#pearl primus

[lisamarie-vee]

[detroitlib]

Portrait of dancer Linda Spriggs performing in "The griot." Label on back: "'The griot.' Dancer: Linda Spriggs. Choreographer: Pearl Primus."

E. Azalia Hackley Collection of African Americans in the Performing Arts, Detroit Public Library

[semioticapocalypse]

Barbara Morgan. Pearl Primus - Speak to Me of Rivers. 1944

Follow my new AI-related project «Collective memories»

[soft-homestyle]

The powerhouse Pearl Primus

-

Stay cozy.

@soft-homestyle

[mias-playground]

Pearl Eileen Primus (1919 – 1994) was an American dancer, choreographer and anthropologist. Pearl played an important role in the presentation of African dance to American audiences. More at Wikipedia

[musicmags]

[deathmiser]

When you get this, list 5 songs you like to listen to, publish them, and send this ask to the last 10 people in your notifs 💗

Okay then. Well, my 5 songs would be:

The Necromancer (Rush)

Black (Pearl Jam)

All the girls love Alice (Elton John)

Burn the Witch (Radiohead)

Jerry was a racecar driver (Primus)

[thekylemeredith]

Cheer up buttercups, this week on the Kyle Meredith With... podcast, I'll be joined by Emily Hampshire, Slowdive, & Monica Raymund!

And on 91.9 WFPK, revisiting recent favorite interviews from David Alan Grier, Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament, Keanu Reeves, Les Claypool, & Lucinda Williams

[raileurta]

I saw these amazing fan art of sparkling bulkhead. It got me feeling inspired so take this au based off of it.

The autobots and the humans come across a relic of some sort, when Bulkhead goes to pick it up a mist of light blue is released into the air. The other autobots are far enough away from him to not get hit themselves. When the fog clears it's revealed that the wrecker had been turned into a sparkling! Miko immediately is like "this is my child now and if anything were to happen to him I'll kill everyone in this room then myself."

She turns out to be a good temporary carrier to the autobot's surprise. Miko has taken care of babies before and in all honesty transformer children are heaven compared to human ones in her opinion.

This statement prompted Ratchet to look into human sparklings and was very horrified but also extremely confused. Why, why in all of Primus would a species willingly continue to reproduce when their children are like that?!? He now truly understands the whole "motherhood is the hardest job" saying he heard from some humans.

Thankfully for transformers sparklings are extremely easy to take care of. Provide some energon, make sure nothing hurts them, and they're essentially good.

Miko of course says idgaf then goes all out. She's reading bulkhead stories, spoon feeding him, giving baths with a waxing finish, tons of affection, making him the comfiest nest, all of it! Bulkhead is a very happy spoiled little guy.

Of course something eventually has to go wrong. Miko has restrained herself from sneaking through the ground bridge for bulkhead's sake but one time she just couldn't resist it. She grabs the apex armor and runs through it. Being a baby bulk follows after her.... you can probably see where this is going.

The autobots are kicking ass as usual when they all hear a shrill shriek. Pan over to a group of vehicons with the leader holding bulkhead. They use him as hostage threatening to kill him; to emphasize their point they cut one of the little mech's cheeks.

Miko goes absolutely insane. She's acting like a feral animal and is doing things that would even make bayverse Optimus clutch his pearls. By the time Miko is done bots have thrown up, some passed out, and Megatron is metaphorically shitting himself. Obviously he calls a retreat because fuck that in all honesty. He can destroy Optimus another day.

Miko is already pretty protective of Bulkhead/her family so I imagine if you touched her "baby" she go full on psycho mama bear mode.

Following Miko's slaughter the autobots at home base obviously want to know wtf just happened. She just explains how she was protecting "her child" and any decent human mother would do the same. This prompts another look into humans but more specifically mothers. They see all the stories of human carriers pulling off seemingly physics-defining things to protect their children. It's a real eye opener for them.

After this Bulkhead is still a sparkling for a few more days but everything is pretty peaceful. He gets turned back and while she'll miss baby bulkhead Miko is glad to have her friend back.

[dmfromtheblacklagoon]

I've been craving a Stardew Valley show or short film, and this is who I would cast for each of the characters!

Please concernedape I need some sort of show regarding these babies I love them so much.

Wizard: Matt Berry (Laszlo Cravensworth, WWDITS)

Gus: Marco Barricelli (Massimo, Luca)

Lewis: William Dafoe (That weird guy that's in everything)

Willy: Tom Waits (Musician and entertainer)

Pierre: John Corbett (Chris Stevens, Northern Exposure)

Harvey: John Mulaney (My skrimblo)

Elliot: Christian Bale (Howl, Howl's Moving Castle english dub)

Gunther: Les Claypool (Lead bassist and vocals of Primus)

Linus: Ian Mckellen (Gandalf, LotR)

Abigail: Olivia Olsen (Marceline, Adventure Time)

Vincent: Collin Dean (Gregory, Over the Garden Wall)

Jas: Kyla Kowalewski (Anais, Amazing World of Gumball)

Jodi: Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks, Jimmy Neutron)

Alex: Keanu Reeves (Theodore Logan, Bill and Ted)

Sam: Alex Winter (Bill S. Preston, Bill and Ted)

Sebastian: Aaron Dismuke (Tamaki Amajiki, BNHA, english dub)

Shane: Pedro Pascal (He just plays tired single caretakers so well)

Maru: Heidi Hynden Walch (Princess Bubblegum, Adventure Time)

Emily: Sarah-Nichole Robles (Luz, The Owl House)

Leah: Vico Ortiz (Jim, OFMD)

Marnie: Dolly Parton :]

Penny: Theresa Gallagher (Nichole, Amazing World of Gumball)

Morris: Bo Burnham (Capitalist goblin go brrr lmao)

Haley: Rachel McAdams (Regina George, Mean Girls original)

Robin: Kimberly Brooks (Jasper, Steven Universe)

Caroline: Deedee Magno (Pearl, Steven Universe)

Evelyn: Jennifer Saunders (Ms. Spink, Coraline)

George: Dan Castellanetta (Abe/Grampa Simpson)

Kent: Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn, LotR)

Mr. Qi: Keith David (Cat from Coraline, Husk from Hazbin Hotel)

Sandy: Wendie Malick (Edalyn, the Owl House)

Leo: Kwesi Boakye (Darwin, Amazing world of Gumball)

Krobus: Alex Hirsch (Only suitable voice for him)

Let me know if you would like more stuff like this later on! Enjoy folks :D

[shewhoworshipscarlin]

Olga (Ollie) Burgoyne

Olga “Ollie” Burgoyne, also known as Ollie Burgoyne-Calloway, was a singer and dancer specializing in Russian and other ethnic dances. She was also an actress and businesswoman who gained popularity during the Harlem Renaissance and left her mark as one of the most influential African American dancers and choreographers of that time.

Ollie Burgoyne was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 13, 1879. She was part Russian and part Creole. Ollie’s cousin, Ida Forsain, toured Russia and specialized in Cossack dancing. Influenced by Forsain, Burgoyne debuted at age 17 in John Isham’s Oriental America nightclub in Chicago in 1896. In 1901, at age 22, she embarked on an eight-year tour of Europe (Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Hungary, and Russia) with seven singing and dancing girls known as the Louisiana Amazon Guards.

In 1903, Burgoyne briefly returned to the United States and joined the cast of the operetta In Dahomey, which was the first African American musical to be performed on Broadway. After her performance, Burgoyne formed Duo Eclatant with partner Asher Watts. She also founded the Burgoyne Musical Company.

During her years in Russia (1904-1914), Burgoyne performed in many prestigious venues, including the Krestovskiy Garden Amusement Park (St. Petersburg) and the Aumont Theater (Moscow). She also made side trips to Odessa in what is now Ukraine, Athens, Greece, Istanbul, Turkey, and Cairo, Egypt. She opened the Maison Creole lingerie store in downtown St. Petersburg (Russia), where she employed a staff of 27. In August 1914, while Burgoyne was vacationing in Marienbad, Austria, World War I broke out, and she was unable to return to Russia and thus lost her businesses and properties there.

Between 1914 and 1929, Burgoyne continued to tour mainly in western Europe. Her specialties were Brazilian, Spanish, and Russian dances, which she mastered while traveling. She briefly returned to the United States during this period, where she performed in New York City, Chicago nightclubs, and Harlem’s Lafayette Theater. In 1925, Burgoyne produced two dance revues, Darktown Strutters, and Harlem Strutters, in New York. She also appeared in ten Broadway productions between 1926 and 1937.

In 1931, Ollie Burgoyne was named one of the eight major dancers and choreographers of the Harlem Renaissance, part of an elite group that also included Hemsley Winfield, Edna Guy, Randolph Sawyer, Asadata Dafora, Katherine Dunham, Charles Williams, and Pearl Primus. In April 1936, when Burgoyne was 57 years old, she appeared in the play Mississippi Rainbow, performed at the Lafayette Theater. In the later years of her life, Burgoyne taught dance and worked periodically in the film industry, starring in movies such as Laughing (1930) and The Timid Ghost (1937). With a career spanning nearly 50 years, Ollie Burgoyne died on April 2, 1974, in Oxnard, California, at the age of 95.

[wifetomegatron]

i'm tired of studying, so here is a poorly written love letter essay on my infatuation with lonely women, birds in cages and transformers.

i have always had this fascination with the psychological ruminations on self-hood & identity. often, the stories closest to my heart have wealthy, waifish, women at the heart of their narratives. not always because they're relatable, but because from their point of view, the narrator is trying to hide something from the audience. to conceal the chaos and conflict that surrounds us with an illusion of peace —tethering on the edge of rose coloured glasses. alienated in this little bubble, a golden cage is still a cage.

and sometimes, to some people, the loneliest place on earth is a big house with windows high enough to reach the ceiling. because they echo back the depth of our aloneness. 

now, how does this relate to transformers? well, i have always been the kind of girl to combine two interests in one. and so i am aching to write about frivolous, indulgent women drowning in denial, forced to confront the isolation gnawing their hearts open like a sick, open wound. all because they get thrown into absurd situations where they cross paths with war-tired titans so detached from the idea of ever returning to a life before chaos.

one suffocates in peace while the other chokes on impossible dreams. 

i want a naive, prestigious, overly idealistic, investigative prosecutor from earth aboard the lost light, sent to keep an eye on megatron only to end up falling for him. because the moment she spends time alone with him: she gets a metaphorical slap across the face about her privilege and has to confront the sheltered, ignorant set of lenses she's been viewing the world through. whereas through her, the former warlord learns to tear down his walls brick by brick, starting with all the skepticism and temper. and the icing on the cake is that they learn from each other. there is a hole inside her chest, and he tells her he carries one too.

i want tarn to suffer a sudden lightheadedness from having walked into a bar on the shores of hedonia to spot a human woman singing behind the cloud of smoke and shadow. pearls and silver, glinting under the light like a forbidden present. her beauty comes from how lonely she looks with her eyes closed and mouth open, mic between her delicate fingers. tempting. alluring. it was like looking in the mirror. and the djd leader never learned to love anything else.

i want rung ( who in this hypothetical au is not primus for plot reasons ) to sit across a liaison who revels in the idea of sleeping alone in a big alloy ship because it takes her mind away from her empty childhood: where silk sheets and feathered pillows feel colder and harsher than any metal. the hug he gave her at the end of the session was the first time she was held and it didn't feel like he was there to hold her together. 

i want swerve to compliment her when she's tipsy and borderline drunk by the table of his bar and for her to hide her face and cry because she finally feels beautiful — truly, sincerely, beautiful. that out here, surrounded by an alien crew who couldn't care less about how she presents herself, pretty words suddenly don't feel transactional anymore.

i want this terrified and secluded bird inside of me to finally find a home within the arms of tall, metal mechs. mechs who are familiar with the vast, empty stretch of space. and is not terrified of lonely women and their quiet, self-destructive vices. and maybe that's why i love self-inserts so much, and writing on this blog breathes life into me — the nightingale in a cage meets a spaceman tired of fighting, and maybe only together can they find some sense of freedom. 

[detroitlib]

View of Sax Fifth Avenue window display featuring a photograph of dancer Pearl Primus. Documents about Primus are displayed under photograph. Mannequin wearing costume on left. Printed on front: "A. Worsinger." Stamped on back: "Pearl Primus. Austin Wilder, artist management, promotion. 745 Fifth Avenue, New York City. If published, the courtesy of the following credit line will be appreciated, Worsinger Photo, 110 West 40th St., New York City, phone PEnn. 6-1891-1892."

E. Azalia Hackley Collection of African Americans in the Performing Arts, Detroit Public Library

[rawmeknockout]

Your possessive Dadatron got into my brain with the cyberformed liason. While poor obsessed Rodimus is not being left alone with the Liason he's also one of the handful of bots outside of the medics that consistently remember the Liason was a wholeaft adult human and treat them as such, along with Rung, Swerve, Perceptor and Whirl.

This also leads to Megs and Mags being shocked when the Liason just matter-of-factly tells Rodimus, "I'm not opposed to the idea of a potential date in the future, but right now I don't have enough coordination in this body to try Meteor surfing. Worse the medics said Interfacing is out untill I have some concious control of my transformation sequence preferably after I've scanned an altmode."

Just two old Mechs clutching their pearls stunned In Horror while Rodimus is blithly is going on with the conversation.

"Wait you haven't scanned an alt yet?! I thought you'd checked all the potentials on the Lost Light?"Rodimus looked shocked.

"I did but nothing clicked or activated the sequence." The Liason shrugged helplessly. "It's not like this frame had one preloaded."

"Huh you should have told me. Next time we get off on a planet you should come with me and Drift and Ratchet. See if any of the wildlife triggers-"

"I forbid it! Ultra Magnus choked out. The other three mechs turned to look at him.

"Ultra Magnus," Megatron sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Please don't discourag Rodimus when he makes sensible seguestions."

"I, no." The Duely Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accords gathered his wits. "No Rodimus' seguestion regarding his alt mode acquisition was not the issue. The conversation with regarding Interfacing however-" The Liason cut him off voice flat with uncharacteristic frustration.

"I do not have the spoons to say this gracefully or diplomatically right now so I'm going to be blunt. I am an adult human, note the term adult, in the frame of cybertronian newbuild. I'm currently experiencing frame dysphoria and body dismorphia. And you can add gender disphoria because i have a gender and if this frame I'm in lined up with it I would be a femme!"

"I'm aware of what interfacing is. In the before times," the Liason gestured curtly at their frame, "I had quite a few lively slightly tipsy afterwork discussions at Swerve's compairing and contrasting human and cybertronian sexulity, sensuality, and romanticism. Which Rodimus took part in. Spark play, Plug and Play and feild play arent options for humans but Valve Plug is" Ultra Magnus' engine choked in shock. Megatron took a reflexive back in extreme discomfort.

"I dont think I need to hear about that!" Megatron cut her off hastily. It was a mark of his discomfort and Ultra Magnus's distraction they both missed Rodimus pulling a packet of Cesium Crisps out of his subspace.

"No Mechs, these are exactly some of the sorts of conversations that need to happen with anybot who steps up to Parent me if this is permanent. Be my Mentor," she added to clarify the twin looks of confusion. "I am a middle-aged parent of grown children with an ex-husband who remains a dear friend now that he's out of the closet. I know the two of you are both trying to parent me. God and Primus both forefend my body dies of old age before Brainstorm and Perceptod can fix me because the number of Mecha on this ship who are psychologically capable dealing with the complexities of mentoring a newbuild that is simultaneously a sentient organic who is of analagous to their devlopmental age are profoundly limited."

"How about Rang," Rodimus seguested just a bit too cheerfully around a mouthful of snacks.

"Rung, unfortunately, as my therapist has a professional conflict of interest. And since you guys have, between all your factions, a grand total of two therapists left alive it's not like switching providers-"

"Oh! Liason! There you are!" First Aid called out, cheerfully oblivious conversation he was saving Megatron and Ultra Magnus from. "Ratchet just commed me, he's looking for you. He's freed up his schedule to chaparone err moniter Brainstorm and Perceptor while they run some tests on you. Well mostly Brainstorm needs the monitering. If you could come down to the lab?"

"Oh best not keep them waiting then," Rodimus put in quickly husteling First Aid and the Liason off down the hall. "I'll walk with you, Mags and Megs have to go on shift on the Bridge."

Well this ended up longer than I expected. The characters that live in my brain just started talking and went for it.

How do you reckon Protective UM and Possessive Megatron are taking this conversation? Or this type given that Liason suddenly went from generic insert to proto-OC with a backstory while I was typing. I cant be the only one on here who's had a character grab the plot ball and run away with it for a bit.

Megatron is fine with them having a life before even tho it’s not preferred but they’re a MECH now and he knows better (this is a lie) than anyone what type of mentoring you need he’s completely ignoring this conversation bc that was your life as a human, this is your life now

Magnus is conflicted but ultimately he still keeps other mechs away. you may have some knowledge of Cybertronian sexuality, but it’s not just the interfacing that’s the problem. All the mechs on the lost light are fucked up and aren’t just looking for vanilla sex.

[soft-homestyle]

The powerhouse Pearl Primus

-

Stay cozy.

@soft-homestyle

[i-iko]

MY DARLING MEDIC

“Pharma has to supervise an organic doctor who’s determined to reel herself into Cybertronian medicine.”

chapter two ; first meeting

PHARMA wasn't usually so bothered.

He handled problems far worse than any mech had seen, stumping veterans, sullied and drained, who'd seen a lot  more than a bloodied mass of bodies. So his expectations were often (if not all) barred from surprise.  Primus forbid anyone   attempting  a one-way fuel pump operation with one's life on the line. He’d chip off a plating before his pride were trampled — worn, eroded, or hailed on with rain upon a jagged, cut mountain top.

Well, usually it was.

For the first time, however, the moment the sliding doors hissed open — the moment he catches sight of leather boots pattering across the gunmetal floor, to the lab coat over your shoulders, the scarf over your neck and to your face, a vibrant pull of a smile— he was incredibly bothered. 

"I've heard you've been lacking doctors." You say, wringing your hands in an attempt to warm them. "Or, medics of some kind."

By his right, sunlight spools through the wide panelled window. Beyond, is Messatine's delight — mile on mile of barren snow. The pale sky, scathed with pearl-ish clouds, could've merged with the horizon if it wanted to. Only thing keeping them apart was the gentle gradient from ivory to blue. The rays, though— it basked your face in a warm, gentle glow. 

Pharma fully lowers the datapad. No point pretending you don't exist, now. He knew you were coming, knew the moment Ambulon consoled his comms with ‘do be gentle, Pharma’  and the enthusiastic demeanour First Aid showed today. ‘A new intern!’ He chirped. Change was prominent, and at the back of his mind, it was a fervent wish that there wasn't. 

‘Let’s just get this over with’. He eyes you curiously, blatant repulsion written all over his face.

"I'm sure you've seen my request?" You asked. 

"Ah. So, I've been told…." 

A frown eased onto yours. You shift on the spot — he held up a servo and you halted, a foot away from his desk. 

"Oh, don't worry. I have seen it. That's all I've done, though. Seen it. You see, darling, all there is — to — to this 'request' you have ." He leans against the chair and with a languid, careless toss of his servos, the datapad clattered  onto the table."Clearly, you are not understanding the 'consequences' of your employment, here. Now, I don't blame you  — usually humans are always , well, determined to prove a point even when they are not so well endowed, themself. Are you aware of what will happen when you work here?"

You folded your hands primly behind your back. "I thought I made it clear, I was."

"Delphi. Here ." He clarified, optics narrowed.

You tilt your head, "Is there a problem with that?"

Of course there is, you foolish, foolish girl.  He thought bitterly. "Take this into perspective. You've come all the way here, from Earth, or whatever planet you do. And, of all medical facilities you chose — a remote, desolate, decrepit hospital is your preferred working space?"

Not to mention, the cold, snowstorms, hail — blizzard . He's done enough modification on his circuits to withstand such abnormalities. And, even then his digits, pistons, and the like would still seize up lest he isn't careful with how long he stood outside for a smoke. Ambulon could barely fare enough on normal days. First Aid, most of the time. And, Pharma? Just enough .

The plush of your cheeks pulled into a gentle smile, unrelenting.  "If the risks are worth the effort, then I'll take it." 

Oh, how he envied your enthusiasm. 

"Really, darling , you are trying." He sighs and cushions his cheek on a palm while the other drummed the table irritably, muttering."Not that there's anything wrong with this. I was advised by a colleague to be more….gentle. I’m simply curious. What are you trying to prove?"

"Nothing." You said. "I'm interested in helping out. I’ve heard Delphi has been lacking medics. There's all that there is to it." 

He scoffs and you notice how he arranged his stylus and datapads on the table into a neat pile. "And, here is what comes to mind? Surely, there are better facilities for you to prod."

You smile wryly. "...You see, doctor. Teran has too many expectations. Iacon, too many prodigies. And, well, most facilities that are available aren't so..." You cringe a little.

“…welcoming to organics like me." .

"And Messatine is," He begins, "Not the same as you imagined it to be, compared to others?"

You thought for a moment.  "Is it not?"

Pharma lowers his eyes. There was a moment of silence. You were particularly too chatty for an organic, if not a little brazen in your manners. 

What use could you have of, here? 

A chatter box for First Aid, perhaps. Even a friend for Ambulon. That poor thing deserves a companion, for once. Though, there was something else — it wouldn’t be too much of a problem having a newspaper boy around. That is, if you’re fit enough to make some rounds around the wards upon his behest. 

" Mhn . Alright, then." He grunts, pulling his shoulders back and chin high. The sound of chair scraping metal echoed as he stood up and circled around you slowly. "What is your area of expertise?"

‘Not much, I suppose’ He mused to himself. 

You seem a little startled at the change in tone but once he was going through the datapad — looking at your files— you steeled in your nerves to reply. "I'm a professional field medic. The emergency unit. "

"Ah, combat?"

"Yes."

"Experience?"

"Seven years."

He raises a brow, a little skeptical at the information on his pad. He stops just left of you. "...I would assume you're incredibly... endowed to acquire a position that young. Primus , 25? What, were you deployed when you were a mere sparkling? What is this? ”

He's not well versed with human lifespan  but he's aware that even that is much too young and gnarly for a human to boot. 

"I was born during the war," You explain, and his  understanding comes full circle with a simple 'ah' and he resumes walking. 

Most children who are so, often had to endure training at a young age, since the military needed— desperately needed more medics. An oversight on their part for mingling with cosmic factions. You pulled the scarf tighter around your neck and despite your obvious struggle of keeping a composed demeanour — you were shaking.

"I see." He mutters. "If that's so, then I suppose I can trust that you can manage some problems on your own. That’s to say if you’re really certain you are what you say yourself to be. The future will pave for itself, though darling — Moving on.”

After a few more, if not another half hour of endless 'quick-to-the-point'  questioning, really it seemed like he does not want to be here one bit,  Pharma sets the datapad down. He's back behind his desk and leans over, lacing his digits. 

“To tell you the truth, I wasn’t planning on hiring anyone. Especially Organics for that matter. The only reason I’m following along this interview is because I’ve been advised by my…” He thinks for a moment, struggling to find the words. “Workers— fellow medics, er, colleagues that I see through it so.”

Your smile thinned and as you shifted on the spot, the rays flared your thinner strands a soft white. “That is….unfortunate. Even for you, doctor,”

“Now, don’t be so sullen. You should know I tolerate your kind. It’s not a surpise  you’ve got some uses after all..” He crooned. “But I must ask — 

“Why should I hire you? Why should I be bothered enough to hire an Organic, when I can hire Cybertronians to do the job, much less an even lesser kind than your own?” 

This time, a small smile breaks between the whites of his dentas. You've learned to know that it's not all genuine, on his part. ‘He’d grovel on his own pride’ You mused. And, he would. The way he carried himself like you were a lesser being, the way he peers over the crook of his nose — his optics lazy and lethargic, like he couldn’t care less. ‘Then I’ll breach it so.’ You teeter close to his desk and watch as he leans away, repulsed, and the smile falters almost to a grit. 

"Surely….," You smile and lean over a little until his helm tilts back and yours, several inches from his own,  and you tap the datapad — his datapad, a one, two, three times smack of your index — right on the spot his digit once lay. 

Pharma grimaces. 

"Why not, doctor ?"