Friday, January 11, 2008

My newly launched MASS TRANSIT EXPLORATION blog


Though still UNDER CONSTRUCTION, this past week, I launched my MASS TRANSIT EXPLORATION blog.

My First 2008 FLANEURISM Video of the Week

Since January 1992 which was shortly after I received a Minolta as a Christmas gift photo walks have represented a most important aspect of my photography.

When in Fort Lauderdale over Memorial Day Week that both my cameras where in for repair I purchased a Canon Power Shot. Since then videography has been an important element of my photo walks and mass transit series.

In connection with my "New Memories / New Year 2008 Campaign" my "FLANEURISM: Walk Away / Video Walk - WDC - 07 January 2008" Projections Project, highlighting flaneurism and mass transit exploration, represents my first 2008 FLANEURISM Video of the Week.

Two other similar video projections projects that I shot during this past week are:

Friday's Photo of the Week . 11 January 2008

4th & M Streets, SW . WDC
Tuesday, 08 January 2008

2 WILD CHERRY Events THIS WEEKEND in WDC

Gearing up for the 2008 Cherry Weekend two events will be held THIS WEEKEND in WDC.

On Saturday night, 12 January 2008, in connection with the Wild Cherry Series, the Cherry Fund / Cherry Events will present DJ Revive, whose name is actually Chris Guénard, from New Orleans at the Be Bar.

Tickets are $5 at the door benefitting The Cherry Fund. VIP Tickets are available at $10 which includes a promo CD and t-shirt. Cherry Weekend (April 17-20, 2008) passes & tickets will be available for purchase.

Be Bar is located at 1318 9 th Street, NW, WDC.

On Sunday, 13 January, Delirium Sundays at Pasha will host a Special Cherry Preview Dance Party, benefitting Cherry Weekend featuring DJ Alexander from LA.

Delirium Sundays at Pasha takes places on the second floor of the former Mr. P's, at 2147 P Street in NW WDC, this Sunday's Special Cherry Preview Dance Party open its doors at 8 pm. The music goes until 2 am. General admisssion is $10.

Winter Party Festival Early Bird Special Ends Monday!

To have the most fun possible at Winter Party Festival and save a little money at the same time ... purchase one of the multi-event passes by Monday, January 14! Passes always save you anywhere from $45 to more than $400, but you can enjoy additional savings during the early bird special.

Two passes, the Florida Resident Pass and the New Generation 21-25 Pass, are only available until January 14. But only purchase these passes if you qualify, as you'll be required to show a valid government-issued ID at all venues.

A new pass for those of you who like to get the party started and not stop, The Climax 24-Hour Pass includes three events that will take you from noon on Sunday to noon on Monday and maybe even later. This new pass is $150 and includes the 15th Annual Winter Party Beach Party, Orbit and BPM: Red Eye. This pass is available only until Monday, January 28.

Winter Party Festival isn't just a mind-blowing celebration, it's also an essential fundraiser for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and organizations that serve the Miami-Dade LGBT community. It takes over 400 volunteers to produce the more than 20 events on the Festival's line-up. These terrific people -- serving as greeters and bartenders, staffing the Welcome Center, working behind the scenes at receptions and fashion events, monitoring shuttle buses and setting up and striking more than 20 events -- help ensure that more money is available for the benefit of all of us.

If you'd like to contribute some of your time to Winter Party Festival, sign up at VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION.

HOST HOTEL RATES INCREASE ON JANUARY 29!

The Doubletree Surfcomber is THE hotel of choice during Winter Party Festival. The Festival Welcome Center is located in the hotel, only steps away from the magnificent pool, site of the ever-popular Under One Sun Pool Party. Hotel guests receive two complimentary tickets per room to this spectacular event.

Room rates are $299/king and $319/double through January 29, after which the rates increase by $20. To reserve your room, please call 305.532.7715, ask for reservations, and mention Winter Party Festival 2008 to receive the special rate or visit the Doubletree Surfcomber website.

Here is the Entertainment List and Schedule. And Travel Information and official photos from last year.

Click the above photo by Elvert Barnes to view images from his 2007 Winter Party Festival photo collection at flickr.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

3rd Annual Just Circuit Awards Ballot Deadline - 14 January 2008

Last year, over 2000 JustCircuit members took the time to vote in the 2006 JustCircuit Awards. Their interest and participation in honoring the best in the Circuit was simply...amazing!

Here is the link which will enable you to access your ballot for the 3rd Annual JustCircuit Awards. Please click this link and follow the instructions provided to vote your ballot. Should you have any questions regarding your ballot, user-name or eligibility, please email JCAwards@JustCircuit.com.

Deadline for ballot submission is at 11:59 PM on 14 January 2008 and no ballots will be accepted after that time.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Paladino Casting Call for BMXers & 'freelance' X-treme Sports Videographers in the WDC area

I received an email yesterday in my YouTube account from Emily Derr of Paladino Casting pertaining to a casting project for the Reebok website.

Paladino Casting is in search of people with interesting and unusual athletic skills, in particular, BMXers and 'freelance' extreme sports videographers in NYC, WDC and Barcelona who would be interested in having their images and/or videography featured on the Reebok website.

Based in NYC, Paladino Casting is currently making plans to visit WDC in the next few weeks for the purpose of scouting 'potential' subjects. While Paladino Casting hopes to spend a day or more videotaping and photographing BMXers in action at various locations in the metropolitan area - interested BMXers and 'freelance' x-treme sports videographers may also upload their projects to YouTube.

While union members or those under contract are welcomed to inquire and will may will be accepted, this particular project may be better suited for those who are non-union or are not under any specific contract.

In any case, it is important to obatain a signed model release from any subject and/or videographer involved in the project.

Contemplating visiting WDC next weekend or, perhaps, the weekend after ... Kristen Paladino has asked for my assistance in connecting her with BMXers and those who videotape them in the WDC area. However, since the cold weather is setting in and the BMXers (mostly from the suburbs) that I am familiar with frequent Penn Quarter, Navy Memorial, Freedom Plaza and Shaw Skate Park & Recreation Center in WDC it was my suggestion that she wait until the weather is warmer.

From conversations that I have had with the various BMXers, over the years, there are several BMX locations out in the suburbs that I have never visited.

So, if you are a BMXer or a 'freelance' x-treme sports videographer in the WDC area and wish to inquire further regarding this Paladino Casting project please telephone 212-741-2224. Or email Kristen Paladino at kristen@paladinocasting.com or Emily Derr at emily@paladinocasting.com.

In addition to that which you'll find at the Paladino Casting website here is a link to information pertaining to Kristen Paladino's casting background.

Click the above image of BMXer Eric, from Fairfax VA, to view my BMX - Penn Quarter photoset.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 04 January 2008

National Mall . WDC . 28 June 2007

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Photographer Gerald Mocarsky's "Men Who Dance With Men" featured in January 2008 IN THE LIFE "Wide Stance" Episode

In the "IN THE LIFE" January Program Alert I learn of photographer Gerald Mocarsky whose "Men Who Dance With Men" historiographic project captures provocative images of men dancing together. From socials for senior citizens to ballet and hip-hop dancing, he uses his art to celebrate the honesty and beauty of coming to terms with oneself.

When viewing the JANUARY 2008 - WIDE STANCE video and then Mocarsky's website I was glad to observe another photographer who has similar interest and foci as I.

While my ongoing "And Without Apologies", "Out In The Life", and "Dancing The Night Away" series and Winter Party Festival 2007 Beach Party and 2005 Manhunt Pool Party collections attempt to document and celebrate 'gay life' my Movement Choreophotography Project captures folks of any and all sexual orientations, religious affiliations and political persuasion including those at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, in Dupont Circle, at Malcolm X. Park and the Black Family Renion or the Downtown Holiday Market 'dancing in the street'.

When observing Mocarsky in action on the WIDE STANCE video and viewing his work at his website ... I said to myself "George, I know exactly what it is that you are doing because I, too, have the same interests and similar foci.

IN THE LIFE's January episode, Wide Stance, features a diverse collection of stories, from a look at a film that examines biblical language about homosexuality, to a photo essay of men dancing together. We'll hear what it's like to be a gay rapper, take an unflinching and historical look at public sex and entrapment, through the lens of the Senator Larry Craig scandal. Throughout the show, the ever-controversial Margaret Cho, and lesbian comic Kate Clinton, go head-to-head in conversation.

To see when IN THE LIFE airs in your area, visit the Show Schedule finder.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Russell Richards 2008 Wall Calendar 'Limited Edition' available for only two more weeks

The limited edition of "The Art of Russell U. Richards" 2008 Wall Calendar featuring 12 months of inspiring artwork suitable for all ages, which he presented as gifts during this holiday season, will be available for only two more weeks from Russell U. Richards store at Cafe Press.

Click the image to order the limited edition 2008 calendar. Other products featuring "The Art of Russell U. Richards", including T-shirts and posters can be found at his Cafe Press Shop.

To learn more about Russell U. Richards visit his webiste at "The Art of Russell U. Richards.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 28 December 2007

in front of 14 U Cafe . 1939 14th Street, NW, WDC
Saturday afternoon, 22 December 2007

Showtime's "Holy Shit! Promo

By itself, such a promo would be unremarkable, given the R-rated content of so many Showtime skeins and movies. But the [HOLY SHIT] ad -- spearheaded by Showtime execs Frank Pintauro and Angie Speranza -- doesn't stop there.

The montage is set to the Centralia song "Holy Shit," which includes lyrics such as "I've been such an asshole/I've been such a prick" and "Holy, holy shit/We've got the world by the tit."

Read full VARIETY article, dated 17 August 2007, by Josef Adalian.

Click image to view YouTube video.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

National Marathon Registration Reminder - Rates Increase After 31 December

A "Timely" Reminder

National Marathon and Half Marathon registration rates increase at the 1st of the new year. Be sure to take advantage of the last days of 2007 for the current race rate of $85 for the marathon and $70 for the half.

[Effective] January 1, prices increase by $10 in each category.
Get ready to run your personal best, sign up to run for your cause, or get a head start on your New Year's Resolution.

Here in DC, Everybody's Running for Something.

REGISTRATION - CLICK HERE.

The above photo by Elvert Barnes was taken at 8:01 am on the 7th Street Bridge in SW between E and H Streets, SW, WDC on 24 March 2007 during the 2nd Annual National Marathon.

Corcoran End of Year 'Annual Fund' Request

A Message / Request from Paul Greenhalgh, Director and President, of the Corcoran Gallery Art / College of Art + Design

As I sit here, adjacent to the crowds queuing to get into our gallery, I realize that the lively bustle of the crowd in the atrium is giving all of my colleagues a new sense of optimism and pride in the Corcoran.

The galleries are looking very sharply designed; the building looks cleaner and grander by the day; the ranks of our membership are swelling to a new size; we are approaching our education and outreach activity with new-found confidence and vigor. We are arriving in a good place.

Your commitment to the Annual Fund is vital. This fund is the foundation of all we do. It enables us to install world class exhibitions, expand the college by offering new degree programs and scholarships, repair and restore our National Historic Landmark Building, and support our community outreach programs.

We all know that the coming period is absolutely key for the future. We are only beginning the journey that will take the Corcoran to places it has not been for a hundred years. We will make the coming year into one of the best in our recent history.

Make your 100% tax-deductible gift to the Corcoran Annual Fund by December 31.

Thank you and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year.

Paul Greenhalgh
Director and President


Taken at the Corcoran on 2 June 2006 of John Fulton who was visiting WDC from South Boston VA, click the above image to view my ongoing Corcoran photoset and 17th Street, NW, collection.

Monday, December 24, 2007

2007 Deadly Year for Police

According to data and analysis provided by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 2007 is turning out to be one of the deadliest years in decades for police.

Recently, ABC's World News with Charles Gibson ran a two-part series that took an in-depth look at the growing dangers faced by police and what's being done about them.

Part 1 of the series which was entitled Officer Down: 2007 Deadly Year for Police and here is part 2, Increasing Assault Weapons in Criminal Hands.

Click the Christmas Eve, 24 December 2007 image by Elvert Barnes to view USPP 2007 and Cop Duty 2007 photo sets.

View Horseback USPP "Merry Christmas" Wish video here.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

WOW Party Tonight with Larry Tee at Galapagos / Brooklyn

Every Saturday at Galapagos Larry Tee, Kevin Graves, Earl Dax, and Tobell von Cartier bring you the funnest new party in NYC!!!

This week special appearance by Bad Brilliance and performance from Tobell.

$5 or free if you RSVP to myspace.com/nylarrytee.

DON'T MISS THIS PARTY!!

EVERYBODY GETS LAID AT THIS PARTY!!!