Some people feel 'right at home' on stage, performing. It does not matter what type; singing, dancing, drama or comedy. There are people who are soo good its hard to imagine they have to do anything else to make a living.
Utica has a Comedian like that. The type of performer you can't imagine doing anything else. A young man from The Bronx New York that first called Utica home (2006) as a student at SUNY IT.
"When I first moved here it wasn't like I came to do comedy" he revealed during a telephone conversation. "I actually got into some campus events such as contests and competitions" he added.
He was chosen for MTV's Yo Mamma and ended up in The Semi-Finals. "We taped over the summer so I didn't get to see myself until November". It was AJ's first ever performance unless you count the sixth grade play.
"My classmates (at SUNY) were like you should just jump right in" when giving comedy career advice. But AJ stayed the course. "I always wanted to do this" he explained. "But getting my degree was my number one priority" he soberly admitted.
AJ did just that, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems from SUNY IT and immediately went to work; both on his comedy and his chosen trade.
AJ takes failure personal, to heart, one can be sure his professional accomplishments rival his artistic success. One of the things that seperate AJ from his contemporaries is his preparation. He is meticulous about his act and has racked up multiple competition victories in a short amount of time.
"Its weird, I mean, when AJ's on stage its like your laughing before he even says anything" offered Phil Farda, local producer from up and coming Comedy Central New York.
"I watch the greats in this business" AJ said sounding more like a student than seasoned pro."I'm always working on my craft, I always try to see what is 'behind' the laugh, why people react the way they do" he added. "But I credit my parents for my work ethic, they are both hardworking people and thats what I know"
There is a balance between proper preparation, a meticulous act and the ability enjoy the process. "There was time I was rather hard on myself, it took away from the experience" he admitted "But I gave myself a break"
Most recently AJ opened for legendary David Alan Grier from "In Living Color" at Foxwoods Casino where he also came in Second For The Last Comic Standing Competition.
"That was great he paid attention to my act. He said : 'when Im in the old folks home and yer on teevee, I'll tell everybody I knew that kid' that was pretty cool".
Many people feel the same way. AJ's rapid ascent is exciting to watch and everyone involved in the Comedy Business in The Northeast knows his name. He is one of the busiest people I know...Period
If you have not had the chance to see him yet-get with it- he will be at Hotel Utica on Dec 16th and at The Syracuse Funny Bone with Jesse Mae Peluso from MTV's girl code on Thanksgiving Weekend. In The Meantime Check out AJ Foster on his website ajfostercomedy.com for any updates.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
AJ Foster: Honing His Craft
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
White (Airwaves) Noise
How does a long struggling, underserved, marginalized group of people without financial or political clout get anything done in a city made up of 'haves' and 'have-nots'? People who have been maligned and unfairly targeted since they started appearing in sizable numbers sixty years ago. The former enjoying a privileged wealth of opportunity since they bought Manhattan with bright-beads and glass.
The type of People who came in search of work and a new life. But even then, back in the forties, newspaper articles were written depicting the shiftless negroes as nothing more than a parasitic group of people. Who drink all night and sleep all day. Wholesale descriptions that could not have been further from the truth. Descriptions that made life harder for those trying to carve a path.
You could insert any number of ethnic groups into the question but the answers for each seem to have varying degrees. With the long struggling African American community any type of significant collective power seems to be perpetually out grasp.
Negative Articles like the one I read have dominated the landscape ever since, and to look back in the archive through Books like Ethnic Utica (edited by James S. Pula) it does nothing but highlight the importance of A Black Voice in media, whether its print, radio or television, male or female, old or young does not matter. We need and deserve a voice in Mohawk Valley's mainstream media.
Its of no consequence that I am perfectly qualified to do the job and have already tested my skills on WHCL, I had a loyal following of ten or so die hard fans and the students thought I was Denzel Washington so yeah, I'm ready to fill that role.
There are also a few eager white males ready to add a progressive voice to crowded conservative atmosphere. I guarantee any show that offers an alternative will be like a breath of fresh air for advertisers and businesses alike.
What is needed is good ol' opportunity. I have been on Talk Of The Town twice, each time raising the standard with passion and eloquence; but why go on for free five times a week when they get paid?
That's kinda insulting, invite me down to make your show better and encourage me to come down as much as possible...good idea if I could make some dough...you know?
Maybe its not me but it should be somebody. Keeler (middle-aged, center right, white dude) has enjoyed market share with Talk of The Town for a couple years now. Fact, both shows are interchangeable and Piersma's history with Keeler make it even more nepotistic and kinda weird. Its like a spin-off radio show.With Frank Elias to ad maturity and brevity
You know they know all the same people in advertising and the tight circle of media becomes a noose for anyone trying to break-in that doesn't fit in at a Tea Party rally.
This is important to me; I sense a glaring hole of perception that blinds these guys from common sense when it comes to The Black Community. They fly off about Al Sharpton just short of appointing him our official spokesperson for the Black Community (insulting). Shaking their heads in a whiny tone asking 'What is wrong'?...why can't they just get it together'?
Why?
Because right after your show some guy in HR, who also wonders why 'they can't get it together' just put Trayvon's resume at The bottom of the pile. The fact is we need to have a say, let us tell the story ever once in a while. We will stick to the truth and do our due diligence, but we will avoid adding a menacing tone were none should exist or fear when it isn't scary.
I would have been all over Bucky Philips when that broke, but hey, hes a folk hero right?
Monday, August 25, 2014
Ferguson is just a Reminder
When I heard about about the events in Ferguson Missouri regarding the shooting of an unarmed (Black) teenager by a cop I don't even think I blinked twice. I know for a fact I didn't stop what I was doing and take a knee (ala Tebow). I didn't change any of my plans for the day and saw no changes for the near future. With all the guns, mass murders and school shootings I'm a bit jaded, desensitized to the daily ins and outs of 'American Murder Stories'.
But I am Human.
I feel a perpetual dread regarding our current justice system and its scripted role in Urban America. The past few years I have documented a growing disregard for personal freedom and a willingness on our part to accept these intrusions as normal. I see victims lying in the street, or military Police as the final result of these sinister preparations.
So yeah , my initial reaction was barely palpable but as the story developed a theme began to develop.
My Facebook timeline started updating me on the latest events. The Police decided to up the ante on this downtrodden, grieving community, show the uppity ones who's boss.
Visible signs of power. Armored troop carriers on an overpass.The provocative behavior of The Ferguson Police Department became the subject ; it wasn't enough to kill an unarmed kid. They also withheld some positive information and leaked other negative tidbits as they saw fit, painting a sinister picture of, up until the afternoon of August 9th, an average eighteen yr old. Sorry, pot smoking fits in with the description of average.
Raise your hand if this reminds you of another unarmed kid who was killed. A kid that slipped under the radar avoiding the attention of law enforcement until finally, in a hail of bullets he was shot, in the head...and the back. This is important...in front of multiple witnesses, but hey, they are black.
The thing is , those tactics would have worked if it wasn't for the provocateurs in the crowd. To me, A "Radical", they deserved to be attacked for coming to a peaceful march , mourning a death, with tanks. It was a litmus, a way to measure the resolve of a community.
How much they'll put up with.
A, boots on the ground model for response in many different scenarios. It seemed each tactical unit approached Ferguson as an opportunity to use all this brand spanking new equipment they received from the feds.
It started to look like a Federal disaster training exercise.
All this for Michael Brown? No , this was to protect a system, a growing industry of oppression. A fight we will all, Black and White, lose as long as the 'wealthy media elite' keep the argument limited to race.
It became a Race Riot, the fight for justice loss. The Fight for a kid killed lost its resonance with MSNBC, playing clips of dudes fighting in the parking lot and other outlets quoting provocative racists like Kevin Szorbo.
We all forget.
THIS IS NOT A RACIAL ISSUE.
For a second it seemed all eyes in the world were on Ferguson. The place where an unarmed teenage boy was killed by a well armed police officer. A place where there are no 'alternatives' beyond the gun. Its like a lot of places in America.
Does anyone even remember Walt Washington?
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Come Into Jamaica : Serving Up Authenticity
Come Into Jamaica Serves Up Authenticity
Some things in life seem meant to be. Like a beautiful sunrise/sunset, the laughter of children on a summer day. Reverend Skates admonishing excellence for anyone within five square blocks of Johnson Park. And, of course, Jamaican Cousine in Utica New York. Lip smacking, plate licking Jamaican Food. The type of place you tell (brag, since found it first) your friends about. A place, if allowed to feed the world, would put a smile on every man woman and child's face.
Okay, maybe I am exaggerating the importance of really good and covenient food but no one in the immediate neighborhood or anywhere else will complain about life after walking down the street and trying a out a few of the mouth watering dishes they have to offer. The humble Uticans on that block are Lucky People.
Come into Jamaica, aptly named, is centrally located at 1224 Stueben St. , one block south of Eagle in Utica has been open nearly a month. The Ambassadors of Jamaican Soul Food have already caught the attention of hungry, well informed Uticans and a few suburbanites as well. They serve a variety of dishes starting with Breakfast at 9a.m. monday thru Saturday till closing at 11p.m.
The Head Chef, known only as Courtney and his partner Fernel , have already been involved in two popular eateries (Island Breeze I & II) but unfortunately they didnt last. The fact they built a following was not lost on them. It was a matter of timing and opportunity, a perfect unity of those two elements for this current venture to materialize.
"We had to branch out" explained Fernel "We wanted to do things our way" Doing it 'our way' included gutting the old space and completely remodelling it.
People in the neighborhood, including myself (used to live in the vicinity) were curious what was going on. Dudes working non-stop. Not the encroaching mobs of suburbanites that build houses in our neighborhoods but don't employ anyone, no, these were young Black men with tape measures, tool belts and ladders. I saw Courtney covered in paint and drywall. Lets just say; word got around it was 'the cook from Island breeze' and a 'Buzz" was officially created.
A week before they opened I stopped in and chatted. "I can't wait" exclaimed Courtney "My own Kitchen, my own spot". "Ya'll gonna have Brown Stew"? I asked, rhetorically "Just The Way Barry Max Likes it" he said referring to my son's Love for all things Brown Stew. At both of the Island Breeze spots Barry Max liked them so much he had the nickname Brown Stew for a while. I must admit the excitement is contagious Courtney had me running home to my wifey to tell her.
Hard Work Pays Off
The space at 1224 had been home to several businesses before sitting empty for a few years. Directly across the street are fairly new single family homes, in fact, the neighborhood at Stueben and James has turned the corner against the type of urban blight that has crept into other parts of Utica. The new business seems perfectly suited for the location and definitely adds color, life, and vibrancy to a once dead corner; the rythm of reggae music, the delicious smells of curry, jerk chicken and other mouth watering dishes provide much needed culture. The new owners had been trying to find a perfect location for roughly two years; and the building perfectly located on the corner, just needed a little fixing up(total understatement). It seems meant to be.
Unique Dishes
Here are a few unique offerings worth listing.
Callaloo- Also known as Jamaican Greens it is a mixture of Collared Greens and Cod. It has a unique texture and any fan of Greens will enjoy. Courtney and Fernel made it clear there are various other ingredients they say must be identified by the discerning palate.
Cornmeal Porridge- A breakfast dish very similiar to Cream of Wheat. "We add cinnamon brown sugar...you know" Fernel explained.
They were kind enough to offer me a sample platter to re-familiarize myself when I came to interview them. I felt compelled to list these dishes.
My Favorites
They all come with choice of white rice, rice and beans and stir fry cabbage
Brown Stew Chicken/Beef
Pepper Steak
Oxtail
Curry Goat/Chicken
I ran out of room...so I came back the next day.
When you come.
Tell Em' Dave The Meatman Sent you.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Rolling With The Citizens Express
It is very rare for the average citizen to get a chance to see their elected officials at work. On television we watch them pontificate on stage, wag their fingers and make huge promises to the people for their vote. That doesn't translate much; we rarely take them seriously and what they actually do is a mystery to most of us.
The few of us that get access or come close to an understanding of politics are usually involved in extracurricular cause that they feel passionately about. Sometimes getting a close-up just a circumstantial result of said officials job, reaching out to 'the people'. Whatever the case, the closer our elected officials are to constituents the more beholden they are to the constituency's wishes. Or, at the very least, aware.
Awareness was at the heart of the third annual Citizens Express Bus Trip to Albany sponsored by Birnie Bus Co. and Little Fall's David and Chris Van Meter.
The all day event included a tour of The Capitol, lunch with politicians and a live simulcast of the popular local morning show, The Talk of The Town featuring Mark Piersma and Frank Elias.
When I was offered the assignment to tag along and document some of the highlights of the trip, I'll admit, I didn't know what to expect. I knew very little about the popular radio show on 100.7 F.M.. My understanding was limited to a couple of interviews. One featured Editor in Chief of The Utica Phoenix, Cassandra Harris Lockwood, defending herself against allegations of slander and libel brought by The City of Utica Police Department. It was good radio but I felt they were taking a side, so naturally when this trip came up I assumed I would be on the bus with 'The Tea Party'.
Boy, was I wrong.
The Ride
Our scheduled departure was 7:45 from The North Utica Wal-Mart. Birnie Bus provided one of their best coaches for the trip. A wi-fi paradise abuzz with young professionals from Leadership Mohawk Valley. This sharp, young group, all familiar with each other quickly settled into their seats. I couldn't help but notice almost all of them were smiling.
Mark immediately set the pace to mellow making me regret running red lights and risking speeding tickets to get there on time. "Lets leave about eight" he says. "Some people might be a little late". And so we did.
Roughly twenty minutes, good conversation and thirty jokes later we arrived in Herkimer to pick up the second load for Leadership Mohawk Valley's Government Program.
Our third stop was in Amsterdam where we picked up the last group that included retired Executive Assistant, Barbara Tomasik a 45 year veteran of G.E. in Schenectady New York where she has experienced and witnessed a wave of progress/change since she embarked on her long career. She ended up sitting next to me so we chatted about technical and social advances that have altered our world, high security clearance and, of course, what was for lunch
With the bus en route for the final leg of the journey Mark and Frank went about their daily business of talk radio. Jason Aiello, the hands -on producer, checked levels and made sure they had a signal. I barely noticed there was a radio show going on. One of my tactics as a journalist is to appear uninterested and engaged in my latest app so know one knows I am actually paying attention. It didn't work because Birnie Bus wi-fi works great and I 'REALLY' was engaged when I looked up they had conducted two, three, maybe five interviews and according to Frank "Dave we are going to interview you next".
"Uhhhhh....ok" I replied.
I'm not sure exactly what I said but it had a lot to do with potential, growth, green things and overall progress...In Utica. All wrapped up in a liberal progressive package. The main theme of my message was "Grow Green Things....Grow lots of Green Herbs".
The Capitol
We arrived around ten thirty at the main Entrance to the underground concourse that runs the length of the four, symbolic towers that DEFINE our State Government and Albany's skyline. The Four Towers Stand out and upon approach one can glean what the most important business in Albany is, but what that business does, is a mystery.
Frank and Mark corralled all 43 of us to explain the itinerary for the next three plus hours. It was a busy day at the capitol. The Mixed Martial Arts Lobby was there; the Minimum Wage Lobby and The Marines all petitioning our state Government for their particular causes.
If we were lucky we could get a view inside the chamber and possibly a Glimpse of The Governor himself.
We made our way to the agreed upon space where we would be eating lunch. It was a long walk, made interesting by the occasional sighting of a familiar elected official. We spotted a few Assemblymen and Legislators on the way, among them, Claudia Tenney, the 115th District Assembly-Woman and challenger to 22nd District Congressman Richard Hanna. Upon sighting Mark and Frank she greeted us enthusiastically. Gazing from afar I appraised her riding boots and purse, I can't help it, the lady has style.
We continued on our endless journey through the underground concourse, which is a marvel of engineering in itself. One could think of the four towers as a huge skyscraper with its base buried in the ground with only the four towers showing up top, indestructible they will endure ,like our Government, long after we are gone. Four Strong Pillars. One Foundation.
The thought of lunch was on everyone's mind but before we ate we were led to 'The Million Dollar Staircase' for an up close and personal look at Dean Skelos, The Senate Majority leader responsible for slowing up The Medical Marijuana Bill.
After a twenty minute wait, Skelos accompanied by Joseph Griffo (47th District Senator), offered a few obligatory remarks about participation in local government. It is an art to speak important words that lead nowhere, the verbal ambiguity was forgiven, they had our hunger on their side. We did a group Photo and made our way to lunch.
Lunch
There, waiting for us in The Lunch area, was Rayan Aguam The Director of Communications for Joseph Griffo. He actually provided more detail and insight to what happens in State Government than anyone. While we ate he provided details for what is referred to as The Legislative Season which runs roughly from January to June. The remaining months of the year are spent with constituents or campaigning. He also introduced some of the speakers scheduled to talk to us. Dan Levy a pollster from Sienna College's Research Institute, Marc Butler 118th District Assemblyman, Brian Sampson from Unshackle Upstate (unshackle?) and Anthony Brindisi.
There were a few eyebrow raisers during the speeches, some teaching points that resonate to this day. Dan Levy pointed out the perceived irony in Hydro-Fracking poll results which see a statistical advantage Upstate for Pro-Frackers and a statistical disadvantage the further south you go. There was also the anti-progressive stance of Marc Butler an elected official who shared his thoughts on the SAFE act and the potential for Horizontal Fracking in NYS. "It'll be like raining jobs in a desert" he promised..."at least for the first few months" he amended.
There was a particularly interesting exchange between one of the guests and Brian Sampson who erroneously stated that hydro-fracking has been done safely for the last sixty years in New York State. Wrong, if that was the case we wouldn't be spending millions for all these independent studies and Governor Cuomo would already be Golfing with natural gas big wigs. No, the horizontal fracking, which uses chemicals and water to extract the natural gas is not proven safe in all conditions and has been scrutinized even where its allowed. Sampson, looking like a guy who can take a punch, backed out of an exchange with the guest and sheepishly left the podium. That was definitely a highlight; how dare you try to mislead us, glad we had an expert because it would have worked.
That was what I took away from this trip. To be diligent about my own personal relationship to an issue and let my elected official , regardless of their party affiliation know how I feel.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
We Already Know so Talk Amongst Yourselves
It took on a bigoted tone.
My SO's Mother is European, she still has a distinct accent. Her opinions on race and class are rooted in the 'fair' but 'unreal' meritocratic ideal. She feels the vitriolic racism that shows itself in our policies and history is an abomination. She embraces other cultures with curiosity and has always been shocked by the honest and open dislike for other cultures that her fellow white peers often share with her here in America and, closer to home, in New York.
Even more peculiar is the source of hatred...the television.
This is just one awkward conversation. One of many. The awkwardness hit closer to home when the contractor met me. He knows what he said and how vitriolic, insulting and hateful it was. She felt no need to tell him her personal beliefs, why stop him, according to her, he was on a roll.
An equal dose of hatred for gays, blacks and anything else that wasn't white and Christian.
How many times has that same conversation been met with total agreement, ironclad affirmation for what is Good and Proper...American...White.
How many people have been turned away from or not even considered for employment, housing, good service at the restaurant based on choices that these type of people make.
How many of you are okay with it? Say nothing when they yell nigger at the screen when their favorite team loses. Or Bullies a stranger in public.
When I look at whose in jail and for what. The overwhelming numbers of disenfranchised all in the same demographic, society starts to look sinister.
Against me or anyone who can't blend in.
Then cases like Donald Sterling (Clippers Owner) or Cliven Bundy captures the whole Nation's attention. Systemic hostility like the backwards atmosphere at the Nursing Home in Rome with the racist staff and client. The Client who flipped if a Black nurse came near him/her.
The Solution?
'NO COLOREDS'!?!?!?!??!I know how this happened. It is a multi-pronged disregard for Black People , our opinions are insignificant and don't matter. If they do, you can't tell.
At least in most instances. A close friend went through the same thing in a professional environment. Everyone was white and one guy always dropped the n-bomb, making his extracurricular hatred plain to all. She reported him to human resources; he was written up and even better had no idea who did it.
Everyone employed there was white (see the irony?).
Remember a couple of years ago the Rome Capitol Theater played a (Super racist film) Birth Of A Nation against the protests of the NAACP and every other African American in The Mohawk Valley. It was played because of the sheer number of requests to see it. A replaying of The Good Ol' Days for The Good folks of Rome who want 'Their America' back.
Then I said "So, what kind of man are you"?
