A Pic Says A Thousand Words - FIBO 2008

Saturday August 9, 2008 marked the sixth annual Fire Island Black Out (F.I.B.O.) day at the beach where a few thousand lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of color were in attendance to take in some rays of sunlight on a picture perfect midsummer afternoon. Belmo, Ian, and I braced the five-hour early morning commute from Philadelphia to Cherry Grove Fire Island, New York just so that we can witness the North East's summer pride season finale for the LGBT community.

The following is a series of photographs taking at the event along with a caption below each shot stating what I think was going on at the time. Each picture speaks volumes. What does it say to you?

"Alright everyone, watch your step while boarding the ferry. Have your tickets ready. There's plenty of room. All aboard!"

"Welcome to Fire Island"

(Curtis) - "The island ain't ready for all this. I said they just ain't READY"

(orange shorts guy) - "It's early. The men will be here, TRUST ME."

(guy in black shorts) - "That guy looks good right there- yes, yes. OWWW!!!

(right guy) - "Hey Baby, how've you been? I knew you would be here. Wanna take a walk with me down to the Dunes?"

(sitting guy) - "Let me know how the water is cause I'm working on my tan."

(right guy) -"I know he ain't taking a picture of us?" (left guy)- "Fuck him! Act like he ain't he ain't there. Just keep your swagger up."

(guy on left) - "This is as far out as I'm going. I'm too drunk to go any further."

(right guy) - "Altogether now, one step, two step, one step, two step."

"See Man, I told you that you can wear thongs out here and no one cares."

"Should I show one titty or two?"

(sista) - "I'll let you take one picture with me and that's it. This is my time to shine."

(left man) - "You see what all these black men do to me?"

(Belmo) - "Okay, if I run into the water then it won't be so cold."

(sitting guy) - "Aw, I should have brought my dog.

(rest of guys except center guy) - "Me too!"

(Ian) - "Who needs the meat rack with all this standing before you?"

(right guy) - " Man, it's way more folks out this year compared to last year. You see this shit?! Damn!"

(left guy) - "If this winds up on You Tube, we gonna fuck you up."

"I'm gonna eat good today"

(Curtis) - "You know it's on when we get home?"

(Belmo) - "Uh huh."

(guy with glasses) - "What a sight to see. All those beautiful black guys and girls...here...in our town? Who woulda thunk it?"

Until next year....

"How You Doin'?!"

Here are a couple of shots that my childhood friend, Anitra and I were able to take during a taping of "The Wendy Williams Show" today.

Anitra and Curtis

Wendy being groomed by one and prepped by another

Another Lazy Monday

Here lies our Bichon Frise, B.J., demonstrating what Mondays mean to him.

Lalah and Ledisi--Sisters In Song

My favorite female vocalist of all time made her way into Philadelphia on Friday and brought one of her "sang-in" girlfriends along for a night of song. Lalah Hathaway, eldest daughter of the late R&B/Soul Legend Donny Hathaway, headlined the last night of the Bank Of America Sounds Of R&B Series. Opening for her was two-time Grammy nominee Ledisi, who gave an electric performance complete with scats and runs that leaped up and down the musical scales.

Below is Ledisi giving a musical testimony.

Earlier in the afternoon I had the pleasure of seeing Lalah in person for my third time during a CD signing at the Sound Of Market record store on the unit block of south 11th Street. Since I purchased her latest musical effort, "Self Portrait" on iTunes, I had Lalah sign my copy of the August/September issue of Heart and Soul magazine which featured a cover story on her.

Below is a snippet of Lalah performing her first number one single, a cover of the 1982 Luther Vandross classic, "Forever, For Always, For Love". If you ever wanted to know what unconditional love sounds like, take a listen.

After seeing Ledisi for the first time and Lalah once again, it was DEFINITELY worth the pain of sitting Indian-style on the concrete for over 2 hours just so that I can see that at stage front.

What Would You Do Wednesday #1

Summer 2008 - The Soundtrack

You know when you can hear a particular song whether it's being played on the radio, television, or some other media format and instantly you are taken back to the time period when you first heard it. Whether it's during a summer fling or a breakup around the holidays, music sets off a flashback to a certain place within one's existence. With that said, my i-pod contains a lot of music that draws a picture in my mind of summer in the city.

Here are my top songs of Summer 2008:

#11. I Decided - Solange Knowles

#10. I Need You Bad - Jazmine Sullivan featuring Missy Elliott

# 9. Stay With Me (By The Sea) - Al Green featuring John Legend

# 8. Co-Star - Marsha Ambrosius

# 7. The River- Noel Gourdin

# 6. Words - Anthony David featuring India Arie

# 5. Magic - Robin Thicke

# 4. Spotlight - Jennifer Hudson

# 3. Heaven Sent - Keyshia Cole

# 2. I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time - Mariah Carey

The number one song that defined my Summer of 2008 is......... Let Go by Lalah Hathaway.

Now Playing: Summer 2008- The Soundtrack

Tap Into It Tuesday-- Karma

A Midsummer's Pic

Here is our official photograph marking Summer 2008.

The Fourth Of July.... Fire Island Style

Independence Day was spent differently this year. For the past 7 years, I had to work that holiday so when I discovered I was off, I knew it would be a reason to celebrate. Unfortunately, Belmo didn't have that luxury. He had to work which sucked for me. I wanted to spend the day in a way that I've never before. That way was on the beach, in Fire Island, during the Invasion. The Fire Island Invasion welcomes drag queens and kings from far and near and embraces their freedom to be different on a day remembered for granting liberty and justice for all people. My friend Ian was about as gung-ho as I was for this trip to New York so we embark early Friday morning in the overcast and rainy weather with a glimmer of hope that the sun would shine over our destination.

Here's a taste of Fire Island Invasion 2008.