Saturday, 7 January 2012 Witness Against Torture / GTMO Silent March /Washington DC

SilentMarch6.WitnessAgainstTorture.GTMO.NW.WDC.7January2012, a photo by ElvertBarnes on Flickr.

In prelude to this Wednesday's 11 January 2012 Day of Action Against Guantanamo approximately 35 demonstrators participated in a SILENT MARCH in Washington DC on Saturday, 7 January.

After first assembling at and stepping off from the Occupation encampment at Freedom Plaza in NW Washington DC the demonstration which included 25 of the 35 participants dressed in orange jump suits and black hoods (one in a cage) marched down 14th Street and across the National Mall to the George Washington Monument grounds before proceeding to the White House and Lafayette Park and returning to Freedom Plaza.

Organized by Witness Against Torture in collaboration with other groups Saturday's 7 January 2012 SILENT MARCH represents only one of several events that will be held from the 6th through the 10th January in prelude of the 10th Anniversary of Guantanamo Bay National Day of Action event which takes place in Washington DC on Wednesday, 11 January 2012.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Submit Your National Cherry Blossom Festival Stories

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2012 / Dawn Of A New Age

While some may believe with the Mayan calendar ending on 21 December 2012 that today, 1 January 2012, marks the beginning of the end of the world I believe that today as well as this year's winter solstice is just the dawn of a new age and time.

And while many contemplate new year resolutions in tune with my practice for more than a decade my "mantra" vs resolutions for 2012 is "Dawn Of A New Age!" 

Happy 2012.

My 2012 NYD "Till The End" Progressive House / Trance Mix

Merry Christmas 2011

My "Salvation" Uplifting Trance End of 2011 Mix

In celebration of the Christmas 2011 Into New Year 2012 Holiday Season this mix while featuring a few of my favorite uplifting trance tracks that I purchased during 2011 is excellent music for travelling as well as dancing.

Merry Christmas!

Whitman Walker Health WORLD AIDS DAY 2011 Candlelight Vigil at Dupont Circle

Commemorating 30 years of the AIDS epidemic click the image to view my Whitman-Walker Health 23rd WORLD AIDS DAY Candlelight Vigil 2011 photo album which was held at Dupont Circle in NW Washington DC on Thursday night, 1 December 2011.

Here's an article by Edge Magazine with details regarding the event.

My Thanksgiving Weekend 2011 Mixes

In celebration of the Thanksgiving Weekend 2011 holiday I've put together two mixes.

The first, OCEAN OF HOPE, which is in celebration of the 27th Annual White Party Week / Miami 2011 event features an uplifting trance tracklist that is excellent for traveling to and from your destinations.

While the second, I GOT THE FEELING house / gay circuit mix will prep you for the various dance clubs that you may will party at over the weekend.

For more of my mixes visit the Elvert Barnes Mixology archives.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Miss Pixie's 3rd Thursday November 2011 Extravaganza

At today's monthly 3rd Thursday event Miss Pixie's will not only unveil a fabulous collection of vintage Christmas ornaments at a 10% discount but will celebrate the grand opening of the Miss Pixie's Collective upstairs which feature MIMILAH modern and vintage clothing and accessories and paintings by David Amoroso and Laura Jane Hamilton.

Located at 1626 14th Street in NW Washington DC today's 3rd Thursday event will take place from 11 am until 8 pm with a movie and refreshments in the backroom from 6 until 8 pm.

Click the image to view my Miss Pixie's photo album.

Mitchell & Tim Gold's Meridian Hill Loft Featured in Today's Washington Post

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MGBW Co-founder Mitchell Gold Featured in November 2011 Elle Decor

Raise your glass to co-founder Mitchell Gold of MGBW furniture company who is featured in the November 2011 issue of Elle Decor in the "Unconventional Wisdom" column by Ingrid Abramovitch.

Taken during my 2 November 2011 walk along 14th Street in NW Washington DC click the image to view my ongoing Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams / Logan Circle photo album.

Monarch Butterfly Waystation #4228 at Phil & Steve's Dupont Circle Garden

Seldom do I walk pass the Garden at Dupont Circle / East without taking a picture or two as was the case earlier today when, for the first time, that I observed a Monarch Watch Certificate of Apprection that had been awarded to gardeners Steve Aupperle and Phil Carney in September 2010 for the creation and maintenance of Monarch Butterfly Waystation #4228.

A nonprofit educational outreach program based at the University of Kansas that focuses on the monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular fall migration visit their website to learn more about Monarch Watch.

Click the image to view my Steve & Phil Dupont Circle / East Garden photo album.

My 36th Marine Corps Marathon Weekend 2011 Trance Running Mix

While it is true that the 36th Marine Corps Marathon takes place this Sunday, 30 October 2011 the 36th MCM Weekend actually kicks-off on Thursday, 27 October with a 3-day Health and Fitness Expo by GE at the DC Armory.

For a list of all the events visit the 36th MCM website.

And as I have done for several of the races and marathons in Washington DC over the past few years, click the cd cover to listen to my October 2011 NEVER LOOK BACK running music trance mix which in celebration of the 36th MCM features an uplifting trance tracklist.

And here is my 34th MCM 2009 docu-project which includes many never before seen images.

Special Olympics DC 26th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run New Fall Date

Having taken place in June for its first 25 years, this year, the Special Olympics / DC 26th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run 2011 debuted its new fall date as I captured its runners and walkers on 4th Street in SW Washington DC earlier today.

Though still under construction, click the image to view my 26th LETR 2011 photo album.

Bittersweet Magazine Fall 2011 Issue Available NOW!

When last Saturday that I came across Bittersweet Magazine during my visit to the 7th Annual H Street Festival in NE Washington DC I thought first of the now defunct Washington Spark (which I was a contributor) and LiP: Informed Revolt! magazines and then of one year old Yes!.

Having published three quarterly pilot issues since last December 2010, Bittersweet's "Defending Human Rights in DC" Fall 2011 Edition, in full color, represents its first official (non-pilot) issue.

Available from many locations through the DC metro area as well as through subscription an official release party will be held on Thursday evening, 6 October 2011 at the Washington Project for the Arts Options 2011 Gallery (where they are exhibitors) at 629 New York Avenue, NW, Washington DC on the 2nd floor.

For more information visit their website or facebook pages.

Last Weekend's 7th Annual H Street Festival 2011

First organized after the riots of 1968 last Saturday was my first visit to the H Street Festival in NE Washington DC.

My memories of the H Street, NE, Corridor date back to the fall of 1978 which was when I joined forces with a real estate developer who for many years was involved with the redevelopment of what is now known as Barracks Row along the 8th Street strip in SE Washington DC.

As major throughfares for the WMATA Metro bus system the two routes for many years exhibited haunting similaries which until a few years ago included a Murry's Steak. While the one at 419 8th Street, SE, is no longer on Barracks Row the Murry's at 610 H Street, NE, still remains as do the many businesses that sell wigs, discounted clothing and electronics.

When capturing street festivals I like to not only explore the changes but reflect on and learn of the neighborhood as well. Which may shed light on why I took pictures of the windows and signs along H Street during my 7th Annual H Street Festival documentation.

From which my favorite memories include the folk art and art cars exhibitors and the performance by BoomBox.

DC Bike Cop J.M. Perez performs "New York, New York" at 2011 Adams Morgan Day Peyote Karaoke Cafe

As a documentary photographer I absolutely love autumn in Washington DC as there are so many festivals going on that it is difficult to catch them all. However, one that I have captured for several years has been the Adams Morgan Day Festival.

One of my favorite memories from the 33rd Adams Morgan Day Festival 2011 event is DC Bike Cop J. M. Perez's rendition of Sinatra's "New York, New York" in front of the Peyote Karaoke Cafe.

I know a New Yorker when I see one and Officer Perez is definately a New Yorker.

DC's 15th Street Bike Lane Considered Best Cycletrak

While I've enjoyed capturing bicyclists for several years its only been since April of this year that I've focused on official bike lanes.

My favorite spot to capture bicyclists is along the 15th Street Bike Lane at the intersection of 15th and P Streets in NW Washington DC.

In fact, in March 2011, the 15th Street Bike Lane was awarded the Best Cycletrack by Washington City Paper's Best of 2011 Competition.

Threshold #1 Represents Chas. Colburn's 2nd of 2 Sculptures on First Street in NoMa

Always on the look for interesting Public Art In Public Spaces I recently came across the second of two works by Sculptor Chas. Colburn in the 800 block of First Street in NE Washington DC.

Almost certain that the Threshold #1 painted steel sculpture was not there during my 29 April 2011 First Street / NoMa Walk a review of Colburn's resume indicates that the ribbon cutting was in June 2011.

While Threshold #1 is located in front of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 888 First Street, NE, Colburn's Trigadilly situated in front of the CNN Building at 820 First Street, NE, and installed in 1991 was his first work in the Union Station/NOMA area.

Click the image to view my Threshold #1 / Chas. Colburn photo album.

3rd Philly Naked Bike Ride - Sunday, 4 September 2011

If you are interested in participating in or capturing the 3rd Philly Naked Bike Ride (PNBR) which takes place on Sunday, 4 September 2011 since locations of the assemblance and ride route are still being determined visit the PNBR / Facebook Group for updates.

Assembling at 3 pm with ride step-off at 5 pm location details will be announced on and posted to the PNBR Facebook group at midnight on Friday, 2 September 2011.