OUT 169

HELLO ALL!

THIS IS YOUR FAVORITE E-BLOGGER, MA'ATOLOGY GIVIN IT TO YA ONE MOR ETIME FOR TEH OUITTOWN PEEPS IN THE HOUSE. ALL RIGHT, LETS GET TO IT:

ON A NATIONAL TIP:
Senate Democrats ignored a veto threat and pushed through a bill Thursday requiring President Bush to start withdrawing troops from "the civil war in Iraq," dealing a rare, sharp rebuke to a wartime commander in chief. Senate Democrats ignored a veto threat and pushed through a bill Thursday requiring President Bush to start withdrawing troops from "the civil war in Iraq," dealing a rare, sharp rebuke to a wartime commander in chief.

DUBYA CLAIMS TO VETO THE BILL, BUT HE HAS TO GO BEFORE CONGRESS FOR MORE MONEY. CAN SOMEONE SAY CIVIL WAR IN THE (WHITE) HOUSE?


Folks are still buzzing about Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and President Bush's former counsel approving the firings of eight federal prosecutors.
I WONDER IF THE ATTORNEYS HAD SOMETHING ON THE DUBYA CREW WHICH CAUSED THEIR FIRINGS? HMMM.


Veterinary group says more than 100 pet deaths blamed on recalled dog and cat food At least 471 cases of pet kidney failure have been reported in the 10 days since a nationwide recall of dog and cat food and about a fifth of those pets have died, a veterinarians' information service said Tuesday. The maker of the recalled pet food has confirmed the deaths of only 16 pets. Digs are dying left and right from the rat poison that was grinded into many brands of dog food.
MY QUESTION IS WHo PUT THE POISON IN THE FOOD? I HEAR THEY PUT SOME OF EVERTHING IN DOG FOOD ANYWAY, SO I GUESS WHOEVER GROUNDED UP THE STUFF PUT THE WRONG STUFF IN THE CANS.

James brown is finally buried and Anna Nicole died of a drug overdose. Uh….okay.

LOCAL/NATIOINAL
Former Rams player Marshall faulk (PICTURED ABOVE) retired his #28 jersey this week. After sitting out last season because of a knee injury, Faulk officially announced his retirement Monday. Faulk is ninth on the NFL's career rushing list, 33 yards behind Jim Brown, who at one time was the standard for the position. Faulk is fourth in combined yards from scrimmage with 19,154 yards and his 6,875 yards receiving are the most ever among running backs.

Faulk starred at San Diego State, where he rushed for 386 yards and seven touchdowns in his first game, and led the nation in rushing as a freshman.He was the second pick overall in the 1994 draft by Indianapolis and was offensive rookie of the year that season.He was traded by the Colts to St. Louis in 1999, where he became part of "The Greatest Show on Turf" with quarterback Kurt Warner and receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. The team won the Super Bowl after the 1999 season and was upset two years later by New England in a Super Bowl that many critics thought the Rams would have won had Faulk carried the ball more often.

He was voted the league's Most Valuable Player and offensive player of the year that season and won the offensive honors the next two years also. In that 1999 season, he ran for 1,381 yards and a 5.5 average and caught 87 passes for 1,048 yards.Faulk spent last season as studio host for the NFL Network and will continue doing this.

LOCALLY

The trial of Kevin Johnson (not the Pop Critic of the St. Louis Post!) is getting heated. He (PICTURED ABOVE) is who's accused in St. Louis County Circuit Court of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Sgt. William McEntee on July 5, 2005, in the Meacham Park neighborhood. To backtrack, Johnson blamed Kirkwood police for doing too little to help his dying brother and went gunning for the first officer he saw, the prosecution said Wednesday in opening Johnson's capital murder trial. Witnesses identified Johnson, 21, as the killer of Sgt. William McEntee or put him at the scene with a gun. If Johnson is convicted, McCulloch, the Prosecuting Atty, will ask in a separate hearing for a death sentence. Johnson has pleaded not guilty of the murder and of five other charges: robbery, assault and three counts of armed criminal action.

THIS IS A STICKY CASE. My QUESTION IS WILL THERE BE ANY EVIDENCE OF WHAT SGT MCENTEE DID WHILE JOHNSON"S BROTHER WAS DYING? THERE HAVE BEEN SPCLATIONS THAT THE OFFICER DIDNT DO ANYTHING. THIS WOULD AME ANYONE RAGEFUL. COULD IT HAVE BEEN TEMPORARY INSANITY? MAYBE. WILL JOHNSON HAVE ACHANCE OF GETTING AT LEAST LIFE IN PRISON. IT LOOKS DOUBTFUL. THIS CASE IS JUST GOING TO GET HOTTER AND IF HE GETS DEATH, IM SURRE THERE WILL BE A STRONG REACTION FROM THE STL!


Highway 64 is slowly becoming a relay track with hurdles? Oh what wa sup with the alleged cussin out St. Louis Public School prez Veronica Obrien did to Super Diana Bourisaw last week in the latter’s office after the State took over the Board last week? They say they got a tape of that. I m surprised no one aint tried to to get a copy of that and leak it on YOUTUBE!


Students from the Riverview Gardens district walked out of Riverview Gardens High School to march on the Riverview Gardens School District headquarters. The students are upset over the removal of Marshall Peeples as principal of the school, in north St. Louis County. Peeples has been shifted to a desk job at the district's headquarters, at 1370 North Umberland Drive, about two miles away.In a cell-phone interview this morning, high school senior Brian Turner said that 200 to 300 students were taking part in the two-mile hike to district headquarters from the school, at 1218 Shepley Drive. They plan to demand the restoration of Peeples as principal through the current school year. They are also being threatened with suspension if they dont return back to class.

I'M GLAD THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE. IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE SUSPENDED, GET SUSPENDED DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER OF SOCIETY RATHER THAN BEING MENACES TO SOCIETY. YA FEEL ME?

AND NOW ONTO MY TRAVELS FROM LAST WEEK

On Saturday nite, I checked out the great crooner Johnny Mathis (PICTURED ABOVE) at the Fox. I know what y’all are sayin but like I tried tellin yall I’m all about the experience. And let me tell ya, it was definitely that. First, I knew I was going to be around a crowd of people over 35 (lets say more like 55). The crowd was mostly of elderly white poeple who look like they waited by the calendar just to see Mathis. I was the only youngster in the building—and I really dug that for real!


But before I get to the show, as I was walking toward the Fox as I passed the Grandel Theatre where the Black Rep is housed and I saw a man walking toward me. Come to find out, it was Ron Himes, The Black Rep founder looking kind of desheveled. I didn’t hardly recognize him until I walked right up to him. Then he said, “How are you doin Marcus?” Then I said "Okay" and shook his hand. He probably thought I was thinking, “Who the hell are you?” But I was good after that.


Anyway, I got to the Fox around 7:45 and got to my seat at 8 . meanwhile, the old folk were slowly creeping to their seats (many had walkers, too!). The stage comprised of a 30 piece orchestra , mainly of local musicians, so I knew that the concert was goin to be a lesson in watching a concert where you use your imagination rather than your eyes. Around *;10, the man of the hour, in a dapper black suit walked across the stage as the crowd grew wild and gave him a standing ovation. He has always been a very handsome man (He has to be about 70 these days) and it appears that he has taken care of himself.

Mathis told the audience that he was going to give them a melody of some songs that we may know and some that are (he starts to snooze). He did not disappoint as Mathis wowed the crowd with his very impressionable vibrato tenor voice on many fo his famous hits including “Chances Are,”, “Its Not for Me To say” and the crowd fave, “Misty.”

He also sang some showtunes and movie songs (including The Theme from the Godfather) and even sneaked in an R&B classic, the Stylistics’ You Make Me Feel Brand New.”

After his first set, comedian Dick Hardwick entertained the crowd for about 20 minutes or so (which I though t and intermission should have been). He was Henny Youngman kind of funny, not side bursting, but he was what you call a "nursing home comedian."

On Mathis second set, he changed into a Hawaiian shirt and continued singing some of his greatest hits(He surprisingly didn’t do a few bars of his #1 hit, “Too Much, too little , Too LAte”, much to my disappointment). After his set, the crowd leaped to their feet finishing up the soundtrack to many of the audience’s sweetheart years. I can see why he has been dubbed, ‘the Voice of Romance.”

After the show, as I walked through the lobby,. people were eating up Mathis memorabilia like it was a flea market Blue Light Special. I guess they say they wanted to get as much as they can cause I'm sure this may be the last time Mathis will perform in the Lou, I mean, he is in hsi 70s.

Then, I drove over to SYGU Group’s very popular Fashionably Late event held again at Copia. I got there around 11or so and I go in without too much problem (I was 5 minutes off from the ViP deadline!. LOL). This had to have been their biggest populated event yet. I heard that over 500 people tried packing up in Copia’s which I'm sure made the owner of the restaurant a little nervous having all of US up in therre having a good time and no one try in to TEAR DA FUCCIN CLUB UP.

The event was also precedented in that the event had 5 DJs playing on the 1s and 2s either separately or together. They were DJ Will, Nappy Needles, Dj Anisto, Di Cinnimon, and DJ Reminisce (Man SYGU.yall rolling like that??) Fashion designers Yani were in the house with models in their tees.

In the house were Treanna, Jamie Spencer (what’s up with you dropping that cookie?LOL), Crystal Allen, Kevin and Danielle, Brandon Demps, Miss Gina, Miss Millicent, and Dana Christian.


On Sunday, I checked out Last Sunday at IAM Boutique. It was IAM’s monthly networking event and Last Sunday tie din with it. I got there about 9ish. It was a cool little hang as people socialized as we waited fo r the fashion show to get started. Meanwhile, I did my schmoozing with eth regular local socialites while getting my three FREE drinks from the makeshift bar at the counter (one was a fruit drink which didn’t count) until it was time for the fashion show that represented by the Amore Models. It was hosted by local singer Deandre Perryman(man, you needed a mike!). the show only lasted fro about 10 minutes, but it was what it was. Afterward, we continued drinking until the liquor was gone (They had nuthin but the fruit drinks left!)

In the house were local rappers Rucka Puff and City Ant, Eugene Tsimmerman, Joel King, Nick Loftis of VOKAL , SYGU Group, Kiki the First Lady (thanks for the scoop), STL Top Model winner Miss Countess, Brian Stemmons (NO FRONTLNE that night?), Rennigade, Hit Shots' Jafus Johnson, Kamren Holbert (Sorry about your loss), Dj SMitty, Kevin McCoy (what wa sup with you drinking a whole bottle of Petron and lived to tell!)I AM manager Walt Johnson and model Jamell (who hooked up the gin and vodka drinks big style). DJ Reminisce was on the 1s and 2s.

On Wednesday I checked out Mocha Latte's Lyrics On the Lou at their new home of the Jazz Loft's VIP Room. It was very intimate and I think it works in a smaller setting. Mocha was being her usual Oprah on speed self and the regulars were therre to perform poetry and derivitaves thereof including Robert Dillard and 16 bars. There were a few newbies on the mike, but one in particular that was off the chain was this sista named Renee who kept saying that the wine she drank gave her gas and she was having a hard time getting her poem out. I don’t know if she was acting or not, but it was mos def memorable. DJ Reminisce was on the 1s and 2s. Oh and what wassup with the lackluster applause when Mocha introduced the Posts' Kevin Johnson when he came up in therre (and late might I add. LOL)? And what was up with Mocha's assistant Mr. Calvin sleeping in the VIP area? LOL

FOR PICS OF THESE EVENTZ GO TO OUT 168

STL-TIDBITZ. They have a big spread on STL based cage fighter Jermaine Bam Andre (PICTURED ABOVE)in this week's Riverfront Times ("Bow to Your Sensei"), He's on the front cover . Is local rapper City Ant the next big thing? I will spotlight his demo CD next week.....the Kevin Kline Awards were earlier this week celebrating St. Louis acting talent. Although Black Rep vet Linda Kennedy (PICTURED ABOVE) didnt win in her category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play for Marija’s Pictures, Upstream Theater (she lost out to DONNA WEINSTING (From Door to Door, New Jewish Theatre)it was still a great feat in that she was one of the few African American actors to be nominated for the Awards. St. Louis actor and Tony Award winner Ken Page was the host. Happy B-Day to KMOX personality Carol Daniel.... What’s this I'm hearing that Bally Total Fitness is on the verge of bankruptcy? A personal trainer that I know gave me the skinny on that? Opening day of the Cards first home game in the STL is this Sunday, April 1. I wonder how fans will react when Tony LaRussa drives around in the parade? Missouri-based singer Sheryl Crow joined breast cancer survivors and prevention advocates — including three St. Louis County women — at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. East St. Louis native singer and 2004 American Idol contestant DeAndre' Perryman is now available for booking. For more booking information, contact Martin Barnes at 314-495-4555. or go to http://www.deandreperryman.com/ or www.myspace.com/deandreperryman. You can also check out his single, I Love You on his website as well....Wherr is former model Alvin Jackson? Style queen Kimora Lee Simmons is to be turned into a doll by toymakers Mattel. The “Baby Phat,” designer and estranged wife of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons will create a clothing line for her mini-me, which is expected to hit toy stores later this year. She can also be seen on TV One this month being interviewed with Kathy Hughes on Hughes' show TVONE on One.



CHART-TIDBITZ. St. Louis based rapper Baby Huey continues is slow but steady rise on the Billboard R&B charts as his first single, Pop Lock and Drop it moves up four spaces up that chart to #24 in its 14th week (and is bubbling in the Top 20 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart ) . Although its creeping slowly, I think this song (which was used in the flick, "Stomp the Yard") will catch fire as the Spring Summer season approaches. How far it will go on the charts? Who knows. But I know his record company has a lot of backing with him, so you know.....


MA'AT-TIDBITZ. Well I'm still working out the kinks of my fashion show TEST-OS-COUTURE. I had to audition more models (Most of them dropped out for some reason), change the venue (Its now going to be at St. Louis City Hall) and I had to move it to May 13 on Mother's Day to tie in with Women's Health Week (The show is geared toward women with it being an all-male fashion show). I am also trying my best to get signer Tank to co-host this. I can see him doing this show and from the last time I talked with him about four years ago when he was a part of Joe Torry's B-Ball Challenge , he seems to be very hospitable and cool. (And he is on a verge of a comeback with his Jamie Foxx produced single, "Please Don't Go.") . It's rough trying to get this show together, but with my sturdy assistants Mocha Latte and Marquita Buchanan (AND OF COURSE MY MUSE ARTEGO), I know I can pull this off and as Soul II Soul sang, "Keep on Movin." I will have a haiku that will be featured in a tribute Kwansaba anthology edited by Sisters Nineties in tribute to attorney, poet and art gallery curator Sheryl Y. Johnson. Go to their blogsite http://www.sistersnineties.blogspot.,com/ for more info.


EVENTZ-BITZ-

SPOTLIGHT
Stress Free Fridays, Friday, March 30, 2007, 5pm Bar Napoli (http://www.theloftstl.com/) 3112 Olive--Olive and Compton St. Louis, Missouri 63103 Mid-Town 314-225-2505. Join them this Friday (March 30, 2007) as we visit the most popular venue in St. Louis, The Loft Jazz Club. This Stress Free Fridays event will also be the Preview for the Ray Hill's American Pilsner...Network with the best of the best at Stress Free Fridays: enjoy live music and dance to the beats of one of the best DJ's in the STL. Sip on great drink specials, featuring Ray Hill's American Pilsner-this brew is the King of the Hill.

Find out what all the buzz is about! Meet Ray Hill and his business partners MarioWayne and Stephen Bruce....come out and meet someone new and get away from the stressors in your life! Massage Therapist, Kamren, will be on hand with his famous "Massage Chair" to massage your "stress" away! Bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to network as you never know who you might meet. **SPECIAL NOTE: Please visit http://www.rayhills.com/ for more information about Ray Hill's American Pilsner! .............................................


Hipster Magazine is doing it once again TWICE at POSH (408 N. Euclid in the Central West End) from 9:30 pm to 1:30 am!DJ Kue will be spinning hip-hop, soul and r&b all night...FREE ADMISSION + DOPE MUSIC + A HOT VIBE = A PARTY YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!!!Please note: This event is for the fly people so please dress accordingly Enjoy JACK DANIEL'S drink specials and giveaways all night! Please remember to drink responsibly

AND

Where are you watching the Final Four games on Saturday? Well come to North County's newest sports bar/billiards hall, CUETOPIA (11824 W. Florissant near New Halls Ferry), for a special evening of hoops, food and drinks.The Jack Daniel's Viewing Party will tip-off when the games begin at 5 pm with free food and $3.50 Jack drink specials! Also, meet the Jack Girls, enjoy giveaways all night and enter the Pop-A-Shot tournament for your chance to WIN!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From Sharee Galvin’s CORNER:
Blackmon;s Plaza Presents Male Explosion, Sunday , May 6 , 7 p.m. at 127 Collinsville Ave. Hosted By Mocha Latte, ADV tickets $20, $25 At DOOR, VIp tickets $40 (includes Champagne Tickets available at Blackmons Plaza, Club Illusion, Metrotix, Top Styles, Personal Touch Boutique, Foster’s Elegant Salon, and satisfied Inc (25th Satet0. For more info call 618,. 531. 8522 or 618. 567. 8912.

WEDNESDAYS: "HUMP DAY-GOT LYRICS?" LYRICS ON THE LOU WILL NOW BE AT THE LOFT

Sharee is also promoting STL based author Cheriyln Michael’s second book “First Fridays”. For book or book tour info, send Miss Galvin an e-out?

For any info on these events email Sharee at sgalvin26@yahoo.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

St., Louis Fashion Week will be April 5to 8. It includes

Thurs., Apr. 5, Who’s Who Party, Macks. Call (314) 306-7999. Fri., Apr. 6, Fresh Faces N Fashion Show, 7700 Delmar. Call (314) 306-7999. and Sun., Apr. 8, 7 p.m., Glamour Ball & Haute Hair Show, Adam’s Mark Grand Room. Call (314) 306-7999. call the number for ticket info.


New Images presents UNMASKED, GARDEN OF EDEN FASHION SHOW, Sat. April 7, 2007 @ Tower Grove Park Piper Palm House, 2pm-4:30pm. For more info. 314.560.0915

Attend the 2nd Annual PRONTO Fashion Show on Friday, May 11, 2007, 6:30 PM. Hosted at the historical site of 555 Washington Avenue. Don’t miss St. Louis’ only international runway fashion show where the Best Voted Designer and Best Voted Model will be selected! Proceeds will also benefit a children’s fund as part of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Campaign! For ticket information, please call 314/534-9251 or go to

http://www.prontofashion.com/ for more information.


ONGOING BITZ The Lindbergh Bistro Located inside the Airport Plaza Inn @ 70 & Lindbergh presents Show Me Entertainment Industry Nite every Wednesday nite , 6 p.m. Singers, producers, songwriters, dancers/choreographers, radio personalities, designers, models, actors, labels, promoters, djs, make up artists, stylists, web/graphic artists, barbers, beauticians, entertainment lawyers, image consultants, modeling agencies, models and entrepreneurs catering to the entertainment industry... Fro more info contact Terrence at 314.731.9808


Mingle and Mix Mondays , Mingle 4p.m. (Bring Ya Laptods and Biz Cards) Drink Specials, $1 off Appetizers and Mix with DJ Sir Thurl (8p.m. -1 a.m.) FREE before 9 p.m. $3-$5 Cover after 9 p.m. at the ST. Louis Happy Hour Bar and Grill inside PArkler Plaza, 12948 Halls Ferry at Parker Rd.

Check out local comedian Brie Johnson's website podcast. Make sure to logon to http://www.riverfrontradio.com/ and listen to my new morning radio talk show called "The Grey Area"!!! Every Monday morning from 10am to 12noon CST. Chat online with us, or call in to talk live on the air. It's one hell of a way to start the week!

For all of your fashion and fashion show needs, go to PRONTO at http://www.prontofashion.com/

Gravity presents Natty Lounge for Reggae Wednesdays, 9 p.m.-2.a.m, located at 1620 delmar. $5 door, ladies free til 11p.m., for more info, call 314-479-3376

Check out blog http://www.sistersnineties.blogspot.com/for local literary group Sister’s Nineties Afrocentricliterary activities for the family and youngsters

Check out Lachrisa Crenshaw’s spa products at http://www.warmspirit.org/esuite/home/chriscspirit,or call her at (314)401-0710

For body painting, makeup, face painting wigs and other special effects, contact Jessica Dana at http://www.jessicadana.com/ or go to www.myspace.com/jessicadada13


For all of your STL club event plans, AD SPACE and pics,go to http://www.stlouis-online.com/.

For your catering needs, check out Collective Cateringcollectivecatering@yahoo.com located at4958 Cote Brilliante, their digits are 314-575-3333)

KDHX Radio’s Chuck Lavazzi has a hot new podcast calledSTAGE LEFT which he talks about CD reviews, news and the world of stage, screen, cabaret and related places.Go to it directly at http://tinyurl.com/zrqd7

Check out STLdee-jay Enoch online with his own radio playlist.The Flow: Music Lounge. Peep it out at http://www.flowink.com/player-popup.htm or go to his myspace page www.myspace/enochisreal.

For all your STL hip-hop info needs, go to http://www.stlhiphop.com/!

STL videographer Dana Christian has a hot website where people can send their professional music videos films to get exposed. Itis http://www.spitflix.com/.

Popular DJ Enoch has just posted a new episode on his podcast. the title is Knocturnal Sunshine Episode: Knocturnal Sunshine #214. You can hear it at http://knocradio.podOmatic.com/

Peep out veteran radio personlality Edie Bee with her weekly jazz series Jazz on the Bee Side"Sundays from 1-3pmOn Soul Classics 1490 WESL AM

If you want to get on Vanita Applebum's hot new entertainment newsletter, email her at vanitaapplebum@yahoo.com

WELL THATS IT! IF YA GOT ANYTHING FOR ME TO SCOOP OR PUB, hit me up email style at maatspear@yahoo.com

OUT 168 PARTYPICZ

WASSUP PEEPS! THE FOLLOWING ARE PICS FROM EVENTZ I ATTENDED LAST WEEK. (PHOTOS BY MA'ATOLOGY)

FROM LYRICS ON THE LOU/GOT LYRICS AT JAZZ LOFT VIP ROOM: FROM LEFT : ABOVE LEFT Poet Renee who who was reciting her poem with "gas" from the wine she drank. I guess... ABOVE RIGHT: Poet/socialte Mocha Latte reading a poem, "anyway" from an Anonymous poet.. NEXT PIC BELOW: .Mocha going through the audnece giving people their 5 Minutes of Fame...

FROM THE IAM /LAST SUNDAYS PARTY: LEFT: Rappers Rucka Puff with up and coming rapper City Ant RIGHT: SYGU's, Rahsad City Ant and SYGU's Eddie Hollman....Last Sundays creators Jamie Spencer and Treanna..

LEFT: Model Miss Millicent (Congrats on your upcoming nuptials ) with message therapist/model Kamren Holbert chillin at the IAM party (No Kam is not marrying Millicent. LOL)...RIGHT: 100.3TheBeat personality KiKi the First Lady at the IAM Party.

LEFT: An autographed picture of local singer and 2004 American Idol contestant Deandre Perryman sigend by him at the I Am PArty (its gonna be worth millions one day Im sure) ....RIGHT: Model/socialite Jamelle taking a break from servin those crunk drinks at the IAm Party.

BELOW LEFT AND RIGHT: Amore Models clownin around before the fashion show

The Crowd at the IAm Party (the sexy sista in the black mini dress is STL Top Model Miss Countess)

FROM THE SYGU PARTY AT COPIA. LEFT: DJ Will and Dj Nappy Needles (doing a crazy imitation of Dj Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince--He's theDJ...)

DJ Anisto (on the 1s and 2s) and Dj Reminisce looks on waiting his turn. LOL

STL DIVAS: Miss Millicent, Miss Treanna and Miss Gina taking a sexy pose at Copia

One of the young power couples in the STL Danielle Fields and Kevin (Patron) McCoy

Some ambience at Copia.

DA CROWD

MORE OF DA CROWD

EVEN MORE OF DA CROWD!

OUT 167(FLICK BITZ)

ICE CUBE AND NIA LONG BACK TOGETHER
IN THE HILARIOUS FAMILY COMEDY ARE WE DONE YET?

Are We Done Yet? is the follow-up to the 2005 family comedy Are We There Yet?, which picks up where the last story left off. Nick Persons (Ice Cube), now married to Suzanne (Nia Long), has bought a quiet suburban house to escape the rat race of the big city and to provide more space for his new wife and kids Lindsey and Kevin, (Aleisha Allen and Philip Daniel Bolden). But when his new home quickly becomes a costly “fixer upper” and he finds himself at the mercy of an eccentric contractor, Nick’s suburban dream soon becomes a riotous nightmare. Are We Done Yet? is scheduled for release from Revolution Studios and Columbia Pictures on Wednesday, April 4th.

Are We There Yet? earned nearly $100 million worldwide. Ice Cube shares his thoughts about its success: “My fans have grown up with me and I figured they are where I am in life. They have families, kids and relationship issues going on, too. I thought it was a good fit; I gave it a different flavor that clicked with audiences across the board. I’m happy about the film’s success and the fact that we can come back together, again, to continue the story.”

Are We Done Yet? marks Cube and Long’s fourth collaboration. Long says, “It’s great, because Cube is like family to me. It makes it easy, because we’re already familiar with one another, so all we have to do is catch up on one another’s lives since we last saw each other. I’ve worked with Ice Cube so many times that he jokingly tells me, ‘I’m not gonna work with you no more, girl!’ Our first film was Boys N the Hood, then Friday and Are We There Yet?, and now Are We Done Yet? I sure hope we’re not done, yet. It’s been great.”

In the new film, Are We Done Yet?, Nick finds that the family’s situation goes from cramped to critical when Suzanne announces she’s pregnant with twins! There’s no option left but to move. As Nick quickly falls in love with a magnificent home in need of some TLC, the charismatic local realtor, Chuck Mitchell, Jr. (John C. McGinley), sells them on the house’s finer attributes… and before she knows it, Suzanne is giving in to Nick’s ridiculous vision of fixing up the house himself and creating the perfect environment for their expanding family.

But then, Nick nearly electrocutes himself on his first do-it-yourself project after a chandelier falls from the ceiling. Nick gives in, calls the contractor, and Chuck shows up. It appears that, in addition to being the local realtor, Chuck is also the neighbor, inspector, contractor, and “baby whisperer,” who seems to have all the answers to the family problems Nick faces – the man who succeeds wherever Nick fails. Nick is furious. When the babies start kicking and only Chuck can calm them down, it’s more than Nick can bear.

Cube feels certain that audiences will easily relate to the crisis Nick and Suzanne face. “All of us know the frustration of dealing with home projects. Everyone has had them, whether they are big or small. So, it’s a universal problem,” he says.
But he laughs about the thought of a ‘Chuck’ in his real life, “If I was faced with a realtor/contractor like Chuck, he and I would have come to blows. But in this movie, John (McGinley), who plays Chuck, is the unexpected ‘plus factor’ in the story. He brings a lot of laughter to the film. So, he is cool for that reason to me.”

In the end, Cube says he hopes in addition to laughing, audiences also take the important message that Nick learns with them, “You can’t quit when things get tough. You have to stick it out and things will eventually work out. That’s what happens for Nick and his family in this film.”

As head of the production company Cube Vision, Ice Cube has written, produced, and starred in the cult hit Friday and its successful sequels, Next Friday, and Friday After Next. Cube Vision was also responsible for The Players Club, in which Cube made his directorial debut. He also starred in and executive produced the back-to-back box office hits Barbershop and Barbershop 2: Back in Business. In Are We Done Yet?, Cube again stars as Nick Persons, a role he created in Revolution Studios' sleeper-hit family comedy Are We There Yet?, which he also produced through Cube Vision.

Other film credits include the critically acclaimed Three Kings opposite George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg; Trespass; and Higher Learning. Cube made his feature film debut in John Singleton’s classic Boyz N the Hood.

Cube continues to be one of the most recognized hip-hop artists in the recording industry. His thriving music career includes the double-platinum success of Volumes 1 and 2 of his double album, “War and Peace.” As a solo artist, Cube has recorded such hit albums as “Lethal Injection,” “Bootlegs & B-Sides,” “The Predator,” and “Amerikkka’s Most Wanted.” His collaborative effort with Mack-10 and WC formed the group Westside Connection whose second album, “Terrorist Threats,” was released in December 2003 and marks the follow-up effort to their 1996 double-platinum seller, “Bow Down.” A collection of his greatest hits, featuring two new songs, was released by Priority Records in December 2001.

Cube’s career started in music in the 1980s. He reflects, “It all began with Dr. Dre. He gave me my break in music. He let me hang out with him, taught me about making beats and everything about the rap game. That’s how my career started.”

Nia Long has built a reputation as an actress of exceptional range, delivering

outstanding work in box office hits, independent features, and television. Long recently starred in Big Momma’s House 2 with Martin Lawrence, Charles Shyer’s remake of Alfie opposite Jude Law, and in Mario Van Peebles’ critically acclaimed documentary Baadasssss!

Long also starred in 20th Century Fox’s box office hit Big Momma’s House. Her role in this film garnered her a 2001 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and a 2001 Blockbuster Award nomination for Favorite Actress. Long’s other film credits include Boiler Room, Best Man, The Broken Hearts Club, In Too Deep, Held Up, Stigmata, Soul Food, Made in America, Friday, Boyz N the Hood, and Love Jones, which won the prestigious Audience Award at Sundance.
On television, Long starred on NBC’s critically acclaimed drama “Third Watch” as Sasha Monroe, a tough cop dedicated to improving her community. For her work, Long received a 2004 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. She recently completed a dramatic arc on the highly rated television series “Boston Legal.”

Revolution Studios presents an RKO Pictures/Cube Vision production, Are We Done Yet? The film stars Ice Cube, Nia Long, John C. McGinley, Aleisha Allen, and Philip Daniel Bolden. The director is Steve Carr. The producers are Ted Hartley, Ice Cube, Matt Alvarez, and Todd Garner. Screen Story and Screenplay by Hank Nelken, based on characters created by Steven Gary Banks & Claudia Grazioso, based upon the Motion Picture “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House,” screenplay by Norman Panama & Melvin Frank, from the RKO Pictures Library. Executive producers are Heidi Santelli, Aaron Ray, Steve Carr, Derek Dauchy, and Neil Machlis. Director of Photography is Jack Green, ASC. Production Designer is Nina Ruscio. The editor is Craig P. Herring. Music is by Teddy Castellucci. The music supervisor is Spring Aspers.

These credits are not final and subject to change.

INFO PROVIDED BY WWW.ROZSTEVENSONPR.COM

OUT 166

Hola all. Ma’atology is back and in full mode!

I am going to skip all the newz stuff y’all pretty much know what’s happening cause I need to play catch up of my travels from two weeks ago and this week.

2 weeks ago, I was in the deep trenches of rehearsal and promotion for my first play MONOLOGUES AND PENISLLIN in five years that was goin to be staged at the SWB Room at the Missouri History Museum March 16-18.

My actors (PICTURED ABOVE) included Darrell Moore (who played street thug Killa MC), L.A. Williams (who played the pompous professor Dr. Jones), Jaron Hicks (who played the aging female impersonator, Miss Vageena Honey), Carlos McClaurin (who played the cool street pimp Goldy Bear) and Archie Coleman ((who played the senile WW II vet, Mista) The background actress that was added was Tamitra Willford.

It was mos def a labor of love in that the play was a revised version of a play I produced and write in 200 under the title, MANALOGUE. And was staged at the now defunct Hatshepsut Studio Gallery that used to be house don the corner of Tucker and Washington and curated by the late Sheryl Johnson.

I had three weeks of rehearsals (2 days a week with the cast at the Emerson Library at Webster University as well as my own gig at the Water Geyser. I also did my share of pubbin it by going on the The Best of the STL on City 10 and being a guest on the very popular Freeman Bosley Junior radio Show with Freeman and Nicci Roach (PICTURED ABOVE)on 100.3The Beat.

Speaking of the Freeman show, Two S a t u r d ays ago I g o t a t e x t from F r e e-m a n B o s l e y J r . Show c o - h o s t N i c c i R o a c h (SEEN ABOVE WITH MUSHROOM HAIRDO) who said if I wanted to be

o n t h e s h o w o n S u n d a y . I t e x t h e r b a c k a n d t o l d h e r I w o u l d d o i t . I w a i t e d near- ly t w o y e a r s to be on the show and was f i n a l l y g o i n g t o b e o n t h e s h o w - - t h en it dawned

on me th a t EYE had to S P R I N G F O R W A RD o n S u n d a y and I k n e w I was going to be

d r a g g i n the c a r p e t . B u t I w a s g o i n g t o m a k e i t h a p p e n--- r e g a r d l e s s .

S o , I g o t t o C l e a r C h a n n e l s t a t i o n on Oakland AVE round 8:3 0 S u n d a y m o r n i n a n d text N i c c i t o t e l l h e r I w a s i n t h e p a r k i n g l o t w a i t i n g for her to c o m e g e t m e to c o m e i n s i d e the s t u d i o . A f e w m i n u t e s later , I saw N i c c i f r o m the g l a s s d o o r s and when she o p e n 'd the d o o r I s a i d . " I S P R UNG F O R W A R D ! " t h e n I w a l k e d u p to her and gave her a f r i e n d h u g . She l e d me up to the s h o w a t t h e 100 . 3 B e a t s t a t i o n . A s I was walkin t h r o u g h t h e h a l l w a y , I saw t h e s i g n s t o t h e o t h e r C l e a r C h a n n e l

S t a t i o ns( M a j i c , 1 0 7 . 7 H a l l e l u j a h 1 6 0 0 ) a n d r e a l i z e d h o w c o n s o l i d a t e d

t h i n g s a re.

But b e f o r e I h a d a c h a n c e t o s o a k u p t h e a t m o s p h e r e , N icci led me to a room a c r o s s from where F r e e m a n (SEEN ABOVE IN GLASSES) a n d t h e c r e w (Pat and darrion were MIA). It w a s interesting t o s e e t h e s h o w b e h i n d t h e s c e n e s . It was also f u n n y t o s e e Freeman one minute ta l k i n g t o a c a l l e r o n t h e a i r , t h e n m o v e t o a c o r n e r i n the s t a t i o n t o c a l l a n d s e e i f a g u e s t w a s s t i l l c o m i n g to the show ( That guest w a s n e w l y- e l e c t e d A l d e r m a n i c P r e z L e w i s R e e d ) .

A r o u n d 9 , N i c ci had me to c o m e i n t o t h e m a i n s t u d i o i n o r der to do h e r N i c AT Ni ne e segm e n t . A l s o in t h e s t u d i o w a s C l e t u s , t h e b o a r d o p e r a t o r w h o w a s at the center of Freeman and Nic and I was across from Cletus . I h a d o n m y s h a d e s c a u se I w a s B O N E TIRED f r o m S p r i n g Fo r w a r d a n d w o r k i n g t h e l a t e n i g h t s h i f t. Right b e f o r e w e were going ON AIR , N i c c i a s k e d i f I w a s n e r v o u s . I t o l d h e r N O. I was more s l e e p y t h a n n e r v o u s b u t I w a s n e r v o u s h o w I w a s g o i n g t o s o u n d c a u s e I was d e f i n i t e l y i n s l e e p m o d e .

B u t t h e i n t e r v i e w w a s o f f t h e c h a i n . T h e y g a v e me about 5 m i n u t e s . They axed m e q u e s t i o n s o n m y w e b s i te, h o w I p r e p a r e m y s i t e , t h e s t a g e p l a y , a n d my up-coming fashion s h o w . I t w a s a l s o i n t e r e s t i n g t o g e t i n t o their r h y t h m cause its RAPID PACE. A f t e r w a r d , I h a d a chance to c u t a n I . D . t o c h e c k o u t t h e s h o w (THE QUIT PLAYIN PART). I had gone into a n o t h e r r o o m w h e r e C l e t u s r e c o r d e d m y I-D . and I d i d i t IN ONE TAKE ( M y mass c o m m u n i c a t i o n s s k i l l s w e n t i n t o o v e r d r i v e on that one ) . They used the ID seconds after I recorded it.

La t e r o n t h a t n i g h t , I c h e c k'd out M o c h a L a t t e 's new performing arts Showcase J A M B O R EE a t t h e J a z z L o f t . I g o t t h e r r e a b o u t 8 p m a n d g o t t h e r e i n t i m e. I t was pack'd The event was g o o d . I l i k e d t h e w h o l e i d e a o f havin a s h o w c a s e f o r l o c a l p e r f o r m e r s d o their thing . T h e o n l y p r o b- lem i s , i t w a s t o o m a n y p e r f o r m e r s . D o n t g e t m e w r o n g , i t was def p r o f e s s i o n a l l y d o n e , b u t therr were 2 0 a c ts. S o m e w e r e o f f t h e c h a i n (l i k e s i n g- er J R ( w ho was on Making the Band 4 who w a s p e r formin SPIT R & B - - you had to be there to see it ) , P o e t R o b e r t D i l l i a r d , a L y r i c s o n t h e L o u a l u m , w h o s h o c k'd the c r o w d w i t his frantic back and forth f r e n z y s t y l e , comedian D e A n d r e ( w h o 's r e a d y f o r t h e n a t i o nal spotlight) a n d and d a n c e g r o u p 3 S h a d e s (p i c t u r e a h i p - h o p v e r s i o n o f t h e P u s s ycat D o l l s ) a n d s o m e w e r e-- w e l l , h a d t h e i r m o m e n t o n s t a g e (I AINT SAYING NO NAMES BUT ONE COMEDIAN WASNT AS HOT AS HIS NAME CLAIM TO BE. OOPS)

The time of the last a c t , c o v e r b a n d M a r v i n a n d The Ba n d , i t w a s g o i n g o n a f t er 11p . While t h e y w e r e p e r f o r m i n g I h a d g o t m e a chicken d i n n e r t o g o f o r m y l u n c h f o r w o r k and d i d m y g o o d b y es to t h o s e w h o I k n e w u p i n t h e r e . O n the 1 s and 2 s was DJ Reminisce .

In an odd moment, after the concert and I drove to work, I drove onto Collinsville Ave toward the clubs, there were two sets of thug boyz on opposite sides of the streets positioned in a diagonal form throwing a football bakc and forth close to midnite! What wa sup with that? I guess they couldnt throw bullets with guns, so I gues stehy did the next best thing and toss bullets with a ball. CLASSIC!

THEN Last weekend, was my show MONOLOGUES AND PENISLLIN. I missed out a few events that was going on at the time ( Aaron Foster’s ’s B-Day Party at Mandarin, St. Patties celebrations, Katt Williams at the Fox) Overall, the turnout was so-so, but I made a profit so I wasn’t complaining. The crowd seemed to like the characters Miss Vageena Honey and Mista the best. It was definitely an experience to say the least to get back into the trenches of theatre. I also managed to drink a few beers with some of the cast at the Halo Bar as we got more up and personal with each other as far as our backgrounds and being boyz. It was cool but I had to play alcohol cop cause I didn’t want to be seen buzzed and being the director/father to the other actors, but it was all good.

The best nite was Sunday where the production was tight timewise and capacity (about 30). The reactions from the diverse crowd afterwards was a standing ovation. I was very pleased of the feedback and it cause d a lot of dialogue with the issues that black men deal with in America. I think I got something going with this one and because of that, I think I will restage the show in May with a bigger budget and hopefully with the same cast. I will keep you posted on it.

On Wednesday, I did triple duty of going to three different events in four hours. First I attended my girl Shawn Guy-Pitts’ (PICTURED ABOVE) one woman show “Ending Silence” at UMSL. It got started at 7. It was in behalf of women’s Violence week. It was definitely interesting. It reminded me of Whoopi Goldberg;s one-woman show back in 84 when she portrayed different characters and talked about their life (and a female version of my play MONOLOGUES ) . With Pitts’ she played a Latina, a studious woman, a dumb blonde and a gangsta girl. And all were victims of violence.

It lasted about an hour or so and I must say, it has the potential of really being a classic production with a message., You go, girl. I couldn’t stay for the second half to see poet IMPAKT cause it was time to check out the next event CAFÉ SOUL at Lucas House in Soulard. I haven’t been a while to Coco Soul’s event (manly cause it was held at a certain club where the owner I don’t too much get along with), but I liked that it was at Lucas House, a real nice mood setting without the club feel. I got there about 8:30 cause I had to drive from the County near the Airport to Soulard (and get some gas in between).

I get therre and the first person I see is Coco who was greeting her clientele, then I was asked by this white woman my ID. Then I paid my seven bones for the show. (I also saw one of my “dwarf nemesis” with the initials HC that made my skin crawl). I also saw Raquel who does handbags and told her that I would get in touch with her about my upcoming fashion show and using her bags in the show. I then ordered some wine and proceeded upstairs where the showcase was and saw some usual faces and two faces that were together that had me wondering if they were TWOgether.

Before the show started. Coco had to set straight about someone who was putting shows called Coco Soul Sundays and using her name without permission and how people should respect people’s identity. WHOA!

Some of the singers and poets performing included Alicia Renee (who toe up If I Aint Got you), Maryln (who did up ReRE’s Baby I Love you), Jamie SPencer (who did Musiq), and Lagina (the Lumidee/Oooooooh Noooooooooo part of the nite. I text Mocha to tell her Got Lyrics vet was butcherin up the mike. LOL) )I stayed for about 90 minutes socializing and all. And speaking of socializing, I saw a particular popular StL photographer from a popular newspaper sitting with a local female fashion designer as though they were an item. It looked for sure they were on a date. I may be wrong, but if this is true, this particular photographer was recently seen with his colleague as an item. What is really going on cassanova?

I also saw Darrell Moore who acted in my production MONOLOGUES and PENISILLIN. I teased him about getting buzzed at the beerfest we had at Halo and said to him, “You are the only one I know who gets drunk off of water.” I also ran into Vanita Applebum who was dying to know how my play ended. She said that it was too long and she and Nicci Roach were in the car after the show to guess how it ended (Man, I am creating a tsunami with this play!) Also In the house were St. Louis Posts’ Kevin Johnson, Debra Bass, Wynette Jones and actor Randall Beans.

I left at 10 so I can catch the tail end of Mocha Latte’s revamped Got Lyrics event which is now being held at the Loft (it was at Filter for the past two months, but that’s a loooooooooooooooooong story). The usual suspects were there to perform including Robert Dillard and 16 Bars, and it was one sista who said she did poetry at her church who ended the show with a sex romp with her, her wifey and her man that would have made Jesus blush. After about an hour , I began to yawn and stepped out of the spot to hit the graveyard shift at the Water Geyser.

FOR PARTY PICS OF SOME OF THE EVENTS MENTIONED ABOVE, GO TO OUT 165!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MS. TAKEOFFURCOOL PAGE

This post is introducing an assistant who will err now and then be my eyes and ears when I cant attend a particular event. Her name is Ms. TakeOFfUrCool (I'll call her Ms. T) Here is what she gave me last week. Ms. T. had the opportunity to cover the Juelz Santana/Yung Joc (PICTURED ABOVE) concert that was held at Club Society last Saturday. Before she got there, she got the scoop from one of the promoters of the show who told her that Juelz wouldn’t be performing, but it was their little secret and would have the crowd think that he was coming.

I hipped her on concerts that is staged at Society/Toxic in that they may say doors open at 8 but those hip-hop concerts start after 11 p.m. This go round, the concert started at 11:45. When she got there she said that err body who wanted to park in the back of the club had to pay 5 bones to get their cars parked (she even said that after the show, some of the valet peeps were not asking for valet tickets and just gave keys to people when they asked for their cars!). she and her assistant was able to get in but of course with some drama. The co-owner, John, wasn’t for sure of they were on the list until Ms. T’s assistant went off. John got the promoter of the show to verify their access to the show and gave them press credentials.

While in there, Ms. T said folks were packed like sardines and tickets are 20 bones if you didn’t have a secret flier that got you in FREE (whoa from free to 20 is a big leap, ya think?). Anyway, while in, Ms. T said she was mistaken as one of the Eye Candy Models (Maybe it was were stilettos. LOL) She said even one guy held her hand and said, Mmmm, eye candy. Well, the imposterin must have worked cause she was able to go to three sets of VIP. Yes, Three. The lower level was VIP, then upstairs was V-VIP, then another section of upstairs was V-V-VIP where Yung Joc was suppose to meet and greet.
(whats up with all the sectioning off of VIP. So St. Louis!)

When the concert was over, Joc had over 20 or so bodyguards surrounding him when he was traveling to get to the V-V-VIP area. Ms. T said he had so much ice on, you would have thought the temperature had dropped to igloo status! When he finally broke through the crowd to get to the area, Ms, T said she was able to ask him a couple of questions, but he didn’t stay long which made a lot of the hoochies up in there pissed as Hell.

Ms. T also said that there was a coughing attack that went down up in there too come to find out the police sprayed some mace in the building and the particles from it started to make people cough. Now you know that is just TOO MUCH PLAYIN IN THE CITY.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHART-TIDBITZ SPOTLIGHT

Looks like we got yet another ST. Louis artist doin its thing on the Billboard charts—Baby Huey (PICTURED ABOVE) is making a splash on the Billboard R&B charts with his dance jam, “Pop Lock and Drop It,” which move sup 5 spaces up that chart to #28 in its 13th week.

There was an interesting article on the 17 year old Kinloch native (bvorn Lawrence Franks Jr) in St. Louis Business on how he got his record deal.

He was signed to Jive Records and his debut single is off his upcoming album “Notebook Paper” coming in June. He landed a $2.5 million record deal with Sony BMG Music Entertainment's Zomba Label Group. The 17-year-old from Kinloch is the first rapper signed to Zomba's new Jive Records/Hitz Committee imprint.

Huey finalized the deal last July with the help of Emmett McAuliffe, an entertainment lawyer with the Spencer, Fane, Britt & Browne firm in Clayton. McAuliffe just put the final touches on Huey's management arrangement with Michael "Blue" Williams, longtime manager of hip-hop group OutKast.

The $2.5 million was used to produce the record. Huey got to keep any unspent money, but will not receive any profits from record sales until the production costs are recouped by Jive Records/Hitz Committee. His music also will be licensed for TV and film projects and a publishing deal.

And According to Pr NEwswire, HUEY Tops the Music Choice Video on Demand Chart With His Hit 'Pop, Lock & Drop It' Claiming the #1 Spot Three Weeks In a Row.

MA’AT-IDBITZ. I personally want to thank the following for helping make this play THE NEXT: Laura Hennon of the Missouri History Museum, STL411.net, RAC.org, The ESL Monitor, West End Word, Vital Voice, Calvin Wilson of Get Out, Jessica Dana (makeup) Mr. Kyle (lights and videotaping by default), Travis Crosby (for the flier illustration), Peter Foggy (for the tunes), Shawn Guy-Pitts, Senora Robinson and Marquita Buchanan (for “womanning” the ticket table), Navish (for the dress) and definitely my cast—the best cast I have ever worked with.

STLTID-BITZ—What was up with Cards manager Tony Larussa getting arrested late Wednesday for drunk driving in Jupiter, FLA while the Cards are training? He was seen in his car stopped at the intersection without driving when the light turned green-two times in a row! What’s up with that? My question is, will Larussa be here in the STl; for opening day at the Busch stadium on April 1?....Looks liek teh St. Lousi Public Schools will be state controlled. Word broke out Thursday on teh takeover that have been in dire straits ever since former super Creg Williams and vashon caoch Floyd irons were ousted from tehri repsecitive positions last summer.....St. Louis rapper Big Will, who last year was a big champion on BET's "106th & Park" Freestyle Friday competition, recently returned to New York to appear on the cable channel's "Clash of the Champions" reunion. Four champs were brought back in honor of the release of Notorious B.I.G.'s "Greatest Hits." The champions rapped over classic B.I.G. beats, where Big Will reigned again....Kudos to St. Louis jazz singer/actress Denise Thimes who is set for NYC for a weeklong stint hrough April 1 at the Blue Note, a top jazz club, on a bill with trumpeter St. Louis native trumpeter Clark Terry ans saxophonist James Moody....Thanks to Jeron Hicks, kevin bryant, Archie Coleman, Darrell Moore and Carlos McCalurin for goin the extra mile in pubbin up the play....Former St. Lousian Cedric Mixon put up some info about me on his my space account. Just go to myspcae and type in his name and check out what he had to say about Ma'at....On a sad note, R&B singer Luther Ingram died atteh age of 69 this week.Luther Ingram, the R&B soul singer and songwriter, is dead at age 69. He was best known for his 1972 hit, "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right)." Ingram died Monday at a Belleville, Ill., hospital after suffering for years from diabetes, kidney disease and partial blindness 9 I hear he didnt want peopel to know he was in teh condition he was in). . He and his wife, Jacqui Ingram, had lived in nearby O'Fallon, Ill., for ten years. Born in Jackson, Tenn., Ingram and his family moved to Alton, Ill in teh mid 40s. In 1971, he cowrote "Respect Yourself" for the Staple Singers, the biggest hit Memphis-based Stax Records ever had.

EVENTZ-TIDBITZ Stress Free Fridays. Friday, March 23, 5pm, Bar Napoli (www.cafenapoli.com), 7750 Forsyth Blvd--Forsyth and Bemiston in Clayton...Join them this Friday and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, great drinks and fun people all in a hip, yet relaxing atmosphere. You will also be able to enjoy> continuing coverage of the NCAA Tournament on one of> the many flat screen televisions...come out and meet> someone new and get away from the stressors in your> life!.............

SYGU GROUP presents Fashionably Late ....Again, Saturday, March 25 at Copia, 1122 Washington, 9 p.m. until 1:30 am Ladies free until 11p.m. Fellaz $5 before 11 p.m. For more info go to http://www.sygugroup.com/mainmenu.html

Second Slavery: The Art of Keith Westbrook, thru March 24 at Left Bank Books, 399 Euclid, St. Louis, MO. For info. 314.367.6731....................

KETC/CHANNEL 9 presents JOHNNY MATHIS SUNDAY, MARCH 25 • 7:00p.m. Saturday, March 24 • 8:00p.m. - On sale now! Previously announced LIVE at the Fox Theatre! $65, $60, $55 & $45 Purchase tickets at the Fox Box Office, MetroTix outlets or by calling 314/534-1111. Order tickets online at http://www.metrotix.com/ ............................

The Black Rep’s Popular “I Stand Alone” Solo Performance Series Returns. The Black Rep’s new, I STAND ALONE solo theatre series returns on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m., thru March 26 at The Black Rep Monsanto Center for Performing Arts Education, 1717 Olive Street, 4th Floor. The series will feature solo performances of original work with a 15 minute intermission. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission is $10 or $5 for Black Rep subscribers.WHERE: The Black Rep Monsanto Center for Performing Arts Education, 1717 Olive Street, 4th FloorTICKETS: $10 and $5 for Black Rep Subscribers, for info please call (314) 534-3810

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From Sharee Galvin’s CORNER:

WEDNESDAYS: "HUMP DAY-GOT LYRICS?" LYRICS ON THE LOU WILL NOW BE AT THE LOFT

Sharee is also promoting STl based author Cheriyln Michael’s second book “First Fridays”. For book or book tour info, send Miss Galvin an e-out?

For any info on these events email Sharee at sgalvin26@yahoo.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Christian Concepts in association with J & A Productions presents The Virtue Lounge. Friday, March 30,9pm to until at The Thaxton, formerly known as the Eastman Kodak Building 1009 Olive, St. Louis, For more information contact Demetrius Turner at 314.452.4922, or James J. McKay at 314.420.9150.........................

New Images presents UNMASKED, GARDEN OF EDEN FASHION SHOW, Sat. April 7, 2007 @ Tower Grove Park Piper Palm House, 2pm-4:30pm. For more info. 314.560.0915

EVENTZ SPOTIGHTZ

Warm Spirit has done it again... Our company will be recognized in the May issue of Empowering Woman Magazine. I would like to invite you out to hear about how our company is starting to recieve Nation wide exposure. The stories in this magazine represent the dreams of everyday people like you and me and shows how lives are being changed daily through this awesome opportunity. Join me as my guest at Divoll Branch Library 4234 N. Grand @ 10am March 24, 2007. Hope to see you there and continue to be blessed...always, Lachrisa Crenshaw(314)401-0710.

AND

Attend the 2nd Annual PRONTO Fashion Show on Friday, May 11, 2007, 6:30 PMHosted at the historical site of 555 Washington Avenue. Don’t miss St. Louis’ only international runway fashion show where the Best Voted Designer and Best Voted Model will be selected! Proceeds will also benefit a children’s fund as part of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Campaign!

Pronto is brought to you by HT Communications Group and the following Co-Sponsors: Bar Italia Ristorante & Cafe, Coffee Cartel, Coles Lamar Design and Gallery, Creatives on Call, Diva Event Planning, Dominic Michael Salon, Dr. Francis Dysarz, Erato Wine Bar, Foxy 95.5, J.J. Gazzoli Imports, The Granat Law Office, Greater Missouri Builders, Momos, Mosaic Modern Fusion, Pack Design, Parktown Imports, Pick Flower Gallery, Productions Solutions, Sisley Cosmetics, Warehouse of Fixtures, and the World Trade Center

For ticket information, please call 314/534-9251 or go to http://www.prontofashion.com/ for more information.

ONGOING BITZ Mingle and Mix Mondays , Mingle 4p.m. (Bring Ya Laptods and Biz Cards) Drink Specials, $1 off Appetizers and Mix with DJ Sir Thurl (8p.m. -1 a.m.) FREE before 9 p.m. $3-$5 Cover after 9 p.m. at the ST. Louis Happy Hour Bar and Grill inside PArkler Plaza, 12948 Halls Ferry at Parker Rd.

Check out local comedian Brie Johnson's website podcast. Make sure to logon to http://www.riverfrontradio.com/ and listen to my new morning radio talk show called "The Grey Area"!!! Every Monday morning from 10am to 12noon CST. Chat online with us, or call in to talk live on the air. It's one hell of a way to start the week!

For all of your fashion and fashion show needs, go to PRONTO at http://www.prontofashion.com/

Gravity presents Natty Lounge for Reggae Wednesdays, 9 p.m.-2.a.m, located at 1620 delmar. $5 door, ladies free til 11p.m., for more info, call 314-479-3376

Check out blog http://www.sistersnineties.blogspot.com/for local literary group Sister’s Nineties Afrocentricliterary activities for the family and youngsters

Check out Lachrisa Crenshaw’s spa products at http://www.warmspirit.org/esuite/home/chriscspirit,or call her at (314)401-0710

For body painting, makeup, face painting wigs and other special effects, contact Jessica Dana at http://www.jessicadana.com/ or go to www.myspace.com/jessicadada13

For all of your STL club event plans, AD SPACE and pics,go to http://www.stlouis-online.com/.

For your catering needs, check out Collective Cateringcollectivecatering@yahoo.com located at4958 Cote Brilliante, their digits are 314-575-3333)

KDHX Radio’s Chuck Lavazzi has a hot new podcast calledSTAGE LEFT which he talks about CD reviews, news and the world of stage, screen, cabaret and related places.Go to it directly at http://tinyurl.com/zrqd7

Check out STLdee-jay Enoch online with his own radio playlist.The Flow: Music Lounge. Peep it out at http://www.flowink.com/player-popup.htm or go to his myspace page www.myspace/enochisreal.

For all your STL hip-hop info needs, go to http://www.stlhiphop.com/!

STL videographer Dana Christian has a hot website where people can send their professional music videos films to get exposed. Itis http://www.spitflix.com/.

Popular DJ Enoch has just posted a new episode on his podcast. the title is Knocturnal Sunshine Episode: Knocturnal Sunshine #214. You can hear it at http://knocradio.podOmatic.com/

Peep out veteran radio personlality Edie Bee with her weekly jazz series Jazz on the Bee Side"Sundays from 1-3pmOn Soul Classics 1490 WESL AM

If you want to get on Vanita Applebum's hot new entertainment newsletter, email her at vanitaapplebum@yahoo.com

WELL THATS IT! IF YA GOT ANYTHING FOR ME TO SCOOP OR PUB, hit me up email style at maatspear@yahoo.com!