out 58

This is I-I-I here Ma’atology about to give it to ya in yo’ eyez/with no alibiz but yo’ own consciousness of what to do when you see this good mess/I confess it will dissolve correctly/no mistake in this blog-piece/so let me release what has been inside, stored for seven dayz.
So how’s that for spontaneous creativity.

My weekend was totally off the meters and I didn’t have to go out of town to experience it. My weekend started off by interviewing super hot local dee-jay DJ Soundz, who is the house dee-jay at the hot spot Jazz Loft. I had a chance to interview him at TGI-Fridays in Fairview Heights. It was about an hour or so as I talked with him over a Long Island for me and a lemonade for him. I found the interview quite interestin. He is intriguing, spacey and quite deep. TO CHECK OUT MY INTERVIEW WITH DJ SOUNDZ, GO TO OUT 56.

As far as my going out, I attended local socialite’s Jamie Spencer’s 30th B-Day Party last Thursday that was held at Club 609 in the Delmar Loop area (YOU CAN SEE PICS OF THE PARTY CROWD ON OUT 57) . I got there about 10 ish and I had my “cam-munition” with me. When I got up to the front there was a brotha out front who was taking money from the general public and when I got up there I told him I was therre to take some snaps of the b-day party. He told me to hold up a minute. Okay, here we go again getting access to do my job. When a big, tall white guy walked outside to hug this sista that was in front of me and the brotha told him about me and the white guy said it was Ok for me to go in. As I walked in, a sista was handing out CD samplers of India.Arie’s single, “I Am Not My Hair” which was pretty cool.

So I walked to the back where the VIP room was and there was the party of Jamie’s were chillin. He was sittin around with local model Millicent(You were wearing those gold jewelried high heels, girlfriend) Duane Bess of the Network Group, X-Jam and others. Jamie intro’d me to the small crowd. Jamie was drinking Sake and handed me a small cup of it. I was drinking it too slowly and Jamie reminded me that I had to drink is rapidly. That was my first time drinking Sake (rice liquor, and my last, YUCK.

As the night went on, familiar faces came through to wish Jamie well including his colleague April, Kameron Hopson, Christian Coffield, Joel King, Treanna, Raji, and Jamelle. Overall it was a cool event. I wish we had some b-day cake, but it was all good conversing and fellowshipping as we watched Jamie get drunk. LOL. Happy B-day, man.

On Friday, I checked out part one of the US Bank Jazz and Heritage Festival in Shaw Park in Clayton with my girl Tiffani Blackmore (who was wearing that low cut brown haltertop) . I got there about 4:30 so I can get snaps and cover St. Louis’ own jazz diva Denise Thimes (pictured above in white ) wowing the crowd on the mainstage, The Emerson Stage. Although the crowd was sparse, she still brought the house down with such songs as “Sister” from the Color Purple, and “This Masquerade.”

Later on, Tiff and I got some free food and drink inside the “VIP” Tent(I’ll explain why I put quotes around VIP later) where I ran into Post Dispatch’s Kevin Johnson and his father and his lady who were visiting Kevin from D.C. (and to check out the new crib that KJ just purchased). Now, since I can remember, ViP, means Very Important Person, right, well, apparently the V and I were missing when it came to Day One of the food selection. What was therr was carrot and celery sticks, all various raw veggies with dip, then therr was hummus with complimentary crackers, salsa and nacho chips….and that was it. Hello? What happened? I was thinking, “Maybe this was just the appetizers. NOT. Last year I remember there was prime rib and the trimmings? Therr were many people complaining about this but all was forgiven at least we got three free drink tickets (wine, beer, soda, free water) for our VIP bands. The Enterprise Tent, a private affair, that was across from the VIP tent I hear had the spread along with dessert (We weren’t able to get in that tent even though the media badges had “ALL ACCESS” on them which I don’t understand the concept of still of what does ALL AcceSS mean, does it mean All Access—except….. See Kevin J, I didn’t say anything. LOL)

Later on that night, legendary blues singer and pianist Dr. John was on the Emerson Stage as part of the artist who were in support of the New Orleans Hurricane Relief Fund (who had a booth therr as well). He was in top form with his distinctive voice, but he looked a little feeble as though he looked waned (He even got up from his piano to do a cakewalk type dance that was unexpected but entertaining and got the crowd clapping) . When he sang, “Right Place at the Wrong Time,” I was back in the VIP tent. He was not a great finale act, but out of respect, he was definitely a staple for the jazz festival’s goal to let people still be aware of what is still needed in New Orleans.

FOR MORE JAZZ FESTIVAL PICS, GO TO OUT 57.

After the festival, I checked out Club Dreams owner Maurice G’s (aka the Dark Light Skinned brotha. LOL) b-day celebration at the club. It was free for all Cancers and he was buying drinks til midnite (or a few minutes thereafter from what I saw). Maurice had all the party people to come downstairs to really celebrate his b-day as we packed the room as they asked for everything in sight to drink for free (except for the Patron which was not free). Overall, it was a decent turnout of about 200 or so of his friends and colleagues. Before I left out Maurice gave me the dibs on Nelly’s party this Saturday in regards to his confirmed invited guests and all I can say is it will be a famous female singer who has been to the STL during three of her major tours and will grace us with her “controlable” beauty.

FOR PICS FROM MAURICE’S B-Day PARTY GO To OUT 57

On Saturday, I flew solo at the Jazz festival. I got therr about 4 ish to peep out Stanley Clarke and Gorge Duke. But of course I wouldn’t be Ma’atology if I didn’t step into some mini-drama for the blog. When I walked up to the front area to get my bags checked and I had my “cam-munition’ in my hand. So, this sista stopped me from getting searched and said, “No cameras.” I said I was part of the media (and I had my badge right in front of her face), so I walked over to the media tent where two ladies were sitting and said that the beg check in lady told me to come hear to check my camera. They looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Okay.” SO I walked back over to the sista and she asked me was I cleared and I said yes. Then she said, “Oh I didn’t see your badge.” No, she just saw a brotha with a camera and wanted to give me a hard time is all.

Anyway I was jetting so I can get a good camera seat to see the Clarke/Duke Project. They reunited this year and they are going out on tour in conjunction of that. When They got on stage, they were having tech difficulties with the music instruments and the amps. They didn’t really do a sound check and most of their performance was a ‘sound check” as George Duke pointed out during their set. The highlights of their show was tehri rendition of Janet’s “Funny How Time Flies” with Clarke’s erupting bass performance and their funkin with Duke’s “Dukkey Stick”

The song I was waiting to hear., “Sweet baby” was somewhat of a disappointment. They played it too slowly and it sounded much foreign than the original, but the crowd seemed to enjoy everything that they played. After their 90 minute set, they took snaps with the press backstage and signed autographs at the Borders; Books tent. The line was long and they gave words of encouragement to those hopeful musicians trying to break out into the biz. They are some very nice guys and don’t have that ego that comes along being a jazz musician. Local photographer and St. Louis Argus editor Eric Wilson was on board taking snaps (thanx for the extra pics) My question was, why were Duke and Clarke on so early? They would seem to be in my opinion more of a finale than newbie singer Lizz Wright who closed out the night. Hmmm.

Later on, was St. Louis’ own David Sanborn (pictured above in black—how could be wear an all black suit and it was burning up like paper in fire outside!!!!)). He performed at the adjoining stage, The Michelob Stage. His 60 minute or so set included such sax jams like “Makudo” and “Chicago Song.” During his set he said that he was glad to be back home and that he had many memories of performing in the STL with the musicians he played with and all (and got the crowd hyped in applause as well). His mom was also in the crowd and he dedicated was a song written by Charlie Chaplin (The silent film star?) called, “Smile.”

The VIP Tent was MUCH BETTER this time around, They also added with the veggies and hummus and salsa chips were chicken, chilled pasta and pork loin served in slices. Now that’s; what I’m talking about. Tiff didn’t attend this event with me so I had three xtra drink tix along with the three I had.

Later on that night newbie diva Lizz Wright graced the stage with her shirt, kinky brown dreads and earthy soul attire and sultry alto voice. She blew the house down with her electric cool voice. Her hour set included such songs as “Walk with Me Lord,” “Look at My Life’ and my fave Blue Rose”. She told the crowd to “thank them for their patience” alluding to her canceling her performance of the jazz festival a couple of years ago. But overall, her voice was soothing and sent chills down your spine. She reminds me of a subtler Nina Simone with India Arie spunk.
Those in attendance were Majic 104.9’ Deneen Busby, BT, Chas Saunders, GM Chuck Atkins, Tony Scott and Tammi Holland (who is 5 weeks until her baby girl is born and looked beautiful pregnant BTW), Jeri Kincaid (who was one of the many stage manager’s at the event and was my father’s old boss at the Airport), Nate Johnson, Nicci Roach, Vanita Applebum and Ira Jones .

I jetted from therr thinking I was going to Plush for their open admission and bar til midnite then hit the Black Party at Club Dreams and to meet Kameron therr, but the festival took its toll on me and eye just took my buzzed azz to the crib to get ready for the Woody Awards on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, I did my ritual of listening to the Crunk for Christ show with my boy Hypeman D Stone (6 to 8) then the Freeman Bosley Junior (who I saw at the Jazz Fest too BTW) Show (8 to 10). I listened this week and heard Kevin Johnson talkin on therr about why St. Louis doesn’t get many of the top concert shows like other cities and mainly from what Johnson says, it’s because St. Louis is barely a major market for concerts and STLers wait the last minute to purchase their tickets making bookers nervous on whetherr it will sell out or not. Hmmm, interesting. I wonder if that’s for all ticket buyers or just for black ticket buyers? I wonder. I also heard Nicci shout me out as far as letting me know that the show’s colleague Darrion Phelps did not have an “involuntary sleepover” with the police and that he is traveling. That was too funny.

I went inside my closet of majic tricks to get a “hotfit” for the Black Rep’s 13th Annual Woodie King Jr Awards Ceremony at the Grandel Square, its celebration and award ceremony of the Black rep’s theater season. I decided to wear the grayish black suit with a black tee with the silver Batman emblem on it and black sandals.

Hosted by St. Louis’ own and Black rep vet Kingsley Leggs (who is starring as Mister in the Broadway play, “The Color Purple” AND IS PICTURED ALONG SIDE WOODIE GIRLS MIA PACE and HEATHER BEAL ABOVE ) and Woodie award winner Denise Thimes, the big winner of the evening was its last production of its 29th season, Dreamgirls.” It won a total of nine Woodies including Best Production, Best Actress in a musical (Willena Vaughn-which I predicted in my blog ), Best Supporting Actress in A Musical ( Malkia Stampley) and Best Lighting, Costume and Scenic Design.

Woodie Award vet Linda Kennedy was surprisingly a no-show but won yet another Woodie for her mantle for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for “Relativity.” Her son accepted on her behalf who said she was out of town and did not attend because she thought she wasn’t going to win this year. Producing Director and Black rep founder Ron Himes won for Best Director for “Dreamgirls” who chimed in on his being nominated in three of the five director slots, saying, “ What great odds.”

There were many great musical performances throughout the Woodies including spine chilling numbers from Vaughn reprising her role as Effie singing the highlighted number “And I Am telling You….” and Woodie nominee Anita Jackson as Caroline in the play, “Caroline or Change.”
It was also a night for the youngsters to shine with host Leggs as both PJ Palmer and Tre’von Griffith ,both whom were nominated for Woodies, showcased their talent for Leggs as though they were auditioning for him.

There were also touching tributes to legendary stalwarts of theater including Katherine Dunham, August Wilson, Oddie Davis and Ron Himes’ mother, dancer Vivian Crane and longtime Black rep musical director, Neil Tate.

The night ended with all of the cast, crew of Dreamgirls and behind the scene people at the Black Rep on stage as local actress Leah Stewart sang the number, “Home” form the Wiz (which will be a part of the Black rep’s 30th anniversary season next year) as a dedication to Leggs’ homecoming back to his STL roots.

Presenters included award namesake Woodie King Jr, actors Glynn Turman, Ernie Hudson, Actresses Hattie Winston (the sassy nurse on the TV show “Becker”), director Kenny Leon, St. Louis Magazine’s Susan Fadem, Anheuser Bush VP Johnnie Furr (whose wife had a comical back and forth war going with Actress Winston for the on stage bidding auction for the Jamaican trip!!) , Fox 2’s Bonita Kornute, the Post’s Kevin Johnson, video producer Katina Cross and local actor Greg Tayborn.

Others in the house were musician Stanley Coleman, KSDK’s Sharon Stevens, East St. Louis English professor Redina Medley, legendary poet Shirley LeFlore, retired East St. Louis educator Dr. Lillian Parks, local designer Angelique Joseph, photographer Carl Bruce, and local entrepreneurs Dr. Larry and Audrey Jones.

This year’s winners were: Outstanding Actor in a Lead Dramatic Role Male went to Eugene V. Russell IV for is role as Wendal in BEFORE IT HITS HOME
Outstanding Actor in a Lead Musical Role Male went to Jahi Kearse for his role as James Thunder Early in DREAMGIRLS
Outstanding Actor in a Lead Dramatic Role Female went to Starletta DuPois for her role as Reba in BEFORE IT HITS HOME
Outstanding Actor in a Lead Musical Role Female went to Willena Vaughn for her role as Effie in DREAMGIRLS
Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Dramatic Role Male went to A.C. Smith for his role as Bailey in BEFORE IT HITS HOME
Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Dramatic Role Female went to Linda Kennedy for her role as Claire Reid in RELATIVITY
Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Musical Role Male went to Drummond Crenshaw for his role as Marty in DREAMGIRLS
Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Musical Role Female went to Malkia Stampley for her role as Lorrell Robinson in DREAMGIRLS
Outstanding Director went to Ron Himes for his direction of DREAMGIRLS
Outstanding Scenic Designer went to Felix Cochren for DREAMGIRLS
Outstanding Lighting Design went to Kathy Perkins for DREAMGIRLS
Outstanding Costume Design went to Greg Horton for DREAMGIRLS
The Award for Outstanding Production went to DREAMGIRLS
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Harold Wheeler
An Award for Outstanding Educator was presented to Janet Bonner of East St. Louis Public School District #189
An award for Outstanding Community Partner was presented to MICDS

Here are my picks for the best and worst dressed at the WOODIES
Best Dressed Female: Mia Pace, in the backless red dress that was to die for.
Worst Dressed Female: The middle aged sista who wore a sequined beaded blouse with a wrinkled white mini-mini dress that was a hot mess.
Best Dressed Male: Richard Agnew, he was wearing the white summer suit with brim and cool shades. He was very fly looking.
Worst Dressed Male: The middle aged brotha who wore a summer black short-sleeved shirt with squiggly white lines on it with white pants. He looked as though he needed to be on the golf course than at an award show.

FOR MORE WOODIE AWARD PICS (THE ONES I WAS ABLE TO TAKE UNTIL I WAS ASKED TO STOP TAKING FLICKS. LOL) , GO TO OUT 57

MA’ATIDBITZ. I will be interviewing two ST. Louis movers and shakers for the Who’s Who book in commemoration of the ceremony this fall put on by Keith Antone . They are Michael Holmes, Sr. Vice President of Express Scripts and Hubert Hoosman, President & CEO of Vantage Credit Union. I will keep you posted when the book will be out.

OK, I know y’all saw the 2006 BET Awards and I couldn’t help but give my take on it in a new segment I would like to call WORDZ TO THE WHY’S.

WHY was host Damon Wayans not funny? WHY didn’t Missy Elliott come and receive her award when she was therr to perform with Busta Rhymes? WHY did the Fantasia and Jamie Foxx kiss looked oh so wrong (and yucky) ?WHY did Mary J’s tan thigh knee boots look like she got them from Labelle back in the 70s? WHY did Larenz look like Will Smith all of a sudden? WHY did Diddy ask for applause after his mike went out temporarily? And WHY did Diddy hog up his protégé Yung Joc’s performance (which was lip synched BTW)? Why did Vivica’s dress and hairstyle look like she was about break out into the Charleston? WHY was gospel singer Yolanda Adams singing “devil music” during the Chaka tribute? WHY was one of the members of Jagged Edge have a cane and limping? WHY did Kanye West look like a geeked fan when he had a digital cam going during the Chaka tribute? WHY did Big Tigga yawn while the BET fan who presented with him as he was spreading the Word? Why was R Kelly booed while his name was called as a nominee for Best Video of the Year?

STL-TIDBITZ. According to stltoday.com, Nelly and the St. Lunatics plan to open a bar and grill in August in Hazelwood after delaying the project for several months. Mack's Bar and Grill was scheduled to open in April but will now open Aug. 10 because the owners were waiting for the manager of the new restaurant to complete a job in Atlanta. Tony Powell, the manager of Mack's, was working as a chef and a manager at Azio, an Italian restaurant in Atlanta. Because of the delayed opening, the Hazelwood City Council is expected to extend a special land-use permit for Mack's next month, city officials said.

"I am very excited about this," Powell said about the restaurant. "I am pretty sure this will go smooth. St. Louis seems to support bars."

The eatery is expected to be especially popular because of its high-profile owners, Powell said. The restaurant contains the first letters of the owners' names - Murphy Lee, Ali, Slodown, Kyjuan and Cornell, Nelly's first name.

Mack's is the first restaurant owned by Nelly, a 31-year-old recording star who has a clothing line and a record company and is part-owner of a professional basketball team, said Mike Chaffin, Nelly's business manager. Nelly and the St. Lunatics got the idea to enter the restaurant business from Ali, Chaffin said.

The 3,500-square-foot facility at 6827 Howdershell Road will be able to hold 150 people and seat 74. It will contain several TVs and will mostly show sports programs, Powell said.
Aside from items and pictures of the hip-hop stars, Mack's also will have items from St. Louis sports teams - the Cardinals, Rams and Blues. Powell said customers might get a chance to see one of the high-profile singers having some fun during the eatery's karaoke nights. And you know a grand opening party is near its only who’s throwin it? Hipster Mag? First Friday? Select Saturday? Only time will tell!……………………………………………………………..

Legendary rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry will be the centr of a new DVD of the classic music rockumentary “Hail Hail Rock and Roll.” Directed by Taylor Hackford, the darkly comic saga is detailed, which was originally released in movie theaters in 1987 and long out of print on home video, began selling in stores June 27. The footage includes the two back-to-back concerts at the Fox Theatre in October 1986 which served as the backbone for the original film. It also has the difficult rehearsals at Berry's rundown estate, Berry, his family members and associates’ interviews, and added often-raucous commentary from peers such as Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Jerry Lee Lewis.

According to stltoday.com, Hackford said Berry, now 79 and still playing one-nighters, had no involvement in the production of the DVD. Although they are on fairly cordial terms, Hackford recalled that Berry dismissively laughed at him when he asked to license some unseen concert footage. I guess you can do that when you are the KING……………………………………………..

STLnative Kevin Coleman, director and alum of the American Film Institute is about to shoot a Teen Educational Suicide Video for a local health agency to be broadcast on St. Louis networks. There is no pay for this production. However, there is a meal, credit, copy, and gas voucher. He is looking for actors who can play teens (16 & 17 year-olds) or actual teens. For more info email him at kcoleman@colemanentertainment.com or call 314-307-5275. Production is slated for late July. It will be shot over two weekends.....................................................

Ladies Take the Stage, Thursday, June 29 at the Improv at Union Station, at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by 104.1’s Wendy Brown. The performances will include spins by DJ Agile, Chiffy of Thrudaroofproductions, LunneeB of 7Fourteen Ent, Zee of UC Me Ent, and Kitty among others.

Mo Spoon’s 2006 Eye Candy Models Party will take place Thursday, June 29 at the Loft. Models include Ms. January, Ms, March, Ms April, Ms. May, Ms, June and Ms. January. For more info go to www.myspacecom/Mo_Spoon................................................

Another Freshdaddy Project presents the "Summerbunnies Pretty Girl Party" - Part One: The Jumpoff. Early Arrival Suggested Friday, June - 30 at Club Dreams @ 10:00pm. Cover Pretty Girls $10 - Fellas $15 (B4 Midnight) Address 3207 Washington Ave. 63103-1218 Contact 314-533-4556.................................................................

Hipster Magazine, Spins & Needles and Jack Daniel's present FLY BY NIGHT, Friday, June 30th @ 360 N. Boyle in the Central West End)Doors @ 9 PM Party Til 2 AM. Free Drinks $10 Ladies $15 Fellas. Music by DJ Needles
DIRECTIONS (to the flyest two-level spot w/ a 2nd flr terrace you've never heard of): Take Lindell to Boyle. Go North on Boyle and 360 N. Boyle will be on the right. Valet parking available. Early arrival is suggested. For more information, visit us at myspace.com/flybynightonline. .............................................

My girl Chrys Yvette is holding auditions for the feature film "The Dating Game" a romantic comedy that will be shooting in St. Louis August 12th thru August 27th. Anyone in the age range of 25s to 40s interested in working as a non-union actor or as an extra in the film can submit. TBC, E-mail photo and resume to chrysyvette@yahoo.com or call 1-877-517-0472 on or before July 15th. Auditions will be held in St Louis throughout the month of July. The producers are looking for all types of adult men and women, salsa dancers, and comedians. Some experience preferred. There is also a Crew Call for "The Dating Game" . Looking for Director of Photography who owns equipment and other crew members. Students welcome to submit.

Well that be it. If you have anything for me to pub, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com.

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Here is a hodge pdoge of pics fromthe events I attended last weekend. The stage pics are from my boy Maurice G (In the green shirt ) with his b-day well wishers at his spot, Club Dreams, theWoodie Awards with perfromances by Anita Jackson (in the brown dress), Monica Parks (in the black attire with African kente ) and Ron Himes (sitting on the stage); The Jazz festival with my girl Tiffiani Blackmore (with the brown halter top) and the Posts's Kevin Johnson and his father, Mahic 104.9 personalities TonyScott and a very pregnant Tammi Holland, dreadloced singer Lizz Wright, Stanley Clarke and George Duke on stage and signing autographs, Party people enjoying the jazz festival, Dr. John in the pink suit, and Jamie Spencer's guests at the B-Day party at Club 609.

OUT 56

DJ Deevine Soundz is one of the hottest dee-jays in the ST. Louis area. Many clubbers hear him every Friday and Saturday nights at the jazz loft on Olive where he spins the grooves on the 1s and 2s. This North St. Louis native is what I call a work in progress. DJ Soundz (nee’ Derris Perkins) has a knowledge on music and last Thursday I had a chance to sit with the Douberg football star-cum-Northwest University graduate-cum-Purdue University football hopeful-cum- dee-jay wunderkind and talked to him about his career, music and the STL club scene (FYI, He also used to be a manager at Blockbuster’s at Fairview Heights, Ill.too) .



Ma’at: How did you get name Deevine Soundz

Soundz: Actually it came back in ’92 before I went to college. My girl at the time, she was like, I used to make tapes and everybody that heard them, loved them, I didn’t think nothing of it caus ei didn’t consider myself a de-jay, but being around my Dad (Calvin King, current Program Director at Hallelujah Gospel 1600 )and my mother being pregnant and being around my cause he was a hot dee-jay in the day and still is. My lady was like you need to take this more serious cause people wanted to buy my tapes and I was like whatever, And she said I needed a name that describes me, but I wanted my name to be a part of it. First it was DAP, Derris Allen Perkins,, DJ DAP, but I was like D, D, Deluxe? I didn’t want D-Nice, then she said Deevine, not Divine, but DEEvine, she said that the music I play was Heavenly and sent from above , then Soundz, well, my name used to be Intertwine Your Mind to the Genuine Soundz of Deevine, so it was Soundz of Deevine…so after I graduated I came back here and started dee-jaying at Skate King and one of my close friends, who passed recently, said man I ‘m not going to call you no damn Deevine, I’m gonna call you Soundz, so I left it at the ladies call me Deevine and the fellas call me Soundz.

Ma’at: When were you officially Deevine Soundz?

Soundz: It had to be when I came back from college in ’96.

Ma’at: Lets talk about music. What do you listen to?

Soundz: I listen to blues, jazz, rock, reggae a lot, a lot of truth in reggae.

Ma’at: What got you into so much diversity in music?

Soundz: My upbringing. I was always around multiculture.

Ma’at: Like Catholic school….

Soundz: I went to three Catholic schools on the North side, They all closed down, the last two combined together, to form Northside Catholic right off of Margueretta. It used to be Holy Rosary. I’m really from St. Louis. I really been living in Illinois (Fairview Heights) for about three years. It’s like Vietnam where I used to live (Adelaide). I have to wear my camouflage to go and see moms.

Ma’at: About how many pieces of music do you own?

Soundz: I have enough, if I have t put a number in it, hundreds of thousands, I have it all categorized, I have a whole room dedicated to my music, my equipment and my computer from A to Z, soundtracks, R&B, rap, singles, vinyl, cassettes.

Ma’at: Basically you have a store…

Soundz: I can probably open up a little used record store, as a trade.

Ma’at: You have any imported music?

Soundz: Yeah, it costs me a good penny to buy it.

Ma’at: Where do you get them?

Soundz: Vintage Vinyl is like the only place now. Sound Revolution close don me. I get my music from different resources form promotional, record exec dens me music, record pools, artists people from out of town. I remember getting that Khia song, My Neck My Back,” a year before it came out here and it was already poppin in Miami and I played it in the club and people was like, what are you playin?” That’s how I am. I’m space age. I get it on it. I try to get you on it to let you know that its hot. Then I’m on the other hot stuff, and y’all about to get on this and I’m already two steps ahead, I’m an A&R man. Its; in my blood. Ask me a song that I got that’s old?

Ma’at: I mean, you got 40s on, so….Cab Calloway.

Soundz: Ya-Di-Ya-Di-Ya?. I think I got that on an old school 40s discs. That’s all I need though. If you would have said something else of his I would have said NOPE. I bleed music. I will spend my last dime of music so I can give it to the people. I even have some eight tracks. Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx albums… My dad and mother loves music., I am a September baby so we love the arts. That’s us, communications. I was listen to music…when my mother used to go the clubs and sitting up in the dee-jay booth with my dad and I know I was listening to it cause I am too familiar with it. Its funny I used to go to this over 35 crowd club, the Regal Room, that used to be across the street from the Loft. On Fridays and Saturdays, I was like 24, 25, and I was playing old school music and people would say, How you know about that music. I knew the music.


Ma’at: What are some of the hot songs right now?

Soundz: It’s Goin Down, Yung Joc, Its kind of hard to answer that question, cause the hot songs out there right now….It’s a song called I know you See it by Yung Joc. Cassie, “Me and U.” It’s an alternative from the norm. Of course, “Shoulder Lean.” From R&B standpoint, Anthony Hamilton is hot, the new chick that used to be with Destiny’s Child Letoya Luckett is hot, Jamie Fox is hot besides the songs they play of his on the radio, Mary J is hot, Chris Brown.

Ma'at: Is there any one that is ready to be hot?

Soundz: I think Beyonce is about to drop the bomb on everybody, the album (B-Day) not the single (Déjà vu) just yet. Cause when I first got the single, I was like oh, this is garbage. Janet is going to be hot. She should be hot, She needs to be hot. I think Tyrese is about to bust with something, He’s got the movies, the single with Chingy (Pulling Me Back)

Ma'at: What about up and coming?

Soundz: Nationally, I think its; a real hard selection cause some of the people that used to do it, are no doing it and these new people are not…I still listen to the Temptations. That’s music to me . Everybody wants to pop, drop it and show me some booty. I’m not taking away from it but it’s a lot more ideas and topics you can talk about to reach people.

Ma’at: Any rappers?
Soundz: Most of the rappers are talkin about the cars, there house, how many women they got. It’s really no positive rappers out there . the ones that are positive you won’t hear on the radio. Like Dead Presidents, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, that’s the nucleus, the real hip-hop. Wu tang, no one is bumpin them no more. I mean there talkin’ about ho whard it is on the streets but sex sells, violence sells….

Ma’at: Is that the industry or consumer’s fault?

Soundz: I think its both based on the fact that it’s a win-win situation for everybody. You got some real gangstas and some studio gangstas. You got some people who act like they hard , they get on the street and they are like, “Damn its like this for real, Take me back to the studio, and Cut another album.”

Ma’at: What is your opinion on hip-hop in the STL?

Soundz: It’s interesting how the politics work,. Its all politics. You gotta be in the in crowd. Like when people throw shows, the same people same clique do the same shows. We need to have a show where there is everybody. So we wouldn’t have this reputation that STL is segregated when it comes to hip-hop. If you wanna get your stuff off the ground, don’t do it in STL, that’s the rap that we got. That’s the kind of rap we got. And I know this for the fact by talkin to people outside the Lou and being outside the Lou. Unless you already part of the clique, it will probably be hard for somebody because you’re not familiar unless you have a poppin CD.

Back in the day, I used to work for this production company (Too Hard Productions), and some of the rappers doin it now like Flip Smoove, JCD, you know. We used to get on the bus, take our CDs. Our shows, our routines, 16 acts and take them out of town. We are signing autographs and they don’t know us from a can of paint. But they liked our music,. They thought we were going to be the next hot thing coming out, Most of them did. I wont say don’t start your stuff in the Lou, I’d say spread yourself out. Make sure you do your stuff at home. If you don’t get the response that you’re lookin or that you think that you deserve, spread yourself out. The world is a much bigger place.

Ma'at: I saw you in action at the Loft when I was observing you at the Loft a few weeks back when I was with you in the dee-jay booth...

Soundz: I pay attention to the crowds.

Ma'at: Even before I approached for this interview, I would say, “Why is he playin all of these slow songs?"(laughs)

Soundz: Really (grins)

Ma'at: Maybe you were doin somethin different than the other dee-jays in the Lou like DJ Nappy Needles or Charlie Chan, whose niche is he plays an old song and then play a newer song that was sampled from the old song. Talk about your regimen when you dee-jay

Soundz: I feel the crowd. If your crowd is whack, you might be whack, St Louis is a hard crowd to move. The format was originally supposed to be (smooth) jazz, with the hip-hop jazz mixed in. I was like, man, I’m not about to do this not one more damn time. Now, these are my people, I’ve been working with them (owners of Jazz Loft) for five years, so this is nothing new. I was like if you want me to play this kind of music I have no problem with it. That’s why it’s called the Jazz Loft Club. I told them if this is what you want for me to play, you should be selective on the people you let in there cause if I have someone in there who is 26, they don’t wanna hear no fuckin’ jazz. So me as a dee-jay and a professional, I know how to read the crowd, so know there used to me. So now there used to me. When I first get there, after the band, I start them off like the band—R&B, stepping, slide and then you step and slide into the party. I do my b-day announcements. What really moves the crowd is the old school. Whether its R&B or rap. The LL, Dougie Fresh era, I have them in the palm of my hand.

I’m a different style of dee-jay. I sued to mix and scratch back in the day, but when I went to college, I just became a music technician because my goal in radio is to be a program director. I know how to play good music in a nice form,-old or new. That’s what I’ve been doin for years and in the clubs. I’ve been holding the Loft down since it opened (in December 2005). It was a much older crowd when it opened up. Now it’s a mix. 25 and older. I spread everything out like cards. I get more personal to the crowd too. What’s your favorite song to hear in the club?

Ma’at: When I’m drunk or not drunk

Soundz: Drunk, fuck it.


Ma’at: Wow, uhm….now you got me on the spot…I would have to say Jay Z, “H-to the Izzo.”

Soundz: Now if you came up to the dee-jay booth and tell me that was your jam, you can not come up in there for a year, you don’t even have to say anything to me, you’ll just hear it. And that’s how I touch people, you say, “That’s my cut. You my boy.” I’m concerned of what they wanna hear than what I wanna hear. I’m hear for them. When I’m on the air, my listeners are my stars. I’m here for them

Ma’at: And when are you on the air?

Soundz: I produce the Michael Baisden Show (On Foxxy 95.5) Monday through Friday, from 2 p.m. to 6p.m. And when I’m on the air, I’m a personality. I got all kind of commercials on there like the BET Awards where I tag it on the end. A lot of TJ Maxx commercials. I use my dee-jay voice.

Ma’at: Have you ever played a song that was very risky just to se eewhat happens and what song was it?

Soundz: I remember playing a current song, Chamillionaire’s “Ridin.” When they first start playin’ it on the radio, I was like, “I like this song. I put it on and they was on it. The Yung Joc song, “I Know you See it.” That was risky. When I see people walkin out, I played it and people say, “hey who is that I like that.” And every week more and more people keep asking me who that is. It’s Yung Joc that is not on the album. Its on the album but he’s rapping with a girl,. But the one I got is just him alone. I’m a risky person. See if you can hang. If not. Keep it movin. I’ll get you on the next song.

Ma’at:Who are your heroes?

Soundz: My heroes? My mother, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye. Uhm, Farrakhan, Huey P Newton, I mean the Black Panthers system and what they stand for today. It’s so needed.
My whole family on my mother’s side- my grandmother and my great great aunt, my father fits in there somewhere on the real.

Ma’at: Future projects or plans?

Soundz: I plan to always be Soundz. When I try to quit, people get mad at me. I wanna move up at the radio station slowly. I wanna learn better when you use your patience. I see myself eventually being on the air., having a very decent show with a lot of listeners and eventually program director or assistant program director however else , the more I learn, the more I wanna climb. Right now that’s enough right now. And I’m staying grounded and humble.

Oh and advice to you young up and coming rappers trying to get Soundz to play your stuff, his advice is “to know the game first, give your stuff away free then try to sell and play it in a year cause he is tired of being bullied and stared down in the club from y’all who don’t know the game.”

For more info on Deevive Soundz go to his website at http://www.deevinesoundz.com/
For more on deevine soundz’ history go to stltoday.com and type in deevine soundz.

Photos courtesy of Ma’atology and http://www.deevinesoundz.com/

OUT 55

Hello again! Well its another week and you know what that means. Another week to tell ya’ll what is up with your e-blogger here, Ma’atology. But before I get into the usual, I hope you all were aware or at least conscious that June 19 was the 140 anniversary of Juneteenth, the annual celebration of Black freedom.

For those unaware, Juneteeth dealt with the Emancipation Proclamation. Although it declared the official end of slavery on January 1, 1863, most enslaved Africans in America did not find out until much later. Among the last to find out were slaves in Galveston, Texas who did not learn of their freedom until Union soldiers marched into town on June 19, 1865.

Upon hearing the news, Black people celebrated by laughing, crying, praying, and dancing in the streets for days. Although Juneteenth is only officially recognized as a holiday in the state of Texas, people throughout the country use the day to honor the Black freedom struggle.

I hope the rest of the country gets hip to this, especially people fo color cause June 19 is just as important as America’s freedom celebration on July 4.

Okay, enuff of my soap box let’s get to the grit for this week………..

Last Friday, I checked out Kyo's Eyes Wide Shut party. The theme was exactly like the Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman flick (without the sex orgy though). My boy Christian Coffield was telling me about the spot when I talked to him on my celly and said that they were givin away free drinks so you know that's all it takes for me to get some clothes on and bring my "cam-munition" and hit the scene. When I got therre, I parked on the St. Charles Street parking meters where the park is (wherr the homeless people were and they were out gettin their party on ,too). I wore a "smedium" orange short sleeve, jeans, a huge brown belt with a gold buckle and square-toed dress shoes. I was cool with what I had on cause I was givin the Omarion look (just without the shades but with my phat cornrolls and baby hair on the sides of my temples. LOL)

So I walk up to the club about 10 ish and I see that cars and people were heading to the spot. When I got to the front, they had a VIP carpet and about four ladies sitting at a table collecting fees for people to get in. I flashed my media badge and said that I wanted to take some snaps for my website. They pointed me to the PR guy, Shane Yackle who had on a Lone Ranger mask. I shook his hand, exchanged biz cards and I proceeded to go in.

In the lobby, the first people I saw were the sexy PAMA LIQUER girls who were pouring shots in shot and wine glasses (I cant recall how many shots I had but I was gettin quite right on mine). I took their pics. Then, I walked to the other side of the lobby and saw two sexy models from the Alex Andrite Modeling Agency who were passing out Eyes Wide Shut masks. When I took their pics they had the I'm-a-model-pose down pact.

SO when I went inside the club (which is surprisingly small, but long in length with a very small upstairs area for VIP that was not open to the public for some reason but for the certain few who were lucky I guess were able to sit up therr. The bouncer gut stopped as soon as I was going to walk to the steps)I saw some familiar faces like Jamie Spencer (so you still need for me to dance for you to get them bills. LOL) and Christiaan (whats up with you asking me to get you free shots when you could have gotten them yourself dude. LOL) . I took their pics with several of their female cleavage-out guests. LOL.

It was a mix crowd of black and white (ala out of town club) where everybody had a good time dancing with DJ Leon Lamon (I believe therr was a guest DJ as well but I didnt get his name) as they played Laffy Taffy, Lose My breath , some house music, Snap Your Fingers and Hips Dont Lie. Talk about diversity!. This is what a club should be anyway. A MIx of all and everything.

It seems like everyone was also feelin the go-go dancer chick (pictured above) who was on the small stage area where the dance floor was who was doin everything from Fame and Solid Gold moves to the Crip Walk. It was definitely another world for real. They also had a Belly dancer (who performed before the go-go dancer) who balanced a long knife on her head (People seem like they were more talking to each other than watching her cause she didnt do any tricks or anything) and a shadow go-go dancer dancing above the bartending area (One of the barmaids was a pretty sista who barmaids at the Jazz Loft BTW) that was pretty hot. The costume of the night was this lady who had on a body stocking that was painted with artistic designs. It looked as though it was painted on her like a walking canvas! . I had to take a pic of her.

There also was this sista who was grinding her ARSE on this brotha and I thought she was with him so I didnt pay them any mind. Well, a few minutes later when I walked up to the bar area near the dance floor I hear someone go, "Hey You." I look around and its her who had this funky look on her face. I said, "Huh?" Then she said, "You heard me." I did a double take lookin behind me, then back at her cause I didnt know she was talking to me (I even did the pointing at me gesture ) She looked at me then rolled her eyes at me then walked off. DAMN what was up with that? If she did want to talk with me, why didnt she just smile and say hello? Why did she have to get ghetto with it? Thats another subject but I just find it interesting how some sistas get when brothas dont talk to them in the clubs.

Also in the house were UPN's “Enterate”host Gilberto Pinella, local model Millicent and local event planner Keith Harris.

FOR MORE PICS OF THE EYES WIDE SHUT PARTY GO TO OUT 54.


MA'ATIDBITZ. My article on the US Bank Jazz Fest in Shaw Park (enetitled "Summer on a Jazz Day" ) is in this Wednesday's West End Word Newspaper (www.westendword.com)............................

I saw all of myself (head and all) on last week's Last Comic Standing show on NBC when I had the chance to look back at it after I taped it. It was a long pan view of me clapping. Finally! LOL....

THIS JUST END BITZ. I hear that STL actor/comedian Joe Torry’s (seen in the pic above w/the mike in his hand) Annual Celebrity B-Ball Challenge Weekend has been cancelled til next year. I had been getting some early buzz about this from my sources. One source told me a few months ago , that the organization wasn’t going to have the B-Ball game and only have a Golf Tourney. Then when I talked with Jacque Land of the Platinum Group (who usually handles the PR and hospitality for this event)about a month ago at the gym and he told me they weren’t going to do the event this year. I knew something was up then. Then, I got a call the juice while talkin to another source this week who told me the organization was going to gear up for next year’s event.

I have been going to his event since 2000 (It had been going on since summer 1997) and, it has been scaled down tremendously as far as celebrities who appear. I remember A-listers like Mehki Phifer, Shaq, Regina King and Shemar Moore came one year during the first few years of the event. Annual mainstays included MC Lyte, James "Uncle Phil" Avery, Tichina Arnold and the late Michael ‘Bear’ Taliferro. Vivica A Fox and Morris Chesnut also showed up in later year (Last year the major celebrity was Dawnn Lewis of ‘A Diff’rent World’) and venue space (The B-Ball game was once held at the Savvis Center. Last year it was at a gymnasium at UM-St. Louis.) I still think they could have still done the party though, but I hope they retool their strategy and come up with a way of attracting people to this event like days past cause it definitely helped in raiding funds for kids who needed assistance in clothing, hair grooming and school supplies………………………………………….

BLIND BITZ. What particular popular event planner once told a well-known club security guy/bouncer that he wasn’t the right type cause he was too big (as in girth) to be a part of its security team?......................................

My blog sista, Chi-town's Mocha Sista hipped me to a book called, "Focus" by Sarah Dollah-Said. It's the debut novel from the Chicago native. Focus is a poetry collection divided into sections about life, love, relaxation, beauty and the body. The contents of this book are directly taken from the author's personal journals with photography by her husband Ayman Said. Email the author at focuspoetrycollection@hotmail.com or listen in to her online internet radio interview on www.artistfirst.com for more info....................

X-Jam got in contact me a few days ago and said that "Noah's Arc" star Jensen Atwood (who plays Wade on the LOGO-based show) was confirmed for its party August 19. I will keep you posted where the party will take place...................

OK, as promised, I was going to talk about my stint at AG Edwards on 20th and Market. Well , I took the gig as a way of supplementing my income. It was a two month gig and I knew from even taking it that I was going to have good stuff to put on my blog (And I was right. Actually they called be back for my services but I declined due to a scheduling conflict with my other gigs).

I knew things were going to be interesting when this sista saw me during my first week there in an elevator after the end of one of my work days. It was about seven or so people in the elevator and she asked me, "Are you a reporter?" I said, Yes. Then she said, "For the American?" I went on and said yes even though I havent been with the American for almost three years. I'm sure she had spread this juice as fast as a jackrabbit to a hunting gun...........................

I met a new friend while I was there. Her name is Tianisha Loyd who worked with me (and was also a temp), and he worked the office area in New Accounts (One of the front office sistas who I see out and about said that this department was the worse department to be hired with and that she tries to worn people when they apply or temp there that it was not the department to work in. WHOA!)..................

One thing I discovered while I was there was most of the women and some of the guys who worked there loved flooded pants (females pretending their floods were to be Capris), many were pregnant and most of the white employees did the "1-2-Look Down At The Carpet Dance." You know, when you are walking one way and the other is walking the opposite direction and when they get close to you, they look at the floor to try from speaking to you? CLASSIC..........................

A lot of the female employees(who I mostly worked with) spoke a lot about the effeminate behavior of the men and wondering about their sexual preference. I found this to be interesting cause how can they try to label one's preference based on their outside behavior? I guess the "DL" theory doesnt apply there...............................................

My immediate supervisor was dating a skanky Tara Reid like temp worker (she's no longer there form what I hear) in the department I worked in (she didnt do ANY work, all she did was get on her celly and talk, throw rubberbands at people, patted the butt of a female colleague and sneak off with the supervisor to do God knows what)........................................

I worked with a sista, Angie Garrett, who used to go to the same grade school as I, Harding Elementary (on 73rd Street) back in the early 1980s (She’s a few years older than me). That was a trip (She TRIED to sing each song that was in her computer CD player. She was off the chain........

There was a ghetto cashier chic who would undercharge brothas she liked in the lunch room and overcharged sistas who she didnt like (she's fired). One day she walk’ d over to this brotha who was sitting with Tianisha and I and said that she gave him a deal on his food and said to him, "What the fuck he was talking about?" Whoa Nelly! talk about bold and anyone could have heard her. Can you say, YOU STUPID.

There was this temp named Lisa who came late, called off with no call to the super, had a ghetto foul mouth, talked on the office phone mostly her personal business, kept a container of Kool aid w/sugar added in her purse, complained about the food she bought in the cafeteria, and was shocked when she got fired and told her agency that she was on time and was never late. CLASSIC.

Those were some of the highlights I can remember right now. If I think of anymore, I will post them next week.

STL-TIDBITZ. Local socialite Jamie Spencer is having a 30th Birthday Party at 609 Lounge on Delmar. This Thursday on June 22. Just show up. You know what time y'all go out and party.......

My boy Comic View comedian/club owner Maurice G. is having a Cancer B-Day Party at his spot, Club Dreams (on the corner of Compton and Washington AVE). Its a bash for all Cancers (I am one myself -July 6). All Cancers get in FREE and Maurice is flipping the bill on drinks for all from 11 p.m. to midnite. So you know you gotta get therr early for that, but then again, I know how STL partiers do. They will still come out late regardless if something is free til a certain time or not.............................................................

There will be a plethora of celebrations to commemorate the 97th B-Day of the late great dance empress Katherine Dunham (PICTURED ABOVE IN HER YOUNGER YEARS) who died May 21. . Lincoln Middle School will celebrate and it will take place from noon to 3 p.m., Thursday, June 22, at the school located at 12 South 10th Street at Broadway Avenue. There will be dance celbrations also at Wyvetter Younge Middle School in Washington Park, June 23-25 and at the Community Center on June 25 in Brookyln , Ill. For more info call 618-531-1312, 314-762-0298, 618-650 3991 or eredmon@siue.edu.

Persons desiring to contribute to Dunham's memorial may send checks or money orders to Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities, 532 North Tenth Street at Katherine Dunham Place, East St. Louis, Ill. 62201. Tax deductible donations can be sent at www.kdunhamfund.com ..............................................

Check out David Sanborn, Dr. John, Stanley Clarke, Lizz Wright and George Duke and locals like Denise Thimes at the US Bank St. Louis, Jazz & Heritage Festival, June 23/24 2006, in Shaw Park, Clayton, MO. For tickets or more info. visit www.saintlouisjazzfest.com
or call 314.863.0278..................................

One River Mississippi is holding a free jazz and blues concert on KDHX at 7 p.m. , Saturday, June 24, on the Eads Bridge (along with seven other participating cities that connect w/the Mississippi like Minneapolis, Memphis and New Orleans)For more info call 314-721-0052 or annonyarts@aol.com or go to www.onerivermississippi.org........................................

My buddy Joel King and the Network Group are putting on (again) the play, "Me, Don and the Psychiatrist" at the Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Ave, St. Louis, Sunday, June 25, 7:00pm, contact info is 314 746 4599 (Only those 18 and older will be admitted) Tickets are:$15.00 @ the Door; $12.00 in advance;$10.00 for groups of 10 or more. For advance ticket information call Dwayne Bess @ 618-531-1360 Joel P.E. King @ 618-567-0237 or Kimberly C. Moore @ 217-553-8890.............................

The Black Rep will host its 13th Annual Woodie King, Jr. Awards Ceremony on Sunday, June 25, at 3:30 p.m. at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. The star-studded gala will be emceed by Kingsley Leggs who currently stars as Mister in the Tony Award winning Broadway hit THE COLOR PURPLE. Proceeds from the star-studded gala will benefit the Company’s Education and Community Programs that serve more than 65,000 people each year. Tickets are $150. To reserve your seats, contact The Black Rep at 314/534-3807..............

Well that be it. If you have anything for me to pub, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com.

OUT 54

Here are a few pics from the Eyes Wide Shut Party that I took at Club Kyo last Friday and some of the people who I discussed in my blog OUT 55.

out 53

Hello to all once and more gain. This is your boy Ma'atology promising to give you what you hope to have seen or missed since the last time I e-conversed with you all.
OK as the Staple Singers procliamed 30 years ago, "Let' s Do it Again!"

First off I would like to congratulate my nephew, Jerome "Tweezle" Stewart III, (shown on the left) for winning second place in a One on One B-Ball Tourney at his junior high school, Whiteside in Belleville. He is becoming a pretty good b-ball player (stay away ladies, he's only 14. LOL) and is making a name for himself (Now if he can o the same thing with academics he will be OK. But you know how that goes).

Last Friday I did a two-fer. I attended Hipster Magazine's Issue Party at R Sole, a swanky new shoe store in the University Loop (across from Blockbusters for those who need landmarks). This event was RSVP, but when I got tehre around 10 ish, it was no holds barred from the 50 or so that was supposed to RSVP to attend the free sips event.

I was there with my ammunition (my digital cam) and I knew everything was all good when I saw Keith Harris and Guest List keeper Brian Stemmons who told me to come on in. But my ego was lifted when this sista named Big Steph grabbed my hand right before I was to enter the place and said that I made her day with what I had on. I dont know what came over me, but I started to blush. I didnt know I was looking that hot cause I didnt really put much into what I as wearing which was a black Fat Albert hat, a white linen open chest long sleeve shirt, faded baggy blue jeans with slits on the sides and some black heeled shoes. Man, I should dress more casual more often.

When I entered the spot, it was well packed in the teeny space (a pic of the party people are above. There were all kinds of custom made snakers on teh displays for thsoe who wanted to purchase. They even had a brotha on spot, Sam Robinson (Pedigree Custom Painting--renegade-slr@hotmail.com is his contact) who was painting some sneakes for those to watch and idolize. DJ Nappy Needles were on the 1s and 2s and in the back were Jammelle and Tricia, two tall sexy models who were purrrring Champagne and energy drinks in champagne glasses all night (and it was FREEEEEEEEEE).

In the house were local socialites Jamie Spencer and Robert Kirk, Freeman Bosley Junior Show personality Nicci Roach (Happy 21st B-Day AHEM! LOL), and Jacob of stlouis-online.com (You can check his pics on his website as well). Good job Keenan Harris (who is the EIC of Hipster ) for a cool event.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE PICS OF THIS EVENT, GO TO MY BLOG POST, OUT 52.

I left the Champagne and Sneakers soiree around 11ish so I can hit the Jazz Loft to take some pics of its house DJ, DJ Soundz (I hope to do a feature on this brotha who is doin his thing here in the STL). I got there about 11:30 and showed the sista who was sitting at the door my media pass and camera and asked if I can take some snaps for my blog. She proceeded to check me in with no problem and I walked through the packed crowd to take some shots.

As I walked around, taking shots, meeting DJ SOundz at the DJ Booth, SOundz made an announcment that rapper Chingy was in the building. He and two buff guys (who go to Ballys in Clayton BTW), grabbed a VIP booth as the groupies and onlookers walked over to greet him. Meanwhile Soundz began playing his tunes like "RIght THurr" and his latest" Pulling Me Back" (which is a nice jam BTW). Chingy was dressed casual with cap and sneaks as his two bodyguards (also dressed casual)were on both sides of him awaiting for something to happen. I guess Chingy is back in town to see what he's going to do after getting sued by a local record produicer (as reported last week in my blog). I'm sure I'll get the scoop when he and his bodyguards go to Ballys this week.

Also a trip was the SIUE Alumni reunion up in there. Many guys who I graduated with at SIUE who was up in there (all Greek coincidentally). They were Mark Adams (who is an Alpha and sportin dreads), Brian Stemmons (Alpha), Al Wade (Alpha), and Gerald McClellan (Q-Dog). It was another guy who was an Alpha there too but I couldnt recall his name (but he was staring at me as though he knew me). Other peeps in the house were Michael Jackson (no not the singer), Demond Tucker (I saw you with that Apple Martini. LOL), Brandon, Trent Mitchell, and Harry Colbert.

TO SEE SOME PARTY PICS FROM THE JAZZ LOFT, GO TO MY POST OUT 52.

THIS JUST IN-BITZ. The St. Louis Black Rep will be presneting its annual Woodie Awards this year and they have a Broadway star with ST. Louis roots who is going to host.

The Black Rep will host its 13th Annual Woodie King, Jr. Awards Ceremony on Sunday, June 25, at 3:30 p.m. at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. The star-studded gala will be emceed by Kingsley Leggs (seen in the pic above) who currently stars as Mister in the Broadway hit THE COLOR PURPLE (Although he wasn't nominated, but the Color Purple was almost shut out of its 11 nods at the Tony Awards last Sunday luckily Lachanze who plays Celie won for Best Actress in a Musical) .

“Having Kingsley join us for the Woodie Awards is so fitting considering his St. Louis roots and ties to DREAMGIRLS, our final production of a wonderful season. We are looking forward to a really special night of celebration that will energize us for the 30th year,” said Ron Himes, founder and producing director.

Kingsley Leggs who currently plays the role of Mister in THE COLOR PURPLE on Broadway worked at The Black Rep for nearly 10 years appearing in numerous shows, working with the touring company and as a member of the administrative staff.

His Black Rep credits include AIN’T MISBEHAVIN, BLUES IN THE NIGHT, and FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE. Leggs also appeared in the Broadway production of MISS SAIGON and the national tours of MISS SAIGON, RAGTIME, IT AIN’T NOTHING BUT THE BLUES, and FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD.

He received L.A. Ovation Award nominations for his performance in DREAMGIRLS and RAGTIME. Leggs has appeared on the stages of many regional theatres including THE FULL MONTY (Gateway Playhouse), TWO GENTLEMAN OF VERONA (Baltimore Cornerstage), CHASING NICOLETTE (Prince Music Theatre), VIOLET (Laguna Playhouse) and ALMOST HEAVEN (Denver Center Theatre). He also appeared in the CBS TV drama CITY OF ANGELS.
Proceeds from the star-studded gala will benefit the Company’s Education and Community Programs that serve more than 65,000 people each year. Tickets are $150. To reserve your seats, contact The Black Rep at 314/534-3807.

In addition to presenting awards for the outstanding artistic work from its mainstage season, The Black Rep will present a Lifetime Achievement Award to the one of the industry’s most acclaimed orchestrator, conductor and musical arranger, and St. Lousian Harold Wheeler.
The company will also present an award for Outstanding Education to Janet Bonner of East St. Louis Public School District #189 and St. Louis Mary Institute and Country Day School (MICDS). MICDS will be honored for their continued partnership with The Black Rep.

In addition to the award’s namesake, Woodie King Jr., national celebrities participating in the festivities included actress, producer, director, and Broadway veteran, Hattie Winston, who was most recently seen on the primetime series, BECKER, stage and screen veteran Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS, OZ) as well as Susan Fadem, Editor St. Louis Woman Magazine, and Bonita Cornute, reporter KTVI FOX2.

The evening will follow last year’s successful format and will begin with a champagne reception and silent auction at 3:30 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in the theatre.
Immediately following the ceremony all guests are invited to join the award-recipients and celebrity guests in the Grand Hall for drinks, hors d’oeuvres and continued musical entertainment. The gala evening promises something for everyone to enjoy, so mark your calendars and reserve your seat!

MA'ATIDBITZ. My assignment at AG Edwards in downtown St. Louis has ended. I will give y'all the skinny of this "peculiar insitution" next week.....For thsoe who saw Last Comic Standing this past Tuesday, I was on there again in the audience. Surprisingly, they used some of last week's footage of the audience particpants in this week's show as well (They had two audiences and edited them together). Again, the top of my head and my eeys were the only thing seen (I was sitting behind TV veteran Gary Marshall)....I will have a story on the JAzz Festival in Shaw Park coming up June 23 and 24. It will be published in the West End Word Newspaper (http://www.westendword.com/). I will let you know when it will be published....PR consultant Renee Thomas Woods (and now Communications instructor at Flo Valley) will be giving me some feature storuies to do for the upcoming Black Who's Who program for this fall. I'll keep you posted on who I will be interveiwing.................................

STL-TIDBITZ.CDCA Perfect Play Date, Sun. June 25, 2006 @ The Magic House, 516 S. Kirkwood, 5:30-8:30pm. 314.531.1412 x 63 or http://www.childcarestl.org/ for more info. and tickets...............................
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY FILM SERIES PRESENTS Thursday Night Docs: "Little Man," June 15 at 8PM as a Part of Thursday Night Docs. Panel discussion with NICU specialists following the screening.Special admission $5.00 For more information go to: http://www.webster.edu/filmseries.html...............
The Black Rep will offer a six-week Summer Performing Arts Program for children ages 8 – 17, July 10 – August 18, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Black Rep Monsanto Center for the Performing Arts, 1717 Olive Street, 4th Floor. Enrollment can include all six week or a limited number of weeks. Tuition is $40.00 per week plus a $35 registration fee. To register or for more information, please call 314/534-3807, ext. 235 or ritaw@theblackrep.org.

OH AND BIG UPS TO DJ SIR THURL FOR BECOMING MY MYSPACE FREIND THIS WEEK AND CONGRATS TO MY GIRL TAVIA EVANS FOR HER NUPTIALS AND MOVE TO WASHINGTON DC....HAPPY 40th BDAY TO MY FORMER COLLEAGUE KEITH UNDERWOOD (YOU DONT LOOK A DAY OVER 41. LOL) That will do it for this week. If ya'll got anything for me to pub or report on, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com

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Here are some party pic extras for ya. The lucky ones who were snapped by Ma'atology.

1.My girl Nicci Roach of the Freeman Bosley Junior Radio Show chillin with her friend Traci Moore at the Champagne and Sneakers event at R. Sole in the University Loop .

2.Some hot sneaks at R. Sole.


3.DJ Nappy Needles on the 1s and 2s at the Champagne and Sneakers event.

4.The 4 Man Krew: from L: LaRon Bridewell, Rhashad Whittier, Darryl Gillespie and Eugene Tsimerman at the Champagne and Sneakers event.


5.Got Hip Girls: Jamelle and Tricia takin a break from pourin sips at the Champagne and Sneakers event.

6. April and Jamie Spencer, collegaues at AG Edwards gettin their chill on at the Champagne and Sneakers event.

7.Tamara gets her snap and cheese on with DJ Soundz at Jazz Loft on Olive last Saturday.


8.Birthday shouts: Chamala Johnson (center) celebrates her b-day with friends Monice Jones (left) and Ms. Johnson (right) at Jazz Loft last Saturday.

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Ok This will be short and sweet cause I dont want to get shot and killed like Al-Queda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi cause of the brutal stuff I am about to say on here. Just kidding.

Last Thursday, I attended the E Lynn Harris' (pic is on the left in the black and white) booksigning that took place at the Carpenter Branch Library on South Grand. About 100 or so people attended. Mr Diva himself showed up about 10 minutes late ( I remeber when I went to the Black Arts Festival in the AtL in 2002 and he was about 20 minute slate there for a panel discussion acting like nothing happened!) , complained about his flight being horrible and requested that poeple dint take pictures during his reading cause it was distracting. (Such a diva). But if you're making millions on books then I guess you can do that. He read a page out of his new book, "I Say A Little Prayer" then he opened up the floor to questions and most of them dealt with his career, the down low and so forth.
All in all, he said that he is working on a novella called Love is Stronger Than Pride, where five up and coming writers plus Harris will be featured and that people can go onto his website (elynnharris.com) to pick the best writer and that writer will win a publishing contract with Random House.
He also talked about that he signed with ICM Talent Agency who will buy the rights to his books and turn them into DVDs. He also said that he is teaching creative writing at the University of Arkansas (Trust your own voice , he said he tells his students) and that his first novel,"Invisble Life' will be turned into a play (I thought a film from my sources, but I could be wrong). He also said that the downlow phenom is a media created thing and that he 's glad its talked about cause a generation of women didnt have a clue of what wasgoing on.I He was also glad that the world is finally catching up to him. I heard that.
Last Friday, I attended 1st Friday at the Rennaisance Grand Hotel in downtown STL (You can read up more on www.stlouis-online.com)and thats me in the sexy suit above--thanks Jacob for getting my assets. LOL) It was packed turnout (No surprise), but I was really surprised that they were giving away CDs to celebrate Black Music Month like Rhianna, Isley Brothers and Ne-Yo. Its not likely that 1st Friday does that and I commend them for giving back to their patrons. On the 1s and 2s was DJ Nappy Needles with 104.1 Hot Morning SHow personality Craig Blac commentating as the DJ spun.Also in the house were Fox 2's Rob Desir, local photographer Japhus Johnson (check out his pics from First Friday at http://www.dapictureman.com/) and local model Ali Mosier.
Last Sunday I attened local comedian Arvin Mitchell's (seen above with his eyes closed) Funny First Sunday's at the Duck Room in Blueberry Hill In University City (The last one of the year).It was Three and halfhour show (and started ON TIME) that highlighted up and coming and semi-established poets, singers and comedians. Hosted by local comedian and Club Dreams co-owner Maurice G, The highlights were acoustic guitarist and singer Tsunami )Her "Im an Alcoholic' song was killer!), BET comedian Darrius Bradford (who wasnt scheduled to be on the bill but killed as always especially about McDonalds workers), DAndre (I saw him at Cometry set last week at the History Musuem), and MAster Jewels (I will have a whole pice on him alter). The low light was this young comedian named Young One who was doomedfrom the beginning when after his named was called he walked the long way on stage (Maurice G ripped him for that), and got on stage and was NOT FUNNY. He was nervous eand ran all his jokes together (He even left the Duck Room after his set!)
As far as Master Jewels, this brother got started as soon as I got there. He's like a dark skinned Lil Jon without the shades (He even does the YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH). he had to have been lifted there cause he was shouting out YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH before , during and after hsi set. When he got on stage, he was actually funny. His set was a touch homophobic (This dance is gay, that dance is gay--you fag stuff), but hsi physical comedy is on point. But what got me with him was when Arvin got on stage he kept shouting out, "I love you, Arvin!"and Arvin said to him, "I love you, too, but not that way and stuck his butt out as a joke. Then Jewels said, "Hey, I'm not gay!" That got me thinking, now for a comic like Jewels to talk about gay this and gay that, but then he screams out I love you to a man , constantly, while his lady is sitting on his lap, mind you,makes me cry, SUSPECT.
Anyway, When Arvin got on stage, it was near 10ish.His set was very funny.It is a mix between Rich Little, Chris Rock and Bill Cosby. he is mor eof an impressionist-observationist comedian.One minute, he talks about how emission test messes up your car, to impersonating Chris Tucker when he saw him in L.A., to how white people and black people pray over food, to how certain scenes in the film "Ray"were like a comedy.His comedy is definitely universal and thats what makes stars.He's leaving for L.A for good in July (For those not in the know, Arvin came in second to Lil JJ in the first season of BETs'Coming to the Stage and was the bartendar on last year's Comic View season with Jay Anthony Brown as host).
MA'ATIDBITZ. For those who saw, "LAst Comic Standing' this past Tuesday might have seen a part of my face shown while the judges Gary Marshall, Kathi Griffinand Tim Meadows were judging the comics on there. I think I might have saw three shots of the top of my head (and one long view of me the crowd).Oh well,I thought for sure I would get more air time cause I laughed at a lot of comics that were not funny jst to be sure I was on camera. Oh well..........
I heard from a good source that the local fashion show "Rep the Runway" that was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel near Union Station last Saturday was a HOT MESS. It started three hours late, most of the desginers in it left because of the tardiness and I heard that the local artists who performed had topay to perform! What is really going on there???( I hear rapper Ebony Eyez was the only act who was paid) I also heard that the designers who did particpate had to sell tickets in order to compete! can someone say GHETTO? I hear the designer named Yani won cause they were one of the ones who stayed to even be considered to win.I'm glad I stayed away from this one cause I would have been pissed if I got there and wasted three hours of my Saturday night for that. STL-NEWS. Chingy is getting sued! The owner of a St. Louis-based record label has sued Chingy, claiming that the "Right Thurr" rapper reneged on a contract in 2002 so he could join Ludacris' startup label, Disturbing Tha Peace.
According to yahoo news, Ronald Gavin is asking for $250,000 in damages and at least $25,000 for legal fees. According to the lawsuit, Chingy (whose real name is Howard Bailey) signed an exclusive deal with Gavin's 49 Productions Inc. in 1999 when he was still pretty much unknown and rapping under the name H. Thugzy.
Gavin claims that he spent more than $100,000 on Chingy's image and career over the course of three years, scoring him performance dates and radio play. His suit states that he produced one album for the rapper and was working on another when his client inked a deal with the production duo known as Trak Starz, who in turn promised to hook him up with the Atlanta-based Ludacris.
Chingy, who is often referred to as a protege of Ludacris (born Christopher Bridges), released his 2003 debut album Jackpot on the Disturbing Tha Peace label, with Capitol Records handling the distribution. (Now most of the artists on Disturbing Tha Peace are distributed by Def Jam.) Jackpot, boosted by the hit singles "Right Thurr" and "Holidae In," sold more than 2.8 million copies.
Gavin stated that Trak Starz--producers Alonzo "Zo" Lee Jr. and Shamar "Sham" Daugherty--knew about his prior arrangement with Chingy. Mark Goodman, Gavin's attorney, called Trak Starz' move to sign his client's client "a flagrant interference."
Chingy left Disturbin' Tha Peace over a royalties dispute after he made Jackpot and released his next platinum album, 2004's Powerballin', on Capitol. The rapper appeared as himself in Scary Movie 4 earlier this year and his latest effort, Hoodstar, is due out Sept. 12.
MMmm. sounds juicy. I'm sure we'll hear more about this!
EVENT-TIDBITZ. You are cordially invited to join State Representative Michael Corcoran, Dr. Ron Gregory and other concerned citizens at theChristian T. Ferguson Benefit Reception on Saturday, June 10, 2006 at the Central West End Bed & Breakfast, 4045 Washington, St. Louis, MO 63108 The event will begin at 8:00 P.M. A donation of $25.00 is being asked of individuals attending this benefit. Your contributions will help to increase the reward account for Christian T. Ferguson and will also benefit Looking For An Angel, a new nonprofit organization that will increase awareness of and raise monetary rewards for missing persons.Please R.S.V.P. by calling (314) 583-1198 or call Sharon Williams-Rayford at (314) 382-5910.
Well, that will be it for me. If you have anything for me to pub, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com