Musician/cultural attache'/tour guide Michael Heagerty may be the most interesting man in the city (kinda like a younger version of the Dos Equis guy). We appreciate his distinctly dapper personal style and thank him for taking time to explain to us the rules for last night's beard judging competition held at the Landmark Theater. Heagerty is pictured here talking about the virtues of someone's facial hair. He served as the emcee for the runway event as well.
J. Darnell on the set of Holler Back (circa 2003)
Not everyone in Syracuse has given up on an undefeated season. Last weekend we found out about another Team Orange that is doing work on the court at the East Fayette Street Boys & Girls Club. The Syracuse Team for Biddy Basketball, coached by Dean Crouch, remained the top seed as they used pressure defense, superior guard play and backboard dominance to dispose of Marquette on Saturday. The team, made up of children from the SCSD, is now 7-0, and retains a number one ranking heading into the playoffs.
The plot line for the game included best friends turned rivals, and even brother against brother on the sidelines (Dean’s brother Danard is Marquette’s coach). Syracuse may have won by double digits, but the game was certainly competitive.
We wish Syracuse the best as they barrel toward perfection.
Dean and Danard Crouch, coaches for East Fayette Street Biddy Basketball
We all like a good story about overcoming odds and transforming misfortune into triumph. That’s the story Rosie Perez talked about during an interview today (publicizing her book on NPR). Perez went from Soul Train dancer to actor, to victim rights advocate and motivational speaker. She is pictured above during a visit to the Southwest Community Center, where she was a keynote speaker (2011).
Professor Alejandro Garcia
Scholar Brittney Cooper spoke to Syracuse University students about being curious, challenging and creative.
Here are two inspiring messages we heard this week directed toward students (young and old): One is from Syracuse’s DJ Maestro (the Official DJ of SU Athletics and professor at SUNY Cortland); the other came from Brittney Cooper, who is a founder of the Crunk Feminist Collective and a professor at Rutgers.
Cooper visited SU last night. A portion of her message is posted below.
Cuse Fans, State Tower Building
Tony Monaco played in and around Syracuse numerous times, including a Jazz in the City gig that was held in Little Italy back in the day. Monaco will return next month to play with the CNY Jazz All Stars for a show he’s calling “Swing Italian Style” at the Sheraton Hotel.
Comedian and television writer Larry Wilmore visited the Newhouse School to discuss his career last week. Wilmore’s resume includes ‘The Facts of Life, ‘In Living Color,’ ‘The Office,’ ‘Sister Sister,’ ‘The Bernie Mac Show,’ and he is currently the senior black correspondent for ‘The Daily Show.’ He was interviewed by SU Professor Charisse L’Pree. In the clip below, Wilmore talks about the ‘Bernie Mac Show’ and the influence of technology.