"Debating Race" by Michael Eric Dyson

Whether chronicling the class conflict in the African-American community or exposing the failings of the government response in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Michael Eric Dyson has never shied away from controversy. No stranger to intellectual combat, Dyson has always been ready to engage friends and foes alike in open conversation about the issues that matter. Debating Race collects many of Dyson’s most memorable encounters and most poignant arguments and gives readers a front row seat as he spars with politicians, pundits, and public intellectuals. From John Kerry and John McCain to Ann Coulter and the hosts of television’s The View — Dyson shows the mental agility and rhetorical tenacity that have made him one of America’s most astute intellectuals.

St. Mary's County Seeking Historic Information on Residents of the Former "Flat Tops"/Lexington Manor Neighborhood

Located adjacent to the main gate of the Patuxent Naval Air Station at Patuxent River in Lexington Park, Maryland, the Flat Tops Project Development had been built in the 1940's for whites. Many who worked at or whose jobs were connected with the naval base. With the same architectural design and similar street scape, a few miles down the road and further from the main gate but nearer to the south gate, the Carver Heights Projects Development had been constructed for Negro Americans. Many who also worked at Pax River Naval Air Station.

A survey of Lexington Manor’s, (also known as "Flat Tops") rich cultural heritage is being conducted by St. Mary’s County. To date, the County has acquired the property, provided relocation assistance, and demolished all but two selected buildings for historical preservation. The survey project intends to seek out individuals who lived and worked in the Flat Tops/Lexington Manor from the 1940’s through the 2000’s.

Flat Tops/Lexington Manor Historical Collection Session and Reunion is planned for Monday, 11 June 2007 at the Lexington Park Library, located at 21677 FDR Blvd in Lexington Park, MD, from 2 to 6 p.m. Special remarks are planned for 4 p.m. to commemorate the occasion and recall the neighborhood’s rich cultural heritage. If you can share stories or knowledge, artifacts, or photos about Flat Tops/Lexington Manor because you lived there, worked there, maintained the property, played there, etc. during the 1940’s, 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s, plan to attend this information gathering event.

The County and the Maryland Historic Trust would like all former residents to bring photographs from their years at the Flat Tops/Lexington Manor to be copied for possible inclusion in the project.

For more information, please contact Cynthia DellaGatta, Economic Development Coordinator, St. Mary’s County Dept of Economic Development, at 301-475-4200, ext. 1408, or cynthia.dellagatta@stmarysmd.com.

Click the above photo by Elvert Barnes taken during his 25 December 2004 visit to Southern Maryland which sheds light on the history of the Flat Tops and Carver Heights developments.

"Hop On, Hop Off" Open Top Sightseeing Comes To America ... and Washington DC

I first noticed the red double decker tour buses when photographing at Dupont Circle North on Sunday afternoon, 29 April 2007 that within a half-hour period two different red double decker buses veered north, from the circle traffic, and headed north on Connecticut Avenue.

At the time I was in the process of capturing the Madison Livelystones positioned on the overpass at Dupont Circle North. However, having to use my old 35 mm Canon Rebel G since both my digital cameras had been left at Ritz for repair - it may be some time if the negatives are processed. For now, with the exception of those taken at Artomatic on 24 April images that I took with 35 mm film from 27 April until 22 May which is when I picked up my first digital camera from Ritz, after it had been repaired, will be included in my Photographs NOT Taken (May 2007) Project.

While, in recent years, I have observed and often photographed the red and sometimes orange Gray Line tour buses passing through the streets of Washington DC it was Sunday, 29 April, that I first observated the red, white and blue open top double decker tour buses.

The brainchild of Abdallah EL-AZM who after living in Paris for more than 20 years, as a transplant Great Britain he began to envision ways that the double decker tour buses that had been so common in Great Britian may could be exported to Paris.

Accepted by the Union of Parisian Transportations, LES CARS ROUGES started to run in Paris on July 27th 1991.

Though I'm not sure when they first arrived, as my first observation was on 29 April, having invested more than $12 million in his company, founder and CEO Abdallah EL-AZM of Les Cars Rouge, recently brought his vision to America with the launching of the Open Top Sightseeing Washington DC Tours. Other cities will follow.

This is how it works. Here are the fares. And here are the Hop On - Hop Off locations. Buses run from 9am until 7pm from 25 stops. Tickets are valid for two days from the time you board (if you board after 3pm your ticket is extended to 3 days), and you are welcome to HOP ON and OFF as much as you please.

Click photo to view my ongoing Open Top Sightseeing Washington DC and Traffic at Dupont Circle photo sets.

Michael Moore's "Sicko" Is Completed and He's Off to Cannes!

A message from Michael Moore

It's a wrap! My new film, "Sicko," is all done and will have its world premiere this Saturday night at the Cannes Film Festival. As with "Bowling for Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11," we are honored to have been chosen by this prestigious festival to screen our work there.

My intention was to keep "Sicko" under wraps and show it to virtually no one before its premiere in Cannes.

Click photo to read MOORE.

Dance Place in Step with the Brem Foundation - Sunday, 20 May - 11:30a - 1:30p

Come see a free performance by Deborah Riley Dance Projects this Sunday in Dance & Brem.

The performance honors of the Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer, which is committed to its mission of eliminating breast cancer as a life threatening disease by advancing diagnosis, treatment, research and education. Founded in 2004 through a grassroots effort dedicated to aiding the work of world-renowned radiologist Dr. Rachel Brem, the foundation has been supporting advanced technology and community outreach in the Washington, DC since its inception.

Hosted by Dance Place Founder/Director Carla Perlo and George Washington University Medical Center Radiologist Dr. Jocelyn Rapelyea, the inspiring performance will feature Riley’s exquisite choreography performed by the all female dance company. We hope you will join us for a morning of inspiration and positive energy for women’s health!

Sunday, 20 May 2007 from 11:30 am. – 1:30 p.m.
Dance Place: 3225 8th Street, N. E. Washington, DC

THE TIME OF OUR LIVES - Pride 2007 - May 2007 Edition by Elvert Barnes

click image to view video

My Capital Pride 2006 'Love Power' Pride 2007 DVD Edition

In celebration of the 2007 Gay Pride Season I hope to create several photo montage / musical DVDs, over the next few months, that will feature images that I've taken, over the years, of gay prides, equality demonstrations and circuit events.

Some of the projects may date back to 1992.

In launching my 2007 Gay Pride Celebration Project which is actually part on my ongoing "Out In The Life" series I spent the last few days reediting my 2006 National Come Out Day ' Love Power' Capital Pride 2006 photo monage into the DVD format.

As of Friday evening, copies were left at The Fireplace, Omega, JR's Bar & Grill, Cobalt / 30 Degrees and Green Lantern.

Auditions for MetroPerforms! begins TODAY - 10 May

Thursday, 10 May - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, 12 May - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 5th Street
202.962.1234

The Metro's Art in Transit program and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities will hold auditions for live performances at Metrorail stations, allowing local performers the chance to showcase their talents at select Metrorail station entrances.

Auditions are on a first-come, first-served basis. A photograph and one-page biography or resume should accompany each individual or group auditioning.

For more information.

excerpted from Downtown DC Bid Events Calendar.

Click photo by Elvert Barnes to visit saxophonist James 'Kenyatta' Palmore's photo set.

12 May - UNDERWATER: organic electronica sound + visual show at 1520 14th Street, NW

Aphrodizia is a live music and art performance collaboration out of Washington DC that incorporates an organic musical and visual experience blending live hypnotic soundscapes, with projected visual elements and interpretive human sculpture.

On Saturday evening, 12 May 2007, Aphrodizia in collaboration with Yoko K will perform UNDERWATER at 1520 14th Street, NW, WDC - a space provided by Metropolis Development Company.

Doors open at 8 pm. Show at 8:30 pm

Suggested donataion: $12 advance / $15 door

RSVP online at www.aphrodizia.net.

Email at info@aphrodizia.net

Telephone at 240-235-3898

ArtspaceWashDC "Affordable Artist Live/Work Project" Kick-off! event TONIGHT at Dance Place

ALL ARTISTS OF ALL DISCIPLINES!!

Affordable Artist Live/Work Project market survey kick-off TONIGHT

Thursday, 10 May 2007 @ 6 PM

Artspace Projects (a national, nonprofit organization) , in partnership with Dance Place, is studying the space needs of artists in the Washington, D.C. region. This study will assist in the development of affordable new space where artists may live and work, and a new home for Dance Place in the Catholic University/Brookland area of Northeast D.C.

The survey is waiting for you online at www.ArtspaceWashDC.org.

"WINDOWS OF THE WORLD" May 2007 video demo

I have photographed windows for many years, dating back to the fall of 1972. Here is my first WINDOWS OF THE WORLD demo video which, in sync with Dionne Warwick's version of "The Windows of the World" from her Definitive Collection cd, features images that I have taken, over the years, in New York City, South Boston VA, Miami Beach FL and Washington DC.

The self-portrait to the left was taken in July 1992 at Lothar's apartment, in Chelsea, on West 20th Street in NYC. Here is the original photo.

Here is the WINDOWS OF THE WORLD May 2007 demo video at Google and my Windows of the World 2007 photo collection at flickr.

MCA Open Studios May 19-20

OPEN STUDIOS
May 19-20, 2007

22 member artists of MCA are throwing open their doors for Spring Mid City Artists Open Studios. Several new artists have joined our ranks, and we all have new work for "show and sell." This is a unique opportunity to see some of DC's most exciting artists in their home environments – and to visit the local galleries and businesses supporting our effort.

Visit www.midcityartists.com for more information, view artwork and to download a map.

Visit EVENTS to find out what other things these artists are up to.

New Homesites Released at Capitol Quarter

I am pleased to announce that Capitol Quarter will accept reservations on our next 5 market rate homes on Saturday May 12th, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Capitol Quarter is EYA's exciting new community within walking distance of the new Washington National's Baseball Stadium and the Navy Yard Metro. Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis beginning at 11:00 a.m on May 12th. A deposit in an amount equal to 10% of the base price of the home will be required to reserve a specific homesite.

Please note that no reservations will be accepted before 11:00 a.m on Saturday May 12th, 2007, and this offering does not include any workforce homes, which will be released at a later date.

We anticipate an additional 5 market rate homes will be made available each month for the next several months. We will notify you of all subsequent releases via email as well. The sales center, which is located at 1023 4th Street, SE (4th & L) will re-open 7 days a week from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm beginning Saturday, May 5th, 2007.

The following homesites will be available for reservation on May 12th:

2834 - Addison - Interior @ $567,000

2835 - Addison - Interior @ $567,000

2804 - Addison - Interior @ $567,000

1838 - Banneker - Interior @ $634,000

2833 - Banneker - End @ $684,000

Philip Salin

Capitol Quarter Sales Manager

capitolquarter@eya.com

22nd AIDS Candlelight Vigil - Greenwich Village NYC - 22 June 2007

Greenwich Village-Sheridan Square Park and Christopher Street
Friday, 22 June 2007 @ 7 PM

AIDS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL NYC is a memorial to all the people who died of HIV/AIDS, to show support for survivors in addition to support for those now afflicted with HIV/AIDS. This event is a nondenominational event. There is no discrimination of color, race and/or sexual preference.

AIDS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL NYC is not associated with any political, religious, or city, state or federal agency. It is just a group of loving, caring individuals with a common cause, to REMEMBER, and to SHOW SUPPORT. Everyone is welcome!

SHOW THE WORLD AND NYC THAT HIV/AIDS HAS A FACE AND A NAME AND EVERYONE IS AFFECTED!

AIDS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL NYC provides candles free of charge. The procession starts at Sheridan Square Park and proceeds down Christopher Street. . a banner and the wreath is carried down Christopher Street. Supporters of those struggling with HIV/AIDS, and friends, family members and loved ones of those who have passed from AIDS carry light candles in a quiet march to the waterfront. At the end of Christopher Street at the Hudson River waterfront a wreath is tossed into the waters in memory of those who have passed of AIDS.

AIDS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL NYC is an official HOP *Heritage of Pride* event.

Download postcard or invite from my flickr account.

Contact GAIL CAMINITI at 347-297-8501 or email at GEEE2252@AOL.COM

www.aidscandlelightvigilnyc.org

One Year Ago Today: Nats new stadium groundbreaking ceremony

It was one year ago today that the official groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of the Washington Nationals New Stadium and Ballpark.

Having visited the area since the fall of 1972 when friends and I began frequenting the Pier Nine, when hearing of redevelopment plans of Near Southeast DC, I began my ongoing historiographic project, of the area, in November 2004 at the Arthur Capper Projects.

I returned in January 2005 to south of M Street, at Half & O Street, and since then have accumulated an interesting archive of architectural images that I have curated into several collections. They are:

1. Arthur Capper Projects (Anu Yadav 'Capers') - November 2004
2. Capper / Carrollsburg - One Year Later, November 2005
3. Capper / Carrollsburg - November 2004 - March 2006
2. Capitol Quarter (Capper / Carrollsburg) since March 2006
4. 20 M Street, SE - Since August 2005
5. Industrial Yard - South of M Street - September 2005 - January 2006
6. Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium - Industrial Photography - January 2006 thru May 2006
7. Washington Nationals (New) Baseball Stadium . Groundbreaking . 4 May 2006
8. Washington Nationals Ballpark "Under Construction" since 4 May 2006

Click above photo by Elvert Barnes to view recent never before seen images of the 4 May 2006 groundbreaking ceremony. In my Window With A view 2007 project I recently began photographing the construction of the stadium from my bedroom and patio windows.

Here is an official video of the 4 May 2006 groundbreaking ceremony.

Woof Lauderdale / Menergy Productions' Sunday Solei! Pool Party

Solei! pool party
Fun under the sun

We are excited to start our 2007 season of pool parties for men to gather and celebrate life in a setting of love, positive energy and brotherhood. Get ready for a fun and bright afternoon with the sounds and talents of Guy Martinez, Mr DJ Sol.

Sunday, 6 May 2007

1pm - 5pm . $10.00

Mary's Resort

1115 SW 4th Street

Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.33312

(SW 4th Street is Tequesta Street)

view map for directions.

Cash beverage stand by The Chef Table.

Joe Soler of Menergy Productions

email: joe@wooflauderdale.com

web: www.wooflauderdale.com

Friday's Photo of the Week . 04 May 2007

Chess . Dupont Circle WDC . 21 April 2007

2007 Friday's Photos of the Week

Arts at Pershing Park

Friday, 4 May - Sunday, 6 May
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

A new monthly cultural event kicking off in May will spotlight local artists and provide them with an opportunity to showcase and market their work in the city’s National Parks. Artists of all media, performers and musicians will gather on the corner of 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue on the first weekend of each month through October.

Artist demonstrations and interactive learning workshops for children and adults will also be available. Sponsored by Guest Services, Inc. with the Willard InterContinental Hotel and the National Park Service. Light fare and beverages will be available at The Pershing Park Café. For more information, visit www.guestservices.com or e-mail Susan Pourian at pourians@guestservices.com.

Click photo by Elvert Barnes to visit onoging Pershing Park WDC photo set.

Citywide Public Meeting on the DC Pedestrian Master Plan TONIGHT

Thursday, 3 May, from 7 - 8:30 pm

DC Department of Transportation Citywide Public Meeting on the DC Pedestrian Master Plan

Columbia Heights Recreational Center at 1480 Girard Street, NW,

The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) recently launched the first DC Pedestrian Master Plan that examines all aspects of improving the city’s pedestrian environment. A public meeting is being held to introduce the plan’s purpose and scope, announce the results of the citywide online survey and obtain community feedback. The pedestrian plan is due to be completed in October 2007. The recreational center is pedestrian and bike friendly and is located three blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro station. Parking is limited. For more information, visit www.ddot.dc.gov.

Info excerpted from Downtown DC BID Newsletter dated 03 May 2007.

Click photo by Elvert Barnes from the Art Walk: Metamorphosis photoset. See also Pedestrians 2006 and Pedestrian Traffic 2007 sets.

Jogging along the 10th Street Art Walk

When I first happened upon what I now know to be the Art Walk: Metamorphosis I kind of liked it. In fact, its structure reminded me of the October 2004 Coexistence Exhibition on the National Mall.

In its final stages of construction, at the time, two things that I was almost certain that I did not like about the 10th Street Art Walk or wondered what were they thinking pertained to the multi-coloured pieces of glass strewn about the parking lot and embedded at either end of the walk. And the green tarp.

Which I thought both may have been temporary props staged for the upcoming dedication. Most other aspects of what I then referred to as the Metamorphosis Park - I kind of liked.

While most reactions sway more to "... what a ridiculous eye sore ...?" and a "waste of time", the more I pass through, capturing pedestrians, joggers and communters along the way - the more I like it.

With the exception of the fake glass and fake grass.

However, as a street photographer it has become one of my favorite places to photograph, document and capture the urban experience.

It was one year ago, on 2 May 2006, that Mayor Anthony Williams announced that the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, in cooperation with the Washington Convention Center, had completed installation of Art Walk, a large-scale outdoor exhibition of twelve works by local artists on the site of the former convention center.

One of the reasons that I am posting this article is to pay respect to the artists who contributed to the 10th Street Art Walk: Metamorphosis. They are Trish Tillman - Tenure Affection; Gary Medovich – Emos; Michael Dax Iacovone - Rock Creek Parkway; Joey P. Manlapaz - DC Skyline: Metamorphosis; Aziza Gibson Hunter - I Evolve; Bridget Sue Lambert - Developmental Discourse; Jati Lindsay - A Study in Rhythm; Adjoa J. Burrowes – Caterpillar; Bryan Whitson – Untitled; Val Lewton - Medici Morph; Leslie A. Cohen - Metamorphis of Sky; Juan Bernal – Metamorfosis.

Having visited Daniel Lobo's "Back To Work - Artomatic 2007" photographic series a few days before, as I snapped pictures of the Art Walk: Metamorphosis on Saturday, 21 April, a thought flashed through my mind.

Realizing that many of my photographs would fit quite well into the scheme of the Art Walk: Metamorphosis or other public art projects like it, I am now contemplating submitting my work to future public art projects.

And in a similar way that I capture jogging on the National Mall or on Maine Avenue or at Dupont Circle North I will now capture joggers at the Art Walk: Metamorphosis.

Click photo by Elvert Barnes to visit Art Walk: Metamorphosis and Joggers 2007 photosets