VEGAS IS MY KIND OF TOWN

What's better than hot fun in the sun? Going to a JabbaWockeez show at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre. Yea boy...JabbaWockeez tore up the stage with the first ever Hip Hop dance show on the strip.

Chillin' at the timeshare in Vegas...this is how we roll!

We shopped, we swam, we chilled out on the patio...this is my kind of mini-vacay. Can't wait for another visit to the desert, hangin' with my family!

BLUE SIX

I was shopping for shoes this weekend and went downtown Los Angeles to check out some cool boutiques I saw a few months ago. I went into this one boutique and was grooving to what I was hearing on their sound system. I "had" to know who the artist was, so the sales girl gave me the 411 and today I bought the album on line. Yeah!! The song playing was "Sweeter Love"by Blue Six.

This music is considered "Electronic/ Techno/House Music " but I don't care...it takes me away with it's ethereal beats and soothing melodies. The vocalist is so awesome too.

Here's the bio on the creator of Blue Six:

Musician, producer and remixer Jay Denes, better known as Blue Six, was born in Newark, NJ. After moving to N.Y.C., the newcomer failed to get seriously involved in the local music scene until hip-hop producer Bob Power hooked him up with Dave Boonshoff. Jay Denes began working on his own freestyle project soon after naming himself Blue Six. Released by Naked Music, his debut full-length record called Beautiful Tomorrow delivered a mix of electronic music, soulful pop, and smooth jazz, featuring contributions from multi-instrumentalist Marc Anthony Jones. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide

I'm loving what I'm hearing on this album, "Beautiful Tomorrow." I love it when I find gems like this.

SWEET DREAMS

On April 15, 2009 many hearts were pained to hear that muscial prodigy, Robert L. Brookins, passed away.

This local hometown hero was a legend in the music industry. He was like my little brother, and his family is my family. I've known Robert since he was 7 years old. His brother, Michael, and I were childhood sweethearts.

From the tight knit Northern California community of Del Paso Heights, "Little Robert & The Fondells" were legendary performers and were as popular as The Jackson 5 in our neighborhood. Our schools, and community were put on the map because of them.

Robert's credentials are far and wide in the music biz. He was a consumate entertainer; singing, writing and arranging for so many great musicians, and managing to have his own solo career as well. Earth, Wind & Fire take credit for launching the break off group, "Afterbach", but a proposed spot on the Ed Sullivan helped launch Little Robert & The Fondells. They never made it on, but were the talk of the town for many years.

Hometown heroes to all of us, Little Robert & The Fondells won talent show after talent show, and traveled all over California performing at State Fairs and other noteworthy venues. B.B. King was one of Robert's favorites to perform with, and they made sweet music together.

Robert cultivated a relationship with Stephanie Mills in the 1980's and recorded a duet with her, remaking the classic Donny Hathaway & Robert Flack song, "Where is the Love?". Thus began his ascent to stardom. Many may not have known his name, but many knew his talent as it was later revealed. George Duke, Stanley Clarke and other reknown musicians routinely worked with Robert and admired his arrangements and musical adeptness. He was a musical genius that the world never fully embraced.

I was thrilled to see him perform on stage with Earth, Wind & Fire when he visited DC back in the late 1990's. We had so much fun reminiscing. He left a legacy that most muscians only dream of.

Right before his death, he created his band and they began playing in Sacramento at a local club owned by Basketball player, Chris Weber. Robert was also the band leader for a late night talk show from Las Vegas featuring DL Hughley, George Lopez and other well known comedians.

His CD, "Sweet Dreams" was his final work, and we're grateful to have his words and music for as long as we live.

Sweet Dreams indeed Robert...rest in peace until we meet again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

I received some very lovely flowers (and cards) for my birthday this March 21st. I even took a day trip to Vegas and won a few bucks. I had a great week celebrating my birthday this year.

That's right, bring on the flowers for this SPRING BABY!

THANK YOU FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!

BOB FOSSE & GWEN VERDON

I am a huge Bob Fosse fan. I was fortunate to find the above video clip of Bob's wife Gwen doing some classic "Fosse" choreography and I couldn't resist posting it. You've gotta love these ladies and how they move and groove to the music. They've got these bumps and pelvic thrusts down to a science and they're not afraid to use them. Talk about Lethal Weapons.....I am not mad at them! This kind of dance was so liberating and free, and I just love the whimsical (you know me and whimsy) head and body correlations. It's "coolness" at its finest.

In a previous post on Beyonce's "Get Me Bodied" music video, I stated how the choreography was from "Sweet Charity" and how much I loved that movie.

Well, I posted another video clip showing how Beyonce has again used Fosse moves in her "Single Ladies" music video. The video shows Beyonce and Gwen side by side doing these Fosse moves. I guess Beyonce's choreographer is a big fan too 'cause they sure keep (stealing) using them.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Are you still on high from the inauguration of our 44th President? I sure am. I have been feeling the love man, from all corners of the globe and it's so cool. Who would have thunk this man could generate such greatness, such hope, such support as he's done?

He's so adept and he's got so much intelligence and style. That's why everyone loves him....he's going to be just fine.

House Republicans or not...this is his time to show the world how it should be done.

When I say I was in heaven on Jan. 20th, I was. Sheer joy covered me while watching all the pomp and circumstance. Carry on Mr. President Obama.

ARTIST MARK WAGNER

Statement on Collage with Currency: "The one dollar bill is the most ubiquitous piece of paper in America. Collage asks the question: what might be done to make it something else? It is a ripe material: intaglio printed on sturdy linen stock, covered in decorative filigree, and steeped in symbolism and concept. Blade and glue transform it-reproducing the effects of tapestries, paints, engravings, mosaics, and computers-striving for something bizarre, beautiful, or unbelievable... the foreign in the familiar."

The dollar has never looked better. Very cool indeed!

ORANGE HAIRED LADY SIGHTING

Ok, on Tues. (Dec. 23) I was heading for the bus to go home and saw an elderly lady talking to some young women at the corner as I walked by. I've seen this woman before because she dresses pretty outlandish, and she's always got this huge rag tied around her head.

The one thing that I hadn't noticed before was "orange hair" peeking out from all this wrapped hair and rags. COULD IT BE?? IS IT REALLY HER??? I looked at her clothing and she was dressed in a beautiful full red skirt with crinoline underneath. The skirt also had gold trim and she wore a red jacket or blouse. She had so much stuff in her arms and on her body, I couldn't tell where one thing ended and the other began.

I immediately began looking for my camera. Oh no! It was at the bottom of my tote bag. My arms were full with Christmas bags, so I couldn't quite reach it. And then I saw the bus approaching.

As I got on the bus and sat down, I saw her get on too and she sat in the first seat right behind the driver. I searched for my camera again, but she held her head down and hid her face behind all her packages.

C'mon lady, give me a break here! You're right here, right here and I can't get to my camera. There were people blocking my view too, so I couldn't very well ask them to move so that I could get a shot of this eccentric lady in the red outfit.

I almost got off at her stop, but I had to pack that night to leave town for Christmas vacation. I'm making progress though. I know that she lives in my neighborhood. So I will not miss the next opportunity to either talk to her or get her photo......I will show the world who you are Orange Haired Lady!!

She's as infamous as the Asian woman who used to ride the bus with me who wore decorative face masks and carried awesome handbags. I may have mentioned her in an earlier post, but the great thing was that this Asian woman and I did speak about one particular purse she was carrying because I just loved it. From her inspiration, I made a similar purse and submitted it to be published in Haute Handbags...and they accepted it. Thank you wonderous and mysterious women of the universe...you are in my presence for a reason.

THE ORANGE HAIRED LADY

I was waiting on a subway platform one evening when this elderly woman with Orange hair walked by. I could tell she was a woman of the world by her attire, not to mention that big orange wig she was wearing. She was dressed rather fashionably in a well worn leather jacket and boots with shirts tied around her waist. She was a bit displaced, as she was mumbling to herself, but I couldn't help myself. I found her fascinating and watched as she walked to the far end of the platform and boarded the train as its doors opened.

I said to myself, "I can't believe her hair." I wished I had thought to take a picture, but I didn't.

Some months later I was going home on the Metro train, and this woman walked past me from the rear and sat in a seat two rows ahead of me. I could not believe that it was the Orange-haired lady again. I pulled out my camera phone and took a snapshot. I couldn't believe my luck to see her again and get a chance to take this photo.

I just sat there in amazement, thinking about her; how she came to create her persona. What was with the orange hair? I was too embarassed to walk to the front and try to take a picture of her face.

So I left the train smiling because fate brought her to me again, but left me realizing - who she is and who she was will have to remain a mystery.

AMERICA HAS SPOKEN.....our 44th President has been elected!

Congratulations Barack Obama!

MAMA OBAMA

In ancient times, a Queen ruled beside her King. She has risen again to take her place on the throne.

All Hail Michelle Obama...the next first lady of these United States of America.

GOIN' TO LAS VEGAS...LOST WAGES!!


I'm a little late downloading these pics, but better late than never. Cousin Dena and I traveled to Las Vegas and met some great folks. One in particular, our friend Ed.

We were everywhere in Las Vegas.....Rio Casino's Voodoo Lounge......Jay-Z's 40/40 Club....the Convention Center....Shopping in the mall....we had a blast!























WE WON OUR SHARE OF MONEY TOO, JUST NOT LIKE THESE TWO.



Kiss'n Kuzn's has left the building!!

OUR HEARTS ARE SO HEAVY





















In memory of Bernie Mac (8/9/08) and Issac Hayes (8/10/08)....Rest In Peace to these soulful and comedic geniuses. We always say that the good die young and it is oh so true in these cases. Even though Issac, aka the "Black Moses" was 65, he wasn't old by anyone's standards. He and Bernie had just completed a feature length film, "The Soul Men" with Samuel L. Jackson. How ironic that God called them both home on the same weekend and said, "Well done my sons, well done."

We will miss you and cherish you always.

NEW MUSIC - AL GREEN & JOHN LEGEND

Oh how I love thee...let me counts the ways. I recently downloaded a few tunes from Al Green's new CD - "Lay It On Me" and I am loving most of what I hear. I especially love Al and John Legend's collaboration entitled "Stay With Me (By The Sea)". Oh my gosh...this is the new version of "Let's Stay Together" in my opinion. The melody and lyrics evoke that old soul down to the bone feeling and it feels so good. Mellow, easy smooth groove, make you wanna moan is what it sounds like to me. I am so serious. I play it almost every day...."LALALA...LALALA...LALALA - STAY WITH ME."

Mr. Green has also collaborated with Anthony Hamilton and Corrine Bailey Rae to name a few. His producer is none other than Questlove from the Roots and they put it down on this CD. You hear new music with old school reminiscing. Gotta love it.

JOHN LEGEND

I happened to watch a video on John Legend's website that promotes his new record label and the artists signed to it. Wow, was I blown away by the talent he has lined up.

His brother, Vaughn Anthony, is a rapper/singer and is going to blow up in a minute. That's right, keep it in the family, and show love always by supporting those who have talent and desire to make it in the business. There's room for everybody. Vaughn chose to use his first and middle names and not the Legend family name as he wanted to be recognized on his own merit.


Estelle is a young UK rapper/singer who has been bustin' up the charts with Kanye West and John Legend since last year. She's making a name for herself and I hope she continues to rise to the top with her unique style. Check out the video post on this site "Touch Me, Tease Me" as it features Estelle doing her thang with the group 3 SL.


And last but certainly not least is the awesome threesome that make up the performance artists called The Jones Gang. Oh my Gosh....they are incredible! You've got to see them to believe what they do...they sing, they tell stories, they beat box, they rap, they dance and they look good as hell doing it. Their style is OutKast unique, Andre 3000 cool and their musical style is like no other I've seen.





















I applaud John Legend for his vision to bring these up and coming musicians and singers to the masses. I can't wait to see more of what I've already seen...they are phantastic!!

HATS OFF TO THE LADIES

I recently went on vacation to the ATL and had a marvelous time. I attended an affair to remember and wanted to share pics of the Queens who wear glorious crowns.

BELLY DANCE USA - PART II

As promised, here are some photos taken at the Belly Dance Carnival. Enjoy!

Goth Belly Dancer

Silk Fans Flowing
Beautiful Belts at the vendor Bazaar

Any one for a "spot of tea?" - says the curiously dressed onlooker.

Fabulous boots I couldn't take my eyes off.

MISS SADIE

I enjoyed this performer more than any other. She was a wonderful dancer with masterful skills. See her on the video below.