Shirley LeFlore is one of St. Louis' most influential performance art poets.[1] Before she became a board member for Word In Motion, she split her time between performances in New York City and teaching creative writing at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. One of the premiere women's voices in St. Louis, Shirley has been a part of many underground activists poetry organizations including the 1960s based Black Artists' Group and Harmony. Between 1968 and 1972, a radical group of artists, musicians, writers, actors and dancers created life in an abandoned warehouse at 2665 Washington Boulevard. The Black Artists Group was committed to the belief that the act of creation — whether on paper, in sound or in the movement of the human body — was the highest, most noble pursuit one could undertake. A book of her poetry is scheduled for release, and she has received the Warrior Poet Award. She was commissioned to write a children's libretto performed at the Kennedy Center, and a musical poetry composition performed at Carnegie Hall. She has been published in a number of anthologies and has collaborated with musicians of various styles, most recently, JD Parran. Her most recent CD, JD Parran featuring the poetry of Shirley Bradley LeFlore, was released in 1997.
THE BIG ILLI MO STORY THIS WEEK IS:
President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday at his press conference at the White House a plan to reduce the deficit by $4 trillion over 12 years. The plan was put together largely from the outline produced by his own deficit commission co-chairs.
The proposal, which comes as House Republicans get set to vote on a budget of their own and a bipartisan group of six Senators chart their own deficit-reduction framework, includes a mixture of tax hikes, drastic spending cuts, reductions in the Pentagon’s budget and smaller entitlement reforms. It would seek to achieve a final balance of three dollars in spending reductions for every dollar generated in additional tax revenue.
President Barack Obama has agreed to negotiate a deal to cut spending in return for a vote to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, House Speaker John Boehner suggested shortly after a meeting with the president at the White House Wednesday.
President Barack Obama has requested that formal negotiations to begin in May on reducing the long-term U.S. debt as a share of the economy and annual deficits.
Obama also is opposing extension of Bush era tax breaks to those earning more than $250,000 per year.
Oprah continues to prove that she can demand big money for everything, as the price for a 30-second commercial spot during her May 25th finale reaches $1 million.
According to Entertainment Weekly, this price is even higher than the finales for either Lost($900,000 a spot) and 24 ($650,000), despite that Oprah has a smaller audience (around 7 million viewers) than either show.
This is still only half of what the Friends finale commanded, which $2 million per spot.
According to UPI, the spots during the finale will be the most expensive non-Super Bowl spots since 2005. That year, advertisers paid $1.2 million for a spot during CBS’s Everybody Loves Raymond finale.
Oprah Winfrey's camp is denying reports the U.S. television superstar will not endorse President Obama's re-election campaign.
A spokeswoman for Winfrey told the New York Daily News she remained a stalwart backer of the first African-American president.
"Oprah's support of President Obama has been and remains unwavering since she initially endorsed his candidacy in 2007," Lisa Halliday told the newspaper. "Any reports that suggest otherwise are untrue."
The Daily News said Saturday the idea Winfrey had cooled to Obama originated with an entertainment Web site that said Winfrey was distancing herself from Obama because she did not want her fledgling Oprah Winfrey Network to experience any negative fallout from the potentially contentious 2012 election.
Winfrey's high-profile endorsement and support of Obama in the 2008 campaign was seen as a major contribution to the meteoric rise in his popularity among voters.
Hmmm, sounds like the spin is in on this one. But again, Obama has his own feet to stand on and an Oprah endorsement is kinda beating the horse. We are sure she supports him, but Oprah is a realist and her biz deal with OWN is her focus--that is if the spin is in. LOL
Despite earlier reports that Oprah Winfrey might be dialing back her support of President Obama due to his dropping poll numbers possibly affecting her flailing OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), it looks like Oprah is having Obama and his wife, Michelle, back on her show as it enters into its home stretch.
The interview will tape on April 27 and air on May 2. The Oprah Winfrey Show is set to go off the air after 25 years on May 25, leaving a nation of housewives with nothing to do now on afternoons at 4 pm.
The last time the Obamas appeared on Winfrey’s show was back in 2006; however, Winfrey and the Obamas have been increasingly attached since then, with Oprah becoming one of Obama’s most ardent supporters during his presidential campaign, raising millions of dollars for the prudential hopeful, and has subsequently interviewed the president a number of times.
One can look at this as mutually beneficial—having a sitting president and his wife on your show during its last month isn’t a bad way to go out, and Obama will receive some free press/ airtime, as he recently officially announced his bid for reelection in 2012.
Oak Park, Ill. native and Emmy Award winning actress Betty White has been vocal lately on the state of actors and actresses in Hollywood. Betty White says in her day, TV stars knew their place.
'We considered ourselves lucky to be on the box, never complained if a critic didn't like us, dressed modestly and were always on our best behavior in public,' she told London's Daily Mail.
Now 89, she's been a star for more than 40 years with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Golden Girls" and "Malcolm In The Middle," and she doesn't have much time for modern celebrities.
White said of today's stars: "They party too much, don't learn their lines, are unprofessional and they grumble about everything.
"I think they are terribly ungrateful. I cannot stand the people who get wonderful starts in show business, and who abuse it. Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen, for example, although there are plenty of others, too. They are the most blessed people in the world and they don't appreciate it."
When asked about White's comments, Lindsay responded "Wow" to E! News. "I've always been a fan of hers," Lohan added. "It's just a bit strange when people feel they must speak publicly about others. Especially a grown woman."
We say Betty White for 2012. LOL. But seriously, we are glad that someone from the golden era of Hollywood spoke up about the state of the entertanmet biz and White is the perfect person to do such cuz of her rebounding comeback and pop culture status.
The Chicago Bulls closed the regular season with their ninth straight victory, beating the New Jersey Nets 97-92 on Wednesday night.
The Bulls earned home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with the NBA's best record later Wednesday with
The Bulls motored past the New York Knicks Tuesday (April 12), 103-90. The win, combined with San Antonio's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, deadlocks the Bulls with the Spurs for the league's best record with just one regular season game to go.
Former Illinois governor/ reality star Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday that he was fighting for his life and needed the public's support when his second public corruption trial begins next week. He launched a campaign-style stump speech against federal prosecutors, saying they want to prohibit his attorneys from asking questions about Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's role in his plans to fill Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.
"I'm a former prosecutor," he said outside his Chicago home. "It is not the job of a prosecutor to win at all costs. It's not the job of a prosecutor to railroad an innocent man. It is the job and duty of a prosecutor to do justice. What is justice? Justice is the finding of the truth. You don't find the truth by hiding the truth."
The former
"I'm fighting for my life's work. I'm fighting for the hard work and sacrifice of my parents and the values they taught me," he said.
Blagojevich faces 20 charges, including that he sought to exchange an appointment to President Obama's old U.S. Senate seat for campaign cash or a top job. His first trial ended last year with jurors agreeing on just one count — convicting Blagojevich of lying to the FBI.
Wiretap recordings were at the heart of the prosecution's case at the first trial and will be just as crucial at the second, set to begin Wednesday.
We think the jury will show no mercy for Blago.
Kanye West and Bono have collaborated on a Swizz Beatz song. called ‘Skyscrapers’ for Swizz Beatz’s new ‘Haute Living’ album.
Beatz’ told Paper magazine: “It’s me, Bono, and Kanye on this one song called ‘Skyscrapers’. I recorded with Kanye in the studio and then I recorded with Bono in this actual studio right here.”
Swizz has also lined up a host of top stars to work with on his album, including Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and John Legend.
A release date for Swizz’s album is yet to be revealed, but it is widely expected to come out sometime this year. In related Ye newz, he has guaranteed himself an O Music Awards, as his greatness on Twitter has necessitated the invention of an entirely new category honoring Best Tweet. Each of the five nominations belongs to West, including “I have decided to become the best rapper of all time! I put it on my things to do in this lifetime list!” and “Dating models I had to learn to like small dogs and cigarettes.” West also picked up fan-voted nominations for Best Fan Forum (for kanyetothe.com) and for Best Animated GIF (for “Kanye Smile, Then Angry”).
We will see Thursday nite if Wheeling, Ill native Hailey Reinhart (FAR RIGHT) will remain on American Idol after her performance of Blondie's "Call Me" Wednesday nite. .
U2's July 17 concert at Busch Stadium was sold out this week, the first for the new Busch Stadium.. The band will be the third musical act to perfom there . The first two were Dave Matthews Band with the Black Crowes and the Eagles with the Dixie Chicks.
Ticket prices are released for the July 28 Sade concert at Scottrade Center.Tickets are $49.50-$149.50, on sale at 10 a.m. April 16 at livenation.com, Ticketmaster outlets, 800-745-3000 and at the venue. There is no service charge at the box office. John Legend is also on the bill.
Ticket prices have been announced for the Kid Rock/Sheryl Crow pairing July 16 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Tickets are $25.50-$75.50, with six lawn tickets available for $99 while supplies last.
LIQUID ASSETS AND TEAM TOPHER PRESENTS NELLY'S GOOD FRIDAY. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME STL OWN NELLY INVITES THE ENTIRE CITY OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER NELLY AND ALL HIS FRIENDS WILL BE IN CLUB AMNESIA April 22
Grammy Award winning rap band The Roots will be one of the acts at Lou Fest at Forest Park Central Field Aug 27-29. TV ON THE RADIO + DEERHUNTER CAT POWER + !!! + THE HOLD STEADY + SURFER BLOOD + DOM + THE LOW ANTHEM + many more http://www.loufest.com/tickets.php
Tickets go on sale April 16 for Brad Paisley's June 17 concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
Novelty superstar "Weird" Al Yankovic returns to Family Arena with a show June 3.
Gary Sinese and the Lt Dan band May 27 at The Pageant
Young Jeezy will perform May 6 at Posh nightclub 
The 30 Seconds to Mars concert April 18 at the Pageant.
Award winning actress Diana Goodman, will reprise her stage role as the bipolar heroine in "Next To Normal. April 24 at the Fox Theatre
DJ Jay E deejayed at the event Abstract promoted by Koncepts and 1st Friday April 8 at Exo
Rap duo Ying Yang Twins will perform May 5 at the Imperial Palace. ST Louis native rapper J Kwon opened up with stlhiphop about his past troubles with child support and ho wit affected his career. Go to http://stlhiphop.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-kids-not-my-son-jkwon-paid
++++++++++++++
Legendary pop /R&B group Tower of Power will perform a May 14 at Lumiere Place Casino
Comedian and “Mike and Molly” star Billy Gardell July 23 at the Pageant. |
Barkays 
Ohio Players 
Former Cardinals player and KMOX personality Bill White released his memoir 'Uppity: My Untold Story About the Games People Play' By Bill White with Gordon Dillow. Published by Grand Central
The St. Louis Chamber Chorus will celebrate
at the church,
How much • $27 ($10 full-time students with ID)
More info • chamberchorus.org or 636-458-4343. There will be a pre-concert lecture by
Former 104.1 personality Young Dip hosts at The Inspot Dessert Lounge every Wednesday and Thursday at the Imperial Palace with Tity Boy and Leggo.
Singer Deandre Perryman hosts Tatse Full Thursdays at The Lions Den located at 12104 Bellefontaine Rd. He also promotes the event with Black 300 & King Management LLC
Partnership for Downtown St. Louis' Parties on the Plaza returns to the Post Office Plaza at 8th & Locust Streets, with free outdoor concerts from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. beginning May 12.
-- May 12, Fat Pocket
-- June 9, Plastic
-- July 14, Hollywood 5
-- Aug. 11, Jake Austin & the City Limits
-- Sept. 8, Well Hungarians
Get more information at downtownstl.org/partiesontheplaza
Bands who want a spot to perform are taking place at The Old Rock House.
+++++++++++++++++
Stella
Singer/actor Tre'Von Griffith had a music concert Tuesday at the Sheldon concert hall.
Delux Magazine will have its first Fashion Week April 27-29 at The Metropolitan Gallery. For more info go to http://www.deluxfashionweek.com/
FIRST, Actor/director Joel King will perform his one man play "Deeper Shade of Blues" May 22 at The Kickback Lounge in Hollywood.
THIRD, Model/event promoter/talk show host Jon Erickque, who lives in
Congrats to Hella Fly Promotions who will celebrate its one year anniversary if the weekly Sunday event Sexy As You Wanna be Sundays at The Label this Sunday(SEE OUTGONG BITZ) MAAT BITZ
Ma'atology Productions is gearing up for a reprise of SNAP HONEY the stageplay next month in St. Louis. Details TBD. 
The 3rd Annual MISTA COUTURE STYLE CONTEST will take place June 18 at Carlton Hotel in Manhattan NYC.
STL ARIESian BDAZE. Comedians Willie Lynch (PICTURED) and Carmen , rapper/model Allen Gates, Tony Bryant, photographer/poet Racquita, poets Ill Skillz and Xplicit and socialites Yemi Adewemni, Jimmel Meyers,.
Jennifer Norman.(FAR RIGHT) This singer/songwriter/musician has been writing & performing original music & acoustic covers for four years. This week she has a busy mini tour in the area which started Wednesday at The Halfway Haus. Then on Friday at McKendree College in Lebanon, IL. On Saturday, April 16 she will perform at Spirits Lounge and Sunday at Just Johns. |
Why did Rev Al Sharpton and Dr Cornell get into a verbal fight about President Obama?Why did that mother from NYC drive her and three of her children into the Hudson river and killing herself and three children? Why didnt Eva Longoria didnt think her boob wasnt going to come out of a tuxedo jacket without a bra? Why was folk so shocked when American Idol contestant Pia Tascano went home last week? And why does it matter of the eliminations when most of the finalists will receive record deals anyway? Why doesnt St. Louis have an NBA team? Why is so much time and money spent on the Barry Bonds trial? Why was Latoya Jackson wearing a Michael Jackson outfit circa 1987? Why are air traffic controllers falling alseep these days? And why did Nene Leakes say that Latoya was old, got famous from her last name and acts like was 12? And why has actress Loretta Devine become the go-to actress to play every mother in urban based films?
Stella
Red Carpet Opening Night Celebration Hi-Pointe Theatre
Rappers MYSTIKAL And FUGI B. will be LIVE IN CONCERT @ HELLA FLY FRIDAYS @ THE BROADWAY... APRIL 15.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Drag Queen Death Match: Championship Edition!
Friday at 10:00pm - The Complex 3515 Chouteau Ave
Doors@10. Show@11. Dancing til close!
FREE before 11 and $5 after for 21+
$10 all night for 18+
Taylored Poet’s CRAZED Sanity Book Release Celebration
Saturday, April 16 · 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location
The Space,
3016 Locust Ave
SPRING JAM W/ YUNG JOC !!!!!!!!! LIVE APRIL 16th @THE BLUE NOTE!!!
DJ Needles SPIN DEEP Spin Deep
James Needles Nodzilla invited you!
MORE BELOW
Saturday at | |
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | |
Mocha will be a featured guest on STl LIVE on STL TV April 18. Mocha hosts Saturday nites at The Label
Mocha hosts her monthly poetry showcase Got Lyrics at Exo. The next one is April 20
+++++++++++++++++
LOOKING FOR JOB READINESS AND TRAINING/GED MUST BE 19-21 BETTER FAMILY LIFE CAN HELP!! CALL KIP WILLIAMS 314-679-3376. THEY ARE ENROLLING NOW!! THEY HAVE SO MANY SUPPORT SERVICES:LEGAL ASSISTANCE, CRISIS INTERVENTION/COMMUNITY SERVICES OPPORTUNITIES,DAY CARE,SCHOLARSHIPS AND MORE.
+++
Mocha's column COFFEE TALK can be seen in the weekly The Evening Whirl newspaper published on Mondays.
For more info on these items, contact Miss Latte at 314.646.9917 orsgalvin26@yahoo.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Aireez is now represented by Jackie Phillips' Where U Want 2 Be Entertainment..
+++++++++
STL Come Out, April 17th @ Fubar $10 advance tickets, Hip-Hop/R&B show. purchase online before Mar 19th and save $3 off PROMO CODE: AIREEZ816 Let's go!…http://www.aftonshows.com/AireezDaRychuss
Rhythm & Words Wednesdays 2nd & 4th Wed every month Meshon's Bar & Grill 410 N Tucker Blvd
+++++++++
ThundaGrownd Thursday Variety Showcase Final Thu. of every month8:30pmat Big Moe's
++++++++++
WORD THERAPY AT CLUB PARADISE Open Mic Final Friday of the month $5 cover first 10 on the sign-up list free 812 Martin Luther King on the
New CD "ThundaGrowndPresentsA.D. Fire & Adrenaline"
Aireez DaRychuss music available online now
MORE INFO on AireezDarychuss
http://www.facebook.com/rychuss
http://www.sonicbids.com/rychuss
http://music.blackplanet.com/rychuss
Black
By Frank Higgins
April 20 – May 15
Directed by Andrea Frye Jailed in a Texas prison, Alberta “Pearl” Johnson has little hope for release and even less for reconnecting with her missing daughter. That is until Susannah Mullally, a song collector on a mission to record pieces of African-American culture, overhears Pearl singing while on a visit to the prison. Through her music, Pearl has the unexpected opportunity to earn her freedom and search for her daughter. This work harnesses race relations and the rich oral history of the African-American community to build a tale that is funny, touching, and compelling.
For tickets go to http://www.theblackrep.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=166
++++++++++++
The Montford Point Marine
By Samm-Art Williams
May 25 – June 26
+++++++++++++++
For OUTGOING BITZ GO TO
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6298604837953248464&postID=3524714667125648286
No comments:
Post a Comment