Friday's Photo of the Week - 15 August 2008

Man Sitting and Reading On His Front Porch

Q Street between 17th & 18th Streets, NW,

WDC . Thursday, 14 August 2008

2008 Fridays' Photos of the Week

What's Happening At The Saint At Large!

Shortly after my September 1980 relocation from WDC to NYC the Saint opened. And from its opening through February 1982 Frank Gramarossa, my best friend, and I partied at the Saint most weekends. And when I moved back to WDC in February 1982 my subsequent weekend trips to NYC were always in connection with a party at the Saint.

And when I relocated back to NYC in March 1984, the Saint or the Garage, were the two places that I partied at ... until my return to WDC in December 1984.

And from 1985 through 1987 my trips to NYC were in connection with a party at the Saint. In fact, it was the March 1987 Black Party that a 1986 image of me by Robert Mapplethrope was featured in the invitation.

However, with the death of both Frank and Mapplethorpe in May 1989 I did not return to the Saint until the 2003 White Party. And then the 2004 and 2006 Black Partys.

I was happy to learn in the Now What's Happening? Saint-At-Large E-News Letter dated Thursday, 14 August 2008 that the Saint-At-Large website is now offering its first SPECIAL 2 Volume CD SET collection of The Music of the Saint (1980 - 1988) at the cost of $20, including shipping and handling.

Here is my Google document of the 14 August 2008 Saint-At-Large E-News Letter which includes details pertaining The Music of the Saint (1980 - 1988) 2 Volume CD Set as well as a link to the Saint's Radio which is where you can Listen to DJ Robbie Leslie's final set from The Saint's THE LAST PARTY.

In addiction to Junior Vasquez at the 2008 NYC Pride Chamption After Party also available for listening at the Saint Radio are the 1988 last performances of Jim Burgess, Michael Fierman and Warren Gluck.

Click the image above to order the THE MUSIC OF THE SAINT (1980 - 1988) special 2 volume cd set. At $20, it is a steal.

As I now listen to Robbie Leslie's May 1988 final set ... and remembering the times that Frank, Steve and I shared at the Saint ... tears come to eyes!

My DJ Alex Funk's compilation from the Dance Tent during Baltimore Pride's Block Party

While in my 23 June 2008 blog posting brought attention to two videos that I shot of DJ Alex Funk's performance during Baltimore Pride's 21 June 2008 Block Party ... this posting connects you to a video compilation representing all five clips that I shot of DJ Alex Funk during the event.

Click image to view the compilation. Though still under construction, here is the Flickr photoset and my 2008 Baltimore Pride webpage.

On Saturday, 6 September 2008 DJ Alex Funk and VJ Jon Corun of AV CLUB Visuals will team up to produce LONDON - DESTINATION HIPPO.

Hmmmmm ... that sounds like an event that I may would like to capture. And an excuse for me to revisit Baltimore for a night of some serious partying!

Yelp's Climbing To New Heights - Columbia Heights!

Though I began my exploration of the area in June of 2005 in recent weeks I have returned to the Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan and U Street Corridor neighborhoods with more intensity.

Apparently, folks at Washington DC Weekly Yelp spent last week exploring this historic area as well.

Here is the WDC Weekly Yelp E-Newsletter dated Tuesday, 12 August 2008 featuring an article entitled "Yelp's Climbing To New Heights -- Columbia Heights! which I have uploaded to my Google documents.

Click the above image to view my Columbia Hieghts WDC 2008 photoset.

Book Your Winter Party Hotel Room Now and Save!

Now is the time to Book Your 2009 Winter Party Festival Hotel Room Now and Save!

Click image for Task Force / Winter Party Festival E-News dated Monday, 11 August 2008.

Here are my 2007 and 2005 Winter Party Festival photo collections.

2007 National Police Motorcycle Rodeo Photos Never Before Seen

In connection with this weeks 14 - 16 August 2008 National Police Motorcycle Rodeo which takes place at the RFK Stadium Complex here are a few never before seen images from the 2007 National Police Motorcycle Rodeo event.

With the recent upload of these never before seen images the 2007 NPMR photoset is now complete. And the images may also be found in the Cop Duty 2007 set.

Here is my 2008 National Police Week webpage.

Should the Third Church of Christ Scientist at 16th & I be demolished?

Upon hearing a TV news report last Friday afternoon that in a battle for the church's demolition and to make way for a new structure the congregation of the Third Church of Christ Scientist had filed a lawsuit in federal court on Thursday against the DC Historic Preservation Review Board ... which, designed by architect Arraldo Cossutta of the I. M. Pei firm the DC Historic Review Board had designated as a historic landmark since it falls under the "Modern Brutalist" school ... during my 8 August 2008 Friday Photo / Video Walk ... I made a point to visit the Third Church of Christ Scientist and Christian Science Monitor Building Complex at the corner of 16th and I Streets in NW Washington DC.

Click the above image to view my Third Church Scientist / Christian Science Monitor Building Complex photoset and 16th Street Historic District collection. Here is the video footage compilation from my Friday, 8 August 2008 visit.

The fate of the ... monolithic example of modernist architecture, will now be decided in court.

The architecture of I. M. Pei and Marcel Breuer are also amongst my ongoing themes.

18th Annual Stone Soul Picnic - RFK Stadium - TODAY - Saturday, 9 August 2008

click image for details

Though still under construction, here is my 17th Annual Stone Soul Picnic (11 August 2007) photo set at Flickr. Some of these images may be found in my August 2007 Photographs Never Before Seen (August 2008) Project.

The Summer Sizzles with the August / September 2008 issue of JustCircuit.MAG!

When I picked up my mail the other night from my mailbox and opened a package from JustCircuit.com I was not only delighted to see the August / September 2008 issue of JustCircuit.MAG but, also a promo cd of DJ Miik Martorell's ONE AMAZING WEEKEND 2007.

Which is actually the third of three promotional cds that Publisher Victor Mauro and Editor Shane Rogers have sent me with print copies of the JustCircuit.MAG. The first two were DJ Max Rodriguez's PRIDE '07 (available at Centaur Music) and DJ Miik Martorell's THE WHITE PARTY 2006.

So, just before I began reading the August / September 2008 "Summer Still Sizzles" Just Circuit.MAG issue I put the DJ Miik's ONE AMAZING WEEKEND in my TV cd player.

Not only does the August / September 2008 JustCircuit.MAG issue sizzle but so does DJ Miik's ONE AMAZING WEEKEND mix.

After reading Victor Mauro's "Ultra Talent: Ultra Nate" and Sofonda Peters' Gossip feature I could not put the issue down. Peters can 'bitch' like no other. You certainly don't want her to catch you in the act of 'not being good'. Just ask Tony Hayden!

Other articles that I've read are "From Sea to Shining Sea" by Mickey Weem which shared an unique perspective on beach parties and the Circuit industry.

And as one who for many years frequented Fire Island, I found "Destination - Fire Island" by Jon Erickson to be one of most informative and best articles that I've read in a long time about the "colorful history of Fire Island".

Just Circuit Music Editor Joey Benitez's "Undeniably Amazing Experience" article reflecting on his experience during the ONE MIGHTY WEEKEND had me smiling and laughing because not only am one to appreciate and enjoy the music and dancing that only gay cirucit parties can provide but, like Benitez, rides at these kind of events are of no interest to me. I go there to dance. And, to party!

Joshua Kater's "Focus on Sin Morera" was also very informative and shed light on the imnportance that Morera's grandmother Maria influence had in Morera's careeer as a DJ. These kind of stories are so important to tell.

And though I have not yet finished reading Dr. Mark Martin's "Prisoner At Sea" Scibbled Notes Aboard A Straight Cruise" as one who journalizes and scripples but have not intention of ever embarking on a straight cruise I have not yet stop laughing ...

And the various photo essays of circuit parties and gay pride celebrations in addition to the August through December 2008 calendar in the August/September 2008 issue continues to make JustCircuit.Mag as one the best and certainly most progressive cirucit publications around.

And DJ's Miik's ONE AMAZING WEEKEND 2007 is one the best circuit mixes that I've heard in a long time.

To learn more about DJ Miik Martorell visit his site at MySpace.

Though always available FREE ONLINE, to have your copies delivered right to your door, and receive a free Centaur Music CD valued at $20, CLICK HERE.

In July 2008, after 10 years, JustCircuit.com changed its appearance, added new features and created a more interactive website. Be sure to check out the new JustCircut.com website.

Madison Livelystones Band - Dupont Circle South - Monday Night, 4 August 2008

The 1350 Connecticut Avenue Complex at Dupont Circle South was jamming last Monday night when during my Dog Nights of Summer 2008 series that I captured the Madison Livelystones Band performing for people.

Just so you know, each individual United House of Prayer for All People Church has its own New Orleans style band as discussed in my July 2007 post. The Madison Livelystones Band, under the direction of John R. Walker, Jr, is from the UHOP at 601 M Street in NW WDC.

Here are the five videos that I shot from the Monday, 3 August 2008 event:

• Video #1
• Video #2
• Video #3
• Video #4
• Video #5

Friday's Photo of the Week - 8 August 2008

Mandu Restaurant . 1805 18th Street, NW, WDC

Mandu Restaurant (Flickr photoset)

Sunday afternoon, 3 August 2008

2008 Fridays' Photos of the Week (Part 2)

Last Sunday at Malcolm X. Park Drum & Dance Circle

Not having been to the Sunday Drum and Dance Circle at Malcolm X. Park since Sunday, 4 May 2008 I was so looking forward to the occasion.

I started last Sunday with an omelett and spam sandwich that I fixed at the apartment before heading to the Best Buy at the DCUSA Columbia Heights Shopping Mall to purchase a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner.

On my way there and back I took pictures and shot footage in connection with my WMATA "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" series. Including this clip of 3 guys who I met on the Green Line when I was returning to SW with the Dirt Devil.

After dropping the Dirt Devil at my apartment in SW, I'd quickly head back out to the Waterfront - SEU Station and take the subway to Dupont Circle.

When en route to Malcolm X. Park that I passed through Dupont Circle I inquired of Maestro Darrold Hunt if he cared to accompany me to Malcolm X. Park for the Sunday Drum and Dance Circle. In the midst of rehearsing for an upcoming concert, he declined.

As I walked up Connecticut Avenue to R Street, across R to 18th, up 18th to U, across U to 16th and up 16th Street ... taking pictures along the way ... I was so longing forward to the Drum and Dance Circle at Malcolm X. Park.

As I entered the lower level formal garden from the corner of 16th and W Street I observed a group of Capoeira Angola performers across the garden near the 15th and W Street entrance. In the past I had observed them on the upper level ... just yards from the Drum and Dance Circle which, in the past, had been staged at the level corner of the upper level.

As I ascended the stairway and water fountain cascade to the upper level ... nothing could have prepared me for what I was yet to come.

Not only where two different groups of drummers and dancers at opposite sides of the upper level but, in the field there were slackropers on the left, jump ropers on the right and families of soccer player and frisbee throwers in the center.

I spent the next two or more hours going back and forth, in between and from side to side ... capturing the Sunday 3 August 2008 Drum & Dance Circle in Malcolm X, Park.

When departing shortly after 6:30 pm that I descended down the fountain cascade and stairway to the lower level garden on the 15th Street side, I remembered when arriving at the May 2008 session that I ran into a white lady who was in town from Minnesota and who, apparently, had happened upon the event just by chance.

Having witnessed it for several hours, saying that though she did not want to leave ... the experience was just "so exhausting ... yet exhilirating!"

Which is exactly how I felt after my visit to the Sunday 3 August 2008 Malcolm X. Park Drum & Dance. "Exhilirated but exhausted!"

Here are the 15 video chips that I shot.

• Video #1
• Video #2
• Video #3
• Video #4
• Video #5
• Video #6
• Video #7
• Video #8
• Video #9
• Video #10
• Video #11
• Video #12
• Video #13
• Video #14
• Video #15

While there are several more photos to upload there is the Malcolm X. Park Drum & Dance Circle - Sunday, 3 August 2008 photo album.

Exhausted. But, exhilirated!

The Urban Philharmonic Society Presents "Mozart's Jupiter Symphony" Concert a the Imani Temple / Capitol Hill on Sunday, 17 August 2008

click image for details

Maestro Darrold Hunt prepares for Urban Philharmonic Society's 17 August performance of "Mozart's Jupiter Symphony" at Imami Temple on Capitol Hill

When en route to the Drum & Dance Circle at Malcolm X. Park on Sunday afternoon, 3 August 2008, that I passed through Dupont Circle, I had the pleasure of capturing Maestro Darrold Hunt who as the founder and conductor of the Urban Philharmonic Society was rehearsing for the Sunday, 17 August 2008 performance of "Mozart's Jupiter Symphony".

While I have observed Mr. Hunt for over 30 years since we travel in some of the same circles it was not until I began to photograph in Dupont Circle beginning in 1992 that I became more familar with him.

It was in connection with my ongoing People in Dupont Circle Project which was launched in October 2006 that when passing through Dupont Circle on Sunday I snapped more than a few photos of Darrold Hunt, focusing mostly on his hands. It was during this time that he handed me a flyer pertaining to the Sunday, 17 August 2008 Urban Philharmonic Society "Mozart's Jupiter Symphony" event.

A graduate in conducting of the Juilliard School of Music, Maestro Hunt served for four years as Assistant Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony and three years as the conductor/music director of the Conservatory Orchestra at the Brooklyn College School of Performing Arts.

He has been guest conductor of the National Symphony, The Detroit Symphony, The Pensacola Symphony and many others, as well.

Since its founding in 1970 the Urban Philharmonic Society has proven to be one of the most exciting new ventures in the symphonic field. After graduating the Juilliard School, Maestro Hunt embarked on creating a musical institution which had as its primary commitment the presentation of programs of musical excellence to those areas of the urban community which for social and/or political reasons have not enjoyed live professional orchestral concerts as a part of their lives.

To learn more about Maestro Darrold Hunt and the Urban Philharmonic Society visit the website.

Tickets for the 17 August 2008 "Mozart's Jupiter Symphony" Concert at the Imani Temple on Capitol Hill can be purchased here.

General Admissionis at $25. Students & Seniors at $20. On-line tickets are $20. The event will take place at 4 pm on Sunday, 17 August 2008 at the IMANI TEMPLE ON CAPITOL HILL at 609 Maryland Avenue, NE, Washington DC.

Click the above image to view my ongoing Maestro Darrold Hunt (People / Dupont Circle) photo set.

WHITE PARTY this Saturday at C9 in REHOBOTH features DJ Jason Horswill

click image for details

DJ Tony Moran to spin at TOWN's first RED PARTY this Saturday

This Saturday, 9 August 2008, many party-goers will be decked out in red as TOWN BOUTIQUE holds MOULIN ROUGE, its first Red Party.

Featuring the music of DJ Tony Moran, dance production performances by X-Faction Dance Company, an airbrush-tattoo artist to decorate your body, and downstairs music by BacK2bACk ... doors will open at 9 pm.

$12 from 9 -11 pm and $15 after 11 pm.

For more details visit TOWN's E-News dated Monday, 4 August 2008.

Image of Tony Moran by Elvert Barnes is from the March 2007 Winter Party Festival's Beach Party.

Some say Nike ain't right for their new ad campaign

A lot of people are saying Nike's new crotch-in-your-face ad campaign is homophobic. What do you think?

Here is what I think.

GREAT AD! I don't see it as 'homophobic'!
Two THUMBS UP!
Posted by:Elvert Barnes August 01, 2008 at 05:17 PM

and

If anything ... its more HOMO-EROTIC than HOMO-PHOBIC!
Posted by:Elvert Barnes August 01, 2008 at 05:31 PM

Click the image above to read the entire PlanetOut.com article and to post your comment.

Friday's Photo of the Week - 31 August 2008

Nicolas F Shi Artist Studio . 1500 P Street, NW, WDC

Thursday evening, 31 July 2008

Windows - P Street, NW, WDC (2008)

Fridays' Photos of the Week / 2008

Dorothy, Toto & the Mayor of Munchkinland Makes Special Appearance at Last Nights Screening of The Wizard of Oz at Stead Park

Though when I left the apartment it had been my intention to attend last night's Summer Movie Mania screening of the Wizard of Oz! at Stead Park as I strolled down 17th Street from Q Street and reflected on my experiences, over the years, when I have attended such things or, for that matter, stopped in at the gay bars ... I decided to head home.

However, on my way down 17th Street, I did have the pleasure of running into Dorothy, Toto and the Mayor of Munchkinland who, having just exited from JR's was en route to Stead Park. Here is the video clip.

Perhaps, I'll attend the last event of this season on 28 August 2008 when Goonies will be screened.

Steve waters the Steve & Phil's Flower & Weed Garden at Dupont Circle East - 31 July 2008

Though I had noticed it many times before, it was during a February 2006 Historic Dupont Circle Main Street photo walk that I learned that the little garden just west of the Sulgrave Club situated in the Dupont Circle East traffic triangle intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and P Street in NW Washington DC was referred to as Steve and Phil's Garden. Realizing that it was also the work and effort of Steve and Phil ... in connection with my ongoing Community Gardens series ... when passing through the area since then I have often made a point to photograph it.

As was the case on Thursday evening, 31 July 2008, that I'd video-taped Steve watering the flower and weed garden.

Though I have 'noticed' Steve many times at Dupont Circle, over the years, I did not know until Thursday evening, 31 July 2008, that he was the Steve of Steve and Phill who attended to the garden.

Now that I know that ... I'll pay even more attention to what I refer to as Steve & Phil's Flower & Weed Garden at DupontCircle East.

Click the above to view my 31 July 2008 video of Steve watering the garden.