Ain't Nobody Like Chaka!

Here is my first video created with the Windows Movie Maker software featuring the one and only, Chaka Khan singing live at the N2N Festival held in Philadelphia during the Labor Day Holiday. Enjoy!

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....

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.

City Of Brotherly Love, Pride, And, Unity

Every second Sunday in June, Philadelphia celebrates Gay Pride Month with a parade commencing in the Gayborhood. Participants march down Market Street to the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing where they can watch a concert on the Main Stage, snack on fast food, acquire information pertaining to the LGBT community, and or brouse at rainbow paraphenilia from the many vendors.

Mayor Michael Nutter made an apperance to presence Emmy winner, Broadway star, and Pride Day headliner Bruce Vilanch with the Liberty Bell award for his contributions to the LGBT community.

Belmo and Curtis

After the Pride gathering at Penn's Landing, Belmo and I made our way to the 33rd annual Odunde festival. Located along South Street and stretching from 21st Street to Grays Ferry Ave, the Odunde celebration marks the African New Year originated by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa. Odunde displays traditional foods, dance forms, music, artwork, crafts, jewelry, and clothes.

You're bound to run into friends at Odunde. Above, we are joined by Skyi and Juwanna and below, sisters Kim (foreground) and Regina holding their mom.

Even Obama was there.