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Meshell’s magic

Neo-soul trendsetter to play Birchmere for first time in a decade

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Bi singer Meshell Ndegeocello is earning raves for her new album ‘Weather.’ (Photo by Charlie Gross; courtesy Girlie Action)

Meshell Ndegeocello
‘The Weather Tour’
The Birchmere
3701 Mount Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA
Birchmere.com
Tickets: SOLD OUT

It’s hard to say what the first thing that pops in someone’s head is when they hear Meshell Ndegeocello’s name — the John Mellencamp duet (“Wild Night”)? Her rap on Madonna’s “I’d Rather Be Your Lover”? Her endless soundtrack contributions? Or maybe her own memorable songs like “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night)” or “Leviticus: Faggot”?

Regardless, Ndegeocello has established an adventuresome, restless musical persona that gives one the impression she’s out at inner city music clubs into the wee hours every night in hot pursuit of something to sate her seemingly endless sonic wanderlust. But in reality the 43-year-old D.C.-area native is living happily in upstate New York with her wife of five years, Alison Riley, and their son who turned 2 this week.

Her new album “Weather” dropped this week and is earning raves. She left Thursday for a mini-tour that will bring her to the Birchmere in Alexandria, Va., Tuesday (it’s sold out) and also to Philadelphia and the Hiro Ballroom in New York. In January, she’ll resume with dates in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Minneapolis. This is first date at the Birchmere since Oct., 2001.

“She’s a very unique and gifted artist,” says Michael Jaworek, who booked her at the Birchmere. “Her jazz CD ‘Jamia’ always knocks me out.” (It’s a pretty gay month there — Kate Clinton, Chaka Khan and Four Bitchin’ Babes are slated for coming weeks.)

She exudes an easygoing and laid back vibe during a phone interview this week during which she discussed her new album, her philosophies of concert giving — don’t expect hits! — and her formative years in Washington.

“I’m enjoying my nice, settled married life,” Ndegeocello says with a soft chuckle. “It’s great up here. I can work here but if I need to go into New York (City), I can just hop on a train and be there two hours later.”

“Weather,” produced by Grammy winner Joe Henry (Aimee Mann, Solomon Burke, Ani DiFranco), was recorded in 10 days in Los Angeles, mostly because hotel accommodations are easier there. The quick pace — five days of music, five days of vocals — works well for her, she says.

“I think it enhances the immediacy of it,” Ndegeocello says. “I’m really comfortable with it. I still believe in live music and music that comes from your hands. I don’t want to sit around and edit myself in pro tools and make somebody’s idea of perfection. I’m really into the David Bowie productions in Germany, you know, really traditional instruments but played in a really modern way. That was my goal.”

The process has resulted in a low-key album a Washington Post review said incorporated “a palette of small, delicate sounds” used “to powerful effect.” It also noted, “the only constants in (her) 20-plus-year career … are brilliance and an output that dependably moves back and forth between experimental, critically acclaimed projects and more accessible, widely embraced work.”

That always forward-looking outlook has a huge impact on Ndegeocello’s live performances. She’s touring with a drummer, bass player and keyboardist. Ndegeocello, known for her bass playing, may do some bass work but is “trying to concentrate more on singing” this time out. She says she and her combo will likely play “Weather” in its entirety, but aren’t aiming to reproduce it live.

“See if you just want to hear that, then just go buy the record,” she says. “My goal is to get the best musicians and go out and have an open, live experience. I just have to have the audience opened to something new and us trying to bring something new to the music.”

But is that wise, when audiences are only just absorbing the new album, if they’ve had a chance to hear it yet at all? There’s no musical snottiness or self indulgence in her warm speaking voice when she explains, but the bottom line is, Ndegeocello doesn’t care nor does she apologize for her philosophies of concert giving.

“I hope some of these will be people’s favorite songs, but really it’s more about trying to bring them in and give them a good audible experience. … I’m hoping they’ll like these songs even if they don’t know the music. That’s my goal.”

Have more hits-oriented artists who often take audience requests and even encourage them, made it tough for more tradition-eschewing singers like Ndegeocello? And what does she do when fans yell out requests?

“It’s sad to say, but I usually just have to ignore it,” she says. “I try to just stay in a clear mindset and just move on and play the set. That’s the thing I think people sometimes don’t realize. We rehearsed. We have the songs we’ve learned and planned to play. I’m not a juke box. I just have to be extremely confident and move on.”

Ndegeocello says that’s not a dis to other artists who encourage fans to yell out requests.

“I’m just not that kind of artist,” she says. “If I was, and had connected with so many people in the zeitgeist, yeah, that’s incredible. I just never thought of myself as that way … I love David Bowie, but even he didn’t want to be Ziggy Stardust his whole life. I don’t think (requests) are rude, I really wish I could make everyone happy, but it just hasn’t worked out for me that way. I’m just always trying to find new things, to stay fresh and stay creative. Anyone who’s followed me will know that I’m more forward thinking and rarely like to revisit the past.”

Ndegeocello doesn’t mind a little looking back though, during our conversation. She remembers Washington fondly. She grew up more in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs — she still has family here — and cut her musical teeth on the local go-go scene and also by dancing in gay nightclubs.

“D.C. is really the reason I connect music to movement and dance,” she says. “I love seeing people experience music through their body. I love to see people dance and give them that momentary transcendance.”

Ndegeocello left Washington in 1989 and moved to Harlem, which she says was a much different vibe than the D.C. she was used to, mostly living just across the line of Southeast Washington. She says the city has changed drastically since her years living here.

“I think it’s changed in a lot of ways but some of it is me seeing it in a different way too,” she says. “It can be a harsh place, kind of a dark hole … sometimes it feel like the whole town is high. My experience in D.C. is like everybody is on something, whether it’s money, power or drugs.”

During her years with Maverick, Madonna’s now-defunct Warner Bros. subsidiary, Ndegeocello enjoyed being courted by various labels in something of a bidding war. She remembers a dinner meeting when she met Madonna and says they enjoyed a “really business-like affair.”

And there’s no great backstory on their collaboration.

“I just literally went into the office one day and they were like, ‘Could you put some bass lines on this and can you do it this week?’ It was no romantic thing, really.”

And yes, Madonna was there when Ndegeocello recorded her part.

“She’s very involved,” Ndegeocello says. “She’s always watching to see what happens in the studio, but there was also a very relaxed rapport.”

Ndegeocello, who’s bi, acknowledges her musical genre morphing and her gender and sexual fluidity are not mere coincidence.

“I’ve just never been like that,” she says. “I don’t even have favorite foods and stuff. I just try to take everything in as an experience, whether it’s gender or music. Sometimes I feel super femmed up and very mother earthy and sometimes I could just set everything on fire and be some war lord or prince. Sometimes I feel like a fabulous gay boy in San Francisco and some days I’m like some African queen. I’m able to cycle through them. Being any one thing, either in music or otherwise, has just never worked in my brain chemistry.”

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Miscellaneous

What it means to be an active ally to your LGBTQ+ co-workers TEST

Five easy tips to help you avoid common risks

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Be sure to install baby gates if you have stairs in your home with young children. (Photo by Kasia Bialasiewicz/Bigstock)

Your home is more than just a place to eat and sleep; it’s your safe haven. As much as you might cherish your home, you should probably also recognize the potential hazards within its familiar walls. Accidents can happen in an instant, yet with a little foresight and some simple adjustments, you can transform your house into a safer haven. 

Accidents can happen anywhere, and with a few simple tweaks, you can lower risks in your space. Below you’ll find five tips for each room in your home to help prevent injuries, falls, and other mishaps. In short, home safety. 

This article was inspired by a shower in a rental we managed that began leaking through the kitchen ceiling below. If only the landlord had installed grab bars, right!? Below, we’ll guide you through the steps to fortify your bathroom, making it a place of relaxation without the fear of slips and falls. Then, we’ll venture into the room where the magic happens, where proper planning can ensure great nights and peaceful mornings. We’ll show you how to prevent accidents while you experiment becoming the next Gordon Ramsey. And we’ll include a few surprising solutions for those other rooms that hold their own unique hazards, offering solutions to safeguard against unexpected mishaps.

Bathroom Safety

Install Grab Bars: Adding grab bars near the shower and toilet can provide essential support for family members of all ages. Not only can they help with getting in and out, but they can help provide stability when washing. Make sure they are securely anchored to the wall.

Non-Slip Mats: Place non-slip mats inside the shower and bathtub to prevent slips. They’re a small investment that can save you from falls and head injuries.

Adjust Water Temperature:  Ensure your hot water is set to a safe temperature to avoid scalding. The hot water heater should be set to around 120°F (49°C)l, the middle setting on many water heater settings. 

Medicine Cabinet Locks: If you have young children, use childproof locks on your medicine cabinet to keep harmful substances out of reach.

Proper Lighting: Ensure there’s adequate lighting in the bathroom to avoid trips and falls during nighttime visits. Nightlights can be a simple and effective solution. 

Bedroom Safety

Clear Pathways: Keep pathways in the bedroom clutter free to prevent tripping. Ensure there’s enough space to move around comfortably, particularly getting around the bed.  Be aware where all furniture is when walking around to avoid stubbed toes, particularly at night.

Secure Rugs: If you have throw rugs, use rug grippers or double-sided tape to keep them from slipping. Loose rugs are a common trip hazard. 

Bed Rails: For anyone at risk of falling out of bed, consider installing bed rails to provide extra support and prevent falls.

Nightstands with Drawers: Opt for nightstands with drawers to keep essential items.  This reduces the need to get out of bed at night, minimizing the risk of falls, as you race to grab what you need and not lose a moment’s rest.

Fire Safety: Install battery-operated smoke detectors in the bedrooms if there are none. Make sure to install them 36 inches away from an air vent or the edge of a ceiling fan.  Also six inches away from the joint between the wall and ceiling.  And test smoke detectors regularly.

Kitchen Safety

Non-Slip Flooring: Choose slip-resistant rugs in the kitchen, especially in areas where spills are common. Mats near the sink and stove can also help and you can often buy them fairly cheaply at Costco.

Childproof Cabinets: If you have little ones, use childproof latches on cabinets and drawers to prevent them from accessing potentially hazardous items.

Anti-tip brackets: Install an anti-tip bracket behind the range. These are often used when children are in the home. Although they are less likely to open the oven door and use it as a step stool to get to the stove-top, adults can also benefit from installing these. 

Adequate Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial in the kitchen to avoid accidents. Under-cabinet lighting can illuminate work areas effectively.

Secure Heavy Items: Ensure heavy pots and pans are stored at waist level to prevent straining or dropping them from high shelves.

Sharp Object Storage: Keep knives and other sharp objects in a secure drawer or block. And handle all sharp items with extreme care, even when washing and drying. These steps reduce the risk of accidental cuts.  

Other Safety Tips

Furniture Anchors: Secure heavy furniture, like bookshelves and dressers, to the wall to prevent tip-overs, especially if you have young children.

Adequate Outlets: Check for damaged outlets and replace them promptly. Avoid overloading circuits with too many devices. Install placeholder plugs in outlets to prevent young curious fingers (or tongues?) from going inside an electrical outlet.

Stair Gates: If your home has stairs, install safety gates at the top and bottom to prevent falls, especially if you have toddlers or pets to keep them off of the stairs when you cannot monitor them.

Emergency Escape Plan: Develop and practice an emergency escape plan with your family, including a designated meeting place outside.

Carbon Monoxide Detector:  If your home burns any fossil fuels for heating or appliances, install carbon monoxide detectors in common areas of your home to detect this odorless gas. The D.C. building codes require this if you use a fireplace or if you have an attached garage. In essence, if there is any potential source of carbon monoxide in the home, be sure to install these detectors.

Remember, a safer home not only prevents accidents but also provides peace of mind for you and your family. Implement these simple tips to create a secure environment in every room of your house.

With these practical tips and a few adjustments, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and falls in your home. Enjoy peace of mind in your now much safer haven.

Scott Bloom is owner and senior property manager of Columbia Property Management.

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Celebrity News

Lizzo makes $50K donation to Marsha P. Johnson Institute

Singer is vocal LGBTQ ally

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Lizzo at the 65th Grammy Awards (Screenshot from the Grammy Awards)

When Lizzo sings “If I’m shinin,’ everybody gonna shine,” in her hit song, “Juice,” she means it. Proof of that came this week on Instagram when the LGBTQ ally announced the first winner of her annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign is the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, a national nonprofit based in Richmond, Calif., dedicated to the protection and defense of Black transgender people. 

And she did so in song: “On the first day of Juneteenth, Lizzo gave to me,” she sang in her video, posted Tuesday, as she revealed her $50,000 gift to MPJI.

“That’s right, we know who Marsha P. Johnson is. We know what Marsha P. Johnson has done for the LGBTQ, emphasis on that ‘T,’ Q community,” said Lizzo to her 13.5 million followers. “Thank you so much to the people at the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. You deserve this, and I hope this helps you so much as you help protect our Black trans family.” 

“What the Marsha P. Johnson Institute does is protects and defends the rights of Black transgender people. They do this by organizing community, advocating for the people, and creating an intentional healing community, developing transformative leadership and promoting collective power,” she said. 

“We are overjoyed for the shoutout from Lizzo today, the generosity of her sharing her platform and the recognition of MPJI and its work,” said Elle Moxley, MPJI’s executive director. “The resources from this campaign will ensure the protection and defense of Black transgender people continue at a time where it is so vitally needed. We are so grateful for the support of Lizzo and her fans.”

As one of Time Magazine’s Persons of the Year for 2019 and a 2023 Grammy winner, Lizzo is more than a pop star but an inspiration to millions of fans for her body-positive attitude, her self-confidence on stage and in her videos, her empowering music and her activism. She’s also the founder of her own clothing line, Yitty. In 2021, she made headlines when she publicly corrected a paparazzo for using “she/her” pronouns and misgendering Demi Levato.

As part of her campaign, now in its 4th year, Lizzo recognizes Black-led grassroots organizations and businesses and encourages her fans to join her in supporting each of the five organizations she highlights this week. Fans who take action by donating are  entered into a drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to see her perform at Fuji Rock in Japan later this year. 

This week’s other nonprofits receiving gifts are: Black Girls Smile, Sphinx Music, the University of Houston and Save Our Sisters United.

Find out more about Lizzo’s 4th annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign by clicking here.

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Celebrity News

Anne Heche dies after removal from life support

Actress dated Ellen DeGeneres in late 1990s

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(Screenshot/YouTube Inside Edition)

Actress Anne Heche died after she was removed from life support on Sunday, nearly two weeks after her Mini-Cooper crashed through a two-story house in Los Angeles’ Mar Vista neighborhood. Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department believe she was intoxicated at the time.

She sustained a severe anoxic brain injury along with severe burns and was being treated at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital, near Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley.

The 53-year-old actress who was a star of films like “Donnie Brasco,” the political satire “Wag the Dog” and the 1998 remake of “Psycho,” had been declared legally dead under California law on Friday, however, her family kept her alive long enough to be an organ donor.

In a statement Friday, the LAPD announced that: “As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case. Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case. When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.” LAPD detectives had previously made public that investigators into the crash found narcotics in a blood sample taken from Heche.

The actress’s family released a statement on Friday:

“Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact,” the statement added.

Heche was married to camera operator Coleman Laffoon from 2001 to 2009. The two had a son, Homer, together. She had another son, named Atlas, during a relationship with actor James Tupper, her co-star on the TV series “Men In Trees.”

Laffoon left a moving tribute on an Instagram reel in which he also gave an update on how their 20-year-old son Homer Laffoon is coping with the loss of his mother.

“I loved her and I miss her, and I’m always going to,” he said adding: “Homer is okay. He’s grieving, of course, and it’s rough. It’s really rough, as probably anybody can imagine. But he’s surrounded by family and he’s strong, and he’s gonna be okay.”

“Rest In Peace, Mom, I love you, Homer,” the actor’s 20-year-old son, Homer, said in a statement after Heche was declared legally dead on Friday.“ My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom,” read the statement. “After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully, my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom. Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me. I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time. Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.”

Tupper, a Canadian actor who starred alongside Heche in “Men in Trees,” had a 13-year-old son, Atlas, with her. “Love you forever,” Tupper, 57, wrote on his Instagram post’s caption with a broken heart emoji, which shared an image of the actress from Men in Trees.

Between 1997 and 2000, Heche was also in a relationship with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

“This is a sad day,” DeGeneres posted on Twitter. “I’m sending Anne’s children, family and friends all of my love.” The year after her break-up with the comedian, in September 2001, Heche recounted in her memoir “Call Me Crazy,” about her lifelong struggles with mental health and a childhood of abuse.

KTLA’s entertainment reporter Sam Rubin noted that over the past two decades, Heche’s career pivoted several times. In 2017, she hosted a weekly radio show on SiriusXM with Jason Ellis called “Love and Heche.”

In 2020, Heche made her way into the podcast world. She launched “Better Together” which she cohosted alongside Heather Duffy Boylston. The show was described as a way to celebrate friendship. 

She also worked in smaller films, on Broadway, and on TV shows. She recently had recurring roles on the network series “Chicago P.D.,” and “All Rise” and was a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.”

People magazine reported that several of Heche’s acting projects are expected to be released posthumously.

These include “Girl in Room 13,” expected to be released on Lifetime in September, “What Remains,” scheduled to be released in 2023, and HBO Max TV series “The Idol,” created by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.

In her Instagram post from earlier this year Heche stands between her sons Atlas, 13 and Homer, 20.

From KTLA:

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