partyline about that blogger's whacked out opinion that he thought hip-hop writers from the Post and American seemed gay and he said no he didn't and that was the end of that. It was going on 1sh in the morn and Christiaan and Brian was ready to leave. Christiaan had given me his drink that he was drinking and that pretty much took me to the oh-oh-can't drive state. Before Brian left, he said to me, "Now you stay out of trouble, cause I can see it in your eyes." He was right cause I was ready for some. Soon afterward, Kam and I walked outside in the front of 609 and the cold hadnt reached me. I had to see who was up in there when they started pouring out of there close to 2 in the morning. I ran into my other buddy, Carlos Mclaurin, who was with his new hottie, this brunette chick (he was kicking it with Gina Wynn, the white sista who swaer to never date models again). I gave him a frat hug and he asked me when my TV show was kicking off and I told him probably next month, and he told me about his housewarming party he was trying to get together, after that, I don't remember what I said to him, all I remember was Carlos breaking down laughing saying that I was crazy. Then I gave some dap to Kam and walked to my car. I called a buddy of mine that stayed in donwtoiwn Lou side and told him that I was in no need to drive all the way to the Illinois side and could I crash over his crib so I can sleep it off (There was no way I could drive to Kam's cause he stays all the way in North County) . He said it was cool but he was leaving to go to NYC in the early morning. So, I drove off slowly and cautiously and went to my buddy's house to sleep off this crazy but fun night.

I didn't do anything last Friday beside the gym but when I saw my girl Tiffany Graham at Blueberry Hill on Saturday (that I will report more on later in this blog posting) she todl me I forgot her going away party at Dreams that was to be on Friday. I was recouperating from 609 that all I could think about was sleep. I did manage to go to the gym cause I knew Saturday was going to be crazy with places to go.

Last Saturday, I checked out my buddy Joel King's stage reading of his play, "Real Life" that afternoon, at St. Louis Public Library downtown STL. I thought I would go there before picking up my award at the NABJ Awards at SImon Hall at Wash U that was going to start about 5:30 . So I got to the library so I could check this one out as well. I saw Joel's other plays--Meeting at the Elder's Circle and Me, Don and the Psychiatrist--that were stage read at COCA lat month. So whenever Joel has something I try to support him cause I was pivotal in his development as an actor when he acted in two of my productions The Ducthman and Ledragvaganza in 2002 at the former Hatshepsut Studio Gallery and to support bicariously the legacy of the late Lisa Colbert, a sista who was a theater teacher at SIU-E, who taught Joel and whom I befriended who died prematurely at the age of 32 from complications of lupus. The reading had some of Joel's acting cohorts as well as my boy Stuart Allen, who was also in Ledrag. Lisa May also was in it, who played Ray's grandma and Leah Stewart, who played Ray's mother. The play was about a young urban brother named Roy Vinson, played by Allen, whose life on the streets turned into a life of madness. I thought that it was going to be another typical Boyz N the Hood story, but it took a 360 turn when a dance number was brought into the mix. It was very West Side Storyish and put another perpesctive to the piece. With a few teakings here and there (especially the documentary angle and the setting problems), this could be a very refreshing piece on the urban hood genre. But the hitch was during the Q&A session when Joel's mother got up to congratulate Joel and his accomplisments. Just picture one of those church going mammas, who is a dark, fleshy woman, who gets emotional and praises the Lord everywhere she goes and that's Joel's mamma. She was getting into the troubles and pains that our urban youth is going through. She broke it down, but I believe she was getting overwrought with teh staggering stats of urban youth and death from violence and other activities. She said she works with many youth programs through her church and that Joel is saved and sanctified like his family and a vessel for change. It was very deep. It became a house of COGIC worhsip, for real. Surreal almost. I could just imagine how Joel was feeling as his mother was speaking so passionately about her strife. And what could he have said, "Okay, mamma, that's enough." He bore it and was professional about it. Then, the converstaion wnet into a weird place when the topic of molestation came about. Now in the play, theer was no reference to this, but Joel explained that in one of the characters a prostitute, it is disocvered that she wa smolested, but that scene was not seen (pun) to us. That lit a fuse for Joel's mother saying about the wickedness with molestation that goes on behind closed doors (she even brought on young people who are into threesomes!). And she said she tried to raise her 11 kids right (whooh, mamma wa snot playing). She also brought her 75 year old mother there, who was quiet and politely nodding her head, who said taughther about being morally right. True, the coversation brought on much needed dialogue, but it was very heavy handed, and the focus should have been more on the script(I wanted to ask wht the main characters thought about their charcters and the story but I didnt feel it was right to change the vibe of the conversation). Joel's mother even attacked Allen when she said that his acting needed to be lifted escpecially duing the last soliloquy when he was in the pen. Allen looked trapped. I was like uh-oh. But overall, the coversation was provocative. A little too Christianocentric for my taste, but it was definitely worth an ear.After the stage reading, I went to the NABJ Awards at Wash U. I remember going when I was a writer at the American in 2003 (and when Tavia Evans racked up a couple of awards when she was working there as well). The set up still the same with a silent auction of photo gods' pictures before the actual awards. I was there because I found out I was going to win Best Feature TV Story for cable for my workon former MAXX JAzz recording artist, Rene Marie on Charter Communications' now defunct show, Reel ENtertainment. I worked on the piece with my producer and buddy, Peter Foggy (That is a picture of Pete and I in the upper right hand corner holding the award after the awards ceremony --photo courtesy of Eric Wilson). The show was hosted by KSDK education reporter Sharon Stevens and KTVI Sports reporter Rob Desir. The hour and some minutes long event had categories in the print, and TV and over 100 entries were sent in who entered all together. The keynote speaker was Ellen Soeteber, former Editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who resigned recently from her post after the reported buy out and budget cuts in people's salaries. Her speech was nice and non-threatening. I thought for sure she was going for the gusto and do her WOMANIFESTO about about the uncertainties in journalism especailly affter wthat transpired, But she was cool. She started off by saying could someone tell her what is the latest on Tom Joyner's "It's Your World." She even sang teh theme song. Now, what was funny about all this is, Ellen is not black and when she tried to sing the theme, she was really dragging it. But it was all in fun. Then during her speech, she said that she is from East Boogie and that she graduated from East Saint Louis Senior High. I couldnt help myself and clapped causing others to clap. But the thrust of her speech was about real change. She says that real change means real courage. I was feeling her about that. I wasnt paying too much attention to her speech cause I was focused on walking up to the podium to receive my award. I also discovered that my former boss Dr. Donald Suggs was getting the Hall of Fame Award. I thought that this was going to be interesting to receive my award on the same night that my former boss was getting an award. Now the killer part during the evening was that the tv winners' videos were to be shown on the screen screen in front of the stage. My heart went into my chest. I wasnt expecting that. So that meant that the video of me introducing Rene Marie would be shown. I am a stickler of how I look and to see myself that big on screen left much to be desired (Now I understand when actors say they do not like to see themselves on screen where you focus on your weak points and your physical flaws). So when it was time to introduce the video that Pete shot of me and Renee I slumped in my chair causing Pete to snicker a bit of my discomfort. I placed my hand on the sid eof my face and kind of peaked at the screen to see the video on screen and my head was literally HUUUUUUUUUUGE. I was so uncomfortable, as though I was getting a root canal, but I survived the minute video byte and got up with Pete to receive the award. I clapped for myself and saw Dr. Suggs daughter, Dina clapping and cheering vigorously for me which surprised me. I smiled graciously and both of them, did a "raise the roof" motion to the stage, picked up the award from one of the award handlers and for a split second wondered what I was going to do after I received the award. I turned around, faced the crowd and held it in front of my face which caused slight laughter. Soon after when I got to my seat, onlookers nearby gave me the thumbs up sign and a breathed out and glad I was able to find my seat. Post's Tavia Evans gave a short rundown of Suggs' bio and intro (She was cute when she said to him in the audience, "Am I getting this right?"). She presented Suggs his Hall of Fame Award and gave him a hug which was a nice touch, a reunion of sorts. Suggs also spoke short and sweet about the importance of black journalism and compairng it to a hospital with surgeons. I remember him saying this during those weekly editorial meetings when I was employed at the American and it wrung even truer when I heard him say it that in journalism, you must have writers who are on point at all times. Other winners of evening were StL American's Wiley Price, Alvin Reid (not present), Chris King, Carol Daniel (who was looking fierce in those black leather jeans), Donn Johnson (who had the laugh moment there when he asked where was the camera to take hos pictire), the Post's Bryan Burwell and KETC's Ruth Ezell. Soon after Larry Flynn of the Post and President of the NABJ (who gave the greeting at the award show) invited me to their after party sip at Chase Park Plaza. While I was driving, I saw something yellow on my windshield. I found out I got a parking ticket while parked at Wash U (That was JUUUUUUUUUUUUUST great!)When I arrived at the Chase, I saw Pete waiting in the lobby area of the Chase and told me where everyone was. they were sittign across from the theater getting situated. When I was about to walk up there, I saw American Idol contestant Phillipe with a tambourine in his hand standing next to two tall sexy sistas satinding in the lobby. I went up to him and he said he was performing in Cafe Eau and told me to come on through. I said I would try but my mind was on getting to Blueberry Hill, but I had to make nice with the NABJers and their get together. It was an intimate group of about 20 or so where me, Pete, Burwell, NABJ auction manager Gloria Ross, Post editor Lisa Manns (who is off the chain and man crazy), Flynn and Post's Ron Harris, Sharon Stevens and Ezell were the notables there. It was very interesting as the beer, Cosmos, popcorn, and chips and dips were flowing and the conversation got wilder and wilder. I wont reveal all the details but I must say it was like being a fly on the wall seeing some of the movers and shakers in journalism letting their hair down and talking about whatever came to their minds. I stayed for a minute but I needed to go where the action was at Blueberry Hill where Angela Brown had a set up in the Duck Room for Lamar Harris and his band The L's CD that was on sale as well the various artists performing on stage like Lamar, Coul Train, Jada Avenue, Coco Soul, and poets IMPAKT and Chill Da Playa. It was hosted by Selena J, who also spat some lyrics for the packed crowd in the dungeon. The event reminded me so much of The Flow back in the day where a band was on stage and you had poets and singers performing. When I got there, Kam was standing talking to this cat who had on a white nylon cap who came up to me and said, "What are you wearing? Your fro looks like half of it is still curley?" I looked at him, put my hand on his shoulder and said, "How many of those beers have you been drinking?" and" Are you supposed to be a comedian or something?" Then he said, "No, no, it's not like that, I'm just checking what you got on, taking it all in." Huh? Okay. All I said after that was, "It's all in your attitude." Then Kam interjected and said to the brother, "Come on, he's a popular brother around here." The whole sceanrio was funny to me. he was just another confused fan who needed to be coverted to my world is all I can say. LOL I've been dressing my unique style ever since college and its like drinking water or sleeping to me--being different fashion-wise is what I am all about to get people talking and challenge what should be worn (To recap, I had on a large blue suit coat, a large tan shirt with big collars, large gaucho like blue pants and blue Converse shoes--the attire for the NABJ awards) . After that, Kam said to me your boy is here (The one I almost had an altercation with at Formula) so he put me on guard and told him that whatever happend til now, is what's going to happen. But I was in no far cause if they tried anything, I'm sure I had the backings of many up in there who I knew to fight my battle for me. Anyway, teh evening was pure neo-soul, everyone was on point, escpecially the L band who was tearing up some rock and jazz riffs behind the artists who performed. Oh and the one-who-I almost had an altercation with avoided me up in there(the saga will continue I'm sure ) In the house were Cody Aaron (hope your feet feel better. LOL), Demond Meeks, Charles Brown, Jacque Land, Brian, M.P.E.R.O.R., Delmor Loop mogul Joe Edwards, Maurice Minor, KSDK's Jeff Small, Kevin Johnson, Nate Johnson (Selena's sis), and Tiffany Graham.

In closing, I finally had a chance to interview Forest Park College English professor JK Dennis in his office at the college this past Monday on his book, 9 Lessons for a Meaningful Life. He is a very deep brotha and looking forward to writing the story for West End Word and eventually recapping the interview here on my blog.

There is an upcoming audition for those thespians out there: A two act play by St. Louis playwright Greg Carr called, "Johnnie Taylor is Gone." The roles are for four African American women (ages 20-50) and 6 African American men (ages 20-60). It will be an open call. You must come prepared with a two minute monologue and a cold reading from the script. Audition dates and times will be Friday, Dec. 2 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 3, from 1:p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, located at the Main Theatre on 5600 Oakland Ave. For more info call Carla Moody at (314) 644-9387 or the Box Office at (314) 644-9388. Oh and when you call, tell them that you saw it here first on maatspear.blogspot.com.

Well that will do it for me. Next time I report on STL native Cedric The Enetrtainer's hosting duties on the American Music Awards, Sonja Branscomb's Appreciation Party this weekend and anything else that may be happening this holiday weekend. Everyone have a safe Thanksgiving holiday and I will see you all outside next week!

Friday, November 18, 2005

out 19

Hello again outsiders. It is ma'atology here. Sorry for the delay, but a brither had a long week this week. I did a little side gig of counting cars at Scott Air Force Base for some extra ends and a brother had to get up at 4:30 in the morning to get to Scoitt at 6 and stay til 6 in the afternoon. Hey even outside people like myself have to come inside sometimes. LOL.
But I digress. First off I would like to say that I found that this week that I will be picking up an award at The National Association of Black Journalists Communications Awards this Saturday. I entered two of my works one was the Emmy nominated piece I done (along with producer Pete Foggy) on Maxx Jazz recording artist Renee Marie and a cover story I wrote on the St. Louis based Cuzzo label for the defunct newzine, Flipside. I think the first piece won. I'm not for sure about the second. but I am greatful and thankful to win and with iot coming from NABJ, makes it even more special (thanks Tavia for the invitation reminder LOL) The ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Simon Hall at Wash U. My boy Pete gave me the news about the win and jokingly asked if I was going to wear my Morpheus suit, the one I wore for the Emmys. Well, that wont be happening. Thats one thing about Ma'at, you will never see me wear something that extravagant at two consecutive high-brow events.

Now a recap of my week. Last Thursday, I checked out the Filmmakers Showcase Brunch which was a celebration of the films and filmmakers who had films that were being shown at this year's St. Louis International Film festival (kudos to Chris Clark for the tix). The event took place at the house of Ron Stevens, a cool guy who owns a radio syndication biz and his lovely wife Joy, and from the looks of that multi roomed(I counted at least 30 rooms including 10 bathrooms ), three-storied crib, it seems as though he could fit every syndicated radio staion in a room. This man's house is HUGE. His basement alone is the size of the Formula nightclub. All the fancy artwork and artifacts (knights from the 1800's) It's at a gated community in the CWE and I must say, I was deeply impressed with his house, I mean, palace. We hit off quite well and hopefully will work with him the near future (I sent the mp3's to ya) I met many great people who have films in the fest and the brunch was tasty. I really liked the quiche and the free Hurricanes. LOL.

Last Saturday, I checked out Steve Lacy, I mean Christopher Stevens' Birthday party at Club Seven (Thanks to Lacy and his partner Carvonne for hooking me up with the entire weekend). Lacy always brings the heat when it comes to his birthday parties because all types of people from all races, colors and persuasions be up in there getting their party on and celbrating Lacy's life day. VIP was cool. They had Chinese food (the egg rolls were off the chain) and I kicked it most of the time up in there until the drinks came through and had to walk around up in there (my bad Harry for opening up the door in VIP to hear a cell phone call. I wasnt trying to do anything crazy). Around 1 ish, things was really poppin. The DJ--DJ AJ was OK. He's no DJ Needles, but he kept the music going (he played Nelly's Grillz a multitude of times). At this time si hung near the bar area on the Seven side of the club. My bar hangers were Kameron, Terrence, Christiaan (I saw you trying to nino pop) , hollabackboi, and Laton Chairs. What was so off the chain was Laton was buying apple martinis for all of us non stop. And that's all I need to hear for me to get my party on. I was gettin' nice and this party girl and her friend were dancing in front of Kam and I so I decided to PAR-TAKE in the opportunity. So, I got up on her and got my dance on. Now the trip part came when this brother behind me who was wearing a black hat said to me, "Yeah, that's what I'm talking about." Huh? Talking about what? I was like, is this brotha gettin turned on by her, me, or both? At that time, I could care less, cause after 1 o'clock, people up in the club was whateva, whateva. Then hollaback was trying to get an afterparty going if you know what I mean and wanted me to call their celly after the club closed (their phone never picked up BTW) When it got to be close to 3 in the morn, Dj AJ, was like it was time for us to go and was saying, "If you don't want to go to jail, then you better leave, the club is closed." The fireman's door of the club was lifted and people started hauling ass out of there-- slowly to get those digits from whomever or the addy to ones crib to get their horizontal swerve on. . I heard that the official after party was at Bottoms Up on the East Side. I didnt have any singles in my wallet, so I know I wasnt going there. So I walked up to the front saying my goodbyes to the other socialites and stayed out front for a minute. Other party people I saw up in there were Lynette, Jamelle (sporting cornrolls), Trez Adams, Jamie (the girl not the boy), and Demond Tucker--oops, almost forgot BILL BEENE, the Partyline photographa!

Last Sunday, I checked out Steve Lacy's and Carvonne' White's Hair Show, "It's All About Hair" at the Hyatt Regency near Union Station. The event was a culmination of other events prior to and after the hair show where hair stylists from in and out of town facilitated workshops and classes about hair and what to do with it whether it's cutting it, pressing it, ironing it, coloring it, braiding it or weaving it. Me and Kam checked it out. We sat next to Kam's colleague, Darlene that both work at PT's Salon off 270 on east Page (PLUG-PLUG) More than 300 hair fans, stylists and onlookers sat patiently for the show to start. Now I know how it is when it comes to productions (I've done five theatericals myself) and trying to get folks and last minute things together is a lot of hard work and my boy Lacy was stage managing, prop handling (I'll get more into this later on) , sweeping the stage off and award handling. Brother was working harder than a Jamaican for real. I am not mad at ya. If you have to depend on somebody to get it done, do it yourself. But getting back to the hair show, the show started off with a bang with a hot tease with a tall hair model with long flowing blowhair in a very long and TIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT (as in fit) leather dominitrix outfit with colossal black heels (like the ones the chick in the group Dee-Lite used to wear back in the day) hopping up to the stage (Yes, I said hopping, she could not walk regularly in that outfit). A guy (I didnt catch his name) helped her on to the T part of the catwalk stage up to a makeshift apparatus that also had steps where she did a vamp dance using mostly her long colorful fingernails and danced to a sexy electronic drum beat with the refrain Electrify Me cooing in the background. What made it even more sexy was when the model was shaking her hair and bending her neck toward the guy so he can cut her hair. It was a hot scene. Soon after that the emcee of the evening, Michellene, graced the podium where she entertained for the reaming two hours with humor and off-the cuff comments on everything and everybody. The local stylists featured were Bonita Riochardson from Eclectic Designz, Daisha, from Selah Salon, Tiffany Rodgers from Shi Salon, Tahsa Harris Reed from Midwest Styles, Candace Young from B.I. M., Marc Stevens from Danielles, Brandon Williams from 911, Ken'Ya from Carla's Casual Creations and of course Christopher Steven. They also had a hair presentation by Donnal of Donnal's Hair Studio , an Caublasian guy who did a model's hair in less than 30 minutes. It was bit tedious, but it was interseting to see him cut her hair from long to neck length. Out of town stylists included Patric Bradley reppin' Texas and Virginia and Freddie Jones ( A cancer survivor by the way) reppin Dallas, and Amos Jordon reppin North Carolina. Most of the stylists' hair show routines were pretty much the same where the models get their hair tweaked and cut then they walked down the runway. There were some that were pretty creative in their presentations like Miss Michelle Ashwood from Steven Styles doing a dating Game skit with the models and Brandon Williams of 911 doing a Hollywood award show skit which was the highlight of the evening. They had models who looked and wore their hair like Missy Elliot, Sierra, Fantasia and Destiny's Child that took over espcecially the model who performed as Beyonce. Sistagirl had the hair and applebottom body like Beyonce. They started off from the back of the room in feather boas and when their music came on (Destiny's "Lose My Breath") , smoke came from the stage and they did their routine on stage exactly like the video from that song. It was off the chain and when it was over, there were some that gave the skit a standing O and when hairstylist Brandon came out with some hairspray and spraying the models; hair he sprayed them down!There were also some award presentations given out to those who did remarkable works, one was STL hairstylist Everett Johnson who got the Trailblazer Award who, at first just said thank you, but when he was asked by the mistress of ceremonies to come back up to say more (she say he did his speech like Russell Simmons. LOL), he started to get choke dup when he said he dedicated his award to hi smother who passed three years ago. That was real and a touching monet in the show. Louise Holliday received the Lifetime Achievement Award, a mover and shaker in the hair biz, a beautiful and spry elderly lady who was more excited for those who worked on the show than for her own accomplishments. She also modeld earlier on in the show showing off her well curled white hair. OK, the improv moment in the show occurred during Freddie Jones' scene when two guys brought out a long sofa chair and stood it in the middle of the stage. Before you know it, the mistress of ceremonies asked for some guys in the audience to help move the sofa chair upstage. With me and Kam being near the front, and a lack of many men there, we volunteered to do it along with a brotha (whose name slips me now) who was sitting on the opposite side of the room got up to move it and then the hostess said, "Okay we have Usher, LL, and 50 to help." the audience chuckled, so before I got to the stage to help move the sofa, I seized the moment by raising up my hands in a victory pose and got several sistas in the audience giving me catcalls(I see I still gots it. LOL) . I must have been Usher cause I had on a blue Kangol, a striped blue shirt with big white cuffs and blue wide legged pants cause the other guys were dressed more toned down. We also had to move it back in the lobby after the skit was over, but I must say, I know I need to be on somebody's stage cause like pork, I'm such a ham!

Before I close let me say congrats to Chill da Playa and his wife Stephanie, two local spit poets, who recently got married (where was my RSVP at? LOL).

The gas face goes to the gossip blogger that STL American's Delores Shante talked about who was saying that it seemed as though writers who are in the STL who write about hip-hop in the St. Louis Post and American are gay. That was extremely FOUL. Why would someone wanna go there? What does writing hip-hop and being gay have anything in common? Here we go again with this homophobia going on. That is the problem with hip-hop now, espcially the gangsta hip-hop, it's homophobic and misogynistic in its imagery and lyrics. Objectifying the hypermasculinity in gangsta hip-hop gives no room for those hip-hop artists who are not hardcore rappers and just rap, say like Kanye West or Common. I don't understand it. Maybe I can make this a topic for my upcoming talk show. I see that this has been blown way out of proportion. To check out was Delores Shante had to say about this, pick up this week's American or peep it out at stlamerican.com under Partyline section.

Next time, I will report on the Marla Gibbs jazz Cd Listening Party at Formula I attended this past Thursday, My NABJ Award celebratory drink at 609, the NABJ Awards, Joel King''s stage reading at the STL Public Library and anything else that may come up.

Until then, see ya outside!