Friday Photo of the Week - 25 April 2008

From the Perspective Of . US Capitol Police

National Socialist Movement March on Washington

US Capitol Grounds . WDC . 19 April 2008

2008 Fridays' Photos of the Week

In response to Matt Foreman's final Task Force opinion

In case you experience technical difficulty accessing the pdf format of The Task Force's exiting Executive Director Matt Foreman's 22 April 2008 compelling commentary The (ex) governor’s wife, my best friend and the down low click the image above to view my reconstructed, copied and pasted version at Google Documents.

Let me began, first, with a SHOUT OUT to Matt Foreman for a job well done as Task Force's executive director.

Who I first met during the August 2003 40th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's historic Civil Rights March on Washington. And, subsequently, cross paths with at the 2005 and 2007 Winter Party Festival. While I have high regards for his work and efforts and have always been impressed with his writing and ability to 'hit the nail on the head' and, as I expressed to him during our first meeting, in August 2003 ... I'm sick and tired of joining hands and marching in the streets ... only to realize some 30 or 40 years later that every touch and step along the way was yet another premeditaed act to deter but dismantle my dreams.

When reading the first line of Foreman's final commentary which states that he never thought that he had much in common with Eliot Spitzer’s wife Silda ... I remembered the moment in early March 2008 when in Fort Lauderdale that my partner and I first heard the news on TV.

After some discussion regarding the matter of transporting a prostitute across state lines, I looked at him and said, "O' please ... the Mayflower Hotel was only one of the places in WDC that Girard and I rendezvoused, partied and engaged in things that were 'not safe'.

Of Franco-Swizz descent, Girard had a striking resemblance to Rock Hudson. We first met in late February 1988 on the very same night after having spent the day earlier moving into a new apartment in NE WDC that I stopped into the DC Eagle. The reason that I moved to the new apartment was because my white house mate of several years but then ex-lover who, himself, was a cocaine dealer, pot head and alcoholic demanded that I move out because he was sick and tired of 'all the white men' calling the house and coming around looking for me.

Had I known then what I came to realize many years later not only would Girard not have been invited back to my new apartment which resulted in his invitation for me to fly out to LA to visit him over the 1988 Easter Weekend but, our subsequent rendezvous in high-priced hotels in NYC and WDC, including the Mayflower, would not have occured.

Girard was only one of the many white men who, over the years, that I had ongoing relationships with. Of course, there were the occasional one night stands. But, hose are not the subject of this essay. While most identified themselves as gay, there were more than a few who were straight and married that I had ongoing sexual relationships with. As well as a few straight guys from catering that travelled with me to other cities and accompanied me to gay bars in WDC who I did not engage in sexual relations with but, felt comfortable enough with me, that we slept in the same bed. And whenever they needed a place to stay or money, it was not uncommon for them to ask for my assistance. And ... with no strings attached.

And, yes, there were two straight black women who I was close with and a white woman that some may refer to as a 'fag hag' that I still include amongst my dearest friends.

So, when I speak of relationships I'm talking about people who I had more than just a passing connection to.

I mention Girard for several reasons. One of which has to do with the fact that like many of the white men that I had relationships with, of European descent, Girard was not an American citizen. He as an alien.

When over one summer of 1975 or '76 that collegemates Frank, Mark, Ken, Tim, Rob and I held a contest to see who could sleep with the most men, many which we met at the Lost and Found, Frank nicknamed me "the diplomat' as well as Melba (for Melba Moore) and Sapphire since many of the men that I met were foreigners. And of various ethnicities.

I'm almost sure that Frank, an Italian from Long Island, who had a thing for blondes ... won the contest.

And even back then, the foreigners always discussed with me their disillusionment with the racism that they witnessed in America. Particularly, that which they observed directed towards black men. And then, too, they also expressed their 'unsatiable love for black men'. And, that, if I were to visit their homeland ... 'Man, they would love you!".

Speaking of the summer of 1975 and 'unsatiable love for black men' ... it was also in the summer of 1975 that I met David, a Morman from Utah and an FBI Agent in training, at the Pier 9 who, like many white men, when professing of his 'attraction to black men' told me that his family, friends and colleagues would not only disapprove but, in fact, probably would disown him.



While his 'attraction to black men' bothered me and though I did not judge him, his obsessive drinking and pot smoking was of more concern. At his invitation, in July or August 2005, I rode up to NYC with him to see Bette Midler on Broadway in her "Halfshell Review". Having stayed with one of his FBI agent colleagues who, I believe, lived in Chinatown ... shortly after our return to NYC ... he was called into the office of his supervisor and informed that, as a result of his relationships with blacks ... he was to be terminated.



At the time, I was renting a basement apartment from an integrated couple who owned a house in Chillum MD. It was on a Sunday afternoon, in late August, when I was in the midst of ironing work clothes for the upcoming week that Mr. Maxell, a black retired Army Officer who was married to a European woman of German descent, came downstairs to inform me that since FBI agents were snooping around the house ... it may would be best ... if I found another place to live.

So, when in the fall of 1987 that Greg demanded that I move out, because he was sick and tired of the white men coming around, (as he had done several times before) not only did I flashback to the Easter of 1985 as well as the summer of 1975 but, also, reflected on what had always bothered me when, in the then past, that white men had professed their 'unsatiable love for black men"!

Back to Girard. While I had taken many east coast trips with white friends the Easter 1988 Weekend in LA was my first trip to the West Coast. So, when Girard invited me out to LA I mentioned to him that, historically, whenever I had travelled or had been in relationships with white men who had 'unsatiable love for black men' ... problems had always resulted.

It was in LA over Easter Weekend 1988 that I first heard of 'crack'. While I had known a few friends in NYC who were into freebasing which I was not ... I had not heard of 'crack' until Easter of 1988 which is what Girard was heavy into. And, made arrangements with a black lesbian to deliver several batches over the weekend.

It was also a black lesbian who would deliver batches of crack to a white guy who I knew some years later who lived in SW WDC. This connection between black lesbians and gay white men is a most important element that I have discussed in other essays, pertaining to their relationships with black men!

And the concept of 'house negroes'. Or 'house negresses!.

It was upon my return to WDC a few days later, that fuck buddy Bobby McGee (a white guy from Bostonian who had connections to Warhol's The Factory) told me that he had been smoking crack, along with pcp, for several months. While I was of aware of his pcp usage I had never heard of crack until the week before in LA.

And, it was from that time on, that white guys, many who I did not know began to approach me in bars or in the street ... about crack ... in the same way as had white guys approached me since 1978 about pot, folllowed by acid, followed by cocaine. And that those who I had known before who had snorted, only now talked about 'crack'. And their 'unsatiable love for black men'.

So, while I do not recall the specifics, it was during our rendezvous at the Mayflower Hotel that I discussed with Girard that, over the then 10 year period, though the government, media and society projected a very different image ... it had been my personal experience ... that not only were whites far more into drugs than blacks but, that there seemed to be an uncomfortable connection between white addictions and the 'struggles' that I had experienced, as a black man.

And while I do not now recall when it would be a few months or perhaps a year later that we would spend the weekend together at the Carlyle Suites Hotel. And on one occasion when a friend named Tristan invited me up for a weekend at his Chelsea apartment, Girard visited with us. And on another occasion I flew up to NYC to party with Girard at a fancy hotel in Mid-town.

So, each time that I now walk pass the Carlyle Suites or the Mayflower Hotel ... Girard comes to mind.

Foreman, in his final commentary, is not the only one who has come to realize that much of what the government and society has projected onto and about black men not only are based lies and untruths but, in many cases is more true for whites than blacks. And that the projection onto blacks is more a deflection not a reflection of the truth.

It's too bad the Foreman could not have have seen the obvious before his final commentary. And, if he had any doubt, on at least two occasions when we crossed paths ... I spoke of these very things.

For more than 30 years, this black man, has spoken the truth. But, the truth has never been what they wanted here!

Revamping & Relaunching of RockStarPix.com

Concert photography and web designer Dalila Kriheli has recently revamped and relaunched her RockStarPix.com website.

In the coming months, if time permits, she will import pictures from the former rockstarpix site and, of course add more images from upcoming shows.

Dalila's portfolio includes sessions with Almost Queen, Anvil, George Lynch, Joe Perry, Lenny Kravitz / Craig Ross, Loudness, Ninja, Paul Stanley, Sebastian Bach, Ted Nugent, Twisted Siter, and Wolf Hoffmann.

In addition to the newly revamped RockStarPix site info pertaining to Dalila may be found at myspace.com/rockstarpix.

Contact info for Dalila Kriheli can be found at the RockStarPix website.

In celebration of Earth Day 2008

Having happened upon the set-up on Saturday afternoon, it was my intention to visit the 2008 Earth Day on the National Mall the followjng day. But, since it rained all day I did not make it.

Since signing onto Google early this morning and observing its Earth Day 2008 logo and campaign I've contemplated ways by which that I not not only celebrate Earth Day 2008 but, also institute ongoing projects and/or practices that will be eco-conscience.

Two former ideas, immediately, came to mind.

The first has to do with the many brown paper bags that, over the years, I have collected from Safeway that are neatly stored in the cabinet over the refigerator. Though, I have contemplated this idea before, effective today, when planing a visit to Safeway I will make extra efforts to carry my brown paper bags.

The second idea which since its January 2008 launch I have not worked too much on nor promoted is my series of Musicians Hands 100% cotton tote bags at Cafepress. So, in celebration of Earth Day 2008 here is my second Musicians Hands 100% cotton tote bag at Cafepress.

My current Cafepress accounts are Cafepress.com/ElvertBarnes and Cafepress/Washingtoniana.

Google wants to know what you will do for Earth Day '08

Will you take the train or bus to work? Start washing your laundry in cold water? Just turn off a few more lights?

However you're planning to honor Earth Day (April 22) and combat climate change, Google wants to hear all about it – the more unique, the better.

Yes, we can tackle climate change – but only if we all pitch in. Here's your chance to do your part – and inspire your fellow citizens to do theirs. Share your ideas, put yourself on our map and let your fellow users know what you've committed to do for Earth Day 2008, and for the rest of the year.

Click image for details.

April / May 2008 Issue of Just Circuit Mag NOW AVAILABLE

Always available every two months, the industry's newest, freshest and most important "Circuit-dedicated" magazine ... the recent April/May 2008 issue of Just Circuit Mag represents its third installment.

Click image for online viewing. Print copies are available at locations in the Fort Lauderdale / Miami (South Florida) area.

Or, perhaps, you'd prefer getting your own personal copies of the next six issues sent to your home or office, including a free CD (a $20.00 value) from Centaur Music!

FLANEURISM: Bike Friday / WDC - 11 April 2008

BikeFriday.WDC.11apr08
Video sent by ElvertBarnes

Commencing on Maine Avenue between 14th and 15th Street in the Southwest Waterfront / Tidal Basin area of Washington DC this compilation features footage shot of bicyclists during my 11 April 2008 Friday Photo / Video Walk.

From Maine Avenue, across from the Tidal Basin I proceeded north along 15th Street, across the National Mall, to Madison Place which is where I veered right until 14th Street.

Proceeded north on 14th Street to Freedom Plaza, turned left onto E Street, passing the Willard / Occidental Hotels complex.

Headed north on 15th to Pennsylvania Avenue, walked through the 1600 block of Pennsylvania, in front of the White House, and through Lafayette Park.

Proceeded north along Coonnecticut Avenue through Farragut Park and then, along Connecticut Avenue to and through Dupont Circle.

Walked east on Q until 17th. South on 17th until P. East on P until 14th. South on 14th, through Thomas Circle down to the McPherson Square WMATA Rail Station.

While pedestrians, joggers, vehicular traffic and some architectural were my major themes this compilation, in connection with my ongoing BIKE FRIDAY Series, features 'bicylists' that I captured along the way.

Elvert Xavier Barnes Videography
FLANEURISM / BIKE FRIDAY Series

Friday's Photo of the Week . 18 April 2008

Commuters near Department of Commerce

14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues

NW Washington DC . Friday, 11 April 2008

2008 Fridays Photos of the Week

NYC Phtographer Trevor Brown's "Brooklyn Rises" Solo Exhibition at Hibiscus Day Spa / Brooklyn

NYC photographer Trevor Brown solo exhibition, Brooklyn Rises, will be on display at Brooklyn's Hibiscus Day Spa from 12 April through 17 May 2008. An opening reception will be held from 1 until 3 pm (TODAY) on Friday, 19 April 2008.

Hibiscus Day Spa is located in the historic Stuyvesant Heights section of Bedford-Stuyvesant at 558 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, NY.

Click image to visit Trevor Brown's website and to learn more about the exhibit or to register and vote for Trevor in the Brooklyn Museum Click Exhibition. View his Brooklyn Rises collection at flickr.

Trevor will also be be featured in the May issue of WOOF! Magazine.

ATLAS Events To Re-Launch Lizard Lounge at Lima on Sunday, 4 May

In a PRESS RELEASE dated Thursday, 17 April 2008, long-time nightclub producer and well-known local nightlife advocate Mark Lee announced that his special event production group, ATLAS Events, is set to re-launch Lizard Lounge beginning Sunday, 4 May, following a two-year closure.

The weekly Sunday event will now be held at the popular nightlife venue Lima at 1401 K Street NW.

Lizard Lounge will again feature former Resident DJ Kostas, who will share the performance schedule with local DJ Luke Easley. Admission is free and restricted to those 21 years of age and older. The event will open each week at 8:00 p.m. and will offer special drink prices until 2am.

Here is the 17 April 2008 press release with pertinent details. Or click the image/fyer to learn more about the opening event.

And visit the ATLAS Events website to learn more about future events or to GET INTO ORBIT: Sign Up on the Announcement List.

Coconut Point Art & Craft Festival - Saturday & Sunday, 19 - 20 April 2008

Coconut Point, located near Estero and Bonita Springs (between Naples & Fort Myers), will host the inaugural Coconut Point Art & Craft Festival this weekend, 19 - 20 April.

Fine art, crafters market place, music, and more will occupy the town center for two exciting days. Grab the family and your comfy shoes to stroll amidst, sculptures, paintings, one-of-a-kind jewelry, pottery, and an expansive Green Market lends plants, orchids, exotic flora, and homemade soaps.

Held this Saturday and Sunday, 19 - 20 April 2008 from 10 am until 5pm each day, admission is free.

1st Annual Downtown Hyattsville Arts Festival - Saturday, 19 April from 12n until 5p

Celebrate the revitalization of downtown Hyattsville, the DC area's newest urban neighborhood, at this Saturday's First Annual Downtown Hyattsville Arts Festival.

This one-day event will showcase talented local artisans, live music, and great food from 12 noon until 5 pm at Longfellow Street and Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue).

Take the Metro to West Hyattsville Station.

My "In Search of the Sun - April 2000 MMOW Photos Never Before Seen" Cherry Weekend 2008 DVD / Video Release

In celebration of the 2008 Cherry Weekend which opens today, click the image on the left to view my In Search of the Sun - April 2000 MMOW Photographs Never Before Seen / April 2008 photo montage video / dvd projections project.

"IN SEARCH OF THE SUN", an August 2007 progressive / morning trance mix by DJ Bryan Hughes of San Francisco serves as background music for this collection of NEVER BEFORE SEEN IMAGES from the April 2000 Millennium March on Washington for Equality which took place in Washington DC.

Bryan Hughes' PROGRESSION #3 served as background music for the August 2007 MMOW Projections Project which features an unique slide show of hundreds of images taken by Elvert Barnes over the April 2000 MMOW Weekend.

In celebration of the 2008 Cherry Weekend, the April 2008 IN SEARCH OF THE SUN - APRIL 2000 MMOW Photographs Never Before Seen photo montage not only features seven rolls of 35 mm film that were not processed until 11 April 2008 but, also, integrates copies of actual pages from the ADVOCATE MAGAZINE's 'Official March Weekend Guide' and MMOW related articles from the 5 May 2000 issue of the WASHINGTON BLADE.

Though still under construction here is my April 2000 MMOW Photographs Never Before Seen / April 2008 flickr collection.

Cherry's WELCOME CENTER opened at today, 17 April 2008, at HALO on the Second Floor. The hours will be 11am to 8pm. DJ Jace from Ann Arbor MI will be spinning.

And, in celebration of Cherry Weekend 2008, DJ Seth Gold from NYC will be at the helm at tonight's Thursday College Night at Apex. $5 or free with college ID.

Capitol Pedicabs Rides Into Town!

I'm sure most have observed DC's first bicycle rickshaw, DC Pedicab which since March 2006 has been the only pedicab service in WDC. However, when out taking pictures along 15th Street on the National Mall during my 11 April 2008 Walk I captured the newly launched Capitol Pedicabs. Which, according to the operator, opened for business approximately three weeks ago.

Though still under construction, visit the Capitol Pedicabs website for more information.

Click image to view my 11 April 2008 Capitol Pedicab video.

Here are March 2008 video footages of the Ocean View Rickshaw and an Independent Pedicab that I shot while in Fort Lauderdale.

And here is my DC Pedicab photoset.

Bike to Work Day/Ride of Silence 2008

This year, Bike to Work day is 16 May 2008. And don't forget to memorialize fallen cyclists one week later, on a Ride of Silence, held nationwide on 21 May.

In Washington DC, join thousands of area commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work! Meet up with your neighbors at one of 26 pit stops all over the region, ride into the city with experienced commuter convoys and meet your colleagues at Freedom Plaza. Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Commuter Connections invite you to try bicycling to work as an alternative to solo driving. Help the Washington region become a better place to ride. Bike to Work Day is a FREE event and open to all area commuters. Free Bike to Work Day t-shirts are available to the first 7,000 registrants.

Tell everyone at your workplace about Bike To Work Day by downloading this printable PDF flyer.

Here is info pertaining to Bike to Work Day 2008 in Baltimore.

Having launched my Bike Friday Series as result of the Fall 2007 Bike-Friendly Fridays Campaign it was during my Friday afternoon, 11 April 2008 photo / video walk that I captured this neighbor on the National Mall, crossing Independence Avenue, SW, as he headed south on 15th Street in the direction of the Tidal Basin and Southwest Waterfront.

Friday's Photo of the Week - 11 April 2008

US Postal Service Headquarters Building

I. M. Pei's L'Enfant Plaza / Promenade Complex

Southwest Federal Center Project

10th Street, SW, WDC . 1 April 2008

2008 Fridays Photos of the Week

AIDS Walk Miami "Art for AIDS Auction" at eBay until Saturday, 19 April

Click image for details

Centaur Music's $5 Sale on Blue Ball & Cherry Official CDs thru 15 April

Centaur has been a Proud Sponsor for two of the east coasts greatest fundraising weekends for the past several years and this year is no exception.

Blue Ball (Philadelphia) and Cherry (Washington) are fast approaching and you are encouraged to join the excitement and show your support with the purchase of the Official CDs for past events. All Blue Ball and Cherry CDs produced by Centaur are currently on sale for only $5.00 each. This offer included: Blue Ball 2, Blue Ball 3, Blue Ball 4, Blue Ball 5, Cherry Six and Cherry 2. No coupon code is needed and the discount will be added during checkout. Offer expires on Tuesday April 15, 2008.

FREEDOM: Junior Vasquez w/ Kevin Aviance at Cielo / NYC - Sunday, 13 April

From Mark Nelson Events:

VIDEOS on FLICKR is NOT A GOOD THING!

When I first heard of the idea a week or so ago either in an email that I got from flickr contact Billy Warhol or from a posting on one of his blog sites I did not know for sure if it was true. Or a rumor. At the time, busy working on some project, I did not take the time to read it further.

And then, when I heard the day before yesterday that it was to go in effect later that evening, at first, I thought it may would be a good idea.

But after reading some of the feedback from many flickrites who object and several attempts to upload ... realizing that there are already other video sites including YouTube, Google, Daily Motion, AOL, and even Yahoo Videos ... I now think that it is not a good idea.

Or, as Martha Stewart may would say "... its NOT a good thing!"

If YAHOO / FLICKR wishes to offer video sharing than, perhaps, they should start up a new site, separate from FLICKR. and by another CATCHY NAME. Or, update the YAHOO VIDEO service.

But, by all means, what ever video service that they start up ... it should be an improvement upon the various video sites that already exist.

I, Elvert Barnes, say "Videos on Flickr is NOT A GOOD THING!"

No, no, no ... videos at flickr, is NOT the one for me!