OUT 46

Hello one and all. This is Ma'at ONE MORE GAIN for you all. A brother is trying his damnest to get to this blog every week and I am determined to make this blog the hottest blog not only in the STL, but the globe. One of these days, I am going to post up the comments that I have been getting via my email (Maybe I will do that for my one year anniversary). All right, let's get down to it.

Last Friday, I attended Belleville bred jazz singer Brian Owens (pictured on the lower left) at Vaughan Cultural Center in Grandel Square, I got there about 8p.m. (It started about 7:30 ish). I was trying to find somewhere to park cause the area was buzzin with stuff happening at the Fox (Broadway play Hairspray was in town), Powell Symphony Hall and the Black Rep. SO, parking was scarce, but I was able to find one last parking space behind Vaughan Cultural center next to a tour bus.

So, I trekked in there and saw a familiar face, lawyer/poet Richard Hayden who asked for me to sign in on their mailing list. I also ran into Urban League director of employment Kim Love who told where to sit in the near packed audience (about 80 or so which is a flood). I asked him if I could take some shots and he said that he was taking some for the Urban League. when I told him I knew Renee (Thomas Woods, he lit up and said that it was OK (I tell you, it's all in who you know.) So, I sat in the back to try and take some snaps, but the room was too dim and all of my shots were too dark :o(

Anyway, his show was the bomb. This man is mad talented. He was performing tunes off his debut CD, B Natural (including the title track) and also did covers such as Marvin Gaye's "What Goin On." He reminds me of a male version of Ella Fitzgerald. Man he can scat like nobody's business. Although he not an extreme showman, he makes up for it with his flowing voice and energy.

After the show, I had a chance to greet him and told him that he sounded much better in person than on his CD (Not saying that his recorded voice was bad). He took it as a compliment and said that since he's been studying voice and music, he feels that he is improving his craft. I also said to him I was the one who gave him a shout out on my blog via Renee Thomas Woods and kje thought about it and remembered the shout out. He is a very down to earth brotha who is definitely going places. The next big event he is supposed to perform is at the Forumla May 20 with Lamar Harris. To cop his CD go to www.cdbaby.com/cd/brianowens.

After Brian Owens' show, I drove downtown to get to 1st Friday which was going to be at the Forumla. I contacted my boy, 1st Friday co-owner Harry Michel via celly earlier that day, and he said that it was cool for me to breeze through. I told him I was coming through to take some snaps of the people up in there. I decided I was going to take more snaps at events cause that is what people think of when they think of media. So, I will dedicate myself to add photography to my jack of all trades cap (Watch out Beene B., Jacob, and Kevin J (no, not you Johnson. LOL), Ma'at will be sporting his digitable snapper at events from now on.)

The snaps I took above are from The Formula. They are The Post's Kevin Johnson and East Boogie girl Nichol Stevenson (upper left) Real estate broker Dawna and my boy Kameron (right) and party sisters Ree and Lady Ree (below in the matching black and white outfits). Jacob from St Louis Online took of pic of Kameron amd myself at First Friday (I am with the shades, black hat, white jacket and purple shirt with my chest out trying to be Ne-Yo in his "When You're Mad" video. LOL)

Anyway, I got there about 10:30 ish (I waited about an hour in my car cause I wasnt feeling driving back to the East Side and coming back to the STL after the concert!) and there was a small line out front. So, I decided to wait in it becasue I wasnt for sure what was going on as far as getting access in. Harry said that he put me on the guest list, but I know how things can get when its time to get up to the door and had to pay(I have had experiences like that in the past.). As I was standing my girl STL Rep candidate Ingrid Owens saw me and greeted me with a hug and I gave her a peck on the cheek. She was wondering why I was standing in line and I just shrugged my shoulders. She got me out of line and told me that I need to already be inside. So she got me into the club as her date and I had no problems getting in (Much love sista!)

While in, it was just getting packed. DJ Charlie Chan was doing his thing on the is and 2s and I walked around to see who was there. I ran into Formula owner Sonia Brascomb who was trying to accomodate the couples up in there who wanted to sit down. Then, Kameron called me and said he was on his way and asked if there were anyone up in there. I told him that it was getting packed. Meanwhile, this pretty sista named Nikki, asked me if I liked Anheuser Busch products and I told her that I go with the flow. She was with the Busch giveaway crew who were handing out free beer to people getting them to buy its products in the club (They had a raffle of a DVD player for those who bought its products--CLEVER).

While this was going on, I began to walk around seeing who was who. I saw a lot of familiar face-no name people but I wanted it to be known I was in the house and I was ready to take some snaps (The Ree sisters thought I was Jacob. LOL) . Around 11ish, it was packed as day old sardines up in there and the AIR was not circulating (I got so bold that I stole a piece of ice from one fo the ice men's buckets when he walked past me and rubbed the ice all on my chest--The ice guy grunted after what I did but I had to do what I had to do!!!). It was not too pretty as time progressed. People were taking off shirts and jackets. It was definitely like a sauna up in there (Even one of the First Friday security guys talked about the conditions up in there).

Meanwhile, DJ Charlie Chan gave DJ duties to DJ Nappy Needles (He did some old school-new school mixes up in there that was interesting--for instance, he played the Jackson Five's "ABC", then played Naughty By NAtures' "OPP" (which samples ABC), then he played Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman" then played Kanye's "Goldigger" (which samples Woman). He also segued, New Edition, "I'm leaving You Again" with Bow Wow and Ciara's "Like YOu" which samples the NE song!)

One scary moment occurred when a sista passed out up in there from the heat and had to be carried out by a bartendar. I hope that she was OK cause that is not cute to see a sista vulnerable like that.

In the house along with those mentioned were Hot SHots photographer Japhus Johnson, St. Louis American's Bill Beene, photographer Kevin Jordoan, local actress Cody Aaron (likes the blonde streaks. LOL), Bally trainer Deanthony, Jamie Spencer, local model Ali Mosier, Treanna, Freeman Bosley Show personality Darrion Phelps, Indogo Sams, FF co-owners Harry Michel and Fred Finley.

STL-TIDBITZ. Former St. Louis model turned author Cedric Mixon sent me an email about a book signing of "The Hoodlum Preacher", by local author Rev. Burton Barr at Barnes & Noble at New Halls Ferry @ Lindbergh, (Cross Keys Shopping Center)Friday, May 12 @ 7:00PM-9:00PMBOOK IN STORES NOW!!! TO PREVIEW "THE HOODLUM PREACHER": http://www.kobaltbooks.com/THP_Intro.pdf. You can listen to the author at http://www.kobaltbooks.com/BurtonSermon1_1a.mp3FOR MORE BOOK INFO: http://www.kobaltbooks.com/THP_Ad1.html.

There will be an grand art exhibit opening/reception of Kansas City based quilt artist Sonie Ruffin, of her work entitled A.S.K., May 13, 2006 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Portfoloio Gallery, 3514 Delmar. Gallery Hours: Mon. Wed. & Fri 9:00 to 5:00 PMTue & Thur: by appointment It will run until June 2006. Check out its website at www.Portfolio-stl.com...........................

Sunday May 14, 2006, STL jazz diva Denise Thimes will have her Annual Mother's Day Concert at 5:30 p.m., at The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Boulevard Saint Louis, MO 63108. The concert will feature jazz pianist extroidinarie: Danny Mixon from New York City. Dinner served from 3:00-5:00 pm in the 3rd Floor Louis Spiering Room (Sorry no one served after 5:00p.m.) For More Informatiom: Contact Valerie Granger (314) 773-0337 or Metro-Tix/314-534-1111.........And speaking of Denise Thimes, my story on her is in this issue of West End Word Newspaper (peep out the website as well at www.westendword.com)..............................................

My girl Shawn Guy-Pitts will have a one woman play on MOTHER’S DAY at the HILTON BALLPARK HOTEL, MAY 14, 2006 (BROADWAY & MARKET)at 11:30 a.m. Tickets at $25 (Brunch included) THE THEME: CHRISTIAN MOTHERS CELEBRATING YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW THE SHOW WILL DEPICTION OF MOTHER/DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIPS. IT IS SPONSORED BY: LANE TABERNACLE CME 10 N. NEWSTEAD. For more info call, 314-533-0534 (Shuttle from church available)................

I recently spoke with Spin City Records' Clifford "Q" Wade and he was in Miami for Jermaine Dupri's Spring Break event last weekend. He was telliungme that his artists Jzanell and Nick Demo was perforing down there. He told me that Demo is getting serious radio play as well. Kudos to ya man!...............................................

Anyone peep out the Fox 2 interview that Bonita Kornute did with STL rapper Nelly? It was OK. Nothing was really revealed that we didnt already know (his clothing line, VOKAL, his charities 4 sho 4 Kids and Jes Us For Jackie, his co-owning the Charlotte Bobcats, etc.) It was revealed that he is trying to get a clothing store put in his native city University City and that he and his fellow ST. Lunatics will have that resturant constructed on Howdershell in ST. Louis County. Other than that, it was no juicy stuff.

Although it was sort of telling when Nelly told Bonita that when former BET owner Bob Johnson wanted Nelly to co-own the Bobcats with him that he told Mr, Johnson taht he didnt have 150 million to go in with him, but he only needed about a few million or so and that he told him that he did have those kind of millions. He did play it off with a blinged out grin and a laugh (That is so irresistible!) . He tried to be modest with his comment, but you know its hard to be that when the rest of us is struggling with the dollars in our own pockets. Ya feel me?...................................

East Boogie native and former American Idol contestant DeAndrae Perryman (aka DSTLOU) sent me a text message that he will be doing his vocal thing, Thursday, May 18, at Club Toxic where he will perform at the St. Louis Gong Show. BET will be filming there, too. He also is doing his hosting duties at Improv Theatre every Tues. For more info go to www.myspace.com/deandreperryman...............................

COMMUNITY WOMEN AGAINST HARDSHIP, will host its 2ND ANNUAL WALK FOR LIFE, WALK-A-THON, SAT. MAY 20, 2006. For questions call 314.289.7523...................................................

National Black MBA Association, St Louis Chapter presents "Spring Job Fair", May 18, 2006, 1:30-5pm @ Harris Stowe State University, Emerson Performance Center. Phone: 636.230.2404 or go to www.stlbmbaa.org...........................................

Don't forget to cop your movie ticket to the STL filmed, "Tapesty of Shadows". Its premiere will be in St. Louis May 26 and 27, 2006 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral 3633 Lindell Blvd. Tickets are only $10 Tickets go on sale Monday May 8, 2006 (Next Monday). You can reserve them by going to http://www.tapestryofshadows.com/ PEOPLE ARE RESERVING THEM ALREADY, SO DON'T DELAY!!!..............

There's a hot new STL rapper who is doing his thing in Los Angeles. He is called Stylish Wesley. My A.G/ Edwards colleague Tianisha Loyd hipped me to him (It's her brother). He has a unique style and flow, does his own original tracks and even did a a track with Snoop Dogg. His Official Site is www.stylish101.com...........................

L.A. TIDBITZ. The 7th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) will once again be the host to many groundbreaking films, celebrities, numerous industry-related panels/workshops, HBFF Filmmaker & Storyteller Awards, Opening and Closing Night Galas, live entertainment and many more festivities throughout the week. The 2006 festival takes place June 13-18, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. You can now register to attend HBFF 2006. For your optimal festival experience the Hollywood Black Film Festival offers a variety of passes. Visit our Registration page for all the details. Remember, save $$ by registering before the May 16th early-bird deadline! For ticket information, travel and hotel accommodations, and a complete schedule of films, panels and special events, visit the website at www.hbff.org.

DC-TIDBITZ. My friend Gordon Chambers will have a concert along with Raheem Davaughn and Rasaan Patterson, at 7 p.m., Sunday, May 14, 2006 (Mothers Day), at H20 Restaurant and Lounge800 Water Street SW, Washington, DC, $45.00 including dinnerFor more info: WaterfrontFor reservations: (202) 484-6300http://www.clubzone.com

RIP. Condolences goes out to St. Louis bred b-ball star Larry Hughes' younger brother who died this week. He had heart problems since he was born and had a transplant a couple of years back. Our prayers go out to you and your family. Also to Michael 'Bear' Taliferro. He was famous for saying the line, "You gon' eat your cornbread?" in the movie "Life' Starring Eddie Murphy. He died this week after complications from a stroke. He used to come to a lot of the Joe Torry Basketball Challenge games when they came to the STL in July(last year's he was sitting on the bench in a cast on his leg) and was very funny when it came to acting silly with the audience. When I checked imdb.com, he was filming the movie "3/5 of a Man."

Well that is it for me. Have a good Mother's Day and I will see you in seven days! If you have anything for me to pub, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com!