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cirque final RGB letter size, originally uploaded by midnitesunltd.

A naughty and stimulating event entitled “Cirque du Erotica 2” took place at the Casaloma ballroom on Iowa at Cherokee Street this past Saturday evening. The event featured the Furious Vixen band (including the stunning Teya), “The Red Hot Dancers” (a gorgeous burlesque troupe), pole dancers and fire spinners, and a belly dancer too. Intense sensuality and incredible talent coursed through the space.

The crowd was a wide range of ages and lifestyles, all enraptured with the decadence. The Casaloma was filled with people. Some dressed in costumes, some in street clothes, and some in clubbing outfits. One friend of mine dressed as a candy girl (instead of a cigarette girl), one acquaintance dressed as a ringleader, and one dressed as a strong man.

Unfortunately cameras were strictly prohibited. Perhaps another of the Cirque du Erotica 2 events I will have that Canon Rebel I’ve had my eye on and will shoot the event as a part of it. I have already told this year’s stage manager that I would like to volunteer next year for it.

If you have the chance to attend next year, do. Leave the kids at home (and your purse and camera) and come out for a great time!

This past Saturday the Cherokee Open House event took place. For those unfamiliar, Cherokee Street is home to numerous authentic Mexican restaurants, various art spaces, a few indie printing presses, and unique shops.

In the past four years I have witnessed the growth of the Cherokee Street community and development of the surrounding neighborhoods. This past Saturday everyone had opportunity to see just how fantastic Cherokee Street is and how far it has come.

Some photographs along Cherokee Street and within its fine businesses…

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Commuter AC Economy 449, originally uploaded by Badia Harrison (will on / off).

Today commuters across St. Louis experienced the Metro – St. Louis cuts. When the proposed sales tax increase did not pass in November, the decision was made to cut much of the bus service west and south of the Interstate 270 corridor across St. Louis County. This cut means about 2,300 out of 9,000 bus stops have been taken out of service, along with lay-offs of nearly 600 Metro employees, including bus drivers and mechanics.

The cuts resulted in longer commutes, more waiting and walking, and some confusion for workers today. My commute now requires me to be out the door fifteen minutes earlier (keep in mind I am not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination) and a bus and a train for what would be an 11-minute drive, when it once took only one bus. Today, because I missed the bus by a minute, the commute required an additional six-block or so walk as well (to the Metrolink station).

Metro has been the source of frustration for many in the past several years, known as one of the less impressive public transportation systems of the major metropolitan regions. This can only result in more aggravation toward Metro and less riders as people grow frustrated enough to endure gas and parking costs instead of long and arduous commutes. For some, like me, who are without vehicles for whatever reason, we will continue to endure with utter exasperation.

Let us hope that soon we commuters get familiar with our awkward bus routes, additional exercise, and increased wait and ride times. All I can say is thank goodness this is not happening in colder temperatures!

Top 7 of St. Louis

1. B.B.’s Jazz, Blues & Soups – Incredible blues musicians have come from all parts to play here.  Some musicians have included Billy Peek Band, Henry Townsend, Magic Slim, and Marquise Knox.  B.B.’s has a great selection of beers for those beer lovers out there and delicious food too – the sweet potato fries are a big hit.
2. City Garden – This is the newest feature of St. Louis city and I absolutely love it.  Located downtown, numerous sculptures are found throughout; twisting paths snake around the trees and sculptures; water features add a whimsical touch, and a flat screen displays unique imagery.
3. City Museum – Exceptionally unique and artistic, the City Museum is an experience no other city can offer.  This year the City Museum opened its rooftop theme park.  Several multiple floor slides, recycled items adorn the walls and floors, and a quaint bar called the Cabin Inn is attached and is in fact the relocated cabin of Daniel Boone’s son.
4. Fabulous Fox Theatre – The theatre is a gorgeous, remarkable space and a fantastic venue.  Some outstanding Broadway shows come to this theatre.  Well-known comedians and musicians perform here.
5. Missouri Botanical Gardens – This is a very picturesque setting and is often a peaceful place for reading, thinking, or writing.  Several times a year festivals are held that offer incredible culture and variety to patrons.  Also held here is the Whitaker Music Festival, with local favorites performing here for free concerts every Wednesday throughout the summer months.
6. The Sheldon – This is a perfect, very intimate setting for a great concert.  The modest size allows for up-close viewing of the musicians and a greater acoustic sound throughout.  Musicians including Cowboy Junkies, Herbie Hancock, Suzanne Vega, Wynton Marsalis, and a slew of others have performed in the space.
7. Tivoli Theater – A beautiful, historic theater space, the Tivoli shows interesting and provocative independent films.  What’s more, every November the St. Louis International Film Festival screens some of its films here.

(Above drawn by Derek Simmons)

This weekend I attended Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus at the Tin Ceiling Theater. Titus Andronicus is directed by Robert Strasser and produced by Andrew and Elizabeth Byrd. As with every show I have seen there, it was outstanding.

Titus Andronicus tells the tale of a general (Titus) who backs the wrong man as Emperor and as a result must watch his family ravaged, raped, and ruined. Titus smartly and gruesomely exacts his revenge.

The set for Titus is minimalist, the static piece being a 5’ x 7’ or so painting by local artist Amy Vandonsel. The actors’ body language and dialogue fills the stage instead, bringing to life the tragedy and betrayal of Titus Andronicus.

The play includes 14 actors, with four actors’ work standing out especially: Alan ‘Soupy’ David as unapologetically malevolent Aaron, John Johnson as steadfast Marcus, Robert Mitchell as title character Titus, and Tara Lawton as the tormented Lavinia.

I encourage you to see Titus Andronicus while it is still at the Tin Ceiling Theater (3159 Cherokee, St. Louis). It runs through December 21st.

Yesterday afternoon was the opening reception for Man-Made, a national juried photography exhibition at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild.  Two of my photographs were featured.  (I blogged about the show previously).  I was thrilled to have so many of my friends show to support me.

The other photography in the show was for the most part outstanding.  I was honored to be presented with an award for one of my two shots.  I was given a certificate and a check.  I have learned if a presentation is held during one’s opening reception then do not have a cup in your hand or food in your mouth (yeah, I was looking awesome… LOL).

If you were unable to attend the opening reception, the photography will be on display until January 9th.

Sunday I attended the St. Louis Old School Tattoo Expo.  The event occurred Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Downtown St. Louis.  Over 100 tattoo artists were present.  Tattoo shops from across the country had booths at the expo and local tattoo shops including All Star Tattoos, Trader Bob’s, and Iron Age had booths too.

I was completely intimidated by the beautiful tattooed and pierced people who surrounded me.  I felt as if I stood out a bit, but I am sure they often feel the same in society – I did look “vanilla” and have only one piercing and only two tattoos, after all.  It was interesting to watch the artists work and I enjoyed viewing their work in the albums they shared at their booths.

Throughout the expo competitions were held for various types of tattoos, including black and grey, best back piece, best color, most realistic, most unusual, best arm sleeve, portrait, and many others as well.  Three winners were chosen in each category.  Seth won in two competitions – best back piece and best large black and grey.

I do hope that they find a better venue for next year’s expo.  The Downtown St. Louis Holiday Inn is a hole in the wall hotel made up of rooms, a too-smoky bar, crappy cafeteria, and a few sofas.  Last year’s expo was held at the City Museum and I wish I had gotten to attend it in a more fitting venue.

I took many shots during the expo on Sunday.  All of them are found here.  I hope to have attachment lenses for my S3 next year for the expo and will pay for the weekend pass so I can get more shots, of all of the competitions especially.  I provided my card to one of the competition judges, so that they can have access to my expo shots.  Hopefully the expo folks will like some of the shots I got.

If you have a tattoo, want a tattoo, or are otherwise appreciative of tattoos, you should consider coming to next year’s St. Louis Old School Tattoo Expo.

To protest Proposition 8, people across the country will gather in their towns and cities today, November 15^th, and protest this assault of GLBTQ rights. St. Louisans and those in surrounding towns will gather at the Old Courthouse today at 12 Noon in Downtown St. Louis to join in the protest. For more information, go here.

If you can’t make it to the protest, speak out against GLBTQ prejudice and intolerance when you are confronted by it, blog against it, write letters to elected officials, and volunteer with GLBTQ organizations and events. Every one of us can make a difference.

I have been invited by the St. Louis Artists’ Guild to participate in a juried photo exhibition called Man-Made.  Two of my photographs will be featured, Motion and Madness.  The opening is Sunday, November 23rd, at 1 p.m.  It is free and open to the public.  If you are unable to come to the opening, feel free to view the exhibition anytime between the 23rd and January 9th.  I hope you are able to make it to the opening, though!  Directions here.

This Saturday is Art Attack: Day of the Dead Art at the Koken Art Factory (2500 Ohio Avenue in St. Louis).  This is an auction to benefit KDHX and the Saint Louis City Open Studio and Gallery.  My gal pal Amy Vandonsel is in the show again this year and everyone should go and cheer her painting on.  Last year the Art Attack show was a lot of fun and this year’s promises to be even more fun!

Two paintings are put against each other in elimination rounds determined by the audience. The painting receiving the best response, as ascertained by the Applause-O-Meter, moves on to the next round. The fate of losing paintings is determined by the Wheel of Misfortune, which includes opportunities to bid on and rescue the works, as well as the ever-popular “certain death” option – which sends paintings straight to the gallows. Past paintings have met their end via chainsaw, samurai sword and a hillbilly hell-bent on destruction.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and in addition to the art-carnage, you can enjoy performances by the Alley Cat Revue burlesque troupe and a soundtrack selected by DJ Doug Morgan. Tickets are $10. For information visit KDHX.