We lost another true legend this week. Howard Tate was one of those
artists whose original versions of songs were unknown to people who were
familiar with cover versions. And yet, when you listen to his original
versions, it's hard to believe that anyone would even try to cover one
of his tunes. His performances were true perfection, with a voice of
unmatched lilt and smooth, dancing melisma. And when he took you up to
those high notes, you better believe he took you soaring right along with
him, so high that your soul felt like it was swimming through the
heavens.
There were countless soul songs that preached about appreciating love,
but very few could be more persuasive than Howard Tate's version of "Get
it While You Can". It's one of those recordings that makes a person
feel like music could save the world. Howard Tate, you made me a
believer and I'm not turning back.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
RIP Jerry Leiber
September 1, 2001 - I was sitting in the audience of the Hey City dinner theater in Minneapolis waiting to experience a well-intended gift from my mom. My mom is very thoughtful. Sometimes she hits the mark and sometimes she completely misses. So as I sat at my table in the darkness, uncomfortably dressed for a "fancy" Minnesota night on the town, surrounded by middle-aged suburban Minnesotans, I had to wonder, which will this be? She bought us the tickets because she and my dad had gone to see this show and had REALLY enjoyed it. That was a hint this probably being a miss.
The show was "Smokey Joe's Cafe", a traveling version of the Broadway retrospective of the music of Leiber & Stoller. I was expecting a storyline with the music but it was more like a music review. I felt like that was kind of a drag.
If there were ever songs perfectly suited for a Broadway musical, it's the music of Leiber and Stoller (and perhaps the music of Pat Benetar). The lyrics of Jerry Leiber told engrossing, sometimes mystical stories. They painted a vivid picture of the difficulties and excitement of city life of the 1950s and early 1960s. It was all at once gritty, dirty and yet filled with romance and anticipation. Leiber and Stoller could make a person stomp on the dance floor all night long and then sweep them up to the stars on a symphony of soul. More importantly however, their music often had a message. As the civil rights movement was just beginning to simmer, Leiber & Stoller called their audience to action. Many of their songs seemed to say, "Are you tired of this unjust system?! Disenfranchised people across the country, REVOLT!" The songs and production of Leiber & Stoller encouraged people to overcome their often degrading struggles of everyday life. Fight on! REBEL! RIOT! It's a message that still rings true today. In fact, I can't think of a more relevant right now than their song "Rat Race" by the Drifters.
There are many 20th century songwriting teams who are given credit for writing "the great American songbook" - George & Ira Gershwin. Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Rogers & Hart, Cole Porter and himself and so on. Leiber & Stoller belong on that list. Had rock 'n' roll and r&b not been so looked down upon in the 1950s, Ella Fitzgerald would surely have recorded the Leiber & Stoller songbook. I have no doubt in my mind about that.
Getting back to "Smokey Joe's Cafe". My disappointment quickly changed to shear joy. The performances were incredible! As often happens when I experience a tremendous performance, I became rather emotional. TEARS. These were tears of joy AND sadness- Sad because I realized this was probably the closest I would ever come to experiencing these songs performed live in their original style (both visually and musically). But thanks to my mom I got to have at least that.
The experience was so meaningful to me, I've carried around the coaster and ticket from the show in my DJ bag for 10 years.
The show was "Smokey Joe's Cafe", a traveling version of the Broadway retrospective of the music of Leiber & Stoller. I was expecting a storyline with the music but it was more like a music review. I felt like that was kind of a drag.
If there were ever songs perfectly suited for a Broadway musical, it's the music of Leiber and Stoller (and perhaps the music of Pat Benetar). The lyrics of Jerry Leiber told engrossing, sometimes mystical stories. They painted a vivid picture of the difficulties and excitement of city life of the 1950s and early 1960s. It was all at once gritty, dirty and yet filled with romance and anticipation. Leiber and Stoller could make a person stomp on the dance floor all night long and then sweep them up to the stars on a symphony of soul. More importantly however, their music often had a message. As the civil rights movement was just beginning to simmer, Leiber & Stoller called their audience to action. Many of their songs seemed to say, "Are you tired of this unjust system?! Disenfranchised people across the country, REVOLT!" The songs and production of Leiber & Stoller encouraged people to overcome their often degrading struggles of everyday life. Fight on! REBEL! RIOT! It's a message that still rings true today. In fact, I can't think of a more relevant right now than their song "Rat Race" by the Drifters.
There are many 20th century songwriting teams who are given credit for writing "the great American songbook" - George & Ira Gershwin. Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Rogers & Hart, Cole Porter and himself and so on. Leiber & Stoller belong on that list. Had rock 'n' roll and r&b not been so looked down upon in the 1950s, Ella Fitzgerald would surely have recorded the Leiber & Stoller songbook. I have no doubt in my mind about that.
Getting back to "Smokey Joe's Cafe". My disappointment quickly changed to shear joy. The performances were incredible! As often happens when I experience a tremendous performance, I became rather emotional. TEARS. These were tears of joy AND sadness- Sad because I realized this was probably the closest I would ever come to experiencing these songs performed live in their original style (both visually and musically). But thanks to my mom I got to have at least that.
The experience was so meaningful to me, I've carried around the coaster and ticket from the show in my DJ bag for 10 years.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Sugar Town / Soul kitchen - 8/2/2002
I couldn't be happier! The first Sugar Town was beautifully well-supported by the Portland Queer community! Now we're on the brink of an equally exciting second Sugar Town on August 18th! Thanks to DJ Pukes in Vans and everyone in the Portland community who helped to make my dream come to life!
And now we start dancing towards August! I'm so excited to be spinning with Beyonda and Hard French's Brown Amy & Carnita! I haven't seen the Hard French kids since the crazy time at the Hard French Winter Ball where my brief obsession with ghosts (and Celebrity Ghost Stories) was born. With these combined queer soul dee jay forces, August Sugar Town is bound to be a BLAST! Maybe we'll even get to hear Casey play her coveted copy of "Blowin' Up My Mind" by the Exciters (I sure hope so!)
To tide you over, as promised, I've uploaded another vintage episode of Soul Kitchen. Let me take you back to August 2002, a unique time in which we were between 9/11 and just 8 months away from the Iraq War. So many of us counter-culturists in Olympia, WA still believed that some how we could prevent a war if we just protest hard enough. No luck.....Still we dreamed. I'm proud to have been among those idealists.
And now....hear DJ Shannon "Action Slacks" dork out! BTW Apologies for the sound quality. It's an old cassette, a little muffled. You'll also get to hear me clumsily try to pronounce Spanish song titles. Good times.
Part 1 is here:
01 Soul kitchen Aug 2, 2002 by Sugar Town Action Slacks
Part 2 is here:
1-01 Soul Kitchen Aug 2, 2002 pt 2 by Sugar Town Action Slacks
And now we start dancing towards August! I'm so excited to be spinning with Beyonda and Hard French's Brown Amy & Carnita! I haven't seen the Hard French kids since the crazy time at the Hard French Winter Ball where my brief obsession with ghosts (and Celebrity Ghost Stories) was born. With these combined queer soul dee jay forces, August Sugar Town is bound to be a BLAST! Maybe we'll even get to hear Casey play her coveted copy of "Blowin' Up My Mind" by the Exciters (I sure hope so!)
Carnita, Action Slacks & Brown Amy
Photo by Shot in the Dark
Photo by Shot in the Dark
To tide you over, as promised, I've uploaded another vintage episode of Soul Kitchen. Let me take you back to August 2002, a unique time in which we were between 9/11 and just 8 months away from the Iraq War. So many of us counter-culturists in Olympia, WA still believed that some how we could prevent a war if we just protest hard enough. No luck.....Still we dreamed. I'm proud to have been among those idealists.
And now....hear DJ Shannon "Action Slacks" dork out! BTW Apologies for the sound quality. It's an old cassette, a little muffled. You'll also get to hear me clumsily try to pronounce Spanish song titles. Good times.
Part 1 is here:
01 Soul kitchen Aug 2, 2002 by Sugar Town Action Slacks
Part 2 is here:
1-01 Soul Kitchen Aug 2, 2002 pt 2 by Sugar Town Action Slacks
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Music for a hot summer evening
Another July episode of SK from 2004. Apparently I had just quit my job. Heh heh.
Listen to Part 1 Here:
01 July 20, 2004 pt 1 by Dee Jay Action Slacks
Download part 1 here:
http://soundcloud.com/dee-jay-action-slacks/01-july-20-2004-pt-1
Listen to Part Two Here:
01 july 20, 2004 pt 2 by Dj Shannon
Download here:
http://soundcloud.com/dj-shannon/01-july-20-2004-pt-1
More episodes to come in August.
Listen to Part 1 Here:
01 July 20, 2004 pt 1 by Dee Jay Action Slacks
Download part 1 here:
http://soundcloud.com/dee-jay-action-slacks/01-july-20-2004-pt-1
Listen to Part Two Here:
01 july 20, 2004 pt 2 by Dj Shannon
Download here:
http://soundcloud.com/dj-shannon/01-july-20-2004-pt-1
More episodes to come in August.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Soundtrack for Summertime - Soul Kitchen July 2004
What were you doing in July 2004? I was in the 9th and final year of my radio show, Soul Kitchen. I had just turned 30 and was all kinds of revved up for what I believed were going to be the best years of my life. I had made the decision to quit my radio show to pursue "other projects". It was something I had to force myself to do because, in all honesty, I could have kept on doing doing it forever. But I didn't want the show to become stale and I really didn't have the time to do all of the other things i wanted to do.
One of these things was to help plan Oly Ladyfest 2005. In retrospect, I believe I made the right decision. We were able to bring soul legend Barbara Lynn to small town Washington, pair here with a rag-tag (but oh so talented) Oly soul-punk band and introduce her pioneering feminist music to the young punk kids of the Pacific Northwest. It was a dream come true.
But I will always miss doing my radio show. And my FAVORITE time of the year to do radio was the summertime! I think because this is the time I remember LISTENING to the radio a lot as a kid. For some reason, creating a soundtrack for summer was the best of times!
I spent a lot of time hunting down vintage commercials and sounds to create a feeling of being "back in the day". Of course this was pre-internet download explosion, so it proved to be quite a challenge. But it was a challenge I enjoyed.
So here it is - Soul Kitchen July 2004 part 1
01 Soul Kitchen July 2004 by Action Slacks
HERE'S Part 2
02 Soul Kitchen July 2004 Part 2 by Action Slacks
One of these things was to help plan Oly Ladyfest 2005. In retrospect, I believe I made the right decision. We were able to bring soul legend Barbara Lynn to small town Washington, pair here with a rag-tag (but oh so talented) Oly soul-punk band and introduce her pioneering feminist music to the young punk kids of the Pacific Northwest. It was a dream come true.
But I will always miss doing my radio show. And my FAVORITE time of the year to do radio was the summertime! I think because this is the time I remember LISTENING to the radio a lot as a kid. For some reason, creating a soundtrack for summer was the best of times!
I spent a lot of time hunting down vintage commercials and sounds to create a feeling of being "back in the day". Of course this was pre-internet download explosion, so it proved to be quite a challenge. But it was a challenge I enjoyed.
So here it is - Soul Kitchen July 2004 part 1
01 Soul Kitchen July 2004 by Action Slacks
HERE'S Part 2
02 Soul Kitchen July 2004 Part 2 by Action Slacks
Friday, May 27, 2011
Punk n Soul - My Days as a Rag-Tag DIY Flyer Designer
One of my favorite parts of DJing has always been designing the flyers for my events. The flyer really sets the tone for the event. Obviously it can also make or break your event by either drawing people in or repelling them away.
Back in the day prior to computer design becoming the norm in ALL graphic design, I revelled in the process of hand making my flyers. I poured over them, every minute detail. Often times I was the only one who appreciated those details, but it really didn't mater to me. It was all about the process.
Though I don't have the time to invest in such laborious projects these days, I really do miss that aspect of creating a DJ event. Something about making a flyer by hand really personalizes it to the audience (at least in my opinion). I like looking at those old flyers and really being able to see my personality dripping off of the page.
If time permits, I do still try to put some sort of "hand made" aspect into each one of my flyers whether it's personally taking the photo of the image used in the flyer or cutting out some of the lettering, gluing it onto the page and then rescanning it. There has to be some part of ME in that design, beyond what I arrange and digitally manipulate.
By and large though, I think our culture has really changed and the way people find out about shows and things is mostly by the internet. People don't really even stop to look at flyers any more. That is the MAIN reason I don't invest the time there like I used to.
Anyways, I thought it would be fun to share some of my old hand made, computer free, punk-soul flyers from the olden times of my dj "career".
This is one of my favorites and yet it was one of the easiest to make. I remember at the time thinking, "this was too easy." Anyways, most of the lettering and accents are paper cut-outs.
Back in the day prior to computer design becoming the norm in ALL graphic design, I revelled in the process of hand making my flyers. I poured over them, every minute detail. Often times I was the only one who appreciated those details, but it really didn't mater to me. It was all about the process.
Though I don't have the time to invest in such laborious projects these days, I really do miss that aspect of creating a DJ event. Something about making a flyer by hand really personalizes it to the audience (at least in my opinion). I like looking at those old flyers and really being able to see my personality dripping off of the page.
If time permits, I do still try to put some sort of "hand made" aspect into each one of my flyers whether it's personally taking the photo of the image used in the flyer or cutting out some of the lettering, gluing it onto the page and then rescanning it. There has to be some part of ME in that design, beyond what I arrange and digitally manipulate.
By and large though, I think our culture has really changed and the way people find out about shows and things is mostly by the internet. People don't really even stop to look at flyers any more. That is the MAIN reason I don't invest the time there like I used to.
Anyways, I thought it would be fun to share some of my old hand made, computer free, punk-soul flyers from the olden times of my dj "career".
This is my crude drawing featuring real sequins and glitter
There's a lot of detail on this one. It's kind of hard to see in this scan.
I think this was my first dance with Michelle Noel (my DJ Hero!) in Olympia.
It was also my first event flyer.
This one was round. I wasn't able to scan the entire flyer.
I'm a big fan of odd shaped flyers.
It really makes them stand out next to other flyers.
The background on this one is some really cool vintage op art fabric I was saving for just the right thing.
This one was crazy. It looks a bit sloppy in retrospect. It was a lot of work to hand draw all that lettering. I also glued sequins to a lot of the individual copies of this one.
This is one of my favorites and yet it was one of the easiest to make. I remember at the time thinking, "this was too easy." Anyways, most of the lettering and accents are paper cut-outs.
This one was not easy at all. It was my most intricate flyer. I copied all the faces and cut them out, glued them to the page. I hand drew the a lot of the lettering including "juke blues" which was a process in itself. I then carved stamps for the "Chess", "23" and "Make your move" which were then stamped on each individual flyer. Finally, I cut out the red chess pieces out fo velvet ribbon and glues them to each individual flyer. IT IS TOTALLY INSANE IN RETROSPECT!
This was another flyer of unusual shape.
I cut out all the flyers in the shape of a rocket.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Lucille Spann - I want to get to know you
After 20 years of self-education about vintage soul, blues and R&B I have realized that no matter how much knowledge I've gained about this subject, there will always be so much more to learn. There's always some kick-ass artist from the classic era that I have yet to hear or learn about. I'm generally an "old school" type of gal but I have to admit that the internet has made it infinitely easier to learn about music. It has brought to light voices that most certainly would have been lost forever had we stuck with traditional means of information sharing.
Recently I landed on the voice of Lucille Spann on the internet. She was the wife of Chicago blues legend Otis Spann. In 20 years of research and deep digging how did I miss this voice?! Well, now that I think about it, I guess it's easy to explain. In the pre-internet days we had to rely on either physically finding original records OR the reissues releases of record labels. Not surprisingly, record labels reissued a teeny tiny fraction of music by women in comparison to the boatloads of men's reissues, most especially in the genres of blues, soul & r&b. This is why I know so very much about Otis Spann and pretty much nothing about Lucille Spann. It's a tragedy and a travesty.
Check out these clips....
Recently I landed on the voice of Lucille Spann on the internet. She was the wife of Chicago blues legend Otis Spann. In 20 years of research and deep digging how did I miss this voice?! Well, now that I think about it, I guess it's easy to explain. In the pre-internet days we had to rely on either physically finding original records OR the reissues releases of record labels. Not surprisingly, record labels reissued a teeny tiny fraction of music by women in comparison to the boatloads of men's reissues, most especially in the genres of blues, soul & r&b. This is why I know so very much about Otis Spann and pretty much nothing about Lucille Spann. It's a tragedy and a travesty.
Check out these clips....
Friday, May 20, 2011
Chick-A Boom Boom!
I have not been good about posting on this blog. I suppose it's because very few people seem to read it. But now I actually have some DJ news to report.
Nearly a year ago I moved BACK to Portland for a variety of reasons not the least of which was the opportunity to collaborate on exciting art projects. After a few bumps in the road this is finally coming to fruition. I'm happy to announce that Nadia Buyse and are starting a new MONTHLY dance party in Portland.
If you don't know about Nadia I'm sad for you. I'm sad because you are yet to discover one of the greatest voices in rock 'n' roll today. A singer like Nadia comes along very rarely in this world. We're lucky to have her. But Nadia is not only a voice, she's an unstoppable force of nature, a fantastic dancer and a woman of exquisite musical taste. All of these reasons and MORE make me extremely excited and proud to be working with her on this project.
I'm thrilled to have a platform to share all of the feminist soul and early 70s funk music I've been collecting for YEARS! I hope people will find it as inspiring as I do. It's also cool to be able to share some of the my favorite vintage lady music from non-soul genres. It's gonna be liberating to STRETCH out a bit!
It feels like coming home, returning to my feminist artist activist roots! I suppose I never really left them but in the past they've been more front and center than they have been in recent times. I suppose it's the action of certain politicians over the past year that have reminded me that we can never take our hard-won rights for granted. We must soldier on!
Please view the Chick-A Boom Boom mission below:
If you've paid any attention to the news over the past few months you know that the US government as well as most state governments are in a "budget crisis". Instead of recovering unpaid taxes from corporations or wealthier citizens, many politicians have chosen to rob "the people" instead. You are witnessing a class war. Most likely, you are one of the people under siege. Women have been particularly targeted in this battle. Nadia and I believe that it's time to fight back. Fight back with your FEET on the dance floor!
While public funds are looted by the greedy, we have chosen to take action in a way that we feel best utilizes our talents. With Chick-A Boom Boom, our monthly dance party featuring all vintage records made by WOMEN, we hope to accomplish these goals:
1. To empower and inspire. It's easy to feel defeated and knocked down in these times of extreme struggle. We strive to lift you up.
2. To raise funds for organizations and causes benefiting women. Each week we plan to put out a tip jar. If you like what we're spinning you can put a couple of bucks in the tip jar. There's no cover charge for Chick-A Boom Boom and it's Happy Hour so the drinks are cheap. We're hoping you can toss a little of the money you'll be saving into the tip jar. All tip money will go towards a different women's organization/cause each week. It's a way to return some of those funds stolen from us. Keeping this in mind, Nadia and I will be working REALLY hard to earn your tips on the turntable!
3. To honor the ladies of the 50s, 60s, & 70s who fought so hard to pave the way for our voices to be heard.
4. To entertain you. As Nadia so brilliantly put it "I present you the world's wackiest, dance attackiest, ass shakin', glass breakin',make your momma cry with the jams we supply Happiest hour in town!!!" It's guaranteed to be a fun way to spend a Spring/Summer evening! There will be microphones and old school Dj rhyming involved! Not to be missed.
If you've known me for any period of time it should be no surprise to you that an all-girl record MONTHLY dance party is a dream come true for me. I've been wanting to do something like this ever since my old radio days: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29029041@N08/4029619688/in/set-72157622501372499
They say it can't be done. They say there won't be enough support for an all-girl record MONTHLY dance party. We say THEY ARE WRONG! WE say, YOU WILL PROVE THEM WRONG!
Nearly a year ago I moved BACK to Portland for a variety of reasons not the least of which was the opportunity to collaborate on exciting art projects. After a few bumps in the road this is finally coming to fruition. I'm happy to announce that Nadia Buyse and are starting a new MONTHLY dance party in Portland.
If you don't know about Nadia I'm sad for you. I'm sad because you are yet to discover one of the greatest voices in rock 'n' roll today. A singer like Nadia comes along very rarely in this world. We're lucky to have her. But Nadia is not only a voice, she's an unstoppable force of nature, a fantastic dancer and a woman of exquisite musical taste. All of these reasons and MORE make me extremely excited and proud to be working with her on this project.
I'm thrilled to have a platform to share all of the feminist soul and early 70s funk music I've been collecting for YEARS! I hope people will find it as inspiring as I do. It's also cool to be able to share some of the my favorite vintage lady music from non-soul genres. It's gonna be liberating to STRETCH out a bit!
It feels like coming home, returning to my feminist artist activist roots! I suppose I never really left them but in the past they've been more front and center than they have been in recent times. I suppose it's the action of certain politicians over the past year that have reminded me that we can never take our hard-won rights for granted. We must soldier on!
Please view the Chick-A Boom Boom mission below:
If you've paid any attention to the news over the past few months you know that the US government as well as most state governments are in a "budget crisis". Instead of recovering unpaid taxes from corporations or wealthier citizens, many politicians have chosen to rob "the people" instead. You are witnessing a class war. Most likely, you are one of the people under siege. Women have been particularly targeted in this battle. Nadia and I believe that it's time to fight back. Fight back with your FEET on the dance floor!
While public funds are looted by the greedy, we have chosen to take action in a way that we feel best utilizes our talents. With Chick-A Boom Boom, our monthly dance party featuring all vintage records made by WOMEN, we hope to accomplish these goals:
1. To empower and inspire. It's easy to feel defeated and knocked down in these times of extreme struggle. We strive to lift you up.
2. To raise funds for organizations and causes benefiting women. Each week we plan to put out a tip jar. If you like what we're spinning you can put a couple of bucks in the tip jar. There's no cover charge for Chick-A Boom Boom and it's Happy Hour so the drinks are cheap. We're hoping you can toss a little of the money you'll be saving into the tip jar. All tip money will go towards a different women's organization/cause each week. It's a way to return some of those funds stolen from us. Keeping this in mind, Nadia and I will be working REALLY hard to earn your tips on the turntable!
3. To honor the ladies of the 50s, 60s, & 70s who fought so hard to pave the way for our voices to be heard.
4. To entertain you. As Nadia so brilliantly put it "I present you the world's wackiest, dance attackiest, ass shakin', glass breakin',make your momma cry with the jams we supply Happiest hour in town!!!" It's guaranteed to be a fun way to spend a Spring/Summer evening! There will be microphones and old school Dj rhyming involved! Not to be missed.
If you've known me for any period of time it should be no surprise to you that an all-girl record MONTHLY dance party is a dream come true for me. I've been wanting to do something like this ever since my old radio days: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29029041@N08/4029619688/in/set-72157622501372499
They say it can't be done. They say there won't be enough support for an all-girl record MONTHLY dance party. We say THEY ARE WRONG! WE say, YOU WILL PROVE THEM WRONG!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
My favorite slack-related videos
As "DJ Action Slacks" I am committed fostering a greater appreciation of vintage slacks (and slacks in general). How did this come about? As a "plus size" DJ who loves vintage clothing, I've found it increasingly difficult to find "cool" and/or interesting slacks in my size. As a result, I really appreciate a nice looking pair of slacks when I see them! We all want what we can't have, or something.
Here are my favorite slack-related video clips of the day! Enjoy!
I couldn't embed this first one so please click on the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqTTpxQXwFE&NR=1
Oh man! I would LOVE those pink slacks!
Wow! Those are some LOUD slacks! You won't have a problem being noticed in those babies!
Nice local slack ad. I miss corny local ads. There aren't enough of them these days.
I actually have a pair of Sansabelts. They are my second pair of slacks. I would really love to wear a belt with my Sansabelts but they were so confident in their slack technology that they did not include belt loops. So if you ever spot me hiking up my slacks, it's because I'm wearing the Sansabelts.
Ho ho ho! Bend over, Action Slacks!
And finally, this incredible REAL recording of LBJ commissioning Haggar to make him some slacks with some very special instructions. Please click on the link.
http://vimeo.com/18864216
Here are my favorite slack-related video clips of the day! Enjoy!
I couldn't embed this first one so please click on the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqTTpxQXwFE&NR=1
Oh man! I would LOVE those pink slacks!
Wow! Those are some LOUD slacks! You won't have a problem being noticed in those babies!
Nice local slack ad. I miss corny local ads. There aren't enough of them these days.
I actually have a pair of Sansabelts. They are my second pair of slacks. I would really love to wear a belt with my Sansabelts but they were so confident in their slack technology that they did not include belt loops. So if you ever spot me hiking up my slacks, it's because I'm wearing the Sansabelts.
Ho ho ho! Bend over, Action Slacks!
And finally, this incredible REAL recording of LBJ commissioning Haggar to make him some slacks with some very special instructions. Please click on the link.
http://vimeo.com/18864216
Friday, February 4, 2011
Hard French Winter Ball
Let me just say that it never gets old. I will never take a full dance floor for granted, especially at this stage of the game!
Thanks so much to Hard French for inviting me to participate at the Winter Ball at the haunted Brookdale Lodge. Thanks also for giving me something to obsessively research for a few months. I read everything I could find about the history of the Brookdale and it's hauntings.
I am both relieved and disappointed that i didn't experience any supernatural phenomena. I guess next time I'll have to bring my EVP recorder. ;)
And though I didn't get the bajesus scared out of me, for some reason it is still exciting to be standing in the same space that has been occupied by so many legends - Marilyn Monroe, Joe Dimagio, Mae West, Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, Tyrone Power, James Dean and so on.
And at the same time, the way it stands today- musty, crusty, rusty, DUSTY, pealing, crumbling, moldy, somewhat plain in decor- it's hard to picture the Brookdale being fancy enough to attract those folks. But it does attract me. I don't know what it is I love about run-down, dilapidated buildings. I guess maybe it's trying to imagine what it was like in it's heyday. Or maybe it's more about seeking beauty in something neglected and forgotten.
I guess that seems to be a common thread through most things I love in life. I have always seemed to love things that other people have forgotten or left behind. Often times I've felt alone in my appreciation of such things. This is why it's so heartwarming to meet vintage music-loving kids like Amy, Tom and Ashleyanne in San Francisco. They "get it" and as a result I feel they "get me".
I also have to admit that it was really gratifying to be a part of such a glorious queer event. Nothing means more than to be "amongst my people" and watch them dance to my records. THAT IS A VERY SPECIAL FEELING!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE MAGIC!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
CRAZY Month
The month of January has been nutso buggutso for me! Moldy apartment. Fights with lanlord over mold. Cat becoming gravely ill because of the mold. Having to find a new place to live in PDX (nearly impossible for folks with a modest income). Finding out the news that both Aretha Franklin and Etta James are very ill. It is all capped off with HARD FRENCH WINTER BALL to take place in 2 days in the extremely haunted Brookdale Lodge in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
OOOOOF! It's gonna be CRAZY fun! And after this month of very little sleep, I'm bound to be very very loopy.
I can't wait to spin records with Amy and Tom! It's the dreamiest of dreamy! I hope to see you there!
When I return I will be moving to NoPo and hopefully Beyonda and I will get moving on that Queer Soul Dance Night we've been trying to put together for 2 or 3 years!
Special thanks to Fancy Nancy for taking care of Lamont and watching over my moldy apartment while I'm away.
OOOOOF! It's gonna be CRAZY fun! And after this month of very little sleep, I'm bound to be very very loopy.
I can't wait to spin records with Amy and Tom! It's the dreamiest of dreamy! I hope to see you there!
When I return I will be moving to NoPo and hopefully Beyonda and I will get moving on that Queer Soul Dance Night we've been trying to put together for 2 or 3 years!
Special thanks to Fancy Nancy for taking care of Lamont and watching over my moldy apartment while I'm away.
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