Soul Train FEVER! Soul Train Line (Flash mob), Times Square NYC

People of all ages came to celebrate the life of Don Cornelius, creator of the beloved musical variety TV show, SOUL TRAIN. Hundreds arrived at the 'center of the world' , Times Square, to recreate a mass Soul Train Line. Some arrived in 70's fashion, others brought their children, exposing another generation to the show that connected so many people through music and dance.


Afro's (not weaves) was in fashion again, if only for a day.



New generations being introduced to the Soul Train Line.



Remember the boom box?






Nice to see entire families out having a good time.




Rene spraying Brenda's hair with a classic 'Afro Sheen.'



RollerSKATEs not blades. If you're from Brooklyn and you're a skater, you MUST remember the Empire Roller Disco! I remember a few skate-dancers on Soul Train.



This sequined hat was popular disco head-wear in the 70's-80's.



Back Up!! There was such a dense grouping of people waiting to dance, that it took some time for a narrow space to open up for Soul train Line dancers.



The crowd parts for the Soul Train Line.



Get yo' dance on!



Check out the shoes...you KNOW that was hot on SOUL TRAIN!







Soul Train Line. The space didnt stay open for too long because too many people wanted to dance, some started doing the electric slide, others danced in a circle. Maintaining space for the Soul Train line was difficult due to the crush of people in attendance.










Smiles all around. It was nice to see so many happy people.



Get yo' dance on!

























RIP Don Cornelius September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012. Love, Peace and Soul!

Preparing for chemo#11 tomorrow, doing what I love. The fight begins and ends with me, and my daily "frame of mind" depends upon how much I nurture my spirit.

Black History Month!

February is Black History Month, a time when we celebrate greats like Malcolm, Martin, Langston and many others. Here's a piece of Black History of a different sort:

The Azande Warriors.

According to extensive research and fieldwork by the British Anthropologist E. E. Evans-Pritchard, the Azande date back to the early 1600's in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unmarried Azande warriors routinely took on boy-wives, who would be between the ages of twelve and twenty. They would purchase these boys in exchange for spears, and their bond would be publicly acknowledged. The boys did not cook, but would fetch cooked food, and would perform other services for their husbands. In return, the husbands gave the boy-wives pretty ornaments, and he and the boy addressed one another as "my love" and my "lover".

The image is a recreation I photographed of The Azande Warriors based on old photos and drawings.

Happy Black History Month!

Self-reflecting/reflection; Art as self/Self as Artist

Taken at Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

What experience will you miss?

Having the universe at your disposal
What is there to possess?

Only the courageous surrender
enough
To receive all the Universe has to offer.

--Haven Trevino, The Tao of Healing

Postcard to the Motherland

(Chemo #10) "When we are vulnerable is when we are most beautiful." --Amy Duroucher

Happy Birthday Dr. King!

Self-portrait: The memory of trees

2nd Anniversary of Haiti's earthquake

Today marks the two year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti. In the months following the earthquake, I flew to Haiti to volunteer in Medical Relief efforts. Today, I'm spending some time reflecting , praying and still trying to make sense of the aftermath which is still evidenced today. Check out my earlier blog to and read the story of my experiences there. I was very happy and proud to help my people in such a direct and intimate way. This is an experience I will never forget!


Read the blog here: http://brothaluvacafe.blogspot.com/2010/05/medical-mission-to-haiti.html

CHEMO BRAIN

According to the American Cancer Society: For years cancer survivors have worried about, joked about, and been frustrated with the mental cloudiness they sometimes notice before, during, and after chemotherapy. Even though its exact cause isn’t always known, this mental fog is commonly called “chemo brain.” Patients have been aware of chemo brain for some time, but only recently have studies been done that could start to explain it.

Doctors have known for years that radiation treatment to the brain could cause problems with thinking and memory. Recently, they have found that chemo is linked to some of the same kinds of problems. (To read more about radiation and its effects, see Understanding Radiation Therapy: A Guide for Patients and Families.) Research has begun to show that some cancer drugs can cause certain kinds of changes in the brain. But it’s also showing that chemo is not the only thing that can cause problems with thinking and memory for people with cancer.

Though the brain usually recovers over time, the sometimes vague yet distressing mental changes cancer patients notice are real, not imagined. They might last a short time, or they might go on for years. These changes can make people unable to go back to their school, work, or social activities, or make it so that it takes a lot of mental effort to do so. They affect everyday life for many people, and more research is needed to help prevent and cope with them.


After my 9th chemo treatment (5a for those in the know), I experienced so much nausea, headaches, and some issues where my brain didn't seem to be functioning correctly. I was "foggy", my memory short, and even my vision blurred. This was a tough treatment session. Nevertheless, I engaged in a activity that I love to (1) Feel good doing something I love, and (2) to capture and depict some of the effects of my chemo brain.

Chemo #9: It's almost over. Just three more treatments to go.

January 2, 2102

Happy Haitian Independence Day!

Independence day in Haiti is an important holiday. We celebrate it on January 1, the same day as New Year's Day.

On January 1, 1804, Haiti, located in the West Indies, made history by being the first Black Country to gain its independence. Haiti's original name was "Ayiti, Quisqueya, Bohio." It was a name given by the original inhabitants who lived there. After Christopher Columbus discovered the Island in 1492, he named it "Hispaniola," meaning "Little Spain," in honor of the Spanish crown. The name changed to "Haiti" meaning mountainous land. It was a name given by the French settlers in the western area.

Toussaint L'Ouverture who is one of the greatest heroes, led his country to victory over French general Le Clerc in a revolution of the slaves. It wasn't only Toussaint L'Ouverture that helped with the victory. There were many other generals, too.

Francois Capois was the leader of the "Bataille de vertiere." Even though they shot his hat off his head, he said, "En avant , En avant."

Many of the generals died by fighting for the independence, Most of them didn't see the first independance day.They were brave and zealous to serve their country and they hoped that one day they would be free.

When the French were in control, they had a law said that they were the only ones who could eat soup because they were in the upper class. The French used to have a custom that only they could eat soup on New Year's Day. Blacks weren't allowed.

Eventually when Haiti proclamed its independence, all Haitians started to eat soup.It was a way to demonstrate that everyone was equal. Since then we keep this custom of eating soup on Independence Day. The soup was a symbol that the French were no longer in control. People didn't like to be treated like slaves and to be told what they could and couldn't do. Cooking and eating the soup on New Year's Day is a way to celebrate freedom.

New Year's Message of Thanks

As 2011 draws to a close, I pause to give thanks for the many of my global Facebook and Blogger friends and family who I’ve made special connections with, whose support during my journey through cancer has uplifted me and given me added strength to fight. In sharing my plight so publicly, I hope that the lessons I’ve learned and shared have been the just gift for your own hearts and lives to help overcome your own adversity, or impart to others. This year, I’ve learned the valuable lesson in friendship; that this special bond is not based on the material or tangible even, but that which reaches across this medium and touches the heart, caresses the soul, and gives the mind some much due peace.

This year, I have loved and been loved like no other; by my wonderful partner K, my family, my friends and even strangers who have now become part of my extended family. I have become a stronger believer in the human spirit, and trust that whatever it is we need, we receive by sharing openly and honestly. There are always those willing to give of themselves in a true act of HUMANITY.

For all the love I’ve received this year, I hope I’ve been able to return in a way that nurtures the soul and restores hope in humankind. I am so full of gratitude for my friends, my family and even for cancer. Cancer has made me keenly aware of my strength and desire to live a life of giving, for these attributes have not waned, even as I reached my weakest point, only to rise and rise again. Thank you to all of you for giving me your time, your good words, sharing your spirit and your love with me. I am forever thankful and blessed, and I look forward to a healthy, creative, and prosperous New Year for all of us!! Make 2012 the year of WINNING and OVERCOMING all personal battles! AWAKEN to a New YOU!

Which way?

My spirit has helped me overcome cancer. "Embracing second chances."

Times Square, NYC Christmas night

New York City Greenwich Village, 6th Avenue, looking south at the new World Trade Center Twin Towers rising into the sky.

Happy Kwanzaa!

Merry Christmas!

PET scan results are in: REMISSION! I'm declared CANCER FREE!!! My grown up Christmas wish came true!!! Thanks for your support!!!

Half way point--PET scan tomorrow!

Tomorrow morning marks a defining moment in my cancer journey. I am set to get a PET scan which will reveal whether or not the 8 chemo treatments I've received so far has worked in ridding myself of cancer cells and shrinking the enlarged lymph nodes in my body. I am praying for an "all clear."
Am I nervous? Yes. But I'm not worried. I believe this whole experience with cancer has served a purpos...e, but it is by no means the end of my story. I look with amazement at all the self-portraits I've created since my diagnosis in July and recognize the guidance and healing contained in each one of them. There is a force greater than me at work, and I know I am protected. Whatever the results reveal tomorrow, it doesn't change the fact that I am a fighter and a winner!

My thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones who fought courageously against cancer. I thought this poem would be appropriate for all those who have experienced the loss of beloved family, friends and acquaintances. As much as we celebrate survivors of cancer, I do realize there is also loss. This time of year always brings up the pain of that loss and ...I want to acknowledge and soothe that pain with a poem shared in my Lymphoma support group. We will continue to keep those we have lost forever in our hearts.

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
... all filled with tears for me,

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had

If I could re-live yesterday
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

Author believed to be
David Romano

At chemo#8: battling the beast. knocking cancer on it's ass!

Chemo#8--In the bag!

Chemo#8 in the bag (emesis bag that is! I have sooooo much nausea!

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. Man, and I learning that lesson and so blessed for it!

Light n' Shadow on my mind

non, je ne regrette rien.

non, je ne regrette rien.

I have nothing to reconcile,
no regrets and focused on forward
movement.
Non ! Je ne regrette rien
because my life, my joys
TODAY
they begin with me.

Believing in myself also means that I trust my spirit to comfort and take care of me. When faced with adversity, this is when I rely on the comforts of spirit the most.

Salon break. Washington Heights, NYC

CurateNYC!

I'm happy to announce that for the second year in a row my work was selected for CurateNYC, a city wide artist call! Out of over 1500 artists, 150 were selected and I was one of 'em! I was only sorry to miss the reception at RUSH arts gallery in Chelsea last night. Chemo was calling my name...

ABOUT CURATE NYC
New York City is a global arts center, but maintaining that status means cultivating the city's creative talent.

To advance the cause, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Full Spectrum Experience, Inc. bring you the Second Annual Curate NYC – a showcase for New York City visual artists.

Curate NYC is a juried exhibition and online platform that exists to heighten exposure and opportunities for New York City visual artists. The project also helps promote New York City’s image as a vital cultural hub.

Last year, Curate NYC attracted 1,190 entries in three weeks. All entries were reviewed by a panel of judges, and 150 works were reproduced for exhibition as 11x6” postcards. The opening, held at Rush Arts Gallery + Resource Center in Chelsea, was hosted by NYC Deputy Mayor Robert Steel, NYCEDC president Seth Pinsky, and entertainment/business mogul Russell Simmons.

The website also generated 600,000 hits in three weeks, and positive news in The Huffington Post, The New York Times, The L Magazine, and on The Brian Lehrer Show.

In 2011, Curate NYC will again exhibit postcard reproductions of the top 150 entries selected by our Panel of Judges. We will also feature more entries per artist, and online sales of their work. Guest curators will organize online shows, while live exhibitions will be held at five galleries, one per borough, featuring actual works by Curate NYC artists.

We look forward to seeing you here online, and at Curate NYC exhibitions held across the city.

Your Friends at Full Spectrum,
the New York City Economic Development Corporation,
and Curate NYC

My winning image: "Awakenings"



CONGRATULATIONS to the other artists selected for this great opportunity! Check the link below and see the list and works of all those selected (in alphabetical order).

http://www.curatenyc.org/index.php/section-blog/79-live-exhibitions/413-rush-arts-gallery

Chemo#7

Chemo #7 under the belt,
at the halfway point to healing
and wholeness.
never deterred,
resolved to win
through grace
and dignity.
no surprise here,
i choose to stand
in the light.