WORK - SOLD OUT!

after months of planning the WORK is complete. this past sunday, september 18th, RAYMONDE GREEN hosted WORK, a once a month open mic showcase featuring some of new york's hottest poets, singers and visual artists.

people have been asking me why i came up with WORK. it's funny because when i created it, i had no idea that it would be so well received. i was on the train one day and there were a small group of ghetto girls having a conversation about "gay men". actually, they said "faggots". one of them went on to say how gay men only like to party, do drugs and give each other AIDS. i couldn't believe her ignorance, but i was by myself so i didn't dare say a word to her and her posse. as i walked home i thought to myself, is there anything i could do to show people that without gay men, there would be alot of missings in this world. i mean the fashion world alone would be a puddle of mish mosh without gay men, let alone television and other forms of media. imagine for a second, our world without gay men. first of all, that would be hard to imagine because keep in mind, alot of gay men aren't even out. but if just for a second the omniscient one were to vaporize gay men, what would be left. mouths would drop. the kids would gag!

after hours of pondering, WORK popped into my head and there it was right before me. i thought about how rupaul coined the phrase "you betta WORK!" and i just trusted God that this would be the answer to my question. okay, so now that i had a title, what exactly would this WORK entail? yet another question. i figured that WORK could be any form of art really. it could be poetry, song, interpretive dance, paintings, sketchings, anything. anything that a person does with their mind, body and soul, in my opinion is WORK. everything fell into place after having a conversation with Raymonde Green, who i've known for several years. i approached him with this idea and he was thrilled that i'd asked him to host it. if you've ever met Raymonde, you'd know that he's not only tall, dark and handsome, but very charming and intelligent. PERFECT. i couldn't have chosen a better host. someone who was willing to work with me to make this showcase a success.

there we were opening night. we gave luke & leroy a cabaret style setting. the people didn't know what to expect. actually neither did we. the stage was laid out, the caution signs were taped all around, the candles were aglow, and the cones were set. each of the muses were ontime for their sound checks. downstairs was fastly filling up and buzzing with the anticipation of the event. the music was eclectic and the vibe was just right for an evening of WORK. the show was set to begin at 7PM. but of course, it started a little late because we wanted to make sure that the late comers were able to get a full dose of what they came for. i feel strange talking about the evening so i'm going to stop here. there were a few reviews that you should definitely check out.

but i will say this... WORK was SOLD OUT!

check out these reviews: no4real4real AND jamalfranklin

THE NATHANS Return with UP! featuring Ken Terry

it's back to school time and time for things to simmer down for the fall. isn't it interesting how the calendar year changes it's mood every 3 or 4 months? ever thought about it that way?. we just call the moods, winter, spring, summer, and fall. well the mood has changed. it's time to go UP! Join NATHAN WILLIAMS and NATHAN "SEVEN" SCOTT as we bring to you the UP-town party that was always HOT. On Saturday, September 24th, we present to you UP at Bayou located at 308 lenox avenue at 125th street. bring a friend!

interview with D'ANDRE MICHAEL pt. 1

What does Destiny’s Child, Claudette Ortiz (of City High), Lisa Raye, Angela Bassett, Raven (Symone), Kimora Lee-Simmons, Macy Gray, Amber, Aaliyah and Patti LaBelle and several other celebrities have in common. D’Andre Michael.

The Peoria, Illinois native made his way in the beauty industry by apprenticing and assisting top hair Stylist; Carol Morrow and celebrity makeup artist; Gwynnis Mosby in Atlanta, paving his way to the BIG APPLE where all of his dreams are coming true.

From the covers to the insides of today’s TOP Fashion and Beauty Magazines (Maxim, Vogue, Blender, Vanity Fair, Haper’s Bazaar, KING, Stuff.. etc etc), the latest hip videos, album covers, commercials, to working with photographers such as Annie Leibowitz, Michael Lavine, Howard Schatz, Matthew Jordan Smith, Roberto Lagresti and many more. D’Andre has traveled the globe (Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe) with such artists as: City High, Wyclef, Debelah Morgan and Rhona.

D’Andre inspite of his shyness has been featured on such shows such as the “It Factor”, “Access Hollywood”, “E-Television”, “BET” and “MTV”. With published works and highlights on his craft in several of today’s top Magazines. D’Andre has done it all, well to us he has done it all. But to him he hasn’t, he adds “ I don’t think there will ever be a time in my life where I will stop to say I have arrived or I am “the” makeup artist / hair etc etc. I believe when one comes to that point, they have basically stopped growing professionally and being that there is so many different experiences, you can’t possibly “arrive””.

So whether it is doing a famous face, planning for his upcoming projects he can’t speak on (but he says “it’s something that an artist creates and gives back to his industry, that has provided for him”) singing or just simply being D’Andre he will always remain humbled in a world that he says “has way more than enough room for other aspiring artists to come in and do their thing. God Willing”. He gives that trademark smile that humbles those around him and exits.


CHECK OUT HIS OFFICAL WEBSITE: dandremichael

WORK - Hosted by Raymonde Green

[click ON flyer to see larger version]

september is here and in full force. and what happens in september? either people are going back to a normal work schedule or they are going back to school. whatever the case, it all boils down to returning to WORK. i must say that i had an amazing summer. spent much needed time with my mom. host a great weekly party. spent time on fire island with keith boykin, nathan williams and over 100 of new york's most attractive people. among other exciting and memorable things.

this coming sunday at luke & leroy, we will be embarking on what promises to be one of the hottest showcases in the city to display your WORK. WORK, hosted by raymonde green, will satiate your appetite for a sexy, laid back sunday evening. come and hear some of the hottest poets, vocalists and musicians in new york city. also, visual artist daniel freeman will be displaying some of his 2005 collection of artwork. be sure to visit him at (www.df13.com). be sure to get there early and grab your spot. show time is 7PM. TELL A FRIEND.