07:OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!


IT'S THURSDAY!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!




Last weekend during the Labor Day Weekend, was filled with outdoor events, day and house parties. 

i was able to either cruise through, attend or hear about the ones that interested me. 

 Last Saturday after doing my gym time and errands, I drove by the Greek Festival that was going on in the Central West End off Forest Park Avenue Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church next to St. as always, there was nowhere to park so a snap drive by shot was all I could do, but it looked festive with all the vendors, live music and food food food (Gyros and Baklava galore!). After a few minutes circling the blocks to try and find a parking space I decided to just prep for the events later that evening.

The first evening stop was the Tennessee Honey Neighborhood Flavor  outside party held at The Marquee in the Central West End where more of the younger urban crowd were partying. They had tents up and I decided to go in, but when I saw the crowd was a bit young and I saw that the police were checking in people to enter, I decided to just stakeout and snap a few shots. From what I saw folks were getting free sips and tastes across the city and sounds were provided by DJ Arty J and Kimmy. 


About thirty minutes later around 10ish PM....I checked out house party organizer Anthony Robinson's party (AKA The Black Hefner LOL)  that he had at his Architect House in the Central West End. 



                             
                          YOURS TRULY with house party host Anthony Robinson

Before I walked to the house, I didnt realize I parked my car on the curb in front of St Louis American's Kenya Vaughn. As I was looking though my cell phone I head the voice, "Hey Ma'at!"

I looked up and it was her. I then said, "Hey there. How is it?" She replied, "Its nice." 

Then she drove off. 

Nice? Hmm ok. To me, that was code word for "not packed." But then again, the party started around 8pm (and ended at 1am) and most people start going to a house party a couple hours in.


When I walked in, it was moderately packed about 100 or so. Then it dawned on me that the house party was in competition with the Tani Sushi Bar Summer Series crowd, so most of the socialites were probably there. Back in the day, his parties were wall to wall packed not being able to walk, but that was in the early 2010s.

I saw the hosts Robinson and Lisa Gardner and greeted them and got myself acquainted with the atmosphere. DJing was Enoch who I dapped when he saw me.  Then, I went to the drinks and food to get juiced up and weigh my stomach with some meatballs, chicken, Chinese rice  and lasagna.

        Kalonda King and her band entertained the crowd during the house party.

So, I did my back and forth from the front room to the outside backyard where people were mainly hanging out (Who was the sista who poked my stomach? LOL).

Later on, Kalonda King and her band got the live music going, She sang some party favorites like Jill Scott, Prince, Sade and the highlight was when she brought up a house party male dweller to perform "Call Tyrone." Had him sit down in a chair and began singing to him and then had her back turned and the part of the song where the song line goes,"Then come around and ask me for some ass...." she bent over and stuck her arse near his face (and it was quite nice arse and the guy smiled because of it LOL)
After she performed for about 30 minutes, Enoch returned to the 1s and 2s and yours truly decided to exit.

Some of the familiar faces that I saw when I was there were socialites Joseph Jennings, Kevie Hendrix and Noretha Hopson ( I heard you were there LOL)


======

On Sunday, I wanted to check out the Graphic Tee day party that was held at Delmar Hall, but was too Saturday night hung from the house party, but I did hear the party was quaint, It started at 4pm until 10pm and that most people came early and left around 8pm. Charlie Chan was the DJ of the event.  

I have a Random Journey that occurred this week.

I drove to a food spot in East St Louis called Pops 5  and as I waiting for an order, there was a sign in front of the counter that advertised their lunch special and as you see in the picture , ONE,  lunch is spelled LONCH and TWO, the ending time for lunch was changed from  2 AM to 2 PM.

Now, lets discuss.

We've all done  typos when it comes to getting a flier or paper or a letter together, but my thing is, were they this unconcerned of just redoing the flier with the correct spelling of LUNCH?  I Googled what LONCH is a Masculine noun  in Spanish  involving food. 

So I assume LONCH means LUNCH.

And then the time change. Who had the idea to have lunch up until 2AM? How about breakfast? Or again, it couldve been the business owners was just not feeling up to making changes before getting the Sharpie Marker  to the  PM. 

Maybe that time is when LONCH is served.


LOL

Get ready for the 2020 OBSDN MEN OF COLOR CALENDAR coming out in November 2019. There are a couple of spots still open for any guys of color who are fit or in decent shape and are comfortable doing artistic body type pics, email tomaat.atkins@gmail.com for details.  Paid gig, lodging provided and travel negotiated. MUST HAVE NO INHIBITIONS.

IF YOU HAVE A RANDOM MOMENT, SOMETHING YOU WANT TO PROMOTE, OR A BLIND ITEM EMAIL IT TO MAAT.ATKINS@GMAIL.COM


-30-

OS 6: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

WE ARE BACK ON ANOTHER THURSDAY!!

LET'S GET TOWNED!!!

Yours Truly in traffic at Tower Grove Park for Festival of Nations

Hello everyone, I am back from a two week hiatus to return for another week of blog travels. Last weekend, was a bit nonchalant and was more trying to either get to an event or getting to an event and deciding not to go.

Last Saturday was the day of both instances.

After leaving the gym and doing errands I decided to try and go to the Festival of Nations, an annual  food festival that was held at Tower Grove Park in Midtown St Louis. Now, I should have know better to think there was parking availability when I decided to go in the late afternoon of this all day event.

I got close to the area following the festival signs to get to the event...but actually getting out of the car to get to the event was a NO. I got close to the actual festival grounds of tents and vendors and loads of people trekking to and from the specific area of the event but after getting stuck in traffic for about 30 minutes, yours truly decided to call it a wrap, turned on some Deep House Music on You Tube through the auxiliary speakers of my SUV and headed to the Maatspear Compound.


Later that night I was contemplating which club to attend that I had the most interest in attending just for the sake of having something to recap. At first, I was going to attend an Afro-Latin inspired event at Dos Salas, the Blue Ultra Lounge or the Tani Sushi Bar but decided to try out Pepper Lounge (AGAIN) where they were having a Anyone Who Wears All Black or All White or Both get in free and get free drinks between 10pm and 11pm with DJ Arty. So, I get to Pepper Lounge and looked and didnt see many cars or people (it was around 1030pm), and I decided not to get out. I then travelled to Blue Ultra Lounge and saw a bouncer checking IDs at the front door,. Parked and ready to go in? NOT, I drove off. Just wasnt feeling it. 

I didnt even think about going to Clayton to check out Tani. so I called it a night and returned back to the Compound.

And that was that.

I am debuting a new segment called Random Journey where Ive travelled somewhere unplanned and ran up on a situation that was interesting or out of the ordinary.

I have two.

Early last Saturday, while traveling to the gym on Interstate 270 and listening to the freeman Bosley Junior Show on Gospel 1600 there was a pickup truck next to me that had a refrigerator tied up on the back of it. Well while I was preparing mentally to get my workout on, all of a sudden, the refrigerator fell off the truck! Yes, fell completely off. The frig skidded and luckily didnt swerve in my lane! It skidded to the right of the truck on the curb. I was like OH SHIT I COULD HAVE BEEN BEHIND THIS TRUCK. And also thankfully no one was behind the truck because if a driver was, their vehicle would have definitely been damaged and even worse regarding someones life being changed.

Last Tuesday night, End I picked up an order of Middle Eastern food at Levant in the Central West End and while I was waiting on food, there were two young black couples, say early 30s, urban professional types who were talking to each other and the one young lady was quite loud in her talk regarding what she expects out of life, taking care of her body through fitness, eating clean, relationships and etc. Then the conversation came up about smoking hookah. And she said, "If I'm smoking, Im getting high." In my mind, I was like, THATS NOT LADY LIKE AT ALL. And to be a fitness freak and eating clean, soking weed cancels out all of that!! And to say that in a swanky bar and restaurant where the atmosphere was chilled and serene was a bit cringey. I wonder what was the guy thinking when she first said said that, but he laughed it off and then said that he "fucked up in ordering."

Well, there you go. LOL

Get ready for the 2020 OBSDN MEN OF COLOR CALENDAR coming out in November 2019. There are a couple of spots still open for any guys of color who are fit or in decent shape and are comfortable doing artistic body type pics, email to maat.atkins@gmail.com for details.  Paid gig, lodging provided and travel negotiated. MUST HAVE NO INHIBITIONS.

IF YOU HAVE A RANDOM MOMENT, SOMETHING YOU WANT TO PROMOTE, OR A BLIND ITEM EMAIL IT TO MAAT.ATKINS@GMAIL.COM


-30-

OS 5: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS AND OUTTOWNERS!

ANOTHER THURSDAY IS HERE!!

LET'S GET TOWNED!!!

 

 YOURS TRULY getting settled at Pops Nightclub in Sauget, Ill.

Last weekend was quite interesting for my travels in that I did half traveling to either finding an event or spying on an event and the other half engulfed in an event.

Lets start with the one I had to find.....

From my understanding, Blues At The Arch Festival was supposed to start last Friday. Well, I drove all up and down east and west at The Arch to find it for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, a sea of Cardinals fans in a sea of red tees were all up and down walking and driving to get to the game at Busch Stadium. So I asked myself, "Maybe the festival was cancelled due to competition with the Cards game?" So, I am checking my event page on Facebook to be sure I had the right Friday and yes, it was to start last Friday. I went to a parking area on Walnut  where there was a car parked near the entrance and inside the car were two seniors, white, male and female (I assuem they were married) who I guess was guarding the parking area who immediately said "LOT IS CLOSED." I acknowledged that and just asked, "Do you know which area is the Blues event?" The lady in the passenger seat replied, "Its on the other side of the Arch." I was a bit puzzled on that because I drove all around Arch and the only things I saw were a few food vendors by the Riverboat area on Sullivan and down further some youngsters sitting in cars. I had an inkling she may have thought I asked where was the Blues Museum which is on Washington and is on the other side of the Arch. LOL.

So, I traveled back to the Maatspear Compound and chilled out.

On Saturday. I made some progress. 

After working out at the gym and running my usual Saturday errands, I was gearing toward Cherokee Street to check out its Second Saturday Festival. Again, trying to find where the vendors and festivities were. To no avail. Maybe everything was done inside in the businesses on that block  because it was hotter than fish grease under a skin peeling turned on stove! 

But, later that nite, I was invited by Atty Daniel Brown (Attorney on Wheels, literally, LOL)to check out a local music showcase to see one of the artists he met named NandoSTL at Pops Nightclub in Sauget, Ill. . He contacted me via Facebook a couple days prior to say that I must check out this young rising artist and that he hasnt been this excited about an artist in years !

So, I get there and was able to maneuver my way in without having to deal with a line of people  #MDDL (Maat Dont Do Lines.LOL) I saw Brown who was dressed quite down from how I am used to seeing him in a sharped out suit giving serious Kanye College Dropout vibe. LOL He introduced me to Nando and immediately saw the makeshift fishing vest we was wearing and knew immediately that he was creative and to the left of what anyone would be doing that night on stage.

There were other artists who were performing when I got there and  before Nando performed and the groupies were few who walked to the stage to cheer on who was on stage. But until Nando was introduced, the crowd went into a frenzy applauding and cheered. He walked out to the stage  with a COGIC choir robe, background singers, a live drummer and a violinist. 

I was quite surprised of his 20 minute stage set because going to local music showcases for years now it is rare that acts have an actual live set as opposed to a DJ playing a CD  OR mp3 track.

NandoSTL in choir robe starting off his set.

NandoSTL is a mix between 50 Cent swag and Raheem DeVaugn. He is a very energetic performer and had the audience was ready for every second of his moments onstage. 

"Music is my therapy," he said during his set. "I didnt have a mother or father, My Granny raised me."

Well, for the record (and to prevent confusion)....Nando knew his parents--he just wasnt RAISED by them.

He performed songs from his repertoire including his opener"Hit Me Up" (I think that was the name of the song LOL...UPDATE...The name of the song was "Cool Lil Sunday)"I Dont Even Smoke" and a new song "Outside" from his "Good Vibes" album.

 NandoSTL and his background singers catching a vibe.'

A standout of his set was the violinist (didnt get a name) who got the crowd amped making the violin sound almost like a guitar when he got a couple of times to shine.

 NandoSTL greets his fans after his set.

Overall, I can see why Brown was excited about NandoSTL. He is definitely a breath of fresh air for not just the St Louis scene but the R&B/soul scene in general. Based on his outer appearance one would think he was going to give some Lil Wayne mumble mouth bars, but after that nite, he definitely won over being typecast.

Outside of Tani Bistro

 Later on that nite, I decided to check out the Summer Series event Zen Saturdays at the grand opening of the Tani Bistro (that specializes in Japanese cuisine) in Clayton, Mo (a spot with a mezzaine). I was invited by Rhashad Whittier (aka Rhashadism)who put this series on with Close to Famous and Koncepts. I was invited a few weeks ago, but forgot to RSVP on eventbrite. But I knew I could have eased in without RSVPing when I pulled up and saw Brian Stemmons of Frontline manning the door (been homies with him since college dayz). But I decided to do more staking out than hanging out. I saw a few people outside lounging and some in line waiting to get in. From my observation from the glass panels it was packed and didnt have enough room for others until people exited (it lasted until 2am).  I stayed and watched for about 10 minutes, snapped a couple of shots from my Traveler and decided to call it a nite. Maybe I check a later one before the series ends.



In this blog post, we are introducing a segment called DRIVE THRU TALES where you see or have been in situations involving trying to get your food at a fast food drive through. Well, I have one for you--from me!

During my travels last Saturday, I decided to go to a fast food spot on Lindell. So while I pulled up to the drive thru, i noticed the car in front of me had expired temp tags that expired in MARCH.  Yes, as in five months ago. I am thinking, "How in the hell have they lasted this long without the police stopping them?" Then I thought, the driver likely just drive the scenic routes and during certain streets instead of hot areas and the highways. But FIVE MONTHS tho? And what is so crazy, the fast food spot is close to a  DMV!!! 

BY POPULAR DEMAND...
WE ARE RE-POSTING THE BLIND ITEM FROM LAST WEEK

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 or a DRIVE THRU TALE, email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

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



FIN.