The Obama Skirt Project : Summer 2010

Post Harvest Moon and Summer's End

2010-09-24T23:03:00.000-07:00

Met up with my Pollen (NYC) bandmate Annu (also in Occultation) and former bandmate Viveca (Occultation) for a mellow ladies night out to Thai food in Park Slope after their rehearsal.

Between Wall Street and Red Hook

2010-09-02T23:24:00.000-07:00

Skirt of the Day:
Purple Ruffle Obama Skirt

On my way to rehearsal with my band Pollen (NYC)I am walking along Wall Street at Broadway and come upon a group of political activists posting large poster like images of Obama with a Hitler moustache superimposed on his face and the words "lmpeach Obama!".
Another poster with
I immediately feel skeptical and amazed at how quickly so-called free thinking / Liberal / Democrats will whip out The Hitler Card. Doesn't anyone remember the images of Giuiani with Hitler moustache AND greased down comb-over on the cover of The Village Voice just before 9.11?!

Painting by Robert Lederman

The canvasser was so excited to explain their agenda to me that he didn't even see Obama's smiling face printed in the ruffles of my skirt. Tourists swarmed around the posters and signs snapping shots while we spoke and occasionally l would get a double take.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®,

Lucky Friday The 13th : A Day on The LES

2010-08-14T05:24:00.000-07:00

9.50AM JMZ. Train
Crossing the Williamsburg Bridge

Today is Friday the 13th.
13 has been my lucky number since l was a kid. But last year was the first time l paid tribute to this via ink.

Today finds me queuing up with other frugal tattoo fans at Daredevil Tattoos on Ludlow Street. In my blue Obama Kilt and white patent leather 8-eye Docs, I am geared up for a long yet comfortable wait in the hot sun (which may turn to rain later).
I slept in as late as l could while still allowing ample time to get in line before they open the doors at 12 noon.
This also cuts down on the need for caffeine, which would then prompt the need to find a restroom. Which would not be a concern if l had a posse in this line with me. But so far, no takers. Nonetheless, the picnic basket is in full effect today, loaded up with:

Ham and smoked Gouda on a multi-grain roll

A cashew power bar

Flax seed spicy corn chips

Gala apple

10.08AM Ludlow Street
In line at Daredevil Tattoos

The line is about 25 to 30 deep. Not bad. And we are in the shade.
There is a tall drunk guy in front of me in a rumpled Man Blouse and expensive jeans with strategically ripped holes. First he asks where l am getting my tattoo placed (l show him).
Then he asks "Do you think they will do it on my D*lCK?!"
With a straight face l answer back "No. They don't do anything below the waist". He looks disappointed and lights up a cigarette. Moments later after he sees that l have removed my sunglasses, he asks "Hey, do you have any sunglasses?" Still calm, l reply, "Not to spare". He kind of waddles a bit then announces, "Well, l'm just gonna have to come back later then!"

The last time l waited in this line it was a bitterly cold February morning and l had made the mistake of wearing Mary Jane semi heeled shoes and a vintage dress and button down sweater under a cropped vintage jacket, but not much else. I had to keep clapping and stomping to keep circulation flowing in my hands and feet. But l made it!

10.24AM

An artist has arrived and opened the gate. The line is building slowly. I am only 2 doors away and it hasn't reached the front of T.G.170 yet.
A traffic patrolman is writing parking tickets on the vans parked in front of Max Fish.
Going to do a crossword puzzle and rest my battery.

10.40AM Pink Pony

Someone from Daredevil came and took all of our names and phone numbers and told us to return around noon. I am having blueberry pancakes at Pink Pony and listening to the Jackson 5.
My sweet waitress kindly obliged my request to be photographed and her busser chimed in "l really like your skirt!". I told them both about the project while waiting in line for the W.C. "and how has it been going for you?" my waitress asked. " not bad. Not so many people have much to say about the skirt so far, which has been surprising to me" l told them.

11.58AM in front of Max Fish

Fashion Trends spotted in line:

Unisex:
Rockabilly hairstyles
Canvas Toms espadrilles
Super tight skinny jeans
1.5 inch disk ear plugs
"Dirty Dancing" cut off jeans
Low cut Converse
Slip on Vans

Him:
Preppy slip on shoes - Topsiders and Penny Loafers
Cut off khakis
Vintage dress shoes with no socks

Her:
Floral and Summer print slip dresses
"l Love Lucy" doo rags and bobby-pinned up-do's
Big designer sunglasses
Facial piercings

The flash (artwork) has been posted and l have chosen mine!

12.39AM Still In Line

A woman asked to take a picture of my bag then l realized she meant my Obama Kilt bag.

The line is moving quickly. And I've changed my mind on which piece I want:

"In Native American culture, a hummingbird symbolizes timeless joy and the Nectar of Life. It's a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible and will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.
They are really spectacular birds, and have a lot to teach a person about self discovery and healing."

1.08PM

They are up to number 17. The sun is coming out. I am probably number 30. I have 90 minutes or less before l need to head to work. Thankfully l brought a change of clothes and am only 5 stops away on the train.

In the last hour l may also change my mind on the placement. Depending upon if the arm rests become available again. The art is not large so its easy to place. There is a woman in line behind me who is planning to go to lkea while she waits to be called back. She just left to catch the ferry. Classic!

2.07PM Essex Street

Artist Diego administered my new tattoo while a woman in the shop photographed us, who then came back and said "Nice Obama Skirt!" with a smile.

I made it! Bandaged and floating on pain fighting endorphins, mission accomplished. Like clockwork my phone rings. It's my father! Even at my age l feel completely busted, as it felt like he could sense l was "up to no good" when he rang!

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Strong Island: A Day In The Park

2010-08-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

Today is my first day as a Hand Model.

For two weeks l have been painstakingly letting my nails grow, playing the bass extra carefully, wearing gloves to cycle, lift weights and row in, and generally trying to not acquire any new scratches or bruises. Not sure if l am cut out for this business but today l am willing to try.

My morning began with a trip to my local nail salon for a simple, neutral manicure. Next to me sat an older gentleman, who passed me at the hand dryers later with the compliment, "Nice Obama Skirt you've got there!" I sat at the dryer a bit longer than usual due to the fact that one of my thumbnails got nicked. Twice. Preening in public is time consuming. It made me sleepy. But l did enjoy the hand massage. If I had time and budget I would get a manicure once a week ONLY for the hand massage! I could see the salon owner and some of the women working there checking my skirt out and smiling as they worked on other clients. Then remembered I had forgotten to bring my Mandolin, which I will use as a prop since actually playing it would ruin my manicure.

Back up and down 6 flights later, instrument in tow, I took the G train to Court Square and transferred to the 7. A group of about 4 or 5 police officers were laughing and talking next to the token booth. Once they caught a glimpse of my skirt, silence. I took my time whipping out my Metrocard and swiping through allowing ample time for comments. Nada.

Now l am heading to Great Neck for my photo shoot. I thought it could be an interesting experiment leaving the liberal confines of Brooklyn and New York City in general, and wearing my Obama Skirt in a more conservative and traditional environment.

I met the designer nearly a month ago through an ad l had answered. She is a painter and visual artist who teaches Science by day, and creates unique and kinetic / ergonomic influenced high end jewelry.

Boarding the Long Island Railroad I felt a flashback of boarding the train from Ferrara to Milano. I don't think I have taken an inter-city train in the US or Abroad in over a year. The ride went quickly, only :20 minutes. No one talked. In fact, it was nearly empty, perhaps as it was not Peak or Rush Hour. Before I can hit SEND I am off the train and being greeted by the designer, Sara. I then meet her assistant Danielle and we head to the park.

I am impressed with the portability of the backdrops and screens they've organized. The shoot goes off smoothly and then Sara miraculously captures the last shot of one of her table top designs just as large droplets of rain begin to fall on us.
I did get a sneak peek at the images back at her home studio and am quite psyched to post some online soon!

In the meantime, trying to decide which Obama Skirt to wear tomorrow when I get my Lucky 13 Tattoo.

Until then.......

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Sonic Youth at Prospect Park

2010-07-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

I went to see Sonic Youth at CELEBRATE BROOKLYN with my friend and neighbor, Tatjana. We stood in line for about 40 minutes where we ran into Jerome Jordan who was at a BBQ and playing guitar. Worse case scenario we could always camp out on the hill and catch a view of the stage and the sound was incredible. Moments later, with cold beer, cool shade, an impromptu picnic was in full swing once we got inside the gates.

There we also into friends Danos (Pillow Theory) and Vadim (Shampony), who was shooting the band behind the scenes. My Obama kilt was an eyebrow raiser while in line at the Port-O-Cans but I do suspect that by the time the second opening band had gone on many folks in that line had a bit of blurred vision and didn't believe what they saw.

Then Sonic Youth came on and the mellow picnic portion of the evening quickly transformed into pure dance and screaming (on my part!).

Most of the set was from early albums like EVOL, DAYDREAM NATION and SISTER.
I tried to take photos but my camera did not agree, so I leave you with an upbeat number from classic album GOO, "Disappearer"

Lincoln Center Annex and Pit Stop on The South Side

2010-07-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

8.00pm Upper West Side
Lincoln Center Atrium
Earl Douglas Book "Black Rock Volume 1" Book Release +
Dragonz of Zynth

As soon as l walked in the door of The Lincoln Center Atrium, a gentleman wanted to take my picture.I am psyched because it is the debut of me wearing the Obama skirt that I made, which is a patchwork kilt mixed in with vintage fabric panels. I wanted Orin to be in one of the shots with me but he kindly dashed off to grab ice cold lagers for us.
We then made our way to the front for the lecture and Q & A portion of the evening between Rob Fields and Earl Douglas, during which the audience is treated to a magnificent slide show of Douglas' work spanning back to the seminal days of The Black Rock Coalition.

Then it's time for The Dragonz of Zynth to hit the stage. I haven't seen them play since the tour they did with Saul Williams two years ago, which ROCKED. They told me after their set that they have been working on a new album. If tonight's show was a hint at the new sounds, I cannot wait! (And doubly hope they release some vinyl as well). After their set I ran into former band mate from my days of playing electric dulcimer in Burnt Sugar, Bruce Mack. We traded stories of bring on the road (him with Maya Acuzena - me with The Slits) and caught up a bit.

Somehow between me snapping photos in the bathroom upstairs and Orin collecting Summer Program brochures we ended up being the last folks to roll out of there. Another hot and humid night yet electric......

11.00pm South Williamsburg
Trophy Bar
Random Extremely Hip DJ Party

I stopped into my neighborhood spot, Trophy Bar , because l was proud of the skirt l made and not ready for the night to end just yet...
The garden was closed but the AC strong so I settled into a pint.
Just as l was finishing off my nightcap of Six Points ale, in walks my friend David, who owns Coco 66. He asks what l am up to and l tell him a bit about the skirt project and a new video l am planning to co-star in with The Reaver. Then we get accosted by a really young girl who is bubbly and loud yet clueless (David convinces her that he is my assistant and does all the talking. She tells him he may want to consider another career choice!!!). Then he tells her the truth and how Coco 66 used to be a chocolate factory. "Mmmm... I love chocolate!!" she says and before you can say 'Black-out Drinker' she proceeds to start licking my arm, not once, not twice, but MANY times. "Help Me!" l mouth to David. Somehow he finagles her away. I escape to the bathroom. Then she still drags us to another table to meet her friends who are completely ignoring her before sauntering off somewhere. At one point David's friend, old Coco 66 regular Bill, joins us, and we all dance together a bit. But then l remember l am planning to take Ellis' Aqua Boot Camp class the next day and head home around 3.00AM.
Thankfully it's only a few blocks away....

Buona Notte....

365 Days Celebration & The Radiant Child

2010-07-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

9.00pm SoHo, West
Film Forum
Screening "The Radiant Child"

After Aisha's intimate gallery reception marking the end of wearing her own Obama skirts and dresses for 365 days straight, old friend artist/writer OrinInk AKA Rodrick Perry and l made our way through Time's Square and headed downtown to the premiere screening of Tamra Davis' documentary on artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, "The Radiant Child". I took photos of the film poster and marquee. I couldn't think of a better person to see this film with-we met Jean together back in the Madam Rosa's and Reggae Lounge days. His circle overlapped the edge of ours. It was a thrilling yet laid back time to be young in New York. I waited in line while Orin grabbed us contraband snacks. A wide array of folks came to the screening though mostly young. I could feel people looking at my skirt but no one said anything. Then we shuffled into the film.

In The Studio with THE REAVER

2010-06-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

3.00PM Lower East Side
In Studio with Puge (Juneteenth) AKA the Reaver
Photographed by Aisha Cousins

Recording our mash up version of The Paragons "Man Next Door" which l hijacked from The Slits, who covered it as well, with The Reaver on backing vocals over an instrumental track by RUSKO.

What's In The Mason Jar:
The Southside Shandy: Modelo Especial, Ginger Ale and Fresh Lime

Week 2: Make Music New York Festival

2010-06-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Monday June 21
10.15am South Williamsburg
Marcy Ave Station
En Route to the MMNY Festival

My token booth clerk whistled.
First l looked back to see where the whistle was coming from. The usual booth clerk is a woman and not in the habit of talking, let alone whistling.
Then he whistled into the loudspeaker mic to make sure l saw him. Not sure if he could see Obama's face in the ruffles or was just happy to see some leg.

On the J Train people are looking at the pattern but no one is saying anything. Plus l have a guitar on my back so they are double perplexed. I exit at the Brooklyn Bridge Station but my transfer is too brief.

At the Brooklyn Historical Society l am playing an electronic pop and dub set (solo) in between activist infused hip hop crew Nine 11 Thesaurus and The New School Sun Ra Ensemble. Really can't think of a better place to represent. Many locals pass through and watch us play, including P.Diddy who strolled by in the middle of my set. Men and women brought babies and small children. And l made a new fan from Paris named Alexi who wanted to buy one of my CDs. Over 150 people stopped by to listen to the showcase!

After my set l was interviewed by Sady Sullivan of the the Brooklyn Historical Society Oral History Program, and Curator of the Make Music New York Showcase. Sady found me through my work with the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls and this was my 3rd consecutive year performing at the BHS. In a week or so the podcast featuring all our interviews will be up on iTunes (search Store for Brooklyn Historical Society to subscribe to the Free podcast).

Next l ride the F train to West 4th and catch the A to 8th Avenue. More smiles but so far no interaction. Will be interesting to see what happens when l am a bit more stationary in the skirt. These Obama textiles are part of a long tradition of African political textiles which you can learn more about here http://www.tropeninstituut.nl/eCache/FAB/44/494.html.

I am participating in The Obama Skirt Project, Directed by Aisha Cohen, over the next 12 weeks so keep your eyes peeled!

Wardrobe Credits: (image link coming soon!)

-Custom Obama skirt, Chay$tyles (Brooklyn, NY)
www.lovectgdesigns.com

-Gray studded Native American print muscle shirt (from small shop in Bastille near Cafe de la Danse, Paris, FR)

- Black patent wingtip sneakers (a gift from Paris, FR)

-Kiehl's Since 1851 Vital Sun Protection SPF#30 Sunscreen (New York City)

-Franprix AMBRE Cologne (Paris, FR)

MMNY Gallery

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Debut Weekend: The Obama Skirt Project

2010-06-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 19th
1.00pm Bushwick

Today is the beginning of my participation in The Obama Skirt Project.
I started off by being custom fitted in the studio of designer Chay $tyles and
interviewed by the project's creator, Aisha Cousins.

I just happened to bring purple tights and a purple fan to match my new skirt!
It's too hot for the tights, in fact it's sweltering. But I also brought my native American print gray and black t-shirt that l scored in Paris for €5 euros, which matched the tone of the Obama print in the ruffles. My dreds are also dyed with a violet and plum Manic Panic rinse so its an all around royal purple theme.

4.30pm Harlem
UrbAlt Festival in Harlem

I arrive at Morningside Park and it is silent. Before l can get across the street to find the concert a woman flags me down literally as l step out of the subway. I can't remember how our conversation began but within about 30 seconds it became evident that her porch light was missing a few watts. I think she approached me in the beginning with what seemed like a passing yet friendly compliment.
Then she went into her purse and pulled out a cracked, empty CD case for Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album.
"Now tell me if you can't see it?!" she beamed, holding the CD case in the hot sunlight. "I'm not quite sure what l am looking for" l cautiously replied. "that's my DADDY!" she claimed, pointing to Michael Jackson's face, then holding the CD cover next to her own face, which looked nothing like MJ before or after his many image changes. "really?!" l asked, trying to seem psyched for her with hopes that she would keep it moving, "well go ON then!" just as a good friend was walking up the sidewalk with his two small children. "Now's my chance to lose her!" l thought, but alas that was not the case as she then proceeded to tell my friend his daughter looked like a boy and needed her ears pierced, and then gave each child a one dollar bill.
After she finally walked away we chatted a bit then he took his family back to Brooklyn. I headed North to visit friends in the neighborhood.
On my walk to their block two elderly ladies smiled at me.

7.00pm
Crest Hardware Art Opening
Williamsburg

I waited outside the gate to the courtyard on the sidewalk with the masses of other confused folks trying to figure out why there was an ambulance out front. It was full to capacity and someone had gotten into a fight, someone's iPhone had been snatched, and a host of other dramas. I had tea with a friend and ran into Oweinama (Madam Robot and the Lust Brigade) still rocking his Mermaid Day Parade Outfit.

Long hot day of shut down parties but l managed to wear the skirt in 3 neighborhoods!

Sunday June 20th
Father's Day
3:00PM Prospect Park
Brooklyn

I found the perfect purple and white micro-mini tank dress to wear under my purple Obama Skirt. My friends & band mates of Pollen (now UTU) Annu and Viveca , had a double birthday BBQ in the park near the boat house.

On the way to the spot l ran into Malik Panther, bassist for Game Rebellion / BlkVampires / Investigative Reports...He was walking through the park playing bass and relaxing and joined us at the picnic. We were also joined by good friend and video / media artist Heather Delaney. Next to our picnic camp a steel drum jam session with percussion broke out. We stayed until dusk.