OUT 47

Wassup again.This is Ma'at here again.Well, I got a lot to cover and (uncover) so I'm gettin right to it.
Last weekend was quite festive for me. LAst Friday, I attended the Tom Joyner Skyshow(pics are the first ones above ) sponsored by Radio One's Foxy 95.5. that was held at the Roberts Orpheum Theatre downtown St.Louis. I got up about 3:30 that morning to make it over there.You know that you gotta get up before the birds start chirping in order to get a seat at this free event.
I got there about 4:30 (I told my AG Edwards gig that I woud be running late (WINK WINK) in order to get to this event) and saw that it was a line of hundreds waiting in the chilly wee hours of teh morning to get a seat at the Skyshow.Ive been to a couple of other times a few years ago when I was a reporter at the St.Louis American and actually one of the musical acts,THE Whispers,was repeat of one of the shows I attended when I was at the American at the Pageant about 2002 or 2003.
Well, I got a parking space nearby in one of the parking lot areas about two blocks down from the Pageant on Pine and proceeded to walk toward the crowd. When I got there, I talked with a brother who was there ( I cant recall his name right now-a brotha was still fighting off not getting sleep). So we were shooting the breeze about the Skyshow and he told me that it was word that singer R.Kelly was in town to visit singer Ron "Mr Biggs"Isley who was in teh hospital in the Lou and that he may make a surprise visit to the Skyshow. Well, you know how it goes in the Lou, you gotta show us if it is real before we belive it (He never did show up to the SKyshow).
Anyway, while, we were waiting to get inside (A young lady was passing out free coupons to get one of those Asian slads from Mickey D's which was nice), Foxy's rival station Majic 104.9 had its free appreciation Day at Kiener Plaza at the same time (Hmmm,I wonder what wa sup with that. FYI, The Breakfast Crew moived their remote show radio cast from Thursday to Friday on teh same day of the Skyshow. Coincidence?I'll leave that alone.)
It was about 4:55 and the line was moving rapidly toward the front of the theatre (In the meantime, I got a voice mail message from Jewlanda Hodges stating that she had VIP tickets and that she was wondeing if I woudl be there). I was near the end of the line (There were people up front who stayed in libe since Thursday night!)so me and my new buddy got seats up in teh balcony.I didnt complain cause I was lucky to even get a seat cause it was definitely crowded (Jewelanda told me later on that they had to be escourted to their VIP seats cause there were peopel trying to jump in the VIP line with them in order to get a seat!).
If you havent been to a Skyshow, I hate to tell you that those wh attend, promses us to never tell what goes on at the SKyshow--but I am not one of those peopel who don't tell. LOL
Overall the show was OK.It wasnt the best ones Ive seen. (The Couples exchanging clothes in front of curtain game was not done and miss Dupree was a no show).The musicla cts were good.The Whispers threw down and jammed all of their cuts from "Olivia" to their newest cut "Butter" off their new independent CD. Vivian Green also showed up and she was a little unnerved about performing so early in teh morning, but she did a good job.She was also apologizing that she had to sing with prerecorded tracks and not a band, but the crowd was in her corner. She sang her hits "Emotional Rollercoaster"and her latest 'I Gotta Go"and a fewother cuts off her newest CD.
The SKyshow personalities, Joyner, Jay Anthony Brown, Sybil and Myra J got their clown on throughout the show (The whole Jay Anthony Brown liking white women bit wa shilarious). They also had CHi-town comedian Damon Williams to perform. He was really funny.The best line he said was, "Y'all heard of the new sorotity for big women, called, "I Ate A Pie?"Hilarious.
They also had the dance and talent contests. For the dance contests, there was one elderly lady named Eloise who won when she was dropping it like it was hot, going allthe way to the ground! (She had to be about late 60s). The crew asked her what church she belonged to and asked teh crowd does she go to anyone's church and make sure they dont tell the pastor. She won two free tikcets from Southwest Airlines. The talent contest had three contestants who was vying for 1 ghrand. The three contestants were Alfie (who did this blues tune that Jay Anthomy Brown joaned on her about making the crowd depressed), Carmen (who did a by-the-numbers version of Teena Marie'sOut on a Limb) and the winner, a rapper named J-Cruz (the rapper is seen above on myblog) who did an origianl rap with music called, "I thank The Lord I Can Breathe."
They also had check presentations. Anheuser Busch's Johnny Furr and his crew gave The Tom Joyner Foundation 200 thousand and The Foundation gave Harris STowe University a check for over 200 grand, but the check still had Harris Stowe State College on it (Their name changed recently to Univeristy but I'm sure the check will still be cashable, trust).The prez of Harrso STowe, Dr.Henry Givens, gave Joyner a Presidential Mediallion which was a nice touch.
Jay Anthony Brown also did his Muder the Hits bit,. This time it was the Whispers' IN The Mood. It was now called, "I'll Buy yOu a TAnk of Gas, To Get you in the Mood (Then the refrain was:And you know what rhymes with Gas). A video was shown on screen that Jay did takling about he does everything in his draws from washing the car with his draws to water the lawn (and of course he had the garden hose near his private area where it looked like he was pissing.LOL)
He also took off his clothesdown tp his goldboxers when he was challneged by Myra J that he didnt have a better body than one fo the buffed security guards at the show.
Overall,it was a cool show.I wasa little sleepy (Joyner caught a sista sleeping and busted her out as teh camers showe dher on teh big screen), but I was able to get a least four hours of work at AG Edwards.
Later that night, I attended the Pronto Fashion Show that took place uin the lobby at 555 Washington in downtown St.Louis. It was a comprition for nine designers from across the country. They were Nina Arora(404 area code) , Lauren Chlebowski (303 area code), Chrsitophe Graffitti (a local brotha), Kara Janx (917 area code), Anita Romero (from the STL), Jen Sertl (from the STL), Natalya Bagrova/Timothy Showalter (212 area code), Lesly Tempe(the STL), and Michael Tomlinson (STL).
It was defintely an extravangant show (100 bones for VIP and 50 bones general admission). My boys Christiaan Cofield and Kameron Hopson (seen above on this blog) were two of the 15 models that were in this show. It reminded me of show in Miami somehwerr.There were no dance routines, no models bending down and posing (There were a few female models who had a little cellulite on those J-Lo's when they were wearing hot pants though) .It was straight runway and they had a 50 foot long stage that was amazing. The clothes I saw were creative (I would have likedto have ssen more daring fashion for the guys but oh well).
They had several judges who judged the deisgns who were founders of fashion organizations, fashion deisgn ers, fashion photohgraphers and boutiquye owners. . They were Saskya Emmik-Byron, Maria Hemprey, Susan Jackson, Kristina Torchin and Melodie Tauben. I was a slient judge as I was taking snaps of the models.I circled Nina Arora who had soem creative East Indian inspired clothing that were breathtaking. The judges picked her too so I felt that I have some taste in what is fashion.
When she won, she cried. It was very touching. After ward, everyoie drank on wine and beer, snacked on foo-foo appetizers and listend to music by the Javeir Mendoza Band. In the meantime, I was schmoozing with everybody (I even got mistaken as a model by a few who were trying to get models for a fashion shows).I took pics with the models and all. It was defintely a night to remember.
The after party was at Mosaic near 11th and Washington. I walked with to it with Harris Stowe professor Brian Elesser who was one of the models in the show.He talked about his joib at Harris Stowe (He's one of a few white teachers up at the mostly black university) and his life as a part time model and a married ladiesman (LOL) .When we got there, he asked what I wanted to drink (LOng Island of course) and we walked in this private room where the rest of the models were and it was interesting to get up close and personal with models and how they react to one another (Its a very beautifulpeople scene, if you get I'm saying).
I had a good timr though and thsi was defintely something to remeber. Thanks to fashion show PR lady Hazel Tamano for the ticket to this event!
Last Sunday was Mother's Day and I decided to take my mother(WE ARE SEEN ABOVE IN MY BLOG) to STL jazz diva and actress Denise THimes' annual Mothers day concert (Pictures are above) at the Sheldon in Grandel Sqaure. So we got all dressed up and I took her to it.We got there about 5ish and got our seats that were in the baclony (Is this a habit now with the balcony and myself? ).Anyway, her two hour show was phenomenal. Her voice reminds you of jazz stylist Nancy Wilson but with more expression.Before she came out to sing, she had local gospel singer Karen Hylton to perfom 'Jesus is in this Room"and she was accompanied by her mother on piano. Very touching perfromance and Karen has a voice like an angel--literally.
Then Denise's brother former Majic 104.9 personality The Real JR was on stage and he talked about how the station fired him and that he was looking for a new job. He said that he asked his sis for a job and he said that she said that her foundation already has one star already,. The audience laughed. But after the light banter with the crowd, he intro'd his father, Lou Fatha Thimes(who got a standing ovation from teh crowd)and they into'd Denise.
She was elegantly dressed (in red and white gowns and bling bling jewels) and sang her butt off.She sang everything from light jazz standards ("Skylark")to the blues (I Dont Get Around Much Anyomore)She also had a stellar band with her including Danny Mixon on piano (with alternating pianists Johnny ONeal and Tony Simmons), Jeff Anderson on bass, Yoran Isreal on drums and veteran sax player Houston Person.
She also intoduced her kids on stage, Simone, 8, and Jabril, 11 (as well as her little baby nicee who was in her arms and joked that she took awhile to have her.) She had them to showcase their talent. Simone did a cute number called,"Everything is Coming Up Roses, 'her audition piece she did for the Muny and Jabril did a drum solo. It was very Sonny and Chersih variety style. I see that music and talent runs in the Thimes family.
Overall, her show was wonderful and I had her to meet my mother whom she said was beautiful with her eyes and cheekbones.My mother blushed. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW>
STL SIGHTINGS. I saw Talk showhost Montel WIlliams at Bally Total Fitness in Clayton last Saturday.He was just about to leave out to his limo when he was talking to someone there.He was in town for his concert at the Argosy (Yes he sings!).He looks skinnier in person )(Well the camera does put on 10 extra punds)and he has a goofy laugh as well. If I saw him in the street I wouldnt have reconigned him!......... I heard that Actor Denzel Washington was at Rams PArk watching his son practice who is on the ST.Louis Rams. I wonder if anyone there stopped to gawk at daddy Denzel as they were rolling out football plays?......Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers team were at New Sunny Mount Baptist Church to Jerome Hughes' funeral, the younger brother to their teammate Larry Hughes ( I wonder of Cav owner Usher was nearby?).That was a nice touch and speaks vloumes that the NBA does have heart.
BLIND ITEMS. What nightclub had a smutty ad written in majic marker inside of the men's handicapped stall stating that they will do blowjobs and lick your ass and had two numbers for men to call? What model at the Pronto fashion asked the models if they were to take off their clothes in front of the other models while dressing for the show?
One of my blog fans, Barrietta Killiebrew sent me thsi tidbit about a planatiationh ome in Missouri.
Plantation Home Receives National Recognition
FERGUSON, Mo. - The Wildwood Plantation, built by slaves more than 100 years ago, has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The house at 40 Dames Court is the home of Ms. Barrietta Killiebrew and her mother, Ms. Carol Austin. They have owned the home since 1998 and worked diligently to have their home placed on the Register. Final approval for placement was supposed to have occurred in the fall of 2005; however, it was completed on April 5, 2006.
Ms. Killiebrew and her mother are the first African American owners of Wildwood Plantation. For each of them, being placed on the Register has been an experience.“It’s a major breakthrough and an accomplishment that’s been almost eight years in the making. This is something we wanted from day one,” said Killiebrew. “I don’t have the words to explain the feelings my mother and I have. We’re both overwhelmed and ecstatic.”
Wildwood Plantation will also be recognized by the Ferguson Landmarks Commission on May 21 during the Century Sunday celebration. “We are embracing this honor and we’re glad that the community seems to be excited about it too,” said Killiebrew.
Century Sunday is celebrated in conjunction with National Preservation Week, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Several homes in Ferguson will be honored as Century Homes by the commission, made up of residents appointed by the City Council. There are currently 98 Century Homes in Ferguson.
Speaking on the future of the home, Killiebrew “envisions renovating the home to what it once was by rebuilding the parts that burned down or were torn down. We’d like to see it become a St. Louis attraction and a showcase for Ferguson to honor the history and heritage of the plantation.”
For more information on the Wildwood Plantation, please contact Barrietta Killiebrew at (314) 497-0229, or go online to www.wildwoodplantation.org.
STL-TIDBITZ. JPEK Productions and the NetworkGroup and Urban League Presents "Me, Don & the Psychiatrist" at the Vaughn Cultural Center. For more information call 314.615.3624. Don’t know exactly what to do about that cheating spouse and just plain no-good lover? After witnessing the two-act satire of Me, Don and the Psychiatrist, your questions may get answered. Two performances May 19th & 20th at 8:00 p.m. Free admission. First come, first seated.
COMMUNITY WOMEN AGAINST HARDSHIP, 2ND ANNUAL WALK FOR LIFE, WALK-A-THON, SAT. MAY 20, 2006. For questions call 314.289.7523
The NETWORK GROUP PRESENTS, "COMETRY"--comedy and poetry, AT 8 P.M., SUNDAY. MAY 28, AT THE MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM AT FOREST PARK. Comedians include Ray Lapowski, DeANdre and Eric Ruvers and National Poetry Slam champ UGly from Chi-town. Admission is 20 bones. For more info, call 618-531-1360.
National Black MBA Association, St Louis Chapter presents "Spring Job Fair", May 18, 2006, 1:30-5pm @ Harris Stowe State University, Emerson Performance CenterPhone: 636.230.2404www.stlbmbaa.org
Mary Meachum "Legacy Event"Saturday, May 20thGrounds open at 11:00am. Celebrate this powerful event with a re-enactment of the slave escape, four Church choirs, over 40 vendors, ethnic food from BBQ to Jamaican, dancing from Egyptian to Praise and African Drumming. So, come back to the river from whence our heritage came and renew the spirit of your soul.
11:00am - Grounds open12:00-3:00pm - Continuous entertainment, including gospel choirs, poets, ethnic and praise dancers; live blues and Christian jazz. 12:00 - 4:00pm Story telling and children's activities3:00pm - Live re-enactment of the slave escape4:00pm - Balloon launch in honor of all the slaves who made the attempt for Freedom4:00pm - 6:00pm Live entertainment on main stage
FOR MORE INFORMATION - Call the National Black Tourism Network at (314) 865-0708 or Doug Eller at Grace Hill at (314) 340-3207 Friday and Saturday.
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!!!..............
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.
Well that is it for me.If you have anything fo rme to pub, hit me up maatspear@yahoo.com!