OUTSTAGN/SPOT BITZ

Thursday, February 20, 2020

OS 29: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

ITS THAT TIME!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

We are seeking gents of color for our 2021 calendar set for NOVEMBER 2020 release. Shoots will start MARCH 16. You must be in decent shape, attractive, and comfortable doing artistic nude poses (no frontal) If interested in shooting email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com for more details!

This month, during Black History Month, we have lost three prominent African American women in the arts and entertainment world:

Paula Kelly who was an American actress, singer, and dancer in films, television and theatre. Kelly made her Broadway debut in the 1964 musical Something More!,. Her other Broadway credits included The Dozens (1969), Paul Sills' Story Theatre (1971), Ovid's Metamorphoses (1971), and Sophisticated Ladies (1981), based on the music of Duke Ellington.Kelly's film credits include the Bob Fosse-directed film Sweet Charity; Soylent Green; The Spook Who Sat by the Door; The Andromeda Strain; Uptown Saturday Night; Lost in the Stars, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling; Drop Squad; and Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored.

Kelly had a recurring role on the first season of the sitcom Night Court, for which she received an Emmy Award nomination. Kelly also guest-starred in a variety of television movies and sitcoms, including Sanford and Son, Kojak, Police Woman, Golden Girls, Good Times, Any Day Now and in the TV mini-series The Women of Brewster Place (based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Gloria Naylor), in which she portrayed one half of a lesbian couple (with Lonette McKee) struggling against homophobia in an inner-city ghetto. She was nominated for a second Emmy for her role in The Women of Brewster Place.

She died Feb 8 at the age of 77.

Esther Scott was an American actress. Scott began her career as voice actress on Star Wars: Ewoks, before appearing on television shows including Beverly Hills, 90210, Full House, Party of Five, Ellen, The Steve Harvey Show, and Sister, Sister.

Scott was regular cast member in the short-lived ABC sitcom The Geena Davis Show (2000-2001) playing Geena Davis' housekeeper, Gladys. She also had the recurring roles on City Guys (1998-2001), short-lived The Help (2004) as Doris, and Hart of Dixie (2011-2015) . In film, she has appeared in Boyz n the Hood (1991), The Kid (2000), You Got Served (2004), Dreamgirls (2006), Gangster Squad (2013), and The Birth of a Nation (2016).

She died Feb 14 at the age of 66.

Ja'Net Du Bois was an Emmy Award winning American actress, singer–songwriter and dancer. DuBois was best known for her portrayal of Willona Woods, on the sitcom Good Times, which originally aired from 1974 to 1979. DuBois additionally co–wrote and sang the theme song "Movin' on Up" for The Jeffersons. She co-starred in the films I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), and on television in Moesha, The Steve Harvey Show, A Different World, and The Wayans Bros..

During the 1980s, DuBois operated the Ja'net DuBois Academy of Theater Arts and Sciences, a performing-arts school for teenagers in Long Island, New York. In 1992, DuBois, Danny Glover and Ayuko Babu co-founded the Pan African Film & Arts Festival in Los Angeles. ^]She won two Emmy Awards for her voiceover work on the animated program The PJs (1999). DuBois with the cast of Good Times received The Impact Icon Award at the 2006 TV Land Awards.

She died Feb 17 at the age of 74.

On a personal note, I had a chance to "worship" with Ja'Net DuBois. Back in 2006, a friend invited me to his church City of Refuge in Los Angeles where Bishop Noel Jones was (and still is) the pastor. I was in the "VIP' section of the megachuch and to my my far left , I saw Dubois sitting in one of the pues (along with Stevie Wonder and Tavsi Smiley). I didnt actually meet her but I did see her and I said, "Thats Willona!" LOL.

SAANG BITZ

We are debuting a new segment this week where we ask are viewers their opinion about singers who have sang a a particular song.

This week in tribute to JaNet Dubois' passing, as you may know she cowrote and sang the theme song to The Jeffersons ("Movin On Up"). It has become a TV theme classic. However, there have been other black female actresses who have sang theme songs of their own shows or different shows.

Our question is which one of these Black Female Actresses sang a TV Theme song the best:

Janet Dubois "Movin On Up" from "The Jeffersons"

Nell Carter, "Gimme A Break"

Marla Gibbs "Theres No Place Like Home" from "227."

Type your fave in the comment box below!

FIT TALEZ

I was inquiring about a certain thing that I noticed at the gym. People who war the same gym attire every time that they work out. As a gym rat myself, I make it my duty to wear different gym clothing and wash them weekly. I always wondered about people who come to the gym and they wear the same gym wear each and every time they attend the gym. Now, mind you, when you workout, sweat and bacteria grows on clothing and when you dont launder them the germs grow and ferment (YUCK).

Now my thing is, if they wear the same gym clothing consistently it assumed also that they wear the same underwear as well (at least more than once) and work on a workout bench without cleaning it afterwards. If you wear the same attire, hygiene seems to be not an issue as well.

I'm Just Sayin. LOL.

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote on OUTSTAGIN email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

Thursday, February 13, 2020

OS 28: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

ITS THAT TIME!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

Last Sunday was the Oscars and the big winner was South Korean based film Parasite which won five statues including Best Picture. It was great to see this film win not only because it is the first foreign language speaking film in the United States to win Best Picture but it also added another spectrum of much needed diversity of the Academy and quieting a bit the chant of the #OSCARSOWHITE mantra.

So the question is, "Will it continue into next years Oscars? " What do you think? (COMMENT IN COMMENT BOX BELOW)

Another great win was for Hair Love which won Best Animated Short directed by former NFL player Matthew A Cherry and co produced by Karen Rupert. The team also brought up to the podium the high school senior, DeAndre Arnold, whose been in the news recently who refused to cut off his locs in order to walk at his high school graduation. This was a pivotal moment and was glad to see that the Hair Love team addressed the issue of ethnic hair in the workplace and again continuing the narrative of inclusion.

BELOW ARE MY BEST AND WORST DRESSED AT THE OSCARS

BEST DRESSED FEMALE

REGINA KING

BEST DRESSSED MALE

OMAR SHAIRIF, JR

WORST DRESSED FEMALE

BILLIE EILISH

WORST DRESSED MALE

BILLY PORTER (His after Party get up was better!)

BEST DRESSED COUPLE

Good Morning America's Robin Roberts and Mike Strahan

FIT TALEZ

This week, I have more of a general observation regarding the gym, specifically the lockerroom. One in particular---taking selfies in the lockerrom's mirrors above the sinks and vanity tables . I see many of the millennial gymmers doing this. With the social media culture going on, this behavior falls right along with it.

I dont have a problem with guys who do this, but when you do, can us old heads have someroom to use the area to wash our hands, dry our hands, or even check for boogers in our nose? IJS.....

These guys use the area as though its their posing area to post on their social media sites. Maybe gyms should construct an area just for peopel who want to do this and call it The Body Selfie Room. Now mind you, there are several posted rules at my gym including in the lcokerroom for people not to use camera phones in there for obvious reasons (May have a creep who may want to snap someone while they are undresssing), but people dont pay attention to that especially after a good working out. The mind is on those abs and pecs and sizing themselves up for THE GRAM.

Last week we feature Belleville wrestler Umbra Jerome Eon who recently became the first African American wrestler in the St Louis area to win Rookie of the Month at Cottage Hills Wrestling Alliance wrestling matches last month.

Eon thanked everyone who helped him to make St Louis wrestling history:

"To Cottage Hills Wrestling Allliance CHWA thank You for taking me in and trusting me.Thank you @tylerallwine for Texting me "Be There" helping me get to CHWA, period. Thank you opening your home and your arm TJ and The Universe to have us Meet up at the edge at the Wrestlemania show last year.

"Thank you @lride94 for inspiring me to wrestle and being the unsung hero of the Company. Thank you @alisterfuckingcrow for playing my music and being the first one to make me feel like I'm home. Thank you @trueexodus7 for the speech you gave me. Thank you for the opportunity to fight you my third match for the championship and recognizing how much I'm really worth.

Thank You @realcodydrake for giving me the fight of my Life.Thank You CHWA and I promise to be the work horse and leader you guys know I can be. Its Been 8 months Now and there's many more Memories and Moments To Create!"

To get in contact with Umbra, go to https://www.facebook.com/TRIPGAWD

or IG 666brainjiuce

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote on OUTSTAGIN email to maat.atkins@gmail.com

Thursday, February 6, 2020

OS 27: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

ITS THAT TIME!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

Last Sunday, millions of eyes were on this years Super Bowl that was held at the Hard Rock Stadium held in Miami. Although the Kansas City Chiefs won the game, ratings and talk were on the much awaited Half Time Show with Latino artists Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. Overall, it was a very energetic 15 minute show that reflected the Latinx culture. Both ladies showcased their sensualness, sassiness and sexiness. Yet, everyone is pitting them as far as who was the best but we believe both were because it was a celebration of Latin culture .

The highlight of Shakira's set was her playing the guitar and drums, crowd surfing and sticking out her tongue like a lizard during a Spanish chant. During Lopez's set was when her daughter walked on stage to perform "Born In the U.S.A." while her mother had a feathered U.S. flag coat that opened up to a feathered Puerto Rican flag coat and preteens inside oval cages to represent the controversy of the the Trump Administration's decision to cage up Mexican immigrant children.

Was it the best Superbowl Halftime show? Not quite (Prince I believe was the best) but it was definitely memorable because it was the first time the Latinx community has been spotlighted on the Halftime Stage.

And they both won because after the show, both received over 700 percent spike in their record sales.

Another highlight of the Superbowl was what didn't occur on camera when Jay Z, Beyonce and Blu Ivy sat in their VIP area while Demi Levato sang the National anthem. TMZ among other media outlets took a pic of the famous family during the moment and it sparked the question if they were unpatriotic and was protesting for not standing. When asked at a Columbia University Q and A event about the occurrence, Jay Z responded by saying that they were into Levato's performance and forgot to stand.

Uh, ok. Thats a bit of a stretch.

I will say this, from the outside looking in, it looked as though there were several people in their area who were not standing and when you re in the VIP area, its more laid back and more closed off from the general public. With Jay Z being appointed as creative director and oversee the entertainment for the Superbowl and him saying "we are passed kneeling," its a mixed signal to the public that he appeared that he and his family planned not to stand.

And thats their right. But, his response seems more to appease the NFL because the picture of the Carter family was taken.

Ironically enough, the team that Colin Kaepernick was cut from, The San Francisco 49ers, was playing in this years Super Bowl!

FIT BITZ (COVER STORY)

This week we feature Belleville wrestler Umbra Jerome Eon who recently became the first African American wrestler in the St Louis area to win Rookie of the Month at Cottage Hills Wrestling Alliance wrestling matches last month.

Eon thanked everyone who helped him to make St Louis wrestling history:

To get in contact with Umbra, go to https://www.facebook.com/TRIPGAWD

or IG 666brainjiuce

If you have an event, service or an artist to promote on OUTSTAGIN email to maat.atkins@gmail.com