Ed Bailey & John Guggenmos unveils "Town Danceboutique" tomorrow night

Mark Lee and associates from ATLAS Events, in a Special Courtesy Announcement, passes on the information that Ed Bailey & John Guggenmos will unveil their new gay dance club, "Town Danceboutique", TOMORROW NIGHT, 17 November 2007.

Here is an excerpt from Lee's courtesy announcement:

On Saturday, Nov. 17th, you are invited to attend the opening night of Town's weekly Saturday night party.

Every Saturday, Town offers the classic, Saturday night, wave your hands in the air, take your shirt off, dance all night, meet the man of your dreams, party experience that our city so desperately needs and we are calling the night UPTOWN.

Music will be by resident DJ David Knapp weekly and will feature special guest djs on a rotating basis. Throughout the night, don't miss the special performances by dance troupe X-Faction, and go-go boys and the region's most alluring performance artists (starting in December).

Every evening starts with a bang when the legendary Ella Fitzgerald hosts the premiere drag shows starting at 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Doors open at 9pm. Music by David Knapp and Wess. Performances by X-Faction. 21 and over. Cover charge is $12. Admission stops at 3am. Alcohol service stops at 3am. Party continues until 5am.

Here is an online at Renew Shaw. To learn more about the club which is located at 2009 8th Street, NW, at the corner of 8th and U Streets ... visit their website.

Friday's Photo of the Week . 16 November 2007

Reflections . Old Executive Office

17th Street between F & G, NW, WDC

Lafayette Square Historic District

11 November 2007

2007 Fridays' Photos of the Week

Tribute to Leander Barnes - 1995 Million Man March "Rise Up" Video

Between the 20 October and Thanksgiving of each year, since 1995, I have created artistic tributes to my nephew Leander Barnes who was killed in a car accident on 20 October 1995. Just days after the 1995 Million Man March.

In connection with my ongoing documentary project "Thanksgiving Does Not Mean To Me, A Black Man ..." this November 2007 "Rise Up Black Men - 1995 Million Man March - Tribute to Leander Barnes" photo monatage is sampled with the dance mix "I'll Rise" by Christopher Peyton from DJ Julian Marsh's continuous mix compilation Pride 05. Peyton's "I'll Rise" is an adaptation of Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise".

All images are the work of Elvert Xavier Barnes. This production is a "THIS IS FOR THE BLACK MEN" Elvert Xavier Barnes Projections project.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection Exhibit at the Department of Interior Museum

When preparing last weeks blog article announcing the launching of the 2007 Veterans Day Commeoration at The Wall that I learned of the planned 13 November 2007 unveiling of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection at the Department of Interior though I, then, planned to conclude my 2007 Veterans Day Commemoration with an attendance at the 13 November evening event after the Downtown DC BID 10th Anniversary Vision Event on Tuesday morning at the Sidney Harman Hall I was not able to make to the Interior Museum's "The Vietnam Veterans Memorial: America Responds" opening.

However, since today was, perhaps, the last day before the weather changes and hoping to get a few shots of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection Exhibit at the Interior Museum which since 1993 I have refered to as Writings On The Wall I hurried over to the Interior Museum at 1849 C Street in NW WDC.

Only to learn that PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT PERMITTED inside the Interior Museum. While I could have gone inside to view the exhibit I was in no mood for the racism that I would have to confront. While I, of course, WOULD NOT PHOTOGRAPH inside the museum ... a black with three cameras would arouse so much suspicion that I decided to return at some later date to view the exhibit which will be on display through 31 May 2008.

Instead and hoping to get a photo or two of an 'artifact at the wall' so that I could use as an image for this posting I took a stroll over to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Where, once again but as always, my photography of artifacts, flowers and writings on the wall ... aroused so much suspicion that I left 'mad as hell!'. Due, partly to the fact, that when photographing the 11 November 2007 Veterans Day Observance the shutter in one of my cameras jammed in the same way that the shutters of both my cameras jammed during my 01 April 2006 Cherry Blossom Festival Tidal Basin photo walk.

Since The Vietnam Veterans Memorial: America Responds exhibit will be on display at the Department of Interior Museum until 31 May 2008 I'll return at some later date ... without my cameras.

Located on the first floor of 1849 C Street, NW, WDC, though the Interior Museum posted hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except for Federal holidays and the third Saturday of the month you may should call (202) 208-4743, to confirm times. Admission is free.

Downtown DC BID launches 10th Anniversary VISion Campaign

Catered by Occasions Caterers, earlier today, Downtown DC BID launched its 10th Anniversary VISions Celebration & Campaign at the newly opened Shakespeare Theatre / Sidney Harman Hall at 610 F Street, NW, WDC.

Opening with an 8:30 am breakfast on the second floor at the Orchestra Terrace 1 with a spectacular view overlooking the 600 block of F Street and situated directly across the street from the Verizon Center a crowd of 200 or more was in attendance.

Including Michael Berman of Diverse Markets Management who inquired if, and as I did in 2005 and 2006, would be photographing the 3rd Annual Downtown Holiday Market which in partnership with Downtown DC BID will take place from 7 - 23 December 2007.

Though my 2006 Downtown Holiday Market photo collection is still under construction, and as I told Michael Berman, I certainly will be at the 2007 event.

Also, in attendance was Dennis Sobin of Prisons Foundation who I promised to visit before Saturday to pick up some holiday cards.

Visions of Jazz provided music for the breakfast reception. They are one of many entertainment acts that may be booked through the Calpro Group.

Shortly after 10 am, the crowd was invited into the auditorium for the anniversary program launching the Downtown DC BID 10th Anniversary VISIONS Campaign. Mayor Adrien Fenty was amongst its speakers.

Click the above photo to view my Downtown DC BID 10th Anniversary VISIONS - Sidney Harman Hall - WDC - 13 November 2007 and F Street (Downtown) WDC photo sets.