Alarming Rise in 2010 Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities

In a press release dated Monday, 27 December 2010 the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washigton DC reports that "The number of U.S. law enforcement fatalities spiked by 37 percent in 2010—an alarming increase that follows two years of declining deaths among our nation’s policing professionals".

A total of 160 federal, state and local law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 12 months ..."

Click here to read the entire press release.

From my 2009 National Police Week docu-project the above image was taken on 13 May 2009 and just before the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Though both years are still under construction, here is my 2010 National Police Week docu-project.

And here is my 2011 Photography Calendar of images from the 2010 National Police Week in Washington DC.

Fort Lauderdale's "Fortitude Weekend" Debuts Presidents' Day Weekend 2011

Presidents Day Weekend will never be the same within the gay circuit community as a new GLBT benefit weekend debuts in Fort Lauderdale over the 2011 Presidents Day Weekend.

Combining entertainment events and parties that appeal to to a wide audience of all ages, FORTITUDE 2011 takes place from 17 thru 21 February.

Click banner to visit the website.

"Evolution of a Dancer" at Rebel / NYC - 20 February 2011 (Presidents' Day Weekend)

Celebrating the rich history of our club culture while tracing our musical DNA (where we've been, where we are and where we aim to go in the future), DJs John Ceglia, Michael Fierman and Susan Morabito in conjuction with Andrew Kirtzman will be presenting "Evolution Of A Dancer" at Rebel / NYC on Sunday, 20 February 2011. Lights by Mike Trillo.

Click the flyer for details.

Happy New Year from Masterbeat

Click banner to watch Masterbeat's New Year 2011 Countdown Video.

Still Shining After All This Time / New Year 2011

"Still Shining After All This Time (Polar)" from the NASA Image Collection and taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captures a panoramic view of the "Husband Hill" summit inside Mars' Gusev Crater during the period of 24 thru 27 August 2005.

Click the above flyer to view larger versions of my "All This Time / 2011" New Year greeting card.

In celebration of the New Years 2011 Weekend and as a special tribute to a dear friend who passed in the spring of 1989 here is my "All This Time" house mix which you may wish to download for your New Year 2011 Weekend celebration.

Here is my complete 2010 Into 2011 music mix collection which includes several New Age Music compilations. You may also enjoy "No Regrets" and "You Raise Me Up" from my Mixology archives.

My preferences lend toward uplifting trance.

Rather than New Year resolutions, in recent years, I've preferred New Year mantras, In reflecting on the past but with hopes of moving forward, my 2011 mantras are "All This Time" and "Into The Light".

Happy 2011.

Merry Christmas

click image

"Backdropped by a Colorful Earth" serves as the image for this 2010 Into 2011 greeting card. From the NASA Image Collection, and taken in December 2006, it depicts STS-116 Mission Specialists Robert L. Curbeam, Jr. and Christer Fuglesang participating in the first of the mission's three planned sessions of extravehicular activity as construction resumes on the International Space Station.

Click the greeting card to listen to and/or download my "O' Christmas Tree" holiday music mix which features a tracklist of free Christmas music downloads from Amazon.com.

Though not Christmas music, you may also enjoy my "Cloudburst Flight" new age / rock mix and tribute to Tangerine Dream. Which, by the way, is excellent traveling music.

Download a larger size of the above greeting card from my 2010 Into 2011 Greeting Card series.

Merry Christmas 2010.

Flo Anito: New Music Video is here, Happy Holidays!

Congratulations to Flo Anito for the release of her Uh Oh! video.

Click the image to read her 22 December 2010 ReverbNation Newsletter.

For information regarding this talented artist and performer visit the Flo Anito website.

Reduced Hotel Rates for 2011 Black Party Expo Weekend / NYC thru 31 December 2010

Though today is Winter Solstice, if you'll planning for a ritual Vernal Equinox trip to NYC for the 2011 Saint At Large Black Party Expo Weekend you have until Friday, 31 December 2010 to book your hotel room at a reduced rate at the Hudson which is this year's host hotel.

Click the flyer for more information regarding the 18 - 20 March 2011 Black Party Expo (BPX) Weekend.

Robbie Leslie: "Two Nights of Amazing Disco Classics"

Here's a little piece of club history for your enjoyment. In 1985 the Saint introduced an all new party - DISCO DIVAS. This night would be dedicated to an all classics format and featured live performances by Loleatta Holloway, Jackie Moore, and Sarah Dash. It was one of the Saint's most successful parties and spawned three sequels. Rarely had I seen such an excited and joyful crowd packing the dancefloor. The music is a celebration of the 70's and early 80's and includes, in addition to Disco's greatest hits, many of the rare and forgotten tunes that made dancing a thrilling ritual and a weekly event! This party has been beautifully restored and newly mastered to CD.

In addition to the SAINT'S DISCO DIVAS PARTY I am offering here the REVENGE of the DISCO DIVAS from San Francisco's legendary Trocadero Transfer. This CD set features an entirely different, all-disco programme that will keep you smiling and moving!

TWO COMPLETE DISCO EVENTS

SUPERB SOUND QUALITY AND DIGITAL MASTERING

SPECIAL PRICES:

DISCO DIVAS at the SAINT – 12 DISCS – $150

REVENGE of the DISCO DIVAS at Trocadero Transfer - 13 DISCS - $125

BOTH SETS FOR $250

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

FOR THOSE WISHING TO USE PAYPAL visit http://www.paypal.com/. Transfer funds to robbie@robbieleslie.com

FOR CHECK/MONEY ORDER please make payable to ROBBIE LESLIE. Mail to:

ROBBIE LESLIE - DIVAS

2716 NE 28 Street

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306

Visit http://www.robbieleslie.com/

My "Spirit Voices" New Age / Spiritual Cloudcast

"Spirit Voices" New Age / Spiritual (Vocals) Mix - December 2010 by Elvert Barnes Trance Head on Mixcloud

Fundraising Campaign for "Women, Sex, & Desire: Sometimes You Feel Like a Ho, Sometimes You Don't"

Gesel Mason Performance Projects has been selected to participate in a new online community of America's finest artists called USA Projects. As a result we are kicking off a new fundraising campaign for Women, Sex, & Desire: Sometimes You Feel Like a Ho, Sometimes You Don't.

It's all or nothing, so pledge today!

Click image for press release dated Tuesday, 14 December 2010.

My 2011 Photography Calendar of 2010 JR's Easter Bonnet Contestants

Click the cover to preview the fourth installment of my 2011 photgraphy calendar series which features some of my images from the 2010 JR's Annual Easter Bonnet Contest in Washington DC.

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.

HubbleSite Update: Holiday Greeting Cards

Holiday Greetings

HubbleSite holiday cards are back! Send celestial season's greetings to friends and family with these free, printable cards. Choose from an array of designs that highlight the joys of the holidays through the natural beauty of the universe.

The cards are designed to be printed out at photo stores or online photo labs, though you can also use a home printer.

Click banner for details.

Mixcloud for Streaming DJ Sets & Mixes

I came across an excellent site for DJs to stream their sets and mixes.

Rather than a podcast hosting site which offers downloading, Mixcloud is a cloudcasting site for streaming. Not downloading.

I particularly like the tracklisting and chapters features, for the benefit of the listeners and for the purposes of paying royalties to artists, performers and labels through their licenses with the various collecting societies.

Click the banner to learn more about Mixcloud.

My Memorial Day Weekend "Leaving Planet" Mix at Mixcloud

"Leaving Planet" Trance Mix (Memorial Day Weekend 2010) by Elvert Barnes Trance Head on Mixcloud

Last chance for Russell U. Richards "Fiji Mermaid" Movie!

Hello everyone,

Thanks to you, my Kickstarter fundraising campaign for "Fiji Mermaid" has exceeded its projected goal by over 30%. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have a concrete budget for this film, and for the outpouring of support I have received. The campaign ends on the early morning of Dec 15, and I promise this will be my last reminder about it!

Handmade items like T-shirt, etching, or Fiji Mermaid will no longer be available after the 15th, so the next few days will be the last chance to pledge for those items. I'll do my best to make and ship everything in time for holiday gift-giving. If you haven't seen it already, a little about my film project and fundraising campaign here:

http://kck.st/9YowFv

Thanks again, and have a wonderful holiday season,

-Russell
Russell U. Richards
http://www.russellrichards.com
http://russellrichards.typepad.com

Photographer Bill Travis' "Bodyscapes" Exhibit at DC's LGBT Center Thru 5 January 2011

In the continuation of my ongoing gay art series when en route to the Whitman Walker Clinic, yesterday afternoon, I stopped in at the DC Center for the LGBT Community on U Street to get a view of the Bill Travis "Bodyscapes" photography exhibit.

Having opened on Friday, 19 November 2010 and running through 5 January 2011, perhaps, my two favorite are this one. And this one.

For more information pertaining to the artist visit the Bill Travis Photography website.

The Center is located at 1318 U Street, NW, Washington DC.

When leaving, and in connection with my ongoing Windows of U Street series I made a point to get a few shots of the the Center's "Facing AIDS" World AIDS Day 2010 window display.

Click the image to view my Bodyscapes: The Art of Bill Travis / DC Center photo album.

My 2011 Photography Calendar / 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival Images

Click the cover to preview the fourth installment of my 2011 photgraphy calendar series which features images from my documentation of the 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC.

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.

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.