OS 10: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

IT'S THURSDAY!!

TIME TO GET TOWN!!!

Before we get into the towning, the solo calendar of Inky Chris will be ready for sale mid October. But you can pre-order your copy now!  The pre-order cost $20 (with discount plus shipping ) The street cost will be  $20 plus shipping. If you want to get on board for one, just email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com and an invoice will be sent to you. Or you can Paypal to www.paypal.me/Maatology   (Be sure to note INKY CHRIS CALENDAR when doing the paypal me option ) LIMITED TIME ONLY. 

Now lets get town!

YOURS TRULY in selfie swag at this year's Salute.

Last Saturday, I crashed and landed at St Louis American's annual Salute to Excellence in Education Awards that awards college scholarships to noteworthy students in the St Louis area as well as honor educators who have made an impact on the community.

Now, I must say, every time that i "visit" this event, I always think to myself, that I got my education after education at the Saint Louis American Newspaper. Coming on board in early 2000 as a freelancer and becoming ng an employee from 2001 to 2003 as a Copy Editor and Lifestyle Reporter. And one of the requirements for us employees who worked at the American was that you had to attend the Salute awards with tux. LOL

Well, as you may or may not know, I have my own way of styling and at this years awards was no exception. I did not have on a black suit or tux but I managed to stand out in the crowd with a black shirt, a velvet maroon tux and makeshift tie(with gray slacks with small lines of velvet in them and maroon colored dress shoes) 

AND STILL KILT IT. LOL

To rewind a bit, the event  was the America's Center in downtown ST Louis (as it has been since its inception began I believe around 6pm with a reception, but I decided to cruise through around 8ish to get a feel of the lobby and who were lounging there while the ceremonies were going on. I got a couple glasses of wine (which were free) throughout the evening and began to schmooze with the STLerati.

YOURS TRULY with Director /CEO if At Home Care Carlita Desmona Vesser and STL promoter and former St Louis American writer  EL Cooper Gray. (Photo by El Gray)

I peeped inside the ceremonies for a minute and sat at one of the tables which wasn't occupied to witness educators and power couple Charles and Shirley Brown receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for their contribution to education in the ST Louis area. It was also a first in the awards history to grant this award to a power couple.

Then, I walked throughout the lobby area to see who I could see. I saw many familiar faces who I said Hello to and then ran into a former work college Melvin Moore who works at the American as a graphics designer who did an incredible weight loss program (in 30 days) after his health scare earlier in the year. I talked to him briefly about him being at the American for 20 years and his thinking of changing career paths and be a full time guitarist (He has travelled across the country and beyond playing with many bands). 

Then he said something to me regarding my thoughts on being a former American employee and coming to Salute. He said: "An American, is always an American."

Power couple Charles and Shirley Brown receiving a Proclamation from KMOV Radio's Carol Daniel. (Photo by Daniel Brown)

I also ran into Photo God of the American Wiley Price Jr (LOL) in the lobby and shared a brief greeting. He has been at the American for years and is well respected as a photojournalist and is now part of St Louis Media Hall Of Fame.

So after the ceremonies, it was party time and everyone had two options either to listen to some  sit down live jazz music or get their dance on in another room for the Old School Party with DJ Sir Thurl. 

I walked back and forth for the most part to see the action at both. This year they also had these people dressed  like noteworthy celebrities.  One couple dressed like a Billie Holliday and Louis Armstrong (with trumpet), one guy who threw me off a bit who didnt have a shirt on, but had a gold chain, Kangol and sagging jeans. I was like: "Hold up, whats going on?" 

Then, I thought and said, "Oh, youre suppose to be LL. Cool J."

He replied, "Yea."

In my mind I was like, "Work on the abs a bit." LOL

Some lady was grabbing people in the Old School Room to get people to take pictures with three young ladies who dressed as the group TLC. She walked up to me and summoned me for a pic with them. I looked over to the step and repeat that they had for people to take pics with the TLC impersonators and then said, "Nah, Im good. Now if the real TLC was here, then I would take a pic." 

She shook her head and walked away, LOL

Everyone was getting their dance on in the Old School Room, including the LL Cool J impersonator.

I was then greeted by Kevin Jones, the CFO at the American who was very happy to see me and shook my hand and asked, "How have you been, you been good?"

I replied, "Always." 

Then sashayed away. LOL

Meanwhile, during the old school party of jams from the 1980s , DJ Sir Thurl played a song that I knew for sure would get the Que Dawgs hopping on the dance floor when he played" Atomic Dog." Well, there was one Que who was maybe in his 40s who braved up to the dance floor and did his stepping as though he was back in college.

I am sure their were many other much older Ques in the building , but most Im sure didnt have the energy to maintain doing those vigorous steps and feeling the after muscle pain Sunday morning LOL.

So after that experience, I had done my last walk trhough to see who was where and what and stepped out of the building around 11pm to try and drive to the last installment of Close to Famous' the Tani Sushi Bar Summer event in Clayton.

During my crash, I also saw St Louis City Treadurere Tishaura Jones (who was looking stunning in a red cut out shoulder gown)  St Louis Representive Wiley "Chip" Price, and socialite/businessman Larry Blue.

Oh and as far as Tanu Sushi Bar event--I drove pass and it was more people eating sushi, than a party (Frontline security wasnt even at the door checking in people) so I decided to call it a night.

REWINDERZ

Speaking of Salute to Excellence in Education  Awards, I attended and covered on my blog one 10 years ago around this time where the keynote speaker was political advocate and journalist Roland Martin and one of the educators highlighted was East St Louis Poet Laureate/educator Eugene B. Redmond. 

Pictured are (FROM LEFT)  Platinum Group's Jacque Land (who produced the After Party), singer Seviin Li, Martin and Derrty ENT's Blu Bolden at the Salute to Excellence Awards at Americas Center September 2009.

To  check out the recap of this Salute go to http://maatology.blogspot.com/2009/09/out-687-out-on-town-stl-americans.html

For this week, I have one.

Before I start, I would like to make an observation. The restaurant Hooters is traditionally known for having waitresses dressed in scantily clad outfits specifically very tight shirts and hot pants. Well, the ones that I have visited in the St Louis area, I noticed that more guys have been hired but they dress regularly like a typical waiter--nothing that would cater attention to their bodies like the ladies.

But I digress.

So, speaking of Hooters. I was at one of them in the ST Louis area. I wont mention which one, but I was at one of them to pick up food. It was around 10pmish and when I walked up to the front counter, the host (who was male) was swallowing hard some food with that he was eating on the counter with some remnants of what he was eating was still on the counter. He saw me and quickly closed the carton of what he was eating while getting his last munch and swallow on.

Now mind you, I understand you gotta eat and as mad crazy most of these restaurants can be as far as escorting people to seats, and maybe even short handed as far as workers, but scoffing down food at the front was not a good look at all. 

The carton of food could have been tucked under the table in one of the compartments and maybe some napkins to wipe off the counter at least.

I'm just saying. 

SMH

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote or a random journey moment email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

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OS 9:OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

IT'S THURSDAY!!

TIME TO GET TOWN!!!

Before we get into the towning, the solo calendar of Inky Chris will be ready for sale mid October. But you can pre-order your copy now!  The pre-order cost $20 (with discount plus shipping ) The street cost will be  $20 plus shipping. If you want to get on board for one, just email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com and an invoice will be sent to you. Or you can Paypal to www.paypal.me/Maatology   (Be sure to note INKY CHRIS CALENDAR when doing the paypal me option ) LIMITED TIME ONLY. 

Now lets get town!

Last weekend was event packed for this Outstager. One event brought the erotic and the other brought the elite.

There's Yours Truly with Gloveboxx AE's Gyb Byrd at her group's annual Septemberotica.


Last Friday, I checked out Gloveboxx AE's annual Septemberotica that was held at Third Degree Glass Factory in Midtown St Louis. The focus was indulging in the erotic side of people from body painting, pole dancing, Partition simulations, vendors selling and promoting (from condoms to free spankings ) various items , erotic poetry and oral competitions (vag and peen).

And did I mention free condoms? LOL

This model was a part of the table display consisted of various candies, sweets and chocolates.

So, when I arrived I was welcomed by some young ladies at the entrance table who offered a Chinese box so I can fill it up with all the treats they had in store. Then I look up and saw dancer Maurice Dunlap looking like a urban Chippendale's dancer (without the bow tie) who greeted folks when after leaving the entrance. It was nice crowd when I arrived (eventually about 300 packed the spot). So as I walked through I saw all the displays and it definitely gave the feel of an underground dungeon just without the sex and drugs. LOL

The mistress of ceremonies was poet and actress BlaquePearl who was in a sexy black unitard and white robe. She entered with Dunlap with a leash around his neck and he walked on his hands and knees as became her boy toy setting the tone of what the audience was going to expect.

A female patron paints on model Nick King during the event.

They offered free spankings for the guests.

Yours Truly with vendor Mareeka Coe. She repped Paparazzi Jewelry.

After the schmoozing, the entertainment portion of the event took place. They had various poets to perform erotic type poetry (the best was Poet Lightning who also got the crowd together for being loud during  the mic sessions), Nakischa Joseph performed (I dont remember what she sang it was a quick as fingersnap), and the highlights were the contests!

Blacque Pearl in dominatrix mode

Pole dancers and guest

St Louis  based photographers were also featured on display.

Poet, Lightning

Two volunteers in the oral contest. The lady on the left won hands down (pun intended LOL)

A burlesque dancer getting the crowd engaged in her performance.

One of the contests were who can do the best oral on the vag and the peen. So they had genital toys and had two females participate (Interesting that no man wanted to participate in oralizing the vag toy). Another one was who can do the best orgasm. They had two ladies and a guy. One of the ladies asked too many questions on what she should be doing while the other was acting very "virginey" But the winner was the guy who ended by saying, "Spit on it." That made the crowd go up!

The last performance, and the most erotic,was of Dunlap and a young lady  (PICTURED)acting out a skit of them in a limo ( I assume) as Beyonce's "Partition" played. It was quite intense as both were very flexible in their moves. Dunlap twirled her and swung her around and ended by picking her up with her crotch in his face and he walking off.  But from my perspective I believe the ladies wanted a bit more.

Overall this was a great event especially for those who indulge in their sexual freak side. Now I did overhear a few ladies say they wished the guys who were on display (King and Dunlap) showed more skin like the ladies who were on display. But I must say for an event where males and females were and many couples it was interesting that the eroticism catered toward feminine sexuality regarding the female body. As far as any alternative action there was a moment where the burlesque dancer stuck her arse in front of a female audience member and a alternative woman simulated sucking vag during the contest.


And shout out to the bartender for the free vodka and cran!

In the house were DJ Reminisce on the music, educator  Nicci Roach and Hot 104.1 personality Meghan O.



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Then on Saturday...I checked out A Taste of Luxury that was held at the St Louis Hotel's Autograph Collection Room. 

,

YOURS TRULY with media personality Tammie Holland who hosted A Taste of Luxury.


I got to the venue around 7pm ish and saw there was a line out front of people waiting to enter. Well, as some of you know I don't do lines. Nooooo. So when I found a parking space around the corner, I walked up and saw Frontline's Brian Stemmons and knew I was good to cut the line and walk in to get VIPed.

I walk through and saw the set up which was quite...well...elegant. Plush carpet, hanging chandeliers and soft lighting. They had two bar set ups, one in the lobby and one in main room. And I was like, its going to be a long wait to get a drink (a free one at that which came with the VIP along with a seat)

Now, before I continue, let me say, I have been doing entertainment reporting for years and I have come to the conclusion that there is a pecking order when it comes to VIP. You have VIP and you have V-VIP. VIP had seating but V-VIP section looked like a Hollywood set with white lighting around the tables and glass like chairs. So I was like, Hmmm. The VIP divide here. LOL

The event was sponsored by Remy Martin and promoted Cash Cohnes Entertainment. The event was two fold. It brought in singer Kelly Price to perform and to celebrate Remy Martin exec Lisa West's bday.

Remy Martin's Lisa West with her pink tutu and hubbie at Taste of Luxury.

Meanwhile, people were getting their grub on with the free food they had which consisted of black bean hamburgers,  and black bean based meat for tacos. 


I have become a fan of black beans!

As people got their schmooze and look on, and people were getting into the mix, DJ Charlie Chan got the dance floor ablaze when he put on Mariah's Fantasy Slide mix and some house music. That got folk in their line dance mode in their best dressed.

I saw a few people who I recognized at the event who I greeted including fashionista (and the very single) Teresa Teresa, businesswoman Raqelle Wallace, businessmen Michael Walton and Eddie Hollman (Hollman partnered with Cohnes on the event), house party guru Anthony Robinson and STL-TV's Tim Lampley. I even saw one of the ladies who gave me access to the Gloveboxx event who made it known. LOL

Around the 9oclock hour it was getting a bit warm in the main room with so many people packed in there so I trekked to the lobby area where I could get some air. Some even sat in an area next the door way to get air. But I did see Cohnes outside on the phone which meant one thing--Kelly Price was in route.

Before she performed, there were two opening acts, one was singer Jones who sang the event's jingle and a live band Dacota  with a white neo soul singer. The band was quite good and gave some serious cover on Earth Wind and Fire's "Cant Hide Love."

Then, around say 10pmish...the lady of the hour arrived (Check out vid below)

Price started off her 30 minute set with her hit "Its My Time."

Price also sang her hits, "You Should Have Told Me" and "As We Lay."

The highlight of Price's set was when she sang, "Happy Birthday" to West on stage.

Before she left the stage, Price took a pic with West, Holland and Cohnes.

Then I was waiting on her to return at least to perform her biggest hit, "A Friend of Mine"

But that wasnt to happen. Well, at least we got Holland to sang a few bars of it before she introduced Price. LOL

When Price exited to backstage with her security, West and about 20 or so people followed Price backstage for I assume a meet n greet. I was near the door to try and join, but I decided not to and decided to party more.

YOURS Truly during the after party of Taste of Luxury.

Also, a shout out to Bfree Paparazzi for taking my pic (twice) and dapping me out in the compliments!

For this week, I have one.

The first was, I was in downtown St Louis on 11th and  Market Street as the light turned green and  there was this white guy who was about to cross the street after getting some food from the food truck that was in front of the corporate Bank of America building,. Well, just when he was about to take his fist step out into the street,  this car had to have been going at least 90 MPH (mind you this is a 40 MPH street) and if that guy would have taken another step, he would have been road kill. I am sure that guys heart fell out his chest from that but the response he gave the passing car was a very high-in-the-sky-F-YOU flipped bird hand sign.

LOL

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote or a random journey moment email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

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