HEY OUTSTAGRS!
ITS THAT TIME AGAIN!!
TIME TO GET ON STAGE!!!
This year this blog will be celebrating a milestone this year as this blogspot will turn 10 years old! Its hard to believe but it has come a long way from small paragraphs journal entries, to a mini news letter to entertainment highlighter to what it is today. The commemorative date is July 5. To reminisce we will do weekly RETRO BITZ of some of the highlights from this blogspot (SEE BELOW)
All this month OUTSTAGN will highlight African Americans from the ILLI-MO area based in the arts and entertainment fields who became "firsts" their respective fields.
Josephine Baker (June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975) was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress who came to be known in various circles as the "Black Pearl," "Bronze Venus" and even the "Creole Goddess". Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine later became a citizen of France in 1937. She was fluent in both English and French.
Baker was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture, Zouzou (1934) or to become a world-famous entertainer. Baker, who refused to perform for segregated audiences in America, is also noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. She was once offered unofficial leadership in the movement in the United States by Coretta Scott King in 1968, following Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. Baker, however, turned down the offer. She was also known for assisting the French Resistance during World War II,[3] and received the French military honor, theCroix de guerre and was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by General Charles de Gaulle.[4]
Maatology is still looking for gents with style and a great personality for the Seventh Annual Mista Couture Charity Style Contest (slated for August 23 in Atlanta) is posted. WE'VE EXTENDED THE Deadline to submit to online poll is now MARCH 1, 2015. Go tohttp://outstagin.blogspot.com/2014/10/seventh-annual-mista-couture-style.html
WE HAVE THE LIST OF CONTESTANTS SO FAR WHO ARE COMPETING. TO VOTE GO TO
IF YOU WANT TO DONATE TO THE MISTA COUTURE FUND go to
Maatology is also looking for gents of color for its 2016 OBSDN Men of Color
Calendar. Must be comfortable in front of the camera and doing artistic nude poses.
If interested in shooting, the shoots are ONE DAY shoots THRU June 2015 . The shoots will be in St Louis, Mo. All models will receive a share of the sales and an opp to sale it as well. A small stipend will be given for travel. If interested email snaphoney2011@gmail.com with a selfie pic showing your chest and abs. To see video of 2015 calendar go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXOCifGU-lY
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HEY OUTSTAGRS check out the story that yours truly wrote involving The Kranzberg Arts Center's upcoming Black History Month program entitled "Perception Isnt Always Reality." Go tohttp://www.westendword.com/Articles-Features-c-2015-01-27-194416.114137-One-Stitch-At-A-Time-Saint-Louis-Story-Stitchers-Celebrate-Black-History-Month.html#123
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THE TOP ILLI MO STORY THIS WEEK IS
The 40th Anniversary of Saturday Night Live airing last Sunday on NBC. Some of the former and current cast members, guests and performers that appeared on the show from the ILLI MO area were Evanston, Ill native Seth Myers, Chicagoans Bill Murray and Jim Belushi , Oak Park, Ill. Betty White, Plainfield, Ill Melissa McCarthy, Chicago reared Kanye West, Berwyn, Ill Bob Odenkirk and Affton, Mo John Goodman.
Below are some the above mentioned appearances.
During the all-star "Californians" sketch on "SNL 40," Betty White gave actor Bradley Cooper a long passionate kiss that stole the sketch, albeit the show.
Bill Murray’s return as lounge singer Nick Ocean (with backing from David Letterman’s band leader, Paul Shaffer) was easily one of the highlights of Saturday Night Live‘s 40th anniversary show.
Nothing like the “love theme” from Jaws, replete with a video loop from Steven Spielberg’s classic shark attack playing in the background, to put a punctuation mark on the segment about music on the show over the years.
Jim Belushi (left) filled in his late brother John's shoes to perform with Dan Aykroyd at The Blues Brothers during the music segments of the show.
Melissa McCarthy paid tribute to late Chicagoan cast member Chris Farley's iconic Matt Foley's motivational speaker character from SNL's past during the 40th Anniversary's Weekend Update segment.
Melissa McCarthy paid tribute to late Chicagoan cast member Chris Farley's iconic Matt Foley's motivational speaker character from SNL's past during the 40th Anniversary's Weekend Update segment.
Kanye West performed Wolves for the first time for yet another momentous occasion, the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary special. As one of the reunion's musical guests, the 37-year-old rapper performed his singles and Only One.
After his dark recital of Jesus Walks, he made a bit of an awkward transition to a much more soulful rendition of Only One, a song written for his late mother Donda.
The father-of-one only belted out a few lyrics from his Paul McCartney collaboration - with quite a croaky voice - and then was joined by Sia and Vic Mensa to make the world television debut of their new hit Wolves.
In typical Kanye fashion, he delivered an unconventional production.
Kanye began his gig lying on his back with the microphone staged above his face in a room that was similar to an eerie light installation. For even more of a dramatic effect, he wore coloured contact lenses and added a bit of bling with a diamond grill.
Sia once again refrained from showing her face donning a dramatically voluminous white bob wig and covering her entire body in a black long sleeve getup.
Newcomer Vic Mensa posed in a wolf-like position while singing the chorus.
He also was part of the Waynes World sketch with Mike Meyers and Dana Carvey during their Top 10 where they ask ye to sit down in the audience and securitys forces him back in his seat.
Overall the show was good, a little long, but the big story was Eddie Murphy's disappointing and lackluster time on stage which was no more than two minutes thanking people for his start.
And speaking of Ye, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week creator Fern Mallis aired her true feelings about Kanye
West at the
Jeremy Scott show this week.
According to Page
Six, both Mallis and West attended the New York Fashion Week show
at Milk Studios in NYC, where the rapper was "swarmed" by fans.
Mallis, meanwhile, was reportedly unimpressed by Ye, who hauled a bodyguard to the runway
event.
"I'm kind of over
Kanye," Mallis noted. The former executive director of the CFDA went
on to explain why. "I mean, I'm not a fan of his music, and the attitude
and agenda is not my style."
An eyewitness at the Scott
show tells Us Weeklythat West
was in a maroon velour hoodie and arrived 15 minutes late. He was immediately
flanked by photographers and while he posed for cameras, the rapper refused to
smile. His demeanor changed, however, during the runway show, when the observer
tells Us he flashed a big grin at the
designs.
Is it us or does it seem as though Mallis couldnt say what she really wanted to say to the press, but are sure she said behind closed doors. But again, what did she expect? Kanye is a superstar and people are going to flock around him. UGGH.
Is it us or does it seem as though Mallis couldnt say what she really wanted to say to the press, but are sure she said behind closed doors. But again, what did she expect? Kanye is a superstar and people are going to flock around him. UGGH.
Fox’s “Empire”, that is filmed in Chicago, continued its unprecedented growth on Wednesday
night, rising once more to a 5.1 rating/15 share and 12.9 million total
viewers. This marked the shows sixth consecutive week adding audience members
per fast nationals.
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According to Nielsen ratings, "Better Call Saul" is a bona fide ratings success. The premiere, which was Feb 8, was the most watched in cable history among 18 to 49 year olds. Total viewer count for the premiere? 9.8 million. "Better Call Saul", which stars Illinoisan Bob Odenkirk is currently the second highest rated cable show, second only to "The Walking Dead." That is basically the definition of a smash debut.
And she looked stunning!
Chicago based actor/director Richard Gallion will make a guest appearance on the hit show Empire on March 4. He will also have a watch party.
The big STL story was Mayor Francis Slay and Gov Jim Nixon's dual press conference about the timeline on the new stadium construction phases on the Riverfront,
According to the Associated Press, Gov. Jay Nixon and Mayor Francis Slay spoke at a news conference Thursday at the offices of the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council union. More than 100 workers crowded the hall for the plan to build a 64,000-seat, outdoor stadium. Workers have agreed to work around the clock without overtime if needed to build an NFL stadium on St. Louis’ blighted north riverfront.
Nixon said the 24-hour agreement would provide work for about 1,500 people per day during peak construction and result in 3.4 million work hours.
The Rams informed officials last month that they were going to a year-to-year lease at the Edward Jones Dome amid speculation that the team may depart for Los Angeles.
The St. Louis Cardinals have begun to arrive in Jupiter, Florida for the 2015 installment of Spring Training. While the official reporting date for pitchers and catchers was February 19. The first full squad workout is expected to happen on February 24.
As we celebrate 10 years of blogging on July 5 we will highlight some of the stories reported and covered over the years each week.
THIS WEEK FEB 2006
Despite all the criticism and all the haters, Chi-town
native Shani Davis made Olympic history , becoming the first black person to
win an individual gold medal in Winter Olympic history. Davis won the men's
1,000-meter speedskating race,. Davis was criticized for not competing in the
team pursuit competition last week that would have given teammate Chad Hedrick
a chance at five gold medals. Davis said he wanted to focus on his individual
events. Hmm, I guess its fist in the air with a black glove time.
THIS WEEK FEB 2007
...Former NFLer and
business owner Demetrius Johnson has a new talk show on Sundays on WHHL-FM
(104. 1 FM). I think it comes on around 10a.am to noon cause I was just turning
the dial after the Freeman Bosley Junior show, which leaves the air at 10 in
the morn on 100.3. The Beat and heard Johnson and crew going off about the ST.
Louis School board fiasco and naming names of the enemies. A pissed off
"soccer" mother even called in about a particular b-ball coach cussin
out his players and buying devils' juice during travel out of town games. Now
that is just too much playin. This show is mos def OFF THE CHARTS. Check it out
when you get a chance.....
.
THIS WEEK FEB 2008
Speaking of parties, St. Louis native Kimora Lee Simmons is
bringing her hit reality show “Life in the Fab Lane” to her hometown. Come
March 14, St. Louis can be apart of her finale show, Fri. March 14 At the
Steinberg Auditorium at Washington University (1 Brookings drive) at 11 am. And
its FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Kimora will receive a Proclamation to the city
and the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts will present Simmons the
coveted Susan Block “Ripper”Award. For the VIPs, Budweiser Select will present
Kimora Lee Simmons’Fabulocity. At nectar lounge. There, Simmons will launch St.
Louis Fashion Week (March 25-30) with a red carpet soiree..
THIS WEEK FEB 2009
WORDZ TO THE WHYZ
AT THE OSCARS
Why did the camera cut to Angelina Jolie when Jennifer
Aniston was on stage? Why did Whoopi wear that horrible dress? Why wasn’t any
of the actors in Slumdog Millionaire nominated? Why was the best Why was Ben
Stiller imitating Jaquin Phoenix costume? Why was the director of “Slumdog”
jumping up and down like a pogo stick win he won? Why didn’t Kate Winslet know
where her parents were in the audience when she won? a winner balance the Oscar
on his chin? Why did Sean Penn say “You Commy – homo loving sons of guns: after
he won Best Actor? Why was Hugh Jackman’s musical numbers the best thing on the
show? Why didn’t Taraji P Henson win? Why was Cuba Gooding tryin to get
“brotha-brotha” when he blasted about Oscar nominee Robert Downey for taking
roles from black actors in “Tropic Thunder.” ? Why did Jerry Lewis seem like he
was censoring himself when he talked after winning a Lifetime Achievement Award
Oscar? And why was Eddie Murphy picked to present Lewis the award? Why did
high-wire artist Philippe Petit balanced the Oscar on his chin after he won for
Best Documentary? Why did Oscar winner Alan Arkin butcher actor Phillip Seymour
Hoffman’s name by saying "Seymour" Philip Hoffman when presenting him
his nomination? And why was the awards almost 4 hours long?
THIS WEEK FEB 2010
The untimely passing of pop singer Whitney Houston has made
international newz. On an ILL MO level, Chicagoan Jennifer Hudson was tapped to
perform a last minute tribute to the fallen singer at Sunday night’s Grammy
Awards (which saw its highest ratings since 1984 with 41 Million viewers)
singing Houston’s signature song, “I Will Always Love You”Though Hudson
appeared nervous, her performance was almost universally praised.Raising her
hands and eyes to the ceiling, then clenching them shut to hit the big note
near the end, Hudson genuinely appeared on the verge of tears.There were reports
that Hudson broke down sobbing in rehearsals, but she was able to remain
composed throughout the performance.Fellow Chicagoan Chaka Khan was slated to
perform with Hudson on the tribute but backed out at the last minute.We think
Hudson did an outstanding job. Her subdued performance was just what was needed
as a sense of mourning for Houston.
THIS WEEK FEB 2011
St. Louis natives poet/educator Maya Angelou and Cardinals
veteran Stan Musial received their National Medal of Freedom Awards from
President Barack Obama at the White in a ceremony Feb 15 .Obama praised Angelou
for rising above an abusive childhood to inspire others with her words, saying
her voice has "spoken to millions, including my mother, which is why my
sister is named Maya."He quoted Angelou, saying, "History, despite
its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with ourage, need not be
lived again," and bent down to kiss her cheek as he presented her with the
medal.Musial, 90, wore his familiar Cardinals-red sports coat during the
ceremony shown on St. Louis television and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website.
He beamed as the president placed the medal around his neck.(Musial) is a
gentleman you would want your kids to emulate," President Obama said. The
Hall of Famer beamed as Obama placed the medal around his neck.
THIS WEEK FEB 2012
The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission came to an
agreement this week for the St Louis Rams to play one of its home games in
London’s Wembley Stadium in October during the 2012 season. The announcement in
January by its owner Stan Kroenke the London game was a surprise the CVC and
caused a riff with subsequent violation of the lease agreement it has with the
Rams albeit one of its stipulations was that the Rams must play all of its home
games at the Edward Jones Dome, the stadium that the CVC built and manages. So,
in order for tickets to be sold for that game, the CVC made some amendments to
its lease agreement.
THIS WEEK FEB 2013
Actress and Robbins, Ill. native Keke Palmer (LEFT) was cast
this week in the VH1 biopic, "Crazy Sexy Cool:The TLC Story". She
will portray band member Chilli. "I WOULD SING 'NO SCRUBS' OVER AND OVER
AGAIN TO THE POINT MY PARENTS WOULD HAVE TO TELL ME TO STOP, BUT I NEVER DID, I
HAD MY LITTLE HAIRBRUSH AS MY MIC AND NOBODY COULD TELL ME I WASN'T THE FOURTH
MEMBER OF TLC," PALMER SAID IN A STATEMENT ANNOUNCING HER CASTING. ALSO
CAST WERE RAPPER LIL MAMA, AND ACTRESS-SINGER DREW SIDORA WHO WILL PORTRAY LEFT
EYE AND T BOZ RESPECTIVELY. "CRAZY, SEXY, COOL: THE TLC STORY" WILL
BEGIN SHOOTING IN ATLANTA IN MARCH. CHARLES STONE III ("DEADLINE")
WILL DIRECT.
THIS WEEK FEB 2014
WORDZ TO THE WHYZ
Why is Pharell auctioning off his hat on Ebay?Why didnt
American Idol have the contestants vying for the Top 13 spots regroup before
singing during Rush Week?Why did Nicki Minaj use Malcolm X pic for the cover of
her single “Lookin As N#gga?” Why is R Kelly allegedly hiding out to not pay
child support?Why did Justn Bieber post up an Instagram vid of his mom
singing?Why is Hulk Hogan returning to wrestling?Why was newscaster Brian
Williams caught rapping Rappers Delight on one of his newscasts?Why is Juicy J
the breakout rapper and producer these days?Why do people on the news say
“spoiler” when they about to talk about a tv show or movie review?
AT SNL 40 show: Why didnt the censors bleep Justin Timberlake saying "dick" during the opening number with Jimmy Fallon? Why was Mylie Cyrus chosen to perform? Why did Norm MacDonald reveal in a tweet that Eddie Murphy refused to imitate Bill Cosby during the Jeopardy sketch? Why was the crowd just full of celebs"? Why was The Californians one of the sketches?Why was Taylor Swift in the Californians sketch?
OTHER WHYz
Why did Khloe Kardashian attack Amber Rose on Twitter about being a stripper and a whore because of her opinion that Kylie Kardashian is too young to date Tyga? Why does Izealea Banks always going in on Twitter? Why was there a rumor flying around about Gabby Sidibe was fired from Empire because of her weight? Why did people think the movie 50 Shades of Grey was going to be a quality movie? Why is Ray J denying he got beat up by his lady Princess? Why didnt Kenya Moore allegedly not pay Janet Hubert for doing her pilot show? Why were Chris Brown and Karrruchie Tran wear matching furs during NY Fashion Week? Why did Geraldo Rivera say rap music has a negative effect on people of color? Why did rapper Afroman punch a lady in the face during one of his recent concerts? Why did Vanilla Ice take property from a Floridian foreclosed house? And why isnt there any hip hop artists in the Top 10 of the Hot 100?
