OUT 1115-ILLI MO BITZ (MARCH 29-APRIL 4)

HEY OUTTOWNERS!


ITS THAT TIME AGAIN!!




TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

                                                                         

OUTTOWN Blogspot has been nominated for Blog of The Year by the 2012 Notice Me Awards presented by Liquid Assets. Nominees were decided by a selected pool of emailers. You can vote at

http://www.liquidassets-events.com/notice-me-vote.html

Notice Me Awards will b April 1 at Plush (SEE EVENT SPOTLIGHT BELOW)

WOMEN HISTORY/NATIONAL POETRY MONTH BITZ

As we close out Women History Month, we feature a woman who is also are feature for National Poetry Month that is in April. That woman is poet/educator Gwendolyn Brooks.

Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks was born on June 7, 1917, in Topeka, Kansas. When Brooks was six weeks old, her family moved to Chicago, Illinois during the Great Migration; that became her hometown.

She attended Hyde Park High School, the leading white high school in the city, before transferring to the all-black Wendell Phillips. Brooks eventually attended an integrated school, Englewood High School. In 1936, she graduated from Wilson Junior College. These four schools gave her a perspective on racial dynamics in the city that continued to influence her work.

Brooks published her first poem in a children's magazine at the age of thirteen. By the time she was sixteen, she had compiled a portfolio of around 75 published poems. At seventeen, she started submitting her work to "Lights and Shadows", the poetry column of the Chicago Defender, an African-American newspaper.

During this same period, she also attended Wilson Junior College, from where she graduated in 1936. After failing to obtain a position with the Chicago Defender, Brooks began to work a series of typing jobs.

By 1941, Brooks was taking part in poetry workshops. A particularly influential one was organized by Inez Cunningham Stark, an affluent white woman with a strong literary background. The group dynamic of Stark's workshop, in which all the participants were African American, energized Brooks. Her

In 1943 she received an award for poetry from the Midwestern Writers' Conference.

Brooks' first book of poetry, A Street in Bronzeville (1945), published by Harper and Row, earned instant critical acclaim.

She received her first Guggenheim Fellowship and was included as one of the “Ten Young Women of the Year” in Mademoiselle magazine. With her second book of poetry, Annie Allen (1950), she became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry; she also was awarded Poetry magazine’s Eunice Tietjens Prize.

After President John F. Kennedy invited Brooks in 1962 to read at a Library of Congress poetry festival, she began a second career teaching creative writing. She taught at Columbia College Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Elmhurst College, Columbia University, Clay College of New York, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

In 1967, she attended a writer’s conference at Fisk University where, she said, she rediscovered her blackness. This rediscovery is reflected in her work In The Mecca (1968), that was nominated for the National Book Award for poetry.

On May 1, 1996 Brooks returned to her birthplace of Topeka, Kansas. She was invited as the keynote speaker for the Third Annual Kaw Valley Girl Scout Council's "Women of Distinction Banquet and String of Pearls Auction." A ceremony was held in Brooks’ honor at a local park at 37th and Topeka Boulevard.

Brooks died at age 83 on December 3, 2000, at her Southside Chicago home. She is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Illinois.

THE BIG A&E STORY THIS WEEK IS:

                                             

Grammy Award winning Chicago native singer Chaka Khan sat down with Piers Morgan to bring more attention to the Trayvon Martin case. Khan had strong feelings about the case and the way missing or murdered children are covered in the media. "We are sick and tired in America of seeing little children lost and children gone missing and they never make the 9 o'clock or the 5 o'clock news," Khan said.

Khan is ready to see things change in the investigation. "It's crazy that this man has not been looked at, taken into custody. I don't care who his father is."

She also promoted her benefit song  where she led a group of celebrities in a Hollywood recording studio this past Sunday to record a tribute song and PSA in honor of Trayvon Martin, at Hollywood's Henson recording studios. There, in the same complex where "We Are the World" was recorded in 1985 and remade 25 years later as a benefit for earthquake-ravaged Haiti, Chaka Khan gathered fellow R&B stars Eric Benet, Kelly Price, Kenny Latimore and X Factor's Stacy Francis to reimagine her song "Super Life," from Khan's 2007 album, Funk This.

Also there were actors Angela Bassett, Terry Crew and Boris Kodjoe for the eight-hour session. All wore identical white T-shirts that said "Super Life -- Fear Kills, Love Heals." The PSA is available at Chakakhan.com

Big ups to Chaka Khan in her efforts of the issue of race and violence in America.

In unrelated Chaka Khan newz, she will join country singer Reba McEntire as this year’s inductees into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, the Los Angeles Philharmonic announced Monday.  The ceremony, as well as performances by the two singers, will be opening night at the Hollywood Bowl, June 22 . Actress Julie Andrews will host the event.  She also Turned 59 this week.

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey debuted her Lifeclass Tour in St Louis at the Peabody Opera House Monday for two live shows that aired on OWN March 26 with TD Jakes  and Iyanla Van Zandt business catalyst Tony Robbins, and spiritualist Deepak Chopra.

Every Monday night at 8/7c for six weeks,  starting April 9  on OWN Oprah's Lifeclass: the Tour will feature eye-opening discussions with superstar teachers on television, on the Web and in person.

The next stop will be New York on April 2. She will also include a stop in Toronto April 16

Oprah's Lifeclass will again engage fans worldwide online with live streaming at Oprah.com and feature a digital classroom (www.oprah.com/lifeclass) with all-new course work to accompany episode themes.

(SEE STL NEWZ BELOW)

Last month, First Lady Michelle Obama  (pictured posed as a Heisman trophy Award) was part of the juding of cooking competition with Dallas Cowboys football players DeMarcus Ware, Felix Jones, Miles Austin,  as well as chefs from past seasons of “Top Chef” for the “Schools and Chefs Working Together”    held  at Dallas' Kleberg Rylie Recreation Center. She was there to help promote the 2^nd Anniversary  of her  “Let’s Move!” initiative.

We wonder if FLOTUS has some defense. LOL

Emmy Award winning Oak Park, Ill native Kathy Griffin’s will debut her new weekly talk show beginning April 19 on the Bravo Network.  Griffin, already a staple on the network with numerous comedy specials and her former reality show "My Life on the D-List," will join Andy Cohen in the network's talk show circuit with "Kathy."

In unrelated Kathy newz, she had surgery recently to have a uterine polyp removed. Prior to entering the hospital, Griffin playfully posted a video on YouTube predicting that she would most likely "pass away," despite the fact that her assistant assured both Griffin and fans that it's a "minor procedure."

And while she joked her chances of making it through surgery were "very, very slim," Griffin still made sure to promote her upcoming show, Kathy.

"This is probably it," she said with a straight face. "The Kathy show, by the way, which premieres April 19 on Bravo at 10 p.m., probably won't even happen because I'm probably going to pass away tomorrow."

You gotta love Kathy for knowing how to keep herself relevant.

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Talk show veteran Barbara Walters will serve as roastmaster for the Friars Club sendup of comedy icon and Emmy award winning Oak Park, Ill native  Betty White on May 16.

White has said of the roast at Manthattan’s Sheraton Ballroom: “It will be an afternoon filled with dirty words, risque jokes and sex talk . . . and that’s just what I plan on saying.”

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According to AP newz, women's rights groups say they've delivered petitions bearing 35,000 signatures to the speaker of the Missouri House opposing his plan to induct Cape Girardeau. Mo native talk show host Rush Limbaugh into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

About 200 people from abortion rights and women's groups rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday. The groups say talk radio host showed disrespect to women last month when he described a law student as a "slut" and "prostitute." Limbaugh has since apologized for his language.

House Speaker Steven Tilley, a Republican from Perryville, confirmed earlier this month that he has commissioned a bronze bust of Limbaugh to be placed among other honorees inside the Capitol.

Tilley says Limbaugh is an important, if controversial, figure in Missouri's history. Limbaugh is from Cape Girardeau.


Kudos to the protesters. As I always say, just because you famous, doesnt make you important.

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Jefferson, Mo native/St Louis raised comedian/actor Cedric The Entertainer’s new sitcom on TV Land has been renamed from his original title, “Have Faith” to :”The Soul Man.”  The sitcom, which will premiere June 13, , which will also will star St Louis raised actress/comedian Niecy Nash,The series , which is a spinoff of his appearance on an episode of “Hot in Cleveland,” follows Reverend Boyce (Cedric) as he moves from Cleveland to St. Louis and has to balance his wild past as an R&B singer with the expectations of his congregation and his family.

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Kansas City, Mo native comedian/Actor Eddie Griffin is divorcing his latest wife after six months of marriage. He’s citing irreconcilable differences.

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STL based indy band White Rabbitt performed on  Jimmy Kimmel  Show Wednesday.

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National Museum of Mexican Art celebrated its 25 years in Chicago  last weekend with an open house and three exhibitions, pulled from the nearly 7,000 pieces in the permanent collection.

ILLI MO REALITY 

Chicago native talk show host Sherri Shepherd  ,  and Washington, Mo native actor  Jack Wagner were safe this week on the results show on “Dancing with the Stars.”  Tennis  veteran Martina Navratilova was vote doff.

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Wheeling, Ill native singer and 2011 American Idol finalist  Haley Reinhart performed her debut single, “Free” on American Idol’s results show last week

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The  second season premiere of  the hit, “Welcome to Sweetie Pies” will return March 31 on OWN.

THE BIG STL NEWZ STORY IS: 

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey was in St Louis last weekend for the taping of two live shows for her Lifeclass Tour that  stopped at Peabody Opera House (PIC BY LOVE BEING GIFTED) aired Monday.  According to reports, crowds, largely female, jammed the streets around the Peabody, and the general-admission line stretched down 14th all the way to Clark Street. The Peabody, which seats 3,100, , and people on street corners were asking, "Anybody have extra tickets?" While waiting, those with tickets in hand took pictures of themselves in front of marquees announcing the event.

An afternoon session featured Bishop T.D. Jakes and was taped for a later airing on "Oprah's Lifeclass" on Winfrey's OWN cable network. An evening session aired live as the season première of the OWN series.

In a bright magenta blouse, Winfrey met briefly with local media before the afternoon session and talked both about her motivations for "Lifeclass" and problems at OWN.

"All my life I have known this moment would arrive," she said of "Lifeclass." "I used 'Oprah' to create a platform from which I could say to people that no matter where you are in your life, you can do better, be better."

OWN has struggled since its debut in January 2011, and recently Winfrey made the tough decision to lay off 20 percent of the staff. She also ended Rosie O'Donnell's talk show after less than a season.

"You get in, get to work, take control and ignore the press," she quoted an adviser as telling her. "Birthing anything means pushing, and those last pushes are hard. Sometimes you have to cut back to move forward, and I realized we had to right-size ourselves. We're in the process of righting the ship."

Winfrey made St. Louis the first stop on her "Lifeclass" road tour because "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" is the most popular series on OWN, and she had never met the Sweetie Pie's family, she said.

We are surprised that the Mayor’s Office didn’t offer her a Key to the City. Hmmm. But at any rate, Winfrey gave St Louis another national spotlight that we haven’t had since last October when The St Louis Cardinals won the World Series at Busch Stadium.

CELEB SITE

On Sunday, Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the soul food restaurant , Sweetie Pies, located at Tower Grove on Manchester (Photo courtesly of KSDK, COM) She and best friend Gayle King showed up , went through the cafeteria line and reportedly sat down for chicken wings and peach cobbler.

"They had a little bit of everything," Sweetie Pie's owner Robbie Montgomery (also the star of the series, along with son Tim Norman and the crew) said Monday backstage at the Peabody while waiting to say hello to Winfrey.

Montgomery and Norman were completely surprised by Winfrey's arrival, they said.

"I was at the register and I heard people screaming," Montgomery said. "I had no idea what had happened." Norman compared the reaction to a Michael Jackson concert, with the crowd screaming and sobbing.

Asked what she ate on Sunday, Winfrey said, "Too much." She also said that King, who flew in just for the meal before returning to the "CBS Early Show," also managed to make time for bread pudding (Winfrey couldn't remember where) recommended by someone she met at the airport.

When Miss Robbie was asked during the hoopla of Oprah arriving outside of her restaurant about how people were complaining about the long lines that day, she said, while  her shoulders were hugged  by Oprah, “Honey, I prayed for these long lines” which caused a burst of laughter from the joining crowd and a wide smile from Oprah.  You gotta love Miss Robbie! Hilarious.

St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke will not have one foot in the Los Angeles market while negotiating for an improved stadium situation. 

That was the net effect when Kroenke's bid to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers fell short Tuesday night. The group led by Lakers legend Magic Johnson prevailed with a bid for $2.15 billion. Kroenke

had been one of three finalists. 

Critics say that owning the Rams and the Dodgers would have put Kroenke at odds with the NFL's policy on cross-ownership. While moving the Rams to Los Angeles would have averted any conflict, it's not likely Kroenke could have made such a move anytime soon. But perceptions matter, and having Kroenke own the Dodgers would only strengthen long-held fears the Rams might move back to California. 

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Kroenke "bristled" when asked how involved he was in the Edward Jones Dome lease situation. Kroenke: "I’m the owner of the team. Unless you haven’t noticed, I've been involved 20 years. I've put a lot of my life, not just my personal (finances) at risk for this enterprise. And that might be something good to mention sometimes." 

According to Goodell on Monday, even though Los Angeles doesn't currently have an NFL franchise, "We do consider it a league market."

But if Kroenke would had moved the Rams to LA, he would be in compliance with cross-ownership rules because the Dodgers and the Rams would be in the same market.

Hmm, seem like Kroenke’s plan backfired. But we are sure he has a another trick up his sleeve with the upcoming negotiations with the St Louis Convention of Visitors Commission Edward Jones Dome (that it manages and owns) on upgrading the Edward Jones Dome's deadline coming May 1 and whether it will go into arbitration.

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Wide receiver Steve Smith, formerly of Philadelphia, and tight end Matthew Mulligan, who had been with the New York Jets, signed free-agent contracts with the Rams on Monday.

A couple hundred  politicians, leaders, local  entertainers and  common folk gathered Friday for two peaceful rallies that had taken place at City Hall that morning and  Tower Grove Park later that evening. Attendees at both included Mayor Francis Slay, Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed, promoter/blogger Daryl Freirson, promoter Orlando Watson and rapper Tef Poe.(PICTURED-- PIC BY KING TUNGSTEN) 

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According to stltoday.com, a round of legal fisticuffs is going on between Third Street Investors -- a real estate company owned by Scott Rosenblum, Marshall Faulk, Nelly, Larry Hughes, Darius Miles and Colin Reily -- and Truman Bank.

The investors' group filed suit Tuesday in St. Louis Circuit Court against the bank, seeking to have a real estate loan that they had guaranteed rescinded.

The group , says Truman misrepresented the value of the property and its ownership in violation of federal banking laws when the $2 million loan was made.

Third Street Investors also sued for $3 million in actual and punitive damages for the alleged bank misrepresentations.

Truman then turned around and on Wednesday filed its own suit against the guarantors of the loan despite the fact that the loan payments have been paid regularly. Vatterot College is now renting the space where Nelly has his recording school, EI Institure that is in dispute -- it's the former site of Planet Hollywood at 800 North Third Street near the Arch.

The space formerly was owned by current STL resident, singer Ronald Isley,. The Third Street Investors suit says Isley had defaulted on his loan with Truman Bank and that the bank was the "equitable owner" of the property when the investors bought it.

We don’t understand why the bank filed suit even with the loan payments being current from the defaulted loan? If the bank is in violation of misrepresenting the value of the property that is definitely a violation, meaning the investment group paid too much on the loan. Well with Rosenblum as part of the investors, who is a star attorney, we are sure they have a good chance of winning their lawsuit.

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Speaking of Nelly, he made an appearance at Ei Institute to be interviewed on Seviin Li’s talk show, Seviin at 7 last week. There he talked about his career and his inspiration in the studio.

“Being in the studio something can happen at the moment. That’s how many of my songs get started. It depends on vibe. If its a club song, you need atmosphere, people  there behind you; somber songs sometimes you just need an engineer.

He said that his uncle, Rudy Haynes, a former singer, was a big inspiration in his music career’

“He had a group, and I always heard music while listening to them over my father;s house sitting on the steps… once rap group NWA kicked in that was a rap.I was thoughed.

He also talked about how he and the St Lunatics (cohost Murphy Lee, Kyjyan, Ali and City Spud who also was on the show) had to leave St Louis to get a deal bat was just the start of a long journey to success.

“That was the beginning of a huge hill, the starting point,” he said,. “ It was an opportunity  to be Nelly.  It was a long journey and we believed we could do it. It was rough. We got thrown in the deep end of the pool. We werein a place unheard of and was told to swim.”

He also disclosed that he was voted Class Clown in high school, his favorite sport was baseball, his favorite place to hangout is Harrah's Casino (which caused laughter from the studio audience and a smirk from Nelly), and his biggest moment was when his half brother City Spud rejoined the group while they were still a group.

Nelly said that his upcoming album will be released in September with a lead single with singer Chris Brown.

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Actor Val Kilmer  will be the commencement speaker at William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. on May 5. The university's PR people say he's speaking at William Woods because of his friendship with businessman Eddie Barnett, husband of the school's president, Jahnae Barnett. While in Missouri, Kilmer plans to visit Hannibal, Mo., with university representatives. He will speak there on May 2 at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

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Actress Vivica Fox will host Black Women Rock Pre Mothers Day Black Tie Gala At Lights on Broadway April 28. It will feature fashions by STL native Z Bailey.

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Chicago native rapper Common will speak during his book tour of "Common: It'll Make Sense One Day" at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center April 3

Get more information at touhill.org.

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 Shock rocker Alice Cooper will perform at the Pageant June 16.

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The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue 2012 will perform June 20 at the Fox Theatre featuring Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs.

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Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker and Thompson Square’s will perform June 29 show at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

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Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill will make an appearance at The Loft following the New Edition concert Thursday nite at Scott Trade Center

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R&;B group Dru Hil will perform May 19 at the Ambassador

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Singer Amel Larrieux will perform at  Plush May 5. Theresa Payne will open.  

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Notice Me Awards nominee Murphy Lee released a new album called, “Winter Time.”

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Former American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart was in St Louis recently to perform at Lumiere Theatre. She also was  on Fox 2 in the Morning.  

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The Bad Girl Club Victor Twins is coming to St Louis to judge at Eye Candy competition March 30

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‎DJ Pete Rock will spin at SYGU;s next SPEAKERBOXX  at Lola March 30.

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 Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter released his debut album,. Love Train” this week.  He is signed to be ST Louis based record company, Notifi Records.  

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St. Louis blogger, author and former TV anchor and reporter, Danielle Smith, will be on the red carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards show on Sunday, Smith was reportedly selected to represent the Child Hunger Ends Here Campaign,

Her blog is  called Extraordinary Mommy.

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Legendary St. Louis song stylist and nightclub owner, Gene Lynn, performed a benefit recently at the Sheldon Concert Hall as he raised funds for a foundation , Save a Life for Geno, honoring his late son, Gene Leon Lynn Campbell II.

Lynn performed with Steve Schankman and The Sessions Big Band.

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Alive Magazine  will celebrate its 10 year anniversary party at Peabody Opera House April 13

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Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed had two networking

parties for his mayoral campaign Wednesday at Keeton;s Restaurant and Exo Nightclub

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Chef Jason Tilford recently won the RFT Iron Fork chef competition that was held  at the St Louis Union Station at the Marriott.

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STL native weightlifter Derrick Johnson was feature don the cover of last week’s Riverfront Times chronicling his climb as a potential Olympic weightlifting career and challenges as a weightlifting coach, Go to http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2012-03-22/news/derrick-johnson-is-an-elite-weightlifter-but-his-brothers-darren-and-darrel-barnes-may-be-even-better/

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Horizon at Harry's will have its grand opening at 2144 Market Street this Friday

Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday with free drinks until 8 p.m.; regular hours are 10 p.m. to close on Fridays and Saturdays • More info 314-421-6969; horizonatharrys.com

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STL based fitness trainer Robin Cason’s weekly segment Cason of C3 that airs every Tuesday on KPLR TV has been picked up and aired on other Fox affiliates in the country including Fox News websites....in L.A, Seattle...Chicago...Hartford,Ct and Indianapolis.

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Rapper MC will have a release party for his single I WANCHA at Exo April 14

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Rapper Playboy Ro had a video shoot this past Sunday in St Louis for his single, Ima Dog that features boxer Floyd Maywetaher. Additional footage was also filmed in Las Vegas in Maywather boxing gym.

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St Louis native comedian James Lairy of the STL based 60s/70s STL comedy act Bob and Papersack  died March 18. He was 79 and lived in St. Louis.

Nicholas Payton March 28-31

Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Boulevard

More info • 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com

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New Edition’s Reunion Tour comes to the Scott Trade Center March 29. SWV opens.

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Peter Frampton March 30 • Peabody Opera House

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Emmy Award winning Actor William Shatner will perform his one-man show "Shatner's World: We Just Live in It" at The Peabody Opera House April 12.

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Award winning actress Minnie Driver will headline the annual Illumination gala to benefit Siteman Cancer Center and the Washington University medical school on April 14 at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

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Comedian Kevin Hart comes to the Concert Club at Scottrade Center with a concert on April 13.

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Emmy nominated comedian/TV host Bill Maher will perform at The Family Arena April 15.

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Comedian Adam Corolla performs at Pageant April 20

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Emmy winning comedian Dana Carvey will headline at the 24th Annual Bob CostasBenefit for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center beginning April 21 at The Fox Theatre.

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R&B group Kool and the Gang will open for rock group Van Halen at the April 29 atScottrade Center.

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Pop music diva Diana Ross is set to headline this year's Dinner with the Stars on April 28 at the Peabody Opera House.

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Comedian Kevin Hart comes to the Concert Club at Scottrade Center with a concert on April 13.

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Actor and comedian Kevin Pollak, will perform April 14 at Lumiere Place Casino’s Lumiere Theater.

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-- Yo Gotti’s I Got That Sack Tour featuring video shoot for “I Got That Sack,” April 6 at The Ambassador.

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-- 8Ball, MJG and Bun B with DJ Sir Thurl and host Yung Beam, April 7, at the Ambassador

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Also performing are Broderick Rice and Jessica Reedy.

Music legend Willie Nelson will perform April 17 at the Pageant.

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Comedian Adam Corolla performs at Pageant April 20

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The Black Keys, Apr 27, Chaifetz Arena, St Louis

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Bowling for Soup will perform May 1 at the Old Rock House.

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Singers Howard Hewitt and Alyson Williams will be at The Sheldon May 6

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Actor-comedian Aziz Ansari comes to the Pageant May 11.

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Denise Thimes & Friends' annual Mother's Day concert will be. May 13 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Saxophonist Tom Braxton will be featured.

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Fred Hammond and Mary Mary headline Gospel Fest, taking place May 13 at the Chaifetz Arena.

Show time is at 7 p.m.

Steve Winwood is at Peabody Opera House, in concert on May 14.

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Rocker Daughtry comes to Peabody Opera House with a concert on May 16.

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Grammy award winning Bonnie Raitt and Marc Cohn at Pageant May 18

Pointfest 30 will take place May 19 and 20 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

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Sting performs June 5 at the Fox Theatre.

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 NOW COMING TO LUMIERE THEATRE is Kansas City, Mo native COMEDIAN EDDIE GRIFFIN JUNE 16 for 2 SHOWS.

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Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat co-headline a tour coming to Peabody Opera House June 24.

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 Tony and Emmy Award winning actress Leslie Uggams will reprise her role as Muzzy in this summer's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" at the Muny. In its premiere Muny production, the show will run June 18-24

 REO Speedwagon, Styx and Ted Nugent headline the Midwest Rock N’ Roll Express Tour, coming to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater June 22.

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Comedian Margaret Cho is at Lumiere Place Casino’s Lumiere Theater for two shows, 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. June 23.

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PRO-MO-CIAL-ITES. (March 25-30) Which STL mover and shakers got it in this week? 

Mocha Latte. The  double Notice Me Award nominated Queen of Promotions is back at it again this week. She hosted Joni Marie’s Ross’ fashion show that was held Sunday at Plush (March 25). She also attended Oprah’s Lifeclass event at Peabody Opera House Monday (March 26) and she continues her weekly hype on the mic at The Loft every Saturday

Robbie Montgomery. This veteran of soul cuisine at Sweetie Pie’s and Notice Me Award nominee got it in this week when she made headlines when Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at her establishment Sweetie Pie’s at Manchester this past Sunday (March 25), She also spoke at Oprah’s Lifeclass event held at Peabody Opera House Monday (March 26) and her reality show, “Welcome to Sweetie Pies” will air its second season premiere episode this Saturday (March 31) on OWN.

The Men of Hella Fly Promotions (King Kerry and Dano Johnson).  This past Sunday (March 25), the Notice Me Award nominated duo along with Rockhouse Entertainment held an after party for Jill Marie Ross’ fashion show at its weekly networking event at Lola. They also had its weekly Two Dollar Tuesdays at BSV Lounge, $5 Fridays at Broadway and starting this Saturday (March 31) they are kicking off "THE CITY MOVIE SERIES" an all new concept that will bring movies to Life. This Saturdays theme is  " THE GOODFELLAS.” 

Orlando Watson . The CEO of Rockhouse Entertainment is coming off of working with the city for a Rally for Trayvon, he, along with Hella Fly, has its weekly networking Sundays at Lola. He also helped to promote Lewis Reed’s networking parties for his mayoral run that took place at Keetons Restaurant and Exo Wednesday (March 28).

BLIND PICZ. Who was the bald guy that was at Fashion Faux Pas held at Plush last weekend?

BLIND DISHZ. According to a source, which STL comedian bombed recently at a comedy show?

HINT 1. This comedian is a male

HINT 2. This comedian was in a upcoming "traveled" based show

HINT 3. The comedian is co-hosting a show broadcast in ST Louis

HINT 4. The comedian's last name is shared with a current Rams player

WORDZ TO THE WHYZ?????????????????????????????

Why is there new reports trying to discredit Trayvon's reputation? Why hasnt Zimmersman been found? Why did Gerardo Rivera make that comment that a hoodie killed Trayvon? Why did certain tweeters tweet racist remarks about Lenny Kravitz role in Hunger Games?  Why did that Jetblue pilot go crazy on that plane?Why did  Tisha Campbell wait so late to tweet her feelings about rumors about her husband Duane Martin and Will Smith being a couple? Why werent there a lot of men at Oprah's Lifeclass event at Peabody Opera House? Why is the Octomom posing nude? Why did  Alicia Silverstone youtube a video of her chewing up flood and spitting it in her baby;s mouth?  Why did the Granite City school board deny a student to wear a kilt to his prom? And why did a St Louis  woman had to die in jail when she complained about her legs when she was thrown out the hospital?  

STL ARIESian BDAZES. Comedian Tommy Johnigan (PICTURED), Mayor Francis Slay, broadcaster Carol Daniel, beer promoter  Stephen Bruce, singer Steve West, rapper Yung Cilla, promoters Monica Wisdom and Mookie Assets, actress Cody Aaron,  promoter Ronald Jones, and actress/evangelst Paula Talley

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“NO CHILD…” is being presented by The Black Rep, until April 1 at The Grandel Theatre, For ticket and showtimes, go to www.blackrep.org

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ALIVE Magazine presents its highly antipated Spring Fashion Show, GLOW on March 29, at Windows off Washington the 8th floor for a cocktail party beginning at 7pm, followed by a fashion show at 8pm.

VIP Admission:

Includes a seat for the fashion show, a VIP gift bag, complimentary sponsored drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Limited VIP Seat tickets available. $25 online pre-sale. $35 at the door. General Admission:

Includes entry to the fashion show, complimentary sponsored drinks and hors d'oeuvres. $10 online pre-sale. $15 at the door. Standing room only.

Tickets on sale now! This event will sell out. http://glowspringfashion.eventbrite.com/

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Playwright and Performer Nilaja Sun, whose one-woman show

“NO CHILD…” is being presented by The Black Rep, opening March

16th at The Grandel Theatre, will appear at the Theatre

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Foxy 95’s BDay concert with New Edition and SWV, 7p at Scott Trade Center

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Nicholas Payton March 28-31

Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Boulevard

More info • 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com

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Peter Frampton March 30 • Peabody Opera House

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EYE CANDYVictor Twin schedule to judge St. Louis Eye Candy Competition at The Loft  on Friday March 30^.

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REFUSE 2 LOSE" fashion show/charity event sat March 31 hosted by "Sexy In STL @ J. Bucks 1000 Clark Avenue downtown St Louis Mo, tix on sale $20 in advance $25 at door.. come see the latest collection of Achi Couture A&M clothing, 360, Bleeding Blind, YOLO Boutique, & DTLR!!! and special guest performances!!! STL come show out for a good cause!! and special drawing for Free Garment from Achi Couture!!!!

 Info www.northcountyfalcons.com

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Poetry at City of refuge 1208 Sarah

Saturday, March 31

7:00pm until 10:00pm

Come out and enjoy a transfer of lyrical energy featuring Poetic One!! Hosted by none other than ME, Ell!! FREE to all artists and 5.00 general admission

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IM A FLIRT!" THE FACEBOOK MIX & MINGLE!

SAT MARCH 31ST @ THE TWISTED OLIVE!

 (5916 Delmar) BE THERE! 11p.m.

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THE FOURTH ANNUAL NOTICE ME AWARDS 

Notice me will bring together for one night in one building over 100 models both male and female. 

HOSTED BY HOT SAUCE AND KYM D

PERFORMANCE BY MAJOR

SPECIAL POEM COURTESY OF MOCHA LATTE

DJ BATTLE AND MORE

Notice Me will not only recognize models, but will also recognize photographers, clothing designers, boutiques, make up artists, hair stylists, Entertainers, model groups and promotional companies. Notice Me will show recognition by distributing over 40 awards in various categories.

Nominees will be given much needed publicity and media hype. We are showing appreciation to the the tastemakers and trendsetters as well as others.

Notice me will also include a tribute to the to legends on the STL scene. Last year the Roberts and the Stith family was recognized.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (314)680-2777

or visit http://www.liquidassets-events.com/notice-me.html

NOTE: The award show has been cancelled. No further info has been given.

UPDATE: The award show will be at The Loft on Olive at 7PM.

NEW ONGOING BITZ

CLUB.NIGHT LIFE BITZ

Sat March 31 we are kicking off "THE CITY MOVIE SERIES" We will be working with some of the hottest promoters in the St. Louis to bring you an all new concept that will bring some of your favorite movies to Life. Here is our first release starring The City & Hella Fly promotions!! The party is rated MA ( MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY) no children allowed even with adult supervision... Come experience our version of " THE GOODFELLAS" ladies free until 11:00

AUDITION BITZ

DELUX Magazine is putting on its second Fashion Walk May 11th, 2012. We are starting casting April 15th at Byrd Style Lounge in Clayton MO. If you'd like to be on the runway at this years fashion show at THE FOUR SEASONS please join us at our casting call promptly at 1pm on Sunday April 15th at Byrd Style Lounge 8117 Maryland Ave Clayton, MO.

We are looking for graceful male and female models. 

Visit the Facebook event for more information:email models@delux-mag.com

 or call 1 314.721.0766

FOR MORE ONGOING BITZ GO TO

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

FIN.