#St. Ann Music Fund

[antaxzantax]

Umbrella Pharmaceuticals - Chapter 44

Summary: James Marcus discusses with Oswell E. Spencer his stay at Umbrella. Alexander Ashford meets with the Jacob's Circle about their plan at the Antarctic base. Alexander presents Alfred and Alexia with two music boxes.

I

Dear Jamie:

I am glad to hear that your passion for the Progenitor virus has not let up since its genesis in the 1960s. However, I would not want you to be completely blinded by it. Umbrella is a company that needs to be managed. I know you hate politics, but it is part of corporate practice. If research into the Progenitor virus is to continue, the money must flow. Without funding, the prodigious affair that began in Africa is over. I gave you the Training Centre out of goodwill, as a friend, in exchange for nothing more than the availability of your scientific talent. I only ask you to reconsider your position. This is a crucial moment, and we cannot afford any mistakes. If you still feel that your career in this corporation is over, I will be the first to organise an honourable farewell. In any case, contact me for whatever you need. It would be dishonourable for me to let a trifle cloud our long and fruitful friendship.

Your friend,

Oswell E. Spencer

II

Oswell:

I appreciate your words and goodwill. For the time being, I have reconsidered my position and will still stay at Umbrella on the same terms. However, I will need an increase in funding. I am not unaware of your priority with the Arklay laboratory, but I underline that research of the highest level is still being carried out at the Training Centre. In this connection, I will ask you for one last favor: my former PhD student, Brandon Bailey, I am requesting his transfer from Africa to the Training Centre. His valuable experience will help me in the development of my projects.

James Marcus

III

I have spoken to Oz. Your transfer will be next month. Bring all the material for the exit plan.

J.M.

IV

Alexander Ashford and Anthony Campbell presided at the table of the Jacob's Circle. Alexander as the rightful heir of the former Grand Master, Edward, and Anthony on behalf of Grand Master Mary-Anne, who was absent due to ill health. Behind him on the left, the portrait of Veronica Ashford. On the right, that of Rupert Campbell.

The Inner Circle, consisting of fifteen members, had been convened to decide on several issues raised by Ashford, the most important of which concerned Umbrella. The fifteen members, including the under-chiefs of the Campbell and Douglas clans and an Irish Catholic bishop, listened attentively to the Grand Master's proposal.

“Spencer still doesn't want any Jacobins working for Umbrella?” asked an elderly man in Scottish, dressed in Douglas clan tartan.

“No, no one. He made a deal with my father,” Ashford replied in the same language.

The fifteen members murmured among themselves. Campbell nudged Ashford closer.

“Won't it be possible in Antarctica?” he whispered.

“No,” he replied quietly. “Martin will come with me, but no one else. I don't want to risk it. The Institute is still vetting personnel at the base.”

“What do you think of the plan, ladies, and gentlemen?” Campbell raised his voice.

The murmuring stopped. A woman in the Campbell clan tartan raised her hand.

“I have a question about the virus. When Princess Alexia completes her development, where will the virus be hidden? At the Antarctic base?”

“First in my father's old private laboratory in Newcastle.”

“And then?” added the Irish priest.

“At St Andrews. One of our members who is a professor there will have the means to ensure its temporary concealment until the contract is signed and it is released. Any other questions?”

The fifteen members looked at each other in silence. There were no further questions. Ashford rose. Campbell and all fifteen members rose at the same time.

“Brothers and sisters of the Circle,” he continued in Scottish, “the convocation ends with the approval of the plan for the next five years. I pray that God will favour us in our undertaking.”

“Amen,” they all shouted in unison.

V

There was a friendly but naive king

who wed a very nasty queen.

The king was loved but

the queen was feared.

Till one day strolling in his court,

an arrow pierced the kind king's heart.

He lost his life and

his lady love.

The lyrics, engraved on a gold plate on the inside of the lid, flowed to the rhythm of the simple and beautiful melody. It was a feerical composition that enraptured the two children sitting on the tiled floor.

Their father had given them two identical, bulky music boxes for Alexia's graduation. Their only visible difference was the ant-shaped jewel that Alexander had included in the lid's opening mechanism in memory of Alexia's recent discovery: a blue ant for Alfred and a red ant for her. The piece corresponding to the insect's abdomen could be removed to operate the box's latch or unlatch it by inserting it. Both the jewel and the box were two masterpieces of craftsmanship worth their weight in gold. However, both children's fascination was not with the technical quality of the set, but with the song. The unnamed song that their father had ordered to be composed for them and which the twins had christened Berceuse.

Berceuse because it inspired a strange nostalgia for their early childhood, when both twins always lived together and without worries, when they imagined themselves as the protagonists of an endless fairy tale.

Alexia and Alfred held hands for the first time in three years.

They would never be separated again.

Nevermore.

[ohc-and-the-music-tapes-archive]

Invite for the Music Tapes caroling in News on archived Merge website, 3 November 2008.

copy:

Invite The Music Tapes & the Singing Saws to come caroling

November 03, 2008

Julian Koster and his friends in the Singing Saw Symphony are heading out to spread some holiday cheer in November. Julian and the saws are planning a tour to several cities and are offering to come caroling at your house. All you have to do is invite them!

The Music Tapes website will carry a complete explanation of the workings of the tour as well as a list of cities as the routing is confirmed. At each house, Julian will play a few songs of the Music Tapes, and the saws will play a few of their holiday favorites for hosts and their assembled guests.  And then, on they will go to the next house.

Households that would like to invite Julian and his friends to come carol may do so up until the night before the carolers arrive in your town by sending an invitation to musictapescaroling@gmail.com or by mailing a written invitation to:

Music Tapes Caroling c/o G. Stewart 175 Talmadge Street, Apt. 1 Athens, GA 30605

Written invitations will be given priority, should arrive a few days before the carolers arrive, and include an email address or telephone number for reply.  Invitations where the inviters indicate that they would be willing to entertain outside guests on caroling night are preferred. Once the limit on houses on a given night has been reached, the address of each house that will welcome guests will be distributed via email to all who email musictapescaroling@gmail.com and ask to attend. The addresses of the houses will not be posted online.

These will be caroling events (not house concerts) and there will be no monetary recompense of any kind asked for.  People who wish to make a donation to the Carolers Travel Fund via the orbitinghumancircus.com website where all Caroling updates and information will be found.

Caroling Dates: Nov 11th Savannah, GA Nov 12th Chapel Hill, NC Nov 13th Charlotte, NC (afternoon) / Atlanta, Ga Nov 14th  Athens, GA Nov 16th Nashville, TN Nov 17th St. Louis, MO Nov 18th Fayetteville AK Nov 20th Houston, TX Nov 21st Austin, TX Nov 22nd Denton, TX Nov 23rd Norman OK Nov 24th Lawrence KS Nov 26th Minneapolis, MN Nov 27th Madison, WI Nov 28th Chicago IL Nov 29th Grand Rapids/Lansing, MI Nov 30th Ann Arbor area, MI Dec 1st Toronto, Canada Dec 3rd Buffalo, NY Dec 4th Geneseo, NY Dec 5th Oswego, NY Dec 6th Bennington, VT Dec 7th New London, NH Dec 8th Boston / Cambridge, MA Dec 12th Philadelphia, PA Dec 13th NYC Dec 14th NYC Dec TBA  Maine

[celtfather]

Celtic Christmas Lights

The lights of Christmas are glowing with a Christmas Story by Brad Tuck on Celtic Christmas Podcast #68.

Enda Reilly, Terry McDade With The McDades, Marc Gunn, Cherish The Ladies, The Chivalrous Crickets, Screaming Orphans, Anne Roos & David Blonski, Scythian, Brad Tuck, West of Eden

0:08 - Enda Reilly "Tá An Nollaig Linn" from Christmas is With Us (Tá An Nollaig Linn)

2:56 - WELCOME TO THE CELTIC CHRISTMAS PODCAST

I am Marc Gunn. I am an Celtic musician and podcaster. We are promoting Celtic culture through Christmas cheer. This is the final episode of 2022.

Hopefully, we are all ready for the holiday. House and trees decorated. Presents wrapped and placed beneath the tree. The cats aren’t chewing on the wrapping paper. We are ready to relax for this festive time of year.

Make sure you check out Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

What is Celtic Christmas music? Click the link to find out more.

4:20 - Terry McDade With The McDades "What Child Is This" from Midwinter

7:32 - Marc Gunn "Celtic Christmas Elf" from Celtic Christmas Greetings

10:26 - Cherish The Ladies "Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem/The Ballintore Fancy/The Kerry Reel/Limestone Rock" from On Christmas Night

15:17 - The Chivalrous Crickets "A Christmas Carol" from A Chivalrous Christmas

Christmas is an interesting time of year for musicians. Bigger artists are able to put together Christmas-themed shows. But many of the smaller indie artists create an album and dream of playing shows, but the venues stop booking. Christmas is a listening time of year. Not necessarily a buying time of year.

I tell you this to remind you to support the artists that you love in this show. Visit the shownotes to find out more about the artists at CelticChristmasPodcast.com. Then you can buy some music or merch from them, give them a tip, or even support your favorites on Patreon.

Speaking of which…

19:16 - THANK YOU CHRISTMAS PATRONS

The Celtic Christmas Podcast is brought to you by the kindness of Celtic Christmas fans on Patreon. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion, and production of the show.

Thanks to our Christmas Christmas Producer: Carol Baril

Join others to spread Christmas Cheer! Sign up for as little as $1 per episode on Patreon.

21:20 - Screaming Orphans "Jingle Bells" from Happy Christmas, Vol. 1

23:19 - Anne Roos & David Blonski "The Cutty Wren" from A Winter's Dance

25:57 - Scythian "Christmas at Home feat. HoneyDay, Stevie Rees, Therese Fedoryka" from Christmas Out at Sea

31:36 - BRAD TUCK STORY OF THE LIGHTS OF PORT DE GRAVE

Born in Hant's Harbour, Newfoundland, Brad developed a love for music early in his life. Residing in St. John's, Brad is the drummer for a staple of the traditional Newfoundland music scene, Shanneyganock, and began a solo career in 2018 with the release of his first album "On These Waters". Brad was nominated for Traditional Artist of the Year at the 2018 & 2022 MusicNL Awards, and has released three full length albums, one EP and two Christmas singles.

35:10 - Brad Tuck "The Lights of Port de Grave" from single

39:00 - WHAT ARE  YOUR FAVORITE CELTIC CHRISTMAS SONGS THIS YEAR?

I tried something new this year asking you to vote for your favorite song in each episode of the podcast. Past favorites of the season were

We Banjo 3 "Joy to the World" from A Winter Wonderful

Marc Gunn "Frosty the Irish Snowman" from Celtic Christmas Greetings

And there’s a new one coming up…

If there’s a song that you loved in this show or any of these episodes, please make sure you add the song to your own streaming playlist.

39:58 - West of Eden "Over the Hills" from Next Stop Christmas

Celtic Christmas Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. The show is supported by our Christmas Patrons on Patreon.

Visit our website to subscribe to the podcast. You’ll find links to all of the artists played in this episode. You can subscribe to our Celtic Music Magazine and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free plus, you’ll get 7 weekly news items about what’s happening with Celtic music and culture online. And best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage.

Finally, please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor.

Promote Celtic culture through Christmas music at CelticChristmasPodcast.com.

Nollaig Shona Daoibh!

#celticchristmas #celticchristmasmusic

Check out this episode!

[astrognossienne]

scandalous beauty: athalia ponsell lindsley - an analysis

“Not that St. Augustine citizens went around killing people they didn’t like. But Athalia was not on a level playing field. Nobody liked her, so there was not a big hue and cry when she was killed.” - Sally Boyles, a neighbour of Lindsley’s

For someone so brash, loud, and ballsy, her life, especially her early life, was quite a mystery. Just like her controversial death. On January 23, 1974, former model, dancer, political activist and television personality Athalia Ponsell Lindsley was murdered with a machete by an unknown assailant on the front steps of her home in St. Augustine, Florida. Her murder is notorious more than four decades after it occurred. The only eyewitness said a man attacked Lindsley with a machete in broad daylight on the front steps of her white mansion. Gossip swirled that neighbour Frances Bemis knew who killed Lindsley and would notify authorities. Bemis was later murdered on her nightly walk. Police arrested only one suspect for Lindsley's murder, which remains unsolved to this day. For someone who was a Leo, I don't think Athalia was a very happy person. I think she tried to bring others down, with her based on her ill-concealed dissatisfaction with the way things were. Unfortunately for her, her demise happened in a town that didn’t care for her.

Athalia Ponsell Lindsley, according to astrotheme, was a Leo sun and Libra moon (the moon is speculative). She was born Mary Anne “Athalia” Fetter in Toledo, Ohio in 1917. Her parents were both wealthy New Yorkers; her father was a utilities magnate and her mother a socialite. Shortly after her birth, she and her family moved to Isle of Pines (now known as Isla de la Juventud), Cuba where she was raised until the age of 12. By the time the parents moved to Jacksonville, Florida and enrolled her in parochial school, she was winning beauty contests and pursuing an acting career. After high school, she moved to New York City, where it didn’t take her long to be employed as a fashion model for the celebrated fashion designer John Robert Powers, which helped her land work in some Broadway musicals and as a hostess on a TV game show. By 1949, she was the hottest model in NYC. She was just as hot off the runway as well; the list of Ponsell’s sexual conquests was long, including the likes of actor Tyrone Power and Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. She was reported to have been married three times, one of  them to a man named Ponsell, but there is no information on him or her other two spouses. She had a scrapbook of all the celebrities and people she was acquainted. But success had quickly gone to the young model’s head, and by 1954, she’d burned all her bridges at her modeling agency, and her reputation as “the bitch of New York” was well-earned and kept her from earning any more work in the entertainment industry.

Out of work, over the hill, and her looks fading, Ponsell quit her 20-years of modeling and entertainment work and retired to a white stucco mansion in St. Augustine in 1972. By that time, the 55-year-old washed-up model became embittered. From the moment she arrived in St.Augustine, she did her best to position herself at the top of the city’s high society. But the sides of that pyramid were very steep, and to the city’s old-school cultural hardliners, she was an outsider, and an obnoxious one, at that. St. Augustine is known for being a rather cliquish town, and unless you have Spanish, Menorcan, or WASP roots, any newcomer is looked at as an outsider. She was known as a pain in the ass, criticizing everything she thought was wrong with the town and its citizens. Naturally the upper crust didn’t take too well to her. She may have annoyed them, but she did catch the eye of another important person, Mayor James Lindsley, a St. Augustine native who went by the nickname “Jinx”. Jinx was known around the city for his ability to work hard and drink even harder. He was of the generation where if he was wronged, or if there was a problem, he settled his differences with his fists. Despite his passionate love affairs with ass kicking and Jack Daniels, Athalia was drawn to Jinx’s good standing with St. Augustine’s old guard, Jinx was attracted to her still-good looks and fiery personality. The two courted hard and fast, and just a few months after they met, they married.

Their marriage was rocky from the start, providing the town with juicy gossip. In fact, just 3 months into the marriage, the two separated. They wound up living in separate homes, fighting back and forth about possessions and property. She may have treated her husband and the town like dirt, but she was very moved by animals and took in a lot of strays and accumulated a coterie of animals. This didn’t endear herself to the neighbours, and they complained of dogs barking and other noises coming from her makeshift “animal shelter”. One neighbour in particular that took exception to Athalia and her animals was a hot-headed county manager called Alan Stanford. Stanford lived next door to her on Marine Street, and the two clashed from day one. Stanford filed several noise complaints against Athalia and her pets, resulting in her arrest. In revenge, she made Stanford’s life as county manager a living hell. She became a fixture at City Hall, attending every county meeting she could and accuse Stanford of all sorts of improprieties, from the mismanagement of county funds to stealing equipment from the road department. Some of these accusations weren’t entirely unfounded, but it got to the point where her presence was dreaded. She was after his job and wanted him fired. Stanford, in turn, threatened her life. December of 1973, she found out that Stanford lacked the civil engineering degree required for all county managers, and went to the state to report him.

On January 23, 1974 she attended her last city hall meeting, armed with petitions of several citizens calling for Stanford to resign. She exposed the fact that Stanford forged documents and padded his experience and qualifications as county manager. Later that day, to celebrate, she met her estranged husband Jinx for lunch. The day went surprisingly well, going shopping in Jacksonville and running errands. At approximately 5:30 pm, they both went home to their respective houses. As Athalia walked her pet blue jay around in her front yard, an intruder emerged from her back yard, armed with a machete. Moments later, the police department received a call about a murder. The police arrived to the provided address and found Athalia sprawled across the front steps of her porch, nearly decapitated and hacked to death with a machete in broad daylight.

The scene was chaotic, with neighbours trampling all over the grass trying to get a look, contaminating evidence. In their great police work, the cops never thought to rope off the crime scene. When her husband Jinx was notified of his wife’s murder, he took his time getting to her house, making a pit stop to his attorney’s office along the way. A few hours later, the cops find a machete in his pickup truck. But an open-and-shut case this was not. In February of 1974, the rumour was that Jinx killed her in a drunken rage. Even though Jinx had a violent temper and smacked his wife around, in the eyes of local investigators, he was “unarrestable”; they had no real evidence against the mayor and he even passed a lie-detector test. A tip from one of Athalia’s neighbours came in: it seems the neighbour’s 19 year-old son claimed to have witnessed her old nemesis Alan Stanford kill her. There was a trail of blood that led from Athalia’s front porch directly into Allen Stanford’s back yard. More than a few weren’t concerned with Athalia being killed because she was such a bitch that they feel that she deserved what she got.

In March of 1974, there was a blood-stained machete, a watch, and blood-soaked trousers found in a bag in a swamp; the blood on the clothes matched Athalia’s, and the clothes belonged to Stanford. On February 22, 1974, Alan Stanford was arrested and charged with murder. On January 1975, the murder trial commenced. The prosecution had a strong case and a guilty verdict seemed almost certain. Just before closing arguments, Stanford’s defense team called the 19-year old witness to the stand. Despite previously identifying Stanford as the killer, the young man was now unsure of the identity, having never actually seen the assailant’s face. On the day following the killing, a young nurse rode her bicycle as she always did. The police stopped her and questioned her about the murder. The nurse picked out a third suspect, deputy sheriff Dewey Lee, as the killer, further muddling the waters. The jury found Alan Stanford not guilty, despite the mountain of evidence against him. Local authorities were so upset by the verdict that they refused to re-open the case. Even though Stanford was acquitted of the murder, Athalia wound up getting the last laugh in the end, they local county board voted 4 to 1 to fire Stanford due to his lying about his credentials. He wound up leaving town shortly afterward. Today, St. Augustine is different; most who lived on Marine Street during the 1960s and 1970s have either moved away or passed away. Athalia’s house, now a historical landmark, still stands today, a grim reminder of how local resentment can go too far.

the murder of frances bemis

Frances Bemis was a socialite and neighbour of Athalia Ponsell Lindsley who happened to be a close friend of hers. Shortly after Lindsley’s murder, Frances started gathering information in order to write a book about the murder, claiming that she had information on what really happened. On November 3, 1974, she went for an evening walk and disappeared. Her body was found near her house, her skull crushed by a cement block. Her murder has never been solved.

This was the next analysis that I planned to do after the Robert Mitchum one, so I decided to just get this one out of the way.

Stats

birthdate: July 25, 1917*

*note*: due to the absence of a birth time, this analysis will be even more speculative.

major planets:

Sun: Leo

Moon: Libra

Rising: unknown

Mercury: Leo

Venus: Leo

Mars: Gemini

Midheaven: unknown

Jupiter: Gemini

Saturn: Leo

Uranus: Aquarius

Neptune: Leo

Pluto: Cancer

Overall personality snapshot: She had a prestigious, compelling presence, even when she was just clowning around, and a natural ability to command both respect and affection from her friends and colleagues. In the nicest possible way she assumed the position of the leader because she had a strong independent streak and believed in her lofty, worthy ideals, but she also gravitated towards collaboration and an impartial examination of the facts. She could be bossy and yet her bossiness was so diplomatic that it was convincing, even impressive. Although she wanted esteem and tended to identify with honourable goals and people, she could work alongside others she respected and she really wanted the best for everyone. She had style, and she instinctively knew that ‘manners maketh man’ and that, if for some reason they didn’t, they went a long way in making life worth living. When she came into her own, she developed a strongly aesthetic approach to life and are naturally creative. She needed a very positive, active medium through which to express herself, such as drama, teaching or running her own business.

Anything to do with beauty and harmony interested her, such as decorating, design and painting. Her interest in social equality took her into politics or the law. She had a strong sense of herself and stubbornly followed her own personal code of ethics, yet she also enjoyed being part of a group that had a common purpose or bond. She cherished ideals of liberty and equality, but if there were some distasteful tasks to perform she moved very smoothly into the role of delegating – well, she thought, someone has to give the orders around here or we would have no harmony at all. Although she seemed to enjoy an easy, breezy approach to life, there was quite a serious side to her personality, and she could be surprisingly controversial and provocative. She was willing to stand up and be counted, and perhaps make it look easy. She had a natural appreciation and enjoyment of the good things of life; she assumed that they should be hers by birthright. And through cunning charm, calculated boldness, and intelligent maneuver she managed to have plenty.

She was ambitious, sound at giving orders, carried responsibility well and was a good teacher, especially able to bring out the best in children. She believed in herself and generally knew the right thing to say at the right time, although she could show a stubborn and dogmatic side. She had a high opinion of her mental powers, and it was certainly true to say that he had plenty of mental energy. She was a mentally restless person, both versatile and broad-minded. She experienced personal growth through analysis and using her intellect, although the collection and communication of facts may have been an end within itself. She was a reliable and loyal person. Her will and sense of honour were strong and she was a great organizer. On the downside, her self-assuredness could become dogmatism and imperiousness. Conservatism may have affected her creativity, artistic values and love affairs. This expressed itself as self-imposed restrictions or as selfishness. She often felt inadequate, which created an insidious form of oppression over all her forms of expression. She could also take herself so seriously, that people think that she was older than her years.

She belonged to a generation that could be unpredictable in that it liked to instigate change simply for the sake of shaking things up and providing stimulation. Humanitarian ideals became extremely important, as well as the belief in absolute freedom for every individual. She came up with radical new ideas which she stubbornly followed. As a member of this generation, she may have felt deep spiritual convictions, although she may not have seen herself as religious in the traditional sense of the word. She was part of a very artistically talented and creative generation that wanted to escape from the demands of the world around them into a world of excitement and glamour. Members of this generation loved the theater and the cinema, in fact, any sort of creative self-expression. They also believed in the rights of any individual to express themselves. This generation was both idealistic and romantic, selfish and individualistic. Lindsley embodied all of these Leo Neptunian ideals. Also, as a member of the Leo Neptune generation, she experienced and fully embraced changes in sexual mores and attitudes, changing the way people approach the whole issue of romantic relationships. Changes were also experienced in the relationships between parents and children, with the ties becoming looser. She was part of a generation known for its devastating social upheavals concerning home and family. The whole general pattern of family life experiences enormous changes and upheavals; as a Cancer Plutonian, this aspect is highlighted with Lindsley’s father dying relatively young and her having to care for her mother until she died.

Love/sex life: There is never any question as to the ground rules of her erotic universe: what best served her ego, best served her libido. She had a marvelous capacity for enjoying sex but her pride and self-possession always came first. Some people might have found the egotism of this position offensive but many others hardly noticed. After all, a lover as lively, generous and exciting as she had good reason to be proud. There was always a distinctively theatrical quality about her love making. She wanted sex to be a big event, full of drama and intellectual significance. This grandiose approach to sex can certainly be entertaining but it often made her romantic moments seem less than spontaneous. More importantly, real life sex rarely met her cinematic standards. This is one reason why she often found the idea of love much more appealing than its physical manifestations.The sex in her head was never common or clumsy, and she could always count on great reviews.

minor asteroids and points:

North Node: Capricorn

Lilith: Virgo

Her North Node in Capricorn dictated that she needed to develop the more caring and compassionate side to her personality and try to place less emphasis on the materialistic aspects of her life. Her Lilith in Virgo ensured that she exhibited a Madonna-whore complex; she made her way through the world with her sensational wits and she had no time for constricting judgments. She confronted the grittier facts of life, especially sex. She was good at sex but not as a form of sappy emotional expression.

elemental dominance:

fire

air

She was dynamic and passionate, with strong leadership ability. She generated enormous warmth and vibrancy. She was exciting to be around, because she was genuinely enthusiastic and usually friendly. However, she could either be harnessed into helpful energy or flame up and cause destruction. Ultimately, she chose the latter. Confident and opinionated, she was fond of declarative statements such as “I will do this” or “It’s this way.” When out of control—usually because she was bored, or hadn’t been acknowledged—she was be bossy, demanding, and even tyrannical. But at her best, her confidence and vision inspired others to conquer new territory in the world, in society, and in themselves. She was communicative, quick and mentally agile, and she liked to stir things up. She was likely a havoc-seeker on some level. She was oriented more toward thinking than feeling. She carried information and the seeds of ideas. Out of balance, she lived in her head and could be insensitive to the feelings of others. But at her best, she helped others form connections in all spheres of their daily lives.

modality dominance:

fixed

She wasn’t particularly interested in spearheading new ventures or dealing with the day-to-day challenges of organization and management. She excelled at performing tasks and producing outcomes. She was flexible and liked to finish things. Was also likely undependable, lacking in initiative, and disorganized. Had an itchy restlessness and an unwillingness to buckle down to the task at hand. Probably had a chronic inability to commit—to a job, a relationship, or even to a set of values.

planet dominants:

Sun

Mars

Pluto

She had vitality and creativity, as well as a strong ego and was authoritarian and powerful. She likely had strong leadership qualities, she definitely knew who she was, and she had tremendous will. She met challenges and believed in expanding her life. She was aggressive, individualistic and had a high sexual drive. She believed in action and took action. Her survival instinct was strong. She wanted to take herself to the limit—and then surpass that limit, which she often did. She ultimately refused to compromise her integrity by following another’s agenda. She likely didn’t compare herself to other people and didn’t want to dominate or be dominated. She simply wanted to be free to follow her own path, whatever it was. She brought about complete and profound transformations in her life, good or bad (and it was often bad). She felt the need to let go of what was familiar to her and accept new and different ways of being and doing things. There were areas in her life where she had to accept regeneration, which involved the destruction of the old and the creation of the new.

sign dominants:

Leo

Gemini

Cancer

She loved being the center of attention and often surrounded herself with admirers. She had an innate dramatic sense, and life was definitely his stage. Her flamboyance and personal magnetism extended to every facet of her life. She wanted to succeed and make an impact in every situation. At her best, she was optimistic, honorable, loyal, and ambitious. She ventured out to see what else was there and seized upon new ideas that will expand their communities. Her innate curiosity kept her on the move. She used her rational, intellectual mind to explore and understand her personal world. She needed to answer the single burning question in her mind: why? This applied to most facets of her life, from the personal to the impersonal. This need to know sent her off to foreign countries, where her need to explore other cultures and traditions ranked high. She was changeable and often moody. This meant that she was often at odds with herself—the mind demanding one thing, the heart demanding the opposite. To someone else, this internal conflict often manifested as two very different people. At first meeting, she seemed enigmatic, elusive. She needed roots, a place or even a state of mind that he could call her own. She needed a safe harbor, a refuge in which to retreat for solitude. She was generally gentle and kind, unless he was hurt. Then she could become vindictive and sharp-spoken. She was affectionate, passionate, and even possessive at times. She was intuitive and was perhaps even psychic. Experience flowed through her emotionally. She was often moody and always changeable; her interests and social circles shifted constantly. She was emotion distilled into its purest form.

Read more about her under the cut.

Athalia Ponsell Lindsley was a former model, Broadway performer, actress, dancer and television personality who died in a savage late-afternoon attack at her home on Jan. 23, 1974. Wife of the once mayor of St. Augustine, James "Jinx" Lindsley, who died a few years after her death. Mrs. Athalia Lindsley was very active politically.

She also took in many animals, such as dogs, cats and even two goats. At the time of her murder, she was outside trying to rehabilitate one of her rescue birds, a blue jay named Clementine which had an injured wing. She had rescued the little bird from neighborhood cats.

Athalia Ponsell Lindsley was a very devoted daughter who took care of her mother full time until her mother passed away.

She was 58 years old when her life was brutally cut short.

A neighbor and local politician was the only person ever arrested and tried for her murder, after a very dramatic trial, a jury found the defendant not guilty, and he was acquitted

(x)

[sisteroutsiderkuci]

list of underground Black artists

hi ya’ll, i know i’ve been awful about posting weekly playlists, but i will try to be better about it and update sometime soon. in the meantime, i want to provide a list of Black artists that I have played on my show up until now. they are mostly womxn and queer as that is the basis for my show. bandcamp has organized juneteenth (june 19) in which all the proceeds of music purchased will go to the NAACP legal defense fund - i encourage you to support these Black artists on that day.

WILLOW (also a part of THE ANXIETY)

Orion Sun

Roxiny

Rayana Jay

The New Respects

Ravyn Lenae

Jorja Smith

Nicotine (formerly known as Nicotine’s Famous Honey)

Vagabon

Junglepussy

Arima Ederra

Yazmin Lacey

Mahalia

Summer Walker 

Victoria Monet

Dizzy Fae

Ama Lou

Tierra Whack

Kelela

Ivy Sole

Amara La Negra

Tatiana Hazel

Nana Adjoa

Chloe x Halle

Fatima

Diana Gordon

Ebhoni

Kilo Kish

Syd (Syd Tha Kid, of the Internet)

Big Joanie

X-Ray Spex

Fatty Cakes and the Puff Pastries

The Tuts

Spellling

The White Noise Supremacists

Jean Deaux

Princess Nokia

Noname

Janelle Monae

Kadhja Bonet

The Tontons

Georgia Anne Muldrow

ABRA

Nabihah Iqbal

LION BABE

Nao

Amber Mark

Kari Faux

Priscilla Renea

Tayla Parx

LeToya Luckett

June’s Diary

Liz Vice

Sevyn Streeter

Jaz Karis

Jade Novah

Ari Lennox

Justine Skye

Kiana Lede

Joyce Wrice

K. Michelle

Moko

Lolawolf

Simi

Tiwa Savage

Lady Donli

TWENTY88

VanJess

OSHUN

Leikeli47

Snoh Aalegra

Jackie Hill Perry

RAY BLK

ESG

Sister Sledge

Betty Davis

Bettye Swan

Ann Peebles

Shirley Bassey

Sarah Vaughan

Grace Jones

Odetta

Neneh Cherry

Lijadu Sisters

Nina Simone

St. Beauty

CJ Run

Tasha

Eryn Allen Kane

Yuna

Sudan Archives

Kandance Springs

Sneaks

Tiana Major9

Mereba

Pip Millett

BOSCO

Rochelle Jordan

Alexandria

Kara Marni

Rachel Foxx

Ojerime

Asiatica

Shay Lia

RIMON

Olivia Nelson

Amber Oliver

Jamilah Barry

Madison McFerrin

Poppy Ajudha

JGreey

Greentea Peng

Zilo

Lava La Rue

Zebra Katz

Tunde Olaniran

Taylor Bennett

serpentwithfeet

Le1f

Shamir

Kevin Abstract (of BROCKHAMPTON)

Shea Diamond

Mila Jam

Meshell Ndegeocello

Hunnah

DAISY

Steve Lacy (of the Internet)

Blood Orange

Rico Nasty

Seratones 

Halima

Little Simz

IAMDDB

Yana Perrault

Dinah Washington

Baby Rose

Sampa the Great

Sunny War

UMI

Jamila Woods

Lila Ike

Kaiit 

IYAMAH

Koffee

Arlo Parks

LYZZA

Namasenda

Shygirl

Moses Sumney

Meghan Thee Stallion

Phony People

Yola

Zsela

Chynna

Amindi

Yves Tumor

Serena Isioma

Chiiild

Tora

Ambre

Samaria

ilham

Alex Mali

Quin

Tanerelle

[dreamsister81]

Jeff's public memorial service: August 1, 1997 at St. Ann's church, Brooklyn, NY.

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Guibert's own memorial took place over two days-July 31 for a private service, August 1 for the public-at St. Ann's, the Brooklyn church where Jeff had given his first New York performance six years earlier, singing his father's songs. Part funeral, part musical gala, it included performances by Elvis Costello, Marianne Faithfull, Irish ballader and friend Katell Keineg (who sang one of Jeff's favorite songs, "Calling You"), and Rebecca Moore (who sang the Jayhawks' "The Man Who Loved Life"), as well as an instrumental requiem by Toghe, Kindred, Joan Wasser, and Nathan Larson. Guibert read from her "Golden" Promise" (in honor of Jeff, she asked everyone to "look into your soul and find a Promise you can keep that would make this world a better place"); Lou Reed's lawyer gave St. Ann's' Susan Feldman permission to read his Velvet Underground era ballad "I'll Be Your Mirror." The original cost of the funeral, $20,000, was trimmed when Guibert was led to believe it would be included in Jeff's recoupable fund to Sony. So, despite the summer heat, St. Ann's sliced $7,000 off the budget by canceling the air conditioning and purchasing handheld fans instead. (Jeff's finances at the time of his death amounted to $7,000 in a bank account and two certificates of deposit of $20,000 each.)-from Dream Brother

From A Pure Drop

[yegarts]

EAC celebrates the Outstanding Achievements of 20 Local Professional Artists

The Edmonton Arts Council, City of Edmonton and Edmonton Community Foundation are pleased to announce the 2020 recipients of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund awards.

“We are delighted to celebrate 20 remarkable local artists that call the Edmonton region home” said Sanjay Shahani, Executive Director of the Edmonton Arts Council. “These artists excel in their disciplines and are constantly working to broaden and promote the Edmonton arts community. The recipients help make Edmonton a vibrant and engaging city, alive with arts and culture.”

“Congratulations to this year’s recipients,” said Martin Garber-Conrad, CEO of Edmonton Community Foundation. “We look forward to watching these artists’ careers grow as they continue shaping our city.”

The Edmonton Artists' Trust Fund (EATF) recognizes an artist’s work and contribution to the community. The $15,000 awards provide financial stability for artists to renew, develop, create or experiment. These awards are supported by the proceeds from the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund, held by the Edmonton Community Foundation. In 2017 the Eldon and Anne Foote family fund began making contributions directly, to allow for an increased value and number of awards. This stands now at $120,000 annually, committed through 2021. In addition, in the fall of 2020 an anonymous, private donation of $100,000 was received via the Edmonton Community Foundation to invest directly in artists though the EATF process.

More information about the Edmonton Arts Council’s grants and award programs can be found at: grants.edmontonarts.ca 

Recipients of the 2020 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award:

Former Edmonton Poet Laureate Ahmed Ali, AKA Knowmadic, is a community organizer, public speaker, youth worker, poet and musician who strives to empower diverse communities across the globe. Knowmadic is co-founder and former Artistic Director of Edmonton’s only spoken word collective, Breath In Poetry.

Alma Visscher is an installation artist whose actions and built environments are inserted into the landscape. Her work is influenced by traditional dye methods, notions of vastness and intermediary spaces, and surface architecture.

Andrea Bellegarde-Courchene is a skilled fiber artist from Little Black Bear First Nation in Treaty 4 who truly brings vision to form. Through her traditional star blankets and ribbon skirts she transmits her gift of artistic expression and a healing resurgence of her Cree/Ojibway culture.

A long-time fixture in the Edmonton music scene, Cam Neufeld has played his own style of fiddle music in clubs and festivals across the prairies and around the world. From the street to the concert hall, his musical journey has spanned the gamut of styles from traditional fiddling to jazz.

Celeigh Cardinal is a multi-award-winning Métis singer-songwriter. With numerous accolades to her name, several highlights include taking home awards at the 2020 Juno Awards, the 2018 Western Canadian Music Awards, multiple Edmonton Music Awards, and recently she received two nominations for the 2020 Western Canadian Music Awards for Indigenous Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

As a musician and sound designer, Dave Clarke has composed and produced music and sound designs for over 500 projects in theatre, film, dance and multi-media. He is also a playwright, whose multi-award-winning Theatre for Young Audiences piece, Songs My Mother Never Sung Me, draws on his experience growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults).

Josh Languedoc is an Anishinaabe playwright, theatre artist, and educator. Josh has toured across Canada with his solo storytelling show Rocko and Nakota: Tales From the Land, and is currently studying at the University of Alberta, working on his Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre Practices with a research interest in Indigenous playwriting and storytelling.

Kristi Hansen is a prolific theatre artist whose work includes dramaturgy, direction, stage management, administration, and teaching. She is also the co-founder of Edmonton’s all-female theatre company, The Maggie Tree, whose mandate is to support the development and visibility of female-identifying humans in creative leadership roles in the arts, and was until recently the co-Artistic Producer with Azimuth Theatre.

Leona Brausen is a multi-talented actor, writer, costume designer, and improviser. As a costume designer, she has worked for Mayfield Theatre, Citadel Theatre, Shadow Theatre and Teatro La Quindicina where she's an Artistic Associate. Her work has garnered her both Sterling nominations and awards.

Marty Chan is a children's author with a background in theatre, radio, and television. Using a combination of storytelling, improv, humour, and stage magic, he shares his love of words with audiences young and old, inspiring the next generation of lifelong readers and writers.

Matthew MacKenzie is a multi-award-winning Métis playwright. MacKenzie founded Pyretic Productions in Edmonton in 2008, which produces new works with strong socio-political themes. In 2018, his play Bears won Doras for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Production, was named a co-winner of the Toronto Theatre Critics Outstanding New Canadian Play Award and won the Playwright Guild of Canada’s Carol Bolt National Playwriting Award.

Matthew Stepanic is a freelance writer, poet, editor of The Glass Buffalo, and poetry editor for Eighteen Bridges. Stepanic also co-manages Glass Bookshop, Edmonton’s newest bookstore that focuses on Canadian writing with special attention paid to LGBTQ2SIA and IBPOC writers, as well as the independent publishers who help to produce their work.

Matthew Wood, AKA Creeasian, is an entrepreneur, youth educator, dancer, DJ, producer, and tours as a dancer with the Juno Award winning group A Tribe Called Red. He is committed to bridging hip-hop and Indigenous culture, using the arts to empower and unite youth.  

Megan Dart is a playwright, poet, and the co-Artistic Producer of the award-winning indie company Catch the Keys Productions, best known for its site-specific, immersive theatre creations. Dart is also the co-Artistic Producer of Common Ground Arts Society, the Communications Specialist with Fringe Theatre, and a member of The Edmonton Poetry Brothel.

Swiss native Michael Zaugg is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the professional chamber choir Pro Coro Canada. A passionate pedagogue, Zaugg is strongly committed to his work with choirs and emerging artists.

Michele Vance Hehir is an accomplished playwright. She won first place in the 2017 annual Alberta Playwrights’ Network competition for her full-length play, The Blue Hour, which received its premiere production at Edmonton’s Skirts Afire Festival in 2020.

Shannon Blanchet has appeared on stages across Canada, off-Broadway and in London's West End.  Off the stage, Blanchet is a teacher and coach with the University of Alberta’s Department of Drama and has recently completed a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Voice Pedagogy at the University of Alberta, where her interdisciplinary research focused on the neurological correlates of Voice and Speech Training.

Sharmila Mathur is the Director of the Indian Music Ensemble in the Department of Music at the University of Alberta and the founder of the Indian Music Academy. Through her music instruction and performances, she shares the rich tradition of classical Indian music, and continues to collaborate with musicians from other cultures to create fusion music showcasing the diversity of our community.

For over two decades, Timothy Bowling’s fiction, non-fiction, and poetry has been regularly published and recognized for its excellence, garnering numerous national, provincial and civic honours. In 2008, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation awarded Bowling a fellowship recognizing his entire body of work. As an active member of Edmonton’s literary community Bowling has worked closely with many local writers as a mentor, writer-in-residence and Sessional instructor in literature and creative writing.

Zach Polis is a writer, filmmaker, and photographer, and former Poet Laureate of St. Albert. He has performed in New York City, as well as on CBC Radio. His poems have been recognized on Vogue Italia’s PhotoVogue, and he recently completed a spoken word residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

[raleighliving]

Some writing other than parks

I’ve been talking a lot about parks recently, so lets not do that.

Instead, lets talk about something else. Something that’s still fun, and “Raleigh,” and something I’ve missed because I can’t exactly visit them because of the Pandemic: Museums.  

North Carolina in general prides itself on its history. Our involvement in the colonial era, the Civil war, piracy, flight, sports, tobacco, bootlegging, and much more has lead to a lot of noteworthy events that require cataloging; and as a result there’s practically a museum for everything.

Want a museum of tractors? There’s one in Trinity.  Want to learn more about pirates? You have a few options thanks to the Queen Anne’s Revenge Project salvaging artifacts from pirates like Blackbeard.

Now, those are spread across NC in general. What does Raleigh have to offer specifically? A little bit of everything.

Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle has a wide variety of museums but with a majority hold on the arts and sciences. Most of them, centered around Downtown Raleigh, are free but I’ll be sure to mention if any are the exception to this.

Talking about museums is a bit tricky. If you’re visiting Raleigh for pleasure you’re probably already thinking about events, either at the PNC arena or the State Fairgrounds or the convention center and wouldn’t have a care or stay long enough to check out much else. If you’re visiting Raleigh on business you’re probably looking for places to relax or shop, like parks or malls. The only point I can think of recommending museums to people would be if they’re visiting family; where you’re staying for more than a week and don’t have any set in stone plans (and even then most people will find things to do), or if they live in Raleigh and haven’t been out much.

Regardless, hopefully reading this will benefit at least one person or convince some of my out of state friends to stop by and say “hi” at some point.

I should probably start with one of the most well known museums. Whether you’ve been there or not, if you’ve lived in Raleigh or been downtown at any point in time you’ve probably seen the huge globe that marks the Museum of Natural Sciences.  

Directly across from the NC General Assembly building and on the edge of Downtown facing Capital Blvd, this behemoth of a building hosts a number of exhibits ranging from prehistoric plants and fauna to robotics.  

The massive three story complex is spread across two buildings, connected by a breezeway that stretches over N Salisbury St. and covers a wide range of topics.   

From marine biology to robotics and programming, you and your family can enjoy a number of beautifully crafted exhibits; with a number of interactive exhibits for especially young patrons (or those who’re young at heart).  

Separating 3rd and 1st floor is a large café with pretty basic food, and an impressive indoor butterfly house that hosts a variety of gorgeous flowers and butterflies. There’s other insect exhibits toward the back of the second floor as well, but I understand that most are squeamish around insects so be warned it’s not for everyone.

Exiting the butterfly hutch, be sure to keep an eye out for the museum’s resident sloth as well. The fur baby likes to hide in the corners of his enclosure, but sometimes when you visit he’ll be in plain sight long enough to admire him.  

The museum is free for all ages, but does host a rotating special exhibit wing that will sometimes requires paid entry to visit. Currently, it’s an exhibit on female scientists called “Beyond Curie”; examining some of the lesser known women in science who contributed major works for the low low price of free. 

If you’re interested in checking it out for yourself, be sure to keep an eye out for the huge metal globe that marks the museum’s main building. You can’t miss it.

Of course, the sciences aren’t for everyone. Maybe you’re more interested in people and places than you are animals and weather pattern, which is where the NC Museum of History comes into play. 

Featuring a rotating number of displays, the North Carolina Museum of History has talked at length in the past about North Carolina’s role in World War 1, Colonialism, sports, piracy, women's rights, the justice system, and much more.

As of writing this, the museum is currently hosting exhibits on beach music, the toy boom of the late 1940′s through the 1960s, and an exhibit on woman’s suffrage; so if any of this appeals to you I’d recommend checking them out now before the next change shelves them.

If you’re wary of COVID or don’t want to make the trek to Downtown Raleigh, then luckily enough a number of the exhibits are offering Digital Tours as an alternative! Not every exhibit was lucky enough to be converted, but there’s a few good choices for if you have some spare time or a rainy day with nothing better to do.

Wanna visit in person? I’ve got good news: This museum is located across from the earlier mentioned Museum of Natural Sciences. Visiting Raleigh? You can visit both museums and make a full day crawling from exhibit to exhibit (while of course stopping by the gift store for some NC crafted goods). 

Not interested in facts and hard data period?  Luckily, there’s something for everyone here- which is why if neither of the above appeals to you I’d have to recommend the North Carolina Museum of Art. 

Similarly to the Natural Science museum, this museum has a huge campus with a majority of its’ displays requiring no payment to witness, while new and rotating exhibitions require the purchase of a ticket.

These premium exhibits, usually featuring touring artworks, are a fraction of what’s on display at the museum though.

The west building, actually a collection of small buildings, houses art ranging from classical European to modern art; with everything in between except for African cultural art. That’s held in the main building split between the two floors.  

Exhibits show a basic analysis of the work, and will sometimes go into detail about the creation or meaning of a piece. Surrounded by great art in the middle of Raleigh, it’s hard not to enjoy a trip to this place.

Of course, while a majority of the exhibits are hosted indoors, if you visit the NCMA you should also be sure to wander around their park. A large open space perfect for picnics, reading in the grass, taking a walk, or just enjoying your day.  A number of outdoor exhibits mark the trail, but if you had to see one I’d recommend ‘Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky’.  A hut designed so that the sun peaking through the trees at the right angle will make the roof of the hut seem like a starry night sky.

The NCMA is also different from the other two in that this museum rests closer to North Raleigh than Downtown. Follow Blue Ridge Rd towards the State Fair Grounds (towards Glenwood if you’re starting from the fairgrounds) and you can’t miss it. The large sign, coupled with the giant metal sculpture in the parking lot makes it easy to spot.

Now this is only a few of the museums in the RDU area. I’ve been writing for hours and I haven’t even mentioned CAM, the Raleigh Museum, or any of the other amazing facilities in and around Raleigh yet.

But I think I’ll save those for another time. Even if this hasn’t been the most collected my thoughts have been I hope that whoever reads this at least thinks the images are interesting and checks them out in person as a result.

Also, be sure to donate something if you visit. Most of these places keep the lights on and research funded through patrons like you; so be sure to pay back that kindness even if it’s only a dollar or two.

[blackkudos]

Robert Hooks

Robert Hooks (born Bobby Dean Hooks, April 18, 1937) is an American actor, producer, and activist. He is most recognizable to the public for his more than 100 roles in films, television, and stage. Most famously, Hooks, along with Douglas Turner Ward and Gerald S. Krone, founded The Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The NEC is credited with the launch of the careers of many major black artists of all disciplines, while creating a body of performance literature over the last thirty years, providing the backbone of African-American theatrical classics. Additionally, Hooks is the sole founder of two significant black theatre companies: the D.C. Black Repertory Company, and New York's Group Theatre Workshop.

Biography

Early life

The youngest of five children, Hooks was born in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. to Mae Bertha (née Ward), a seamstress, and Edward Hooks who had moved from Rocky Mount, North Carolina with their four other children, Bernice, Caroleigh, Charles Edward "Charlie", and James Walter "Jimmy". Named Bobby Dean Hooks at birth, Robert was their first child born "up-north" and the first to be born in a hospital. His father, Edward, died in a work accident on the railroad in 1939.

Hooks attended Stevens Elementary School. In 1945, at the insistence of his sister Bernice who was doing community arts outreach for youngsters at Francis Junior High School, he performed the lead in his first play, The Pirates of Penzance, at the age of nine. From the ages of 6 to 12, Bobby Dean journeyed with his siblings to Lucama, North Carolina to work the tobacco fields for his uncle's sharecropping farm as a way to help earn money for the coming school year in D.C.

In 1954, just as Brown vs. Board of Education was being implemented in the north, he moved to Philadelphia to be with his mother, her second husband, and his half-sister, Safia Abdullah (née Sharon Dickerson). Hooks experienced his first integrated school experience at West Philadelphia High School. Hooks soon joined the drama club and began acting in plays by William Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett. He was graduated in 1956, passing on a scholarship to Temple University in order to pursue a career as a stage actor at the Bessie V. Hicks School of Theatre (alongside Charles Dierkop and Bruce Dern, with whom he second-acted plays doing their pre-Broadway tryouts in Philadelphia) while working at Browning King, a men's tailor shop at Fourteenth and Chestnut streets.

Career

Having trained at the Bessie V. Smith School of Theatre in Philadelphia, and after seeing A Raisin in the Sun in its Philadelphia tryout in February 1959, Hooks moved to New York to pursue acting. In April 1960, as Bobby Dean Hooks, he made his Broadway debut in A Raisin in the Sun replacing Louis Gossett, Jr. who would be doing the film version. He then continued to do its national tour. He then stepped into the Broadway production of A Taste of Honey, replacing Billy Dee Williams; then repeating the same national tour trajectory as he had done for "Raisin..." the previous year. In early 1962 he next appeared as the lead in Jean Genet's The Blacks, replacing James Earl Jones as the male lead, leaving briefly that same year to appear on Broadway again in Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright before stepping back into the lead role in The Blacks in 1963. He then returned to Broadway, first in Ballad for Bimshire and then in the short-lived 1964 David Merrick revival of The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Any More (as a character created by Tennessee Williams for this revival) and starring Tallulah Bankhead and Tab Hunter in his only stage performance. Immediately thereafter, in March 24, 1964 he originated the role of Clay in Amiri Baraka's Dutchman. With this play, on the advice of Roscoe Lee Brown, Hooks became known as, Robert Hooks. He also originated roles on the New York stage in Where's Daddy? for which he won the Theatre World Award and he was nominated for Best Male Lead in a Musical for Hallelujah Baby while he was simultaneously starring in David Susskind's N.Y.P.D.—the first African American lead on a television drama.

In 1968 Hooks was the host of the new public affairs television program, Like It Is.

Hooks was nominated for a Tony for his lead role in the musical, Hallelujah, Baby!, has received both the Pioneer Award and the NAACP Image Award for Lifetime Achievement, and has been inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. He also won an Emmy for his PBS special, Voices of Our People.

Significant roles for which Hooks is known include Reeve Scott in Hurry Sundown (1967), Mr. T. in the blaxploitation film Trouble Man (1972), grandpa Gene Donovan in the comedy Seventeen Again (2000), and Fleet Admiral Morrow in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). He also appeared on television in an episode of the NBC crime drama series The Eddie Capra Mysteries in 1978 and portrayed Doctor Walcott in the 1980s television series Dynasty.

Activism

Arts and Culture

In 1964, as a result of a speaking engagement at the Chelsea Civil Rights Committee (then connected to the Hudson Guild Settlement House) he founded The Group Theatre Workshop (GTW), a tuition-free environment for disadvantaged urban teens who expressed a desire to explore acting. Among the instructors were Barbara Ann Teer, Frances Foster, Hal DeWindt, Lonne Elder III, and Ronnie Mack. Alumni include Antonio Fargas, Hattie Winston, and Daphne Maxwell Reid.

The Group Theatre Workshop was folded into the tuition-free training arm of the The Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) founded in 1967 with Douglas Turner Ward and Gerald S. Krone with a $1.3 million grant from the Ford Foundation under the auspices of W. McNeil Lowry.

From 1969-1972, Hooks served as an original board member of Black Academy of Arts and Letters (BAAL) (located in New York) alongside C. Eric Lincoln, President; John O. Killens, Alvin F. Poussaint, and Charles White. Chartered by the State of New York, BAAL's mission was to bring together Black artists and scholars from around the world. Additional members included: Julian Adderley, Alvin Ailey, Margaret Walker, James Baldwin, Imamu Baraka, Romare Bearden, Harry Belafonte, Lerone Bennett, Arna Bontemps, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee Davis, St. Clair Drake, Ernest Dunbar, Katherine Dunham, Lonne Elder III, Duke Ellington, Alex Haley, Ruth Inge Hardison, Vertis Hayes, Chester Himes, Lena Horne, Jacob Lawrence, Elma Lewis, Henry Lewis, Paule Marshall, Donald McKayle, Arthur Mitchell, Frederick O’Neal, Gordon Parks, Sidney Poitier, Benjamin Quarles, Lloyd Richards, Lucille D. Roberts, and Nina Simone.

In response to the violence in his home town of Washington, D.C. in the wake of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, and aided by a small grant from the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, Hooks took a leave of absence from the Negro Ensemble Company to create The D.C. Black Repertory Company (DCBRC, 1970-1981). As Founder and Executive Director, the DCBRC was intended as a further exploration of the ability of the arts to create healing. The a capella group Sweet Honey in the Rock was created and developed within its workshop process.

The Inner Voices (Lorton Prison arts training program, 1971) proved to be a result of the beneficial effect of the DCBRC in the D.C. area. In response to a direct plea from an inmate, Rhozier "Roach" Brown, who was serving a life sentence in Lorton, Hooks' D.C. Black Repertory Company structured the first prison-based arts program in the United States. While it is the norm now, it was then a revolutionary attempt at rehabilitation through the arts. Eventually The Inner Voices performed more than 500 times in other prisons, including a Christmas special entitled, "Holidays, Hollowdays." Due to Roach's work, President Gerald Ford commuted his sentence on Christmas Day, 1975.

His relocation to the West Coast redirected Hooks' approach to parity in the arts with his involvement with The Bay Area Multicultural Arts Initiative (1988) as a board member and grant facilitator-judge. Funded by monies from a unique coalition made up of the San Francisco Foundation (a community foundation); Grants for the Arts of the San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, and The National Endowment for the Arts, the function of this organization was the funding of deserving local multicultural arts organizations.

In 1992, Hooks co-founded (with writer Lonne Elder III) Arts in Action. Located in South Central Los Angeles, this was a film and television training center established to guide individuals who aspired to careers in film production. It formulated strategies and training for securing entry-level jobs. Courses included: career development workshops; pre-production and production for film and television; creative problem solving in production management; directing for stage and screen—principles and practices; also the craft of assistant directors, script supervisor, technicians, wardrobe, make-up, etc.

The Negro Ensemble Company of Los Angeles (NEC-LA) (1994-1997) was created because so many New York members and original members had relocated to the west coast. Hooks, as founder and executive director enlisted alumni from his New York Negro Ensemble Company to serve as board members: Denise Nicholas, Denzel Washington, James Earl Jones, Laurence Fishburne, Richard Roundtree, Samuel L. Jackson. NEC-LA's goal was to be a new and innovative multi-ethnic cultural project that strived to achieve the community effectiveness and professional success of its parent organization.

Personal life

Hooks is the father of actor, television and film director Kevin Hooks. He married Lorrie Gay Marlow (actress, author, artist) on June 15, 2008. Previously, he was married to Yvonne Hickman and Rosie Lee Hooks.

Awards

1966 - Theatre World Award (1965–66 ) for "Where's Daddy?" (The Billy Rose Theatre)

1979 - American Black Achievement Award - Ebony Magazine

1982 - Emmy Award for Producing (1982) Voices of Our People: In Celebration of Black Poetry (KCET-TV/PBS)

1966 - Tony Nomination, Lead Role in a Musical for Hallelujah, Baby

1985 - Inducted into The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, recipient Oscar Micheaux Award (1985)

1986 - March 2nd declared Robert Hooks Day by the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Tom Bradley

1987 - Excellence in Advertising and Communications to Black Communities from CEBA (Excellence in Advertising and Communications to Black Communities)

2000 - Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa honorary degree, Bowie State University

2000 - May 25th declared Robert Hooks Day in Washington, D.C.

2005 - Beverly Hills/Hollywood Chapter NAACP Image Award for Lifetime Achievement

2005 - Beverly Hills/Hollywood Chapter NAACP Trailblazer Award to the Negro Ensemble Company

2005 - Trailblazer Award – City of Los Angeles

2006 - The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL), Lifetime Achievement Award (Dallas)

2007 - The Black Theatre Alliance Awards / Lifetime Achievement Award

2015 - Living Legend Award (2015) National Black Theatre Festival

2018 - October 18th proclaimed Robert Hooks Day by Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington, D.C.

2018 - Hooks is entered into The Congressional Record by the Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton, September 4, 2018, Vol. 164

2018 - Visionary Founder and Creator Award - D.C. Black Repertory Company on its 47th anniversary

Acting Credits

Film

Sweet Love, Bitter (1967) .... Keel Robinson

Hurry Sundown (1967) .... Reeve Scott

Last of the Mobile Hot Shots (1970) .... Chicken

Carter's Army (1970) .... Lt. Edward Wallace

Trouble Man (1972) .... Mr. T

Aaron Loves Angela (1975) .... Beau

Airport '77 (1977) .... Eddie

Fast-Walking (1982) .... William Galliot

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) .... Admiral Morrow

Passenger 57 (1992) .... Dwight Henderson

Posse (1993) .... King David

Fled (1996) .... Lt. Clark

[littleharpethcrossfit]

Sunday, 16 August         Partner   Jump Rope/Push Press Game ......”Hope”.....Med-Ball Run.

Yes, it was as nice as mid-August gets in Tennessee.  There were storms nearby, but Tom said they would stay away, and they did.

Big Shane led us in a very fine mobility/flexibility session to get us moving.

Warmup #2:     Partner Game.   One partner does 25 Double (50 Single) Unders while the other partner does VERY LIGHT Push-Presses.   They switch roles when the Jump Ropes are finished, keeping track of the total Push Presses.  Partners post the total Push Presses.  This is meant to warmup our shoulders in preparation for the Snatch’s and Thrusters to come.

Total Partner Push-Presses:

Larry/Robert=229     Lew/Tom=196     Bethany/Rowena=173     Mason/Andrew=162     Leigh Ann/Ruth Ann=159     Scott/Scotty=153     Elisa/Dana=140     Zac/Dyer=139     Katherine/Ashley=100     Whole bunch’s failed to post.

 WOD:   “HOPE”   This WOD takes more time to explain than it does to do it.     

This WOD is a variation of the CrossFit benchmark “Fight Gone Bad”.  It was first done 7 years ago as a fund raising benefit for our very own Memphis St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. 

The design is the same as FGB, but the exercises are all different.  There are 5 exercises done for 1 minute AMRAP’s with no pause between them.  The 5 exercises constitute 1 Round.    A 1 minute rest period follows the round.  The rounds are repeated for 3 total rounds.  Your score is the Grand Total reps for the 3 rounds of 15 AMRAPs.

“Fight Gone Bad” was originally designed as a WOD to simulate a Martial Arts Fight, with 3 rounds of 5 minutes each,  continuous action, with 1 minute rests in between. 

Following what we have learned from past experience, the class will be divided and partnered.  “HOPE” will be done in 2 heats.  One partner will do the WOD, while the other keeps score/strategizes/coach’s/encourages/etc.  We have learned that doing it this way decreases confusion and increases your scores.  

There will be stations set up so that athletes move in a clockwise pattern for the rounds.  Ample equipment will be pre-positioned at each station.  Individual score cards, sharp pencils and calculators await you.  LHCF ROCKS !!   

Hopefully, there will not be an excessive turn-over time between heats.

The Exercises:

Burpee’s

Power Snatch’s     (75/55)

Box Jumps     (20″)

Thrusters     (75/55)

Kettle Bell Swings     (35/25)

RX-ers:

Dana=330     Larry=300     Brendan=299     David S=283     Shane=279     Hunter=276         Elisa=261     Robert=249     Warren G=248

Scaled:

Rowena=325     Coach=297     Luke=291     Ruth Anne=286     Katherine=284     Linda=283     “Sloppy”=283     Warren A=282     Leigh Ann=281     “H-Bomb”=276    Ashley=273     Bethany=270     Lew=254     Sc ott A=235     Tom=234     Lew/Lee=231     Zac=229     Cheri=224     Scotty=206     Dyer=180     Timmy=did it.  No Post.          

Cool-Down:     Run/Jog/Walk 800m with your favorite Med-Ball.

Notes:

I am somewhat regretful that I yelled at a 1/2 dozen of you for your efforts to personalize the stations and generally screw up all my 6 hours of work planning and setting up this WOD.  Somewhat regretful.  

On the other hand, in the girls area, everything is always cooperative and highly appreciative of the Coach and the WODs are run smoothly.   Why is that ??

The new guys were Tim and Ashley.  They recently moved into the house on the other side of Robert.  It is curious that someone moved into that house only 2 months ago, and they have already bailed and left the house to Tim and Ashley.  It remains to be seen if  T & A  (his suggestion) are  allowed to walk past 6224 to arrive at 6226 to workout.  BTW, I already know Ashley’s political leanings.  I hope she keeps coming.

The Buck’s are rapidly approaching the date of their 50th anniversary.   They are planning a weekend away, beginning this Thursday.  The WODs are programmed, and you will have an excellent and real-live college trained coach.  Please don’t take the weekend off, just because the Buck’s are gone.  

Search Black Berry farm.  That’s where we will be.  We will be cashing in 1/2 of our 401-K’s to afford this weekend.  Blackberry’s wine cellar has about 200,000 high priced bottles, believed to be the best cellar in North America.  We will dine with Emmy-Lou Harris 2 nights and listen to her sing up close and personal.  We don’t know anything about her or her music, but the setting is at the glorious Yallarhammer Pavilion.  I intend to stay sober enough to have some recall.   

Tuesday at 4 PM.   

[larryland]

The Spaghetti Supper Concert at St. Ann's Lenox

The Spaghetti Supper Concert at St. Ann’s Lenox

LENOX, MA – Under the musical direction of Ron Ramsay, St. Ann’s Director of Music Programs, the voices of St. Ann Church in Lenox present a program of popular Italian songs, standards and inspirational & sacred songs.

This exceptional ensemble has grown in number since being under Ramsay’s direction and has broadened its scope, adding their voices to various events including Divine Mercy Sunday…

[sleepykittypaws]

2020 Theatrical Holiday Premieres

Updated: December 10,  2020

Lina From Lima (holiday-set drama written and directed by Maria Paz Gonzalez; starring Emilia Ossandon, Sebastian Brahm and Cecilia Cartasegna; A Peruvian woman working for a wealthy family in Chile prepares for a Christmas trip home to see her son, her first in a decade, but things don’t go as planned) - Jan. 4, festival (Trailer); also available on HBO Max as of Oct. 8

The Lodge (Christmas-set horror film starring Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell and Alicia Silverstone; A soon-to-be stepmom gets snowed in with her fiancé's two children at a remote holiday village. Just as relations begin to thaw between the trio, some strange and frightening events take place.) - Feb. 7, Rated R (Trailer); also available on Hulu as of May 5 

The Crossing (a.k.a. Flukten Over Grensen; Norwegian-language film directed by Johanne Helgeland; In WWII Norway, two young children’s parents, active in the resistance, are captured by Nazis just days before Christmas, leaving them to fend for both themselves and the Jewish children they find hidden in their house) - Feb. 14, Norway/US TBA (Trailer, Website)

Tidy Tim’s (holiday comedy starring Shane Woodson, Rich Williams and Jennifer Day, about a father and son run who run a rickety used car lot in Southern California that is facing foreclosure.) - Feb. 15, Rated PG-13, festival (Trailer) also available on DVD Oct. 6

12 Days of Christmas (holiday movie starring Annie Newton and Drew Petriello; directed by Michael Boyle; Best friends home from college on Christmas break navigate an unplanned pregnancy, making it a tricky holiday with their families) - Mar 7, Cinequest Film Festival (Facebook, Website, Trailer) also available on DVD Sep. 1

The Last Christmas Party (indie drama starring Samantha Brooks, Anna Clare Kerr, Lainey Woo, James Williams, Martin Drop and Gabriel Armentano; directed by Julian Santos; Three college couples attend the last fraught party before Christmas break; filmed in New York) - June 7, Festival (Website, Trailer) available on Amazon Prime Nov. 13

Merry Christmas, Yiwu (Documentary from director Mladen Kovacevic focusing on life for workers in the Chinese city that has over 600 Christmas ornament and decor factories.) - June 24, Hot Docs Film Festival (Website, Facebook, Teaser)

A New York Christmas Wedding (starring Chris Noth, Avery Whitted, Joe Perrino, Adriana DeMeo and Tyra Ferrell; written and directed by Otoja Abit; As her Christmas Eve wedding draws near, a woman is visited by an angel and shown what could have been if she’d allowed her feelings for her childhood friend to flourish instead.) - Aug 21, Festival (Trailer, Trailer 2) also available on Netflix as of Nov. 5

A Christmas Cancellation (holiday movie starring Lauren Melty, Marcus Ellison and Elliott Kashner; written and directed by Justin Timpane; A group of fictional TV characters who become sentient as their show is set to end; filmed in Washington, D.C.) - Aug. 31, American Golden Picture International Film Festival (Website, Facebook, Trailer) available on Amazon Prime Nov. 13

A Christmas Tree Love Story (holiday movie starring Gregory Piccirilli and Ashley Holliday Tavares, filmed in Georgia; Two old friends reminiscence while searching for the perfect Christmas tree) - Sep 8, Richmond International Film Festival (Website, Trailer); also available on Amazon Prime as of Dec. 21

Blackbird (drama starring Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Sam Neill, Mia Wasikowska and Rainn Wilson;  A woman with ALS who wants to end her life on her own terms, gathers her family for one final Christmas celebration) - Sep. 18, Rated R (Trailer) also available VOD

We Three Kings (faith-based film from writer-directors Joseph and Stacie Graber; starring Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James and Nice Davies; The story behind the Christmas carol; filmed in Denver, Colo.) - Sep. 27, festival (Website, Trailer)

It Cuts Deep (horror-comedy from writer-director Nicholas Santos; A couple on Christmas vacation trying to figure out their future have their lives turned upside down by a disturbing stranger; filmed in Cape Cod, Mass.) - Oct. 8  (Website)

The War With Grandpa (holiday-set family comedy starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Uma Thurman, Jane Seymour, Rob Riggle and Cheech Marin; A grandfather comes to live with his daughter, ousting his grandson from his room and prompting a declaration of war from young to old) - Oct. 9, Rated PG (Trailer), available on digital Dec. 15 and DVD Dec. 22

The Wolf of Snow Hollow (holiday-set horror comedy written, directed and starring Jim Cummings, alongside Riki Lindhome, Robert Forster and Chloe East; A small town sheriff tries to keep control of a panicking small town as a string of murders on full moons makes the townspeople think supernatural thoughts) - Oct. 9, Rated R (Trailer)

The Food Club (a.k.a. Madklubben; Danish film directed by Barbara Topsøe-Rothenborg and starring Kirsten Olesen, Stina Ekblad and Kirsten Lehfeldt; A women abandoned by her husband on Christmas Eve leans on her friends, a widow and lifelong singleton who take her to Italy to take part in an culinary adventure) - Oct. 22 Denmark (Danish Trailer)

Fair Haven (partially crowd-funded indie from Red Skies Studios starring Bobby McGruther and Amandalyn McLellan; A death in the family brings a musician on the verge of making it back to his hometown for the holidays) - Oct. 24, Catskills International Film Festival (Facebook, Indiegogo)

Friendsgiving  (a.k.a. Dinner with Friends; starring Kat Dennings, Malin Akerman, Christine Taylor, Aisha Tyler, Jane Seymour, Chelsea Peretti and Ryan Hansen; directed by Nicol Paone; Friends host a chaotic Thanksgiving dinner) - Oct. 23, Rated R (Trailer) also available on blu-ray Oct. 27

Gledelig Jul (a.k.a. Another Happy Christmas; Norwegian comedy starring Anne Marit Jacobsen and Otto Jespersen; directed by Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken; The story of a family coming together for holidays for the first time in years, where secrets are revealed.) - Oct. 30, Norway  (Website)

A Christmas Gift from Bob (sequel to 2016′s A Street Cat Named Bob, based on the book; starring Kristina Tonteri-Young and Luke Treadaway; A ginger cat saves a homeless man at Christmas) - Nov. 6 UK (Trailer)

My Dad’s Christmas Date (UK holiday-set, comedy-drama starring Joely Richardson, Jeremy Piven, Roger Ashton-Griffiths and Olivia-Mai Barrett; directed by Mick Davis and co-written by Brian and Jack Marchetti; A teenager struggling to cope with her mother’s death signs up her depressed, widower father for a dating service) - Nov. 6, limited (Website, Trailer, Trailer 2) Also available on iTunes

The Santa Box (family movie from writer/director Spanky Dustin Ward and starring Cami Carver and Shawn Stevens; A girl who thinks she’s cursed by Christmas finds a note in a Santa Box left on her doorstep that changes everything; filmed in Utah) - Nov. 6, limited (Facebook) also available via DVD and digital on Nov. 10

Julemandens Datter 2 (a.k.a. All I Want for Christmas 2; Danish-language family film sequel to the popular 2018 movie; After Lucia becomes the first girl to gain entrance to the Santa School, she most prove her best friend, Oscar’s, innocence, after he’s wrongly accused of a crime and expelled from school.) - Nov. 12, Denmark (Trailer)

A Wrestling Christmas Miracle (low-budget movie from right-wing Justice for All Productions, starring Ken Del Vecchio and Oriana D’Agostino and re-using many scenes from last year’s A Karate Christmas Miracle; A young wrestler gives up the sport to make a movie he hope will wake his comatose friend for Christmas) - Nov. 15, festival; also available as of Nov. 27 on Amazon Prime

Malous Jul (Danish-language fantasy film from Frederik Norgaard; starring Karla My Nordquist and Lars Ranthe; A troubled girl finds herself spending Christmas on an island with a family of elves) - Nov. 19, Denmark (Website)

Some Kind of Christmas (holiday movie written and directed by Davien Harlis and produced by his own Act1Scene2 Productions; starring Tomathan McGinnis, Mariela Perez Calderon, Andre Lamar and Derrell Lester; A man comes home for Christmas for the first time in years, but finds his holiday spirit tested when he hires a fake boyfriend to bring home for Christmas) - Nov. 19-21, Cinevision in Ga.  (Website)

A Carolina Christmas (right-wing, faith-based holiday movie from Dalton Pictures; A new city inspector tries to stifle a town’s Christmas celebrations; filmed in South Carolina) - Nov. 20, limited (Making Of Series)

Michael McClean’s The Forgotten Carols (filmed adaptation of the long-running, faith-based, original musical; filmed in Cedar City, Utah) - Nov. 20 in select theaters (Website, Trailer)

The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (holiday movie sequel to the 2018 film starring Kurt Russell as a sassy Santa, Goldie Hawn, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Tyrese Gibson; directed by Chris Columbus; Kate Pierce—now a cynical teenager—is unexpectedly reunited with Santa Claus when a mysterious, magical troublemaker named Belsnickel threatens to destroy Christmas forever.) - Nov. 25 (Trailer) also available on Netflix

Fatman (action-comedy written and directed by Ian and Eshom Nelms, starring Walton Goggins, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Chance Hurstfield, and Mel Gibson as a “rowdy, unorthodox” Santa Claus who is fighting his popularity decline when a 12-year-old hires a hitman to do him in after receiving a lump of coal the previous season.) - Nov. 13, Rated R (Trailer), available on digital Nov. 17

A Christmas Carol (live-action animated feature starring Andy Serkis, Carey Mulligan, Daniel Kaluuya, Martin Freeman and Leslie Caron; abstract re-telling of A Christmas Carol when, during a children’s paper theater telling of the classic story, we enter the imagination of a child hearing it told.) - Nov. 19, limited release (Featurette, Trailer) also available in the UK starting Dec. 4

Katherine Jenkins: Christmas Spectacular (concert film featuring the Welsh opera singer's 2019 Royal Albert Hall Christmas show, including special guests Vanessa Redgrave and Bill Nighy) - Dec. 1 in UK, also available VOD

The Loss Adjuster (holiday movie starring Luke Goss, Martin Kemp, Joan Collins, Gary Siner and Cathy Tyson; An insurance adjuster’s wife leaves him a week before Christmas and his day just gets worse from there, until he discovers how truly lucky he is with the help of some Christmas magic) - Dec. 1 in UK (Trailer, Facebook) also available same day digital in the U.S.

Christmas in the Jungle (Latvian-Estonian family adventure movie, with mainly English dialogue; starring Paaru Oja, Tonu Kark, Rukman Rosadi; directed by Jaak Kilmi; When a 10-year-old girl is moved to the tropics by her parents, she has trouble getting into the holiday spirit, so she and a local friend head into the jungle in search of the Christmas Shaman; filmed in Indonesia) - Dec. 1 in Estonia

Saving the Spirit of Christmas (holiday musical written, produced and directed by members of the Grand Prairie Arts Council; A teen mourns the loss of her favorite Christmas traditions due to COVID, prompting the Spirit of Christmas to visit her) - Dec. 3, drive-in, benefit premiere at South Grand Prairie High School

Dear Santa (feature documentary from filmmaker Dana Nachman; based on the USPS’s Operation Santa, which allows people to adopt and answer children’s letters to Santa.) - Dec. 4 (Website, Trailer) Also available VOD

Lost at Christmas (holiday movie starring Natalie Clark and Kenny Boyle; After being dumped by his fiancé after a rejected proposal, two strangers stranded in the Scottish Highlands join forces to try and get home in time for Christmas; filmed on location in Scotland) - Dec. 4 in UK (Website, Trailer) also available VOD on Dec. 7 (UK only)

Nomadland (drama starring Frances McDormand, Gay DeForest and Patricia Grier; directed by Chloe Zhao; Exploring the life of a modern nomad, who travels the country looking for temporary seasonal work; starting at the holidays) - Dec. 4, limited (Trailer)

Our Lady of Guadalupe (Directed and written by Pedro Brenner, starring Guillermo Ivan and filmed in Mexico, the holiday-set, faith-based story of a reporter sent to research the meaning of a miracle who ends up needing one himself) - Dec. 10, limited (Trailer)

Silent Night (UK action-thriller written and directed by Will Thorne, starring Bradley Taylor and Cary Crankson; An ex-con hoping to go straight and spend a nice Christmas with his daughter, but who gets drawn back into the criminal life) - Dec. 11 in UK (Facebook) also available on UK VOD Dec. 14 and DVD Dec. 28 

Christmas on Mars (a.k.a. Un Natale su Marte; Italian Christmas comedy from director Neri Parenti; filmed in Rome) - Dec. 17 in Italy

The Lost Christmas (Dutch comedy about a theater producer who tries to save his theater from a Coronavirus-caused crisis by putting on a spectacular holiday show that goes horribly wrong; filmed in Velsen) - Dec. 21, Netherlands (Instagram, Trailer)

Pieces of a Woman (partially holiday-set drama starring Vanessa Kirby, Shia LeBeouf and Ellen Burstyn; A home birth goes horribly wrong, leaving a family and community to pick up the pieces) - Dec. 30 (Trailer), available on Netflix, January 7, 2021

Creatures (holiday horror-comedy about a group of students who find an adorable injured alien, only to find he’s being chased by terrifying creatures) - Dec. in UK (Facebook, Trailer, Trailer 2)

[antiquatedfuture]

Antiquated Future Distro Spring Newsletter

In brief: We picked up all three issues of Fred Thomas' (Saturday Looks Good to Me, City Center) Balcony zine series. The latest (We Need Emotional Labor) from Jennifer Williams' ever-popular workbook zine series is here. We brought our Summer Soul mixtape series out of retirement. The excellent Grand Terrace Photo League coffee table book is now much more affordable. There's new issues of some of our favorite literary and art journals: Big Big Wednesday, Incandescent, and We'll Never Have Paris. 

And in these trying times, we brought back our Protect Roe v Wade Zine Pack, but also encourage everyone to donate to organizations working directly against this, such as The Yellowhammer Fund, Access Reproductive Care Southeast, and National Network of Abortion Funds.

ZINES

Balcony #3- "A funny thing about regret is that it's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't done." Interviews with long-running New Zealand experimental rock band The Dead C, cultish songwriter Edith Frost, and ambient musician John Daniel of Forest Management. ($6) 

Balcony #2- A public apology, an essay about Lewis Hyde's The Gift, an interview with left-field hip-hop musician Sterling Toles, in-depth record reviews, and a couple poems by Charles Gonsalves. ($6) 

Balcony #1- The issue that begin the Balcony series, a highly enjoyable take on the now-rare music-focused variety zine. Highlight: an interview with Chandra Oppenheim, who—at ten years old—headed up the New York no-wave band Chandra. ($6) 

Black Tea #5- A mixtape of Jason Martin's comics from recent years. Within: good-deed tollbooths, a tribute to San Francisco's Aquarius Records, and a really sweet one about a childhood business card collection. ($4)

Dogs of Brattleboro- Dogs busking with the punks, hanging out in cars, on walks, in laps, in arms. 22 images from photographer Bob George's Brattleboro, Vermont archives. Each zine comes with a dog button! ($4)

A Halloween Poem for Children- A short collection of short poems (in handsome mini-zine form) from Murder City Devils' frontman Spencer Moody. Metaphysical oddities that casually nod to centuries of counterculture writers. ($5) Safe Words- A lyrical mini-memoir of desire. Through a series of vignettes, longtime zinester Sarah Geo recounts her sexual experiences with men, traversing the good and the bad to shine a spotlight on sexual desire in all its complexities. ($8)

Somnambulist #31: Dear Mayor Wheeler- Letters to Portland mayor Ted Wheeler regarding Portland's housing crisis from the perspective of a long-time advocate for houseless communities. This far-reaching collection of letters brings in personal, literary, and historical viewpoints. ($5)

Sugar Needle #41- The zine of oddball candy reviews. Within: scorched rice, wagon wheels, Italian apertifs, bee-berry honey caramel chocolates, jujube nougat, and much more. ($3)

Tin Can Telephone #6- Another issue of historic lost oddities and present realities. The highlight: a short history of cardboard cut-out cereal-box records of the 1960s and '70s. ($5)

We Need Emotional Labor: Discussion Questions to Redistribute the Work that Holds Communities Together- An essential guide to understanding both the value of emotional labor and the imbalance of it. ($8)

We, The Drowned- In the vein of his Fixer Eraser zine series, We, the Drowned is Jonas' latest collection of curious short prose pieces. Under the banner of "wishes and ghost stories," the pieces within are filled with conversations, lies, playful tangents, and a lot of heart. ($3) We'll Never Have Paris #16: Food- The latest issue of the literary zine of all things never meant to be focuses on food. And within, there are personal essays about diets, the melting pot of culinary cultures in a textiles factory, an immigrant family's relationship to Filet-O-Fish, a French mother's relationship to endives, the morning of Freddy Mercury's death, a failed care package, and more. ($6)

BOOKS

Big Big Wednesday, Issue Six- An inviting literary journal of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and visual art, each issue of Big Big Wednesday holds a little something for everyone. One of our all-time favorite journals. With work from (the one-and-only) Jo Ann Beard, Jane Wong, Erin Perry, Madeline ffitch, and many others. ($15) Incandescent: A Color Film Zine, Issue 15- Parking meters, pensive basketball players, proud dogs, explorative cats, tomatoes in a shirt, a swamp room, a shack. All gathered, figuring out how “to approach stillness,” the latest theme of Incandescent, our very favorite photography journal. ($14)

MUSIC Anna Burch- Party (Life Like)- Before her Polyvinyl pop gem, Quit The Curse, there was Party: the Beach Boys' Party-inspired solo debut from Anna Burch (Failed Flowers, Frontier Ruckus). (Cassette) ($8)

Anna Burch & Fred Thomas- St. Adalbert / Parkways (Polyvinyl)- A stunning indie-pop gem a piece from Michigan's finest: Fred Thomas (Saturday Looks Good to Me, City Center) and Anna Burch. (seven inch) ($8)

Bitpart- Beyond What's Left (Rumbletowne)- Thirteen songs from Paris-based post-power-pop punks, Bitpart. In your face, catchy, and raw, with big heavy basslines and lots of energy. (LP) ($12)

Bonny Doon- Classical Days and Jazzy Nights (Life Like)- A repress of the 2015 four-track home recordings of Detroit band Bonny Doon. Hazy, Echoplex-laden, alt-country-tinged pop anthems. (Cassette) ($8)

City Center- Spring St (Quite Scientific)- A long-lost record from the late great City Center. Four woozy, atmospheric, skewed dream-pop tracks. On clear, screen-printed, one-sided vinyl. So gorgeous! (12" EP) ($12) Cultural Fog- Self-Titled (Life Like)- Claire Cirocco, Emily Roll, and Fred Thomas combine to make pulsing, triple-synth soundscapes that are "strongly under the influence of Windam Hill." (Cassette) ($8)

Dominic Coppola & Fred Thomas- Enough Time Has Passed (Life Like)- A collaborative project between drone musician Dominic Coppola and musical chameleon Fred Thomas. (Cassette) ($8)

Land & Buildings- Huron River Eclipse (Life Like)- Like a chamber-pop band led by a synth player and inspired by Nico Muhly's Mothertongue and John Cale's Artificial Intelligence. (Cassette) ($8)

Make Like a Tree- Mothernight (This + That Tapes)- Hazy, ambient dream-pop from the Ukraine. Really, it's just such a pleasure. An album to get lost in. (Cassette + Digital Download) ($8)

The Max Levine Ensemble- Backlash, Baby (Rumbletowne)- Hyperdrive pop-punk packed with stories from songwriter David Combs (Spoonboy, Somnia, Bad Moves). (LP) ($12)

Mystery Cassette Tape Grab Bag- Five cassettes, from our back catalog and beyond, all for $10. What a deal! (cassettes) ($10)

Nick Keeling- Martha (Why the Tapes Play)- Three pieces of lo-fi instrumental piano on a three-inch CD. Music that exists beautifully outside of time. (3" CD) ($5)

Pleasure Systems- Terraform (Self-Released)- The latest from Pleasure Systems, the solo electronic project of Clarke from The Washboard Abs. Terraform takes the project into a place that sparkles and pops in digital melancholic bliss. A masterpiece in synth waves, pitch shifts, glitches, and stutters, all covered in pop song dreams. (Cassette + Digital Download) ($6) 

Somnia- How The Moon Shines On The Shit (Rumbletowne)- A full-throttle pop-punk supergroup that combines the songwriting talents of Erica Freas (RVIVR) and David Combs (Spoonboy, Max Levine Ensemble) to create an album to help you get through the day. (LP) ($12)

Songs for Moms- River (Rumbletowne)- Five tracks that captures Songs for Moms' enduring greatness. Adventurous pop-punk songs of scars and healing, grieving and celebrating. (12" EP) ($12)

Spencer Moody & Little Stray- Split Tape (This + That Tapes)- A split release from Murder City Devils' frontman Spencer Moody and Little Stray, the solo project of Rabbits to Riches' guitarist Chris Baldys. Two sides of smart, intimate bedroom folk in handsome handmade packaging. (Cassette + Digital Download) ($8)

Summer Soul, Vol. 9- The ninth volume of our long-running Summer Soul mixtape series. Twenty songs of apologies, thank yous, heartbreaks, and celebrations. An hour of lesser-known '60s and '70s soul. (Cassette) ($5)

[makistar2018]

Taylor Swift is worth more than $300 million — see her bicoastal mansions, lavish vacations, and generous gifts to fans and friends

Hillary Hoffower August 19, 2018

Taylor Swift reportedly has a net worth of more than $300 million. Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Taylor Swift's net worth is currently an estimated $320 million, according to Forbes, making her one of the world's highest-paid celebrities.

Once Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour ends this fall, her net worth could climb even higher.

Swift spends her fortune growing her $84 million real estate portfolio and donating to causes and charity.

Taylor Swift never fails to impress.

At 15 years old, she was the youngest songwriter to ever sign with Sony. She now has 10 Grammys on her shelf, several tours under her belt (including one that generated a staggering quarter of a billion dollars), an endless list of chart-topping songs and albums, and a beloved fan base who dub themselves "Swifties."

Such success makes Swift one of the world's highest-paid celebrities and one of the richest female singers. According to Forbes, she has an estimated net worth of $320 million — and that's only expected to rise once her current six-month Reputation Stadium Tour wraps up later this year.

Swift has been strategic and generous with her money, investing in a sprawling $84 million real estate portfolio and often donating it to causes she supports and people in need.

Below, see how Swift earns and spends her fortune.

Taylor Swift currently has an estimated net worth of $320 million, which has grown due to her music, merchandise, and endorsements.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Source: Forbes

Ever the superstar, Swift's endorsement deals and partnerships are with high-profile brands, including Keds, Diet Coke, CoverGirl, and Apple, which bring in a lot of income.

Charley Gallay/Getty Images

Source:Money

Swift has had a long-term partnership with Diet Coke since 2013, which has involved her chatting about her love for the drink in a "Bon Appetit" interview and holding the drink while on camera.

Anna Webber/Shutterstock

Source:Hollywood Reporter, Variety

Adele and Madonna, who have comparable fan bases to Swift, didn't put as much effort into brand partnerships and touring as Swift did in 2016 — and only made half of her paycheck, at $80.5 million and $76.5 million respectively, according to Quartz.

Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images

Source:Quartz

In fact, aside from brand partnerships and endorsements, touring is Swift's biggest money maker. Her 1989 tour grossed more than $250 million in 2015.

Graham Denholm/Shutterstock

Source: Forbes

She stands to earn even more than that during her current six-month Reputation Stadium Tour that began in May. Five shows in, Swift had already earned $54 million in sales — that's $10.8 million per show.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Source: Forbes, Refinery29

But her tours don't just bring in ticket sales. Billboard estimated that Swift sells $17 of merchandise per ticket at her shows.

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Source:Billboard

Swift was the world's top-earning musician in June 2016, bringing home a record $170 million from 2015-2016, according to Forbes' 2016 list. The same year, it was estimated that Swift makes $1 million a day.

Evan Agostini/AP Photos

Source:Forbes,Express 

Swift had a more "quiet year" in 2017, according to Forbes, bringing in $44 million and ranking ninth on Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid celebrities.

Rich Polk/Getty Images

Source:Forbes

So far in 2018, not including touring revenues, Swift has earned an estimated $5 million in record sales, $2.4 million through streaming, and $2 million in publishing royalties, according to Billboard.

Chris Pizzello/Shutterstock

Source:Billboard

A few years ago, it was estimated Swift could become a billionaire by the time she turns 30. Here's how she spends her fortune...

Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Source:Express 

Swift is a real estate mogul, with a sprawling $84 million real estate portfolio that consists of eight properties in four different states, according to property values estimated by Trulia.

Jordan Strauss/AP Photos

Source: Business Insider, Trulia 

In Nashville, she owns a 3,240-square-foot condo worth an estimated $3 million and a 5,600-square-foot Greek Revival estate worth an estimated $2.5 million. The latter is the cheapest property she owns.

Google Maps

Source: Business Insider, Trulia 

In LA, Swift currently has a Beverly Hills home on the market for $2.85 million. She also owns a 10,982 square-foot Beverly Hills mansion worth nearly $30 million. She plans to turn it into a historic landmark.

From Trulia

Source: Business Insider, Trulia

Across the coast, Swift owns an estate with seaside views in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, valued at $6.65 million. With 12,000 square feet, it has plenty of room for parties with her squad.

Zillow 

Source: Business Insider, Trulia 

But that's nothing compared to the estimated $40 million worth of property Swift owns in New York City on the same block in Tribeca. That includes a 8,309-square-foot large duplex penthouse and a four-story townhouse.

Taylor Swift bought this townhouse last year located at 153 Franklin St. It's next to a complex where she now owns three units.  Google Maps

Source: Business Insider, Trulia

Swift needs a way to travel among all these homes and she's rumored to own two Dassault private jets. There's no word on how much she paid for them, but depending on the model, they can be worth up to $58 million each.

Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Source: Forbes, GOBankingRates 

Swift can also use her jet to head out of the country for vacation. She recently spent the Fourth of July in Turks and Caicos with her boyfriend Joe Alwyn and previously took a trip to an undisclosed tropical island with former boyfriend Calvin Harris.

Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock

Source:Elle, Travel + Leisure 

At the end of her 1989 World Tour, Swift took her 125-person band and crew on a vacation in Australia.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images 

Source: Vanity Fair 

But Swift has always been generous with her money, supporting causes and helping those in need. On her 24th birthday, she donated $100,000 to the Nashville Symphony.

Royce DeGrie/Getty Images 

Source: People 

She's provided supported during natural disasters, donating $1 million to the victims of Louisiana floods and $500,000 to the Nashville flood relief, and raising $750,000 through a Speak Now Help Now benefit concert for victims of tornadoes in the southern US in 2011.

Caroline McCredie/Getty Images

Source: People 

Swift is also supportive of education — she pledged $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame to fund the Taylor Swift Education Center and donated $50,000 to NYC public schools.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Source: People

She's also donated to various GoFundMe campaigns, including $10,000 toward a service dog for an autistic boy and $50,000 to her backup dancer's nephew, who was battling cancer.

Mark Humphrey/Getty Images

Source: People

And then there are the two famous checks she wrote for $1,989 — an ode to her best-selling album — sent to two fans to pay a student loan and to donate to a dance marathon benefit.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Source: People

She also helps out her friends, giving pal Kesha $250,000 to help with legal fees during her lawsuit against a music producer.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Source:People

But her thoughtfulness doesn't end there. And when she once went out to dinner with pals Ed Sheeran and Austin Mahone in Philadelphia, she reportedly left a generous $500 tip.

Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Source:E News

Swift often spends money dining out with her squad and boyfriends, especially when in New York City, where she's dined at The Fat Radish, The Spotted Pig, Sarabeth's, and L'Asso, where she had a glass of wine and a gluten-free pizza.

KGC-146/STAR MAX/IPx/Getty Images

Source:People

But Swift also saves money dining in. She reportedly loves to cook and bake and has hosted several elaborate dinner parties with her squad.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Source:Glamour, InStyle

Swift also has a fur squad. She has two Scottish Fold cats, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson. The breed costs around $1,000 to $1,500. Her cats even have their own line of merchandise at her store.

Evan Agostini/Shutterstock

Source:Refinery 29, Cat Breeds List

When she's not chilling at home, Swift is usually rocking designer duds during appearances or some serious street style in New York City, often mixing high-end and fast fashion. She's been spotted wearing Saint Laurent sneakers, A Christian Louboutin backpack for $1,237, and an Elie Saab gown.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Source:Who What Wear

But Swift's also sported more affordable pieces, such as $60 Steve Madden sandals and Gen Z-obsession Brandy Melville. She seems to have an affinity for Madewell, whose clothes range around $72 for a pair of shorts or $62 for a denim crop top.

KGC-146/STAR MAX/IPx/AP Photos

Source:Who What Wear, Who What Wear, People

But for all the generous giving and strategic investments Swift has made with her money, she has reportedly used it in one rumored indulgence: $40 million to insure her famous legs.

Andreas Rentz /Getty Images

Source:New York Post

Business Insider

[dealanddistrictstrokegroup]

Deal &    District Strokes Newsletter APRIL 2022

     Hello to everyone

This is much better spring flowers, blossom, shame about the weeds!  Some lovely days and lots more to look forward to.  Trying to think positively as Covid is still around but looks like we are just going to have to get used to dealing with it.

 APRIL

FRIDAY, 1st – 2.00-4.00pm.  Unfortunately, the Air Ambulance representative was unable to attend but Janet and Pete carried on regardless and put on a good game of bingo and although not there this time understand it was well received.

FRIDAY, 8th – Janet has confirmed that the outing to The Chequers went very well and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who went.                                                  

FRIDAY, 15th – Please note that the get-together at the Golf Road Centre is cancelled for April as it clashes with Good Friday.

 MAY

FRIDAY, 6th – We have the amazing Curtis for our meeting this month he will be leading us through a painting themed meeting (for those who do not know Curtis he is Diane and Roger Ferris’s very talented son who has been a lovely occasional volunteer).

WEDNESDAY, 25th – Dorthe has organised a lunch time meal at Kingsdown Golf Club as yet we do not have a menu and transport will need to be arranged, so if any member wishes to attend, please talk to Dorthe at the meeting on the 6th May. Should this not be possible please call Dorthe (contact details at the end of the newsletter).

There should be a couple of new members attending the May meeting so please give them a warm welcome.

A lady called Julie Loader who is a qualified exercise/yoga teacher and she will be coming to give a demo at the meeting to see if anyone would be interested in giving it a try with thoughts to keep fit during these really difficult times!  

                                                                                                                                                           PTO…

JUNE

SATURDAY, 18th - Wendy is arranging an outing to the St Margaret’s players’ production of the musical ‘Oklahoma’ on Saturday, 18th June.’  It will be a matinee performance starting at 2pm, the club will fund the tickets.  Please could members contact Wendy if they would like to attend so she can collate numbers and arrange any transport required.  Contact details at end of the newsletter.

 As our last raffle, it will be £1 for a strip also. As before, no raffle prizes need to be provided by members.  

Just a reminder that subscriptions will be brought back at £5 per member, this to commence on 1st July (our new financial year).  We hope to provide membership cards at this time.

 Birthdays for April 2022:   Chris King’s was on 2nd (I wish to extend my apologies to Chris as both Norm and I had the dreaded Covid and I was not well enough to sort his card, so sorry Chris), Daphne’s is on 20th and Tina Wootlif’s is on the 27th.  We wish a Happy Birthday to you all.

Birthdays for May are:  We seem to have just one, Roger Ferris’s on the 5th.  

As usual Rebecca will contact people to arrange their appointments for reflexology.

 We hope that you are all healthy and well and enjoying spring.

Best wishes from all the committee members

 Dorthe – (H) 373880 or (Mob) 07929 028016, Ann – (H) 360653 or (Mob) 07760 246543,    Janet (Mob) 07707 684548,  Liz – (H) 612448 or (Mob) 07958 779577, Pete – 07710 776717 and Wendy’s (Mob) 07542 448884 or email: wendybonce@yahoo.co.uk

                                                                                                                                            LUNCHTIME OUTING TO KINGSDOWN GOLF CLUB RESTAURANT

WEDNESDAY, 25th – Ti

 NAME(S) 1………………………………………………… 2  ………………………………………………………………………

 Transport required   YES  /  NO (please circle yes or no)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  OUTING TO THE CHEQUERS

FRIDAY, APRIL 8th – 11.00am-3.00pm (Please note that members attending will need to be there for 11.00am

 NAME(S) 1………………………………………………… 2  ………………………………………………………………………

 Transport required   YES  /  NO (please circle yes or no)

[thesocietyofsaints]

Father Gabriel Richard - a Detroit icon.  

Detroit’s motto, "Out of the ashes we will rise” was composed by Fr. Richard after a fire consumed and destroyed most of the city on this day in history, June 11, 1805.

Gabriel Richard, a roman catholic priest, touts a long list of accomplishments; the first representative in congress for the Michigan territory, brought the first printing press to the city, cofounded the University of Michigan, petitioned to receive funding for a road between Chicago and Detroit, established schools for Native Americans and women and even brought music to the city by bringing back in pieces, and reassembling, the first pipe organ.  

Richard was pastor of Detroit’s historic St. Anne’s church which is the second oldest parish in the nation.  Bam.