Friday's Photo of the Week . 17 August 2007

Lap Tops & Hands . Starbucks at Dupont Circle North

Windows of the World . Dupont Circle North . WDC
Wednesday evening, 15 August 2007
2007 Friday Photos of the Week

Cathy Hughes' "Family" Stone Soul Picnic Concert Series

Though I had never heard of the annual Stone Soul Picnic until Saturday afternoon when en route to the National Pow Wow at the Verizon Center that I happened upon a neighbor and his daughter waiting on the platform at the Waterfront - SEU WMATA Station in SW WDC for the next Greenbelt Green Line train.

When he inquired if I was heading to the Stone Soul Picnic replying that I had never heard of it I said that I was en route to the National Pow Wow at the Verizon Center. Surprised that I had not heard of the Stone Soul Picnic he explained that it was founded by Cathy Hughes of Radio One and that it was celebrating its 17th year.

I explained that having photographed two recent events associated with the Smithsonian National Museum of the Native American the National Pow Wow would be included in my ongoing Native American Heritage Collection. Reflecting on the experiences that I have had, in the past, when visiting or photographing at the National Museum of the Native American I said that had I known of the Stone Soul Picnic event I certainly would have made plans to attend it rather than the Pow Wow since, in the past, my experiences at the National Museum of the American Indian dating back to its September 2004 grand opening, as well as other scenarios when dealing with organizations or groups of Native Americans had often been marked by forms of outright racism directed towards me.

Which always brings to surface reflections my great grandmother, Violet Emma Dove Biscoe. who of Native American descent was married a Negro man, Thomas Walter Biscoe.

After photographing and videotaping the 2007 National Pow Wow for more than an hour I decided that the 17th Annual Stone Soul Picnic was exactly the kind of Afro-American event that I would be an important addiction to my ongoing Afro-American Heritage Collection.

While WDC may have celebrated its 17th Annual Stone Soul Picnic last weekend the Stone Soul Picnic Concert Series, founded by Cathy Hughes in 1991, is an important annual summer event in, I believe, nine other 'markets' associated with Radio One. Which Cathy Hughes refers to as "Family Members".

Other cities which host annual Stone Soul Picnics are Omaha Nebraska and Baltimore Maryland. In fact, Baltimore's 16th Annual Stone Soul Picnic will be held next weekend on Saturday, 18 August 2007 at Druid Park.

Click the above photo to view my 2007 Stone Soul Picnic at the RFK Grounds photoset. Here are video clips #1 and #2 of Kelly Rowland whioch were difficult to shoot with such a large crowd.

Depending on my schedule next weekend, I may take an overdue trip to Baltimore and capture Baltimore's 16th Annual Stone Soul Picnic at Druid Park.

In Search of CO2LED-2

Though it is not uncommon for me to embark on Friday or Saturday Nights photo walks or projects and in the process bring attention to cultural events in the city most of my photography occur during the day or early evening.

However, since in recent years I have found it increasingly more difficult to deal with the heat during the dog days of summer ... this past Wednesday and as I did last August, instead of venturing out into the streets during the day I waited until the sun had almost gone down before heading out to Crystal City ... in search of the CO2LED-2 art installation.

While it would have been much easier for me to have visited the CO2LED installation in Rosslyn I decided to take the train out to Crystal City FIRST and, perhaps, on the way back stop by the installation in Rosslyn. Primarily, because and not unlike my interest in the L'Enfant Plaza which was designed by I. M. Pei, the Crystal City Complex has been on my list for more than a year. That is not to say that Rosslyn is not on my list as well because it is. But, my interests in Crystal City also has a great deal to do with the Crystal City BID.

Not unlike my interests in the Downtown DC BID or Golden Triangle BID.

Arriving at the Crystal City Complex shortly before 8:45 PM and would spend more than an hour ... in search of CO2LED-2. Cognitive that, as a black male, my very presence and, in deed, existence aroused suspicion I was not deterred nor afraid to inquire of folks passing by in the streets, a concierge at a hotel and two policeman who were dining at Chipotle if they knew where the CO2LED art installation was.

When I explained to the policeman that there, eventually, will be three installations but, at this time, only two had been constructed - one in Rosslyn and the second in Crystal City - and that the one in Crystal City was at the south entrance to Crystal City at Crystal Drive and Jefferson Davis Highway ... one of the policeman directed me to walk left (south) along Crystal Drive which would intersect, eventually, with Route 1.

If I had known that the CO2LED-2 installation was almost in Del Ray which is where Del Ray Glass Company is I certainly would not have taken the train to Crystal City. My ex-lover and house mate Greg Willis worked at Del Ray Glass Company for many years. After walking several blocks and south of the to the Potomac Yard Complex I, as a black male, decided to head back to WDC.

While I did not find CO2LED-2, I still regard the trip to Crystal City as a success. Just walking around the complex, at night, without the interference and obstruction of others, provided me the opportunity to get a better perspective of the Crystal City Complex. Which will be to my advantage during my next trip.

As I headed back into the SW WDC and reflecting on the haunting similarites between Crystal City, Rosslyn and the I. M. L'Enfant Plaza Complex, I have a better appreciation and understanding of my interests in these particular urban complexes.

What comes to mind when I think of Rosslyn, Crystal City and the I. M . Pei complex at L'Enfant Plaza are the terms "Desolate - Urban - Metropolis - Architecture".

The Dream Concert at Radio City Music Hall in NYC . Tuesday, 18 September 2007

LGBT People Murdered in Hate Crimes to Be Honored by "Gay American Heroes"

MEDIA CONTACT

Sharon Kersten, Kersten Communications

Office: 305.867.0933 / Cell: 305.458.3639

kersten@the-beach.net

_____________________

"GAY AMERICAN HEROES" TO HONOR LGBT* PEOPLE MURDERED
BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY

Memorial and Exhibition to Serve as Tool for Remembrance, Education and Compassion

August 9, 2007 -- A "Who’s Who" of gay and straight culture have come together to create a national memorial to honor LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people who have been murdered because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Led by Scott Hall, Frank Kameny, US. Representative Barney Frank and Chip Arndt, the idea for Gay American Heroes was born on March 13, 2007, when Founder and President Scott Hall learned about the brutal murder of Ryan Keith Skipper. Ryan was a 25 year-old Floridian who lived in Polk County, not far from Hall. Ryan was viciously stabbed more than 20 times and was left to die; for one reason --- Ryan Keith Skipper was gay.

Hall had twice been the victim of hate crimes and was quickly spurred into action. Within days he contacted longtime friend Frank Kameny, pioneering gay rights activist, who immediately recognized the importance of Hall's project. James T. Sears, noted writer and historian, also voiced his early strong support of the project. The group then assembled a team to create the Gay American Heroes Foundation, a not-for-profit organization.

With Founding Board Members Chip Arndt, Jack Rutland and William J. Iannarelli leading the way, Gay American Heroes’ mission was established: 1) to honor and remember LGBT people who have been murdered because of there sexual orientation and/or gender identity; 2) to engage and inform the public about hate crimes against LGBT persons; and 3) to inspire compassion and greater appreciation for, and acceptance of, diversity.

Hall traveled to New York City where he met with Cyndi Lauper to discuss the project. Ms. Lauper immediately offered to help in any way that she could. Hall also met with "Grey’s Anatomy" T. R. Knight, who expressed his heartfelt support for the project.

The first phase of the Foundation’s plan is to assemble a traveling memorial and exhibition constructed of six individual rainbow-colored, multi-dimensional panels bearing the photos, names, ages and occupations of LGBT hate crime victims. The eight-foot tall memorial will stretch more than 100 feet. Expected completion date for the exhibit is December 2007.

Once completed, Gay American Heroes volunteers will transport the display throughout the country to college campuses, LGBT events and to communities where anti-gay murders have occurred. An informational welcome tent will include guest speakers and educational materials. At each venue, the volunteers will enlist local community leaders to present informative programs.

"We want to reach out to communities as soon as possible following a deadly anti-gay hate crime," adds Hall. "We want to support the family and friends of the victim, as well as to work with local officials, law enforcement and service organizations to provide counseling and outreach."

In addition to U.S. Representative Barney Frank, Gay American Heroes’ Honorary Board members include Elke Kennedy, whose son Sean William Kennedy was murdered on May 16, 2007 and U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq. (Complete list below)

Several local and national organizations have already declared their support for the Foundation, including Equality Florida, Freedom Democrats of Miami-Dade, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Pridelines Youth Services, Safe Schools South Florida, Stonewall Library & Archives, The Trevor Project and Unity Coalition of Miami-Dade.

The ultimate goal of Gay American Heroes Foundation is to establish a permanent memorial in Washington, DC.

SOME OF OUR RECENT HEROES

Texas, July 27, 2007: A Texas man charged in the slaying of Kenneth Cummings, Jr. said that he was "doing God's work" when he went hunting for a gay man to kill.

South Carolina, May 16, 2007: Sean William Kennedy, 20, was leaving a bar when a man jumped out of a car, punched Sean, and then took off. Sean fell and hit his head. He died less than 24 hours later.

California, March 16, 2007 – The body of a 24 year-old transgender woman, Ruby Rodriguez, was found in the Mission District of San Francisco. This murder comes at the heels of at least two other violent deaths of transgender women of color in the area over the past six months.

Florida, March 13, 2007 - Ryan Keith Skipper, 25 years old, was stabbed more than 20 times, his lifeless body left at the side of the road. Two suspects bragged to their friends about savagely killing him.

New York, November 2006 - Michael Sandy, an African-American gay man, died after he was beaten to a pulp by a group of young men. This isn't the first time this group of men led gay men to remote locations to be savagely beaten.

Gay American Heroes Foundation will be funded through private and grant donations, offline and on-line fundraisers and partnership donations. The Dade Community Foundation is currently managing the Foundation’s contributions and is fiscally sponsoring Gay American Heroes. This gives the Foundation all the tax benefits afforded to 501(c)3 organizations, pending its own independent designation as a 501(c)3 organization.

For further information, please visit http://www.gayamericanheroes.com/ or call (321) 506-8738

About the choice of "Gay American Heroes" as the name of the Foundation
Gay -- The majority of the heterosexual community does not distinguish as to whether someone is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Most just put them all in one category, Gay. Since it is the community at large that GAH seeks to educate, the decision was made to simply use the word "Gay."

American – Unfortunately, anti-LGBT violence is universal. In fact, in some countries, governments condone torture and execution of LGBT people. The GAH project is focusing first on Americans, to help America live up to its promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" – beginning with guaranteeing LGBT people the right to live safety in their own communities.

Heroes -- All people who live honestly about their sexual orientation are heroic, as it takes great strength and courage to face the daily struggles for personal freedom in the face of enormous opposition; to ultimately give their life for said freedom makes them Heroes.

Founder and President: Scott Hall

Founding Board of Directors
Chip Arndt, David da Silva Cornell, William Iannarelli, Jack Rutland and Gypsey E. Teague

Honorary Board of Directors
Chad Allen
Sgt. Eric Alva
Billy Bean
Ron Brenesky
Michael Cendejas
Alan Cumming
Matt Foreman
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank
Bobby Gant
Reichen Lehmkuhl
Billy Masters
David Mixner
Christopher Rice
Herb Sosa
Monica Taher
Andy Towle
Board of Advisors
Warren Burdick – Oklahoma
Lillian Faderman - California
Frank Kameny, Ph.D. - Washington, DC
Elke Kennedy – South Carolina
Bruce Presley – New York and Ft. Lauderdale
Jim Sears, Ph.D. - North Carolina
Nadine Smith - Florida
Marilyn K. Volker, Ed.D. – Florida

EDITOR’S NOTE
Perform a Google search on the words "Gay" and "Murder," and more than three million references appear. Though many hate crimes go unreported, the rise in violence against LGBT people has reached near epidemic levels, traversing boundaries of race, economic status and geography.

While the actual numbers are unclear or undocumented, each and every individual who has been murdered because of his/her sexual orientation or gender identity has name, a face, a family and a story.
Gay American Heroes Foundation is poised to honor murdered LGBT men and women, and to present their stories as a tool for understanding and compassion. It is through silence that these heinous crimes are allowed to continue.

*LGBT – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender

Friday's Photo of the Week . 10 August 2007

Crystal City, VA . 08 August 2007

Night Photography

2007 Friday Photos of the Week

ASCENSION 2007 / Fire Island Pines - 17 - 19 August

A View of Stead Park ... From The Perspective of A Black Man!

Having visited the Whitman Walker Clinic for my scheduled 6 month phlebotomy I'd embark on my ritual 14th and P streets photo walk which is something that I have done for many years.

After photographing Windows and Men At Work on Church Street, between 14th and 15th Street, NW, I'd head over to Stead Park for the purpose of photographing the mural on the exterior wall of Cafe Luna. Which has interested me for many years but I have not yet been able to locate information pertaining to its history. Which I, almost am certain, must have had something to do with Cafe Luna's former owner Andy Shallal. Who recently opened the Bus Boys & Poets.

Usually when I pass by Stead Park there are young men shooting hoops or kicking soccer balls and while I have never had a problem with the latino nor white guys - almost always, I've had confrontations with the black guys who 'diss me'. Sometimes saying "I better not see any of your images of me in The Blade".

Perhaps, they should read my 13 May 2005 Letter to the Editor pertaining to class and race issues within the gay and lesbian community.

As a black man, I often encounter forms of racism and sexism from blacks that they would not dispense toward a white person. But, the racism is not only from other blacks but whites as well. In particular, white lesbians as was the case during the 2005 Dyke March or a few months before with the February 2005 incident at Stead Park.

While photographing the mural at Stead Park from the street level and observing a woman walking toward me with a parasol I thought, to myself, "it is so hot out today, a parasol is exactly what I need". As she neared me I realized that the lady was Shira Keyes who I've known for several years through my association with Code Pink for Women.

She, again, thanked me for the images that I took of her and her daughter during last year's Planet Arlington - World Music Festival. I told her that, unfortunately, I would not be able to attend the 2007 event since I'll be in New York City from the 1 - 15 September.

I then jokingly said "... a parasol is just what I need for today's heat!". Agreeing, she said that she picked it up from a store in Chinatown.

Mentioning that the mural at Stead Park was amongst my ongoing projects I told her since there were no basketball or soccer players around that it was a great opportunity for me to get some shots of the mural from a different and, perhaps, better perspective. I then inquired if I may capture the mural as a reflection in her sun shades.

"From The Perspective Of ..." is an ongoing project that began on 08 March 1992 when I photographed 'my other' and he photographed me at the hotel just off Scott Circle. A few days later we flew out to San Francisco.

While "From The Perspective Of ..." often sheds light on my experiences as a black male it is an ongoing project that invites others to express their opinions or share their experiences pertaining to issues and matters that are important to or that affect them.

Back to the mural at Stead Park.

Without the interferance and sometimes obstruction of the players I was able see, for the first time, that the mural is an artistic expression of the 'Wizard Of Oz'. Which I will discuss in a seperate blog posting.

With the absence of racism or obstruction of others I always get a different and much better perspective of the world.

Huancara at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Saturday, 4 August Summer Showcase

Twice a month, from 2 June through 15 September the Indian Summer Showcase concert series at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian presents Native music from throughout the Americas.

While the main concert takes place on Saturday evening, twice a month, at the Welcome Plaza a Friday noon concert also held the day before each scheduled Saturday Indian Summer Showcase performance.

This past Saturday, 4 August 2007 I photographed and videotaped a performance by Huancara.

Click the above photo to view my Huancara - NMAI - Summer Showcase - 04 August 2007 and Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian photosets.

Videos are as follows:

1. Video 1
2. Video 2
3. Video 3
4. Video 4
5. Video 5
6. Video 6
7. Video 7
8. Video 8
9. Video 9 (Compilation)

Also of interest may will be my 07-07-07 Mother Earth project which includes a photography set and a video photo montage.

Sunday Jam Session at Dupont Circle, 5 August 2007

I had not seen Gary since my 21 April 2007 Saturday Photo Walk when passing through Logan Circle that I happened and then photographed him. Though the images have not yet been posted to flickr when revisiting some of my April 2006 images a few days later I also came across images of Gary that I had taken exactly one year before on 21 April 2006 in Dupont Circle.

During my 5 August 2007 Sunday Photo Walk through Dupont Circle I photographed and videotaped Gary jamming with several others, including percussionist Alfredo Hernandez from the Malcolm X. Drummers and Dancers. Two others who I had not met before were highway blues artist John Jack Carter and a guitarist David Getz.

I have photographed Hernandez and other Drummers in Dupont Circle since the 90's.

Click the above photo to view my Jam Session - Dupont Circle - 05 August 2007 photoset which is part of my ongoing Dupont Circle 2007 and Street Musicians 2007 projects.

Here are the videos:

1. Part 1/4
2. Part 2/4
3. Part 3/4
4. Part 4/4

Pigeon Control: NYC's Netting vs Hollywood's Birth Control

When capturing a man feeding pigeons in Dupont Circle on Sunday afternoon, 05 August 2007, I was reminded of a news story that I had heard on TV just a few days before pertaining to pigeon birth control in Hollywood.

New York City, however, is taking a much more agressive tactic with pigeon nettings. Reportedly, the illegal netters lure famished pigeons with food and they are then netted and purportedly sold out of state to restaurants and to pigeon shooting galleries.

For 10 years, Deterapigeon has been a leader in safe pigeon spike solutions in the UK. In 1995, David Jones, Director of Deterapigeon invented and patented the Defender 4 pigeon spikes which safely deter pigeons without harming them. This still remains the only pest control product recommended by the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PiCAS).

The Trevor Pool Party - LA - Sunday, 26 August @ 1 - 6 PM

Fiddling at Dupont Circle on Thursday evening, 2 August 2007

Though I have photographed fiddlers many times before, most often at the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, having captured David Knight and Edith Coakley who were fiddling in Dupont Circle on Thursday evening, 02 August 2007, I thought it was about time that I explore the difference between a fiddle and a violin.

According to Wikipedia, the term fiddle refers to a violin when used in folk music. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music. Fiddle playing, or fiddling, is a style of music.

A violin is sometimes informally called a fiddle, regardless of the kind of music being played with it. The word "violin" is derived from Italian and the word "fiddle" is native to English. The two words are etymologically related, however, both ultimately deriving from the same Germanic word.

Speaking of fiddles - a few years ago, when I lived on Constitution Avenue on Capitol Hill, late one night, and for the first time, I happened upon Gordon Park's 1985 PBS historical drama Soloman Northrup's Odyssey. Since then, whenever I see a fiddler reflections of my personal experiences pertaining to integrated relationships with whites often come to mind. And, in particular, when I now see fiddlers at the annual 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Since my experiences, over the years, have not been unlike those of Soloman Northrup which was produced by Gordon Parks, and not unlike the sound of a fiddle, the movie still resonates truths so profound that I've spoken of in several of my ongoing projects including "When White Folks Come Around" and "It's A Camera, Not A Gun!".

I've known many a white person who while clapping their hands and stumping their feet to the sounds of Negro music were, simultaneously, negatively reinforcing and discriminating against me.

Click the above photo to view my Fiddlers David Knight and Edith Coakley - Dupont Circle - 02 August 2007 photoset which is part of my oingoinbg Dupont Circle 2007 and Street Musicians 2007 projects.

And here is the video.

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.