Tag Archives: Pride Winston-Salem

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/12/20

13 Sunday Dec 2020

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I got to Underdog Records late. I emceed the Pride Winston-Salem Holiday Drag Brunch, then we ate and then went to Coffee Park to get a print of the new Holiday Roast. Then we went to Underdog Records and got a decent haul. Let me tell you about it…

©Matador

Belle And Sebastian – What To Look For In Summer — You know that The BCPF and I love us some Belle and Sebastian and this was a brand new (released Friday) 2×LP live album. It was pretty awesome for fans of B&S. All songs were recorded on tour in 2019, the majority from US cities, with one in Montreal, one in Pamplona and five songs on the Mediterranean sea for “Boaty Weekender” which was like a cruise for them. New.

Various – O Brother, Where Art Thou? — The BCPF and I both love this film. We love the soundtrack. It was there in EX/NM condition so we grabbed it. Yay, us!

Billy Joel – Souvenir — Promotional-only release by Columbia Records in 1977 to promote Billy’s pre-The Stranger songs. Side 1: These selections were recorded live December 5th and 6th, 1976 at Palmer Auditorium, University of Connecticut at New London during the live video taping of “Billy Joel Tonight.” Side 2: several cuts from Billy’s albums. Pressed on Columbia’s white promo labels, which state “Demonstration – Not For Sale” at the bottom, as well as on the front jacket. These were distributed mainly to radio stations, clubs, and fan clubs in the US and were were not sold in stores. This album is known to have been heavily counterfeited, too. I am not sure, without further inspection, which I have. EX/NM.

Various – New Wave Hits — Rhino’s Back To The 80s release. 140 gram pink swirl vinyl. A collection of early 80s new wave hits, just as it says. EX/NM. This is still sealed but we will remedy that soon.

Various – History Of British Rock — 2×LP collection of British heavy hitters (at least in the mainstream genre) like Kinks, Rod Stewart, Manfred Mann, Bee Gees, etc. The collection is from 1974. Gatefold cover. Auto-coupled for sequential playing (Sides 1 & 4 / Sides 2 & 3). NM/EX.

Various – ¡Something Festive! — Holiday classics from the likes of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, Liza, Burt Bacharach, Claudine Longet and more. VG+.

We got to listen to the Belle and Sebastian and the one of the comps from last week yesterday. We didn’t get a proper listening day but we will. Underdog Records has gotten a good bit of freshly-used vinyl and that was nice to see. He’s been so busy with the RSD stuff he hadn’t had time. Jonathan is doing deliveries M-W and the store is open Thursday-Saturday. You can buy new vinyl, day or night, 24/7 from the Underdog Records website. I used Discogs to track my collection, and you should, too!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Bobby’s driving through the city tonight, through the lights in a hot new rent-a-car. He joins the lovers in his heavy machine. It’s a scene down on Sunset Boulevard. Say goodbye to Hollywood. Say goodbye, my baby.” – “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” (Joel)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/1/20

02 Sunday Feb 2020

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Salutations™!!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! The BCPF and I went to Penny Path yesterday to celebrate Imbolc (where pancakes are generally the tradition but we went with crêpes). Then we hit up our friend Carly’s shop, VibesUp Winston-Salem, then to Jim & Dana Moody’s West End Coffeehouse and grabbed some pies for today’s big game and we even saw Daniel Butner from Carrabba’s and Kandi and Lori from TBD/Pride WS. Then we headed to Underdog Records and grabbed just a few records. It was a full day of visiting. It was great and tiring all at once. Here’s the haul.

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©Warner Bros.

  • Depeche Mode – Exciter — I was excited to get this because, well, we love Depeche Mode in this house. But, really, while it was a good listen, it really didn’t thrill me. I didn’t hear anything that memorable. It is produced well, mixed well, written well. I just wasn’t moved by it. But, I’m glad I have it. New, remastered on 180g.
  • The Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth — This album focuses on outcasts, recluses, the mentally ill, and others struggling in ordinary society. John Darnielle has a way with quirky, witty and funny lyrics (even if the subject matter isn’t always funny). It was a good listen. New.
  • Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – The Tourist — Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is a musical project started by Alec Ounsworth. This album was independently released and is on a cool white vinyl. The songs were really well-written and the sonic quality was fantastic. It was a fun listen. EX/VG++.
  • Montrose  – Montrose — This was entry #11 from the Eugeneology/Hard Rock albums I did a few years back. You can read my review here. I’m interested in seeing if my views of it have changed because while I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t exactly like it. And, I said I probably wouldn’t listen again, but here we are. We’ll see. VG+.

It was a short-haul this week. That’s all we got. Underdog Records was jumping yesterday. The store was full and both The BCPF and I had to wait to get to the “Freshly Acquired” section of the used records. That rarely happens. Did you know that Underdog Records has two listening stations in the downstairs part of the store? You can sit on a comfy couch either in a darker, more intimate setting or sit by the window watching the creatures of Burke Street/West End shuffle through. You can do that and listen to just about any used record in the place. Also, you can grab a complimentary cup of coffee and have it whilst listening or if you ask nicely – and are over the age of 21 – you can get a complimentary brew of alcoholic nature. Yesterday I had a Natty Bo, a National Bohemian. Not my favorite beer at all but what the heck. It wasn’t anything that said “Bud” on it. Jonathan wants his store to be welcoming and comfortable to all and I believe he nails it. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/UR special of the week. And, use Discogs to track your music collection, no matter the medium.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’ and GO CHIEFS!!…
Scorp out!

—
“Do every stupid thing that makes you feel alive. Do every stupid thing to try to drive the dark away. Let people call you crazy for the choices that you make. Climb limits past the limits, jump in front of trains all day. And stay alive. Just stay alive.” – “Amy aka Spent Gladiator 1” (Darnielle)

Ouch! or: Tennis Anyone?

06 Thursday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

En-elbow_joint.svg

©Gray’s Anatomy

When I MCed Pride back in October, I was helping some pals lift a speaker cabinet to adjust a stand and when I did, somehow I injured a tendon. I didn’t think anything of it until the next day. Then, I figured it was just that sore muscle thing when you exert energy to some extremity and it’s just muscles mending and goes away after a few days. This didn’t go away.

So, it’s been almost two months. I asked my doctor about it and he said he thought it was tendonitis. I gave it a little more time and my doc sent me to an orthopedist. They said it’s “Tennis Elbow.” And, you know me, Dear Reader, I play soooo much tennis.

According to Wikipedia: Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and tender. The pain may also extend into the back of the forearm and grip strength may be weak. 

That has been the hardest part of this. I have a hard time gripping anything with any firmness. The worst part is a) I shake a lot of hands and b) I lift a lot of pint glasses. Both are incredibly difficult. So, for the next little bit, I’ll have to do more fist bumps and well, I’ll still be drinking from pint glasses and my left hand has no gripping problems.

So, as I said in my Instagram post yesterday, if you see me and I don’t shake your hand, don’t worry. I still like you. I just can’t shake too well. I’d still welcome you buying me a “pint,” though.

Until tomorrow, fist bumps…
Scorp out!

—
“Exercise has its hazards. Runners are sidelined by shinsplints, freestylists by swimmer’s ear, and who hasn’t heard of tennis elbow? But the fitness buff of the ’90s has a far greater worry. StairMaster Butt.” – Jake Tapper

To Be Proud or: The Saturday Event

18 Thursday Oct 2018

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Salutations™!!

I said that I was “working” the Pride Winston-Salem event last weekend as an MC or emcee. It turns out that I MCed Friday night’s Kick-Off Party for the event, was downtown at 8:30am on Saturday and MCed all day long, until about 6pm, went to Willows Bistro that night and then went to the Pride After-Party at the Hawthorne Inn and ended up MCing that. Let’s just say that by the time Sunday came around, I could barely speak. It took a lot to push out any noise.

But, I have to say, that while I have always enjoyed attending the Pride events, I got a whole new perspective actually “working” with the organizers, whom I have become pretty good friends with. I got to work with some really cool and sweet drag queens. They’re hilarious and all-around good gals. They made this straight guy comfortable to be there. The whole community did. I’ve never felt uncomfortable but I felt part of the family.

I spent a good bit of time with Bella Jade on Friday and some of Saturday. I spent time with Paisley Parque on Saturday, as well. We bantered back and forth on the Main Stage and I was happy to find out that I was indeed “a bear.” More specifically, a “polar bear” (because of the white beard). That was confirmed by several other performers.

The highlight, though, was The Kinsey Sicks which was the headliner. They are “America’s Favorite Dragapella Beauty Shop Quartet!” They were funny, talented and sang songs that fit the times. They did a song called “Everybody Wants To Be a Drag Queen” and they brought someone up on the stage and dressed them in drag. I think he had a great time. Just look at the pic and tell me.

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©Kandi Vallano

Anyway, I will say that I felt part of the community but I am proud to say that I’m officially an “Ally” and will do all I can to support it. I recommend you do the same. Even if you don’t agree with the community, at least support its choice to be itself and we should all be able to do what we want in life. Besides, chances are it doesn’t affect you anyway.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Here’s a little song I wrote, I’m probably gonna get a frog in my throat. Don’t be happy… Worry.” – “Don’t Be Happy, Worry” (McFerrin/Kinsey Sicks)

Taking Pride or: A Festival Like None Other

12 Friday Oct 2018

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Salutations™!!

Tonight is the kickoff party for Pride Winston-Salem, the LGBTQ festival that celebrates not only that community but really the entire WSNC community. The acceptance of everyone how they are, for who they are and because we’re all one race, the human race. That’s cliche but it’s true. I love my friends in that community. I hang around with people that are squarely in the community and others that are like-minded of me that support people being with whoever they love. It’s a festival of hope and of peace and of acceptance. The kickoff gala is going to be grand but the real show is tomorrow. topnew

The Pride festival will be happening from 10am – 5:30pm and it is building community. It’s not just a festival, it’s also a parade and food truck rodeo! The parade will start along Fourth Street. Come to watch it and then come to the festival afterward. Why am I pushing it so hard? Well, firstly because I believe in it and I have a load of fun if nothing else just people watching. But, the drag queens and street performers and the grand time everyone has. But, also, because I’m one of the emcees for the event. I’ll be passing between the stages, mostly the main and community stage.

So, come have some fun, eat great food, watch the peeps, and see me up on stage running my mouth.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Our mission is to celebrate our culture, honor diversity, inspire engagement, promote inclusion, provide community outreach, and educate our friends, allies, and supporters on equal rights for all.” – Pride Winston-Salem

Excellence or: The Explanation

24 Friday Feb 2017

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Salutations™!!

So, the last week was a bit of a cheater week for me. Some scheduled posts (which, ohonestly a lot of them are) and many piggybacks. And, I told you that I was going to explain, if you’re at all interested. Perhaps you’re not, I don’t know. But, I’m going to lay it out and let you decide for yourself whether or not you want to read it. Here goes:

As I said earlier in the week, it’s been the same thing for the last two years. I’ve been doing it much longer but not as I was blogging each day. This time of year is when the Downtown Winston-Salem Parnership does their Excellence Awards for the year prior. I am the one that puts the video presentations together for the winners. I have to collect the list of winners from DWSP. I have to gather information such as company bios, histories and pictures of the projects, people, places from the winners. I have to get The BCPF to write the copy. I have to do the voice overs for the presentations. I have to compile the videos and sync them, albeit loosely, to the voice overs that I’ve already recorded. It’s about two weeks of work; to do it justice.

Well, I started receiving info last Wednesday. That two week window was out the, well… window. That’s the nature of the beast with this project, though. That’s no one’s fault, it’s just the way it is. So, the info started coming in and I had to get The BCPF to work on the copy. Our schedules were not cooperating and the poor thing, she had to stay up until about 2:30am last Thursday night/Friday morning working on it. She got seven of them done. Some of the winners didn’t get me stuff until Friday. With that, Jason, the president of the DWSP had to write a couple of bios and I wrote two. Yes, if you do the math, that’s 11 winners. ELEVEN! So, at about a minute average for each spot, that’s a lot of production.

It takes me about an hour for each minute of video. Placement, gathering the pics in some instances and picking the right music that fits with the slideshow. All that takes a good bit of time. More than just dragging and dropping, it’s work. I don’t like my work to look amateurish. But, I figured I’d recognize the winners, here, for those that weren’t at the awards ceremony on Wednesday morning. These are very short synopses, not even the full copy that I read for the presentations.

50 West Fourth – The old Forsyth County Courthouse was converted into luxury apartments and the renovated building is phenomenal. So many amenities and coolness while keeping this building’s history in tact.

Airtype – Bryan Ledbetter and his staff renovated a 1920s building and it is now a modern office that houses Airtype, a national design company, Camel City Goods that is all about branded WSNC merch and two modern apartments.

Burke Street Food Truck Festival – a shload of people flocked to this half mile food truck extravaganza. 68 trucks with artists and children’s areas, it’s just good stuff.

Crafted: The Art of the Taco – Chef Kris Fuller brings her successful GSO concepts to our great city and wows us to no end with her taco and burger creations.

Finnigan’s Wake – Do we really need a refresher on this place? It’s where The Less Desirables was born, it’s where The BCPF and I met and it’s just one of my favorite places in town. It’s the Official Emerald Isle of The Less Desirables.

Garner Foods – Garner Foods, known for their Texas Pete sauces and Green Mountain Gringo salsas and chips, moved into the Nash building on 4th Street and have done a lot of cool things inside, including a new test kitchen. That’s cool. I took the pics of that building and it was awesome.

Glass Door Salon and Spa – Erin Blakely opened this spa on Cherry Street in the Embassy Suites. She does great work with hair, nails and massage, but also a lot of stuff with charities, including purchasing Disney “Princess” dresses to visit children at Brenners Children’s Hospital.

Kimpton Cardinal/Residences at RJReynolds – The old RJ Reynolds Building was renovated and became apartments and a very nice Kimpton hotel. Don’t forget one of my favorite restaurants on the ground floor, the Katharine Brasserie & Bar.

McHugh Sisters Flats – a new dorm/apartment complex built at Old Salem for Salem College. It’s pretty righteous.

Pride Winston-Salem – the group that advocates for equal rights for all! Resources for the LGBTQ community and anyone else that needs them. They have a huge parade downtown and a food truck rodeo with drag shows and just a bunch of fun.

Wake Forest School of Medicine – an old RJR plant that was converted and turned into a medical school that will produce a lot of new doctors and medical scientists. That transformation was amazing.

And there you have it. Congrats to all the winners. I can get back to sleeping, having weekends and living, now. But, you know what? I love my jobs.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“For more than 10 years, Finnigan’s Wake Irish Pub & Kitchen has brought the Emerald Isle to downtown Winston-Salem. Its opening in 2006 was a major spark that helped catapult the downtown nightlife into the vibrant atmosphere that it is today. Don’t be fooled, though, this is not just a bar and restaurant, this is an experience. Finnigan’s Wake is a popular meeting place for businesses, groups and friends having that pint after work. Finnigan’s Wake has been hosting downtown’s St. Baldrick’s Day celebration since 2007, raising close to half a million dollars for children’s cancer research. Finnigan’s Wake employees, including owner, Phillip Kirby, raise money for the charity by shaving their heads in solidarity to the children. Finnigan’s Wake is a staple downtown and has major social capital; just ask any member of its famed ’90-Day Club.'” – Copy for Finnigan’s Wake