The Native American Flute

In the process of my photography not only do I strive to learn more about my surroundings and, of course, the history of the world but, as evidenced in the many webpages that I have created, over the years, and several years of reporting for progressive and independent media outlets and my more recent blogging a driving force behind my body of woirk is to inform and educate others as well.

So, though I have photographed what I sometimes referred to as Native American or Latino Musicians since the early 90's with includes the group known as "500 Years After" it was not until last night when in the process of posting images of a street musician that I captured on Constitution Avenue and 15th Street during Washington DC's 04 July 2007 Celebration and searching the internet for Native Spirit - Native American Musicians that I learned the instrument that many of the Native American musicians play is known as the Native American Flute.

While 500 Years After and many other such street performers sell cds of music that they themselves produced in the case of the Native American Flutist that I captured on 4 July 2007 the cds that were being sold were not his work. Which I do not have a problem with, as long as I am not misled to believe otherwise.

One of the cds that was being sold was Native Spirit - A Gift of the Mother Earth which I was misled to believe was the work of the street musician that was performing. The CD is actually the work of Carlos Munhoz.

Here is an interesting article, "I Was Fooled, Were You?" that may shed light on how I felt last night when I realized the deception. Or, perhaps, my misconception.

Regardless, in the process of this project I also found the International Native American Flute Association (INAFA) and as a result, have now launched an ongoing "Native American Flute" project.

Here is a video that I shot of Native Spirit / WDC / 04 July 2007.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 03 August 2007

Musicians Hands 2007 . David Knight, Fiddler

Street Musicians at Dupont Circle Series

Thrusday evening, 02 August 2007

2007 Friday Photos of the Week

Cowgirl Creamery at Penn Quarter Holds Cheese Classes and Demonstrations on Thursday evenings throughout the summer

As part of my ongoing Windows of the World, Penn Quarter and Downtown F Street projects I have photographed and reported on Cowgirl Creamery at 919 F Street, NW, since shortly after its opening last June.

And, therefore, was very happy to view Wendy Rieger of NBC4 Going Green segment on The Cowgirl Creamery. Which I learned of during my 14 April 2007 documentation of Global Warming Rally at Gateway Park in Arlington VA.

As a supporter of the Fresh Farm Market at Penn Quarter which takes place every Thursday throughout the summer which is also amongst my ongoing farmer market series, on two Thursdays of each month throughout the summer 2007 season Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Academy will hold a Penn Quarter Cheese Class Series to coincide with the Fresh Farm Market at Penn Quarter.

On 26 July, Eric Sanford focused on Designing A Chees Board. The next scheduled class will take place on Thursday, 9 August when Eric Sanford holds a Farmstead Cheese of the Pacific Northwest Tasting and will lecture on the influence of seasons of cheese production.

Call 202-393-6880 to sign up. $35 per person. Buy two seats and save $10.

Cowgirl Creamery is located at 919 F Street, NW, in the Penn Quarter area of Washington DC.

Click the above photo to view my ongoing Cowgirl Creamery / Penn Quarter photoset.

Hand Painted Bird Whistles and Hand Carved Balsa Sculptures IMPORTS from Street Vendor (Mark) at Dupont Cirlce South

Though I officially launched my ongoing Street Vendor Documentary Project with several summer 2005 photo-interviews of Frank Lloyd of Frank's Place which sheds light on the personal stories of street vendors this expose on Mark, Street Vendor at Dupont Circle South represents the first installment of my now ongoing STREET VENDORS (FOCUS) SERIES which brings attention to the items and merchandise for sale.

Hand made in Ecuador, these bird whistles are finely crafted and hand painted by the Quechua Indians. A highly desirable tool for bird lovers as well as fun for people of all ages. First fill with water, then tilt to about a 45 degree angle to let some water run out, which will adjust the amount of water needed. Blow steadily into the mouth piece to hear a bird whistle.

Mark, the street vendor at the intersection of 19th Street, NW, and Dupont Circle South, sells imports from Ecuador. He can be found most days of the week with the exception of Sundays.

Mark says that a favorite merchandise that he has had a problem selling, over the years, has been his collection of hand carved Balsa Sculptures. Here is a site that provides information about Ecuador Art including Balsa Sculpture.

Jena Six featured story TONIGHT on NBC Nightly News / Brian Williams & CBS Evening News / Katie Couric

Photojournalist Michael David Murphy reports in an update pertaining to his ongoing Jena Six Docu-Project that NBC Evening News with Brian Williams and CBS Evening News with Katie Couric are doing stories on Jena tonight, 31 July 2007, at 6:30 PM EST.

Though Michael David Murphy did not contribute photographs for either of these broadcasts two recent Murphy updates with links, details and audio stories about the case can be found at the following:

1. http://www.whileseated.org/photo/003252.shtml
2. http://www.whileseated.org/photo/003253.shtml (with NPR & a tremendous audio piece from the BBC).

CO2LED-2 arrives in Crystal City. On display thru Labor Day.

July 31, 2007 - Crystal City (Arlington, VA) – Art has always been known as being good for the soul, but a new project also is good for the environment. The Crystal City BID and Arlington County proudly announce the arrival of CO2LED-2, an environmentally friendly and creatively illuminating art in Crystal City. The project is an extension of the CO2LED display, which was unveiled last month in Rosslyn.

CO2LED, created by artists Jack Sanders, Robert Gay and Butch Anthony, is a temporary public art project that promotes the use of alternative energy sources, recycling, and responds to Arlington’s environmental initiative, FreshAIRE (Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions). In Crystal City’s version of the display, a traffic island is illuminated using nearly 100 solar-powered LED’s (light-emitting diodes) secured to rods of varying heights. Each rod is topped with a reused plastic drink bottle. The poles’ slight flexibility, combined with the LEDs’ nebulous glow underneath the ridged surfaces of the plastic drink bottles, create a soft, undulating cloud of light. Being solar-powered, CO2LED produces long-lasting illumination, but with reduced toxic by-products, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with the use of incandescent light bulbs.

“This project furthers our mission to inject light and vibrancy into Crystal City,” says Executive Director Angie Fox. “Crystal City is A Bright Place to Be. What better way to physically express this than with environmentally-friendly lighting, which is visible to the 48,000 cars that transverse this section of Route 1 every day.”

The BID partnered with Gould Property Companies and Arlington Cultural Affairs to erect “CO2LED-2” at the southern gateway entrance into Crystal City at Rt. 1/Jefferson Davis Highway and Crystal Drive.

My July 2007 Video of the Month

Sunday, 01 July 2007 represented my 4th time for capturing the Malcolm X. Park Drum and Dance Circle at Meridian Hill in NW WDC. It would be the first time that I shot video footage of the Malcolm X. Drummers and Dancers. So that there is no confusion between our work I, purposely, have chosen the name Malcolm X. Park (Meridian Hill) Drum & Dance Circle for my 2006 and 2007 photo collections as opposed to Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers which is their official name.

Having just purcchased my Canon Power Shot S3 IS while on vacation in Fort Lauderdale during the Memorial Day week videography is a new thing with me. My 01 July 2007 Malcolm X. Park Drum & Dance Circle Compilation #3 which includes 6 of the 7 video clips launches my first Video of the Month ongoing project.

Six individual video clips uploaded to Elvert Barnes at YouTube are idenfited as:

1. MXP-DCC-WDC-01July2007 Video Clip #1/7
2. MXP-DDC-WDC-01July2007 Video Clip #2/7
3. MXP-DDC-WDC-01July2007 Video Clip #3/7
4. MXP-DDC-WDC-01July2007 Video clip #4/7
5. MXP-DDC-WDC-01July2007 Video Clip #6/7
6. MXP-DDC-WDC-01July2007 Video Clip #7/7

#5/7 was shots a few seconds in length. So, I did not upload it.

The 3 compliations uploaded to Elvert Barnes at Google Video are identifed as:

1. MXP-DDC-WDC-01July2007 Compilation #1 which features clips 1, 2 & 4.
2. MXP-DDC-WDC-01July2007 Compilation #2 features clips 1, 2, 3 & 4.
3. MXP-DDC-WDC-01July2007 Compilation #3 includes clips 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7.

Also of interest, at google video, may be my Alleviation of Distress - Malcolm X. Park Dance & Drum Circle - WDC - 30 July 2007 photo montage, with Pete Tong's version of "Alleviation of Distress" by Jark Prongo serving as background music.

Click the above photo to view my 01 July 2007 Malcolm X. Park Drum and Dance Circle photoset and 2007 Malcolm X. Park Drum & Dance Circle collection.

And here is my 01 July 2007 Malcolm X. Park Drum and Dance Circle video compilation which, as the July 2007 Video of the Month, launches my now ongoing Video of the Month project.

American Towns

GARAGE SALES at Arena Stage TODAY - Saturday, 28 July 2007

Arena Stage has one more fantastic GARAGE SALE this summer to purchase theatrical items for your community or school theater, or just for yourself!

Saturday, July 28 (TODAY)

10 am - 3 pm

Arena Stage – 1101 6th Street, SW, WDC

For sale - props, costumes, posters, chairs, office furniture and more.

Cash and credit cards. Must carry the same day.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 27 July 2007

Man In The Mirror . Eastern Market / Flea Market

SE WDC . Sunday afternoon, 22 July 2007

2007 Fridays' Photos of the Week

Betty Hart's "With These Hands", an intricate weave of H Street, NE, WDC's History Since 1984

Though none of the images that I have taken over the past few years have yet been uploaded to my flickr account, almost always when I walk pass the With These Hands, at 521 H Street in NE, I make a point to photograph the window display which features hats - as part on my ongoing Black Women In Hats and Windows of the World series.

Which until my 14 July 2007 NE Washington DC Photo Walk I did not realize was a hair salon. Which along with barber shops are also amongst my ongoing series.

Betty Hart first opened With These Hands in 1984, at 526 H St., NE. But, June 1991 fire forced her to relocate her operation to the Magic Fingers Salon, at 515 H Street, NE, while repairs were being made at the 526 H Street location.

Which she would return to in February 1992 and reopen With These Hands.

As the clientele grew, Mrs. Hart concluded that she needed to own not only the business but also the property where it was located. She had had enough of paying rent to absentee landlords. When the 521 H St. site came on the market, she was able to buy it in 1996 and establish With These Hands in its current and permanent location.

To learn more about Betty Hart visit her SPID profile.

Click the above photo to view my ongoing With These Hands Hair Gallery and H Street, NE, Corridor - WDC photosets.

Sidamo Coffee & Tea on H Street, NE (Atlas District)

To much anticipation, a Sidamo Coffee & Tea opened on H Street in NE Washington DC in January 2007.

Though I am not a coffee drinker, the reviews posted to Yelp give the staff as well as the coffee, tea and pastries high marks.

Ethiopian-born owners Kenfe Bellay and Yalemzwed Desta roast coffee beans in-house, at the H Street, NE, Sidamo Coffee & Tea. And offer more than 20 kinds of teas and keep the kettle on from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

Though not a coffee drinker, I made a point to stop in during my NE Washignton DC Saturday Photo Walk. And can attest to the friendliness of the staff. Though, at first, there seemed to be some hesitation from the young clerk behind the counter which is somthing that I always encounter as a black male once I explained to Mr. Kenfe, the owner, the nature of dcoumentary work he was more than gracious.

And took the time to show me the back patio.

Though I'm not sure how long the exhibition will remain, on display at the H Street, NE, Sidamo Coffee & Tea during my Saturday, 14 July 2007 visit were the works of several Ethiopian artists associated with the Artful Framing & Gallery.

So, while I am not into coffee, I definately will return to the Sidamo Coffee & Tea at 417 H Street, NE, Washington DC to get a look at the art.

Telephone number is 202 - 548 - 0081.

And here is some information pertaining to Ethiopian Sidamo Coffee.

"Mitchell + Bob" Bi-Annual Sample Sale Event Ends July 29. Better Hurry!

My 07-07-07 WDC X-treme Sports Videos

Though I have photographed SK8 and BMX in Freedom Plaza since July 1992 I shot my first SK8 videos on 4 July 2007 and my first BMX videos on Saturday, 07 July 2007.

Video compilation #1 features the Rolling Stone's song "Love Is Strong" and footage of BMX at Freedom Plaza and SK8 at Thomas Circle's National City Church. While video #2, sampled with Eminem's "Encore/Curtain Down" represents BMX at Freedom Plaza.

Click the above photo to view my ongoing BMX - SK8 (X-treme) / Freedom Plaza 2007 photoset.

Here is a link for Skate Rinks Around WDC. I definately will use it as resource guide for my ongoing X-Treme Sports Project.

A view of furniture maker Matthew Falls

When out taking pictures on Sunday, 22 July, at Eastern Market the furniture of Matthew Falls would catch my attention as it brought to mind the work of former catering associate and wood sculptor and furniture designer David Hymes.

Matthew Falls, a Business Advisor and Operations Manager at CAOS Systems, designs and constructs his hand made furniture from cherry wood logs that he himself saws, sculps or carves.

Furniture maker Matthew Falls can be found at the Eastern Market / Flea Market on most Sundays, providing that it does not rain. Since rain would severerly damage his cherry wood furniture.

Contact Matthew Falls by phone at 410-330-CAOS or email at MattFalls@aol.com.

Lenore sets sail on an annual summer "Freedom Cruise" aboard the Alaska Yacht "JAMAL"

In her July 2007 Summer Newsletter, Chef Lenore Nolan Ryan reports that she has been enjoying freedom every summer, since 1991, aboard the "JAMAL" cooking and entertaining charter guests on an excursion from Seattle to Alaska.

First day arrival always finds our charter guests a little tired from traveling and anxious about their upcoming excursion. After all, we are the only all girl crew from Seattle to Alaska. Now you can only imagine how much fun that is!

For as many times as we begin anew I have always made the same “First Day” dinner. It is important to make them feel welcome and relaxed. After all, part of the adventure is having a chef to call your own. Comfort food first and then “Wow Em” for the rest of the time with all of my fusion food. How can you go wrong with Herb and Lemon Roasted Chicken, Roasted Vegetables, a Lenore Salad and a Fresh Berry Crumble?

As we cruise along and get closer to Glacier Bay I bring out the blender, tequilla, limes and net snag a chunk of blue glacier ice for my famous Glacier Ice Margaritas with Ginger. My secret ingredient for a frappe of an evening!

Sign up for her newsletter and then email her your favorite “Summer Vegetable Recipe” and she will choose one to share in her next newsletter. You will also receive a cooking class for you and a friend! So time's a wastin’, there are memories to create and recipes to share.

As for Lenore, she has only begun to prepare this season's harvest of vegetable tortes, tarts, lasagnas, quiches, salads and spicy vegetable ragouts for friends and family to enjoy!

I'll post her Crispy Herb and Lemon Roasted Chicken to my blog tomorrow.

Blues artists and historians Rick Franklin & Mike Baytop Opens Eastern Market Music's 2007 Summer Season

Organized by Capitol Hill Community Foundation in response to the recent fire that severely damaged the Eastern Market Complex on Capitol Hill in SE WDC, the first installment of the Eastern Market Music Series which launched on Sunday, 22 July with a 10:30 a m until 1 pm performace by blues artists and historians Rick Franklin and Mike Baytop.

Here are the four videos (1 - 2 - 3 - 4) that I shot as well the Rick Franklin & Mike Baytop - Eastern Market Music - Sunday, 22 July 2007 photo set.

Unfortunately, my experience at the Eastern Market on Sunday 22 July 2007 was not unlike my experience each time that I have visited the Eastern Market complex since the fall of 1978 which was shortly before my December 1998 move to Capitol Hill.

As a result of the racism that I have experienced, over the years, I almost did not visit Eastern Market on Sunday, 22 July but, as an artist and historian, when I heard news that blues artists from the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation were scheduled to perform I made it a point to stop in.

And though while video-taping and photographing Rick Franklin and Mike Baytop I experienced the same form racism from the crowd that I experience where ever I go, as a black male, what stood out was the reaction that I got from the same white woman and exhibitor who reacted to me the exact same way when I photographed the 2006 Arts Of Foot at Penn Quarter. Or each time that, in recent months, I engaged in street photography in the vacinity of the Whole Foods Market at Logan Circle on P Street.

It brought to mind the reaction that I get from folks when I photograph in Dupont Circle which I have photographed since 1992 but, more importantly, the reaction that I got last Sunday from a white female who reacted to me with the exact same arrogance last Sunday when, as a photojournalist, I was photographing DCFD - EMT Foggy Bottom as would the white lady who would react to me exacltly one week later at Eastern Market.

The week before, on Sunday, 15 July, though the police informed the white girl that 'it was public space' and that I could photograph ... they then suggested to me that to make things better 'why don't you just leave the park for a few mintues and come back later .. when things have settled down.'

"Excuse me, officers, you expect for me, a 53 year old gay black man, to leave Dupont Circle, for just a few minutes because some well meaning white girl and white gay boy, in a kilt but more skirt, who plays a pink ukulele and looks like Tiny Tim ... demand that I 'play their nigger ..." was my response.

It was not the first time that this same white girl or this same white boy had atempted to obstruct me. Not only Dupont Circle but on the National Mall at the Smithbsonian Folklife Festival and at anti-war protests, as well. Nor was it the first time that this same white woman, at Eastern Market, had attempted to obstruct my photography. Not only at Eastern Market but at the 2006 Arts Of Foot Festival, as well.

I explained to the two cops, in Dupont Circle, who I had observed just a few weeks before overseeing the Two Steps Away Dancers the exact same way that folks oversee me when I photograph in Dupont Circle or at Eastern Market. And, as had been the case on 22 June when minutes before capturing Two Steps Away Dancers at Dupont Circle that I had attended the Herb White Memorial at the Friends Meeting House.

Continuing to document the "black DCFD - EMT in the line of duty" I said to the cops 'It is not just this Sunday or just this past Friday. It is each time that I visit Dupont Circle that these two people confront or attempt to obstruct me.

I said further , "And as a 53 GAY BLACK MAN ... ain't no white girl nor white boy ever gonna dictate to me what I can, can not, should or should not do."

I reiterated "I'm not their nigger!".

Remembering what had occured the week before in Dupont Circle, on Sunday 22 July, at Eastern Market, I turned and politely said "... white lady ... as a 53 year black man ... please, do NOT go there with me!". And when she stood and threw her hand up and said "I'm gonna ..." the same way as white girl who turned to the police in Dupont Circle the week before ... I reiterated "I'm not ya nigger!". And continued with my ongoing Sunday At Eastern Market series.

As a black artist but, more importantly, as an historian it is imperative that my photography and videographically not only document the times but, also, shed light in my personal story.

Moments after the 15 July incident on Sunday afternoon in Dupont Circle a white man and school teacher that I've known for many years who, each time that he sees me, will 'approach me about drugs' told me that the 'white pot dealer that I had referred him to no longer 'deals'. As if to suggest that I should refer him to another one of my white friends who deals pot.

It brought to mind how in the past that whenever white men had approached me about drugs ... I, literally, had to leave my home and, racially, discriminated against on job because white man had approached me about drugs. This white man was not the first school teacher or other civil servant who, over the years, had targeted me.

Not unlike the police who suggested that I leave Dupont Circle, just for a minutes, to make the white girl happy ... folks also expect for black men to change their lives and directions so that white people can deal and do their drugs ... while, at the same time, watching, overseeing and policing the black men who they and others regard 'as their niggers.'

It was not just that Sunday. Nor that Friday before.

It is not just Dupont Circle or Eastern Market. Nor just Fort Lauderdale or New York City.

As a 53 gay black man who, over the years, practiced integration ... it has been my experience that it has everything do with "... when white folks come around ...".

UNITY FlushNaugle Protest Rally & Power to the People (After) Party - Tuesday, 24 July

Flush Naugle UNITY Rally @ City Hall, Fort Lauderdale

Menergy Production/WOOF Lauderdale invites you to join in support of the Greater Fort Lauderdale community and UNITE Fort Lauderdale to protest the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale's recent hate, bigotry and homophobic rhetoric.

Rally on City Hall
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
City Hall Downtown Fort Lauderdale
100 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. FL.

Live music starting at 4 PM Local and National Speakers starting at 5 PM

Partial List of Comfirmed Speakers:
Matt Foreman, Executive Director of The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Nadine Smith, Executive Director Equality Florida
Howard Simon, Florida Executive Director of the ACLU
Andrew L. Rosenkranz, Florida Regional Director from the Anti-Defamation League
Durrell Watkins, Pastor of the Sunshine Cathedral
Mike D Payne, Vice President of the International Longshoremen's Association
Stephan Lampasso, Representative of Human Rights Campaign
Ken Keech, lBroward County Commissioner
Michael Emanuel Rajner, National Secretary of Campaign to End AIDS
Rabbi Greg Kanter, Jewish Light

Power to the People After Rally Party

Art Bar
300 SW 1st Avenue
River Front Entrainment District

DJ Marc Scott

Just Three Blocks from the Rally at City Hall!
Parking Deck next door.
6:30 PM
Untill We Run Out of Power
Free Entrance!

Free Drink Tickets At The Rally!

Bay of Pigs: The OFFICIAL Saturday Night Party for (Dore) Up Your Alley Street Fair

Folsom Street Events in association with Galvanize Productions and The Grind- SoMa Saturdays presents the Official Up Your Alley Saturday night event

Bay Of Pigs
Saturday, July 28th, 2007
Cat Club
1190 Folsom St.
[MAP]
10pm - 4am
Three Floors of Debauchery:
DJ Paulo in the main room
DJ Nikita in the Dungeon Lounge on the 2nd floor
Tattoo Chris will be your host for the evening
Poster by Axel.

FLANEURISM - Friday Photo Walk / WDC 13 July 2007 Photo Montage

I did not know that the street photography that I have practiced since the fall of 1972 when as a senior at Great Mills high School in Southern Maryland that I would take weekend trips to Washington DC to visit the gay bars in SE and SW WDC and cruise the streets of Georgetown on Saturday and Sunday afternoons was a form of flaneurism.

In fact, I never heard of flaneurism until artist and urban planner Daniel Lobo informed me of that fact in March of this year.

Since 1972, I had always envisioned that, years later, my street photography would be intergrated with music and projected onto walls. Having integrated my writings with my photography since my Labor Day Weekend 1992 trip to Fire Island in October 1995, as a result of the Million Man March on Washington, I have developed an ongoing documentary project "Some Angry Black Men Might Would've Put A Gun In His Hands" that while journalizing about my experiences as a black male and reporting on the issues of the day I have also photographed the time in which I have lived.

Cognitive that when my phtography has been integrated with my writings the result will not only represent a powerful reflection and documentation of our times but will also shed light on my personal story.

Though it has been since February 2005 that I have created photo montage videos and in recent weeks several video footage projects this particular video project, FLANEURISM - Friday Photo Walk / WDC - 13 July 2007 is precisely what I have visualized since the fall of 1972.

Unfortunately, for me, a black male, it has been a life subjected to out right and blatant racism.

While my street photography has always been a form of flaneurism what sets my body of work against all others is the fact my photo walks, particularly since 1992, has been 'walks against racism'.

The above photo was taken on Friday evening, 13 July 2007 on 7th Street in Chinatown.

One of the reasons that, in recent years, I focus on Chinatown is because it reminds me of Georgetown in the 70's and early 80's. I sometimes refer to it as Georgetown East. And what is so pronouced to me ... a black male ... is the fact that I have less freedoms now and am disrespected more now on 7th Street in Chinatown than I was, as a black male, when my white friends and I cruised the streets of Georgetown in the 70's.

Click the above photo to view my 13 July 2007 Friday Photo Walk photoset. It is included in my FLANEURISM - Friday Photo Walk / WDC - 13 July 2007 photo montage.

The background music for the photo montage video is DJ Bryan Hughes mix "Burning Man 2006". I only include the music of those DJs whose work I regard as important reflections of our times.

This video will be played at bars, night clubs, lounges and art openings ... bringing attention to DJ Bryan Hughes and, of course, my ongoing FLANEURISM PROJECT.

Some angry black men might would've put in a gun in their hands!