Walk In Their Shoes - J27

Walk In Their Shoes ... like this pair representing the 3-year-old daughter of Hussein al Tarish, help people visualize unspeakable pain and suffering this war has inflicted on the Iraqi people. In the final weeks of the election season, let’s take shoes like these to the doorsteps of pro-war candidates—outside a fundraiser, a debate, their campaign headquarters or their homes.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 26 January 2007

2006 Chinese New Year Parade WDC

Photographs Never Before Seen

2006 CNYP-WDC photo collection

Friday's Photos of the Week 2007

SEEN opening reception at Transformer Gallery - Saturday, 3 February

With Seen, Transformer presents an installation of photographic work by DC based artists Lely Constantinople and Antonia Tricarico that explores their use of photography to bear witness, journalize, document, make connection and homage to people, places and things seen through travels and everyday life.

SEEN will be on display at the Transformer Gallery from 3 February through 10 March 2007. A 7 - 9 pm opening reception will launch SEEN at the Transformer Gallery on Saturday, 3 February 2007. On display through 10 March 2007 SEEN will host a 2 pm Artist Talk on Saturday, 17 February.

Located at 1404 P Street, NW, WDC hours, during exhibition, are Wednesday through Saturday, 1 - 7 pm. Or by appointment.

Contact at 202-483-1102 or email info@transformergallery.org

Artist Russell Richards featured in Jan - Feb 2007 Virginia Living

There is an excellent profile piece about Russell U. Richards, authored by Laura Parsons, in the current issue (Jan-Feb 2007) of Virginia Living magazine, available at newsstands now!

In recent months Richards' art has undergone a major change in direction, with a new focus on larger, original (that is, one-of-a-kind) paintings instead of prints. A few of his new paintings, and a cool T-shirt design that was donated to the nonprofit Computers 4 Kids, can be seen at Richard's website.

To watch a brief video of Richards and poet Helena Wetsel discussing their collaborative artwork "Me and You at the Zoo" from last summer's "Love Letter Invitational" group show at Second Street Gallery visit the ABOUT page.

More "Davell Crawford" @ 2006 SFLF photos

Doing the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival's special evening concert series Been in the Storm So Long which featured African-American musical traditions from the New Orleans region devastated by Hurricane Katrina Davell Crawford was amongst the groups that I had the absolute pleasure of photographing. Others include Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indian Tribe, the Hot 8 Brass Band and the Dixie Cups.

While they all performed foot stumpin', hand clappin' and booty shakin' sets ... Davell Crawford is one of the best performers that I've ever seen. Some of the songs that he performed were tributes to Etta James. The man is a class act.

Click photo to view most recently uploaded photos of Davell Crawford performing at the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival's special evening concert series Been In The Storm So Long. Having shot hundreds of photos, many which depict folks clappin' their hands, stompin' their feet and shakin' their booties, more will be added later.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival has been amongst my ongoing themes since 1994.

Paul van Dyk @ Crobar / NYC . Friday, 16 Feb

Ultra Dance, Vol 8 CD released 23 January

More "Dixie Cups" @ 2006 SFLF photos

The original DIXIE CUPS were sisters Barbara Ann Hawkins, Rosa Lee Hawkins, and their cousin Joan Marie Johnson, all born in New Orleans. Originally known as "Little Miss and the Muffets", the three girls were discovered at a talent contest by New Orleans record producer/singer Joe Jones. Best known for his 1960 top ten hit "You Talk Too Much", Jones brought the girls to New York where in 1964 they changed their name and recorded the song that would become their signature hit "Chapel of Love."

Consisting of Barbara Ann Hawkins, Rosa Lee Hawkins and Athelgra Neville Gabriel, today's DIXIE CUPS perform regularly around the world, performing their own hits along with other crowd-pleasing favorites from the eras of 60's girl groups.

Click photo to view most recent uploaded images from the 8 July 2006 "Dixie Cups" performance at the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall. Many which depict folks dancing. More will be added later.

The Dixie Cups was one of several groups that participated in the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival Been In The Storm So Long Evening Concert series. See schedule or 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Pedestrian Traffic 2007

Since the first snow of December 2005 I have sought to capture pedestrian traffic in the downtown area of WDC. Last summer I'd delve more into not only pedestrian but also vehicular traffic photography studies in various but select areas of the city And then in the fall of 2006 I'd launch a rush hour traffic project.

When reflecting on my photography over the past 15 years I grow increasingly aware of the maturation and historic importance of my body of work.

In order for one to progress forward one most know the truth regarding his past.

Since my visit to Fort Lauderdale just before and over Thanksgiving 2006 not a moment nor second has gone by that I have not reflected on "Absolutely, Nothing!".

Which is a yet to be completed essay that I would began writing on Friday afternoon, 17 November that sheds light on the defining moment when I'd come to realize that during the course of enitire life the relationships that others had shjared with me ... a black male ... had been based on lies and rooted in untruths.

Lies and untruths that always yielded me 'absolutely, nothing!

Since 1992, it has only been through the integration of my photography with my writings that I have been able to verbalize these unspoken truths. In order to progress forwar, it is impertative that one knows the truth about his/her past.

Click photo to view my Pedestrian Traffic 2007 photo project.

Alpersteins Furniture / Mount Vernon Square

Alperstein Furniture has been in the District since 1904. They have good service and the furniture prices are in line with other local area furniture stores. They provide furniture for offices and residential homes and they even rent furniture. They even have a good selection of recreational furniture such as patio sets and outdoor play sets. (See Insider Pages).

Though I had observed it many times before I become more familiar with Alpersteins as well as other businesses and properties in the area when in February 1982 that I would relocate back to WDC, from NYC, and purchase 449 Ridge Street from Roger Tiemann.

In October 2005 I would learn that this area is known as Mount Vernon Square which in 2007 I hope to explore more. In my 9 July 2006 blog posting I shed light on my perspective of the history of the 7th Street and 14th Street furniture store districts.

Though, similar to my Reincarnations Home Furnishings project, at least, from a photographic point of view, Alpersteins which has been at the same location since 1904 has a much richer history. Click photo which may also be viewed at Insider's Page.

Alperstein's is located at 1015 7th Street between K and L Streets in NW WDC. Contact by telephone at 202-783-0100 or email info@alpersteins.com.

"In the Life" pre-Valentine Day Party - 13 February - NYC

Celebrate love in the LGBT community at In The Life’s pre-Valentine’s Day Party.

Tuesday, 13 February 2007

6:30pm - 9pm

In the Life's 5th Avenue Studio

184 Fifth Avenue (@ 23rd)

5th Floor

New York, NY 10010

$50 or $75.

Click photo or phone Nora McCaffrey at 212-255-6012 ext. 305.

34th March for Life, 22 January 2007

Though the 34th Annual Anti-Abortion March for Life Convention takes place in the Washington DC area from Saturday, the 20th - Monday, 22nd January 2007 the historic march along Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court which takes place on Monday afternoon, 22 January 2007, is preceeded by two important events earlier in the today.

Beginning at 9 am, students will canvas Capitol Hill and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by delivering Red Roses Messages to each Member of Congress and every Supreme Court Judge, and the President and Vice President.

While in years past demonstrators would assemble on the Ellipse, directly across from The White House's Rose Garden, for the second year in a roll ... would be marchers will converge onto the National Mall, near 7th Street between Madison and Jefferson Streets, shortly before 11 am for the annual 12 noon Assemblance Rally which preceeds the 1 pm March ... from the National Mall, along Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court.

Click photo to view a collection 33rd March For Life WDC PHOTOGRAPHS NEVER BEFORE SEEN. See also 33 MFL March and 33 MFL Supreme Court.

Visit www.MarchforLife.org to learn more about March For Life.

Frank Muzzy's "Bears" @ Chelsea's MDH Fine Arts (February) Bare, Body and Soul

Bare, Body and Soul ... opens in Chelsea NYC on Thursday, 8 February 2007 at the MDH Fine Arts Gallery. Featuring new works by JS Adams, Debby Lee Cohen, Fabio D'Aroma, Michael Henry, Michael Muller, Frank Muzzy, Rachel Press, Jim Shack and Kurt Walters the exhibit concludes on 28 February 2007. See prospective flyer.

According to Frank Muzzy, some of whose Frankie Goes To Paris works was included in the MDH Fine Arts' (November) Form (Human & Otherwise) exhibition his February 2007 "Bears" display at the MDH Fine Arts Bare, Body & Soul exhibition will feature "Red Bear, Black Bear, Grey Bear ... plus a few others that are a bit of a departure from past exhibits... ".

Located at 233 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011, MDH Fine Arts Gallery hours are Tuesday - Friday 2-8, Saturday 12-7, Sunday 12-5, Closed Monday.

Contact Michael Henry, the gallery owner at director, at telephone 917-364-8221 or email michael@mdhfinearts.com.

Contact Frank Muzzy at muzzydc@verizon.net. Frank Muzzy's exhibtion, Frankie Goes to Paris, is still on display at Pulp on 14th Street in NW WDC.

Happy 4th anniversary to Jacqueline Dupree of JD Land

It was on January 19, 2003 (a beautifully clear but cold day) that Jacqueline Dupree made Mr. JD drive her around Near Southeast during which time she would proceed to shoot a bunch of pictures through the passenger window. And would shortly, thereafter, post to the web to show the two or three people who visited JDLand.

Little did they know that that their little excursion would metamorphosis as one of the most important historic documentations of the city, the Near Southeast DC Redevelopment web site.

Though I had not heard of Ms Dupree nor JD Land when I would commence my documentation of the area of in November 2004. Since my return to the area in January 2005, it has been the work of Jacqueline Dupree at JD Land that I look to when posting accurate information to the web regarding my very own, "Old - New" Near Southeast DC Redevelopment historic images and ongoing documentary project.

Congratulations Jacqueline Dupree ... for a job well done! And, I'm looking forward to the day, that our paths cross!

Click above January 2003 photo by Jacqueline Dupree to view a photo gallery featuring historic images of buildings and properties that have been demolished in the Near Southeast DC area since 2003.

You, GO ... GIRL!

Friday's Photo of the Week . 19 January 2007

Basketball in Stead Park, NW . WDC

Saturday afternoon , 13 Janaury 2007

2007 Friday's Photos of the Week

2006 FPOTW

MAL 2007 "Out in the Streets"

While I am definately an extrovert, in recent years, ... and as a result of my life experiences, as a black male, ... I now tend to keep my distance ... from the crowds. Which may shed light on why, and not unlike Exhibitionism-Voyeurism, that my focus during the 2007 MAL was "Out in the Streets".

Click photo to view MAL 2007 Out in the Streets and 2007 MLK Day WDC photoset.

Having just purchased tickets moments before at the Washington Plaza Hotel when passing this hunk on the street I'd inquire if he would be at the Reaction Dance later that night. When he said yes my response was 'I'll see ya there!'

However, when nearing the 9:30 Club a few hours later that I'd reflect on my experiences at the Steele Club in Fort Lauderdale in November and at the Saint Black Party in March ... I decided to NOT attend the 2007 MAL Sunday night dance party.

MLK 2007

In the process of my 13 January 2007 Saturday Photo Walk I'd happen upon a HAZMAT - Bomb Squad in Dupont Circle and since I seldom go anything without my cameras I was able to snap some photos. Which, as a black male, always arouses unnecessary and unwanted suspicion.

Even though many people, themselves, have cameras, camcorders and camera-phones and, of course, will take pictures - when they see me ... a black male ... their first and last reaction is to criminalize me. An hour or so before taken these HAZMAT/Bomb Scare - Dupont Circle photos when in the course of my ongoing Logan Circle Project that I'd snap a photo or two of a man jumping in the street he'd walk up to me and say something to the effect that 'normally, I'd prefer that people ask me if they may photograph me ...'.

I'd explan that while I understand and, normally, before taking such pictures I make sure that subjects are aware of my intent and that my style of documentary photography does not lend to me asking each and every person "... for their permission ...". What I did not say, is that, people always expact for black men to explan to them what they (the black men) are doing.

Case in point, during the course of 06 January 2007 January Thaw Satruday Photo Walk, on two different occaisons young white teens ... demanding to know why I was photographing the historic window displays at the CVS Store at 13th and Pennsylvania and the Pink Store on Connecticut Aveenue ... as if I owned them explanation.

And then, they would proceed to follow me, through the streets. And as many others -photographing me ... photographing. Policing, overseeing and watching me. The way folks do - when see black men! Watching to see where I focus my camera and run up to me, on a bicylcle, and ask about drugs. So, it is perfectly acceptable for them to photograph me, secretly, but not not for me to photograph ... the way that I do.

I wanted to explan to the white man that, as a black male, I do not enjoy such freedoms. And that as a 53 year old gay black male, who practiced integration ... in sharp contrast to my white lovers, white friends, white tricks, white acquaintances, white colleagues, white peers ... I have less freedoms now than I had in 1963 when Martin Luther King Jr. marched onto Washington DC.

In fact, I can't walk through Dupont Circle or take pictures on P Street on Saturday afternoons without some white man approaching me about drugs. In the exact way that young white kids demand to know why I photograph window displays or that some young skateboarder emailed me saying "... I have reasons to believe that you stole my mittens ...".

When thaking these HAZMAT - Bomb Squad at Dupont Circle photos I could not help but reflect on the fact that ... as a black man ... Martin Luther King's birthday does not mean to me what it means to white counter part.

When explaining in a telephone conversation the meaning behind my new year afffirmation of "Deliver Me / Progression" I'd reiterate that it has to with the fact that in order to move move forward (progress) one must know the truth of his past (deliver me) and that as a black man one of the ways that another can affect my progression is to have spent their entire lives in a relataionship with me that was based on lies and untruths. And the policing and overseeing of me. Watching my every move. And waiting for me to exhale. Or to ejaculate!

Which is precisely what people do to black males!

When taking these MLK Day 2007 photos I could not reflect on the fact that, as a black man, I'm sick and tired ... of joining hands ... !

Instead of a camera, some angry black men might would put a gun in their hands!

I'm sick and tired!

Remembering Dr. King and the Tragedy of Gun Violence

Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr, CEO & Founder of ROOT Inc. remembers Dr. King and comments on the tragedy of today's gun violence.

I was born and raised in northeast Washington , DC , in a section known as Trinidad . I grew up on Owen Place , a street between Montello Ave and Trinidad Ave, NE. My family moved to Owen Place in 1945, and, ironically, was the first African American family to move onto the block.

I attended Wilson elementary school on the corner of 6th and K St, NE. Wheatley Elementary is on the corner of Neal St. and Montello Ave, NE , within two blocks walking distance of my family home. Yet I had to catch a bus to go to Wilson Elementary over a mile from home and by pass Wheatley every morning.

As a child, I would wonder why but it was one of those mysteries not clearly defined by my family to me and it seemed as a child to be no big deal. My family was from the south and shielded the inequities of segregation and the evils of racism from my brother, my sister, and me. Racism and segregation was a part of everyday life accepted by families like mine from the south as part of their existence.

I remember being in the first integrated class of Wheatley when I entered the 5th grade and still was not totally aware of the segregated society that I had been a part of. I remember studying history and not really seeing or being able to identify with Black people, because all history at that time being taught consisted of the history of western civilization and culture or American (White) history. We leaned about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Davey Crockett and Wyatt Earp were big frontier heroes. Even God was a white man with a flowing white beard and hair to match, and Jesus Christ was a younger white man with a darker beard and long hair down to his shoulders.

I succinctly remember one black person being taught as being a hero during the American Revolution, and his name was Crispus Attacks. I remember wondering at the time what made him a hero and why was he singled out. He happened to be in a crowd of people that were shot by English soldiers and he happened to be black. I never could figure out what was heroic about that nor, at the time, did I understand the significance of why he, of all the heroic Black people throughout history, was singled out and given to us (Black children) as being a hero.

This naivety of thinking remained with me up until my high school years. I remember about a black lady refusing to give up her seat on a bus. I remember about sit-ins and protests, about Medgar Evars being murdered, about a bombing of a church, and civil rights workers being killed. Even with all that atrocity my most vivid memory is of a remarkable man, a preacher, who began to become prominent as a spokesperson against all of the evils entwined with bigotry, segregation, and racism. He spoke eloquently yet forcefully and firmly. He spoke with a gentleness of conviction, and his powerful message of non violent confrontation as a means of battling racism began to resonate throughout America.

He stood up for us as African Americans perhaps as no other before him. He was, to me, our savior, our Christ. He led marches and protests against racist and segregation against some of the vilest and most ruthless people in this county. He was beaten, stabbed, locked up, attacked by dogs, and water hosed. Yet he seemed to rise, larger than life, above it all.

And he became my first hero. He opened my eyes like no one before me had. I began to listen to his speeches, enthralled by his every word.

I remember this great man being able to call a march on Washington and give perhaps the most magnificent speech ever delivered in the history of mankind, with the entire nation as well as the entire world enthralled.

And most vividly I remember that fateful day in 1968 when an assassin's bullet bought to an end the incredible life of this wonderful, magnificent human being. I remember crying unabashedly and unashamedly as if it was my own father that had been murdered. My first thoughts were how could they do this to this great man?

Now today I keep his philosophy and teachings ever fresh in my mind. For we are in a struggle today as important as the struggles that surrounded us in the 1960's demanding our civil rights. Just as the assassination of this hero by a gun, my son was murdered due to gun violence. And, coincidentally, his birthday is January 17.

Death by gun violence is the number one epidemic facing our young men today and it is not being addressed by our nation politic, just as our civil rights were not being addressed prior to the 60's. We must have a call to action, like Dr. King's movement, to address the epidemic of violence, of gun violence, of homicides, and of increasing incidents of youth violence if we have any hopes of pursuing Dr. King's dreams as a nation.

Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr., MS

ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together), Inc.

811 Florida Ave, NW Washington, DC 20001

Tel: (202) 332-ROOT . Fax: (202) 332-8250

Toll Free: (866) 570-ROOT

Email: kennysr@rootinc.org

Web: http://www.rootinc.

Photo taken on 27 August 2006 in Washington DC during the ROOT Rally for Public Safety & Against Gun Violence. Though Mr. Barnes is of no relations to me I have supported his efforts at ROOT Inc.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 12 January 2007

CLICK PHOTO

NGA Sculpture Garden Ice Rink 2007

National Mall WDC . Sunday, 7 January 2007

2007 Friday's Photos of the Week

2007 MAL Weekend, 12 - 14 January

Entering its 37th year, the Leather Weekend celebration, which now includes two evening dances, a Leather Exhibit Hall, and many other exciting elements, coordinated by the men of the Centaur Motorcycle Club has been sustained by the Washington community, a multitude of Leather/Levi clubs, and supporters from all over the world.

Celebrated over Martin Luther Kings Birthday annually in WDC, the 2007 Leather Weekend takes place from Friday, 12th - Sunday, 14th January. As usual, registration, the main host hotel and exhibit halls are at the Washington Plaza Hotel. For information regarding events visit their website at www.LeatherWeekend.com. Or click photo.