OS 4:OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS AND OUTTOWNERS!

ANOTHER WEEK HAS PASSED!!

LET's GET TOWNED!!!

Yours Truly waiting at my seat for the comedy show at the Laugh Lounge.  

Last Friday, I finally got the chance to go to my buddy Jessie Taylor's comedy venue The Laugh Lounge out in St Louis County (After two years of promising to go!) and I must say I was quite impressed of the set up. One side is the Daquiri Lounge where the bar is located (Im still getting over drinking that Late For Work Frozen Daquiri! LOl) with a small stage set up for a small set. Then on the other side is the Laugh Lounge, a 600 or so seater with a wall of St Louis comedians and menus with drinks named after St Louis and nationally known comedians (e.g. The Jessie Taylor, The Redd Foxx and The Carol Burnett). Much to my surprise, i found out that fellow St Louis comedian Maurice G co manages with Taylor (For you old heads who remember, Maurice G operated  Club Dreams in Midtown St Louis).

So after some chatting with Taylor on the venue and gym updates (We go to the same gym--The Haitian King is still around...LOL), I sat in the Daquiri Lounge until it was time to enter the Laugh Lounge to check out Comic View legend Shang's set. He emailed me among hundreds of other STL movers and shakers about getting on his list to check out his comedy show last weekend.  The crowd was a bit sparse the first night (it picked up hugely the rest of the weekend) but those who were there definitely got their sides cracked from the laughs.


First up was St Louis local Ricky Royal who also works at The Lounge. His set was cool. A slow builder as far as the jokes but his uncanny way of changing the thought process of what to expect was quite clever. His jokes mainly was on his baby mama drama, child support and being heavy set. A few of his jokes were a bit head scratching (especially the one about his young son's aroused state while crossing over in the bed with him to move to the other side of the bed.)

Comedian Shang on stage at The Laugh Lounge


About 40 minutes later, the headliner came up on stage and ripped it up. First it was a bit adjusting at first to see him because hes picked up a few pounds but after getting used to that, he was Shang.  He started his set saying about him having kidney stones and having to have an operation soon but getting off on the drugs he has to take. Another shocker was that he went to prison for a couple years for stabbing a bouncer in the neck at a club.

I was near the stage and I was expecting for the comedians on stage to take notice of me (which he did). A comedy rule is always is if you sit up front be prepped to be talked about or called on. LOL He mainly referenced to me midway in his set as though we were having a convo hanging out. As far as his specific jokes, the one he told about getting into a fight with a gay guy,waking up after getting beat  and having glitter coming out of his arse was a bit jarring but was funny.

There was an audience member named Lisa who he continued referencing to as far as her ample upper area and trying to get her to come to eh hotel to sleep with him and have her friend video tape it was also quite funny.

Although his set was all over the place (in a good way) he brought the heat as far as the laughs.

A COMEDY BOND....There's YOURS TRULY taking a pic with comedian and venue operator Jessie Taylor, headliner Shang and comedian, Longhorn.













Last Saturday, I went to the gym, did my errands and came back to the Maatspear Compound contemplating if I was going to the special networking event at DosSalas or Marquee in Midtown and did neither. LOL 

There's YOURS TRULY holding up a program of Rising Stars Showcase, an annual event
showcasing some of the best young St Louis based talent held at Sheldon Concert Hall.



Last Sunday, I decided to check out some young talent at the Sheldon Concert Hall. It was called Rising Stars Showcase presented Fox's Performance Arts Charitable Foundation.  I was determined to go to this in order to make up for not attending anything that Saturday.

And I'm glad I did!

Fourteen young adults performed who were chosen from either the St Louis Teen Talent Competition or St Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards. 

It was hosted by  St Louis media personality, Christine Buck.







The talent ranged from singing, singing and playing an instrument, playing an instrument, dance and a juggler.  Overall their talent was good, to the point of being ready for the national stage. Yet only a few actually stood out for me.


Below are those who did......

The first one up was Madelyn Gartland who sang, "The Show Must Go On"by Queen. She had quite soulful vocals and showmanship (pun intended)

 Second one up was Jameson Falconer who performed "Turning Tables" by Adele in a Nat King Coleesque type demeanor.

 A bright spot was Afiya Faatuono who performed an original tune along with an ukulele. And her smile alone was a standout.

Sean Petric did juggling who was quite entertaining, Las Vegas style.

The last up was Joanna Serenko who performed an original tune had a quiet yet strong soulful voice accompanied by a guitarist.

LEFT: All of the performers with Buck during the curtain call.

Back in the hey day of this blog, what got this blog talking on the streets were the blind items and the in your face boldness of telling it like it is in St Louis celebritydom. Well, I have a blind item that I am sure will get you all talking about.

One of my sources was invited to a swanky pool party in downtown St Louis where the crowd was mainly Midwest porn stars. Yes, you heard me. P.O.R.N. S.T.A.R.S.  A local producer of adult films who lives in the STL had a private soiree last weekend where some of the popular white porn stars (gay and straight and in between LOL) gathered to mingle about. Well, I can't give you the names of who were there or the producer, and the specifics of what happened, but lets just say they were not playing checkers while they were there LOL.


If you have an event your business you would like to promote or a blind item, email to maat.atkins@gmail.com



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OS 3: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS AND OUTTOWNERS!

BACk FOR ANOTHER THURSDAY!

LETS GET TOWN!

STL radio personality and comedian Lady Re setting the fashions on 10

with her jeans top and elongated tutu with rock star hair before checking out the Diana Ross concert that was held at The Fox Theatre last Thursday.

STL radio personality and comedian Lady Re was letting the FASHION GODs HAVE IT in her ensem (see pic above) when she was set to see legendary diva Diana Ross at The Fabulous Fox Theater in downtown St Louis. She was among thousands who checked out the Boss during her her stop in the Lou. I didnt get a chance to even try to get a comp ticket to see the show. But, these days, all you have to do is go on YOu TUBE and sneak a performance someone filmed and see what happened. IM JUSt SAYIN....LOL.

But when asked about the show, Lady Re said, "AMAZING SHOW...SOLD OUT...SHE LOOK DAMN GOOD AND SHE STILL HAS A VOICE."

Oh, and she wanted me to use the pic for this, too. LOL

YOURS TRULY holding up a free drink ticket at the Gentleman Jack Real to Reel
event held at St Louis Science Center last Friday.

Last Friday, I checked out Gentleman Jack's real to reel event that was held at the St Louis Science Center in Midtown STL.  I got there before the actual venue closed so I didnt have to wait in line (MAAT dont do lines lol). But much to my chagrin, we had to wait outside in  the sunkissed sun until they officially closed the venue. So, I decided to have a sit down with other patrons who were sitting  waiting to enter. I heard various conversations from some twenty something sistas who were talking about everything from not being able to cash their check, having car trouble to how lovely a sistas wrap dress was.

The event officially was to start at 6pm, but they let us in around thirty minutes later. So I checked in my comp admission and walked up to the second floor where a young lady was taking pics of people with their cell phones in front of the Gentleman Jack's Step and Repeat. I also heard old school R&B sounds that was coming from Vandalyzm (I think he goes by DJ Daddy now LOL). They had complimentary appetizer food of chips with strings of BBQ chicken along with salsa, peppers, and the like that was quite sumptuous. I also cashed in my drink ticket for a Jack and Coke and proceeded to see who was there.

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Of the 300 or so who were there  I did see some familiar faces when I was traveling the scene consistently in the past,. The event was managed by STL socialite Eddie Hollman (of SYGU days) and BFree Paparazzi was in the house taking flicks (Teddy B Free wasnt there but his lovely wife was there all a beaming in her blue mini dress)

Everyone mainly mingled, scoping, and chatted until it was time for the featured short films to be seen in the OMNIMAX theatre.

A patron signing a pledge board for free sponsored
merch.

The MaatView from the theater with filmmaker panel
after the film presentations.

While inside the theater, the host was winner of Real to Reel David Kirkman welcoming everyone to the event. Most people came into the theater while some were still hanging out in the party section. There weer six short films that were presented (two were by filmmaker Jon Alexander, "Enough"and "Cycle"). The content that was dealt with loss of a friend, seeking mental help after witnessing street crime, an everyday joe who waves at people, a documentary on ones experience in Afghanistan after 9-11. One particular film used still animation which was quite impressive, but based on the films that were in the running for winning the STL round, I can see Alexander winning (He won for "Enough" about a young streetmonger seeking mental help after seeing a neighborhood shooting."

The highlight of the event was during the Q and  A with the filmmakers when a sista from the audience heckled' I didnt see not one black woman represented in any of the films, with the exception of a woman playing a mother." Well, the all male panel was a bit dumbfounded with the outburst but

Hollman settled the moment when he said that last year they had an all female filmmakers and if she knew any female filmmakers have them to submit for next year.

BLOOP!

Kirkman also made a good point when he said that he would like to see more representation of black content on all backgrounds including black queer culture which got a nice applause surprisingly.

Filmmaker Jon Alexander chats with

a supporter after the event.

After the event, everyone rushed down to the panel area to chat with the filmmakers taking pictures and getting their last networking on. The party portion was still going on, but for the most part people bounced. Also there were STL socialites Becky and Larry Blue (I'm still waiting for that drink LOL), Rhashad Whittier and Mocha Latte.

Interesting tidbit while talking with Whittier. I asked him did he and his team (including Holman) still did Teese (the annual graphic tee event they used to do back in the day) and he said that that was the days of past and the event that Im attending now is about the stint of special events going on in St Louis.

I am so out of the loop. LOL

YOURS TRULY with STL designer Leonard Stewart

Last Saturday, I checked out the AW 2019 Fashion Show (#SSTEW3) with newcomer fashion designer Leonard Stewart who was presenting his own style of chic street wear. It was held at the St Louis Fashion Fund Building in downtown St Louis. One of the coordinators, Dwight Carter sent me an invite to check this out and I most definitely obliged,.

So, when I got there,Stewart immediately rushed to me and greeted me and showed me to the workspace upstairs (that reminded me of the TV show Project Runway) where the models were in their outfits waiting to walk down several steps to the lower area for the show. We chatted a bit about his show until he was summoned to other duties before the show (a sudden moment happened while the models ran out to tend to their parking meters to add money to tehri meters when one of them said  the city ticketer was ticketing cars. LOL).  The bottom level is quite swanky and cozy with hard wooden and waxed floors, high ceilings and studio lighting.

Before the show stated, I met one of the board members of the Fund, Susan Sherman (who is mentoring Stewart) who gave me as well as several early comers a tour of the venue. She showed us to a glass surrounded workspace where several fashion designers in the STL area have rent space with their works including Project Runway alum, Michael Drummond.

As I waited for the show, Sherman offered wine to everybody as we sat and waited for the show. 

One of the show stopping pieces 

The show itself wasnt that long, but from what I saw, I was impressed with what was showcased. Stewart (whose parents were there as Dad had his own video equipment filming the show) has a knack for detail and his pieces, they are definitely wearable tor a casual event say like a day party or even a rap video (The white skull mask wrap was definitely one for a hip hop star)

The finale

          Susan Sherman, guest, Stewart and fashion show coordinator, Dwight Carter.

After the show, his well wishers gathered  to greet him and take pics as well getting a chance to wear some of his outfits--especially the long jeans overcoat.

Overall, it was a nice intimate event.

Another tidbit......So when I was heading out, I heard someone call my name and it was a sista who I worked on the film Happy Hour with a few years ago when I was an Assistant Director (that was directed by Chrys Yvette). She inboxed me while I was at the event when I posted up a selfie and we chatted up a bit and she said that her daughter went to school with Stewart. she also talked about ho her daughter is fulfilling her dreams as a dancer and is seeking to head to the Big Apple to spread her wings. 

I was going to head to see Lion King at The Moolah Theatre, but decided to head back to the Maatspear Compund.

-30-

FIN.

If you have an event or business you would like to advertise on a future  OUTSTAGN BLOGSPOT, send all inquires to maat.atkins@gmail.com

OS: 2 OUT ON THE TOWN

There's YOURS TRULY holding up a program sheet of the stageplay Deeper Shade of Blues 

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!

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. 

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! 

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OS 1: OUT ON THE TOWN

Photos by Maatology

YOURS TRULY up on the rooftop of Clayton on the Park

HEY OUTSTAGRS! I am back from "retirement" from reporting on my travels out and about of my public outgoings. Its been a couple of years since my moving into another direction in my career, focusing on producing my stageplay SNAP HONEY (in Los Angeles and recently Atlanta), winding down my Mista Couture competition (which will end in December) and currently working on the 2020 OBSDN Men of Color Calendar that I hope to publish in the Fall.

This past week, it just hit me of how much I needed to get back into the swing of going out on the town and reporting of what Ive seen. For those who are fans of my blog since July 2005, know that this blog has been through several incarnations from a basic journaling, to a news blog with pics, to entertainment blog with a St Louis slant and then to just using it to promo my projects.

Well, I am going back to the basics.

The blog will be more focused on its roots--journaling my travels and adding pics along the way.

So, lets get to it!

Last Friday, I decided to check out the summer soiree, Clayton on the Park, a hangout on the multistory, swanky, apartment complex's rooftop which takes place the second Friday of each month in the summer. 

So, I put on some "Maatwear" and headed over there about 8pmish. When I walked into the lobby, I spotted a very attractive young lady who noticed me instantly from my OUTTOWN years. Come to find out it was a young lady, STL mover and shaker  Natina Hopson, who I snapped a pic of with a guy years ago with the caption "Who is the Mystery Man she is with?" Well, she said that didnt go too well with her then real boyfriend at the time, but she said the pic was fab. PSHEW. LOL

I went up about twenty floors up to the rooftop and automatically got an out of town vibe with the art decco styled decor of the architecture. The crowd was a bit sparse which is understandable because of the hotness of the weather. 



I saw that they had a mini bar and got a vodka and cran and proceeded into the main area to enjoy the outer atmosphere as the DJ played Top 40 tunes.

Folks mainly chilled and enjoyed the scene as well. They had a adult size chess board and Connect Four for gamers and a nice swimming pool area for those to look at LOL

 They also had food samples from Chef Eric Prophete of Kingside Diner mainly of grilled exotic fruit which was quite good and got the chef's biz card for possible future dining.

An hour in, a few more people came through and spent most of the evening talking with Hopson and her friend until the music stopped signaling that the event was over. It was about 10ish when I realized that the night was still young. So I said goodbye to Hopson and her friend and decided to drive through the city to see what I could get into.

 There is YOURS TRULY flanked next to Elisha Newsome (LEFT) and Natina Hopson.


Well, the answer to that was, nothing much lol. I did drive to Pepper Lounge to see what was popping there and there was a step and repeat set up outside in the corridor section of the club I believe for DJ Arty J;'s bday but it looked as though it wasnt much action going on there so I decided to just go to the Maatspear Compound (my place of residence, that is) and chill out.

On Last Saturday I was planning to go to the Blue Ultra Lounge owned and operated by Cornell Boone on Delmar for the Cancer edition of their special bday celebrations. But after a hard work out at my gym, I was a bit lethargic regards to heading out to check it out especially with this month being my bday month. I did get a chance to check out the scene outside the Chaifetz Arena where the 95.5 Fm staffers were braving the hot sun to give away tickets to Tom Joyner One Last Time concert where Maze and Kem were the performers. Cars were parked down Compton so they could get a early parking spot for the show and few people in their white linen (the official color for a Maze concert). I tried to get access to meet and greet Tom Joyner through a connect but that didnt fall though ( I should have known better than to wait the last minute or at least made eye to contact with my connect. LOL)

And that was my journey last weekend.

Lets see what will be in store this coming weekend!

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!
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