Hey Hunnybees!
Yesterday my roommate introduced me to a wonderful young lady by the name of Jasmine Mans. Jasmine, who happens to be the 2009 Star Ledger Performing Arts Scholarship winner, reminds me of what I used to be, what I am trying to get back to being, and where I'd like to go. Her poetry discusses various topics, and her ora is that of a young 2010 version of Assata Shakur/Angela Davis. Thanks to youtube.com, I have come across clips of her performances discussing abortion, rape, the figure of black women in Rap, and the First Lady Michele Obama. Jasmine truely has a gift, along with other young woman I stumbled upon today. Please check these women out, let me know what you think, and enjoy!
P.S. I haven't seen Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" yet, however, there is a quote I heard from the movie that is a must share!
"I have found God in Myself, and I LOVE HER FIERCELY"
Reflect on your Love for Knowledge, Self, and Peace of Mind....
In-step's Ms. Alexis Marie's poetry:
16 Year-Old Zora Howard...PLEASE PAY ATTENTION!!
Her Poem entitled "Bi-Racial Hair"
I have bi-racial hair
Pantene Pro-V waves on the top
Easy to style, comb, rock-
Until-I encounter my naps,
I’m not talking about those-cute detangle with the spray naps.
I’m talking about those, slave naps, like,
No comb, brush, or man can handle the kind of naps I got- like,
No way you are touching my hair-naps like
Back 10 feet up, or we can dance naps
Those naps like-
DAMN!
I have bi-racial hair,
Those smooth and silk rafts hanging all through my mane,
Until you get to the back, and encounter the jungle, in which you can find Tarzan and Jane.
In the front you forget and relax in the pleasure,
Until you get to the back and remember pain
Baby hair slicked back with that good 4 dollar pomade,
That goes with roots and tangles,
Soaked with that same olive oil; mixed with that spaghetti sauce momade.
I have bi-racial hair,
Combs run freely through my fine breezy, just to the part, the most you can make,
Until it gets to the back and
Breaks.
I have bi-racial hair
Like-
The only thing my mother could put it in was 2 big braids,
And sometimes that was to much,
So she left half undone.
I was in the mirror, I was in the mirror,
Convincing my self I looked just like a dark-skinned Alicia Keys
I have bi-racial hair,
because I have bi-racial blood.
I’m not talking about that-cute they met then fell in love, blood
I’m talking about that- slaved raped six times by the master,
Birthing 6 mixed babies, later hung blood
I’m talking about that cross burning in the mud, blood
And you call me a mud blood,
Slit my rist,
my blood does not excrete in black and white.
I drean in verse and in red
Like what drained from Emmit Tills’ lips when he was killed for breaking down color lines
Bi-racial who surcomes to the abuse from her peers in her middle school,
Those whose who constantly called me an Oreo
Well she’s not white, its more like Reese’s cookie, mixed breed or a mullato
That’s what it is a reverse mulatto
I AM NOT A FUCKING COOKIE OR A BITCH!
My roots are deep too
my bi-racial roots are not blind
or more than cotton soft
cause my blood were in the sun, picking cotton too
a thousand times discrated for my race
a thousand time discrated from my history y'all never get
let textbooks be your truth
and sprinkle the ashes of your history into streams
i dream for a time and place where
maybe y'all all accept me
maybe we need to wake up again and remember a morning of you
like something new
baby I'll be green cause my people drove there
you people drove me there
with my tender heart
tender head
and my bi-racial hair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTnxJdxhU7o
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
HunnyBeinFree- STuff that Interested me today....
Danish electronic soul duo Quadron-
The Art of Steven Lopez- After Midnight Collection
Check out the artist webpage: http://artworksmagazine.com/2009/06/steven-lopez/
Tying The Knot Collection by Karen J Revis (my aunt)
John Mayer Acoustic version of "Who Say's"
The Art of Steven Lopez- After Midnight Collection
Check out the artist webpage: http://artworksmagazine.com/2009/06/steven-lopez/
Tying The Knot Collection by Karen J Revis (my aunt)
John Mayer Acoustic version of "Who Say's"
Monday, September 20, 2010
HunnyBeeFree- Think Happiness & IT WILL COME...
Hey Hunnybee's!!
It’s been 10 months since your Momma Hunnybee has been out of the relationship world...and you know what...IT'S BEEN GREAT! By finally giving myself the opportunity to figure out myself and all my flaws, I was able to make changes, set goals, recharge, and prepare myself for whatever else God has in store for me. I finally gave myself the chance to think for me, and NOT for us (which can be very stressful), and was able to think happy thoughts, and genuinely remember what it felt like to be HAPPY
Growing up in a single, African-American household, can go one of two ways when it comes to marriage. One single mother may teach her daughter to NOT depend on anyone, much less men, and to focus more on her career & finances than romances. On the latter, the mother may influence her daughter by teaching principles of marriage being sacred, and that family-equaling a husband and children- is the only way to find true happiness. I believe neither side of the realm is completely wrong, and if done in a well balance value meal (because I relate everything to food), a young woman could grow up having the world if she chose- Neither the less… I was the child brought up to believe that happiness was only to be found if you had someone to share it with, and that you weren't a whole unless you had a partner around to take full care of you (NOT BLAMING MY FAMILY, #IMJUSTSAYIN). By being taught this, I've always thought by being in a relationship, I was luckier than the next because I had someone to share my stories with and take care of me. After 7 years of stress, all the happy times, and the bad, I was always in a constant fight with myself because I was never fully happy. At the end of the day, I had to de-brain wash myself and realize I wasn't fully happy because I believed I couldn't live life SUCCESSFULLY alone! In the end, after all is said and done, I was one, if not the main cause, for the outfall of my relationship. I was not able to love me the way I needed to love myself and this Hunnybee's, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! (In Step MJB song “BE HAPPY”..."How can I love somebody else, If I can't love myself enough to know...".
I think at the end of the day, people in general need to take time, experience life, and realize what life is like as an adult being alone. Life is fun! Go out, have a drink with a cute guy or girl, flirt a little! Ladies wear that scandalous dress you wouldn't wear while your dating that "special" someone- DO YOU! It pays off in the end, and you'll honestly thank yourself for the time you spent getting to know, love, respect, and cherish yourself, your space, and your time alone!....
On a brighter note…I’ve recently started dating my 6th grade Middle School crush! I’m completely Happy, completely Recharged, and completely ready to START OVER and be Happily in a relationship!! Smile!
It’s been 10 months since your Momma Hunnybee has been out of the relationship world...and you know what...IT'S BEEN GREAT! By finally giving myself the opportunity to figure out myself and all my flaws, I was able to make changes, set goals, recharge, and prepare myself for whatever else God has in store for me. I finally gave myself the chance to think for me, and NOT for us (which can be very stressful), and was able to think happy thoughts, and genuinely remember what it felt like to be HAPPY
Growing up in a single, African-American household, can go one of two ways when it comes to marriage. One single mother may teach her daughter to NOT depend on anyone, much less men, and to focus more on her career & finances than romances. On the latter, the mother may influence her daughter by teaching principles of marriage being sacred, and that family-equaling a husband and children- is the only way to find true happiness. I believe neither side of the realm is completely wrong, and if done in a well balance value meal (because I relate everything to food), a young woman could grow up having the world if she chose- Neither the less… I was the child brought up to believe that happiness was only to be found if you had someone to share it with, and that you weren't a whole unless you had a partner around to take full care of you (NOT BLAMING MY FAMILY, #IMJUSTSAYIN). By being taught this, I've always thought by being in a relationship, I was luckier than the next because I had someone to share my stories with and take care of me. After 7 years of stress, all the happy times, and the bad, I was always in a constant fight with myself because I was never fully happy. At the end of the day, I had to de-brain wash myself and realize I wasn't fully happy because I believed I couldn't live life SUCCESSFULLY alone! In the end, after all is said and done, I was one, if not the main cause, for the outfall of my relationship. I was not able to love me the way I needed to love myself and this Hunnybee's, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! (In Step MJB song “BE HAPPY”..."How can I love somebody else, If I can't love myself enough to know...".
I think at the end of the day, people in general need to take time, experience life, and realize what life is like as an adult being alone. Life is fun! Go out, have a drink with a cute guy or girl, flirt a little! Ladies wear that scandalous dress you wouldn't wear while your dating that "special" someone- DO YOU! It pays off in the end, and you'll honestly thank yourself for the time you spent getting to know, love, respect, and cherish yourself, your space, and your time alone!....
On a brighter note…I’ve recently started dating my 6th grade Middle School crush! I’m completely Happy, completely Recharged, and completely ready to START OVER and be Happily in a relationship!! Smile!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
HunnyBeeGitUpGitOutGitSumpthin....
Hey Hunnybee's!
Been awhile I know...
I love the randomness that I provide to the wonderful world of the internet, however, I've learned that my life is missing commitment, and lots-o-consistancy! I've decided to come back to my hunnybee's, learn how to be consistant through my posts, and pray that talking to my hunnybee's weekly (baby steps), will help me in my lack of consistancy and commitment. In addition, I realized that I need GOALS Hunnybee's! In the past, I've have major issues with setting goals. In all honesty, I am a person who believes tomorrow is not promised, so why pretend that the next few hours is guarenteed? There are many sources for this disbelief in goals, however, the main cause of the symptom is the loss of my mother. I truely miss that lady, and since her passing, the last goal I set for myself, before she passed, was completing college. Now that I don't have my ultimate source of support, and I have set some form of path for my career, I've settled, and being settled, is NOT such a settling feeling. With this in mind hunnybee's, I need answers...
WHAT DOES ONE DO WHEN YOU'VE SETTLED IN LIFE?
HOW DO YOU UNSETTLE YOUR ROUTINE?
I need Help Hunnybee's! What do I do?
Been awhile I know...
I love the randomness that I provide to the wonderful world of the internet, however, I've learned that my life is missing commitment, and lots-o-consistancy! I've decided to come back to my hunnybee's, learn how to be consistant through my posts, and pray that talking to my hunnybee's weekly (baby steps), will help me in my lack of consistancy and commitment. In addition, I realized that I need GOALS Hunnybee's! In the past, I've have major issues with setting goals. In all honesty, I am a person who believes tomorrow is not promised, so why pretend that the next few hours is guarenteed? There are many sources for this disbelief in goals, however, the main cause of the symptom is the loss of my mother. I truely miss that lady, and since her passing, the last goal I set for myself, before she passed, was completing college. Now that I don't have my ultimate source of support, and I have set some form of path for my career, I've settled, and being settled, is NOT such a settling feeling. With this in mind hunnybee's, I need answers...
WHAT DOES ONE DO WHEN YOU'VE SETTLED IN LIFE?
HOW DO YOU UNSETTLE YOUR ROUTINE?
I need Help Hunnybee's! What do I do?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
HunnyBeeRemembered
Hey Hunnybee's!
Stormy Weather this week in the DMV, and all I can think about is Lena! Ms. Horne was such an amazing woman, and a true legend not just to the African American culture, but American culture in general. As I sit and reflect on her life, music, and true grace, watch with me and comment on how wonderful this woman really was!
Rest in Glorious Peace Ms. Lena Horne!
(Below is a timeline provided on the Lena Horne tribute site: http://www.lena-horne.com/)
1917...... Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born on June 30, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York in a small Jewish Hospital. Her parents were Edna Scottron Horne and Edwin "Teddy" Horne.
1919...... October 1919, Lena Horne was the youngest member of the NAACP. Lena's photo appeared in the October 1919 issue of the NAACP Branch Bulletin.
1920....... Lena's parents divorced, when she was three. Due to her mother traveling, Lena grew up in numerous places like Brooklyn, Bronx, Georgia and Miami.
1933....... Sixteen year old Lena starred in a Charity Show. She played the role of the bride in "Marriage via Contract" with the Junior Theatre Guild.
1934...... Started working for "The Cotton Club" as a dancer. Lena was in "Dance With Your Gods" show on Broadway as the Quadroon Girl.
1935...... Join "Noble Sissle Society Orchestra" as a singer and she had a tap dance routine. She went by the name Helena Horne.
1937...... Married Louis J. Jones. exactly 11 months later her daughter Gail was born.
Lena later stated that she married Louis to escape the show business life.
1938....... Forced to go back to work because of financial problems, Lena landed a leading role in the all black musical "The Duke is Tops".
1939......Lena appeared on Broadway in the musical revue Leslie's Blackbirds of 1939.
1940...... February gave birth to her 2nd. child Edwin "Teddy". Lena's marriage to Louis Jones ended by the end of 1940. Upon returning to New York after breakup of her marriage, Lena became a vocalist with Charlie Barnet's band. It was a well known white band and Lena toured and made a few of her first recording with them.
1940-41.. Lena went to work at the Cafe Society Nightclub. Barney Josephson wanted Lena to sing a Blues number during her set. Having a Jazz background and not Blues, Lena went to visit Billie Holiday backstage at the Kelly's Stable Nightclub. Lena & Billie became friends after the first meeting. Lena was also dating Boxing Legend Joe Louis. Also, during this time Lena meets her mentor and bestfriend Billy Strayhorn.
1942..... Lena moved to Hollywood. Lena signed a 7 year contact with MGM Studios, she was the highest paid black actor at the time. MGM studios pointed Max Factors himself to create a make-up for Lena that would make her look darker it was called "Light Egyptian". Lena's career took off with her triumphant appearance at the Savoy Plaza Hotel nightclub engagement in New York City. She was featured in Life magazine as a provocative new singing star.
1943...... Lena's had three movies released within the first 6 months: Swing Fever, Cabin In The Sky and Stormy Weather. She was also in Magazines like Time, Life and Newsweek. In the movie "Stormy Weather" the title song would later become one of her signature songs. She became the pin-up girl for Black G.I.'s.
1944..... In October, Lena was the first Black to appeared on the cover of Motion Picture Magazine.
1945..... Lena turned down the role in the Broadway show "St' Louis Woman" that MGM wanted her to do and was placed on a long suspension. She is not allowed to perform as Julie in the Broadway revival of Show Boat even though composer Jerome Kern asked for her.
1947..... Lena hires a white manager, Ralph Harris, and he steers her career more towards live performing. She makes a triumphant debuts in London and Paris. She marries her mentor and conductor at MGM, Lennie Hayton. Lennie had worked for MGM as a staff composer, arranger and conductor. He was classically trained. In 1946 it was illegal for blacks and whites to marry, so they decided to avoid the publicity and got married while in Europe. They kept their marriage a secret until 1950, only their families knew about the marriage.
1947..... A Blacklist was started in Hollywood - A large group of movie executives announced that Communists and other subversives would never "knowingly" be employed in Hollywood again. Lena was listed for her support of the Hollywood Independent Citizens Committee, the Joint Anti-Fascist Committee and W.E.B. DuBois and Paul Robeson's Council on African Affairs. Lena was considered, if not a Communist, as least prematurely anti-Fascist.
1948...... Lena had been active in politics for many years. Lena ended up supporting Harry S. Truman. Truman was grateful for her support and she was invited to sing at his Inagugural Ball.
1950..... Lena and Lennie formally announce their marriage while in France. Lena asks to be released from her MGM contract after only 2 movies in 5 years, mostly because of the suspension. Lena becomes a huge star in the United States and Europe on the nightclub circuit in the 1950's.
1956..... In 1956 she re-signs with RCA Victor and in 1957 release one of her best and biggest selling LPs, the live album "At The Waldorf.
1957..... Lena gets her name cleared from the Hollywood Blacklist, with help from George Sokolsky. She was then able to work on television & movies again. Lena also began working in Las Vegas at the Sands. Lena starred in the play Jamaica on Broadway. Lena was making the TV circuit on shows like the Perry Como Show, What's My Line, Tonight Show with Steve Allen and etc.
1963..... Lena temporarily retires from performing and becomes deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement with encouragement of her friend Dr. Jeanne Noble, president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Lena becomes an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta. Lena and other prominent Black Americans were invited to New York City to meet with Attorney General Robert Kennedy to discuss the crisis of race relations. Lena also meets Medgar Evers in Jackson, Mississippi. A week after meeting him, he was murdered. She participated in the March on Washington and performed at rallies throughout the country for the National Council for Negro Women.
1964...... Lena performs in her own TV Specials in the UK, later syndicated on TV in the US.
1967...... Lena's longtime friend Billy Strayhorn dies of cancer.
1969..... Lena stars in her first US Special - Monsanto Night Presents Lena Horne.
1970-71.... Lena's father past away, then Lennie died from a heart attack and her son Teddy died at 29 from kidney failure - all within 12 month of each other.
1970..... Harry & Lena - TV Special co-starring Lena and Harry Belafonte. Lena & Harry perform together in a show at Caesars Palace In Las Vegas that years.
1973..... Tony & Lena - TV Special co-starring Tony Bennett. Lena tours the show with Bennett in 1974-75.
1970-79.. Also during the 70's - Lena did numerous TV appearance, concerts. Las Vegas, tour with Vic Damone. Lena releases one of her best albums entitled "A New Album" on RCA.
1978...... Returned to the silver screen as Glinda the Good Witch in "The Wiz". (This would be her last big screen appearance.) Lena's then son-in-law Sidney Lumet was the director of the movie.
1980...... Lena announces she will retire from show business and performs in a 3 month Farewell Tour sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta.
1981...... Lena reconsiders retirement and appears on Broadway in a one woman autobiographical show Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. The show was a smash hit on Broadway. It runs for a year and closes on her 65th birthday in June 30, 1982. The show tours the US, Canada and UK through 1984. Lena receives a special Tony Award and a Grammy Award later that year. The program is video taped for PBS.
1984...... Lena is honored at the Kennedy Center with other luminaries such as Arthur Miller and Danny Kaye.
1988...... Lena returns to singing with an album called The Men In My Life. The men are Joe Williams and Sammy Davis Jr. who sing duets with her.
1993...... Lena signs with the Blue Notes label and records several albums including We'll Be Together Again (1993), Being Myself (1998), Seasons of a Life (2006).
Lena gives one of her most spectacular live performances in a tribute to her friend composer Billy Strayhorn at Lincoln Center in New York.
1995...... Lena appears in an A&E special called The Supper Club. The CD of the show wins a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal. (The show was recorded in September 1994 & released CD 1995)
1999...... Lena made her last Major Public appearance at an all-star salute in her honor at New York's Avery Fisher Hall.
2000...... Lena is the host of the Documentary "Then I'll Be Free To Travel Home".
2005...... Lena was one of the legends honored at the Oprah's Winfrey's Legend Weekend. Lena was unable to attend the three day event.
2007..... At 90 years old Lena is completely retired from show business and doesn't do any interviews or public appearance. She lives in the Upper East Side of New York City.
2010..... May 9th - Lena Horne passed away at the age of 92 at New York Presbysterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Stormy Weather this week in the DMV, and all I can think about is Lena! Ms. Horne was such an amazing woman, and a true legend not just to the African American culture, but American culture in general. As I sit and reflect on her life, music, and true grace, watch with me and comment on how wonderful this woman really was!
Rest in Glorious Peace Ms. Lena Horne!
(Below is a timeline provided on the Lena Horne tribute site: http://www.lena-horne.com/)
1917...... Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born on June 30, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York in a small Jewish Hospital. Her parents were Edna Scottron Horne and Edwin "Teddy" Horne.
1919...... October 1919, Lena Horne was the youngest member of the NAACP. Lena's photo appeared in the October 1919 issue of the NAACP Branch Bulletin.
1920....... Lena's parents divorced, when she was three. Due to her mother traveling, Lena grew up in numerous places like Brooklyn, Bronx, Georgia and Miami.
1933....... Sixteen year old Lena starred in a Charity Show. She played the role of the bride in "Marriage via Contract" with the Junior Theatre Guild.
1934...... Started working for "The Cotton Club" as a dancer. Lena was in "Dance With Your Gods" show on Broadway as the Quadroon Girl.
1935...... Join "Noble Sissle Society Orchestra" as a singer and she had a tap dance routine. She went by the name Helena Horne.
1937...... Married Louis J. Jones. exactly 11 months later her daughter Gail was born.
Lena later stated that she married Louis to escape the show business life.
1938....... Forced to go back to work because of financial problems, Lena landed a leading role in the all black musical "The Duke is Tops".
1939......Lena appeared on Broadway in the musical revue Leslie's Blackbirds of 1939.
1940...... February gave birth to her 2nd. child Edwin "Teddy". Lena's marriage to Louis Jones ended by the end of 1940. Upon returning to New York after breakup of her marriage, Lena became a vocalist with Charlie Barnet's band. It was a well known white band and Lena toured and made a few of her first recording with them.
1940-41.. Lena went to work at the Cafe Society Nightclub. Barney Josephson wanted Lena to sing a Blues number during her set. Having a Jazz background and not Blues, Lena went to visit Billie Holiday backstage at the Kelly's Stable Nightclub. Lena & Billie became friends after the first meeting. Lena was also dating Boxing Legend Joe Louis. Also, during this time Lena meets her mentor and bestfriend Billy Strayhorn.
1942..... Lena moved to Hollywood. Lena signed a 7 year contact with MGM Studios, she was the highest paid black actor at the time. MGM studios pointed Max Factors himself to create a make-up for Lena that would make her look darker it was called "Light Egyptian". Lena's career took off with her triumphant appearance at the Savoy Plaza Hotel nightclub engagement in New York City. She was featured in Life magazine as a provocative new singing star.
1943...... Lena's had three movies released within the first 6 months: Swing Fever, Cabin In The Sky and Stormy Weather. She was also in Magazines like Time, Life and Newsweek. In the movie "Stormy Weather" the title song would later become one of her signature songs. She became the pin-up girl for Black G.I.'s.
1944..... In October, Lena was the first Black to appeared on the cover of Motion Picture Magazine.
1945..... Lena turned down the role in the Broadway show "St' Louis Woman" that MGM wanted her to do and was placed on a long suspension. She is not allowed to perform as Julie in the Broadway revival of Show Boat even though composer Jerome Kern asked for her.
1947..... Lena hires a white manager, Ralph Harris, and he steers her career more towards live performing. She makes a triumphant debuts in London and Paris. She marries her mentor and conductor at MGM, Lennie Hayton. Lennie had worked for MGM as a staff composer, arranger and conductor. He was classically trained. In 1946 it was illegal for blacks and whites to marry, so they decided to avoid the publicity and got married while in Europe. They kept their marriage a secret until 1950, only their families knew about the marriage.
1947..... A Blacklist was started in Hollywood - A large group of movie executives announced that Communists and other subversives would never "knowingly" be employed in Hollywood again. Lena was listed for her support of the Hollywood Independent Citizens Committee, the Joint Anti-Fascist Committee and W.E.B. DuBois and Paul Robeson's Council on African Affairs. Lena was considered, if not a Communist, as least prematurely anti-Fascist.
1948...... Lena had been active in politics for many years. Lena ended up supporting Harry S. Truman. Truman was grateful for her support and she was invited to sing at his Inagugural Ball.
1950..... Lena and Lennie formally announce their marriage while in France. Lena asks to be released from her MGM contract after only 2 movies in 5 years, mostly because of the suspension. Lena becomes a huge star in the United States and Europe on the nightclub circuit in the 1950's.
1956..... In 1956 she re-signs with RCA Victor and in 1957 release one of her best and biggest selling LPs, the live album "At The Waldorf.
1957..... Lena gets her name cleared from the Hollywood Blacklist, with help from George Sokolsky. She was then able to work on television & movies again. Lena also began working in Las Vegas at the Sands. Lena starred in the play Jamaica on Broadway. Lena was making the TV circuit on shows like the Perry Como Show, What's My Line, Tonight Show with Steve Allen and etc.
1963..... Lena temporarily retires from performing and becomes deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement with encouragement of her friend Dr. Jeanne Noble, president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Lena becomes an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta. Lena and other prominent Black Americans were invited to New York City to meet with Attorney General Robert Kennedy to discuss the crisis of race relations. Lena also meets Medgar Evers in Jackson, Mississippi. A week after meeting him, he was murdered. She participated in the March on Washington and performed at rallies throughout the country for the National Council for Negro Women.
1964...... Lena performs in her own TV Specials in the UK, later syndicated on TV in the US.
1967...... Lena's longtime friend Billy Strayhorn dies of cancer.
1969..... Lena stars in her first US Special - Monsanto Night Presents Lena Horne.
1970-71.... Lena's father past away, then Lennie died from a heart attack and her son Teddy died at 29 from kidney failure - all within 12 month of each other.
1970..... Harry & Lena - TV Special co-starring Lena and Harry Belafonte. Lena & Harry perform together in a show at Caesars Palace In Las Vegas that years.
1973..... Tony & Lena - TV Special co-starring Tony Bennett. Lena tours the show with Bennett in 1974-75.
1970-79.. Also during the 70's - Lena did numerous TV appearance, concerts. Las Vegas, tour with Vic Damone. Lena releases one of her best albums entitled "A New Album" on RCA.
1978...... Returned to the silver screen as Glinda the Good Witch in "The Wiz". (This would be her last big screen appearance.) Lena's then son-in-law Sidney Lumet was the director of the movie.
1980...... Lena announces she will retire from show business and performs in a 3 month Farewell Tour sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta.
1981...... Lena reconsiders retirement and appears on Broadway in a one woman autobiographical show Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. The show was a smash hit on Broadway. It runs for a year and closes on her 65th birthday in June 30, 1982. The show tours the US, Canada and UK through 1984. Lena receives a special Tony Award and a Grammy Award later that year. The program is video taped for PBS.
1984...... Lena is honored at the Kennedy Center with other luminaries such as Arthur Miller and Danny Kaye.
1988...... Lena returns to singing with an album called The Men In My Life. The men are Joe Williams and Sammy Davis Jr. who sing duets with her.
1993...... Lena signs with the Blue Notes label and records several albums including We'll Be Together Again (1993), Being Myself (1998), Seasons of a Life (2006).
Lena gives one of her most spectacular live performances in a tribute to her friend composer Billy Strayhorn at Lincoln Center in New York.
1995...... Lena appears in an A&E special called The Supper Club. The CD of the show wins a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal. (The show was recorded in September 1994 & released CD 1995)
1999...... Lena made her last Major Public appearance at an all-star salute in her honor at New York's Avery Fisher Hall.
2000...... Lena is the host of the Documentary "Then I'll Be Free To Travel Home".
2005...... Lena was one of the legends honored at the Oprah's Winfrey's Legend Weekend. Lena was unable to attend the three day event.
2007..... At 90 years old Lena is completely retired from show business and doesn't do any interviews or public appearance. She lives in the Upper East Side of New York City.
2010..... May 9th - Lena Horne passed away at the age of 92 at New York Presbysterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
HunnyBee-Dating
Hey Hunny bee's!
It's been awhile!! Working with teenagers has kept me busy, but I haven't forgotten all about my hunnybee's!
As some of you know, I've been living the single life for a few months now. Dating, as most of my friends had warned me in the past-(CAUTION SIGNS FLASHING), is NOT easy! While I'm still in the "Doing me" stage, I still find myself becoming lonely -(cue the violins). Lately, in my hunt for a man stage, I've been noticing "the other race". I've never really looked into dating outside my race, outside of one middle-school relationship that lasted all of 5 minutes; however, there are a lot of good looking white males out there! Race has never been something that I've paid much attention to, as I have always gone to schools where there has been a mixture of races and cultures, however dating, with the possibility of marrying outside my race, is also something that I've never considered.
In my search for Mr. Right, I've noticed that I'm not the only African American woman looking at the other "white meat". I've been reading a lot about stepping outside the box, and dating outside the race. While some African American women have issues with this topic, I've noticed that dating outside the race is now bigger than ever. Regina King has spoken about it in her recently published essay in Vibe magazine, and even Salt-N-Pepa's own Sandy Denton, has spoken on the topic in her realty show "Let's talk about Pep".
According to the Washington Post in 2008,"...70% of Black women are single, and 42% are unmarried." YES LADIES 70%! Why you ask? In my opinion, I think its partly our fault. Some of us ask for entirely too much, and the other half of the problem, our African American men are entering "the system", retiring from "the system", can't find a job because of "the system", are now in love with another man, or have other issues I choose to not discuss.
With this in mind...
The topic of "Interracial Dating" has even made it onto youtube clips, of random thoughts on the topic, and if it should be accepted or not. In my opinion, love is love, and you're lucky to find it anywhere, but there are a lot of women, and men, out there, who think otherwise....WHAT DO YOU THINK??
It's been awhile!! Working with teenagers has kept me busy, but I haven't forgotten all about my hunnybee's!
As some of you know, I've been living the single life for a few months now. Dating, as most of my friends had warned me in the past-(CAUTION SIGNS FLASHING), is NOT easy! While I'm still in the "Doing me" stage, I still find myself becoming lonely -(cue the violins). Lately, in my hunt for a man stage, I've been noticing "the other race". I've never really looked into dating outside my race, outside of one middle-school relationship that lasted all of 5 minutes; however, there are a lot of good looking white males out there! Race has never been something that I've paid much attention to, as I have always gone to schools where there has been a mixture of races and cultures, however dating, with the possibility of marrying outside my race, is also something that I've never considered.
In my search for Mr. Right, I've noticed that I'm not the only African American woman looking at the other "white meat". I've been reading a lot about stepping outside the box, and dating outside the race. While some African American women have issues with this topic, I've noticed that dating outside the race is now bigger than ever. Regina King has spoken about it in her recently published essay in Vibe magazine, and even Salt-N-Pepa's own Sandy Denton, has spoken on the topic in her realty show "Let's talk about Pep".
According to the Washington Post in 2008,"...70% of Black women are single, and 42% are unmarried." YES LADIES 70%! Why you ask? In my opinion, I think its partly our fault. Some of us ask for entirely too much, and the other half of the problem, our African American men are entering "the system", retiring from "the system", can't find a job because of "the system", are now in love with another man, or have other issues I choose to not discuss.
With this in mind...
The topic of "Interracial Dating" has even made it onto youtube clips, of random thoughts on the topic, and if it should be accepted or not. In my opinion, love is love, and you're lucky to find it anywhere, but there are a lot of women, and men, out there, who think otherwise....WHAT DO YOU THINK??
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