Michael Jackson's Birthday Celebration in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY

To celebrate Michael Jackson's birthday, Spike Lee is hosting a party in Prospect Park, Brooklyn on Sunday, August 29th, 2010 from 12-5pm. Mr. Jackson's music will be played the entire time. I plan to be one of the countless revelers that enjoyed and  continue to enjoy Mr. Jackson's music on this very day. Come on out and celebrate!

Hurricane Katrina-5 years later

The great city of New Orleans is reemerging as its former self. Hurricane Katrina all but destroyed this city of pure decadence. But the kind people of New Orleans banded together and funding from the government rebuilt houses and lives. I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity immediately after and stayed for a month, working on rebuilding homes and counseling numerous people during this time of need. And what struck me, during my time, was the enduring qualities of the people. They tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves. They appreciated the volunteers during this time of need. I was there during CNN presentation on TV, and was elated that the coverage never ended. Spike Lee completed a documentary for HBO and numerous others have contributed to spreading the word that this situation is not over and we should do our upmost to help this wonderful city come back to its hey day.

Abbey Lincoln--Goddess of Jazz

I was introduced to Abbey Lincoln's music late in life. I was a junior in college and heard her music and played it for one of my classes as some sort of jazz presentation. I didn't know the voice or the format and one of my peers kindly informed me that it was the great Abbey Lincoln. I was hooked since that day. Ms. Lincoln passed away this month and left a huge void in the jazz world. Ms. Lincoln was committed to her art and it showed in the 1999 album, "Wholly Earth", a true mastery of music and lyrics sung with verve and realism. A true storyteller, Ms. Lincoln provided the jazz community with music ranging from avant garde civil rights era recordings to the equally powerful but more introspective work of her later years. Ms. Abbey Lincoln, I will miss your musical stylings and that voice of love, yearning and regret.

Searching for Luther Vandross---Musical Genius

My father would drag( and I mean literally drag my brothers and I) to Westbury Music Fair to see Mr. Luther Vandross every time he came to Long Island. My Dad would talk incessantly about the musical genius of Luther, vocal styling, riffs in music, backup singers, arrangement in music and the ultimate showman Mr. Vandross turned out to be. I was very young and didn't quite understand what was going on, but I enjoyed the music and perhaps knew the song lists a little to much. But, not as much as my father--because it never grew old with him. Now, as an adult, I so appreciate his music and every time I hear a tune--I think of my deceased Father. It brings back so many good memories, I didn't have the heart to tell my Dad--that his music icon was a Gay Man--just like me. I'm not sure if this would have crushed him or maybe he knew and this helped him resolve his feelings towards me. Anyway, Mr. Vandross has influenced millions of listeners with and along the way created a new generation of babies.

Sadly, Luther is no longer with us, but his life and music lives on. Why is there no biopic on Mr. Vandross? I would pay good money to see it and sing along with all those songs--just like Dad did for all those wonderful years.

Billy Strayhorn-Musical Legend

Mr. William Thomas Strayhorn

Recently, I attended a Lena Horne tribute in my community and the guest vocalist mentioned that Billy Strayhorn was Lena's best friend and according to legend Ms. Horne died with a picture of Billy clutched to her bosom. Wow, Ms. Horne a heterosexual woman loving an closeted Gay Man was truly a deep friendship without boundaries. I have to admire Mr. Strayhorn, whose sexuality seeped through his soul while producing some of the best music in history for an audience that didn't care about circulated rumors of his homosexuality.

Mr. Strayhorn was an accomplished pianist, composer, arranger and the ultimate side kick of Duke Ellington.

Mr. Ellington hired the young Strayhorn and didn't exactly know where to place him, but eventually Mr. Strayhorn became a vital member of the band. The similarities of their styles soon begin to manifest and it became difficult to discern where one's style ended and the other's begin.

The jazz composition, "Take the A Train" was both a hit with audiences and one of the best collaborations in jazz. It was often said the Mr. Strayhorn didn't receive his just due. Why is it always the Gay Man that gets the shaft or maybe many audiences weren't ready to deal with a close knit friendship between a straight and gay man in the world of music. My, the times haven't changed much.

Why haven't we seen or heard of biopic of Mr. Strayhorn and all of his endeavors? I'm ready to hear the full story and not just pieces of it--in other peoples biographies. Mr. Strayhorn thou art in jazz heaven, send us a sign of your enduring qualities and let us tell the magnificent truth about your incredible life. Amen!

Eunice Johnson-I'm going to miss you!

The Ebony Fashion Fair Show extravaganza was the first fashion show that I attended. What color? What beautiful men and women modeling the couture collections found only in Europe? What a grand looking crowd encompassing the set up runway? I was just a mere adolescent who understood style and color, but was naive to think I could accomplish such a feat. I wanted to model, then I wanted to design. At that tender age, I was all over the planet with my thoughts. But, Mrs. Johnson brought her lovely and lively caravan to my town and I was set on fire. I couldn't wait for my mom to purchase tickets and getting the right outfit was the most important feat in my life at the time. My mom and I was polished, debonair, sophiscated and styled. I sat on the edge of my seat and saw the runway light up and the music would cue, then the announcer would speak at ease of the outfits and the models strumming down the runway. I was enamored, I was in lust, I was meant to be in the fashion industry, because of you, Mrs. Johnson. Your passing has touch my soul and my heart. Today, I wore an outfit for you; conservative yet chic with a touch of pastiche. Thank You!!

Judith Jamison's Last Hurrah!

Judith Jamison started out at Alvin Ailey Dance Theater as a dancer. Upon Mr. Ailey's pasting, she became it's artistic director which spans 20 years. This is the last season Ms. Jamison will be the director and is switching gears within the company to take it into the next 20 years. I remember being moved by the piece, "Cry" which is a solo dance number designed to encompass the life of every Black Woman. Mr. Ailey chose Ms. Jamison to dance in the role and not seeing the original production. I was so taken aback by Ms. Jamison's training of future " Cry" solo dancers that I immersed myself into the music(provided by Alice Coltrane and Laura Nyro) and choreography. I'm proud to say that in the vast volumes of dances that the company, "Cry" is my number one favorite.