“Martin had a dream! Martin had a dream! Kendrick have a dream!”

I’m back after a wonderful whirlwind visit to Washington D.C.

I copped tickets to the inauguration but guess what… I didn’t make it. We decided to stay in & stay warm after flashbacks of the frigid temps from 4 years ago. We were able to catch the Inaugural parade however and that was fun!

Otherwise, the trip was relaxing & I enjoyed the time with my friends. After several games of dominos, exotic libations, a boxed wine scandal, & partaking in a large fruit basket, it feels great being back home!

Here are a few snapshots from my lovers stroll around the capital. Basic but sexy of course! You know how I do.

I’m neither for or against guns. I am, however, for responsible ownership… If that means anything.

Last week, I was in a situation where I was surrounded by tons of guns. It kinda felt dirty but cool at the same time.

I wouldn’t own a gun at all but I’m kinda hype about going to a gun range and shooting off a few rounds. Seems a little more exciting now that I’ve actually had a hands on experience.

And this is a backstory to another story that I’ll be discussing next month.

I was walking downtown on Woodward when I spotted him in his easter suit moving with a pimp switch!  But it wasn’t Easter! Or spring time…

I shouted to him, “you killing it in that pimp suit!” He shouted back, I’m not a pimp! I’m a hero player!

Only in Detroit!

Detroit is the city that I love to hate. It no longer has the beauty that I knew as a kid. I just see hopelessness & despair with the occasional bright spot here and there.

Last Wednesday night, I found one the occasional bright spots high atop the city. I looked in wonderment at the transitioning lights, life & energy.

This is one reason why I love NYC… I mean, where else in the world can you assemble a mass amount of people for the purpose of song, dance & soul???

And to be fair, Everbody knows….. that I came up with the idea for a Flash Mob last Wednesday:

“I’m calling for all of my fellow Americans to join in a flash mob Soul Train Line to celebrate Black History Month & the life of Don Cornelius… Meet me on MLK Blvd.” ~ Tafari Stevenson-Howard

Detroit: Join me Saturday at the Majestic for the Holiday Baar Bazaar. I’ll have deep discounts on Quench Essentials products (my other hustle)! www.quenchessentials.net

And…… There will be great music and other artsy hustlers peddling their wares for the masses!

Last night was the art show & reception that I have only been talking about for the last several weeks.

In a nutshell, everything was perfect! Many of my friends came out to show love & support, I met some great new people & I was able to talk about my art and share my passion through the theme of Black Women and Food.

When Olivia & I finished hanging the work last Thursday, I took a step back and felt very proud of the presentation. Prints on metallic paper, great custom framing and vivid color really gave me what I wanted.

The event lasted for about three hours but it felt like only 15 minutes. I was in a time vacuum with my new church shoes on…

I could easily say that the highlight of the night was selling 5 pieces of art off of the walls but it was not the highlight. The highlight for me was having my people there to support me, the art and the community of Detroit area photographers. Now of course, I am looking at my sales receipts and smiling like a mofo! I’m just saying.

Another fine highlight from last night other than me looking like a million dollars in my Versace was that someone purchased one of my BEST photos ever, “The Giver” (pictured above). I’m looking forward to installing it next Saturday…….

This photo has been looking for the right home for a while now. So happy that the right person decided to make that move.

As soon as I have photos from the event courtesy of my official unofficial photographer, L O T I, I will post them….

Thanks for hanging in there with me my friends!!!

Tafari

Been running around all evening getting some last minute framing done. Got off work later than I wanted to, had to deal with rush hour and make it to two frame shops before 7pm.

I was able to make it all happen but I was wiped out of energy big time.

Since I’ve been home, I realized two mistakes with my framing that I made, which have to corrected by tomorrow evening when I go to Detroit to hang the art.

I really wish, I could just have someone do this stuff for me. Being an artist, semi-perfectionist & having little time to fit everything in is way too much right here, right now. And you know how sensitive about my shit I am…

Hoping that all of the pieces are back in place tomorrow. I really am…

Getting ready for a show, in my experience is never fun. So much to do, so little time…. And of course, I do EVERYTHING at the last minute.

A good friend asked me if I was ready for the show. I told him no, not hardly but I know what I’m wearing…. Gonna pull out some Versace, just to be fancy. You know how I do…

BTW, my show theme is Black Women & Food…. 2 of my favorite things.

On some unrelated notes:

- Yesterday, the new hygienist at my dentist office told me that she liked my Jamaican accent. Then she told me that my hair was interesting. I’m from B’ham, AL & grew up in Detroit. I don’t have an accent until I go back home to AL… They all think I sound fancy & proper.

- An older woman told me that I reminded her of Stevie Wonder. Not sure if it’s the hair or if she things that I make random body movements like Stevie. I’m just lost on the comparison.

- I registered for my LAST CLASS at Eastern Michigan University. Graduation is just a few short months away!!!

- My kids put up a Christmas tree and it is short of looking like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. Since I stopped celebrating Christmas, the tree has been looking like a mess but it makes them happy & that’s the important piece.

BTW: Bet there, bitches!

Date: 12.10.11
Time: 7pm
Location: Woodbridge Pub | 5169 Trumbull, Detroit, MI

Yesterday, I photographed my biggest one day event yet, The America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade put on by the Parade Company. This year was the 85th anniversary of the parade and allegedly the best weather to date. For that, I am so thankful but it was still cold.

My day started at 4am. The Distinguished Clowns breakfast was the first event of the day, which started at 630am. The Parade started at 930am. Television coverage started at 10am.

Working with me was Cousin Dee & Dapper George. They covered the other pre-parade events. It was crazy but we got all of the pre-events & met up at the beginning of the parade for the main jump off scattered around downtown Detroit.

Funny thing is, I have been living in Detroit since 79 & have never been to the parade. Always watched it from the comfort of my home wondering why people would brave the rain & frigid temperatures to see balloons, floats & bands.  Now I know why.  I have already determined that if I am not working the parade next year, I will be there with my kids and a boatload of blankets!

Have a look some of what I captured start to finish here. You’re sure to smile. Or be frightened if clowns are not your thing.

Get a sneak peek at the new Chrysler 300 promotional commercial set to air tomorrow on TV tomorrow during the Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving football game.

As you know, I’m not a sports fan but the Lions are really making it happen this year and I cannot deny that. And… I did notice Ndamukong Suh all up in this commercial.

Cars, Sports, Poetry, Video…. What a combination.

Last Friday, I photographed The Parade Company’s “Hob Nobble Gobble” black tie event.

The event always has a host of local & national celebrities that guest have the chance to interact with up close & personal.

I’m not usually one who is star struck but this time around, I kind of was because Doug E Fresh was one of the celebrities this year.

When I saw the celeb line up, I got excited & hoped that he would perform. I believe at the time I saw the line up, it was unknown if he would perform.

When he arrived at Ford Field, fans young & old were excited to see him. Everyone was taking about the Dougie. It was fun to watch and listen.

Once the entertainment for the evening started, the crowd was surprised with Doug E Fresh rocking the stage. He was hype. Super hype. Between snapshots, I hit my Dougie while maintaining my professional image. I think….

Funny thing is, Doug E Fresh was not even the headline act but he totally stole the show & offered energy that was not matched for the rest of the evening.

I mean, how do you follow up to a hip-hop legend? Well, you don’t.

I did have a chance to kick it with him for a bit & I had to let him know that his song “Summertime” is WAY better than Will Smith’s “Summertime.” He just laughed…. I wonder if there was a mini beef behind that? I’m just saying!

Last Sunday, was the day that I had that photo session where I whispered all the way through because I had no voice.

The session was with DiShawna Marks, a Detroit high school senior for her senior portraits.

Aside from my voice issues, the day was perfect! The sun was out but not too bright and there was a nice breeze. Totally a gift from the Michigan weather Gods.

DiShawna along with her family (I think there were 8 people with us) & I started the session in East Detroit at the Detroit Dry Docks Engine Works complex, which is an awesome gritty space.  She was not afraid of rocking it out in this long abandoned structure so it was on like Donky Kong.

We ended at Detroit’s Hart Plaza, which I thought would be perfect because I knew very few people would be there because it was Sunday & no one hangs downtown outside of the summer months…. Well, I was wrong because the place was jumping with activity. It actually was quite beautiful to see people out enjoining themselves.

It was also fun rolling with so many people during the session. It was like DiShawna and I had a posse. And I never mind an audience watching me work.

Next time I lose my voice and have a photo session, I’m mos def gonna make some cue cards and have an assistant nearby.  Days later, I am just getting my voice back but that’s OK because I have a happy client with some great photos that are sure to make her classmates a bit jealous….