Sayin' It Loud!: 2006 Black L.U.V. Fest

In commemoration of 2007 Black History Month and during my ritual February hibernation I've uploaded more never before seen 2006 Black L.U.V. Festival photos.

In 1997, The Black L.U.V. (love, unity & vision) Festival was established by artists in the historic U street community who continue to be dedicated to social change.

Though in years past this FREE one-day multi-cultural outdoor event took place at Meridian Hill in Malcolm X. Park the 2006 Black L.U.V. Festival was held in the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse Plaza at 4th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in northwest Washington DC.

Why Sundays? The Black L.U.V. Festival embraces the institution of Sunday being a day for family. Which is when many families participate in church and religious activities.

Though still under construction, if clicked, the above photo of Green Tea links to my 2006 Black L.U.V. Festival photoset.

In commemoration of Black History Month 2007 I am now launching the new ongoing historiographic project BLACK PERFORMANCE ARTISTS - SAYIN' IT LOUD!

Shop FTD.com for Valentine's Day through Benevolink!

FTD.com's special floral arrangements for Valentine's Day evoke feelings of love just from their names alone. It really wouldn't be Valentine's Day without beautiful, fresh, delivered to their door, flowers from FTD.com. An added bonus from making your significant other feel loved? 20% of your purchase, that's right, 20% - goes to your favorite charity.

Valentine's Day is Wednesday, so if you need next day delivery you need to order before 2pm EST on Tuesday so that it will arrive on V-day! If you are a major procrastinator, or you never read your emails, look for the bouquets that have a clock symbol underneath them which indicates that they can be shipped same day delivery if placed before 2pm in the recipient's time zone.

FTD.com and Benevolink, spreading the love this Valentine's Day!

Who is Adams Morgan?

First held in 1978, the Adams Morgan Day Festival celebrates the international and cultural diversity and creativity that is the hallmark of Adams Morgan. Adams Morgan Day also showcases the neighborhood as an ethnic and eclectic retail, entertainment and restaurant locale.

Who's Adams Morgan?

Adams Morgan is not the name of a person -- it's the name of our neighborhood. The name reflects the spirit of Adams Morgan Day and comes straight from the Civic Rights era.

In 1955, the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling led to the integration of two segregated schools in what is now called Adams Morgan: the all-White John Quincy Adams Elementary School and the all-Black Thomas P. Morgan Elementary School.

In 1958, the principals of the schools (Florence Cornell and Bernice Brown), met and discussed how the neighborhood could respect for racial and cultural differences.

They organized the Adams Morgan Better Neighborhood Conference and combined both schools into a single district -- the neighborhood now called Adams Morgan.

Famed community leader Josephine Butler (1920 - 1997) also helped lead the integration of Adams and Morgan Schools. The Josephine Butler Parks Center, at 2437 15 St. NW, is named after her.

Adams Morgan was named one of the 20 best neighborhoods in the United States in 2005 by Project for Public Spaces.

Though still under construction, click above photo to visit my 2006 Adams Morgan Day Festival photoset. See also my Cherif Mamadou 15 September 2006 Friday's Photo of the Week.

100% Mexico Hecho A Mano ... closes its doors.

Since June 2005, Windows on 14th Street, have been amongst my ongoing historiographic projects. Though I've never been inside, one store's windows that I always looked forward to were those of 100% Mexico Hecho A Mano.

During the winter months I tend to stay inside and catch up on past photo projects. When reviewing never before seen images from my 16 July 2006 Sunday Photo Walk I came across a series of 100% Mexico Hecho A Mano photos.

Searching the internet for information pertaining to 100% Mexico Hecho A Mano I learned that as a partnership between Juan Antonio Santacruz and Rahul C. Desai, 100% Mexico Hecho A Mano (which means "100% Mexico Handmade") it was the first private U.S. franchise of FONART, a Mexican government agency established in 1974 that works closely with artisans.

Unfortunately, according to their website, 100% Mexico Hecho A Mano recently closed its doors. Though certain items will be available online their website is currently under reconstruction.

During a brief telephone interview with Rahul C. Desai, earlier today, I was informed that the store having opened in August 2004, 100% Mexico Hecho A Mano closed on 15 January 2007.

Though I had not been inside the store ... I am sorry to see it go. It added an unique flavor and texture to the 14th Street Historic District.

Zabava, Ukrainian Dance Party @ 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival photos

Many of Alberta's early settlers were Ukrainians, and their traditions and communities remain an important part of Albertan culture. Zabava, "The Ukrainian Dance Party," consisting of four master musicians (fiddle, accordion, tsymbaly [hammered dulcimer], and bass), and four respected Ukrainian dance instructors from some of Alberta's world-renowned Ukrainian dance ensembles. Their performances feature traditional old-time Ukrainian music and social dances that are typical of Ukrainian community dances in Alberta.

Having celebrated its centennial in 2005, in 2006, Alberta was the first Canadian province to be featured at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

On Sunday, 9 July 2006, I had the pleasure of photographing Zabava, The Ukrainian Dance Party's peformance during the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Though still under construction click photo to view Zabava / UDP - SFLF - WDC - 9 July 2006 photoset.

Zabava, Ukrainian Dance Party members included musicians Brian Cherwick. Alex Maduck, Walter Heppner, Bill Yacey. And dancers Annette Bidniak, Jason Golinowski, Tricia Kushniryuk and Orest Semchuk.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 09 February 2007

09 February 2007 Friday's Photo of the Week

Jazz Night in Southwest - Straight Ahead Live Jazz

Westminister Presbyterian Church . 400 I, SW, WDC

Thad Wilson . Friday night, 12 January 2007

10 years ago ... almost to the day

It was 10 years ago, almost to the day, that on an icy, cold, snowy February day I began my funeral historiographic project with the documentation of MPDC Officer Brian Gibson's funeral.

A few nights before, Officer Brian Gibson had been shot dead in his car outside a nightclub on Georgia Avenue in NW WDC. Having always had an interest in funeral photography I caught the subway from my apartment at Scott Circle, in NW, to Potomac Avenue in SE. Walked across the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge to 2200 Branch Avenue in SE. Where I spent several hours photographing Officer Brian Gibson's funeral at the East Washington Heights Baptist Church.

Over the next few months, during my winter hibernation, I hope to scan some of my old negatives and/or pictures from some of my more important historic photographic collections for the purpsoe of transferring them to cd format.

Begining my Scanned Photo Projects 2007 with my 10 February 1997 MPDC Brian Gibson Funeral photo collection not only offords me the opportunity to organize some of my work. But, in the process, I'm able to get a better perspective of how my photography has changed, over the years.

Def Poetry returns on Friday, 16 February @ midnight

"A grand slam!" hails the New York Daily News

An "exuberant, daringly fresh series that breaks poetry out of the neat little boxes it's so often put in." declares The New York Times.

The critically-acclaimed Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry returns for a sixth season with rapper/actor Mos Def as host - Friday, February 16 at midnight.

Frank Samuel Dove, Sr. dies at 72

Frank Samuel Dove, Sr., 72, of Camp Springs, MD died February 1, 2007 in Southern Maryland Hospital Center, Clinton, MD. Born July 15, 1934 in Scotland, MD, he was the son of the late Joseph Thomas “Fred” Dove and Mary Ellen Cutchember Dove. He was the youngest of 15 children.

Frank married Ann Loretta Dove in 1955. From their union, Francine, Frank, Jr., Waverly, Deon, and Monique were born.

Frank leaves to mourn his children, Francine Hawkins and her husband, Steve of Lexington Park, MD, Frank Dove and his wife, Paula of Hughesville, MD, Mary Monique Dove of Camp Springs, MD, his granddaughter, Stevie-Mari Hawkins of Lexington Park, MD, sister, Catherine Dove, brother, Paul Dove and his wife, Edna, all of Scotland, MD, his sister-in-law, Lottie Dove of Park Hall, MD, one more grandchild, two great- grandchildren, ex-wife, Loretta Dove, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Arranged by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., of Leonardtown, MD, the family will receive friends on Saturday, February 10, 2007 from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, St. Inigoes, MD, with the Funeral Service conducted at 10: 30 a.m. Reverend Leroy Boldley will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Luke’s Methodist Church Cemetery, Scotland, MD.

Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams comes to Logan Circle & 14th Street

During the spring of 1989 Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams set out to create a company with a spirit, enthusiasm and mindset that would allow them to venture into new territories for the furniture business.

Though Bob Williams has always been an intricate part of The Mitchell Gold Company since its creation in 1989 it was at on the occasion of the company's "Sweet 16" party at the bi-annual High Point Furniture Market that an announcement was made, in April 2005, effective immediately, it would be known as Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

The diverse yet synergistic management team of Mitchell Gold, President, and Bob Williams, Executive Vice President and Director of Design, has a unique philosophy - keep the customer in focus at all times.

Slated to open in April 2007, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams Furniture will launch its first store in the WDC area, in the former Storehouse location near Logan Circle in Northwest. Storehouse had been a major customer of Gold + Williams until its September 2006 liquidation.

No doubt, and in a similar way that I documented Storehouse at 1526 14th Street and other furniture stores in the 14th Street Historic District I will also photograph the windows and perhaps interior of MG & BW Furniture Store.

Look Both Ways

Last year, 17 pedestrians were struck and killed in the District. As a result, DDOT recently launched the first District of Columbia Pedestrian Master Plan that will examine all aspects of improving the city’s pedestrian environment. The detailed planning process, to be completed in October 2007, will include extensive public involvement through a Technical Advisory Committee, an online survey, focus group meetings, field surveys and a citywide public meeting. To take the online survey.

For more information, contact George Branyan, DDOT pedestrian coordinator, at 202.671.2561 or e-mail george.branyan@dc.gov.

Excerpted from 2/6/07 Downtown DC BID Newsletter Update.

Click photo to view 2006 Pedestrians photoset. Or Pedestrians tag which includes Pedestrian Traffic 2007.

A Natural Move

Natural clothing store Pua Naturally has moved one block south from its original location of 441 7th Street to a new location on 7th Street, just south of D Street at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, (7th Street entrance). For more information, call 202.347.4543 or visit www.pua-naturally.com.

Photo to the left was taken on New Years Day 2007, at Pua Naturally's former location as part of my ongoing Penn Quarter - Windows project.

Click photo to view ongoing Pua Naturally, Mannequins & Window Displays and Penn Quarter projects.

Excerpted from the 2/6/07 Downtwon DC BID Newsletter Update.

Baby It's Cold Outside

So take Metrorail or Metrobus Downtown to join Cultural Tourism DC for Warm up to a Museum through February 28. Enjoy more than 50 exhibits, tours, films and musical interludes at locations chosen specifically to warm the body and soul. Some Downtown locations include the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Gallery of Art, International Spy Museum, Willard InterContinental Hotel and many more. Sponsored by Metro and the Deputy Mayor’s Office of Planning and Economic Development.

Baby It's Cold Outside excerpted from Downtown DC BID Newsletter dated 2/6/07. Click photo to learn more about Warm Up to a Museum.

Hip Hop Community Arts Initiative Workshops - 15 & 28 February

Join the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for assistance in preparing applications for the first Hip Hop Community Arts Initiative. This pilot grant program encourages the growth of quality Hip Hop arts activities throughout the city. Eligible projects include: visual arts; exhibitions; literary readings; dance; theatre; music; multidisciplinary productions and presentations; interdisciplinary art forms; arts education projects, festivals and concerts. Any projects focusing primarily youth should also consider applying for funding in the Arts Outreach and Learning: Arts Education Projects Program. The application deadline for the Hip Hop Community Arts Initiative is Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 pm. The Commission strongly encourages all applicants to attend a workshop prior to submitting an application.

Hip Hop Community Arts Initiative workshops will be held on Thursday, 15 February, from 6-7:30 pm. And Wednesday, 28 February 28, from Noon-1:30 pm.

For more information, contact Lisa Richards at 202.724.5613 or e-mail Lisa.Richards@dc.gov.

Photo of artist Cherif Mamadou was taken during the 2006 Adams Morgan Day Festival.

Celebrate Black History Month with music

Bus Stop - 14R - NW - WDC

Since 1992, I have photographed scenarios depicting the bus stop located on 14th just south of R Street. One of my favorite was taken in August 1995 of a black woman in a red hat. Though I can not now locate the images another series was that which featured the Women With Curves Dove Soap Ad campaign.

Much can be projected about a particular community by the Bus Stop Billboard Displays.

Many of the images that I've taken in recent years of the bus stop at 14th and R Street, NW, were taken just after visiting the Whitman Walker Clinic which is located just a few feet north at the corner of 14th and R Street.

So when reflecting on some of the images from my Bus Stop - 14R - NW WDC series .... memories of my experiences from that particular day ... come to mind.

Walking south on 14th Street, taking pictures pictures graffiti, I'd reflect on when the sign that I saw on the wall across from where I was sitting that brought attention Wednesday, 7 February 2007, as National Black HIV/AIDS Day.

There are no places that I can now go, as a 53 year old gay black man who practiced integration, that I am not confronted with nor reminded of the fact ... that I am a black male.

And each confrontation or remindance is associatied with overt forms of public negation. Which I refer to as negative reinforcements.

"Say it loud! I'm black and I'm proud!".

"The Magic Within" / Herbert Gentry @ James E. Lewis Museum of Art / Morgan State University

"The Magic Within: Paintings and Drawings by Herbert Gentry," opens on Saturday, 10 February 2007 at the James E. Lewis Museum of Art at Morgan State University in Baltimore MD. The show runs through March 25.

An opening reception is scheduled for 17 February and Mary Ann Rose will give a gallery talk on 25 February from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

The JELMA is located in the Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center at 2201 Argonne Drive in Baltimore MD 21251. Telephone 443-885-3030. Fax at 443-885-8258.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 am - 4 pm. Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm. Sunday, 12 noon - 4 pm.

Click here for flyer in pdf format.

2007 Winter Party Festival goes 'Beyond Borders'

MIAMI, Feb. 5 — The 13th Annual Winter Party Festival — one of the world’s most renowned annual celebrations for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community — will kick off in Miami on Feb. 28 with new programming for young people, people of faith and transgender people added to its already vibrant mix of events. The theme of this year’s festival, which runs to March 5, is “Beyond Borders,” and includes world-class dance events with top DJs from six countries.

“’Beyond Borders’ reflects not only the international reach of the Winter Party Festival but our rejection of the politics of division and scapegoating that permeates our own country’s debate around immigration,” said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, which produces the festival. “’Beyond Borders’ expresses the fact that, at the end of the day, we are all one people.”

Read more at National Gay and Lesbian Task Force press release dated 5 February 2007.

Ibhana's Open House / Winter Clearance Sale

Thursday, 8 February - Sunday, 11 February 2007
11 am - 6 pm
at 7908 Cindy Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817
www.ibhana.net for directions in pdf format
Email Meena at ibhana1@aol.com
Phone/Fax: 301-469-9472

Many winter items will be on clearance and you will get to view/select some early summer styles already coming in.

Ibhana will also have its first art exhibition to show case the work of some artists from Nepal. As some of you might be aware, the political turmoil in Nepal has caused havoc in the lives of the men, women and children. Many lives have been lost and even more displaced, deeply impacting tourism, the primary source of income for the Nepalese people.

In alignment with Ibhana's mission of social entrepreneurship, she hopes to promote the work of four Nepalese artists. Each, who provide an insight into Himalayan mountain life and the lives of the Nepalese people. The artists whose work will be on display are: Govind Dongol, Chandra Kumar Tamrakar, Vishnu B.K, Kiran Hada, all of whom have exhibited at NAFA and several other national exhibitions in Nepal.

The mediums on display are oil paintings, water color canvases and Thanaka paintings. Learn more about Thanaka at Wikipedia. Or visit Richard Seah Photography.

Ellington Plaza Public Art Project

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Great Streets Initiative, within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, are seeking an artist or artist team with site-specific and/or public art experience to design, create and install permanent outdoor three-dimensional artwork to support and enhance Ellington Plaza, located in front of the historic Howard Theatre at T Street NW between 7th Street and Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC. The goal of this project is to create a unique art piece and related art elements that communicate the history and current character of the surrounding community.

The deadline is Friday, February 16, 2007 at 5 pm.

View the call to artists* in order to submit your application.

Click photo to view Howard Theater photoset.