Renovated Skate Park Reopens at Shaw Recreation Center

After my first visit in April 2007 I had not been to the Shaw Skate Park at the Shaw Recreation Center until this past Friday, 15 April 2011 when during a ritual spring photo tour of the Shaw area that I noticed that the skate park had been renovated.

While the Thursday, 17 March 2011 ribbon cutting ceremony was postponed due to vandalism the Borderstan blog reports that skate park officially reopened on Friday, one week later.

Located at the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue and 11th Street in NW Washington DC the skate park is opened from dawn to dusk.

Here are my 15 April 2011 Shaw Skate Park photos.

DC DPW Graffiti Removal Team

When last week that I was focusing on the graffiti tags on 14th Street in the Logan Circle area of NW Washington DC which has been one of my ongoing themes for many years I was delighted to happen upon two DC DPW Solid Waste Management employees in the process of removing graffiti from 1409 14th Street.

To request removal of graffiti from your property by the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) visit their website.

Click above image to view my 2011 Writing On The Walls Flickr album. And here is my 2011 WOTW at Ipernity.

Last week for FotoDC FLASH Photography Exhibit at Crystal City

This week is the last week to experience FLASH which opened on 17 March 2001. The month-long event created by FotoDC and sponsored by the Crystal City BID in the 12th and 13th penthouse floors of 2450 Crystal Drive in Arlington, VA. The show encompasses two curated photography exhibitions, a library of photography books, and a lounge for refreshments and discussion.

Gallery hours on Wednesday and Thursday are from 5 until 10 pm. On Friday from 5 pm until 12 midnight and Saturday from 12 noon until 11 pm.

In addition, two closing dance parties will take place this coming weekend. Featuring the wrap music of DJ Fatback the FLASH DANCE will take place on Friday night, 15 April 2011 from 9 pm until 12 midnight. At $20 per person click here to RSVP.

Hosted by Bisnow and featuring the music of DJ Adrian Loving the CLOSE OUT DANCE PARTY will take place on Saturday night, 16 April 2011 from 8 pm until 11 pm.

Taken during my Sunday, 10 April 2011 visit to Crystal City click the above image to view my April 2011 FotoDC FLASH Photography Exhibit / Crystal City photo album which is still under constructon.

Lenore Nolan-Ryan: Spring Newsletter & Cooking Class Schedule | Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Click image to read the Lenore Nolan-Ryan Spring Newsletter & Cooking Class Schedule dated Wednesday, 6 April 2011 provided by iContact Community.

My "Breathing!" Trance (Running Music) Mix In Celebration of Crystal City 5K Fridays Run 2011 Series

This Friday, 1 April 2011, Crystal BID and Pacers Running Stores will kick-off the 3rd Annual Crystal City 5K Fridays Run 2011 series which will take place each Friday during the month of April.

Having captured two runs from the April 2010 series and in celebration of the 2011 event click the cd cover to listen to my "Breathing!" trance (running music) mix which features this tracklist.

Hopefully, my camera will be back from Ritz Camera repair by Friday's race so that I can participate in the “Flickr Flash” photography contest that will feature the first two 5K Friday races.

Feel free to support this artist by purchasing my 2011 Photography Calendar featuring images from the April 2010 Crystal City 5K Fridays Run Series which is available from Elvert Barnes Photographic Creations at Lulu.com

ArtFestival.com presents April's Art & Craft Festivals!

Click banner for Howard Alan Events / Art Festival Newsletter dated Tuesday, 29 March 2011.

My "I'm Coming Out!" House / Gay Circuit Mix In Celebration of Cherry Weekend 2011

Each year since 2003 I've made a point to revisit my documentation of the April 2000 Millennium March on Washington for Equality. Usually by developing unprocssed rolls of film from the event I have created never before seen virtual exhibitions that coincide with the anniversary of the historic event.

While never before seen images will not be featured this year and as I have done in the past two years in celebration of the 2011 Cherry Weekend event in Washington DC click the cd cover to listen to or download my "I'm Coming Out" house gay circuit mix which features this tracklist.

Though still under constructon my April 2000 MMOW project when completed will serve as a virtual exhibition of all the images that I took of the event.

My 2009 and 2010 Cherry Weekend mixes were Cherry Morning and Forever Young, respectively. For more of my gay circuit mixes visit the Elvert Barnes Mixology.

This year's Cherry event takes places from Thursday, 31 March and goes through Sunday, 3 April 2011.

My "Spring Breeze" Trance Springtime Mix in Celebration of the 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival

The 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks-off this evening on Thursday, 24 March at 6:30 pm with the Stand With Japan Rally at the Washington Monument, followed by a walk around the Tidal Basin in the spirit of hope and rebuilding.

In celebration of the 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival event whose theme is 'The Nation's Greatest Springtime Celebration' click the cd cover to listen to and/or download my March 2011 "Spring Breeze" trance mix which features this tracklist.

Russell U. Richards (RUR) documentary and art show!

Hello everyone,

Leah Stoddard, adjunct curator of contemporary art for the Taubman Museum, interviews me in this terrific documentary by David Eklund that aired on Channel 13 in Charlottesville.

The interview touches on my current exhibition of figurative artwork "Russell U. Richards Gets Real", that is up for one more week at the McGuffey Art Center. If you haven't seen the show, please come have a look before March 27, as it's likely to be my last art exhibition in Charlottesville for some time! I'm really excited about this show, as it introduces a whole new body of work, in a new style, based on figure drawings done from live models. A few of the new works can be seen on my blog.

Again, thanks to all that pledged to the Kickstarter campaign for my short film "Fiji Mermaid".

In coming months I intend to focus on filming the remainder of the live action, and to putting the finishing touches on my previous sci-fi short "Bride of the Fly". If anyone is interested in assisting with these productions in any way, please get in touch. Big things are happening with these movies, so stay tuned!

Lastly, I'd like to put out there that I am available to design posters, T-shirts and rock art, and paint portraits, figurative or erotic pieces on commission. Hand-rendered graphic art is becoming increasingly rare in these days of Photoshop and clip art, so please contact me here or (434) 825-0557 if you'd like to discuss commissioning something unique!

Thanks again for your interest and support, and be well,

Russell
Russell U. Richards

Lenore Nolan-Ryan Featured at Women of Wine Special Event at Museum of Art / Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, 24 March 2011

On Thursday evening, 24 March 2011 Lenore Nolan-Ryan will be featured at a Women In Wine Series event at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale FL which is hosted by food and wine enthusiast Stephanie Miskew, a Certified Specialist of Wine and author of Stephanie Savors the Moment blog.

Provided by iContact Community, click the above invitation from Lenore Nolan-Ryan for details and reservation requirements.

"Losing My Religion" House / Gay Circuit Mix In Celebration of SAL BLACK PARTY 2011

Each year since 2009 in celebration of spring and the Saint At Large Black Party event in NYC I've put together a special dance mix that reflects on the music of The Saint during its early years.

In celebration of the Saint At Large RITES XXXII: BLACK PARTY 2011 event click the cd cover to listen to and/or download my March 2011 "Losing My Religion" house mix which features a gay/circuit tracklist.

As a 57 year old gay man, when/if I go dancing it is always at gay dance clubs. And, historically, I prefer gay circuit events which occur over the course of a holiday or weekend. Therefore, mixes in my archives reflect music that may would be heard at gay dance clubs and, in particular, at gay circuit events.

Two excellent sites for circuit information are JustCircuit.com and MRNY.

My 2009 and 2010 SAL BP mixes were "I'll Rise" and "Spring Affair", respectively.

Last fall in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the opening of The Saint I put together the following mixes that featured music from The Saint's early years:

• October 2010 Soul/Heaven
• October 2010 Eye In The Sky
• October 2010 Forbidden Love
• October 2010 Follow Me

In addition, my December 2009 "First, Last & Everything" and "Save Your Love For Me" mixes also highlighted gay dance music from the 70's and 80's.

The Crystal Run 5K Fridays Race Series is Back!

It’s time again to dust off those running shoes and train for the 5K season with the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID). At 6:30 PM every Friday evening in April, race enthusiasts can hit the streets of Crystal City on a professionally timed and certified course organized by Pacers Running Stores.

To read the entire press release dated 10 March 2011 from Angela Fox, CEO/President of Crysal City BID click the above banner which includes information regarding this year's introduction of “Flickr Flash,” a photography contest that will feature the first two 5K Friday races.

And though still under construction visit my April 2010 Crystal City 5K Fridays Run docu-project which features images from te 2010 event.

EXPOSED: BPX Zine 2011

While a limited number of copies will be available at select NYC stores beginning 12 March and at the 18 - 19 March BPX event you can now preview EXPOSED: THE BPX ZINE 2011 online.

For more information about BPX 2011 visit the website.

Lunch With Lenore Nolan-Ryan This Sunday, 13 March 2011

Brunch with Lenore this Sunday, 13 March 2011 at her stylish new digs at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea in Florida as her cooking school becomes her cafe for the day.

At $20 per person, the event will take place from 11 am until 3 pm. Click the image for RSVP information.

And here is Lenore's Newsletters Archives at iContact Community.

FotoDC's National Cherry Blossom Photo Contest

Calling all photography lovers everywhere: the National Cherry Blossom Festival and FotoDC are now accepting entries in the first annual National Cherry Blossom Photo Contest focused on cherry blossoms and the nation's greatest celebration of spring.

The contest runs now through April 10, 2011, and will accept entries in three categories: Landscape, People, and Festivities, taken during this year's Festival, March 26 - April 10, or taken within the previous two years (no earlier than February 1, 2009).

Clcik banner for details.

Happy Valentine's Day 2011

Featuring a 26 May 1993 image from NASA's Magellan Spacecraft mission to the planet Venus, click the above VALENTINE DAY 2011 flyer to listen and/or download my Valentine Day 2011 "Love Hangover" house / gay circuit muisc mix.

Representing my personal statement in support of Same-Sex Marriages it features a tracklist of songs often heard at gay clubs and circuit events whereby the word "love" is included in each title.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Unveils New Website!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival unveiled its all-new website, designed by agencyQ, in time for the 2011 celebration from March 26 through April 10! The improved layout includes interactive elements, real-time updates, and provides practical information while invoking the sights, sounds, and experiences from the nation's greatest springtime celebration.

Click banner for link to full press release.

Here are my 2010 and 2009 NCBF docu-projects.

Preview and/or order my 2011 photography calendar of images from the 2010 NCBF celebration.

Historical Society of Washington DC Request for Support - Tuesday, 25 January 2011

Dear Friend of D.C. History,

Over the past 117 years, the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. has stood as the guardian of the city’s history. We are proud that our vast collections have been freely available to the public. The staff and volunteers at the Kiplinger Research Library are always pleased to help patrons identify useful materials in our collections housed at the historic Carnegie Library. As a researcher, you more than others understand the importance of keeping this unparalleled resource open and available to all.

Click the banner to read the entire Request for Support dated Tuesday, 25 January 2011 from Interim Administrator Adam Lewis.

Visit the HSW at http://www.historydc.org/

COLORLINES | Tim Wise: King's Legacy Took a Beating in 2010

Click banner to read COLORLINES Weely Newsletter dated Monday, 17 January 2010.

My 27th MAL Weekend 2011 Music Mixes

While there is no official connection between I and the Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend event click the cd cover (at left) to listen and/or download my "To The Unknown Man" new age music mix which has an S&M sexual vibe.

Two other mixes that I created for this weekend's 27th MAL: Revolution 2011 event are the male trance vocals "VOICES #5: Keep Faith" and progressive house/trance "From Here To Eternity".

Taking note of the changes to the 2011 MAL event, here's Metro Weekly Sneek Peak dated Thursday, 13 January 2011 with detailed info regarding the 27th MAL REVOLUTION 2011 event.

Here is my Elvert Barnes Mixology archives.