“Putting a little time aside for clean fun and good humor is very necessary to relieve the tensions of our time.”- Hattie McDaniel
“We gonna pitch a wang dang doodle.” Thousands converged on the Merriweather Post Pavilion for the Capital Jazz Fest. I was in “The Good Life and Friends” tent hosted by George Ray, Darnell Moses, Irvin Creighton, Kim Chewning and Stephanie Farmer. From the set up to the breakdown, it was clear we were going to have a good time. Guests were instructed to follow the palm trees floating overhead to locate the party tent among the hundreds of tents at the festival, reminiscent of a tent city. The area was decorated with palm trees, lights and toy swimming pools filled with ice and every drink imaginable from ice picks to mojitos, chardonnay, cabernet, champagne, cognac and more. Our affable bartender Michael Grant was the perfect mixologist, mixing drinks to order. The feast laden tables were at the breaking point as loads of chicken, salads, assorted wraps, seafood, fruit and desserts vied for a position on the tables. They had everything from soup to nuts for the 75 plus guests. The muddy conditions did not dampen the beautiful atmosphere as the “sounds of music” featuring Roy Ayers and George Duke blended with the melodious sounds of friends enjoying the good life. It was great seeing attorney Stephanie Kinder, Muriel Webber, Nevina Gray, Renaee Johnson, Tahlea McNeil, attorney Jai Bonner, Warren Gatewood, Karlton Chen, Kenneth Patterson, Stacey Glenn, Sandy Aldridge, Jai Matthews and Linda and Stromie James. “And that is life.”- Paul Laurence Dunbar
"Blues is my life; it’s a true feeling that comes from the heart, not just something that comes out of my mouth. Blues is what I love, and singing the blues is what I always do."- Koko Taylor
The death of blues queen Koko Taylor brought back memories of her larger-than-life performances. She was a gentle woman that I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with whenever I attended her concerts. When the Deltas went to Chicago for their national convention, Queen Aretha was scheduled to perform but cancelled, so Koko performed. I went backstage and talked with this blues legend. I was elated to see her perform in her hometown. I love Re Re but I was probably the only one that was not disappointed when Koko hollered, “We gonna pitch a wang dang doodle all night long.”
“It’s morning and we slept the night away, it happened, now we can't turn back the hands of time.” Eric Stewart is the “talk of the town,” producing the morning talk show premiering June 15 on My 24 WUTB- TV, 7-8 am. “Its morning, sunlight shines across your sleeping face.” The Marc Clarke Show will entertain you “in the second, in the minute, in the hour as we lay.” Marc was previously on the Big Phat Morning Show with Troy Johnson.“It’s morning.” Welcome back Marc. If the reception last night at the Senator Theatre was the barometer, “ain’t no stopping you now.”
"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman
A special birthday wish to General William “Kip” Ward featured on the cover of Military Officer Magazine leading a new command with a focus in Africa. Go to http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/moaa/mo0609/#/60 for “the rest of the story.” Joyce, I’ll have the crab soup ready when you and Kip come to Baltimore.
“The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depend upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily.” - Plato
“Celebration time come on.” Happy birthday Gladys Bragg, Janea Gaither, Kevin Sanders, Sandy Manns, Valerie Henson, Leslie George, Tracie Medley- Briscoe and Wanda Watts.
'If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.”- Frank A. Clark
Congratulations to the 2009 graduates, summa cum laude graduate Catherine Bonaparte from North Carolina A T&T State University, Monica Naesea from Bennett College, Tranise Garland from Bowie High School to Mt. Saint Mary’s University, Shawna Scott from Saint Francis University, Keon Wilson from Woodlawn High School to Catonsville Community College, Frederick Douglass High School Cab Calloway Academy graduates Falisha C. Massey, Randolph Garner, Danielle Thomas, Jazmin Cooke, Gena Tittle. To our youngest graduate Brandon Armstrong from Midtown Academy to Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, congratulations.
The USS Constellation Museum’s Blast Party at harbor pier side was a blast. The harbor-area restaurants provided the food as guests walked from station to station tasting signature dishes. A few of the participating restaurants were Hull St Blues Café, PF Chang, Little Havana, J Paul’s, Canton Dockside, Velligias, Hooters, Chipotle and Tir Na Nog Irish Bar & Grill, serving shepherd’s pie. The Cheesecake Factory served their specialty cheesecakes. The girls from Hooters were excited when they posed for a picture for me to give to my grandsons. The crew members of the Constellation, dressed in sailor uniforms enjoyed giving a tour of the Constellation. I met Michael Lynch of The General Ship Repair Corporation on Key Highway who informed me that his great grandfather was the original owner of the ship repair business which has almost become obsolete. James Bond of Living Classrooms was among the guests at the event.
“I’ll be there.”
-Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
A luta continua