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I contemplated purchasing a ticket for Gregory Porter for a long time. At least a few months. I finally bit the bullet after listening to a few of his concerts on youtube. I knew I would kick myself for not going. I even booked a trip after the show and just planned around it. I had to see him. Apparently, Houston finally got the memo as the show was sold out.

Gregory opened with one of my favorite songs, On my way to Harlem and Be Good. I was thinking where are we going to go from here. You already sang my favorites. Yet, the show continued to be great as time went on. Gregory finds a way to bring you into each song as if it is a new one.  Everything about his performance is intriguing, especially his background behind the story.

One would think that Gregory is from NYC (though he lives there now). Yet, the fact that he is a native of Bakersfield, California threw me entirely off. To  throw my bias of what a jazz musician should have as a background further, he is a former football player. Gregory was determined to be a professional athlete until he had an injury while playing at  San Diego State University, where he had a full athletic scholarship.

Yet, it was not until his mother who was terminally ill asked him to sing professionally that he took her advice. Though he sang in the church most of his life, he is what we call a “late bloomer.” Thank God not too late. Gregory’s success reflects the fact that it is never too late to live in your purpose.  He is a talent much needed in the mundane world of music today. In addition, his live performance engages you even more than listening at home.

I am so happy we were able to experience Gregory in Houston and though it took him a while to get here, we hope he is back soon.

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”-Frederick Douglas

Today is the first day of Black History month and Google has created a doodle of Frederick Douglas. His quote is very fitting as it summarizes the theme of the play All the Way by Robert Schenkkan. All the Way covers the 18 months of Lyndon B. Johnson’s campaign for re-election. Throughout the entire show, he constantly negotiated with all types of players in order to gain votes for re-election, despite events surrounding him.

Lyndon B. Johnson was the Vice-President during John F. Kennedy’s term and was forced to be President after Kennedy’s assassination. Unfortunately, President Johnson served a small space in my memory when I think about American history. I am not a native Texan and am very weak in our history (working on that), yet, it is interesting how much more I grew up knowing about John F. Kennedy, especially as his family had homes in my hometown.

Watching the movie Selma last year was my first glimpse of Johnson and his role with the Civil Rights Movement. It was not until the movie that I realized that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made several trips to the White House during LBJ’s tenure. Though Selma’s focus was the movement, the play All the Way focused more on Johnson’s re-election.

Despite campaigning from 1963, there were too many things going on in America that could not be ignored. From the country mourning Kennedy’s death to the violence embarked on African-Americans fighting for equality, there was not a dull moment from the day Johnson took office. All the Way did a phenomanal job capturing all of these events while shedding light on LBJ as an everyday human being.

During intermission, I asked an audience member who was a child during the LBJ era if she thought the show was depicting the sequence of events accurately. She recalled though she was young, it is an accurate depiction. She felt LBJ was known for “wheeling and dealing.”

All the way has forced me to dig a bit deeper into the time period of the eclipse of the Civil Rights Movement. It is very interesting how many of the topics are still being argued today, equity in human rights. Yet, many of the results boil down to the ability to vote. In our country, the right to vote is the most effective way to be heard. All the Way also reflected on the fact that though we vote as individuals, it takes a collective power to demand results for true change.

All the Way is a great show and it is clear why it was awarded the Tony award in 2014. It runs at the Alley Theater through February 21st.

Update: Discounted Tickets available for select shows http://bit.ly/1QGtz3q

http://blacksheephtx.com/2016/01/solange-brings-her-saint-heron-proclamation-party-to-houston/

I received an email the other day from the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts asking if I would be interested in entering a ticket lottery. I have not been very up to date on new Broadway shows, but Bullets over Broadway sounded like an interesting title. I indicated dates I would be able to attend and waited on results.

I was notified that I did not make the lottery for my first choice and I didn’t think twice about it. I still was not dying to see a show I had never heard. Yesterday, I received a note that I had been granted lottery tickets for the Saturday matinee, my second choice. I jumped on it.

The tickets were $25 and I am pretty sure the market price was in the $80 range. I chose a seat in the center orchestra and looked forward to a show that was still a mystery to me (my specialty).

Unfortunately, I hit some very bad traffic on 59S and arrived at 1:59pm for the 2pm call. I had no choice but to use valet. For $20, I must admit that it is one of the most efficient valet systems I have ever seen. After the show, I was about 7th in line and my car was to me in about 7 minutes. It was a very well organized machine. There is no way, I would see a show and park and for $45 in NYC. Back to the show.

I see Woody Allen on the credits and immediately know two things will be discussed: sex and relationships. The audience advisory stated you should be 13 and up but I would advise at least 18. Though, the language was slightly subtle, I think it is a bit much for the average teenager.  Yet, I rarely watch tv so I may be sheltered a bit.

The cast was no doubt talented. Though the show got off to a slow start, it was not long before some drama hit. A play about a play is always fascinating to me. Incorporating some mafia interactions definitely did not leave a dull moment.

The set changes and costumes were flawless. There were many moments when I forgot I was watching a show. Everyone was believable and I began imagining I was there…in the 20s, NYC along with the cast. It was awesome to see some vintage dancing including the Charleston, soft shoe and a bit of tap.

There is only one more show at Hobby Center tonight at 8pm.  I definitely recommend it if you are in the area. Duration is about 3 hours though so make sure you are ready for the long haul.

 

http://www.brunchandconversation.com/2015/12/2015-holiday-foodie-gift-guide.html?m=1

http://www.thatvideomagazine.com/houston/news/pharoahe-monch-to-close-out-the-houston-hip-hop-culture-fest

I am a feen for flavor and Velvet Taco delivered last night. I have passed it a billion times and never paid it any attention. Often I was distracted by El Rey but to date, they are the best I’ve had in Houston (except my grilled fish tacos at Pappasitos in the airport).

I’m not sure if I’m most excited because they were vegetarian tacos with flavor. A friend said they prefer Torchy’s over Velvet. Well, I’ve tried Torchy’s three times with no success. The lettuce always taste like mop water to me. Their guacamole is great though. Yet, Velvet Taco is officially my new spot.

It has been a busy few months. Houston is most active in the fall because it is actually cool enough to go outside. We are still able to wear shorts in November, even though we are approaching winter. We are in the year of El Nino which means it is even more warm than usual. I was nervous about being able to where a little black dress for the In The Black tour which happened on November 10th. I was able to pull off my sleeveless dress with no conflict to weather. Though, the black dress was required attire, the content of the event was much more than that.

My experience with Odyssey and their women business retreat has been one of my underground secrets to success (though I try to tell everyone I know how wonderful it is). It has been 20 years since they started hosting an annual business retreat usually consisting of executive  (corporate or entrepreneurial) women of color. At the time, it was called Spa Odyssey but has evolved much more than that. Imagine a place where a secret sorority collides with the some sort of business illuminati and you have Odyssey. It is the nature of the invite only requirement that has kept it underground.

Odyssey is changing. This year, they decided to have an In The Black tour to connect women entrepreneurs in the cities where they live. It was a mini version of the retreats I am accustomed. Many of the hostesses, including myself, invited friends that we thought could benefit from Odyssey’s network. Yet, many of the invitees had no context of what Odyssey is about.

We had a powerful pep talk from Becky Davis, who is a resident Odyssey Media life coach. She walked us through why we need to “step up” our game in everything we do.

Step up:
Service – give to others, it will come back to you
Time management – use your time wisely
Educate your self – sharpen your ax
Preparation – always be ready

Becky is a Texas native that coaches entrepreneurs all over the country for the last 20 years. We were offered a program from Coca-Cola which provides entrepreneurs with tools to help them perfect their business.

After Becky’s pep talk, we heard from Mikki Taylor who is a fashion extraordinaire. She pulled volunteers from the audience and transformed their black dresses into glamour. She advised us on finding simple black dresses that we can wear over and over again, from the office to evening events. The key to the transformation are the accessories, not the actual dress.

We had a packed house of over 200 women that were hand selected to attend. One lucky attendee received a free weekend stay at a Manhattan Beach Marriott. In addition, someone will win a registration to the upcoming Odyssey Media business retreat in Amelia Island. We all walked away inspired and revitalized to take our businesses to the next level.

In addition to the retreat, Odyssey announced some of their projects throughout the year which includes a writer’s workshop, Martha’s Vineyard and a trip to Cuba. I am excited about the new frontiers that Odyssey is embarking. I am very blessed to have benefitted from my interactions with Odyssey women. What started as an idea 20+ years ago by the founder Linda Spradley Dunn, continues to be the essential salve for women of color leaders.

There are 2 cities left for the In the Black Tour: New Orleans and Miami. Do not wait until the last minute to get your tickets. The event will sell out.

I first heard about “Our Family Dinner” a few years ago. I thought it was a great idea but never pushed myself over the edge to attend. They have one every six months though neighborhood dinners happen in between major ones. The Houston family dinner last Saturday at Paul’s Kitchen was sponsored by AARP, which made the price point an offer I couldn’t refuse.

I researched a couple of hours before arriving and realized we were not allowed to have our phones and could not shake hands, we had to hug.  The dinner is as if you are out with family even if you have never met. We even took a family picture.

Many of the attendees are new to Houston (less than 3 years). The target audience are millennials, though I met enough Gen Xers to feel comfortable.  The introductions were genuine and energy sincere.

I did not realize they are also international. An upcoming dinner will be in Lagos next month. If you want to add a dinner to your city (even if overseas), you can request here.

I was so excited to be a part of this movement. I planned to go home directly after…. Yet, I ended up at the after party and the after after party. I look forward to our next gathering!

Update: Featured video from the event