Tuesday, May 31, 2011

OUT 1008--STAGE VIEWZ--THE BLACK REPs THE MONTFORD MARINE @GRANDEL SQUARE THRU JUNE 26

Photos by Stewart Goldstein J Samuel Davis is in monologue mode playing former Marine Robert Charles Wilson





‘Marine’ Studies War With High Marks



By Ma’at Atkins



“We were just two Negro kids born at the wrong time.”



This is the line of dialogue written by award-winning playwright Samm-Art Williams emoted by the free spirited Gwendolyn to her ex husband, Robert, in Act Two of the world premiere of the play, “The Montford Pointe Marine.” It also was spoken after Robert wondered why his dreams as an opera singer didn’t happen during the 50th Anniversary celebration of his enlisting in the Marines during WWII. Lastly, it also mirrors the realities of African Americans back when they were ‘colored” and the threaded sentiment of the play—dreams deferred from socio-economic racism.



Directed by Black Rep Producing Director and founder Ron Himes, “Montford”, which is staged at the Grandel Square Theatre in Grandel Square until June 26, comes across half Greek tragedy and, half historical documentary. The play tells the story about a stalwartly mobile black man, Robert, played superbly by Black Rep vet J Samuel Davis, who is set to celebrate his 50th anniversary enlisting in the Marines. The historic factor of the celebration is the executive order commanded from then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who desegregated the Marines for Blacks to be enlisted, the last armed services to do such, but have them trained on a separate non-white base (hence the name Montford Point based in North Carolina) to fight the front lines in the devils oven—Iwo Jima in Japan. The story begins as Davis’ character stands on a soapbox (literally) telling his tragic story to the audience who becomes his semi-psychiatrist throughout the play. It ends with his differed dream lifted –at least temporarily












Actor Whit Reicart, who plays three characters in the play, in a war heated racially challenging battle scene with Davis.




Through Davis’s monologues, the story is executed fluidly as it mixes flashbacks of vivid war and how he met Gwendolyn, played excellently by Black Rep vet and current artistic director Kennedy . “Montford” keeps your mind sharp as it changes from present past (1993) to the past of the play’s present (1940s through the 1960s) like a dropped bullet from Robert’s flamethrower gun that he treasures.



Montford’ also gives a provocative look of how the war not only affected men (yet alone black men) during the war but also the haunting memories of seeing the horrors of war close at hand (which Davis does perfectly). It also crushes the stereotype that love and sex stops after 40 years old. Case in point is when Davis and Kennedy’s character get freaky in Act Two reuniting after 20 years in a hilariously funny moment when they hump on top of each other on his couch and their son’s flabbergasted reaction from it. Although it is a bit shocking to see such carrying on, it is refreshing to see it just the same. Plus, It is an added bonus that Davis is able to showcase his great singing skills to his character who desired to be a professional opera singer after receiving his G.I. billed-degree in music education.












Linda Kenned plays the free-spirited Gwendolyn. Here she comforts Davis character in one of his flashback monologues telling the horrors of war.






And now to some of its drawbacks. There were some awkward moments with some of the monologues and how they were juxtaposed with the other characters. It is challenging enough using monologues and trying to suspend the disbelief factor while having them make sense on stage and “Montford” has its challenges. An example is when Robert is reunited with his ex wife yet he talks to her picture regarding his joy of her return to him as opposed to him expressing his happiness directly to her.




The former couple in the play's present day in 1993.



Another involves Robert’s son’s lament. The character, Junior, who is in his early 40s during the play’s present, regrets that he couldn’t fight his own war akin his father because the war during his era, the Vietnam War, ended before he could enlist. For a plot device, it makes sense to the relationship between father and son, but from the standpoint of his age, he could have enlisted or been drafted into the war (he would have been 18 in 1968 during the height of the war) . Also, if he was that serious in enlisting to be like his father, draft or no draft, his character would have enlisted.










Kennedy, Davis and Chauncy Thomas, who plays RC Junior--the adult son of the former couple.




Lastly, the main character Robert and his “Supermanesque” frame was a tad bit distracting to the character’s age. It has been noted that, many former Marines continued to keep in tip top shape when they retired from the services, but for the stage, Davis, who plays a man in his late 60s, and his slim, muscular build become more like a punchline to a joke that wasn’t told to the audience. So when the character gives occasional mentions of his regrets in his life yet alone finding his libido when Gwendolyn returns to visit, it come off more feeling like an afterthought that he is a senior citizen. The only real indication of his age is Davis’ fully gray hair and beard. A bulge in his belly or a limp in his walk could have given his character even “ more character .”



Nevertheless, who says that plays are perfect—and Williams’play is definitely far from that, but within its parts are some excellent performances that are worthy of Kevin Kline Award nominations for 2012 , and some wins (especially Davis’ performance) The play will make you feel as though you have experienced war trying to overcome all the battles that comes in life.







"The Montford Point Marine" by Samm-Art Williams



Directed by Ron Himes





Through June 26





The Black Rep





Grandel Theatre





3610 Grandel Square





For tickets:





The Black Rep Box Office





314-534-3810





MetroTix





534-1111 or metrotix.com








OUT 1007-20th ANNUAL ST. LOUIS AFRICAN ARTS FESTIVAL@WORLDS PAVILLION May 28-30

Photos by Ma'atology
THE OUTCAM came through May 28 and May 30. Here is a long shot of the Pavilion where the event had taken place. Below are pics from the event in the sequence as it happened.











Crowd

























Event volunteer Natashia Griffin and her daughter who's holding up her Yorkshire Terrier.


































African dancers



























The crowd
























There's 2009 Miss USA Missouri and talk show host Lesley Hunter with her mother who was a volunteer for this year.
































Miss Hunter solo














Some patrons about to get some shea butter straight from the nut.



















Patrons with vendors
















Beautiful jewelry and statues.























More dancers






















Ashay Ashay!

























The gri-gri dancers dance with the crowd.



























Reggae CDs at one vendor's area.





























A young illustrator painting a portrait.






























Patrons at a tee shirt vendor


































A popular site was the Children's Village























Children gettin crafty.







































Griffin;s daughter makin jewelry.





















A jewelry instructor teaches participants how to make jewelry.











































Baba poet Dr. Eugene B Redmond on stage



















Redmond chronicled African lore in verse.



























Some Afrocentric portrait paintings.






















It was a matter of time that Pres. Barack Obama would be part of the black hero set for wall portraits with King and Malcolm (and on here Rosa Parks).






























Vendors and patrons in the foyer.





























One of the food vendors grilling up the meat.














ON Memorial DAy:
















People enjoying the water from the cascades
























This reggae band was the event finale on the main stage,.
















The crowd spectatin






























There's socialite Thurlester Robinson was in the cut givin a shoulder ride to a youngster.






























This gentleman was feelin the reggae roots of the music all over the place--literally. LOL .

































Another shot of the band.























A lady and her husky dog.































A shot of the female lead in the band.





















This lady was decked out in African attire during the closing festivities. .






















Youngsters gettin a dip in the water fountain.





















A closing pic of the Pavillion.














NOTE: Overall great event. The weather was great. People of all ages and persuasions came out to this free event. And the biggest seller ad to have been the shea butter because it was at almost every other booth! LOL Kudos to organizer David A.N. Jackson and assistant Jason McNairy.


























































Wednesday, May 25, 2011

OUT 1006-ILLI MO arts and ent BITZ (MAY 26-JUNE 1)

HEY OUTTOWNERS!










ITS THAT TIME AGAIN!!














TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!








Our thoughts and prayers go out to the town of Joplin, Mo who were ht with a deadly tornado Sunday.



HAVE A GOOD MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!






We will keep you posted on our GRAND PARTY for the celebration of 1,000 posts of OUTTOWN!















THE BIG NEWZ STORY THIS WEEK IS:











































The “Today Show” weatherman Al Roker broadcast from Joplin, Mo. Monday after the devastating tornado that hit the small town. Roker said climate change is responsible for the increase in tornadoes in the United States.







“Our climate change is such now that we are seeing this kind of weather not just in rural parts of our country, but in urban centers as well,” Roker said.







The veteran weatherman estimated that the Joplin twisters were “at the top of the Fujita Scale,” which measures the intensity or tornadoes.













THE OTHER BIG STORY IS:



































Chicago talk show queen Oprah Winfrey’s last three shows of her daytime talk show aired—Part One and Two of the Celebrity Surprise at the United Center was shown Monday and Tuesday and her very last show was taped Tuesday and aired Wednesday.







On Wednesdays’ show it was just her and the audience, standing in front of them, at her studio, no celebs as guest(some were in the audience including Maria Shriver, Cicely Tyson and Tyler Perry). The viewers were treated to a journey down memory lane.







The show began with a clip from first show ever -- Sept. 8, 1986.







"How truly amazing it is, this journey that you and I have shared together," she said. "I mean really, people."







Oprah said she always wanted to be a teacher, and ended up in the world's biggest classroom. This last hour is Oprah's "love letter" to fans, she says. No surprises, no big guests, no free cars.








Later, she talked about the transformation the show took from featuring "people making bad choices" to the lifestyle and star-studded format it became.







Oprah brought out nuggets of wisdom for her TV followers. "You are responsible for your own life," she said, later advising viewers to look within for guidance. "Your life is speaking to you. What is it saying?"

She got deep, often: "What is all life? What is every flower, every rock, every tree, every human being? Energy. And you're responsible for the energy you create for yourself, and you're responsible for the energy that you bring to others."







Oprah says one of her favorite shows ever featured Marcia Kilgore, founder of Bliss Spa. Kilgore once gave her a facial and Oprah loved it, said it was the best facial ever and asked Kilgore her secret. Kilgore said, "Popping zits are my passion."







Continuing to chat, Oprah says the United Center double-taping this week was "a love intervention on steroids."







Oprah beamed that people looked to her show to address social stigmas like sex abuse, AIDS, drug addiction and coming out. "Little by little we started to release the shame," she said.







Oprah gets emotional/teary for first time as she recalled that being born in 1954 rural Mississippi, the "vision for a black girl was limited to being either a maid or a teacher in a segregated school."

Towards the end of the hour, Oprah says ending her legendary talk show is "all sweet, no bitter" and that she has nothing but gratitude for the time she spent with us.







"There are no words to match this moment," she says. "This show has been going on for 4,561 days of my life." Oprah says when she started, she had no publicist, no stylist -- "Just a Jheri Curl and a bad fur coat."









"I thank you for being as much of a sweet inspiration for me as I've tried to be for you," she said. "I won't say goodbye. I'll just say, Until we meet again. To God be the glory."

At that, she walked through the studio audience as Paul Simon's '10 Years' played, hugging Stedman and she begins to cry. Then, Oprah head backstage to hug her staff and ends it all by picking up her dog and saying "We did it, Sadie."

She walks from the camera and ... scene.

Winfrey left her show after 25 years to concentrate on OWN, her fledgling cable network.







"It was phenomenal," one audience member says of the taping. Oprah came out and recapped a lot of moments in her career: big hair, big earrings. She poked fun at herself and talked a lot about how the show impacted her and how she thinks it impacted the viewers."







Adds audience member Wanda Nash, "It was bittersweet. The message was heartfelt, and I took a lot from it. I realized I'm perfect just the way I am."







In addition to Shriver and Perry, Oprah's best friend Gayle King was there (she also was spotted interviewing audience members outside Harpo with a flip cam to use on her OWN show),.







Harpo's street was renamed "Honorary Oprah Winfrey Street" in Chicago as well.







After the taping of the show, Oprah said, "I'm so happy I didn't stay in the wing until I was punch drunk and people had to drag me out with my microphone and say, 'Enough already!'" she said. "I always thought I would take my cues from the viewers. I took the cue from the landscape of television. It got harder and harder and harder to raise the bar every day. What we're doing is primetime television done in the daytime. The amount of money spent, editors… everything it takes to do this show… it got harder to raise the bar."













It is amazing how one woman can become an icon in 25 years. Although we weren’t avid watchers of her daytime show, we new its impact on pop and world culture. It made sense that she ended her show the way she did with her and the audience of billions. But folk thought she was ending her career--she is just moving on to her network so she ain;t going NO where!LOL


UPDATE: Oprah Winfrey’s final broadcast delivered the talker’s highest household ratings in 17 years. The show, which had Winfrey reminiscing about 25 years in daytime, averaged a 13.3 household rating, according to preliminary ratings from Nielsen. (Total viewer numbers will be released in two weeks.)

It was the highest household average since the February 21, 1994 installment “People Shed their Disguises,” during which Winfrey convinced guests to stop hiding behind questionable style and grooming choices.

Wednesday’s installment was the ratings pinnacle in a three-day farewell tour for Winfrey. Monday’s episode, part 1 of the United Center extravaganza featuring a cavalcade of celebrities, scored a 10.2 metered market household rating while Tuesday’s installment, averaged a 10.7.











In related Oprah newz, CBS late night host David Letterman voiced his displeasure on his Late show last week at not receiving an invitation to her finale shows after spending "12-15 years kissing up to Oprah."

"Honest to God, everyday I get out of bed and I think 'What can I do to suck up to Oprah?'" he jokes. "Because I decided at some point, I love Oprah. I want to be on Oprah's bandwagon, I want to be part of Oprah, I want to be on the show, I want to be on the magazine, I want the whole Oprah deal. I want it all."







And it's not just regular disappointment he's dealing with here... it's much worse.

"More than upset," he says. "Crushed. I mean, disappointed and crushed. I wanna just bask in the glory that is Oprah. Who doesn't?"

The two talk veterans had a longstanding feud before burying the hatchet in 2005. While many remember the awkward 1995 Academy Award joke (Oprah, Uma... Uma, Oprah), Letterman admits that Lady O's distaste for him
stemmed beyond that night, when he tricked her into buying his lunch.







But as they always say, jokes are often used to cover up a painful truth.





















In other Chicago newz, the Bulls are in need of a win tonite at United Center as they lost to Miami, who has taken a commanding 3-1 in the 2011 NBA Eastern Conference Finals with a thrilling 101-93 Game 4 overtime victory at AmericanAirlines Arena on Tuesday before a sellout crowd. If the Heat win tonite, then Chicago will be out of the finals. Game 5 will be tonight and if there is a Game it 6 will be in Miami on Saturday.


UPDATE: The Bulls lost Game 5 to the Heat 83-80 Thursday as the Heat (4-1) won the Eastern Conference and advance to playing the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals























St. Joseph, Mo, native rapper Eminem tied with teen popstar Justin Bieber winning six prizes at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards show in Las Vegas Sunday. Rapper Eminem earned the honors for Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album for "Recovery," Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Song for "Love The Way You Lie" and Top Rap Album for "Recovery." In related newz, St Louis bred rapper Nelly earned an award for the hit single "Just A Dream" (Top Streaming Song - Audio).







In unrelated Em newz, Eminem has confirmed that he is planning to return to acting in the near future.


The rapper has made only sporadic appearances since his big-screen debut in the 2002 film 8 Mile, with several cameos in Entourage and in the Adam Sandler comedy Funny People. However, Eminem has said that he is now looking for a new film project.

"There are some things in the [works], couple of scripts," he told MTV News recently. "I guess it's more so of just waiting now to see how they come together."






Eminem received positive reviews for his portrayal of young rapper Jimmy Smith in 8 Mile, but admitted that acting requires a different set of skills.

"You may be used to performing to the camera and you may be used to doing certain things in videos and things like that, but it's a whole different ballgame when the music is off and you have lines you need to say," he added. "It takes a minute to get used to."

In January it was reported that Eminem was attached to star in the
crime thriller Random Acts of Violence.



















Morton Grove, Ill native Oscar winning actress Marlee Matlin was the runner up to the finale of “Celebrity Apprentice” that aired live Sunday on NBC.







In unrelated newz,








Matlin has dismissed reports she's selling her family home to pay off a $50,000 (£31,250) tax bill.







The Oscar-winning actress was recently hit with a lien by U.S. authorities and she's working out a payment plan with the Internal Revenue Service (Irs) to resolve the debt, which dates back to 2009.







But Matlin insists she has no plans to downsize her home to pay the bill.







She tells Piers Morgan Tonight, "I've made payment plans. I'm paying for it, and I'm keeping my house. I'm not losing my house and there's no lien at this point that makes me want to lose the house, but $50,000 certainly is a lot of money. But... compared to a lot of people in the entertainment business, who are in millions of dollars of owing money, it's my business... I'm a proud American who is paying it back and made payment plans.







"I work my butt off everyday throughout my career. It's not easy for work to come to me...







"But... I am paying my taxes, and I am paying my $50,000 back. Don't worry, I'm not going to jail. I'm not losing my house and my kids and my husband are fine. Thank you very much."

















Nelly, who made Twitter newz this week beefin' with a STL promoter(Check STL NEWZ BELOW) paid a recent visit to the Today Show last week where he announced that he’ll be heading back to the studio to try to pump out his next studio album by the end of the year, the follow-up to 2010's 5.0. He was pn the show to promote his fitness DVD series, Celebrity Sweat.







“I’ll hopefully have a new album coming out at the end of this year. I’m going back in,” he told Today Show hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. “The last album, 5.0, was phenomenal- ‘Just a Dream,” 4 million and things.”







For now, Nelly is still focused on the workout video which features the St. Louis MC and his celebrity friends doing strength-training exercises.







Nelly also recently shot a video with Keri Hilson’s “Lose Control,” the next single off her No Boys Allowed LP.

























MediaTakeOut.com reported this week about a new book, entitled The Man Behind The Man putting Chicago native R&B superstar R Kelly ON BLAST. The book, which is set to be released , is claiming that R Kelly actually got Aaliyah pregnant when she was 15 in 1995 and that's why he married her.








Here are the EXCERPTS from the book: :







“I think she’s pregnant” he said, in a voice that sounded as if he wanted to burst out in tears. “Oh man, Rob” was all I could say at the time. Derrel McDavid arranged for a car to pick Aaliyah up at O’Hare airport and she had a hotel room available on arrival. This was crazy! How were we going to get through this without causing ill feelings with Barry Hankerson,








And another:







“How you gone marry Aaliyah Rob?” I asked in bitter sadness. I wanted him to relinquish his idea on how that was going to happen.



Hmm, this book we are sure will be explosive! Wonder what else is in there. We are sure the child pornography and sex tape accustaions got to be on there.



















R Kelly;s ex, Andrea Kelly , a dancer, has opened up her own business, Le Pink Kitty, a studio that offers sensual dance fitness and pole dancing classes. You can sign up for the following classes: Puss and Boots, Between the Sheets, Get it Girl, Sex in the Kitchen, His White Tee and Hooker Heels.














Hmm, wonder if any of her ex's music will be sued in any of the classes? LOL We are surprised she didnt write her tell-all!


















Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series kicks off Friday and one of the performers will be Chicago native award winning singer Jennifer Hudson who will grace the stage June 10.




























Chicago native LisaRaye will have a busy few days as two of her projects will air. First, the one hour season finale of her hit reality show "The Real McCoy" will air today, Thursday on TV One and she can be seen on VH’1’s first ever scripted series, “Single Ladies” which will premiere with a two hour movie. It also will have many cameos including one from Chicago native rapper Common. . Hour-long episodes start the following week.














Chicago native singer-guitarist Melody Angel (seen here with her mother) , who was third runner up on P Diddy;s “Starmaker,” was one of the many invited to the Life Ball, a ball that benefits AIDS charities, that was held at Vienna’s City Hall May 21. Other celebrities there were Janet Jackson and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.



ILLIMO CHARTS









Kanye West spends a third week at No. 2 as a featured artist on Katy Perry's former five-week Hot 100 No. 1 "E.T.,"His solo hit, "All of fhe Lights" falls four spots to No. 27 and falls two spots to No 7 on the Hip HOP-R&B charts. Lupe Fiasco logs his second top 10, as "The Show Goes On" surges 12-9 in its 21st week on the Hot 100 (marking the chart's lengthiest top 10 ascension since Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" reached the region in its 26th frame in August 2009). The rapper bests the No. 10 peak of his sole prior top 10, 2008's "Superstar" (No. 10), featuring Matthew Santos. ON the Hip Hop/R&B charts, his single, "Out of My Head" feat. Trey Songz moves up two spots to No,. 27. Jerimih's hit, "Down On ME" feat. 50 Cent falls one spot out of the Top 10 at No,. 11 and falls three spots to No,. 18 on the Hip Hop/R&B charts. Jerimih's featured spot on rapper Lloyd Banks' single, "I Dont Deserve You" continues its slow climb up the Hip Hop/R&B charts moving up four spots to its newest peak No. 33. R Kelly;s hit, "Love Letter" the title track off his latest CD, falls from its peak No. 16 to No. 20.


THE BIG STL NEWZ STORY THIS WEEK IS :
















A federal judge in St. Louis refused to let a Missouri tattoo artist's copyright lawsuit block national release of the movie "The Hangover Part II" just two days before it opens.







A delay would have affected 7,000 screens in 3,600 theaters on the busy Memorial Day weekend, attorneys for Warner Bros. said, costing the studio and theater owners millions of dollars. Some theaters sold advance tickets, the studio argued, and the movie has already been shipped to some theaters, raising the risk that it could be pirated.







U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry said in court Tuesday that the tattoo artist, S. Victor Whitmill, was likely to succeed with his suit and win monetary damages. But she still would not block the movie's release, explaining that theater owners and others in the distribution chain could be irreparably harmed. Perry rejected the studio's claim that it would be financially hurt.







The underlying lawsuit will continue in her court.







In the April 28 suit, Whitmill claims that moviemakers copied the design of a tattoo he created for former boxing champion Mike Tyson in 2003 in Las Vegas. Whitmill now works in Waynesville, Mo., north of Fort Leonard Wood.







Tyson, with his distinctive facial tattoo, appeared in the first movie, "The Hangover," which became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy. The sequel features a story line in which actor Ed Helms, who plays Stu Price, wakes up after a wild night to discover he has a strikingly similar tattoo.













The question is, how did his tattoo get copied? The man is about to get national fame indeed with this but why did he wait months after the first film to sue especially with a film as popular as it was and as known as Mike Tyson is???

























St. Louis wide receiver Danario Alexander’s knee is rehabbing nicely based on workouts that took place Tuesday at Lindenwood University. Alexander, a record-breaking receiver at Missouri, has undergone five operations on his left knee. The most recent one was done in October, an arthroscopic procedure after he tweaked the joint in practice. The Rams signed him to a free-agent deal Aug. 22, and he started the season on the practice squad as he toiled to strengthen the muscles in his left leg.







Promoted to the active roster on Oct. 12, Alexander made a rousing debut. He caught four passes for 72 yards, including a diving grab for a 38-yard touchdown, in a 20-17 victory over San Diego.







He missed a month after reinjuring his knee, but finished his rookie season with 20 receptions for 306 yards — a team-high 15.3 yards per catch — in just eight games.



AND









Loosecannon Slim had his celebrity weekend last weekend celebrating his ten years promoting events in St. Louis. The events included parties thrown at Exo, and The Renaissance Grand, a charity basketball game at Chaifetz Arena and concerts at Posh and The Ambassador. Celebrities who appeared were Penny Hardaway, Jermaine Dupri, football player Chad Ocho Cinco, Meagan Goode, Pooch Hall, Lance Gross, singers Olivia and Mashonda, rapper Lil Twist and DJ Clue. To see a recap of some of the events thrown go to OUT 1003 and 1004.





OUTTOWN EXCLUSIVE







In related Slim newz, on Saturday there was beef that spewed on Twitter between Slim (right) and rapper Nelly involving who owed whom money which turned into a pissing match and who got more cred and legitimacy.













In regards to someone asking Nelly if he was playing in Slim's charity b-ball game at the Chaifetz he tweeted: "I;m not olaying in any b-ball game 2 day in STl . I donl't fuck with S(hady) L(ame) I(gnorant) M (otha Fuckas).













Slim repsonded saying, "Man, I;m trying to focus on my fadeaway jumper for 2nites game and u shud be focusin on ur fadeaway career."













OUCH


Nelly also tweeted "Folk be killin me acting like they doin something for the city when they charging the city--man been hustlin the city since he came from the ATL?"

Well that was Saturday.













The Tweets became Supertweets for the next two days. here are some of those tweets:








LoosecannonEnt Slim







@Nelly_Mo I heard u wana be a promoter now and I'm droppn a album..we can switch places my bookn fee is same as yours right now 5K!!







u wants some mo?? Nigga I got 10 yrs worth of shit to expose yo corny azz...u picked the wrong one!!








since u talkn bout I owe u how many times in the middle of night u call me to borrow money while u was on boat and couldn't pay yo marker???...u kno I got emails to prove it!!!








@Nelly_Mo u sold yo soul to the devil for 10yrs of fame and fortune..time to pay up!..u need to go to Shalome ASAP!







and at the end of the day u still my brotha..but the #PILLS and #gambling turned u into a #!@%*#ed up nigga..but u been gettn away w/ #!@%*# too long..you #!@%*#n up a lot of ppl lives thats close to u..wake up nigga!







I even called him after hit tweet 1st and said stop cuzz this gonna be a bad look 4 us and he said naw "its gonna be a bad look for u!" #somebodylied

Nelly:














At the end of this year I will have sent a total of 14STL area kids 2college!N I didn't even charge the city 2doit!!







Don't take our money from a concert and run to Miami. Anybody can throw a party or basketball game!














From the Tweet war Slim won.


Even Nelly's St. Lunatics Ali chimed in on the beef on Facebook:













SLIM THATS MY BRAH NELLY THATS MY REAL BRAH IM OUT OF IT !!!.....Loosecannon Slim HE WANT TO FIGHT & CHARGE PPL 2 SEE IT !! ...IM 6'4 250 ALL MUSCLE /HE 6'4 150 NO MUSCLE...













IM NOT GONE DO HIM LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF PPL...I DONT HATE HIM !! ..I JUST WANTED MY FAIR ONE. WHEN YA'LL SEE Loosecannon Slim...ON TWITTER & FB TALKING TUFF...ALWAYS KNOW THAT SOON'S HE GET DONE HE CALL'N LIKE "MAN WE ALL TO COOL FOR THIS "...













I TOLD HIM I WAS GONE BEAT THAT ASS ON MAY 22ND @ 8:15 PM...BY 8:17 HE WAS CALL ME TRY'N TO KISS ASS & SUCK D*CK....I TOLD U WE NOT TALKING UNTIL AFTER WE THROW THESE HANDS..



Overall, according to a source, all this stemmed on money that Slim alleges Nelly owes his and vice versa and Nelly telling his tweeters that he wasnt participating in Slim's events.













Here is the thing, although the tweet beef was entertaining from the realms of the rap-hip hop environment on who;s the best and so forth, it still looks bad for those outside of St Louis to






see what they always suspect that the city is divided when it comes to social cohesion. Slim and Nelly have been friends for a minute, but as with anything, when you throw money in the equation, friendships tend to wane. But its still not a good look to beef on the social networks. The initial matter could have been handled behind close doors and keep it moving.


We are just sayin.














































Bon Jovi’s show at the Scott Trade Center Sunday reportedly drew the highest attendance in Scottrade history with over 20,000 seats. The show, which was the last leg of its Americna Tour, which was part of the band’s tour and food drive to aid victims of local flood and tornado victims brought in more than 7,000 pounds of food.













Speaking of concert records,. Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation says the 2011 Bob Costas Benefit, featuring Conan O'Brien and Faith Hill, has set an all-time record for revenue. The event, held April 2 at the Fox Theatre, raised more than $830,000. All proceeds from the annual benefit go to support the Bob Costas Cancer Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center. Costas, who is an Emmy Award winning sports journalist is a St. Louis native.

























Darren Criss from "Glee" will appear at Six Flags St. Louis July 21 as part of the park's Starburst Summer Concert Series.























Comedian Carlos Mencia will perform June 17 at Comedy Etc. II in Fairview Heights.



































Chuck Berry will perform at 9 p.m. June 22 at Blueberry Hill's Duck Room



























R&B singer Howard Hewett will perform at Majic 104.9’s Memorial Day Weekend Bash ·Friday at Starlight Room inside Lights on Broadway . Opening is St Louis native singer Monya who recently performed during Twilight Tuesdays (SEE OUT 1005)












Celebrate Juneteenth with Grammy Award nominated singer Oleta Adams June 19 at the Lee Auditorium at the Missouri Hisiry Museum.

















STL natve concertgoer Beatle Bob, who is famous for standing at concerts and doing a shakey spin dance, has an iPhone/iPod/iPad app that costs $1.99. On it, he lists his top music picks across the U.S.A.! It is a very select group of music that is updated weekly. This music legend has picked his favorite musicians, bands and events for EVERY state in our country! Over 120 cities have been identified with the best music. He has attended over 5,000 days of music in a row.





















St Louis natiev rap gospel artist P Dub just released a new single “Swag A Lil Bit”: The loclaly filmed video can be viewed on YOUTUBE.























STL native director Brandan Dennehy is raising money for his film, "Operation Perdue." Dennehy worked on "Public Enemies,' "The Dark Knight," "Wanted" and "Luck," which is soon to be released as an HBO feature.

























Ex con Will Adams, who wrote 10 novels and two screenplays while in prison, has publishe dhis first book,. "From the Dirty South to Saint Louie" (Willennium, 245 pages, $14.95; paperback; willenniumpublishing.com) under his psuedonym, Tha Genarall. He will sign his "tru to life" book at the St. Louis African Arts Festival in Forest Park this weekend (SEE EVENTZ THIS WEEK BELOW).























Award winning STL native dancer/choreographer Keith Tyrone Williams is directing a play entitled, The Ties that Bind, June 3 and 4 at Harris Stowe State University’s - Emerson Performance Hall.































St. Louis acts MoTre (PICTURED), Rockwell Knuckles, Ruka Puff, T-Man and the Block Boyz will perform at Super Jam 4 June 12 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater as part of the STL Mixtape segment of the annual event. The STL Mixtape spotlights St. Louis talent.






Super Jam will feature Ludacris, Wiz Khalifa, Keri Hilson, Waka Flocka Flame, Travis Porter, Lloyd and Mindless Behavior.







More acts are expected to be announced.



















Hip-hop artist known as RikDikulous who was once signed to Def Jam, is now founder and co-owner with his wife, LaPortcia Bolden, of Street Dreamz, a recording studio and artistic development center at the St. Louis Mills Mall
























There was a benefit recently for the late Monty Fannon Chance who was a bartender at the now defunct Label Nightclub held at 609 in U City. Chance died in a car crash May 16 . He was 26.






The Red 7 Nightclub may be on the verge of losing ot slicense after it wa sdisovered that a no hlds barred private couple sex party took place last Saturday. The police were tipped of the party and several of them went undercover and attedned the party. What they found were men fondling each other and a woman receiving oral sex with several men. A few minutes in, the police busted up the party and cited the owner, Jeff Koenings, who was there, for permitting lewd conduct under a licensed liquored establishment and a woman was also cited for lewd condict. It also was discovered that the adult organization St. Louis Adult Connection had sex parties at Red 7 once a month since last August. City leaders have given the owners of the club the option to surrender their liquor license or have a hearing with the Excise Commission. As of Thursday, the owners reportedly decided to surrender their liquior license and not go through the public embarssament of a hearing.




UPDATE: A source that works with the owners told OUTTOWN that because it was their first offense and they were not losing their liquor license. Hmm.



















STL GEMINIians BDAZES—Broadcast journalist Laurna Godwin (PICTURED), photographer Wiley Price, promoters Orlando Watson, and Triky Haley, clothes designer Chris Dinkins, socialite Katrina Kerr, and former club security bouncer Brandon Troupe





















BLIND PICZ. Who was the guy who wore the open toed sandals exposing well- oiled feet at the White Party at Exo last weekend?






BLIND DISHZ. Which STL radio personality was spotted trying out the fitness equipment last Saturday at the Golds Gym on Lindbuergh during the radio station's radio promotions at the venue?








HINT #1. The personality is a male
















HINT #2. The personality works with a popular FM station





HINT #3. He shares the same first and last name initials as one of the most successful basketball players of the 20th century.










PRO-MO-CIAL-I-CIOUS. Which movers and shakers got their promoption and socializin on goin this week? Promoters G'Bassa D'Acosta and Mocha Latte (TIE) and promoters Phil Assets and The Men of Close to Famous (Triky Haley and Kelly Hall.)
















G'Bassa D'Acosta (FAR LEFT). This lovely model/promoter and creator/producer of Sexy N The STL TV is on the cover of the e-mag Elitism and is one of the hosts of the music showcase Winning Wednesdays that she hosts and that her TV show helps to film at Europe Nightclub. Her TV show can be seen on Wedensdays and late Fridays on STL Charter (SEE OUTGOING BITZ).



Mocha Latte. Coming off of promoting and attending Loose Cannon's 10th year Anniversary Weekend, she will be hosting Liquid Assets F*ck South Beach event this Saturday at Club Amnesia (SEE EVENTZ or MOCHA;'s CORNER BELOW).















Phil Assets (RIGHT). This brotha is back in its regular spot in this section as CEO of Liquid Assets, he is gettin it in this Memorial Day Weekend promoting at Club Amensia. Those events are a concert with rapper Jim Jones on Thursday, Quit Playin Ent celebrate 10 years with a showcase of its rap all stars on Friday, F*ck South Beack party hosted by Mocha Latte on Saturday and eventhost Young Dip's Pre Memorial Day Party on Sunday. (SEE EVENTZ THIS WEEK BELOW)

Triky Haley and Kelly Hall. These promotion duo has been on a hiatus for a minute with promoting their own events and they are coming back string with three events this weekend. On Thursday, they are bringing back their networking event ICONIC at Exo with a performance by singer Bobby V, On Friday, Triky celebrates his b-day at the weekly Fresh N the City at The City and on Sunday, they will have a Pre-Memorial Day day party at The Mandarin. (SEE EVENTZ THIS WEEK BELOW)

















LOOK LIXE




This week we got a STL promoter and a National recoding artist. Hella Fly Promotions' King Kerry (FAR LEFT) and singer Jerimih.












WORDZ TO THE WHYZ!!!












Why is the city of St Louis still giving out red light camera tiockets after a Circiuit Court judge ruled that the tickets are illegal? Why didn't Donald Trump let Star Joens finish her opinion about NeNe Leakes but let Leakes shout over her during the finale? Why is Rihanna following Chris Brown on Twitter? And why did she tweet that folk should stop getting uptight about it? Why did two guys in theri car cuss each other out on Kingshighway in South St Louis when one guy cut off the other? Why did Nelly and Loose cannon Slim go on a Tweet beef recently? Why did Trina tell BET to fuck off when she didnt get a BEt Award nomination? Why were people so gullible to believe the rapture and the world were ending? And why were peoepl drawing out their life savings to give to the guy who predicted the end of the world? Why is Snoop wearing beaded barettes in his hair? Why do storm chasers never get killed when they chase storms in their cars? And why did Jermaine Dupri cuss out the crowd for not dancing at Looscannnon Slim's b-ball after party last weekend at the Renaissance Grand?





AMERICAN IDOL FINALE: Why did Jacob Lusk grab his dyck and stick his tongue out when he performed the open number with the Top 13? Why did J Lo just shake her ass during her husband Marc Anthony’s unmemorable performance? Why did Beyonce perform twice? Why did James Durbin’s costume whiel performing with Judas Preiset look like a costume from the kVillage People? Why did T Boz look bloated ? And why was TLC upstaged by the female contestants of Idol? And Why did Ryan Seacrest say after TLC’s performance, “Nice abs?” Why did Top 2 finalists Aliana and Scotty receive cars from Ford and they are barely legal to drive them? And why was it more a plug fest than a finale (Ford, Kung Fu Panda 2 Spiderman the stageplay, etc), Why did it seem as though 13th place finalist Ashton Jones outshone the rest of the female finalists during the group numbers? Why was Steve Tyler’s song “Dream On” an abbreviated? Version of it? Why did Lauren Alaina seem a bit intimidated to sing with Carrie Underwood? And why did David Cook look mad when the camera panned to him in the crowd?



EVENTZ THIS WEEK













St. Louis native horror actor Vincent Price's 100th b-day is celebrated this month withVincentennial thru May- 28th at the Hi-Pointe, the Sheldon, Brown Hall on the Wash U campus and at other locations. Presented by Cinema St. Louis, please go to www.vincentennial.com for more details






















Jersey Boyz THRU May 29 at the Fox Theatre.




http://ev6.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=FOX11MAY11&linkID=metro&RSRC=stlt&RDAT=101119


















Unity Theatre ensemble presents Motown Unity Theatre review thru May 29 at the Ivory Theatre







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BFREEPAPARAZZI PRESENTS DANCEHALL REGGAE THURSDAY PART II







Location: Forever Yours Bar & Grill







Time: ‎9:00PM Thursday, May 26th

























R&B singer Bobby V will perform at at Exo nightclub May 26 during Close to Famous’ returning monthly networking event ICONIC Memorial Day Weekend, Thursday, May 26























JIM JONES MEMORIAL DAY KICKOFF THURS 5/26 @CLUB AMNESIA



STRESS FREE FRIDAYS will be at bar Napoli, 7754 Forsyth in Clayton. Starts at 5 p.m.
















There will be a Bob Dylan's 70th Birthday Party and Tribute Night/KDHX Benefit with Cassie Morgan and the Lonely Pine, Riley James, the Skekses, Joe Stickley and Sean Canan, Rough Shop, Cumberland Gap, the Sparrows, the Feed, Pretty Little Empire, Karate Bikini and Brothers Lazaroff. May 27. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave. St. Louis. How much: $10 with all proceeds benefiting 88.1 KDHX.

















Adult contemprary artist Josh Groban's "Straight to You Tour" is coming to Scottrade Center with a concert on May 27

















Actor Gary Sinese and the Lt Dan Band will perform, May 27 at the Family Arena.









Quit Playing ENT (BOBQP)10 Year Celebration of Experience
Friday May 27
Pre-Memorial Day Celebration
For all of 10 year Quit Playing has giving St. Louis music, events and pure entertainment from the likes of said artist including Eboni Eyez,Future, June 5th, Just Bleezy, Laudie on Da Track, Lil Shorty and Luey V
Celebrate 10 years of experience. Club Amnesia 1204
Washington





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Begin your Memorial Day weekend in the most sophisticated and relaxed way, with another installment of RELEASE THERAPY - Friday, May, 27 at EXO Restaurant and Lounge. S&R Promotions once again presents to you an upscale atmosphere with a multitude of soulful sounds brought to you by DJ Reminisce.
Ladies are FREE until
10:30. For the best table experience in St. Louis night life, please contact SandRpromo@gmail.com



for reservations. Dress code strictly enforced














African Arts Festival - Saint Louis May 28-30 at the World's Fair Pavillion in Forest Park








CHECK OUT THE MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE BELOW:

















SEE BELOW

















SEE BELOW































SAT. May 28
















1: 00 p.m. Drum Call - Aziz













1:15 p.m. Watt It Is! - Youth Dance













2:00 p.m. Big George & The House Rockers - Blues













3:00 p.m. Matiff Dance - Hip Hop Dance













4:00 p.m. Spirit of Angela - Drum and Dance













5:00 p.m. Robert Reed Tap Dance Group - Tap, Dance, Rhythm













6:00 p.m. Artistik Approach Hip Hop, Jazz, Spoken Word













6:30 p.m. The Bosman Twins - Jazz



















** Sunday Main Stage Closes at 7:30 p.m.

























MONDAY, MAY 30, 201110:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.













AFRICAN MARKETPLACE







Vendor displays of African and Afrocentric artifacts include woodcarvings, textiles, and jewelry.







This is your last chance to get your favorite gift!++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++







CLUB AMNESIA AND MOCHA LATTE UNDERSTANDS THE AFFECT THE ECONOMY HAS ON EVERYONE WE UNDERSTAND YOU ALL CAN'T MAKE IT TO SOUTH BEACH SO WE'RE SAYING F*UCK SOUTH BEACH


THIS SATURDAY AT CLUB AMNESIA LADIES FREE ALL NIGHT AND DRINK SEX ON THE BEACH'S FREE UNTIL 12

F*UCK SOUTH BEACH IS HOSTED BY MOCHA LATTE AND DJ SIR THURL SUPPLIES THE SOUNDS

DON'T FORGET THE BARTENDERS ON THE BAR AND THEY WILL BE FULL OF SEX......ON THE BEACH

WHAT HAPPENS AT F*CK SOUTH BEACH STAYS AT F*CK SOUTH BEACH

Doors open at 9

F*UCK SOUTH BEACH at Club Amnesia

Buy 2 bottles get 1 FREE with rsvp



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SEE MORE EVENTZ BELOW




















COME JOIN MPAC & FREE TIME AS THEY BRING YOU A SPECIAL INSTALLMENT OF BACK SPIN. Sat. May 28 at Envy, 13141 New halls Ferry

KICKOFF YOUR MEMORIAL WEEKEND RIGHT JAMMING THE BEST OF THE 80'S, 90'S AND TODAY AT BACKSPIN

$5 DRINKS ALL NIGHT LONG!

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS ARE ADRIENNE WALKER-CANNADY AND CALLEY
HEIDELBERG
.

FOR BIRTHDAY OR VIP PACKAGES PLEASE CONTACT 314-489-5696


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STL Black Pride Memorial Day Happy Hour SAT May 28 at The Space, 3016 Locust at 6 p.m.














MORE EVENTS BELOW:





























MORE EVENTZ BELOW






















MORE EVENTZ BELOW





















































MORE EVENTZ BELOW





























MORE EVENTZ BELOW





























STL's Most ANTICIPATED NIGHTLIFE EVENT has returned to kick-off the summer of 2011!!

Sunday May 29th, 2011
9pm-2am
Old Rock House
1200 S. 7th St. - Downtown STL

You already know how it goes down every year at TEESE !

So don't wait. Hit the online stores - hit the malls - get your Tee's ready - we back at the Old Rock Hous so you know its gonna be packed and hot !!! Early Arrival is STRONGLY recommended!

Plus we have DJ Reminise and DJ Cuzzin B to rock the crowd - and the return of STL Favorite - DJ KUT fresh back from NYC just for this event!

Don't miss this year's Teese party - there will not be another!

SYGU - TEESE IS THE FUTURE


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Young Dip's Memorial Day Takeover At Club Amnesia

Everyone FREE ALL NIGHT LONG

Sunday May 29







It's Free so you knows there's going to be a line (Get There Early)

For VIP and Bottle Service call (314)680-2775







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Rockhouse Ent and Hella Fly Promotions present SEXY AS U WANNA BE SUNDAY'S RE-LAUNCH @ THE "ALL NEW" LOFT MAY 29TH








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LADIES, the next Magnum XL Exotic Dancer show will be May 31 at Club Escalade 7828 Olive st St Louis Mo 63130 at 3 p.m.






















Novelty superstar "Weird" Al Yankovic returns to FamilyArena with a show June 3.














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The Masters of Funk are coming to the Ambassador June 3 with the Bar-Kays, Sugarfoot's Ohio Players and Slave



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MOCHA's CORNER










Mocha will host F* CK SOUTH BEACH this Saturday at Club Amensia

Doors open at 9








Her showcase GOT LYRICS will be held the second Friday of the month at Exo.







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Jobs!! Positions available with the National Children’s Study in St. Louis. One is a part time Community Liaison. The other is a full time nurse/phlebotomist. Perhaps you or someone you know would be interested. Please share the link below.





https://performancemanager-sr.successfactors.com/career?company=battelle





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LOOKING FOR JOB READINESS AND TRAINING/GED MUST BE 19-21 BETTER FAMILY LIFE CAN HELP!! CALL KIP WILLIAMS 314-679-3376. THEY ARE ENROLLING NOW!! THEY HAVE SO MANY SUPPORT SERVICES:LEGAL ASSISTANCE, CRISIS INTERVENTION/COMMUNITY SERVICES OPPORTUNITIES,DAY CARE,SCHOLARSHIPS AND MORE.









Mocha's column COFFEE TALK can be seen in the weekly The Evening Whirl newspaper published on Mondays.














For more info on these items, contact Miss Latte at 314.646.9917orsgalvin26@yahoo.com





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AD's SPOT
















Rhythm & Words Wednesdays 2nd & 4th Wed every month Meshon's Bar & Grill 410 N Tucker Blvd


+++++++++

ThundaGrownd Thursday Variety Showcase Final Thu. of every month8:30pm

at Big Moe's



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WORD THERAPY AT CLUB PARADISE Open Mic Final Friday of the month $5 cover first 10 on the sign-up list free 812 Martin Luther King on the East Side


New CD "ThundaGrowndPresentsA.D. Fire & Adrenaline"





Aireez DaRychuss music available online now






http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=aireez&x=11&y=21


MORE INFO on AireezDarychuss

http://www.facebook.com/rychuss

http://www.sonicbids.com/rychuss


http://music.blackplanet.com/rychuss





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BLACK REP BITZ














The Montford Pointe Marine
THRU - June 26, 2011







by Samm-Art Williams/ Directed by Ron Himes
The day of
July 10th, 1993 marks a special moment for Robert Charles Wilson. 50 years ago he enlisted to become a Marine at Montford Point. He proudly served his country in WWII at Iwo Jima and after exiting the service trained as a classical opera singer. But his only shortcoming in life was separating from his wife, Gwen, when she refused to chase his dream of becoming a famous singer. With their only son R.C. in town to celebrate the anniversary of his father’s enlistment, this day brings a wave of memories back to Robert, along with a few unexpected turns in this World Premiere theatre event.For tickets go to http://www.theblackrep.org/









FOR ONGOING(OUTGOING) BITZ GO TO








http://maatology.blogspot.com/2010/03/ongoing-bitz-april-week-one.html

















FIN.