Call for Artists: 'Illuminated Statues' at Crystal City Water Park

The Crystal City Business Improvement District is seeking qualified artists to help produce a temporary, outdoor art exhibit featuring illuminated sculptures in the Crystal City Water Park.

This Call for Artists (pdf) announces the opportunity to design and construct outdoor sculptures intended to provide both an interesting daytime element and a lit experience after the sun begins to set that meets the Crystal City BID’s branding message of “Dazzle, Illuminate, Sparkle, and Shine.” Artists are asked to submit ideas that use lighting to create unique sculptures that define space, color and balance in an outdoor setting. Selected artists will receive a grant of $5,000 from the Crystal City Business Improvement District to build and implement their concept in the Crystal City Water Park.

Entry deadline is Friday, 14 January 2011. Click above flyer for details.

My 2011 Photography Calendar Featuring 2010 Crystal City 5K Friday Run Images

Click the cover to preview the third installment of my 2011 photgraphy calendar series which features images from my documentation of the 2nd Annual Crystal City 5K Friday Run 2010 event in Arlington VA.

Available from the Elvert Barnes Storefront at Lulu, if you order before 31 December 2010, use coupon code GREATGIFT355 at checkout to receive 25% off your photo book or calendar order.

My 2011 Photography Calendar of Images from 5th National Marathon 2010

The second installment of my 2011 photography calendar series features images from my documentation of the 5th Annual SunTrust National Marathon 2010 event in Washington DC.

Available from Lulu click the cover to preview the calendar at the Elvert Barnes Storefront.

If you order before 31 December 2010, use coupon code GREATGIFT355 at checkout to receive 25% off your photo book or calendar order.

My 2011 Photography Calendar Featuring 2010 National Police Week Images

Click the cover to preview and/or order the first installment of my 2011 photography calendar series at Lulu.com which features images from my documentation of the 2010 National Police Week event in Washington DC.

Visit the Elvert Barnes Storefront at Lulu for other available items.

If you order before 31 December 2010, use coupon code GREATGIFT355 at checkout and receive 25% off your photo book or calendar order.

Or take advantage of the Daily Deals & Holiday Special Coupons that last through 25 December 2010.

Gay.com: TSA Regulations and Etiquette for the Gay Traveler

In lieu of the Thanksgiving holiday, everyone seems to be complaining about the Transportation Security Administration's pat downs or nudie body scans. Click the banner to read Gay.com's recent article pertaining to TSA Regulations and Etiquette for the Gay Traveler.

Here is the entire Friday, 26 November 2010 Gay.com Newsletter.

My Thanksgiving Weekend "No Regrets" Gay Circuit Mix

In celebration of the 2010 Thanksgiving Weekend and the 26th Annual White Party / Miami click the cd cover to listen to and/or download my November 2010 "No Regrets" house / gay circuit which features this tracklist.

For more music mixes visit my archives.

Two Historic Exhibits at Smithsonian Reynold's Center Focuses on Gay Art History

In connection with my ongoing interest in gay culture and heritage series, in recent weeks. I've made a point to check out threee exhibits that explore and/or focuses on gay art and history.

While, unfortunately, I missed Jeff Sheng's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" exhibit at HRC HQ during the 2010 FotoWeek DC Festival I was able to capture Matthew Black's "The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Identity Writ Large" at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery.

Remembering Metro Weekly's update a couple weeks ago pertaining to the Hide/Seek gay art at exhibit at the Smithsonian NPG and in connection with my Sundays At The Museums series stopped in at the Smithsonian Reynolds complex at 8th and F Streets in NW Washington DC this past Sunday.

Upon my arrival, I first checked out the Hide/Seek Family and Friends Day activities at the Kogod Courtyard. During which time I captured Ken Vegas of DC Kings and Diane Wakowski of Belladonna Romka in a dance performace. Follwed by a performace of the DC Swing orchestra band from the DC's Different Drummers group. Videos of these two diferent acts will be added later.

I then checked out the Hide/Seek exhibit on the 2nd floor of the National Portrait Gallery. Two artists whose work was on display I have more than a passing connection to. Not only were Mapplethorpe and I close friends but his image of me was featured as the March 1987 Saint Black party poster.

And having partied in the same circles at Studio 54 I actually own two of Warhol's works.

With photography restrictions in place, I have no images nor video of the Hide/Seek exhibit.

My 21 November 2010 Sunday at the Museum series came to a close with a visit to the "Lost and Found: The Lesbian and Gay Presence at the Archives of American Art" exhibit at the Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery. As a poster, newspaper and magazine collector gay subject matter is of particular interest to me.

Click the above image to view my Lost and Found: The Lesbian and Gay Presence at the Archives of American Art photo album.

Both exhibits, Hide/Seek and Lost And Found, will be on display through 13 February 2011.

Strange Story Behind Sunday's 21 November Blue Moon

Click image to read Yahoo News article from Space.com dated Friday, 19 November 2010. Speaking of the moon, here is my October 2010 "Journey To The Moon" trance mix that you may will enjoy while out taking pictures of tonight's 'blue moon'.

Russell U. Richards' “Fiji Mermaid” Movie

Dear friends and supporters,

For over a year I have been devoting my creative energies almost exclusively to a movie project. “Fiji Mermaid” is a surreal short film based on historical depictions of mermaids as sinister seductresses, and it's practically bursting at the seams with special effects and art, including a hideous sea hag, a beautiful naked mermaid, a mysterious peep show box and a sideshow banner that comes to life! With my small but well-chosen cast and crew we've filmed scenes on the Chesapeake Bay, and underwater in a pool, and now we're preparing for a green screen studio sequence, followed by a big shoot on Coney Island in early 2011.

Please take a moment to watch the above mini-documentary about the making of “Fiji Mermaid” at Kickstarter.com.

The four-minute video includes lots of cool behind-the-scenes production footage, and you can learn how to support this cinem-aquatic adventure and get a gorgeous 18 x 24" movie poster, DVD or Blu-ray, an original etching- I'll even make you a one-of-a-kind Fiji Mermaid! Kickstarter is an innovative fundraising tool for creative projects that is very popular in the art and film community right now, but there is no commitment to pledge if you want to just go to the site and check out what I've been up to.

Please contact me here or (434) 825-0557 if you have any questions about my film, special effects or design work, or about the Kickstarter campaign. You can also read about the movie, and see some fun production photos on my blog http://russellrichards.typepad.com.

Thanks again for your support and interest in my work,

Russell

Russell U. Richards
http://www.russellrichards.com
http://russellrichards.typepad.com
http://kck.st/9YowFv

My 24th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race 2010 Video Walk Project

Featuring my "Let's All Chant!" Halloween house/gay circuit mix as background music click the artwork at left for a 5 minute preview of my 24th Annual 17th Street Heel Race 2010 video walk docu-project at Veoh.

To watch the entire (1 hour and 1 minute) video you will need to download the Veoh Webplayer.

Mid City Artists Fall 2010 Open Studios This Weekend (6 - 7 November 2010)

Free and open to the public, these twice-yearly open studio events draw hundreds to the Mid City area in downtown DC to see where art is created. Plan your Saturday and Sunday treks by flipping through the artists' pages online to see what you like, who is new, and who is participating. Download the map to guide you along your journey. Check out our business supporters, have snacks, do some shopping, and view Mid City artists' exhibits in the neighborhood shops and galleries.

Click the banner for details.

My October 2010 "Moments" FotoWeek DC 2009 Retro-spective Photo Montage

In celebration of the 2010 FotoWeek DC Festival click the artwork at left to view my October 2010 "Moments" retro-spective photo montage of images taken by me during my Saturday, 7 November 2009 visit to the 2009 FotoWeek DC Festival in Washington DC.

Featuring the October 2010 "Moments" trance mix as background music which was created by me specifically for this project the photo montage includes images taken at four (4) specific FotoWeek DC 2009 locations during my Saturday, 7 November 2009 photo walk.

My "Memories" of Georgetown Walk / WDC Saturday, 9 October 2010 Video Project

Since 2006, I have often re-launched my ongoing "In The Fall Of The Year" docu-project with a ritual Labor Day Weekend or early October photo walk through Georgetown.

Unfortunately, since my camera was damaged during my 11 July 2010 documentation of Spain's FIFA victory celebration at Dupont Circle, this year, it was necessary for me to embark on a video walk as opposed to a photo walk.

Featuring a special trance mix, "Memories", that I created specifically for this project click the image for a 5 minute preview of my Memories of Georgetown Walk / WDC - Saturday, 9 October 2010 video project which focuses primarily on store windows along M Street in Georgetown. Which, again, is one of my many ongoing themes.

To view the entire almost 35 minute video project you will need to download the Veoh Web Player.

And, particularly, if you are into documentary projects that result in large video files I strongly suggest that you sign onto VEOH.

Michael Fierman's TRIPPIN' ON THE MOON / THE SAINT 30th Anniversary 2 CD Set

In addition to Robbie Leslie's TOTM / 30 two cd set, DJ Michael Fierman has also released a 2 cd set of his performance during this past Sunday's TRIPPIN' ON THE MOON's 30th anniversary celebration of THE SAINT at the Santos Party House in NYC.

The Michael Fierman's "TOTM / THE SAINT 30th Anniversary" two CD set comes with indexing of song titles and artists that will appear in iTunes or any media player. The CDs also have “CD Text” for those CD players that have that feature.

To order Fierman's "TOTM / SAINT 30" two cd set send check or money order to:

Michael Fierman
1710 2nd Ave N. #306
Birmingham, AL 35203

Or visit PayPal and make payments to tswechtenberg@gmail.com.

Extracted from his THE SAINT / BLACK PARTY at Roseland Ballroom photography collection click the above image to visit the Michael Fierman website. Which is where you can also subscribe to his music cast.

Both sets will make excellent holiday gifts!

Robbie Leslie presents Trippin' On The Moon 30th Anniversary

This past Sunday’s TRIPPIN’ ON THE MOON (The 30th Anniversary Celebration of Dancing Under the Dome) event is now the stuff of legend.

Seven DJ legends best known from the turntables of the Saint appeared together for the first time since that club's 1988 closing.

Now available is Robbie Leslie's music set recorded in the exact centre of the party. I'm sure that you will enjoy the memories of Trippin' On The Moon/30.

To order Robbie Leslie's 2 cd set "TRIPPIN' ON THE MOON / 30" at $30, send your check or money order along with a secure return address to:

Robbie Leslie – TOTM/30
2716 Northeast 28th Street
Fort Lauderdale , FL 33306-1728
For PayPal visit www.PayPal.com.
Make payments to robbie@robbieleslie.com

Visit the Robbie Leslie website. And here is his music store.

Watch the 17th Street High Heel Race -- LIVE!

Click logo to read Metro Weekly Update dated Tuesday, 26 October 2010 pertaining to MW's LIVE video-streaming of tonight's 24th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race from 8 until 9:15 pm.

"Let's All Chant!" for tomorrow's 24th Annual 17th Street Heel Race / WDC

In celebration of the 24th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race which takes place on Tuesday evening, 24 October 2010 in NW Washington DC click the cd cover at left to listen to my "Let's All Chant!" Halloween House / Gay Circuit Mix.

My October 2010 "Eye In The Sky" Mix In Celebration of Sunday's TRIPPIN ON THE MOON V

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 20 September 1980 opening of THE SAINT, this Sunday, 24 October 2010 Christina will host TRIPPIN' ON THE MOON V at the Santos Party House in NYC. Featuring a tracklist of music from the Timothy Hartley Smith Collection that was played at THE SAINT in its early years click the cd cover to listen to my October 2010 "Eye In The Sky" gay circuit mix. If you're traveling to NYC for Sunday's TOTM V event you may also wish to download (for your Ipod or car cd player) my "Journey To The Moon" Halloween trance mix and tribute to THE SAINT and TOTM V. While this is not music that will be heard at THE SAINT it may be excellent for driving. Or, for a 'sex' party after Sunday's TOTM V. For more of my mixes visit the Elvert Barnes Mixology archives.

Jesse McCartney's SHAKE

TRIPPIN' ON THE MOON V is just one week away (Sunday, 24 October 2010)

The count down is on to TRIPPIN" ON THE MOON V. Only one week away from the 30th year anniversary of dancing under the dome on Sunday 24 October 2010 from 4 pm until 4 am at Santos Party House at 96 Lafayette Street in New York City.

Click flyer to read my previous posting with more details or to purchse $60 tickets online.

Visit the TOTM website.