OUT 44

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Out 43

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BACK TO THE STL TIDBITZ

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

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

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I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

out 41

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

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

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

out 40

Hello my fellow cyberfans. It is Yours Truly, Ma'at here. Still in Los Angeles networking and partying with a purpose. Iam having some computer difficulties so hopefully before next week I will give you a run down of my travels in Los Angeles. In th meantime, I am traveling around in a 2005 Chevy Malibu (as you see in the pic) and jotting down stuff thats been going on.

TIDBITZ . St. Louis own rapper and singer SK (bka Serron King) who is posted on the right hand side of my blog) will be performing at the legendary China Club Friday, April 7 at 10 pm, in NYC,located at 268 w 47th Street. SK has been compared to a female version of Tupac & Lauren Hill. Her words and her voice are inspiring, and a MUST SEE... She is also releasing her debut CD "Its AboutTime" as well. Check S K's profile and music out at: www.myspace.com/sk
To attend this event YOU MUST BE ON THE GUEST LIST
RSVP TO: Dan 4 Entertainment 347-245-7952 dan4ent@aol.com OR Giovanni D'Angelo (GIO D's.) 347-701-9627 g_centurione@yahoo.com

Keep your head up Ingrid Owens, we are all wantto see you win the State Rep 74th. For more info on her campaign go to www.ingridowens.com.

I talked with local actor/director Joel King and he is going to do a one man play in Iowa and that the reason that his hit gospel play, "Meeting at the Elders Circle", 3 p.m. show ran late at the Jazz LoftClub a couple of weeks ago was because the owners of the club didnt open the doors to set up (yes SET UP) until 1 p.m. The set was not complete when the people got there. That is a shame that happened (but it was still successful as well as teh 7 p.m. shw from what I heard) and I hear the Jazz Loft treated Joel King and his crew very rudely . Oh well. I just wanted to set the record straight about that.

Well, hopefully the computer I'm using cooperates this week. I plan to be in L.A> until April 12. If there is anything you want for me to pub on my blog, email me at maatspear@yahoo.com!

out 39

Hello cyberfans! This is Ma'at here tryin to maintain the blog while out of town in Hollywood. Yes, the Land of Lala. I arrived in Los Angeles this past Monday on an American Airline plane, with a lil turbulance, and I am staying with a buddy in the Crenshaw District aka The Jungle. I hear that my hometown fo the STL had about 3 inches of snow and I left right on time for the sunny side of life.

Okay lets get right to it. ...........Last Friday, I had the chance to check out the play Rent that was playing at the Fox Theatre. I went with my business partner Jewelanda Hodges. For those who are not familiar with this play, it is a Broadway Tony Award winning production that deals with a commune of bohemians lving in a run down apartment building dubbed the Alphabet City of New York. Some fo the communers were gay, bisexual, transgendered and HIV-positive. The plot deals with a rich guy named Benny who threatens to shut down the aprtment building to rebuild but promises to not shut it down unless one of the bohomians, maureen, would stop her protest against it. This play is a mix of Bring in the Da Noize, Bring In da Funk meets Jesus Christ Superstar. I really enjoyed this play and the songs in it are extremely powerful (especially the main song, "Seasons of Love" that is introduced in the second act.) This play was very moving and tells the underlying message of no matter how different we are in regards of our race, gender or sexual orientation, we all have the right to be human beings. The cast was great, the singing was superb and the set of a rundown aprtment building was extremely authentic.The only wish was to maybe have some fo the original cast of the play (Taye Diggs for instance) reprise their roles for the traveling tour, but, we always have the DVD of the film for that case.

Last Saturday, I had a photo shoot with photographer Bob Morrison (one of the pics is down below) at Turner School in Kirkwood near Big Bend. It was definitely an experience for me cause this was my first real photo shoot (I did a semi photo shoot with Japhus of Hot Shots about 4 years ago but that was not as elaborate) The shoot took about 4 and a half hours and I did over 100 shots. Some were the regular headshot stuff, then I did some shots of my being in the club and then i did the slave motif shots that were very intense for me. I enjoyed it and it caused me to push myself to do something different. I was very impressed of the turnout (Kudos to my makeup artist Cynarra Rodriguez who worked her magic!)

Last Sunday, I attended local director/actor Joel P.E. King's gospel stageplay, "Meeting at the Elder's circle" at the Jazz Loft on Olive. I attended the 3 oclock showing and I must say, it was definitely a trial for those who attended cause when us early worms got there close to 3 p.m., we got the message that the set had not been set up (Not good). So, we sat near the bar area until they set out some seats near the dance floor where the stage was in order for us to sit. I got my seat and for about an hour, we waited for the show to start.

They tried to stall as much as they could even having the dee-jay to play songs as we entertained ourselves. Therr was one interracial male gay couple who sat next to me who asked me if i was reporting on this play andI told them yes. then, the black guy got a call on his celly and he said, "Yeah, i'm still wauiting for this show to start. I tell you, that's why I hate to attend black shows." In my mind, I was like, "huh?" How could he say that in front of his white male lover? I was too outdone. Some people also started to leave as well. (also not good). Anyway, local poet Chill da Playa who helped with the set, telling the crowd that they were going to get started pretty soon.

At this time, it was going on 4 pm. Around this time, the production, so I thought was about to start, but they had a few opening acts. First up was poet/dancer Black Pearl and Chill doing some spoken word, then a gospel mime dance troupe, GTV, who performed (one fo the female dancers ended up gettin "caught up" in the routine) This was good and all, but I think everyone was waiting for the play to begin. When the play started, it was about a quarter after 4. Now the play was about the trial of one congregation member, Sis Magdeline, played brilliantly and comedically by local actress Alicia Mosely, who spoke highly against her congregation mates and is tried by teh church whether she could still attend the church.

Now THE shocking moment was that actor /director of this play, Joel King, wa splaying one of the "sisters' in the church who was white(The white makeup he used was very clown-like and ghostly which made it even more hilarious) . My mouth flew open when I saw him in drag (It was definitely another dinmension that was occurring). It was a parody of the black church and all of the malapropisms that goes along with it (the holy dancing, the preacher that cannot read, the obese sister who loves to eat at the church functions, etc.). It was avery gutsy move to make fun of the black institution (King even said some folks walked out during the secoind show), but the play was more of a satire, to make one think about the things that is tolerated in the black church. Good job, Joel!

Monday, I geared up to go to L.A. and had my father to take me to airport. But of course there was soem drama before i got to the airport,for one, I forgot one of my bags,so we had t turn back around from Highway 64 to meet my mother near the Hardees on Hartman Lane in O'fallon to get my bag. Then when i got to the airport to check my bags outside at the American Airline, one of my bags was too heavy and I had to pay a 80 dollar fee . Then, the man checking my bag said that I had only 30 minutes to make my plane (which also meant getting searched and all). But I was not hearing none of that).

So I managed to make my plane (I saw Tony Thompson of the Kwame BuidlingGroup standing atthe counter looking nonchalant, whatver was going on there) I had five minutes to board and I did. ...The plane ride was cool but we ran into some crazy turbulence while taking off as teh plane was jumping upand down liek a rollercoaster and that was not cute. I tired to seem cool about it, but my insides was screaming like I was trying to run out of a housefire. Anyway, my plane landed about 11:45 pm pacific Standard time and my friend Keith Underwood picked me up from the airport and took me to his crib in the Crenshaw
District. Next week, i will tell y'all what Ive been doing int he land of LA LA.

EVENTIDBITZ. TOPDOG UNDERDOG (Pulitzer Prize for Drama) by Susan Lori Parks, Directed by Dr. Niyi Coker will be performed at @ Touhill Performing Arts Center March 30-April 8, 8pm. For tickets call 314.516.4949....the St. Louis African Film Festival, March 23-26, 2006, 7pm Washington University, Brown Hall Room 100, St. Louis, MO. For more information call 314.935.7879. Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 22:55:31 -0600 ...SPP Productions presents It's Fun, It's Flirty,It's Sunday, April 2nd, 2006 showtime is at 8:00pm featuring All High Fashion Models Holiday Inn Convention Center (Ballroom)819 N. 9th Street ~ St. Louis, Missouri10 beautiful women and 4 sexy men 8 different designers. Free hot food, Cash Bar. .Advanced Donation $15.00 ~ At the Door: $20.00For tickets Contact Sara at 314-283-0214. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the St. Louis Homeless.

If you have anything for me to pub on my blog, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com!

OUT 38

Hello cyberfans! This is Ma'at giving you the regular 411 on what is happening in the Lou. This week, I am posting two blogs. My normal one here and a special edition blog following this blog on my interview with the cast and crew of the Alton based film, Pieces of a Dream. OK lets get on with the gettin while the gettin is good!!!!!!!!!!!!1


Last Thursday, rapper Chingy had his 26th B-day party at Pepper Lounge. I was was one of the unlucky ones who didnt get the 50 or so RSVP email back to the sponsors of this Hispter Magazine but it is all good. I heard that the party was like the Maxim Magazine Party there a few months ago with people who were not on the RSVP list were able to get in ( I also heard that most of the crowd was mostly white. But more interestingly, I heard that Chingy and his bodyguard was at the Shell Gas Station off Highway 70 taking the Lucas and Hunt exit before hitting the party. What was going on there? I wonder what car they were gassing up? In unrelated Chingy news, did you know that he will be in the next "Scary Movie" film series? It suppose to come out April 14. In it, I beleive he's playing himself. Hopeit's not that much of a stretch!


Last Friday, I went to my girl Ingrid Owens (pictured in the center of my blog) fundraising party held at the Formula (for more oin her campaign go to ingridowens.com) . She is running for the 74th District Rep and I came through to support(Did you save any of those chocolate strawberries for me? LOL) . Man, she is one trooper. she wa stelling about how the haters are treating her , but keep your head up, ma. It was a little skim as far as the people when I got there (I got therr when they opened). But I paid my 10 bones for a donation to her campaign and greeted with the elect hopeful. While there, I also chatted with Clear Channel Sales rep Pierre Troupe (who is related to Mo. State Rep Charles Quincy and poet Quincy) who was talking about how the radio biz has changed since he was in the game and Formula owner Sonja Brascomb who said she wished she was going to the R Kelly concert (which was going on later that night) and that someone offered her two tix but for close to a 1,000 or so dollars a piece. She was like, "For that kind of money, R Kelly better pee on me." I was dying when she said that! Maybe she was playing and giving me a taste of her stand up act that she has been doing lately at the Improv and all but it was all good. I understood what she was saying. She also told me that she was throwing an aftrpoarty for some of the cast of the play "Issues' when it hit the Fox later on this month. Scheduled to attend are cast members Angie Stone, Kim Fields and Sonia's good friend Mel Jackson (who is the light skinned brotha who played on "Deliver Us From Eva.")


After a few more chats and chews, I drove to the Fox to meet up with my buddy girl Tiffani Blackmore for the R Kelly concert that was going down at the Fox. After I found her walking up Grand from Enright, and bearing the STL hawk, we got our tix (VIP3 section) and went into the Fox hoping we wouldnt be late. NOT. The following is my review of the concert:


R Kelly becomes Mr. Showbiz for STL fans at the Fox


A sold out crowd came out to see controversial singer R Kelly. Although the R came out on stage an hour late (with no explanation as to why but there were rumors including a supposed 30 minute video was suppsoed to open up his show), but after dozens of classic soul hits blasting from the speakers, the lights went down, the cheers began and the show was about to go on.
The 90 plus minute set started off with a bang as a black silouhette of the megastar appeared to be walking (with loud walking accompanied SFX) up toward the staircase with white lights around him only lighting up the Michael Jackson styled hat, tie, gloves, and shoes. Then, he proceeded to do a Star Wars like gestures ala the Gloved One to make the stage lights appear with the stroke of his hand.
After that, the show, turned to a melody driven set with a band playing with programmed tracks, background singers lip synching R Kelly's background tracks, and the man himself takling liberties to sing live and on track. Yet, the R&B thug did not deter his legions of fans who stood up through all of the concert yielding that R Kelly, beside his personal troubles, can still hold an audience with his music and voice.
The highlights of the show( beside the opening) were his testing out two songs yet recorded accapello style, the double entendre songs, "In the Kitchen" and "The Zoo" (which yielded a moan call for women as thoughthey were a monkey in the wild). Another was his surprising hip-hop dancing with his scantily clad female dancers (from Nino Popping to Lean with it Rock with it) while the music from STL rappers Chingy and Nelly's "Right Therr" and "Grillz" and D4L's "Laffy taffy" played.
An unsual moment in the show occurred when R Kelly was about to perform his soap opera drama hit song, "Trapped in the Closet." (which was one of the few songs he performed completely) As there was a prop of a closet was placed at the center of the stage and the song was played, one had to visualize the music video to keep interested as the closet was the only thing the crowd saw until he opened the door during mid-way into the song. He then proceeded to act out all of the parts (even mimicking the gay guy Chuck) lip synching all the way (akin to his performance at this year's MTV Music Awards).
But the R redeemed himself when he changed into his stepper white clothes and did a medley of "Step In the Name of Love" and its sequel "Happy People" and had some members of the crowd to come on stage to join him step.
Overall the show ws OK. It lacked the heavily scripted production of his show in 2001 when he ws at the Fox to promte the CD, "R," but he was intriguing enough to hold people's attention. -30-


There were several afterparties going on after the R Kelly show, the official ones were at Toxic and Plush (a twofer). One of my source bugs went to the one at Toxic and said that he showed up and went upstairs in VIP and had ladies come through only. Downstairs there was a throne like chair on stage to make it fit for a king. But other than that, that was all that was happening. Good thing I didnt go cause I would have been upset only seeing the top of his head surrounded by a beavy of hoochies. You would have also thought the Loft was where the after party was casue what I hear there was line in front of the club before the concert even started. Now that is too much playing. when I tried to drive through there, the line could have stretched the length of Grand where the Fox begins and and Gary's Restaurant ends! There were two afterparties on the East Boogie side at Blackmon's Plaza and Club Rio. I didnt hear if he showed up or not at either (they were charging 10 bones and a discount if you had your tix stub), but more than likely he did cause like he say in his songs, his party ends until 6 in the morning.


Last Saturday, I was planning to go out, but the threat of tornadoes and all, had me to chill and watch a new episode of "Saturday Night Live."


Last Sunday, I heard that the Cometry show that poet Chill Da Playa threw at the Loft hosted by 104.9' personality Selena J. My source say it was packed with nothing but grown and sexy people.


Last Monday, I had a meeting with STL photographer Bob Morrison and make up artist Cynarra Rodriguez at Whole Foods in Brentwood.. I am planning on doing a photo shoot this Saturday at a building near Turner Middle School.


TIDBITZ. Kudos to former KMOV-TV's Julius Hunter (seen on the right of my blog) who is now over the ST. Louis Police Board. I hear he's trying to get the Mayor Francis Slay in check in the mayor's office and Police Chief Mokwa as the liasion. Hmmm, its going to get hot in March for sure....What was up with STL born fashion mogul Kimora Lee SImmons kissing Mariah Carey at the Soul Train Music Awards ala Madonna and Britney Spears style?. What is really going on with that? And speaking of Soul Train Awards, why did Gwen Stefeni get a nod for Best Soul Female Artist? Now dont get me wrong, I think she's cool and all, and she made a splash on the Hip Hop charts withher hit, "Holla Back Girl," but to be in a category with heavy hotters like Mariah, Alicia Keys and such, seemed odd to me.


Well folks, hopefuilly I will be in the land of La La starting next Monday to make some connections and see the sights. I will keep you posted.


Again, if you have anything you want for me to blog on here, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com.

37 (SPECIAL EDITION)

What's happening cyberpeople!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This is Ma'at here again. This week I am going to give you a double dose of Out Town (that's putting it lightly LOL). This first one is my interview with the cast and crew of the Alton-filmed movie, "Pieces of a Dream." (You can see pics and more info in previous blogs)The other one will be my usual post (that will probably post first) OK here is my interview with the cast and crew at before during and after the Red Carpet screening of the film at Ice Theatre: Chatham 14 in Chi-town (which was Feb 27).

At the screening Feb. 27 at the Ice Theater: Chatham 14

REEL TALK

After the screening, Director Skee Skinner (seen on the left pic during the Q&A session after the screening), who holds a Communications degree from Millken U, talked with this reporter about the film.
Skinner said the main challenge of making this film was keeping in tune with the theme.
“That was our challenge to remain true to the theme--Its not linear, its makes you think,’ he said. “ It’s a whole new genre of filming, conscious films. I want to continue doing this. I’m not going anywhere.”
The editing was key in “Pieces” telling the story from the ending to the beginning and correlating all the characters together.
“That’s the way I wrote it,” Skinner said. “ I write in an editing style because I’m editing my own work. I know how the story is going and how to pace it. I think as a filmmaker, you have to have your hands in every aspect to some degree . Editing is the back-bone and you gotta cut it right.”
Skinner also talked about being from a small town of Alton, Ill and not having the Hollywood scene in his backyard while filming this Alton-based film.
“Alton is my hometown and as a child I always thought there was potential to do a film in Alton with the landscape and all,” he said. “To be in a small town, it offers It everything an LA can give me. I can make it happen plus bring something positive back to my community. The control factor and to bring it back. Alton will always serve a certain backdrop for me in my movies. I still have love for Chi-town and other Meccas. I’ve done movies here in Chi-town but it’s time to do films in the Metro East and St. Louis area.
On people’s reaction to his film while it was shown, Skinner said. “I saw it already in my dreams. All I did was go through the motions. All that happened tonite. I already knew it was going to happen. It was a premonition to me. That’s how I work and approach things. I rehearse the scenes in my head and seen it. Genuine love and speaking dialogue and intelligent conversation and we definitely accomplished that.”
Prior to the screening, Skinner, talked about how the film was produced..
“Initially, my writing partner Paul (Branton)and myself had a collection of short stories and we wanted to do something different that were coming at us and scripts we had, “ he said. “ We strung four short stories into one story following a moralistic theme questioning if sin have weight. It was a tapestry of stories that we wanted to make one big piece and put the mirror up for the world to see.”
Skinner said it took about eight months to write up the script and in October 2004 filmed the script.
“It was challenging but I love it,” he said “ This is what I was supposed to be doing. I worked in this industry for a long time, on every aspect-- the lighting, shooting, blocking scenes. It was all connected to making a bigger piece. I enjoyed everybody on the film, the cast and crew. The process is a human process . When you can take something in your mind and take something visually and audio wise and display it to the world. It’s a unique process.”

On why the film’s premiere began in Chicago, Skinner said. “We wanted to open up in one of the larger markets . Instead of doing L.A. Or New York, that’s so common. We wanted to bring something back to the Midwest which is one of the goals of One Way Productions. We want to be the triangle in the Midwest being between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Initially that’s why Chicago was the obvious city of choice. Then back home to the St. Louis Metro area and shine a beacon on those markets before we take it to the coasts.
Skinner said his production company is trying to negotiate a deal with Werrenberg or AMC, or James town Mall for the St. Louis premiere (tentatively for April).
“At the end of the day, II want to make a difference in the film game, “Skinner said.
“We bring a unique aspect to the film game being that we do conscious films.”
Co-writer, co-art producer and co-star Paul Branton, writer, art production , said about the opening of “Pieces”: “It just a blessing. Its all about the hard work that was put in not in this production but others that lead to this. Skee and I have been grinding at this like the mid nineties, ten years. I’m happy right now. This is not the end of what were trying to get to but it’s so close what we visualized years ago. It feels good when you think about the child and you wonder how that child will look like from the belly and now we get to see the birth of that child.”
Branton, who met Skee at Milliken U in Decatur, Ill, (and received a degree in Commercial Art) , talked about the inspiration for the movie’s vignette titles: “Genesis,” “Malachi Golden,” “Matthew” and The Revelation.” and tag line, “Does Sin Have Weight.”
“In the construction of the film, we put short stories together and it was like putting together chapters of a book and with the pieces being so powerful, we were like, well, what greater book there to us than The Bible? So the stories being weaved together was one complete story and took us on a journey. We named each one of the vignettes, from The First Book of the Bible , The Last Book of the Old Testament, The First Book of the New Testament and the Last Book of the Bible, in that order. When we got to the final story and the incredible ending, I can’t compare it to the ending of the Bible, but it is extremely powerful and at the same time, it opens peoples’ minds.
“As far as the tagline, actually it came from the first vignette, “Now I Lay Me,” started
as a shirt story that I wrote years ago which dealt with the most perfect man in the neighborhood and that everybody looked up to that was a man of God. But, he had a fault, and in the company of my other writer friends, we would say, does this fault make him less than a man than somebody who murders or steals. Is one sin greater than another. And that’s how the tag phrase got started.”
Branton talked about his role as co-star as the reclusive painter Paul Thibadeux.
“It was about this artist who is extremely talented, intelligent to the level of Van Gogh , but at the same time, he was so reclusive from the world that nobody knew about him. So when a friend, of his, David (played by Daniel Devito) who is the opposite of Paul, very outgoing, tries to lure Paul out of his reclusive world and push him into the limelight , but at the same time, David, also used a female, Natasha, (played by Anita Showalter) top lure him out of the house, with a plan and backfires in the end. With me playing the character, it’s not too far removed from my reality because I am an artist, but I’m not shy and so reclusive that I could not communicate with the world. I had to be myself times ten, like a fish out of a fishbowl.
Branton also talked about the color of red in the film.
“That whole story came from a short story written by Ralph Jones and we (Paul and Skee) adapted it to the screenplay, “The color of Red was all about this guy, with red in his paintings is so brilliant and so bright and it foreshadowed in the end with his blood.”
Branton said he and Skee hopes to keep the film in Chicago all this month , then move it to St. Louis and they were getting ready to film either “Pill Hill” or “Deeper Shade of Blue” this fall.
Indianapolis-native Monty Jay who attended the premiere and plays the evil gang leader Coop said, “I look forward to tonight . I’m very excited because my family hasn’t seen the film. I saw the film. I’m a little nervous to see everybody’s reaction. I think everyone will be pleased.”
Jay talked about his auditioning for the film:
“I met Paul and Skee in 1998 when they were auditioning for their first film, “Vacant Lot” in Indianapolis, and I auditioned for that. I stayed in contact with those guys. They let me know they were working on the script for “Pieces.” And they were finding me to audition and I had to go on two auditions, My first audition was in Chicago in early October (2004) and I flunked that one. The next audition was in St. Louis like in mid October (2004) and I auditioned. Well, I got it.
“They didn’t play favorites even though we are friends. I think they intentionally made me audition again, so it was a sigh of relief and the hard work began tapping into my character (Coop). and that was hard to do because he was so much not like myself, being sinister and dark but I had to keep him human.”
As far as film itself, Jay said that “there are no stars in this film really, to be honest. The film itself is the actual star and that’s rare in the film business. I missed the family of ‘Pieces of a Dream.” It was a positive experience and we all clicked. Anytime you can get that, you’re going to win regardless.”
After the screening, Jay said, “I was sitting with my wife and father, and she wouldn’t even let me hold her hand. My father was doing double takes That let me know that I got the character right and the effect that it was written.”
On the people’s reaction, he said. “Every time I watch the film, it’s always something new. People laughing at different times then stop laughing when suddenly this character shoots someone. Watching it by myself is totally different..
Producer Luther Simmons said, “I’m blown away of the overwhelming turn out. The . first night is sold out. We are thrilled we were so well received by Chicago. Tickets went on sale that Friday (Feb. 25) and the showing was sold out on Saturday (Feb. 26). We’re going to run the film, evaluate it, and see how long we want to run it in Chicago and then maybe run the film in St. Louis in April”
Simmons talked about his job in the film
“My role is on the side of the business side, basically my function was to secure financing from the film and to insure all of the biz aspects of the film were in place . The actual filming of the movie that the support things that were necessary for Skee Skinner another co-producer, making sure everything was in place, the equipment, location, support staff, insurance , permits, street closures, everything to get in and out of locations as smoothly, feed the crew, house people in and out of town.”
Simmons also commented about the day-to day filming process.
“I was behind and on the scenes. Everyday I was on location and I had a variety of things to do off location as well. I had to make sure everything was smoothly and everyone was cooperative and my partner Skee can focus on directing the movie with no distractions. It was very grueling and long days. We would film 12 hours a day, but my job was more 16 to 18 hour days mapping things out before the filming and after the filming. Making a movie is very time and energy consuming and tedious. We shot in 20 days. And those days seem like two months. The film was shot in Alton with a crew mostly from Chicago. We had a lot of cast from St. Louis and one of our main leads were form East ST. Louis (Joel King). Most of our leads were from Chicago and L.A.
On the film’s six figure budget, Simmons said, “Its hard to secure funding for an indy film Anybody who is an indy producer from Clint Eastwood to Spike Lee on down will tell you its not easy to secure financing for them. Its hard whether you’re proven or unproven. We were fortunate enough to have some relations in the Alton area with some colleagues of mine in the legal profession to came to the plate and made the film happen. You got to have people who have excess capital, the Riverboat gambler in their personality and that you mesh with and embrace your vision.”
On the film, Simmons said, “The last 30 minutes of the film are as powerful and gripping that you would ever see in a movie. It’s a serious film, Its something that speaks to different people on different levels. That’s the reason why on our website, just showing the three-minute trailer, the response s have been mindboggling, a half a million people who have seen our website,. Were very enthusiastic about the film.”
Chicagoan Ngina James, who plays Glo in “Pieces,” her first film, said her first reaction
When she saw herself on the big screen was to “cringe, but then I tried to focus on it as the story went on so I can get something out of it, too.”
She also talked about her pivotal last scene that Simmons alluded to earlier.
“I liked the scene,” she said “It was a culmination of everything that happened in the film. It was death but no resurrection.”
She also talked about her auditioning for “Pieces.”
“I was walking down the street in Chicago and someone was filming “Roll Bounce” and Dave Stephenson (the line producer) was down the street and I asked, ‘What are you guys doing?’ I’m an actress.’ He was like, ‘Oh ok.’ He was working on a project himself and he asked me to audition for a project he was working on.”
She said things turned out differently than what she expected two weeks later.
“One of Dave’s friends (Paul Branton) was auditioning for their film (Pieces) and I was interested,” she said. “So I went in and auditioned and I was like, ‘Oh my God, they hated me, and got the role. I was at the right place at the right time. It was a blessing.”
James also talked about her role, Glo, and filming her scenes.
“My character is a young woman who has two kids, no husband, had a bad relationship with her mother, left home early, and had to do what she had to do to survive, “she said.
Luckily, I was in a play at the time and I wasn’t rusty. What I decided to do was memorize the script from beginning to end and not the scenes, but it wasn’t that hard for me because I could follow through with the story and I had a love scene, a first for me, That was a little scary. It was totally choreographed and interesting. I won’t be looking at love scenes the same. Its very technical. It was a closed set and Skee and Paul were very professional .
Chicago actor Harold Dennis, who plays the troubled priest, Father Flockings, said he “I felt really comfortable while I was shooting. We did this film 15 months ago. I was happy of my performance and how I looked on film.
On his character’s flaws, he said, “This is my fifth time seeing the film, and the first time, on screen. I was looking for certain reactions from the audience, moans, grunts. And I heard some of that . I was expecting people to take a negative effect cause initially I’m the protagonist that people attach to and so for that twist of appeal in the film, I was looking for the reaction. And when I got it, it worked,. I think they wrote it for that reaction., that surprise.
On how he got the role, Dennis said, “in 1999, I was doing a play in Chicago written by Chicago director and actor Fernando Jones and he hooked up with Paul and Skee and he was in their first film, “Vacant Lot” and I remember going to the premiere and I was saying, ‘Man I would like to work with these guys one day.”
Well, Dennis hope came true a few years later.
“In June 2004, I was in line for an audition for a Robert Townsend film and ran into Paul and he had the opportunity to see me do this monologue of Alonzo in “Training Day” for Robert and they said they were shooting a movie and having auditions in August. Well, August came around and I didn’t get a call. But, when October came around, he called, so at that moment when he called me I was like, ‘This was it!’ This was my big break.’ So I went to the audition and did a totally different monologue and they wanted me to play Coop, but after a week later, they got (Monty to do it) and offered me Father Shep, the priest. It was a challenge so I went to the thrift store and got a priest outfit, jumped on the bus and rode to Alton. Paul gave me hug and called me Father Shep.
East St. Louis actor and director Joel King, played the role of Black Jesus. King talked about how he found out about the auditions.
“I found out through a friend of mine (Cassandra Joliff) who was the extras/assistant casting director . She told Skee that she had a particular guy for a part in the film, She called me and I met Skee and she said, ‘Am I ready to go to Hollywood?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, I guess.’ It sounded like an interesting opportunity. And she told me what to do as far as getting prepared. I asked her what genre it was and at the time I was working on a hip hop musical at the time so I utilized my own work.”
King, who was originally was supposed to play Father Shep, said his audition was one that was a one of a kind experience.
“When I got to the audition, it was amazing,” he said. “After I got done with the audition it was like time stood still. They were like,’ Stop right here cause we found what we’re looking for.”
King said it was a “different” being on the film set. My background is theater but as far as movies are concerned, I was unfamiliar. I got a lot of time to sleep. It was a lot of open time and technical stuff I had to learn right way like camera shots and you had to talk to people who were not there and have to connect .”
On his role as Black Jesus, King said, “I could not relate to him as far as a personal thing but as far as what he did to survive and get to that point to survive, whatever works in order to take ourselves out of our present reality. His role I really took to heart because it was telling the story of today’s youth and what they are unaware of and the choices that they make.”
King said that he nearly had a nervous breakdown while playing Black Jesus, especially the Crucifixion scene.
“When the whole brutality happened for him, after the shoot, and they took me back- to the truck to get myself together for the next shot, I went through a mental breakdown, King said. “ It was so much to take in this young guy who had to suffer certain consequences to try and make a better life for himself. I took it to heart and it took me a moment after experiencing that.
Actor and Harris Stowe University student Ervin Williams, one of the only St. Lousians who was able to attend the premiere said, “I’ve seen parts of the movie but not the whole thing. When I saw my part I thought it was a great outcome.
Williams, who was originally supposed to play the part of Victor (that went to B2K star Raz B), but he played one of the gang members in the Stone cold Statutes.
“In the movie, I was an alcoholic street guy off the block, in the club partying. I was a follower in the group.” He said.
As far as the set, Williams said, “The set was great. This was the best set I’ve been on and people treating you nice.”

If you have anything you want me to blog, hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com!