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Step Into…
The “Step Into…” series highlights people, places and things that make the world my kind of place.
Footwear is a real BUGABOO in the world of ladies and the things they need to make it in this world. For me, every time the need for a new shoe comes around, I find myself rolling the dice of life and wishing on a rainbow that I can find something comfortable AND stylish. Hilarious!
In the great style recycling vortex that is our contemporary time, someone somwhere along the line decided to breathe life back onto the Bass line of shoes just in time for summer. I took a chance on love and never looked back, and came unto the inspiration for the “Step Into…” series: Step into some SUNJUNS!
I remember moms wearing these sandals in the 80s, and sure enough their style fits perfectly into the 2011 summer canon of breezy but sensible sandals. They require no breaking-in or band-aid period. The soft suedey instep (or whatever your foot touches that isn’t strap) is like walking on a cushion of air, and my left Sunjun proves this with a satisfying, whispery hiss as I walk.
I even have a song about Sunjuns that I sing on a daily basis: Step into your sunjuns, sunjuns, sunjuns. Step into your sunjuns – I don’t think so!
See, stepping into your Sunjuns is a state of mind. It’s about deciding to wear something comfortable that’s great for relaxing or walking around. Maybe you’re going to fix yourself a snack, or go for a walk to a friend’s house. Maybe you’re going to the office and you’re like,”I can’t believe it’s only Wednesday, I’m gonna step into my Sunjuns.” Or, “You know what kind of day it is? I’m gonna step into some Sunjuns.” So even if you don’t own Sunjuns, you can step into a world where comfort, and looking like a relaxed 80s mom – are kings.
Sun Jun - also a former world #1 singles badminton player from China
Posted in Au Courant, Step Into..., Summer Jams
Spotlight On…
The series “Spotlight On…” takes a look at fascinating personalities. Today it’s actor DJ Qualls.
Last summer, in the midst of a months-long heat wave, I did not have air conditioning. To stay cool, I took it to AMC theaters, where the “First Look” previews take you behind the scenes of the hottest television shows. Last year, they were really pushing the “First Look” at TNT’s Memphis Beat. I got this “First” Look no fewer than 15 times.
Then I took a trip to Puerto Rico. It was cooler there than in NYC, and since I felt like I really got the full picture on what Memphis Beat was all about, I got AC and quit the movies.
(Later that autumn, I would go on to work on a show that features Robert Randolph, who is featured prominently in this First Look, and have no idea he was the same person until months later.)
Perhaps we all need a Second Look.
A star of Memphis Beat is none other than DJ Qualls. And having spent the better part of the summer beaten Memphis-style by this promotional trailer, I actually watched the first few episodes when it premiered. I don’t remember much but it was kind of a sweaty Murder She Wrote crime solver. DJ Qualls played a more smoldering version of Deputy Barney Fife. I looked up what homes cost in the cool section of Memphis and swore to myself I would one day escape this god forsaken town and start a life anew in Memphis and perhaps enjoy some lemonade with Alfre Woodard or DJ Qualls in their off-hours.
Anyway, back to today’s Spotlight On… DJ Qualls. Perhaps you first saw him in “Road Trip…”
or tickling the ebonies and ivories of a Casio in “Hustle and Flow.”
Perhaps you also made the common mistake that he’s a DJ, whose sense of self-promotion is so keen that he’s registered with SAG under the same name with which he performs as a disc jockey. Alas, no. I can’t find any evidence that Donald Joseph – DJ to the rest of the world – is a DJ. But here’s hoping he continues to explore his track-laying-down bravado that won the hearts of millions.
And this concludes today’s Spotlight On… DJ Qualls. He’s a cancer survivor and advocate for awareness, and he was a male model. Presently DJ Qualls has 4 projects in various stages of production. I think we’ll continue to see this guy on screens big and small of varying aspect ratios.
And perhaps hear him in the clubs?
Posted in Spotlight On...
Tagged AMC First Look, DJ Qualls, DJs, Memphis Beat, Road Trip. Hustle and Flow, Robert Randolph
Burt’s Bees
The other night I found myself watching “Heat” with Burt Reynolds and Howard Hesseman (and Peter MacNicol, whose most stunning personal trivia seems to be that he “is one of four “24” actors to appear in every episode of the only season in which they appeared.” Huh? And Zzzz.)
Anyhoo, if you find yourself in a similar situation and you’re throwing YOURSELF “Evening Shade,” might I recommend exiting your home as calmly and quickly as possible. Slap yourself, and yell something like “Get a hold of yourself!” or “What’s wrong with you!” Once you’ve come to your senses and it’s safe, you may return to your living room to watch something else. You should probably cancel Netflix, because you just can’t rely on other people’s bad taste. Who gave “Heat” 4.5 stars?
So, when I find myself watching a terrible movie, my mind makes up it’s own million dollar ideas between bites of whatever block of cheese I’m gnawing on at the time. And my mind came up with this: Burt deserves a triumphant 3rd Act in his life and career. So, I’d like to offer Burt Reynolds his own franchise called Burt’s Bees.
To start, a film and sequel, television miniseries and perhaps an overseas-distributed children’s cartoon. Let’s celebrate the fact that there is already a cosmetic line called Burt’s Bees and we’ll take that promotional tie-in to the next level.
Burt Reynolds stars as Burt, a cantankerous Holloywood legend. Retirement doesn’t suit him, and he somehow finds himself coaching a girls softball team to while away the lonely nights. The team: The “Bad News” Bees. There’s confusion because every few minutes someone says “Wait a minute – are you THAT Burt?” And he’s like, “No, I’m just the coach.” And then that someone replies “Oh it’s a shame you’re not him, I just adore that Burt’s Bees line of lip balms” or “Oh it’s a shame you’re not him, I wasted 45 minutes of my life watching “Heat” last night, and I want to make someone pay.” LAUGHS!!
Stuff happens and then it turns out HE IS the head of the Burt’s Bees corporation, he was just trying to keep it on the down low. Hilarity ensues when Burt’s Bees (the softball team) “buzz” about the latest samples he hands out after practice.
Forgive my highbrown paraphrase, but as Marky Mark said in “The Happening:” Don’t you want to know what happened to the bees?
Because I do.
Oooh Ladies First, Ladies First
So I was watching the cinematic triumph “Bringing Down the House” the other day. Before I continue, I’d just like to say that every blog entry in the history of time should start this way.
Anyhoo, I love Queen Latifah. She’s classy, a talented comedienne, singer, etc. and a good role model. What’s not to love? She’s had an enduring career spanning all the performing arts and her persona exudes easy going positivity.
Hats off to you Dana Owens. Oh what’s that? Sure I would love to come over to your mansion n New Jersey and have some iced tea by the pool.
Note to self: add her books to summer reading list.
Anyway, this homage has a burning question yearning below the surface. Everybody knows her hit Ladies First, the catchy feminist rap anthem that has stood the test of time. Everybody especially knows the catchy chorus.
WHY OH WHY then on current available recordings is the best chorus in the world replaced with a horn sample? I can’t find anything about why the Ladies First chorus would disappear – rights issues, what have you. I can’t find out what the horn sample is from either. Who took the sweet melody out of Ladies First?
Here’s the original. How sweet it is.
Posted in Ditties, I Need Answers, Question of the Ages, Role Models, Summer Jams
Tagged Dana Owens, Queen Latifah
Pet Music™ Music for Pets®
What a weekend! From the Tony Awards to the Weiner Awards, what’s not the love about contempo topics? So to keep it exotic, the next installment of this blog for the ages is not one, but TWO double-album reviews.
Yes, that’s 4 compact discs and over 4 hours of music. Sit back as Pet Music™ Music for Pets® presents two installments of “Music for Pet Stress and Separation Anxiety:” Just Chillin’ and Creature Comforts.
Just Chillin’ eases in with the track “Serenity.” Not only is it serene, but it really brings it home that the next 4+ hours of music are the kinds of song that dreams, hair removal appointments and 80s action dramas are made of. Synth drum journeys, Native American warrior flutes and proggy arpeggios will bring your pet to the max of chill. Actually forget the cats, pop this CD in for your next dream catcher making party or shaman consultation and set your spirit free.
The only artist credit on these says “Thank you for your support, Dan and Andy – Creators and Pet Lovers.”I’ll say!
So far I’ve only made it through the first CD of Just Chillin’. I’m too de-stressed and unanxious to even begin to describe this music. Some tracks that look like they’re going to be fantastic: Refreshing Paws, Cozy Companion, Wet Kisses, Hearts Aglow, Snuggles, and Forever Together. I better put these CDs in a safe place or I’m going to come home to my cats lounging over a bottle of wine and massaging each other in the candlelight.
Just Chillin’: Music for Pet Stress and Separation Anxiety
Creature Comforts: Music for Pet Stress and Separation Anxiety
Posted in Cat Attack, Ditties, Summer Jams
Tagged Anthony Weiner, Cats, New Age Music, Tony Awards
Song of 2011
When summer hits, the temps go up, the party shades come out, dogs are strutting their stuff, bare feet are visible and everybody wants to know – What’s the Big Summer Hit? Well as you can imagine I’ve got one heck of a hunch!
I have been hacking away at this post for the better part of a cheese sandwich, so as I was about to post I thought, “I better google this very question to make sure I’m on top of my blog game.” Finger on the pulse, people! It turns out Stereogum posed that very same question today. Today! Are you hearing it here last – or at the same time? Totally zeitgeist.
I was relieved to see that my prediction is neither one of this year’s pop frontrunners, nor was it a summer jam in its day. For the summer treat that can’t be beat, might I recommend a nice piquant 1983 vintage called Heart and Soul?
At the crossroads of David Lee Roth and Daryl Hall vocal emotions is Huey Lewis, blue collar bar-rock creampuff.
In this amazing video, Huey gets seemingly lost at a party in Williamsburg circa now looking for the gal who will called him at 2 AM. See, she left him at nine o’clock this morning. Where are you, heart and soul? You’re hot and cold! You’ve got it all!!!
What a Party
Huey you better close that door quick – there’s a train coming!
Pop this sucker on your iComputer and blast it poolside, beachside, at a similar Williamsburg party, or at an outdoor eating gathering aka BBQ and people will say things to you like, “Where have you been all my life?” and “I want to hear this song again – right now!”
Bonus points for the languorous JerseyShore fist-pumping and Vampires of the night referencing contemporary cultural overtones.
Good night Huey and Heart and Soul lady.
Posted in Au Courant, Ditties, Summer Jams
Hear It Here Last
Welcome! This is my inaugural post and I have lots of juicy content planned.
Professionally, I cover an amazing gamut of arts and culture news around NYC, but custom dictates I keep it objective and breezy. Personally, my tastes range from the irrelevant to the unpopular. At You Heard It Here Last, I’m hoping to give readers a blog-blast of content that’s an ambrosia of the brows (high and low).
Stay tuned for laughter and love.
Posted in Getting To Know You
You Heard It Here Last 