2015 Graduations
This year I had for graduations to attend, one was in Atlanta, and the others were here in Michigan. In May, my cousin was graduating from Clark Atlanta University. So, I thought it was the perfect time to finally travel to Atlanta. When the finally arrived for me to travel to Atlanta, I did not go out on my first chosen flight. Bumped all the way til 12, but I knew it was going to happen. I spent 3 days in Atlanta and the graduation was on the day we were leave for home.
Unlike any ceremony this was a long one almost three hours long with a graduating class of over 700 students. To also add it was out in the sun with a possibility of rain. Luckily it didn't rain til after it was finished.
Later in the month my next three graduations were my little sister from Franklin High School, my sister from Baker College, and my close friend my Oakland Community College (OCC), With each one different from the next, OCC was the quickest of all of them.
Antoinette
Jaida
Jessica
Ahshanta
Noir Night At Tangent Gallery/Hastings Ballroom
One whole year has passed since last years Noir Night. For those who don't know Noir Night is an art and history lesson for those willing to learn something different about the city of Detroit. Not many know about the rich history of Detroit that had many jazz musicians that started or came through the city.
This was brought about that the founder of International Black Burlesque Company (IBBC) Rachel McCollough a.k.a. Sinnator Charlotte. She wanted to give people a history lesson of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Not to bore you with all the details here's the link for you to read.
What Sinnator Charlotte also does is also give info to those who would never believe coexisted together, and that's burlesque and jazz. Sinnator Charlotte states is that during that time of Paradise Valley during the 1920's two styles worked extremely well together.
As many people don't really understand burlesque, as many see burlesque as only stripping. As it is stripping but it's more than that it's an art form. It can tell a story to go along with that music that they are dancing to. When most think of burlesque they think of the movie Burlesque but it's much more that. The movie on glorify one type of female body type, but it's women of all shape and sizes that participate in burlesque shows.
By introducing Detroiters to this particular art form not only does this opens their minds but also truly inform everyone like hey she can do than maybe I can do it. All the ladies who performed are beautiful, talented, and showed so much confidence that you can not tell I they were nervous at all. The all the ladies performed extremely well, and the audience showed love and participation with every performer. As with any event of this caliber there is always one heckler in the audience that gets a little too drunk for themselves.
For all those who missed out, you missed a wonderful show. I was happy I was able be bring family and friends to this, and introduce them to the things I love to enjoy. I can't wait til the next show and I hope to bring more people with me. I will continue to support IBBC with all that they do. Well enough talking time for some pictures.
Stage Kitten: Simone Winter
Candy Mac-N-Toosh
Bianca Coal
Rose Chocolat
Akynos
Essence Revealed
Zaniah Amirah
Sinnator Charlotte
If you wish to find out more about these ladies find on Facebook and Instgram.
Candy Mac-N-Toosh https://www.facebook.com/candy.macntoosh?fref=ts
Biance Coal - https://www.facebook.com/BiancaCoalburlesque
Akynos - https://www.facebook.com/theincredibleedibleakynos
Essence Revealed - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Essence-Revealed/202323189809975
Zaniah Amirah - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zaniah-Amirah/115492175145151
Simone Winter - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simone-Winter/317231925066801
Sinnator Charlotte - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sinnator-Charlotte/1520548118227833
“There are things which nobody would see unless I photographed them.”
“I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”