On Friday at 11 AM Central, I will be on CNN Live (online) where we will talk about the life, death, and legacy of Michael Jackson. Central. We were originally scheduled to talk about CNN’s Black in America, but the topic obviously changed after the tragic news regarding the King of Pop.
Click here or the link above to go to the site.
The Old School Friday theme is week is Michael Jackson, in remembrance. I will never forget how I learned of Michael Jackson’s death. It will be embedded in my mind like the day I learned of Tupac’s death, or when I found out that Mike Tyson had been knocked out by Buster Douglass.
My wife and I were out and about and I pulled over at a service station to get a couple of Icees. We were listening to the radio (The Ticket), and they were reporting sketchy details of someone having a heart attack, but we couldn’t figure out who they were talking about.
Just before I got out of the car they said it was Michael Jackson. We both kind of shook our heads and I left and entered the store. When I got back to the car, she looked at me and said “he’s dead.” The news was just that fast yesterday, it’s just a surreal sort of thing.
For someone my age – I was around 9 when Thriller was released- Michael Jackson is sort of the beginning of our musical consciousness. I was at the age where we put MJ Jackets in the layaway, sported a glove from time to time, and spent hours watching Michael breakthrough on MTV which rarely played black artists before then.
I remember how at the skating rink they would shut down the floor and drop a screen to show the “Thriller” video, a ritual that continued for years and years. There were also “Michael Jackson” contests to see who had the best M.J. dancing skills. I remember my classmate Yamesha moonwalking her way to victory one night.
Michael had problems due to his harsh and business driven childhood, but he was one of the few people that you can drop the tag “musical genius” on without question. Today truly is a sad day.
Anyway, here are my OSF entries. I stayed away from Thriller because its the best of all time, and you can’t just pick one song from that album. So here are my entries. R.I.P. MJ (1958-2009)
Butterflies (written by Marsha Ambrosius Floetry)
Butterflies was Michael Jackson’s last hit on the top 100 (#14), and it reached #2 on the R&B chart.
Remember how the release of a Michael Jackson video was like a movie premiere. Everyone made sure they were in front of the T.V. to see what Mike might pull off next. This was the case with “Remember the Time”, “Smooth Criminal”, “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Those were the days.
Michael Jackson – Remember The Time
Uploaded by hushhush112. – Watch more music videos, in HD!
Couldn’t pass up the chance to post the deut with Michael and Janet (Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty).
Last but not least, this is when everyone realized that Mike was not only a special talent amongst his brothers, but that he had solo breakout potential. It was part of the progression to Thriller. God Bless the Jackson family
After I wrote this article I thought, wouldn’t a Johnny Taylor themed restaurant look good in Deep Ellum (or South Dallas)? Some of ya’ll entrepreneur types should be able to take that one and run.
Anyway, here’s the article I wrote for the Dallas Morning News almost in its entirety. To see the few parts I didn’t paste, click here. Thanks to Sharon Grigsby for the space.
From DallasNews.com
To borrow a phrase from legendary musician Robert Johnson, Deep Ellum has the crossroad blues. The path toward the future may mean taking a look back.
With the possible exception of the city’s preaching tradition, the blues scene in the early part of the last century represents the biggest mark left on this city by African-Americans. But the community is letting that rich history die by allowing the place where it all went down to lose its soul.
It’s part of a trend nationwide where the African-American community neglects history that is not intimately tied to the civil rights movement. This is even more pronounced in our city, where not only is the history ignored, it’s all but forgotten.
Deep Ellum should be the same type of cultural destination as the 18th and Vine area of Kansas City, which houses the American Jazz Museum and Negro League Baseball Museum. First, that means residents would have to acknowledge – and in many cases, learn – the district’s rich history before embracing it and rallying for its revival.
Consider this: In 2003, the South Dallas/Fair Park Entertainment District Study was presented to the Dallas City Council. The document (now in the hands of a local nonprofit) proposed creating a mixed-use retail-commercial development that would market particularly toward African-American conventioneers, tourists and local residents. This concept was modeled after Beale Street, a thriving three-block section of downtown Memphis, which consists of a number of nightclubs and restaurants. Beale Street was home to a thriving blues scene at the turn of the 20th century before becoming a collection of closed shops and rundown buildings in the 1960′s.
Sound familiar? The infrastructure for this model already exists – in Deep Ellum.
The Dallas City Plan Commission recently recommended the issuance of a specific-use permit for a live music bar and lounge to open in the old Blue Cat Blues in Deep Ellum. A soul food restaurant also moved into the neighborhood in recent weeks. While every business in the area doesn’t have to be blues-themed, a nod to the heritage would go a long way toward reviving the entertainment district that seems to always teeter between “struggling” and “on the verge.”
Any plans to revisit the history of Deep Ellum should include the redevelopment of The Grand Temple of the Black Knights of Pythias Building. The Pythian Temple sits on the edge of Deep Ellum and was the first commercial building in town built by and for Dallas’ black residents. It’s also one of the few Dallas structures other than churches designed by a black architect. The building that housed the city’s first black dentist and surgeon would make a great business incubator for a new generation of professionals and entrepreneurs.
Second Avenue and a little blues music could bind two historic parts of our city.
Again, click here to see the entire article.
Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle and Michael Jenkins, President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals will hold a press conference Friday, June 5th at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Music Hall at Fair Park, to discuss the objectives and success of the Stage Right program that introduces at-risk youth ages 10-15 to arts and culture events as well as introducing them to the “Positive Action / Anti Gang” self improvement and self esteem building summer curriculum..
Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM), who helped create the Stage Right initiative to reach out to at-risk students, and DPD Narcotics Detective Monty Moncibais, who heads up the program for DPD, will also speak.
Stage Right Steering Committee members who will attend include Chris Hawkins, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Darrell Fant and Jean Dean of the North Texas Crime Commission; Jody Dean, KLUV Radio, Ginger Allen, Channel 11 News, Gail Gray, Phoenix House; Lori Sirmen and Tiffani Oltmanns, Dallas Summer Musicals; Carolyn Jordan, Boys and Girls Club; Herbert Moncibais, Hispanic Business Alliance; Gloria Moncibais, Hispanic Business Alliance; and Susan Moncibais, community activist.
Also present at the conference will be Monty Mueller of Phoenix House, Anita N. Martinez of the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico Company, Charles English of the Dallas Boys & Girls Club, Reginald Hurd of Dallas Parks and Recreation, Adam Mehl of the Dallas Mavericks, Billy Walker of Coca Cola Bottling of North Texas, and Eddie Campbell and Ed Campbell, of Campbell Concessions.
Stage Right’s mission statement is “Raising the curtain for education and spotlighting the appreciation of the arts through experience and positive quality lifestyles.”
The students are recommended by DISD teachers and counselors, Apartment and Church summer and youth programs including Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc., and Dallas Recreation Centers as part of their ongoing efforts to keep students from joining gangs or engaging in other activities that prevent their enjoying success in school. “Stage Right” seeks to raise awareness of the arts, increase appreciation for different lifestyles and also increase self esteem.
Last year 400 students participated in Stage Right’s summer program, and this year’s attendance goal is to reach 800. For more information about Stage Right, please contact DPD Detective Moncibais at 214-537-8954. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call Lori Sirmen at 214-413-3961.
About Dallas Summer Musicals
Winner of 4 Tony Awards®, 2 Drama Desk Awards® and 2 Dallas Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum Awards, Dallas Summer Musicals has been the premier presenter of Broadway shows in Dallas for nearly 70 years. DSM is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest and the 4th largest touring Broadway presenter in the nation following Kennedy Center in Washington, Lincoln Center in New York and Center Theater Group in L.A.
In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions and is involved in developing new works. Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park, the historical Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas and the remodeled historical Texas Theater, scheduled to open in 2009.
As a non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatres, educate young audiences and create important community programs. In addition, the DSM Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need.
Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica, visit their website at www.dallassummermusicals.org or call (214) 421-5678
The area’s largest Independence Day celebration will move to the newly renovated Cotton Bowl this year. The event sponsored by Dr Pepper Snapple Group promises larger and higher fireworks, more games and more concessions. The FAIR PARK FOURTH presented by Friends of Fair Park will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2009, from 4:30 – 10 p.m.
The family friendly event will feature a national-class fireworks program and a patriotic presentation featuring the Dallas Wind Symphony, free admission to all the museums, kids activities, musical performances and other July 4th food favorites.
Fair Park Fourth is free and open to the public.
Fireworks by Grucci, one of the nation’s premiere fireworks pyrotechnics firms and “America’s First Family of Fireworks,” has produced unforgettable fireworks programs for the Olympic Games, Statue of Liberty Centennial, New Year’s Eve Celebrations in New York City and six consecutive Presidential Inaugurations.
The fireworks will be synchronized to choreographed music with live broadcast on WRR 101.1 FM. Viewing areas with sound will be located in the Cotton Bowl only.
Fair Park museums will offer free admission from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. and the Texas Skyway Ride will be $5 per person or $20 per carload (cash only). Swan Rides also will be available for $10 per boat (up to 3 people per boat).
This week’s Old School Friday theme is “Outside my box.” I’ve found that my musical box has expanded in my old(er) age, and includes folks like “Steely Dan” But for this week’s theme I’ll go with Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
I wouldn’t have been caught dead listening to this act back in the day, who’s best days were happening just as I was entering college. But after a few years, I’ve come to appreciate the tortured genius of Kurt Cobain. Happy Old School Friday!
Other OSF Participants:
Electronic Village - Fresh And Fab -prescribe, Kim
- Ms Grapevine -Quick – Vérité Parlant -Marcus LANGFORD
- CCGroovy – Kevin -Mahogany -Hagar’s Daughter – Lisa C
-Chocl8t - DP – Dallassouth - John - The Connoisseur -
- Regina – MsMarvalus – Clnmike – Vivrant Thing
-AJ - Sharon – RevvyRev – Prof. PC – Invisible Woman
– Cooper – SJP -Bria - BklynQueen 86 - Hey Shae -
- From the Battlefield – Thembi - D Spot - Malcolm -
Submitted by Buster Miller, originally posted at Examiner.com
Still haven’t figured out a productive activity for your children or teen to do this summer, one that is cost effective during the current recession and may lead into a future career for your youth?
Beginning June 8 – July 31, 2009, TeCo Theatrical Productions, Inc. will offer an eight week summer theater camp at their newly renovated, ecologically friendly facility, the Bishop Arts Theater Center.
Jobs in theater requires all sorts of multitasking entrepreneurial skills and talents. TeCo’s summer enrichment program provides an array of fun-filled activities that help prepare youngsters for a sustaining career in the arts.
Students will not only learn how to perform on stage but will also learn the business side of the industry:
Other camp activities include visual and literary arts, African drumming, dance, and music appreciation.
The camp is open to children ages 6 to 17 years old. Only 50 applications will be accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Camp hours are from 7 am to 5 pm, Mon. thru Thu. which is perfect for working moms and dads. The program culminates with a production by camp participants so parents can witness the transforming power of theater and the arts!
Tuition is only $65 per week and includes breakfast and a lunch! A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a place in this fun-packed, high energy, enrichment program. Full tuition is due no later than June 1, 2009.
Tavis Smiley doesn’t know it, but he’s been a mentor to me since I read his book Doing What’s Right back in 2000. Much of what I do today is based on seeds that were planted in his book who’s subtitle is “How to fight for what you believe-and make a difference. ”
I called my cable company threatening to leave when BET and Bob Johnson relieved Tavis of his duties. And I followed him to NPR and listened to his commentary on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.
Unbeknownst to Tavis (how could he know since he doesn’t know he’s my mentor), we’ve gotten crossways over the last couple years. I probably couldn’t put my finger on exactly why for the most part, but I just haven’t been able to latch on to his message like I used to. Still, I always try to make it out to see Mr. Smiley when he’s in town and I always try to pick up his latest book.
When he started (what I feel like was) questioning the legitimacy of Barack Obama’s candidacy, I wondered if Tavis had lost the pulse of Black Americans that he had been so in tune with for the better part of a decade.
I have followed him long enough to know that it was his post-Lewinsky interview of Bill Clinton that brought Tavis to national prominence. I wasn’t mad at his loyalty to the Clinton’s during the Democratic Primary, but I felt like Tavis was talking down to black folk (a term that I have often borrowed from him) during the campaign rather than being agreeably disagreeable.
And Tavis and the Black Blogosphere…..let’s just say we’ve had our differences.
I say all of this to say, that when I was offered a copy of Tavis Smiley’s latest production Stand:The Movie, I wasn’t as excited about it as I wish I had been.
But Stand, airing on T.V. One this Sunday at 8 PM Central, is must see television. In the movie, Mr. Smiley invited some of his closest friends, including Dr. Cornell West, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and others, to an undisclosed location last summer to “search for Dr. (Martin Luther) King’s perspective” on the state of Black Men in America 40 years after his assassination.
Tavis and his brothers gathered in Memphis, Tennessee to conversate, pontificate, celebrate and congratulate with one another. They even invited a couple of local teen male students to join the conversation, providing them with digital cameras that they could use to capture their experience.
Of course when you get these types of minds together, along with others that they met along the way like Bebe Winans, Dick Gregory and others, there’s going to be lots of deep thought and theoritical posturing.
Some times I felt the group was caught in “good old day syndrome” while mulling over subjects like whether the day of the charismatic black leader is over. The group seemed less than impressed with the likes of Adrian Fenty, Patrick Duvall, and Cory Booker.
One might a assume the movie would be a two hour think tank, with some of America’s brightest minds solving some of Black America’s biggest problem. But Stand ends up being something much greater than that. Stand is like a powerful mix between a buddy flick and a road trip movie.
Mr. Smiley and his friends argue, debate, hug, showboat, cry, pray, and do all the other things that brothers do when they get together. Other than Dr. Cornell West, the debate stuff seems stale and for the most part is lost on me. But the fact that black men were in one place -sometimes at a coo out and sometimes on a bus- having this dialogue was a powerful image.
The most gripping portion of the show was when the men watched CNN’s Black in America live as it was airing across the country. They watched the segment showing Dr. Dyson visiting his incarcerated brother, in jail for a crime that he says he didn’t commit yet accepting his fate. Dyson shed tears, as did his friends before they all stood up and prayed.
Even after all I said about Mr. Smiley, I hated that more of his candid opinions didn’t make the final edit. But I guess if he had been the star of the show, that would have fed into some of the biases I’ve gained over the years.
Tavis Smiley’s Stand is commendable on so many levels, including the fact that an African-American man took the initiative to tell his story in his voice, through his eyes. That is the only way it will get done.
From what I understand Mr. Smiley reached out to bloggers in L.A. to attend the screening of Stand, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have screened it. And I’m not just saying that because it was produced by my mentor.
Tavis Smiley’s Stand airs on TV One Sunday May 24th at 8 PM Central. But just to make sure, check your local listings.
How does a person learn to forgive the one person they thought was suppose to protect them?
The act of molestation leads to a list of tragedies, a life of struggle and pain. “Body Parts” gives a person hope when the world around them seems hopeless; relief from the hatred they hold and the feeling of never being able to trust again. Women, men and even children will be able to relate to this dramatic stage play. It will bring tears of heartache as well as tears of joy. Loss of faith is restored, forgiveness is granted, broken hearts are healed and broken families are renewed.
BODY PARTS – THEATRICAL STAGE PLAY
THE HEALING BEGINS
FRIDAY MAY 22, 2009 – 8:00 pm
FRIENDSHIP-WEST BAPTIST CHUCH
2020 WHEATLAND ROAD – DALLAS TX
Written By Catherine Robinson
Directed by Vernon “Snoop” Robinson Jr. & Trina Jeffrie
Dalon Collins
former member of
Kirk Franklin and the Family
Trina Jeffrie
AKA Sister cantaloupe from the stage play “friends and lovers”
Tony B
from 94.5 Ksoul
Peyton Smith
from the movie
“Mad Money”
Vernon “Snoop” Robinson Jr.
Introducing
Jordyn Brown
Corrian Guillory
Frederick Alexander
Shanika Bracken
Danah Mims
Prudence “The Isis” Sneed
Dawn Miller
Juwan Crawford
James King
Ja’Shaelyn Carmichaelay.
must see stage play.
Sorry I’ve missed the last couple of OSF’s but I’m back with a vengence this week. The theme is Best Soul Train Performances.
I’m not sure which is crazier in this video, how good James Brown is or Don Cornelius’ outfit. Here’s James Brown and Make it Funky.
Check Out Alfonso Ribero AKA Carlton Banks on a Soul Train themed episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Early 80′s I didn’t think any girl group could compare with The Mary Jane Girls. In the 90′s En Vogue made me rethink that. I think this single was the first cassette that I ever bought with my own money. Here’s a classic from back in the day for sure. HAPPY OLD SCHOOL FRIDAY!!!
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