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03.30.04
Many have asked me for my thoughts regarding Ushers’
album release party last night at COMPOUND here in Atlanta, so I
guess I’ll share my own observations and opinions, but first
off, Congratulations to Usher for making history. He has pulled
off something many times reserved for white pop acts, the boy sold
over 1 MILLION copies of his newly released album Confessions. That’s
no small feat folk. Again, congrats.
Secondly, congratulations to Hanna Kang, the producer of the event,
for being able to draw such a crowd out on a Monday night and finally
on the thank you list, much respect to the COMPOUND folks for allowing
an event aimed at celebrating a young urban professionals accomplishments
(Usher) to be the first major party to be hosted at the facility.
May the few fools who obviously have no home training and feel as
though being behind a rope (VIP) in some way equates to being able
to stand on your fine sofas, not make you think twice about doing
so again.
One more thing to whomever this should be addressed with, why on
this past Friday night for the COMPOUND opening night party was
valet only $7.00, and last night it was $30.00 and $40.00 selectively.
HELLO$?
Now, lets get to it the party.
All in all, I had a good time despite having a preconceived expectation
that this was going to be an upscale, get dressed up, look and feel
good EXCLUSIVE private affair. Where did this assumption come from
you may ask, well having attended past MUSICBUSINESSPOLITICS productions,
that has always seemed to be the vibe that was attempted to be maintained.
Upon arriving at the venue, the first thing one notices is the total
chaos at the door. There is really no line and patrons attempting
to get in are literally spilled all over the street, and everyone
is attempting to use their status to get in. I’m very curious
if 50% of those folks just showed up because they heard about the
party, as too many times is the case in Atlanta. Private invites
get circulated as fast as TV coverage regarding Janet's breast at
the halftime of the super bowl.
As I stand back on the other side of the street and watch as I say
to myself, what the heck, I’ll go back home and watch Sports
Center before dealing with this. About this time, Wes, the general
manager of Compound came out and we made small talk and he was polite
enough to allow me to go in with him. Thanks Wes if this makes it
to his desk. I might remind you that there was an rsvp process to
this, which is what made the chaos at the front door seem odd.
Nevertheless less, I entered and the first thing I see is a camel,
yes folks, a real live camel, followed by 3 more and then to top
it off, a freaking giraffe. Being the event producer and everything
else that I am, my immediate thought is o my gawd, how much was
the insurance rider to get those freaking animals in here. LOL,
I never asked that question.
Upon getting passed the animals, I immediately begun noticing how
LAWD have mercy many women there were. To put it bluntly, there
were some gravity defying asses that were fine as hell, I mean “
big rotunda banging asses” and the ladies were not afraid
to show them... I liked the confidence that many women exude to
number one, wear what they do, and secondly, to wear what they do
knowing they are going to have to put up with (fill in the blank)
s*** and disrespect because they simply desire to look good, feel
sexy, and ultimately desire to be approached respectfully.
Now the guys, TIRED TIRED TIRED...I see why there are so many single
ladies here, who have not quite given up yet, and I’m surprised
cause these bottle popping young urbanites are just tired in terms
of their presentation. If many of these guys with recognizable names
spent more time at a tailor and with a stylist, (Kebo with hand
waving in the air) and less on a bottle of MO’, they really
would look the part that they desire, but as it stands now, they
look like some (fill in the blank) in the latest gear that Kenny
Barnes and Ryan Glover have created and is being sold at Blue genes
at $180.00 –$200.00 a shirt. Please do not confuse this as
a diss to KB & RG for its not...I’m simply clarifying
that this seems to be the new Urban label of choice since Jay Z
has persuaded cats to retire their athletic attire for something
a bit more refined.
All in all, I’m sure many had fun last night, but I, simply
went expecting a TOTALLY different vibe, perhaps something more
in line with Friday nights opening of COMPOUND. If you had told
me ahead of time that I'd be writing this sort of review following
what should have been a first rate upscale event, I would have stayed
at home. Well just chalk it up as another invite that I'm probably
removed from another list. No need to say anything else for there
is enough folks out there with their own opinions.
Click here
to view images from the event.
Warm Regards
11.18.03
For those subscribers living outside of Atlanta and
may not be privy to our local news, as well as for those living
here and are not aware of the silent debate that is getting louder,
let me bring you up to speed. The City of Atlanta has issues other
than sewer, and an ever growing and growing traffic problem which
in its current evolution has been said to be fixed come 2030 when
at that time there will certainly be a need to address the problem
of traffic that still sprawls out of control, specifically the one
the 17th street bridge is going to cause. Can you believe we turned
down a world class architect designing that bridge in exchange for
it to be a freaking DOT project? That’s another artistic debate.
The other big issue is the NIGHTLIFE aka the party scene here, with
a particular focus on bars currently closing at 4AM. The great debate
to now close them at 2 AM city wide is being championed by some
very high profile wealthy residents and business owners of the Buckhead
community screaming the loudest due to what they are being confronted
with weekly, traffic gridlock, drunk pedestrians and the lewd behaviors
associated, along with a rash of violence and gun play that NO ONE
should have to put up with regardless as to whether they live near
or directly in an entertainment district. Those who benefit the
most from a later close time, naturally the customers, DJ’s,
promoters and the bar and club owners seem to be saying stay open
till 4AM.
I have received various emails from promoters and DJ’s mainly
spreading the word to write your council person and such and as
of last night I received my first from a resident who is directly
affected by the gridlock and more importantly the danger now associated
with living near the city’s entertainment district and I have
to say that her argument for getting a handle on the situation is
more compelling than the debate to stay open or to close earlier
or later and to me that is the greater of the 2 arguments being
had, regaining some sort of control in Buckhead on Friday and Saturday
nights. OOO, and while focusing on Buckhead, you’d better
not forget about Crescent Ave. and the surrounding area because
I pray that it’s not a boiling pot waiting to blow.
For those who offer to the Buckhead residents to shut up because
they sorta knew what they were getting into by living in the neighborhood,
especially in one of the hoods in the immediate area of P’tree
& Pharr, Piedmont & Pharr or gawd forbid on West Paces,
I say get real. No one deserves the ignorant behavior that is associated
with drunken people, particularly those behaviors that are currently
being documented, not even those living nearest the French Quarter
in New Orleans.
Personally, I do not see much changing simply by making the closing
time earlier. I think that for the mindset that is causing the trouble
in Buckhead, it does not matter, 4AM or 2AM, drunk is drunk and
acting a DAM fool is acting a DAM fool. I will say this, opposed
to making a rash decision to close establishments that are being
patronized respectfully city wide, because of isolated issues in
a specific part of town deserves greater debate. FIX the problem
in Buckhead so that it serves as a road map of some sort because
as Atlanta continues to grow, problems will continue to arise.
It’s quite interesting how things change so quickly. Back
in the early 90’s Buckhead was the place to go. The quality
of the offerings then matched the quality of the patrons, and in
it’s current evolution, that seems to be the same. I moved
here in 93 and began going out in Buckhead simply because it was
a very nice part of town and attracted a certain caliber of people.
On any given night I would go out to dinner or to a club and meet
the most interesting people, some of which I still to this day call
friends. Then came the super bowl and there were the unfortunate
killing incidents, which led to huge trials and involved a well-known
football player named Ray Lewis. Most recently, one of P. Ditty’s
bodyguards and another person were killed in this same entertainment
district, Buckhead, and now it just seems to keep spiraling out
of control.
I think it’s important to note that most of the folks going
to B’head are law abiding, responsible drinkers who just want
to go out and have a good time, free of the drama and ignorance
now that is associated unfortunately on most who choose this as
party central on the weekend. At the same time, I feel that there
are owners who have establishments that are being lumped unfairly
into a category as folks who promote irresponsible drinking and
lewd behavior and I certainly do not add the managers of Maakos
to this short list.
Chime in with thoughts. I will be posting replies so let me know
if I may post your name or not.In the meantime forward this. http://www.hushbox.com/html/soul_stirring/looking_back.html#buckhead
The Cultural Ambassador
The only
appropriate way to start out this diatribe is by issuing my apologies
to many that have not received returned phone calls from me. I'm
well, a bit busy but well. A bit of the pressure that I'm under
will disappear after this upcoming Sunday. As you know, I'm one
of the featured designers in the UNICEF fashion show on Sunday November
3rd, and finding the inspiration to create in this economy came
a bit late, yet it did come.
Secondly,
I'd like to say big thanks to all that subscribed this past Saturday
after seeing Bet's (Black Entertainment Television) piece on Atlanta
in which your K.I.R.D was featured as the Hushbox Cultural Ambassador
who keeps progressive, diverse Atlanta aware of Who & What's
Going On's. There is something to be said about the power of television.
Welcome new subscribers.
Reiterating
the fact that these days have been sort of a blur, good things came
in an abundance this past week. The freak show in the North ended
with two snipers being arrested for inflicting terror on a whole
state and griping the country
to CNN. Speaking of CNN, how in the hell does have a television show? I can't but help to wonder
how anyone who has watched her show, does not have the same thoughts.
Is there really a shortage of Asian American female journalist
out there to have to keep Connie on air? I mean every single
line she manages to get out is forced. There was a time when Connie
was big news on the TV, but it's sad to say, those skills have eroded
and Connie is simply taking up space for a more deserving anchor
person. Yo, would some one from CNN call me, I'm available, charming,
diverse and got more interesting ways of covering global news than
she.
Anyway,as I laugh at myself
I can't but help think that so much fun should be allowed to happen
as it was this past Monday night at Haze Lounge, did I say on a
Monday night. Philly based
treated those in attendance to a lesson in turntable wizardry.
(That's really good for those not so tragically hip) I was amazed
at the respect paid to this cat by his peers. I can say that the
most influential club and radio DJ's were in attendance and it was
kewl. One of my favorites,
opened up the set and set the tone for the late night antics of
Jeff. To see from Public
Enemy on the dance floor doing his thing, along side
For those that did not know,
this past week was sort of Urban Fashion Week here in Atlanta. The
above mentioned event was sponsored by urban clothier Encye, and
the following night, Moet sponsored an event out at the King
Plow Arts Center that featured denim and leather designs from African
American designers and was moderated by proclaimed fashion guru
and author of Men Of Color: Fashion, History, And Fundamentals,
was behind many aspects of the corporate and commercial identity
of Tommy Hilfiger for nearly ten years and is now the on-air fashion
editor for NBC's Later Today show. FYI. That's all the Mo'house
press I'll be giving. LMAO.
Back to the event. The event
was nice, the champagne flowed as did the conversation. Interestingly
enough, it seems that fashion events like this in Atlanta seem to
capture the focus of the models more so than the clothes. I heard
more women talking about the male models and more men talking about
the female models and a few cats trying to holla at the male models.
Welcome to Atlanta. Anyway, Lloyd spoke for what seemed like 10
seconds and the fashion portion seemed over, so back to the free
flowing Moet everyone went. Sorry to report, but that was the highlight.
Continuing the fashion week
theme, Black Diamonds & Brooks Brothers
presented "Fall Classic 2002" at Brooks Brothers
Lenox Square. In theory it seems that the concept is designed to
introduce African Americans to the lines available at Brooks Brothers
through an evening of socializing and music, an effort in which
I applaud. The event was well attended, especially by females showing
lots of cleavage, alongside other high quality African Americans
and should have been with the likes of the co host committee promoting
the event, specifically IBM's
and Sun Trust's VP espite them running out of alcohol
45 minutes before the evening ended, it was an exciting night of
socializing, despite seeing the cat who wrote me a bad check still
running around town flossing as if it's ok...Check your mail this
week, it ain't ok. LOL
Having not had the chance to
visit One Midtown Kitchen just yet, I used the opportunity
Friday night during Happy Hour with one of my favorite peeps, and the Woodfruff Art Center's Director of Public
Relations as an excuse
to do so. First off, this place is located in the oddest location
at 559 Dutch Valley Road,(off Piedmont overlooking water plant)
in a renovated warehouse space that has been converted an 80-foot
curved counter and open kitchen uncomplicated and flawlessly designed.
My favorite design feature was the waiting area outside the restroom.
I never knew the use of cinder blocks could be so beautiful. On
the menu, I think that the 3$ offering for a half glass of wine
is brilliant because if gives you the chance to explore without
breaking the bank. The pizza I had was wonderful and priced very
well at 8$. I highly suggest you check this spot out. I will
defiantly be returning. http://www.onemidtownkitchen.com/
Having done my share of socializing for the week,
I spent, along with my trusty fabric designer , cutting out fabric all day Saturday, but finished
just in time to catch the Little 5 Points Halloween Parade where
aka was indeed the "Queen of Swamp" with her
swamp themed float. My favorite character in the parade had to be
the Goth Girl Nurse...O my gawd and Snow White on a Harley.
Assuming I was done for the weekend, I had to go check
out onenitestand, the official
closing party for 2002 Atlanta Celebrates Photography. Four Words
and I'm closing: work,
AMAZING.
Hug The K.I.R.D
Even though I was invited to La, Ca. to celebrate
my birthday this past weekend, I declined, but somehow downtown
Atlanta managed to resemble Hollywood, particularly West Hollywood,
mainly due to Dragon Con, America's largest annual convention
for fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror, comics and art,
games and computers, animation, science, music, television and films
and the Black Gay Pride celebration.
Atlanta is one of only 23 U.S. cities that host Black
Gay Pride celebrations, which drew an estimated 15,00 visitors.
According to Decatur City Commissioner , one of only six openly gay African-American elected
officials nationwide, she calls the lack of representation 'truly
scary,' hence the need for more awareness.
In addition to the aforementioned folks being downtown,
the other costumed characters roaming the streets downtown amid
the mix were those there for the opening of Level 3, the
new downtown spot occupying the old Planet Hollywood and & party at the
Westin Hotel. If you were in town this past weekend and you stumbled
downtown, you now know what the heck was going on.
Offering a much different vibe earlier in the week
was the 10th annual Fashion Care, a benefit fashion show
held at the Woodruff Arts Center put on by Atlanta retailer , benefiting Project Open Hand and Saint Joseph's Mercy
Care Center. The event featured a fashion show, silent auction as
well as a live auction that was MC'd by of WSB and
of Carter-Barnes who has obviously found the fountain of youth.
The most entertaining part of the event occurred during
the live auction where an older gentleman was bidding on a trip
to Italy for whom Monica assumed was the older gentleman's daughter.
At some point during the bidding, Monica realized the women to his
side who could have been his daughter, was his date and said something
to the delight of the audience, which erupted with laughter. Welcome
to the world of High Society.
Fresh off a Japanese stint,
album release party at The Cotton Club was as kewl as the weeks
past temperatures. Seek played cuts from their new work "Surrender"
which incorporates all of their 12" singles as well as other classic-sounding
progressive grooves. The vibe was right, head wraps tight and an
all around grove thang baby. Pick the cd up.
The most anticipated event for me last week turned
out to be the most disappointing, opening night for "Bring
'Da the Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk," featuring the original
cast including at Woodruff.
Hear me before you assume the production is not worthy, because
my bad time had nothing to do with the production, yet with more
than a few members of the audience who obviously spend more time
at "Mama I Need A This, That, and The Other" chitterling
circuit plays than at quality theatre.
Act one, minute one. The folks sitting beside my date
starting passing the flask, yes a dam FLASK. O boy, it got worse
from there. Each time something of pleasure happened on the stage,
screeching loud as hell whistles pierced my ears as well as others
in my section from the annoying guest. If that wasn't enough, the
cigarette lighter every 30 seconds to read the program, o and might
I add, that was in between the power fist in the air yelling, "Do
that dam thang Save." Do you get the picture?
Just when I thought they were going to realize that
they were annoying everyone in my section, a really nice older Causcian
lady assured them that they were by turning around and doing the
old "SHHHHH." O Boy. Before I knew it,
the cat sitting beside my date told the woman, "Yo, you
better stay within yourself cause you don't wanna come over here."
I had all I could take and went to get the usher.
Act two, minute 3. Hold up! Did I fail to mention
the two annoying ass ladies in the center of the venue thinking
they were at church? Yelling and crap and each time the usher requested
they "Shut the hell Up," politely of course, they
became louder... Moral of story, go see the production and tell
some of ya folks to leave the noise outside. Buying a ticket does
not give you the right to act a fool. Remember, one of the points
Mr. Glover is trying to get across is about progression, not regression.
Without question, the most sought after invite this
past weekend was for
of Destiny Child's 21-birthday party with an 80's white and gold
theme held at the Cascade Roller-skating rink, which I attended.
As you can imagine, this was a star-studded event.
The best elements; Beyonce in those short shorts,
(she gets it from her mama),
and her glowing white outfit, designed by me and all those dam girls
from the NYC who know how to dress.
To my amazement and many others, I was totally surprised
at how many major New York City playas came to town for this event.
There seemed to be very few folks from Atlanta. New York was definitely
in the house. This event was mainly attended by heavyweights who
represent black star power from the music and athletic fields. There
were so many folks in attendance who have name worthy names, but
I simply do not have the energy to list them all.
Without a doubt, the best part of the event was that
there was no visible VIP section or room that separated folks. Everyone
one was treated the same and that was quite a nice departure at
these types of events.
Hug The K.I.R.D.
I could sit here and try and convince you how fab
my past week was, but I'd be lying. Bad checks from promoters whom
I now you have to chase for my money, folks simply saying one thing
and doing another, yet trying to maintain a sense of balance to
keep on keepin on.
Despite the above mentioned drama, there were personal
highlights. I, your K.I.R.D (keeping it real dred for those hiding
under a rock) was named by Jezebel Magaizne as one of Atlanta's
70 best dressed and will be featured along with others in the September
2002 issue. It's always fun to be recegonized. For the record, I
was your typical eclectic kebo sporting ripped jeans and a Keith
A. Brown Couture tuxedo jacket, paired with with flip flops...Smile.
The best part of my week was the Reike session that
I received on Friday. Reike (pronounced Ray-Key) is a method of
natural healing based on the application of Universal Life Force
Energy (the name literally means Universal Life Force Energy). I'm
still blown away at how much better I feel. Of the countless numbers
of traditional massages I've had, my body and mind have never felt
better. Thanks you Boombip for recognizing my needs and giving me
energy. It's appreciated.
As far as the rest of th week, I will not sit here
and overhype or exagerrate about how fab my party was at HAZE Lounge
on Thursday night, for it simply was what it was. A lovely evening
of exactly what I promised, a Culturally and Racially diverse melting
pot.
"If you were a fly buzzing around a conversation
that happened between a few of us last night, you would have smiled
..." "Always
very cool people at these events. Have never met anyone who wasn't
friendly and open...good vibe going around...."
It was not fabalous because Lenny Kravitz or Lauryn
Hill were there, cause they were not and I never promised
them to anyone, Super producer .
Anytime there is more than one event happening in
this city at the same time that brings the races together, I say
thats a good thing, dam making it about competition. We managed
to pull a quality crowd of just plain GOOD PEOPLE. Some came early,
got their free drink on and then went to Eleven50, most who came
stayed and had a ball as tag teamed the 1's & 2's, while
others who R.S.V.P'd seemingly with good intentions simply did not
show up...Please read this. Hushbox R.S.V.P Etiquette 
As
many know, this past week truly was a Musical Odyssey, with the kicking things off at the Tabernacle on Wednesday
night, followed by on Thursday
and the respective and show at Hi Fi Buy. Of all the shows, the one that
perhaps recived the most intresting buzz was the L' Boogie show,
mainly due to the MTV Unplugged CD that Lauryn is curretly promoting.
Lets say, girlfriend is making a statement.I did not go to the show
and had no desire but guest who did go, have had very favorable
things to say.
"The show was spectatcular. It really felt
as though Lauryn was giving of herself. She didn't have that staged,
superstar facade that one might expect from someone of her status.
Instead she was authentic and soulful and even a little vulnerable.
Every word she sang, she seemed to believe and want the audience
to believe as well. When she was done, I felt as though I had
just had a long conversation with a wise old friend, with the
most amazing voice in a generation providing the background music.
Only an artist of her calibre could get me back into the Tabernacle.
The venue is clearly geared toward children who don't mind to
general admission atmosphere and the smell of illegal drugs in
the air. Lauryn, however, was well worth the waiting in line like
a teenager, standing in the pit for an hour waiting for the show
to start and putting up with the inferior quality of the Tabernacle's
high-school gym quality sound system..."
Having had a full dose of good musical vibes, I turned
my attention to the BACAR restaurant opening that I was invited
to by one of my favorite folks to see out and about, . BACAR occupies the old Tierra Di Sienna space adjacent
to the Fox. From the menu I gather it's another tapas joint, with
additional large plate offerings. As I sat at the bar, I felt like
it was just yesterday, actually it was a year and a half ago, that
I sat there for the opening of the now defunct Tierra Di Sienna.
If my memory serves me correctly, the new spot is being brought
to you by some of the same players who do Ciao Bella in Buckhead
and I want to say Baronda in Midtown. At any rate, and not
to my suprise at things like this, the appetizers were cool, but
the characters and conversation a that I enjoyed as I sat at the
bar was priceless.
As I sat there, I had a conversation with an attractive
middle aged white woman who made chatter of her up coming breast
reduction for the boobs that she had seemingly recently acquired.
She seems to not like the attention and/or the lack of respect she's
now gets became of her new melon's. That's what she said but I wasn't
convinced from the tight ftting low cut blouse. I can say that I
told her that I'm a junk in the trunk sorta brother, and she asked
what was that. I left shortyly therafter.
With the new week upon us, I had one more thing to
do before getting ready for Monday morning,
at the Echo Lounge in East Atlanta. Now for many, I realize it was
a school night but, the next time you hear this cat is going to
perform, make your self available. I'm going to say it one more
time, this boy is a superstar. Just imagine a young Stevie Wonder
and Donnie Hathaway reincarnated.
You'll have another shot to see him on August 31,
2002 at Soulville. I'll drop the details on ya later.
Hug The K.I.R.D.
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Looking Back
