Single What? Female...

Skip Gates and my wacky work hustle

Here's my take on the whole Skip Gates (yeah, I call him Skip, he and I go way back...sure we do...) Hoo Ha after reading the articles and agreeing with my mother that racial profiling most likely occurred...

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=528584
http://wonkette.com/409970/famous-harvard-intellectual-arrested-in-connection-with-attempting-to-enter-his-own-home/
http://wonkette.com/409973/new-details-on-gates-arrest-make-slightly-more-sense/

I gotta say a) that neighbor lady, who has not responded to calls from the press, has got to feel like ass right now; b) Gates and his driver are black men dealing with police men - this sadly, even today, still rarely starts or ends well and c) I would like to believe that after a long international flight, dealing with the airport, time change and potential further travel (even if it is just to my summer home on the Vineyard), coming home to a damaged door so I gotta fight to get into my own house, and then after getting into my home, suddenly seeing police INSIDE MY HOUSE asking me for ID and whether or not I live there AND them telling me they got a call about a break-in, that I might be more reasonable and calm and not start shouting something like "Dude, get outta my house, you big dumb bigots!":...but I can't guarantee that. Personally, I would like to see the moment when Gates walks over to his neighbor lady's house, knocks on her door, with his cane and says "Hi, I'm your neighbor Skip Gates. I believe there was a misunderstanding the other day..."

IN THE MEANTIME...

The job hustle continues. One job (The Network) had to be phased out, but another - covering a personal assistant friend - came in to replace it...at least for a few weeks. I still sing - and very happily - at Madison Avenue Baptist Church, still work for my friend Shawn (need a financial advisor? anyone? anyone?) and as of August 3rd, I will be working 2 days a week at a financial firm. I may have to hustle, but I've at least got somethin'...AND it's somethin' that allows me to continue with creative endeavors.

The voice is getting stronger (yay!) and I've been singing more at the cabaret show I am associate producing called Big Night Out. While my co-producer calls my work "thankless", I can't be more thankful as I am learning what goes into producing, making great contacts and helping put on a great show. It is a fun and relaxed evening and I am diggin' it.

AND NOW FOR SHAMELESS PLUGGING....

Big Night Out has it's last open mic of the summer July 30th. Bring your book, test out that new audition song, that new piece your wrote, or have a drink and just listen.

AND THEN...perhaps you'll want to sign up for 1930's IDOL. Yes, in honor of Ms. Dorothy Parker herself, we are having a Jazz Age singing contest. You can sign up and get more details here...

AND IN BETWEEN THE OPEN MIC AND 1930's IDOL is a night that we've been wanting to do forevah! LADIES NIGHT. There are amazing women writing amazing music and it is time to show a few of them off. Amy Shapiro, Crystal Skillman, Bomi Lee and Carla Lynne Hall will be performing their music AUGUST 6th. I am very excited for this evening and do hope you will join us in celebrating the work of these women.

AND NOT RELATED TO BIG NIGHT OUT...

AUGUST 14th, I will be at No Name testing out new material for Single What? Female... I am FINALLY getting back to writing now that the hustle has slowed down a bit. Come on out and cheer a girl on...Actually, cheer the line-up on. It is sick featuring Michele Carlo and Alladin Ullah among others. It really will be an awesome night.

In the meantime, KEEP PAYING ATTENTION!

Peace --Alex

posted by funkweee @ 1:50 PM