My 57th Birthday and 30th Year of The Saint Mixes

In celebration of my 57th Birthday which took place on 5 October 2010 and the 30th anniversary of The Saint which opened on 20 September 1980 I recently created two music mixes.

Namely, Soul / Heaven and Saints & Sinners.

Having created several mixes over the past two years and in particular since last November of mixes that relect on music from The Saint my 57th birthday writing project entitled "Living In The Past" brought attention to the fact and while I did not realize it at the time but when dancing and partying to the music of that time I actually was experiencing forms of institutionalized racism and sexual racism that to this day impact my life.

So, and as realized last November when working on the "My First, Last & Everything" mix when I now listen to much of the music from that time my memories are often tainted with flashbacks. It, therefore, is important for me that I create new memries. Which is what my trance exploration means to me.

Unfortunately, for me (a black man), many of my memories of the past are very different and are in sharp contrast to those of my white counterpart.

So, in remembering the good times that I had dancing and partying at The Saint with Frank, Steve and Rae Ann as well as a tribute to Robert Mapplethorpe whose image of me was featured on the 1987 Black Party poster invitation my October 2010 "Soul / Heaven" house / gay circuit mix features a tracklist of music and remixes mostly associated with THE SAINT. Click the above cd cover to download the mix.

While in an attempt to create new memories, my October 2010 "Saints & Sinners" mix features a dark trance tracklist that may would be heard at a gay sex and dance party. Or, at The Mineshaft, if it still existed.

Click the cd cover at left to listen to and/or download the mix.

There are at least two other October mixes in the works that while celebrating THE SAINT's thirty year history will also push the envelope in creating new memories.

When I now attend circuit events or go to dance clubs while I may enjoy hearing gay anthems from the past I also look forward to not only remakes and remixes of the old music but, more importantly, new sounds that are more reflective of today's music.

And when I leave I want to have heard something that I've never heard before. And to have danced to on that dance floor what I may will never hear nor experience on any other dance floor.

That is what my trance exploration is about.

Visit Elvert Barnes Mixology for my entire music mix archives.

Trippin' On The Moon V Celebrates 30th Anniversary of The Saint / NYC - 24 October 2010

Seven DJ’s, all who graced the turntables at one of the most spectacular clubs in the world will come together for one very special evening at TRIPPIN ON THE MOON V. Not since the closing party in 1988 have they all been under one roof. Please join us for what will sure to be a monumental event as we celebrate 30 years of music, dancing, friendship and memories.

Presented by Christina Visca and celebrating the 30th anniversary of dancing under the Saint's dome "Trippin' On The Moon V" will take place at the Santos Party House at 96 Lafayette Street in NYC on Sunday, 24 October 2010 from 4 pm until 4 am.

Pre-sale $60 tickets are currently available online. Or, starting Friday, 8 October 2010, $60 pre-sale tickets will be availabe to Wear Me Out at 353 West 47th Street in NYC.

$40 by presenting your Saint membership card to the cashier. $75 at the door the night of event if available.

Click the flyer for more details at the website.

The NEW Metro Weekly Sneak Peek. Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010

Click cover (at left) for The NEW Metro Weekly Sneak Peek dated Thursday, 30 September 2010.

8th Annual Turkish Festival / WDC . Sunday, 3 October 2010

The American-Turkish Association of Washington DC (ATA-DC) will host its 8th Annual Turkish Festival on this Sunday, 3 October 2010 at Freedom Plaza in NW Washington DC from 11 am until 7 pm.

Visit the website for more information.

Click the image to view my 7th Annual Turkish Festival / DC 2009 photo album.

And yet, another study on racial discrimination and disparities in the gay community

When last week that I read a Metro Weekly Update pertaining to Rob Smith’s 20 September 2010 article “Black and Brown and Discharged All Over” I thought to myself, here is yet another study that sheds light on what I have spoken of and written on for almost two decades.

And while waiting for my quarterly dental cleaning last Monday I came across another excellent Metro Weekly article by Daniel W. K. Lee entitled "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which speaks on sexual racism in a similar manner as have I.

Throughout my entire life, this almost 57 year old gay black man, has spoken not only the truth but, more importantly, the unspoken truths.

But, the truth has not ever been what "they" wanted to hear. Nor could 'they' handle!

While generally speaking, it is perceived that racial tolerance and diversity are celebrated within the LGBT communities, as a 57 year old gay black man who, over the years, practiced integration and in sharp constrast to my white counterpart I now find myself commemorating rather than celebrating.

Shot during my October 2010 National Equality March / WDC documentation, click the image to view my Leonard Matlovich Memorial Service and DADT Protest photo album.

JPG Magazine Issue #23

In Issue 23 of JPG Magazine, the contributors first identify aspects of their world that represent forward progress for the theme Transformations. Also, JPG members recognize that since Decay is a natural process of life, there is an abundance of beauty to document. Finally, take a trip down memory lane through pictures that remind us of time gone by in Nostalgia. All these great themes and more can be found in Issue 23 of JPG Magazine!

One Nation March / WDC . Saturday, 2 October 2010

On Saturday, October 2, 2010, hundreds of thousands of Americans from across the country will gather at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate our re-commitment to change.

The One Nation March will feature human and civil rights leaders, labor leaders, environmental and peace activists, faith leaders, celebrities and sports figures – all marching together to help Put America Back to Work and to Pull America Back Together. And to help reorder our national priorities so that investments in people come first.

Click flyer for details.

Berlin Photographer Nicolaus Schmidt's "Breakin´ the City" Publication Set for December 2010

Scheduled for publication in December 2010, "Breakin´ the City" by Berlin photographer Nicolaus Schmidt shows New York from an unusual perspective. A new form of city life by moving planes and whirling through the urban canyons of the megacity. Amidst the hustle and bustle living sculptures seem from another time dimension to the product. This illustrated book, also an urban photo tour of New York shows, break dancers from the Bronx and Brooklyn who see the city as their stage, as the two young dancers who show during the frantic drive of express trains on the New York Subwaysystem their adventurous leaps. In the second part of the book is the photographer in front of the dancers in striking portraits, and reports in addition to his own personal experiences with the most amazing break-dancers and their life stories.

Click the book cover to read the entire Kerber Artbooks press release dated Monday, 27 September 2010.

To learn more about Nicolaus Schmidt visit his website which is where you will find information pertaining to his New York Breakdancers (NYBP) Project.

High Line / NYC Newsletter . Thursday, 23 September 2010

Click banner to read Friends of the High Line Newsletter dated Thursday, 23 September 2010.

Lenore Nolan-Ryan's Last Summer Weekend 2010 at Henry Island WA

Every July Lenore Nolan-Ryan who owns a catering company and school at Lauderdale-by-The-Sea in FL takes an annual summer at sea trip with friends aboard the MV Jamal from Henry Island WA to Alaska and back again.

As the cruise's private chef with carte blanche in the yacht's state of the art kitchen here are her July and August chef log postings.

And as promised in her last newsletter, click the above banner to read the 20 September 2010 blog posting regarding Lenore's last summer weekend at Henry Island WA.

Edward Albee to appear at The Center / NYC on Tuesday, 28 September 2010

On Tuesday, 28 September 2010, from 7 pm until 8:30 pm, The Center Speakers Series will present An Evening with Edward Albee in conversation with Patrick Healy.

For more information or to purchase tickets at $20 click the image.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is located at 208 West 13th Street in Greenwich Village New York City.

Here is the Edward F. Albee Foundation website.

DJ Robbie Leslie Announces “HOLD ON TO MY LOVE” 30th Anniversary Special Edition

Legendary DJ Robbie Leslie recently announced the realease of a very special double CD package “Hold On To My Love” 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition.

Click the image to read the entire press release which posted to "The Music Lives On" blog contains information pertaining to how to ordering instructions.

As one of my all time favorite songs, the "Hold on to My Love featuring Jimmy Ruffin (Robbie Leslie Extended Mix) by Michael Fierman, Gibb, Robin version can be found at the "Fire Island Classics" by Michael Fierman album.

Stories of The Saint: 20 September 1980 Opening

At midnight on September 20th 1980, the Saint nightclub opened in New York City’s East Village. In celebration of that historic event, The Saint At Large presents Stories of the Saint.

While I did not attend the opening, having just relocated to NYC from WDC the week after Labor Day 1980, in celebration of my 5 October birthday and after a mda punch party at our Chelsea apartment, my best friend and roommate would make our first of many visits to The Saint just two weeks after its opening.

Click the image to view the Stories of the Saint: Chpater 1 - Opening video.

Construction of Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital on Track

In an article dated 1 September 2010 The Hill Home blog reports that "Construction is well on its way for the new Hill Center, which includes a geothermal system which will heat and cool the building using 30 individual wells that are 350 feet deep."

For more information visit the Hill Center or Friends of the Naval Hospital Foundation websites.

Taken by Elvert Barnes of Friday, 13 August 2010, click the image to view Old Naval Hosptial photo album at Ipernity. And here is his Old Naval Hospital photo album at Flickr.

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Group Exhibition at The Dash Gallery / Tribeca NYC - 23 September - 23 October 2010

Curated by Derrick Adams and Wardell Milan and featuring the work of eleven artists the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Group Exhibition will open at The Dash Gallery at 172 Duane Street in Tribeca NYC on Thursday evening, 23 September and run through Saturday, 23 October 2010.

Click the above flyer to visit The Dash Gallery website.

It's THE weekend to be in Times Square - Fashion's Night Out and Broadway on Broadway!

Click banner to read Times Square Alliance Newsletter dated Tuesday, 7 September 2010.

Friends of High Line / NYC Newsletter - Tuesday, 7 September 2010

Click banner to read Friends of High Line / NYC Newsletter dated Tuesday, 7 September 2010.

7th Street Landing at SWDC Waterfront Opens Thursday Evening, 9 September 2010

As reported in Southwest - The Little Quadrant That Could posting dated Tuesday, 7 September 2010, the 7th Street Landing, a temporary park at the intersection of 7th Street and Water Street on the Southwest Waterfront that opens on Thursday. The park will have events on Thursdays through Sundays, at least for a month while the weather is still pleasant.

Click flyer for details or visit 7th Street Landing on Facebook.

DC Cowboys Dance School - Fall Session Enrollment

When classes running from 23 September thru 28 October click flyer to enroll in DC Cowboys Dance School Fall 2010 Session.

New Hubble Observations of Supernova 1987A Trace Shock Wave

In the 2 September 2010 Inbox Astronomy NewsCenter Update ..."An international team of astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope reports a significant brightening of the emissions from Supernova 1987A. The results, which appear in this week's Science magazine, are consistent with theoretical predictions about how supernovae interact with their immediate galactic environment."

Click image for full release.