OUT 44

Hello to one and all. This is Ma'at again. I am going to make this blog short cause the last two blogs got me going on my trip to Los Angeles. But it's all good. OK here we go.


Last Saturday, I checked out Club Dreams' Pre-Draft Extravaganza Party (That is me on the right with my regular homeboy Kameron taking a pic via Jacob of St Louis Online).I wanted to go somewhere this past weekend so I can write something for this blog (Its seems like I'm doing that more often these days). Anyway, before I got there, I got two Kamos (As in 10.0 Lager) to get my mood right. I called up Kameron to tell him I will be rollin out there. I havent been out with him for a minute so thsi was like a a homeboy reunion for us (We are now dubbed the VIP BOYZ. LOL) I got there about 11 p.m. and I knew it was going to be packed before I got there.,There was nothin else goin on in the STL except for people going to the Jazz Loft nearby on OLive (The routine these days have been for people to step into the Jazz Loft first then roll to Club Dreams) I parked near a parking meter a block down west from the club and I saw Kameron park right in front of me. We greeted each other and stepped up toward the club. I was surpised to to not see any security guy near the street of the club to check IDs (They ususally do this).

So, I walked inside and saw one of the guys from Thrill Entertainment clocking the dollas for people to get in (I think it was 10 general and 20 VIP). I told the brotha that co-owner Maurice G was expecting me and we waited for him to come near the door. The Thrill guy told Maurice that "his people were here" and he motioned for me and Kameron to come on through (Good lookin out man!) We mostly stood around and saw all of the thug nation roam through there (Most of the guys were in tees, sneaks, and caps and the ladies were lookin flyyeer like SOul Train girls). I felt a little out of place cause I believe I was one of the few guys who decided to dress decent up in there. Before you know it, I smelled the contact of that ganja up in there and I knew that it was mos def a thug party.

We walked around a little bit , spoke to those who knew us and tried to get up in VIP. Well that was a problem. The First Friday Security guys were manning the bottom of the stairs with velvet ropes leading to upstairs where the VIP crowd was (and supposed ballas and wanna bes). Kameron talked to one of the guys whom he knew and then Kameron told me that he said that he could go up, but I couldnt. See here we go again. Whats wrong with this picture? I didnt trip. I let it go. It was not that serious. I told Kameron that he could go up (he decided not too) , but I was not sweatin trying to go up to VIP just to look at the people from the floor dance and mingle. Adding insult to injury, some folks who had VIP bracelets could not go upstairs! What was really going on? One guy was hot as piss cause he couldnt go up (Some of the security guys hads to man handle him away from the area!) . But mind you, there were many females who didnt have VIP bracelets could go up there, bar none. True, its all about females going up therre, but if you are going to have a VIP section, treat everyone the same. Besides, Big Chuck, the bouncer from Toxic was able to get in without a bracelet (And who was going to fight him all 6 foot 4, 400 pounds of him! LOL) Oh, I almost forgot that some of the (foot)ballaz up in VIP were throwing bills down to the people downstairs on teh dance floor and you know people were catching them bills in the air as though they werre vying for a touchdown at Rams Park (Is this a new trend in VIP now? ) . Too much playin in the city!

During this time, I called hollabackboi on my celly to see if he was coming to this party and he said that he wasnt cause the crowd was too thuggish and that he was at the Jazz Loft (One of his buddies from Philly via STL was in town, too) It was going on 2 ish and we decided to walk up to the front. Before we left, I gave dap to Mo Witherspoon who was therre passing out fliers to his monthly Eye Candy party (I forgot what I said to him, I was that buzzed. LOL) that was going top going on there this Saturday at Dreams (I forgot who else I saw therre casue I was still a littel buzzed from drinking the Kamos). I saw Jacob from St Louis Online and I thanked him for giving me a shot out on his website. In returm , he snapped me and Kam's pic.

On Monday, I started a little temp job at AG Edwards on Jefferson and Market in the Louie. I am doing office assistant work for their new accounts department (The 8th floor--It;s hard out here for a PIMP.). Local socialite Jamie Spencer works there too and we had a chance to talk about the ins and outs there (It has been an adventure already and I will decipher what Ive seen and heard as time goes on by the week). They have a nice fitness center with 2 masseuse rooms. (I might try both the center and message rooms out next week and get physical-physical. LOL). What was really tripped out was one of its trainers , a white guy, is also a trainer at Ballys in Clayton, the one I go to. When I saw him, I said, "Dont you work at Bally?" And he said, "Yeah., and I tell you, if you join this gym, it will make Ballys look ghetto." I was too stunned when he said that--and a white boy at that! You know what word is comin next of he 's that comfortable saying the G-word. Too much playing in the city!


LA TIDBITZ. Neo soul/performance artrist Amanda Dumas will be performing this Thursday at the Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire in L.A. It starts at 9 p.m. and the tickets are 10 bones., For more info, go to http://www.amanadadumaslive.com...again/, For those who want to break into the entertainment industry, ABI Productions is presenting an Entertainment Business Seminar, Tuesday, May 2 at the Academy of Tv Arts and Sciences, 5220 Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood. Panelsists include Cedric the Entertainer (anyone check his speaking at Webster University in the STL about the entertainment industry?) , Jamie Foxx's manager Marcus King and moderated by comedian/actor Chris Spencer. Admission is $50 for studnets, $75 general, and $160 for all access which include a one-one-session with a panelist. For more info, go to http://www.entertainmentseminar.com/ or call 818-776-9450...My newest L.A. buddy Steve Williams (who said the Gordon Chambers and Ledisi concert at the Knitting Factoiry was off the chain) from L.A. said that he emailed his pastor, Bishop Noel Jones my blog last week! He must be a pretty hip pastor, cause I know I was talking up some sacreligious stuff on my blog last week. LOL ....

STL-TIDBITZ. I got a gmail from Vernon Scott about Derrty ENT (as in Nelly's production company) All Star Party going down at Club Toxic. Sunday. April 30. They are celebrating its Holla at Ya Derrty Vol 3 Cd Release pArty. Special guests include St. Lunatic Ali and Grip, Baby Huey, Stl Lunatic Murphy Lee., and Penelope to name a few ( I hear Nelly, himself might come through as well) . Doors will open at 9:30 p.m. Admission is 20 bones. VIP is available. For VIP or general info, call 314-477-3040......................................................
I will have the opportunity to interview St. Louis jazz diva Denise Thimes (pictured on my blog ) on her career for the West End Word Newspaper. We will also talk about her upcoming annual Mothers Day concert, Sunday May 14 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. I will keep you posted when the feature will run.....

Black Rose Ent. presents Guys Gone Wild: Ladies Retreat. Wild guys doing wild things. (Think...All Male Review/Men Stripping). Sorry fellas this one is for the ladies. April 28, at the Creative Image Social Hall @ 8:30 Cover $15 in Advance - $20 Door - $25 VIP Dress As Wild As U Want. The address is 6800 West Florissant For mor einfo contact Aretha 314-537-6218....

Actor/director Joel King is doing the Meeting at the Elder's Circle stageplay again. This time at the Tin Ceiling Theatre on 3159 Cherokee St.(East of Grand (South) and Gravios)Showtimes are Friday April 28 @ 8 p.m.; Saturday April 29 @ 3:30p. m. & 8 p.m.; Sunday April 30 @ 8 p.m.;Friday May 5 @ 8 p.m.; Saturday May 6 @ 3:30 p.m. & 8 p.m. andSunday May 7 @ 8 p.m. For more info , call (314)268-3651. Hmmm, I wonder if Joel will play the white lady again ? LOL...

WEBSTER UNIVERSITY FILM SERIES PRESENTS Josephine Baker: A Centennial Remix Zou Zou Princess Tam Tam April 28 at 8PM; April 29 at 7PM and April 30 at 7PM. For more information go to: http://www.webster.edu/filmseries.html Admission is $6 for the general public, $5 for seniors, students from other schools and Webster alumni, and $4 for Webster University staff and faculty unless otherwise noted. All films screened in Moore Auditorium on the campus of Webster University, 470 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO unless noted....

Premiere for Cutting-Edge Women’s Health Documentary Hits the Screen at Tower Grove Park. On April 29, the locally produced documentary will premiere at Tower Grove Park near the South City Open Studio and Gallery (off Arsenal and MorganFord). The SCREEN ON THE GREEN PRIEMERE PARTY starts at 6:30-9:30pm. $5 donation.

OH AND MUCH AND CONGRATS TO FIRST FRIDAY CREATOR HARRY MICHEL AND HIS WIFE ON THEIR NEW BABY (I HOPE YOU WERENT TOO SCARED WHEN I SPOTTED YOU AT THE GYM. LOL)

Well that will do it for me. I know it was a lot, but hey, I had a lot to say. If there is anything you want me to pub on here, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com!

Out 43

Hello one and all. This is your on-line journalist Ma'at here. And as promised, I will give you all the juicy details of my trip to Hollywood. Last week, I talked about the club scene up in Hollywood, thsi time around I will talk about the cultural and tourisy stuff I had gone to when I was in the City of Angels.

BUT BEFORE I GET INTO ALL OF THAT, LET ME GIVE BROTHA JACOB OF STLOUISONLINE A SHOUT OUT. HE GAVE MY BLOG A SHOUT OUT WHEN HE SAID I WAS AT THE WHITE PARTY AT THE LOFT LAST THURSDAY (THAT IS ME IN THE WHITE LACED SHIRT WITH A LOLLIPOP IN MY MOUTH ON THE RIGHT POSING WITH HOLLABACKBOI ON THE LEFT). I WILL TALK ABOUT THE PARTY LATER ON IN MY BLOG UNDER STL-TIDBITZ.

One of the places I fell in love with was a coffeeshop in Leimert Park in the Crenshaw District called Lucy Florence. It is owned by twin brothers Ron and Robert Harris (They are the twins who were featured teaching the models how to spin last week on Tyra Banks' America's Next Top Model). My buddy and temp roommate Keith Underwood took me to this shop on my first day in L.A. and since then, dubbed it my home away from home. (My first day there, I told them that they looked familiar then it dawned on me that they were not too long ago on Tom Joyner's Variety Show dancing a 1968 routine during the talent segment of the show! They told me that the show had auditions at their shop prior to their being on the show. ) The food is great (the caramel almond cake would make a diabetic go crazy!!!), they are hospitable to their customers and they treat everybody the same whether they are someone like Bernie Mac (who had a brithday party there while I was L.A.), a politician, or some bum on the street. During my first day there, I saw a staged reading of a stageplay presented by the Los Angeles African American Rep Company (http://www.laaarep.com/.) The featured stageplay, "Sweet Evalina" was written by LAAAREP member Kyona Levine.

The play was about a small town that believes it is cursed. About 12 members and non-members acted out the play and afterward, the president of it Layon Gray opened up the floor for critiques. I said that the play was different and refreshing (that was pretty much all I can say because I was still jet lagged and had no sleep), but Gray gave his critique that ranged from constructive ("Too many acts in the play") to nit-picking ("I didnt want to see a happy ending."). Keith was upset with Layon's critique (He thought he should have critiqued her privately)but overall, it was definitely interesting.

Speaking of plays, I went to two of them while I was in Hollywood. One was "The Double Minority Comedy Hour" that was held at the Globe Playhouse. I heard about the play from the sista I met at The Annex while I was sitting on her lap. She said that she was a filmmaker and was filing the play for the writer, Adolpha Lovett, and help her form a production company. She invited me and decide dto check it out. I'm so gald I did. Thsi play was like a sketchcomedy like In Living Color: racy, provocative, out the box. There were 10 sketches that ranged from satiring race, politics, celebrity figures, etc. The best skit was on called, "The Sell-Out-Store," where black people can go to a store and get "selling out" prosucts. One black guy in the sketch (played by Mesan Richardson) played with Brooks Brothers suit buppy guy and he came into the store to buy a white girl. Classic. What made it more funny was when he and the white girl left the store, the white guy in the skit said, "Niggers." I was shocked that he said it, but it was funny as Hell! Adolpha is one talented sista. Not only is she beautiful, but talented. She will be one to look out for in the next few years.

The other play I saw was "For Colored Girls" that my girl Tann Moore was in at the Adler Theater (as in the late actress Stella Adler) next to the Kodak Theatre. She told me about it and wanted me to come through. I had to support my girl (She was in a coupel fo my productions when I was doing it up at the former Hatshepsut Studio Gallery). I got there, and only three other people showed up for this particluar performance (I think it had atwo week run there). Beside the lack of people, the play was a different spin to the classic Ntozake Shange piece. For starters, they added female driven music to the piece (eg. Aretha's "Respect", Honey Cones' "Want Ads") and they had a white and Asian actress in the cast (It was hard to swallow a white girl calling black men "niggers.") Also in the cast was Raeven Kelly (she's the young sista with the long straight hair in the pic above). I didnt realize it was her cause she is all grown up now (She's about 22. She is the actress whose well known for her role as the young Tina Turner in the movie, "What's Love Got to Do with it." Well that was 13 years ago and she had to have been about nine or so then. But she is all grown up and has turned out to be a very attractive young lady.

After the show, I gave Tann (who could pass as actress Rosario Dawson's browner skinned sister) some love and told her that I enjoyed the show and also greeted Raeven who is very nice and freindly. She wanted to have some lunch before her next performance, but the director of the play, Raven's mother(who I also met), ordered lunch for them, so she decided we have coffee at the nearby Starbucks. Before we left, I heard raven say to her mother, in a child like voice, "Mommy can I get changed now." Just then, I realized that she is still a little girl around her mother. Too funny, but telling. I also met a sista who worked on the "Pieces of a Dream" set (her name slips me) who was from Alton (Too small of a world).So we went to Starbucks (and so did the rest of the cast which included St. Louis actress Lawanda (her last name slips me)). One of the cast members had a discount cause she worked there and paid for all of our orders! We talked about our careers (and you, Joel. LOL) and how she was dealing with Cali (she stays in Van Nuys) and how breaks are coming her way. She said that we should keep in contact and I told her yeah, cause I wanted to catch here befor she made it big (who knows she may need a boy toy to accompany her to the award shows. LOL).

I also went to a couple of TV tapings. I went through hollywoodtickets.com to get them and they are free to go to. I always knew about them since 2004 and now wa smy chance to go them. The first one was "Last Comic Standing" with new host Anthony Clark (of the show "Yes, Dear'--He was a bit dry as a host but he was OK.) The taping was held at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. I got there about 1 p.m. for the 1:30 taping, but it took about an hour--through the rain and sun--before they opened up the theater for us. It was two long lines going in opposite directions (One line for those who had tickets and those who didnt). They searched us to see if we had cameras or cell phones (you couldnt bring them in the studio) and we got our seats.

My seat was near the front behind the judges who were there to judge the comics. They were former Saturday Night Live actor Tim Meadows, comedienne Kathi Griffin and veteran TV producer Gary Marshall(the white guy seen above on my blog) . Openly gay comedian Ant was in the audience and he was introduced (his eyebrows were more arched than the McDonalds sign). A funny moment before the taping came when an audience remember said to Kathi, "I love you." and she said. "Thank you, are you gay?" That was funny. Then someone said the same thing to Tim and he replied, "Thank you, are you gay?" Very funny stuff. But before the celeb panel showed up, the crew had to teak the lights and set and the director of the taping Craig Spirko (a brotha BTW), told us what to do (clap, laugh, etc. Then they had this HORRIBLE comic to warm up the audience (More like make us cold) He mostly did the where-is-everyone-from stuff.

After about 30 minutes of this, it was time to tape the show. We saw 20 comics who were vying for five spots in the semi finals. It was a wide range of comics (black, white, male and female). The one I liked was Roz, a hefty sista who was giving more of a sermon than jokes. Her routine about prostitues trying to put references for their resumes was hilarious.
We saw five comics per break (the breaks were like a minute long and if you were not in your seats, they filled your seat with a seat filler). Afterward, the panel had a chnace to talk with any of the comics. when Kathi Griffin talked with Roz and said that she should tone down the loudness of her voice. Roz said that she was nto going to do that and that her comedy was a testimony from her being 15 years sober from drugs and alcohol and that she used to be a preacher. I heard that. Shut Kathi's mouth right up. One tripped out moment happened when Ant shouted to one of the hunky white guy comics to "Take it off.' Nuff said on that. We didnt get a chance to see who would advance and the director said that we should tune in this summer when it airs on NBC(I'm sure you will see my mug on a few scenes, so I will keep you posted when it finally airs.)

After the taping, people were gearing toward teh celebs to talk with them. I took advanatge of being close to them and went up to Gary Marshall, shook his hand, and said to him, "If you need an African American actor in any of your projects, I'm your man." He smiled and said, in his Brooklyney accent, "This is my assistant here. She takes care all of that." So, I gave his assistant my biz card and she put it in her coat pocket. I shook her ahnd and said to her, "Do I need to take my photo now?" Then I did a Thinking Man pose. Some of the onlookers laughed. Gary then said, "Well you definitely are looking good." The assistant smiled. Well, I'll keep you posted on this if I'm flying to Hollywood to do a screen test.

The other show I attended was the taping of the Game Show Marathon at the CBS Studios on Beverly Blvd. The show is a new show hosted by Ricki Lake (who has slimmed down and looking pretty good). The premise is taking classic game shows of the 70s like The Price is Right, Let's Make a Deal and Match Game, use the same sets and have celebs play the games for their favorite charity. I had near back row seats (I got there a little late tryign to find parking), but it was cool cause the seats were set up like a stadium. I was there for the taping of MAtch Game. Before the show started, the director R Brian DePirro(who looked like a hippie in a leather outfit)told us what to do like clap and laugh, etc. (He also demanded that people take out their gum and had people to come by with a bucket for people to take out their gum. I had gum and I refused to particpate in this activity. LOL)

Anyway, after the directors demands, the announcer of the show was Rich Fields who also announces for the Price is Right. he also served as the warm up guy going through the audience to let people showcase their talent (I will get to that later). Fields introduced Ricki Lake who is very nice and greeted the crowd(Although a lot of it was staged for TV). She did her intro on a telemprompter in front of the dolly camera (electronic cue cards that is). She messed up a few times (even cursed), but she was professional (she even spoke with audeince members during takes as the tech director and camera people were reestablishing her shots.

When she got her intros right, the celeb contestants were introduced, they were N SYNC member Lance Bass (who caused shrieks and yelps from the female audience members) and Kathy Najimy (well known as one of the nuns in Sister Act and its sequel). After Ricki did her welcome with them, they sat in their seats on the Match Game set, then the celeb panelists were introduced. They were George Foreman, Kathi Griffin (again), comedy writer Bruce Vilanch (he was on this season's Celebirty Fit Club), Adrienne Curry (of Surreal Life), Adam Corolla ("The Man Show") and veteran actress Betty White (who was on the original Match Game, BTW).

The celebs were hamming it up every chance they got (Betty White even did a sexy hip dance that I'm sure will make the cut). There were two foul-ups that happened that I'm sure wont make the cut. One was when Ricki was pulling a question from the apparatus that makes the question boards go up and down. It malfunctioned and she said, "This piece of shit!." She laughed and so did we. The second instance happened when Ricki asked a question about the charcter Harry Potter becoming too old to play the role and the question was, "He is so old that now all he does he stay in his room and play with his BLANK." Well, everyone in the audience I'm sure, inclduing muyslef, were thinking the same thing. Lance BAss answered the question by saying, "PENIS." Well, they had to stop the show and the producers had to dialogue about the question. Well, they had to toss it out. Too Un-PC I guess.

While they were taping Match GAme, the director had some people near the front to move temporarilty so the celebs can sit in the audience with nametags so they can finish up a segment they did awhile back for the Price is Right. So they reinacted that and it was hilarious. Many of the stars were acting mad, sad, bored, yo name it. It was too funny. During the breaks, the announcer went around the crowd to see who had talent. Some people sang, tried to sing, danced, tried to dance, recited a poem, tried to tell jokes. But the weirdest talkent happenned when there was a guy who said he had the longest tongue. Well, the camera was on him, and he stuck out his tongue and all it reminded me of was Gene Simmons of Kiss. His tongue was that long. The announcer made the joke thet some of the ladies aroudn him got really intesretd him right about now.

After the taping, the celebs took pics with the media and were interviewed by Entertainment Tonight. We also had to do some fake stuff like laughing, clapping in front of big lights as though we were seeing the show to be edited in to the final cut. Can we say Hollywood?

My last Sunday in L.A., I went to the City of Refuge church in Gardena, cali. A popular church that is pastored by Bishop Noel Jones (pictured in the beige suit above on my blog). He is the older brother to diva singer/actress Grace Jones (Talk about night and day!). I heard about this church through one of the new friends I made while in Hollywood. His name is Steven Williams who is a photographer to the stars and works for a big time PR Firm that works under Universal (He told me the scoop on Bow Wow 's stripper scancdal before it hit the press!) He goes to this church, so I decided to go ahead and go especially it being my last Sunday in L.A. before I returned back to the STL. Well the church was like an arena like set up. Very huge (I'm sure it was over 1,000 people there). I sat in the reserved pue near the front where Steven was. They had TV cameras everywhere (the church is televised across the world) that mirrored any studio taping. There were several celebs there as well. I saw Tv host Tavis SMiley (seen in the dark suit on my blog) who sat near the pulpit area, Good Times actress Ja'net "Willona Woods" DuBois who sat with the congregation and the one and only STEVIE WONDER who sat nearthe pulpit area as well. Yes, The Wonder himself. I was totally in awe when I saw him. All I can say it was like seeing God in human form. He has a magnetic presence to him and it was indescribable of the feeling I felt.

Before the Bishop did his sermon, they had praise worship, announcements (with the help of two very large TV monitors on both sides of the choir stand) and testimonies with Smiley and Wonder. Smiley was first and he did his I-didn't-know-I-was-going-to get-up-and-speak-rooutine. He told the congregation that his book, Covenant was reaching the top spot on the NY Times Best Sellers' List. He said that in order for your book to reach this you have to be on either three shows: Oprah, The Today Show or NPR Radio. Well, he said that he was on neither show and the book went from No. 6 on the list to No. 2. He said that black people can get something accomplished by sticking together and make history. I heard that. Well as we speak, the book is currently No. 1 on the Paperback Nonfiction lsit so there is definitely strength in mumbers!

Then Wonder spoke. He joked about having to come here to speak and getting permission from his chuch to speak at City of Refuge.Then he said that he is happy to use his music whether speaking on love or whats going on in the world to make a change. Then he sang a song written by Johnathan Butler, "I Fell in Love with God." that had everyone in tears especially when he started it out by playing his harmonica. Oh my God. It was so magical! He is definitely a wonder. He is a music god. He sent chills down my spine.

Then the Bishop did his sermon. In a nutshell, his sermon was about having a gift and using it properly. he basiclaly said that you know that you have a gift when you apply to the need in the world and because of that, that is your calling. If it doesnt supply a need, then you shouldnt be doing it. I really enjoyed his sermon because he actually teaches before he does the preaching ho-ha-well stuff. He was even reasonable when it came for us to do the offering. He was like, "Give what you can. Dont give your bill money. Don't be crazy." Wow, I've never heard a pastor do that.

Another interesting part of the money part was near the end of the service he said that the church had a 150,000 or so debt that they had to take care of and asked the congregation for 100 each for those who can spare it. Man, you should have seen the number of people who ran up there to give to the buckets. I'm sure they raised the money and then some.
The church is liberal as far as dress. Anyone can dress however way they want (I even saw a sista wearing avery short jeans skirt up in therr as though she was going to the club!). They are also politically progressive (They had people after church to sign a THree Strike Rule" petition protesting against it)

The Bishop also has a comical side to himself. He said to the crowd about how women are trying to find a man to marry and that many of the men are going to the other side. I gasped. What was he really talking about here, I thought. Then he said, that our men are going to white women then he said that love was love, the congregation agreed, then he said. "The only person in here that is not allowed to marry a white woman is Tavis SMiley." Well the audience howled in laughter. The camera was put on him and on the big screens you can see Tavis covering his face as though he was shame faced. What was going on with that moment? Hmmm. For more info on this church and their upcoming movie, go to www.noeljones.org.

But overall, it was a great experience. I am not a churchy guy, but if I had to choose a church, I would definitely choose that one (Next time I will loosen up. According to the meddling sista woman who sat behind me, I was too stiff. She was also the one who forced me to hold her hand during prayer and said that everyone was vying to hold my hand. LOL.)

LA-TIDBITZ. My friend singer/songwriter Gordon Chambers will be performing at The Knitting Factory, in Hollywood, Friday, April 21. It is presented by the ASCAP EXPO, The Knitting Factory is located at 7021 Hollywood Blvd Ste. 209 Admission Free. Opening act is signing sensation Ledisi. (Mention his name at the door!)Showtime 7:00 PM First Come First Come Basis! For more info call 323-463-0204....For those who want to break into the entertainment industry, ABI Productions is presenting an Entertainment Business Seminar, Tuesday, May 2 at the Academy of Tv Arts and Sciences, 5220 Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood. Panelsists include Cedric the Entertainer, Jamie Foxx's manager Marcus King and moderated by comedian/actor Chris Spencer. Admission is $50 for students, $75 general, and $160 for all access which include a one-one-session with a panelist. For more info, go to http://www.entertainmentseminar.com/ or call 818-776-9450.

STL-TIDBITZ. Jaguar Wright & Maya Azucena are performing Wed., April 26 @ Suite 250 (formerly The Improv Theater) inside St. Louis Union Station. Doors open at 8 PM and Showtime is 9 PM.Both will be performing with LEVEL GROUND. Admission is $10. This is a 21 and older event. For more info., call 314-621-2727.............................................

Hipster Magazine will be hosting The Official Phat Farm BEYOND THE GREEN Club Tour party hosted by RUSSELL SIMMONS, Thursday, April 27th @ The Loft (3112 Olive) Doors @ 9 pm First 100 Ladies FREE. Special Guest - Atlanta's DJ Tayrok. Hipster is saying this is an event you definitely don't want to miss...Expect Everything! (Maybe Kimora showing up? Who knows.)............................................

What's the deal with Improv Theater changing names to Suite 250? New management? I will keep you posted on this....I heard that former Club Seven co-owner Fred Finley was denied access to the Loft's WHite PArty last Friday? What was going on there? I''m sure it wasnt becasue he wasnt wearing white cause not everybody )inclduing myself) wasn't wearing all-white. Some werent wearing white at all....

Speaking of the White PArty, it was packed. It was 10 bones to get up in there which was cool. (I thought it was going to be 20 for real beacause it was a special event) So packed that they had to open the back garage door for the overflow of people. In the house I saw radio personality Playboy Mixx, model Jamel, The Roseman and St. Louis American's Bill Beene (whom I had a freindly debate about whether the Russell and Kimora break up was worthy to be in Partyline.) Tony J of 104.1 was the hyepman in the DJ booth with house DJ Soundz. The music was Ok. Too midetempo for peoepl who wanted to get crunked out on the floor. There was also a lot of fashion donts up in there (men with sandals with ashy feet, gaucho jeans, a sista in hot pants with cookie dough figures). Hollabackboi wa sright that ST. Louis needs fashion manual on what not to wear. This was also the first weekend that the club opened til 3 am insted of 1am, two more hours to try and get a drink in there. I call it the way I see it. But overall, it was a nice event. Nothing wowing, but something to do for the beginning of the weekend...............

BACK TO THE STL TIDBITZ

I also heard that the MJ Morning Show, headquartered in Miami and syndicated in St Louis on Z-107.7, had bought a frozen hot dog that a Riverfront Times reporter had put on Ebay for 200 bones. It was the first hot dog that supposedly was bought at the new Busch Stadium....My friend actor/music hypeman and now St. Louis AMerican model Stuart Allen (who said was getting ready to go out on a promotional tour with rapper Scooby pretty soon) hipped me to a new flim that was shot in St. Louis with a local cast and crew called "Tapesty of Shadows." Directed by David Conley (who also stars in this film) is about Vincent Purejoy a preacher who is motivated to try and reclaim his inner city neighborhood from the thugs and drug dealers who have over run it, and the sacrifices his marriage and congregation must make along the way. The film also stars Paris Crayton and Johnny Fay Fernandez (who was in the STL-based film, "Hairdo U")....

Well that will do it fo rme. I know it was a lot, but hey, I had a lot to say. If there is anything you want me to pub on here, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com!

out 42

I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

This is Ma'at here telling you all that I am back in the STL from the bright sunny (and sometimes rainy) Los Angeles. I was there for three weeks and two days and I must say I am refreshed, rejuventaed and highly favored! Well, as promised, instead of giving you all a blow by blow expose of my trip, I will give you all an overall view of where I was in L.A. THIS WILL BE PART ONE OF MY TRIP.

I took an American Airline flight coming and going and I must say it was experience (be sure not to have more than one bag traveling caus etehy will get ya with baggage fees). Going, the turbulance was a little rough (I felt like I was on a rollercoaster. Leaving, it was a smooth as silk on a babyface.

I stayed at my buddy and former St. Louis American colleague Keith Underwood's apartment. He stays in the Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills District aka DA HOOD.

As far as hot spots, I mixed it up. I said I might as well take advantage of the opportunity (and I had rented a Chvy Malibu to do my travelin"). I did both straight and alternative hot spots while I was there. My second night in L.A., I went to Remix Tuesdays at this spot on Sunset Blvd called the Tangerine Club. It kind of reminded me of teh Jazz Loft on Olive but smaller. I was given an RSVp to this function presented by London Moore Productions. They always send me something via email so I took advantage of the opportunity and RSVP to this. It was OK. It was like a networking party with slammin hip-hop and R&B on the 1s and 2s by this Latino DJ team led by Ralph Diaz. I was expecting more people up in there, but they did have a great two for one special on tehri drinks. I also met a nice sista who was at teh door who was originally born at the Scott Airforce BAse before moving to L.A. I gave her my biz card in hopes we can keep in touch (still waiting.....)

I also attended the famous Laugh Factory also on Sunset Blvd for Chocolate Sundaes, hosted by comedian and actor Chris Spencer (remember him from the defunct Vibe Talk Show in the late 90s?) The concept of Chocolate Sundaes is having a variety of comedians (black, white, Latino, Asian, female, male), like the variety in a Sundae, and have them all perform before a mostly-black audience. And the show takes place on--you guessed it, Sundays (Not tyo mention its a two drink minumum up in therr too) . I went two Sundays ago and this past Sunday. Both times, I was near the front of the satge (It is cramped near teh front I must say). Chris hosted the first one and he was pretty funny. He had the audience cracking up especially with his gay story about this gay guy named Flame who keeps responding to him on his myspace account and wants to invite him to a gay club.

The joke he told was when he almost got into it with a gay guy and Chris said to the guy, "I'm going to fuck you up!" and the gay guy said, "I'm going to fuck you up!" Then Chris said, "I'm going to fuck you up!". Then the gay guy said, "I'm going to fuck you...!" Then Chris said, "Up, right?" Then the gay guy said, "No, "I'm going to fuck you." Then he said to the gay guy, "I'm going to kick your ass!" Then the gay guy said, "I'm going to LICK your ass!" And what made this part so funny was Chris emphasied the L in lick like "la la la lick". The comedians on this night were OK. One Italian comedian named Sebastian was pretty funny (think of Tony Danza back in his day.) He made a joke about going to the gym and everyone having ipods and him still having a CD player was funny. The headliner was this comedian named TK who talked like the old school comedian Lenny the Pimp from the "Good Times" shows. His niche was talking about how to make love to a woman and knowing how to take care of the vagina. It was graphic, but he was making sense (remember guys to wash her punanny downward instead of upward after having sex, then used a dry towel to pat it accroding to TK. LOL). The creator of Chocolate Sundaes was thsi guy named Pookie and the dee-jay was Fele fel of Power 106 FM in L.A.

The following Sunday was better. The host was comedian David Arnold (and he's so light skinded. LOL) and he was off the chain. He was telling jokes from trying to go to sleep at work or church to getting a prescription from the dcotor that his wife needs to give him head during her post-mortem depression. What was also a trip was when he singled me out from the crowd and said that I had on a sexy ass shirt (It was avery tight short sleeve custom made shirt) I was too outdone (I also by the way sat next to a very attractive sista named Jamie who looked like a younger version of actress Lynn Whitfield). Also on the bill was Miss Camacho, who is a string bean sista who be on Comic View a lot and talks about how brothers are a trip when it comes to sex. She had the crowd rolling especially when she talked about the hoes are messing it up for sistas (The fellas in the crowd started to boo). She said that giving head should be done with your man only and on special occasions. She was like, "Thank you for the HOUSE (and she emphasized HOUSE by pretending she was giving head). Thanks for the CAR" (same thing). It was hilarious. Then, all of a sudden, David said they had a special guest in the crowd, MIKE EPPS. The crowd went wild. He ran up on stage and at first he was unrecognizable because he cut off his beard and stache, but when he started on his jokes, it was no doubt it was him. He was telling joke sout of the blue in his own nonchalant-I--need-a-job-style. He did one joke about thr pimp thrwoing a snowball at his pimp that was familiar. Then he said something about, "I wanna get myself right, but, first, I gotta make this money first." And he said it so deadpan and serious that it made thr joke even more funny (not to mention he was sky high as well). He ended his 10 minutes by saying that he was about to be the new host of Def Comedy Jam and to look out for it.

After this show, I waited outside for my valet to get my car and it was interesting to see the coemdians fellowshipping with the crowd. One guy who was up in therr, I dont recall his name, but y'all remember the guy who played the gay hairdresser in Deliver Us From Eva and it turned out he wasnt gay at the end of the movie? Well, he was out side and was eyeballin me as he was talkin to some sista. I dont know what that was all about. I also saw actor Eric Lane (who played the really muscular guy in the R Kelly's Trapped in the Closet) and Isaw Tony Rock, the actor from the UPN show "All of Us" on a cell phone arguing at somebody about trying to get in for the second show of Chocolate Sundaes. At both Sundays I also saw a homeless guy carrying a radio playing Frank Sinatara songs and one who was preaching the Word to people who listened to him respectively. Talk about variety!

As far as alternative clubs, I went to this hole-in-the-wall called the Annex and it was ultra ghetto fab brothesr and sisters up in there all tightned in this small room listening to whatever was playing on the jukebox. The drinks were cheap (a Long Island was 4 bones), but from what I heard a lot of people get robbed up in therre. I was also tripping off of the bartendars shouting out every half hour or so about people's cars about to get towed if they didnt move their cars. During the whole time, I sat on the lap of this lesbian sista who I found out was a local filmmaker and we hit it off as though he were brother and sister. We exchanegd numbers and she invited me to a taping of a comdey show at Globe Theatre (that I will mention in PART TWO of my report next week).

I also attended this upscale club near Santa Monica Blvd. called the Abby, where a lot of the trendy white and black people go to dance and eat swank dinner food (They also had a huge fireplace right after the entrance where you can sit of some sifas and enjoy the ambience!). Drinks were 10 bones and up and there was 20 bones minumum if you used a credit card. I only got a Long Island so I can get more than one alcoholic drink in one drink. The only celb I saw in there, so to speak, was a minor character on the show, "Noah's Arc." It was packed up in there and it was cool to see black, white, straight and alternative people gettin their network and groove on. It was definitely a utopialike feeling up in there! I went to this club across from the Abby called Ultra Suede (aka Club Metro), that had a small stage area for performers, a bar area, two smaller stages for go-go dancers and a back room with sofas for people to schmooze (It gave you the atmosphere of former Club Seven ). It was mostly a black crowd both male and female, two for one specials, and had male strippers who danced to their g-strings! I was laying way low in the cut in the corner to see all this take place. With my being a journalist I had to see for myself what was going down. Well, many of the men and women in the crowd gave the strippers tips and sticking dollars in their g-strings. Many of the strippers were on the skinny side, but I guess they were popular enough to be strippers in L.A. But what was tripped out was to see the strippers giving both guys and gals lap dances and for the right price take their "johns' and "joanns" to a secluded area to get their freak on!. One stripper unkwoingly dropped about 20 one dollar bills from his g-string onto the floor he was so on the prowl!

I also went to First Fridays in L.A. at a studio on off Pico and Labrea Street. And I must say, it is totally NOT like the one here in the STL. Mostly black men with some sistas mixed in, they have strippers up in there dancing with the crowd(some were the same ones from Ultra Suede!) . I did see a fight break out when the alcohol was flowing, but other than that, the music was bumping, and they were giving out DVDs of Flava Man and Jaheim CD singles.

L.A. TIDBITZ--People in L.A. cannot DRIVE! Did they get their licenses yesterday? If you're caught in traffic on the freeways, you might as well park your car cause you will be waitng for a spell until you move....When it rained there, there were over 200 accidents reported. They are not used to driving in the rain!...I was there when the Mexicans began protesting about the new reformed Immigration Bill that Congress was trying to pass making Illegal aliens criminals. It was wild to see young kids walk out wand walk the streets of downtown L.A. to protest (especially on Fairfax street).... While I was there Destiny's Child and comic George Lopez receibvd stars on the Walk of fame near the Kodak Theatre ...When youre in L.A. go to this restaurant called Griddle on Sunset Blvd. Their pancakes are unbelievably big (Texas style) and they give you four thick ones, too.... Also go to Mama's House also in Crenshaw. Their soul food is off the chain and they are the winners of the Hoodie Award (akin to the STL's Platinum Hood Award) for Best Soul Food. At the Crenshaw Mall, they have a Wal-mart that is upstairs and downstairs and they have two escalators--one for the customer and one for the customers' shopping cart!... For kids' birthdays, parents rent out jumpers (like the ones you see at Chuck E Cheese and Showbiz Pizza)! If you go to party, jet out about 8p.m. cause they party early and close early (like 2 ain the morning!)...

Well thats it for part one of my trip. Next week, I will write about seeing a couple of stageplays, going to Lucy Florence Coffeshop in Leimert PArk with owners Ron and Ralph Harris (aka The spinning twins featured recently on America's Next Top Model) , meeting the now grown up actress Rae'von Kelly (the pretty chocolate sista who is seen above in my blog) , meeting TV show producer Gary Marshall (the older white guy from above on my blog), going to see the tapings of Last Comic Standing with new host Anthony Clark and Game Show Marathon with host Ricki Lake (also seen from above on my blog), going to an advanced screening of Monique's Phat Girlz at Majic Johnson Theatre in Crenshaw and going to the popular televised church City of Refuse where the pastor is Noel Jones (seen in a tan suit above on my blog), brother to Grace Jones, and seeing Stevie Wonder, Tavis Smiley and Good Times star Janet "Willona' Dubois (seen above on my blog)

KUDOS TO ST. LOUIS MODEL CHRISTIAN COFFIELD WHO I SEE IS DOING IS THINGIN THE STL ON MANY MEDIA OUTLETS. HE WAS RECENTLY FEATURED ON THE FRONT COVER OF THE A&E SECTION OF THE POST DISPATCH AND HE IS FEATURED ON AN INTERACTIVE WEBSITE CALLED MAXIMEXPOSURE.COM WHERE YOU CAN PLAY PHOTO SHOOT WITH HIM AND OTHER MODELS ON TEH SITE. CONGRATS TO YA!

Well, that will be all for me. I am still jet lagged so I am going to try and rest up so I can be ready for the weekend. If you all have anything for me to pub up, give me a holla at maatspear@yahoo.com!

out 41

Hello everyone! This is Ma'at here. Still in Los Angeles enjoying life on the West Coast. You know, I was just thinking that in order to make a real good story out of my trip here , I decided to do a summary of my travel here when I get back to the STL April 12 and do my first blog post-LA on April 13 or 14. But in the meantime, here are some TIDBITZ for you all until my next post back in the STL.

TIDBITZ. If you are in Los Angeles, there is going to be a hot party going on at Club Touch inside the Highlands in Hollywood (6801 Hollywood Blvd) this Friday. For more info call, 818-464-3505. For the alternative crowd, check out First Fridayz on April 7 at Club A.D. located at 836 North Highland. Fo rmore info, call 323-769-6333...In the STL, I hear that the St. Louis Black Rep is getting high praise for its AIDS related drama "Before it Hits Home," and because of this, the Black rep will have a pre-show dialogue session, an AIDS quilt signing and 1/2 price off tickets for the show between April 5-8. For more info, call 314-534-3810...My boy Kameron Hopson hipped me last week that Flavor of Love reality show winner Hoopz was in the STL at Club dreams where VIP tix were 100 bones to get in. I dont knwo about yall but I dont think i would have paid 100 bones to see her. Shes hot and all, but the only reality star I may have paid that amount to talk upclos eand personal with would have been Omarosa. What Kameron told me, she didnt stay that long in VIP and that Club Dreams was charging 25 bones for a pic with her. I'm not mad at Dreams for gettin their hustle on, but let;s get serious!...It's a sad day for the STL as we all heard that Florrisant. Mo,. native and baby Phat /Fashinista mogul Kimora Lee Simmons and her mogulk husband Russell Simmons (seen below on my blog during happier times) were calling it quits in their 7 year marriage (talk about "unlucky number 7"). From what I 've been hearing, there was trouble in paradise for awhile and that people close to them saw it coming (It was speculated that Kimora was seen recently at a posh nightclub in Hollywood smooching with another man, allegedly.) But from the PR standpoint, they are still going to raise their children and settle things as adults. Hmm, we'll see what 's really going on when something will leak as far as why the marriage fizzled. You know it's coming....On an educational tip, Educationist Dr. Mary Frances Berry (seen on the right of my blog) will be speaking at the Missouri Musuem at Forest park, Saturday, April 8 where she will talk about her latest book, "My Face is Black is True" where she talks about African Americans and the reparations plight. Tickets are 5 bones and for reservations, call 314-361-9017...I hear that the Jazz Loft is now holding Martini Mondays where the Martinis will be 3 bones and ladies who get there before 9 p.m. will get half off the admission (Or is it, if ladies have half-off they get in free? LOL). Anyway, I hear that its the hot night out there.

Well, thats it for me, if you have anyuthing for me to pub, holla back at maatspear@yahoo.com!