"Catching your LIFE!"--Soul Summit Music Fest 2007

That's exactly what happens at the annual Soul Summit Music Festival in Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn-- You 'Catch your LIFE!' This summer jam knows no color nor sexual orientation. In true ol' skool house form, it's a free for all, and all that is required is positive energy. This classic party, the second of four, is strictly for House Music Heads...especially for those who love to DANCE! From about 4pm-9:30pm the sounds of DJ Sadik thump through the speakers and radiate through your soul. Even if you don't dance, you can't help but be affected by the high energy (and sheer SEXINESS) of the mostly nubian crowd. I notice this year, more SGL men of color and couples come out and hit the dance floor. In years past, I remember Bill and I being the first SGL dancers to hit the dance floor, crumbling the ice for others to follow suit.

I always enjoying photographing the event but I also love dancing! Bill and I LOVED house music, so I had to represent! In between photographing, I danced and twirled with TEN complete strangers, both men and women, straight and gay. I just kept moving from one to the next, to the next, to the next...I danced for both Bill and myself. And I saw Bill too! There was a butterfly out all day flapping it's beautiful orange wings to the raunchy beats. I know Bill was with me. :-)

Below are some photos from the event. Enjoy, and see you on August 5th and August 12th for the last two parties!





















































Till the next one...

BMX and GMAD Unite For a Night of Poetry

On Friday night in a show of unity, BMX-NY (Black Men's Xchange) held their meeting at GMAD (Gay Men of African Descent) in Harlem, NY for a night that was billed as a "Youth Poetry Slam". With about forty brothers and a sprinkling of sisters present, it was clear to me that black sgl men from different organizations and walks of life can come together to celebrate our own, and honor our youth, withoutout animosity and a clashing of organizational missions. This is how we build community. I was happy to be one amongst many.

Though this was a Youth Poetry Slam, the floor was open to men of ALL ages, who wanted to read prepared work, freestyle, or read the work of established poets. While nerves got the best of a couple of poets, all those who went up read moving and passionate work that spoke of love, ambition, and hope. The young brothers especially captured the audiences ear and hearts, and they are to be congratulated for fine performances. The youth are our future, and judging by the caliber of talent on this evening, I know our lives will not be ignored. Whether through the arts, business, or other positive ventures, these young brothers and many others will let the world know that we lived and we loved.

Below are some highlights in pictures from the GMAD Youth Poetry Slam. I didn't get the names of all the poets, so if anyone has them, post them to me and I'll insert it. Enjoy!

A straight-identified poet.


Author Ken Jones


John T. Brown




Mesmerized audience members listen on


Poet "Juicy" and GMAD Youth Director Kyle Doyle


Tommy Thompson




Justice


Audience members


Jalani





Anthony Jenkins


Applause for Anthony


Audience


William Santos


Applause for William


The winners of the $100, $50, and door prize.


Winners congratulate each other

Bill Harmon Sci-Fi Inspired Self-Portraits

It's been 12 days since Bill's Transition. It's been an incredible 12 days. Ran into a lot of red tape with trying to get Bill's body cremated as he wished. But with the help of friends with connections and the combined power of the love we had for him, the Medical Examiner granted us our wish, and he signed off on the cremation. Bill's body is now in ashes, but his soul inhabits mine. Tomorrow, we're picking up his cremains. Planning for Bill's services are underway.

Bill is with me and I feel him everyday. i am moved by the outpouring of support by my friends and even Bill's friends and co-workers whom I never met. Who knew he had a life?! We were almost always together...hmph. The memories. Very sweet memories. I will always remember the beauty of the life Bill and I shared. He was my best friend in the entire world, and I miss him so very much. But I know that when I need to call on him, he will always be there for me.

As a photoartist, Bill took so many images, some of which he experimented with manipulation in post-production. It will take me a lifetime to go through them all! Then I'll need another lifetime to go through mine! LOL. Bill LOVED to watch TV and was a hard-core Sci-Fi fan. His favorite show was Farscape. Below are a few self-portraits from a series Bill did this year, around a time he was doing chemotherapy every two weeks. This work is clearly inspired by Sci-Fi, with the exception of the last image which is inspired by Andy Warhol. Enjoy, and remember...

FGPO Summer Exhibition--Including a special photo memorial tribute to Bill Harmon

Bill Harmon was the Vice-president of the Fort Greene Photography Organization, a group he loved dearly and considered family. Join us artists and friends this Thursday during our summer exhibition as we pay a special tribute to Bill. There will also be a closing reception on July 22nd if you can't make it to the opening this Thursday. Please spread the word.

PS-This is not to confuse with the "official" memorial service which will take place in the coming weeks. Click image to ENLARGE to read details of the exhibition.

Bill Harmon, Proud Adodi Brother

I'm posting this photo to share with the Adodi brotherhood and to let you know how much Bill was proud to be an Ado. The tee-shirt he's wearing is from the Chicago Adodi retreat of 2002. This pic is actually a self-portrait of us that Bill set up with my old Yashica camera in Madison Square Park NYC. The photo was taken on a beautiful day in the summer of 2005---3 years after the Chicago retreat. Bill, wore that T-shirt out! He was always proud of who and what it represented, and wore the T-shirt often.

Bill loved Adodi, and the brothers with all his heart. He was definitely going on the retreat this year. He valued the love and support he received from the brothers, even down to the very end. Please enjoy the picture, and pass on to other fellow Adodi brothers. Click on image to ENLARGE.

I love the timeless quality of this image. It may as well have been taken in 1967 as my t-shirt indicates.

P.S.- Services for Bill are still in the works. I'll post once everything is finalized. Thank you for the emails and beautiful sentiments expressed to me personally. Bill was my best friend and I miss him so much!

I'll close with a passage directly from one of Bill's Journal:

9/19/05 Sunday. 4:10p.m.

"I have been in the hospital since Wednesday. What an experience. I have had changes that have made growth in me. My thinking has changed. I will allow love to enter my life and the love of my friends I will allow to grow without fear of not being able to love back."

Rest in Peace Bill Harmon (Mar 29,1959-July 5, 2007)

I am beside myself with grief. My best friend Bill Harmon died yesterday at Long Island College Hospital. I had to cut my vacation short and rush back to New York to be with him. Fortunately, I got there in time enough for Bill to see me and take his final two breaths. This is the first time I'm dealing with grief on such an intimate level. I've never lost anyone I cared for more or who I was as close to.

Bill Harmon was a dynamic spirit, artist and the best friend anyone could ask for. I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support I've received during this difficult time, especially from my (and Bill's) close friends Pavan, Geralyn, Steve, Joe, and Christine. For those who knew Bill couldn't help but be afftected by his genuine and loving personality. He cared about and loved the black gay community, and all people in fact and was a champion of many causes. My heart is bleeding and I miss him so much. I get comfort however, in the fact that Bill made peace with himself, his life and his battle with cancer and AIDS. He is now finally free of pain. One main lesson that I got from Bill is that no matter what challenges we face in life, we can face them with strength, dignity, and pride. What an inspiration Bill was and continues to be for me.

Below are some photos I took of Bill over time that want to share with everyone, especially those who knew and loved him. We are in the throws of planning Bill's services, so check back here for details if you don't see an email in the coming week.


An impromtu photoshoot at my loft in Bushwick, 2004.


Bill smiling at his certificate for 25 years of service with the Department of the City of New York, 2005.



Shadow flautist. Bill taught himself (and me) to play the Native American flute.


Bill, flute silhouette.


Bill reading his fortune, 2005.


Bill's shelf. Portrait I took of Bill in Havana, Cuba, 2004.


Bill with tulip. 2004.


Bill helping Rashawn Brazell's sister light a candle. Rashawn Brazell Candlelight vigil. Brooklyn, NY Feb 2007.


Happy Birthday Bill March 29, 2007.


Bill Self-portrait. Bill was also an accomplished photographer and loved to experiment with abstraction and photo manipulation.


Self-portrait II.


Bill keeping track of his medication dosages and times.


Bill photographed me from his hospital bed with the lensbaby. May 2007. Brooklyn Hospital.


Bill Playing the flute while taking oxygen. June 2007. Mount Sinai Medical Center


Bill walking through Strawberry Fields in Central Park, New York, a day after he was released from the hospital last month. June 2007


Bill Harmon. 2004.


Playful Bill and Ocean--Best of Friends, 2006. Photo by Geralyn Shukwit.


I love and miss you so much Bill! Until we see each other again...