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HEY OUTSTAGRS and OUTTOWNERS! Week Two of my return back to the basics with this blog. OK, so I checked out two events last weekend, one was inside and one was outside.
LETS GET TOWN!
Last Friday, I checked out my former mentee Joel P.E. King's one man stageplay, Deeper Shade of Blues" that was held at the Zack Theatre (owned by the Kranzberg Theatre) on Locust in Midtown St Louis (It was a two-night run). I was glad to return the favor to check out his play after he came to check out my play Snap Honey last month in Marietta, Ga at Good Acting Studio (He is director in residence at the Marietta Theatre in the Square, BTW).
In the lobby, I felt a sense of a family affair, literally. His family members held it down at the box office making sure my comp ticket was there greeted with a smile. I saw a few familiar faces there who are in the STL theatre circle as well as King's pantheon of those who worked with him or admired him for various reasons.
The play itself was outstanding. And I am not saying that just because I know him. Told through a projected screen of various images from war torn Africa, a snippet of Beyonce's "Girls Rule the World video and snapshots of his family (the highlight of the play)"Deeper" is reminiscent to a historic journey of the black man from pre-slavery days to LGBTIA culture. King resonated with each character he portrayed from an old man telling his story about a love lost during post-slavery times to Miss Gyrl, a fabulous queer performer whos lover leaves him after a show. One of the highlights was a heartwrenching tribute to his extended family as he sang in memoriam of those who are here and those who have moved into ancestryhood. King also had the men in the audience to stand to plead that he was his brother's keeper.
Afterwards, there was an impromptu award presentation celebrating King;s 25 years in the theater business. Presented by his family members, King, was asked to sit in the audience as he sat through a five minute thank you from various people who he has worked with in the past (Including a voice message from "Growing Up Hip Hop : Atlanta's Andrea Kelly). He was presented his award humbly and in short said that he was all about the work.
There was a meet and greet with King at the fourth floor bar space, Urban Ballroom (I saw you Gloveboxx!). I didnt stay long but I was able to congratulate King for a job well done!
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| The Frizz Festival at Tower Grove Park |
Last Saturday, after my stint at the gym and running errands, I decided to drive to Tower Grove Park to check out the Frizz festival, a festival in celebration of black women and their natural selves. Now mind, you, there wasnt actual signs directing where the festival was located, but it was a colorful journey toward it,. People had their family reunions with matching t shirts, blasting their radios in their cars, and doing their own hot fun summer stuff.
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| Who was this naturally-loced sista walking to the festival? |
After a few minutes of winding road and searching, I found the area where the festival was going on. Their were rooftopped booths with vendors as people walked to the spot. Me, myself? The weather was 100 degree plus and didnt have the energy to find a parking spot (which was difficult due to people already parked in spots that can be used) so I decided to take a few snapshots and jet out to the Maatspear Compound to regroup from my day.
Last Sunday, I was planning to go to see Bone Thugs N Harmony at Ballpark Village but my connect never did get back in contact with me. Now, back in the day, I had no shame just showing up and flashing my media pass for entry, but now that I am more settled and not as eager to "get that event," it wasnt that serious.Plus, I had some Maatology business to square up on.
TIDBIT. This past week, I was getting gas on Lindell Boulevard, a street that is notorious for beggars and homeless people asking for some change. Well, at this instance, there was a beggar on the street in front of the gas station waiting to ask his next handee for some change, well, one sista let him have it. She said, "Hell, no mutha fucka, I aint giving you a mutha fuckin thing. You are always at this spot. Why dont you get yourself a mutha fuckin job."
Whoo! Talk about getting cussed out to the top of cussivity! I think we all have had that moment where we wanted to blast a beggar who keep asking for change, or a cigarette, or food. I usually say, "I am struggling, too." I can just imagine what they go through trying to make ends meet. But there have been those who con the public with the begging act just to get over. So, in defense of the sista, she may have had a bad day or just was tired of seeing a reminder that we all could be in the worn out shoes that a beggar wears.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT ON OUT ON THE TOWN, PLEASE EMAIL TO MAAT.ATKINS@GMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFO!
FIN.
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