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OK good people....here is the pictorial recap of the past 3 months of my sojourn in NYC. In this photo....I am in the Bronx...I have just left the gym...and...as you can probably guess.....I am feeling pretty good about myself....lol.

Now....I apologize in advance if some of my thoughts seem in anyway....scattered....or....incomplete....(uhh....sorry....but....this is a blog...I make NO apology for any misspelled or miss appropriated words..........lol)

Feel free to visit my website at www.ishongo.com Be on the look-out.....cuz....it will soon be updated!!

THINGS OF PROFESSION AND PASSION

Over on the Upper Westside...on my way to the orchestra dress rehearsal for my first VERDI REQUIEM!!








I couldn't resist....the place is called The Buttercup Shop....and they make the most wonderful homemade cupcakes....and they use real EVERYTHING. Even my mama would enjoy these. My favorite is the Red Velvet....and the Peanut Butter and Jelly....oh...and the Sour Cream Spicecake.....ah yes....and the Lemon....and the....well...you get the picture

Well...if you didn't get the picture......here it is!

Did I mention the German Chocolate?






Here at 72nd and Broadway...lies a beggers delight.....Gray's Papaya.....here you can get all beef Hot Dogs for a $1.00 !! Yeah...yeah....I know....I too was skeptical at first....but I got to tell you....they made a believer out of me!















Skyscrapers abound......










My first concert of the Verdi was a Bradeis Auditorium on 84th Street on the upper west side. I was cheesy back when I saw that they had posted my headshot on the display board.



Fellow soloist included: Julia Rowling, soprano, Patrice Houston, mezzo and Nick Incarnato, tenor




The choir number over 130 singers.....and the orchestra nearly 50 players.....it was BIG.....big fun! :-)

Click Below to listen to excerpts from the Verdi Requiem. Sorry it is not the best balance for a recording.....as I am sure it was only recorded for archival purposes. To all the music critics...I am well aware of the imperfections of the recording AND the performances....let's move...shall we?

Confutatis (Bass Aria)

Latin Lyrics
Confutatis maledictis,
flammis acribus addictis,
voca me cum benedictis.

Oro supplex et acclinis,
cor contritum quasi cinis,
gere curam mei finis.

English Translation
After the accursed have been silenced,
given up to the bitter flames,
call me with the blest.

Kneeling and bowed down I pray,
My heart contrite as ashes:
Do Thou {, my End,} care for my end.

Full Background and translation CLICK HERE
Offetorio - Domine Jesu
Lacrymosa
Pie Jesu
Lux aterna

Special thanks to maestri Peter Bellino and Marina Alexander, the Richmond Choral Society, the Mannes Community Orchestra, and my fellow soloist for such a wonderful opportunity.

There is nothing like the comfort and strength...and encouragement....the comes from looking out into the audience and seeing some familiar faces.....and for that....I am continual thankful for the support of my dear fraternity Brothers.....Clifton Flowers, Mekale Jackson, Rod Gailes and Ronnie Johnson, Jr.....all pledged at the Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.....that is the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan.....in case you didn't know.
Ronnie Johnson, Jr., my AP...just love that guy!









This is me down at Columbus Circle....on my way to my second concert of the Verdi.....












For my second Verdi concert.....I had to catch the South Ferry to Staten Island....I couldn't believe it was FREE....it was great fun too....(and yes...that is the Statue of Liberty just to the left)....so....if ever someone should visit.....you MUST do the Ferry.....and they also say it's great for a cheap date.....(wouldn't know anything about that though.....but let me find out)
In the balcony of St. Peters Church....such an awe inspiring building.......this place was just MADE for singing praises to God!.......(and yes....I take all my own pictures...one of the consequences of the single life.









If you look REALLY REALLY REALLY really hard....you can see me.....I am the Black guy in the middle wearing the black tux.

THINGS PICTURESQUE

Me as my first Papageno in Opera/South's production of Mozart's Magic Flute.

Papageno is a a Birdman who catches birds for the star-blazing Queen of the Night....thus the colorful feathers.

Under the direction of Phyllis Lewis-Hale, director of opera at Jackson State University and Dr. Robert Blaine, conductor, this historic revitilazation effort marked the company's first production in 20 years.


Ms. Jeryl Cunningham was the stunning Queen of the Night.













Kevon Thompson, bass, played Sarastro.













Rodney Vaughn, tenor played Tamino and Susan Ruggiero, soprano played Pamino.







Met this guy...Jamie...actually had 4-5 years ago at a greek pari shop in Jackson...we were talking....found out he was a voice major...a baritone..and was learning the famed Bass aria fromt he Messiah..."Thus saith the Lord".....(what are the chances of such a meeting....?...in Mississippi?)

After 4-5 years of no contact....I again had the opportunity to make his aquaintence during the Opera/South production.....as it happens.....he is a student a JSU and studies voice with Ms. Lewis-Hale.

(I think I look a lil too happy in that photo)

THINGS PHROZEN AND FRATERNAL

I am happy to report that my dear chapter Brother.....Sgt. Pascal J. Hall has just returned from his second tour of duty.....he is safe....and well....and in good spirits. Let's continue to keep the servicemen and women in our thoughts and prayers.







Someone sent me this photo.....serviceman fighting in the war....these all happen to be members of my fraternity....Alpha Phi Alpha....(no...Pascal is not in that photo)



Brooklyn native....Univerisity of Michigan graduate....Epsilon initiate....Abdul A. Lediju....recently graduated from the Howard University Law School.

I remember when he was but a freshman...I'm proud of you kiddo!

THINGS I PONDER

"My Life: Between Destiny and Despair"

"You only see my smile
So you think all is fair

You hear only of my strivings
And conclude "He hasn't nery a care!"

Would that you were here
In those quiet times

When encompassed by a darkness
That shadows in my mind
When life has lost it's rhythm and its rhyme

I know well the place of Gethsemane"

I have been pondering this for some time now....."my life....between destiny and despair."

And because I too need encouragement.....and like King Davide.....am oftimes made to "encourage myself".....click below to hear my rendition "The High Place"...with Alvin Waddles at the piano.....we did this for a recital in Detroit...so...I was constrained to respect the confines of the setting.

THINGS NEW YORK

Woke up one Sunday morning...and decided to go for breakfast....yeah....breakfast.....I went to the Food Hut...my little Jamaican place up on Amersterdam and 145th

Beef Liver, cabbage, okra and salt fish, and codfish and butter beans, fried dumpling and a V-8 Fusion....a $6 meal...plus the drink

After breakfast......I decided to take a walk down Amsterdam.....from 145 Street....down to 72nd.....yeah....a long way...but it was pretty much down hill most of the way.

Happened upon this street fair.....vendors lined both sides of the street for at lest 4 blocks.


Yup....600 count thread sheets for only $20....if I actually had a bed....(and some money too).....I would have bought several.







This vendor was selling fresh cook-to-order crepes!......lol....only in New York I tell you!








Roasted and grilled corn (Arroz) , chicken (Pollo), and other things I couldn't translate....it all smelled and look great.







And for the health concious.....fresh fruit smoothies....your choice of mango...papaya....pineapple and strawberries...etc...


And there was soooo much more.....so many vendors.....No....I didn't try....or buy anything....didn't have no money. :-(

Yes ladies.....Victorias Secret.....5 for $20









I had just come out from the puring rain.....so....I took this picture....you live in NYC...and at some point.....you WILL get wet....and you too will decide.....it really don't even matter.









Jerk chicken, greens, cabbage, fried plantain, and fried dumpling, and a V8 Fusion. $6 plus $1.50 for the drink....YIKES!...a whole $1.50!?

Most people know that I have a thing for good food....whether dining out or enjoying a meal at home....I enjoy the dinning experience.....even moreso....I enjoy entertaining.....creating and/or sharing the 'dinning experience' with others......making the memory.

Cabbage, callaloo, ackee, and fried dumpling. $6 meal .... (I think the women at the counter was kinda feelin me....cuz she gave me way too many dumplings....lol).....by the way...the ackee cost $2 more....so....I couldn't afford my V8 on this particular day.

Unfortunately, I very often eat alone here in NYC. (1) I can rarely afford to eat out (2) when I can/do it is usually speratic and given to impulse....so there's little opportunity (or provision) to issue an invitiation

And so.....here and now....(and until my situation changes)......I share these meals with you! lol :-) Bon appetit!

THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

YES! I finally found someone in Harlem who can cut hair!! His name is Gary...and his shop is on 145th between Convent and St. Nicholas...now if I could just look THIS good everyday!! lol....unfortunately....I am a very low-maintence type of guy.

Which leads me to question....what is with all these guys and this high floss high gloss high maintence thing?? I have never in all my life seen so many brothers arching their eyebrows...dapping their lips with Carmex....thin-lining their beards....and having 50 different color sneakers to match only one of their many urban 'outfits'......(in my day...we just wore clothes....since when did guys start wearing bonefided 'outfits'...?)

Anyway....back to my haircut.













lol...and no....my eyebrows are NOT arched.....it is just the angle of the photo.....lol








7th Floor...St. Nicholas....view to the left.....


Oh how often I would that I were a bird...





7th Floor...St. Nicholas....view to the right.....


Quite as I am in my dreams.....






7th Floor...St. Nicholas....view to the head-on.....

Soring above all the world....with a run...jump...or leap...

MORE THINGS NEW YORK

Sidewalk scene 7-stories below...on a hot summer day...urban New Yorkers take to the neighborhoods sidewalks with a grill, a cooler, and some folding chairs....and wham....instant ghetto bbq





Don't knock it.....some of them be smelling pretty good...even from up here! :-)








Let's take a quick peek down in the Fashion District....this trip was taking at the request of my good friend Joe ....apparently....he now wants all of his shoe purchases to come from New York!...lol





Look at all of the colors!.....I know some young kats that would just LOVE this place








Like I said before....this whole shoe as "fashion" thing for men has really gotten out of hand....I mean.....a different color shoe to match various 'outfits'....??...what is THAT about?!....men arching their eyebrows....and caking on lip balm every 15 minutes....and people use to say...."men wearing earrings is bad!".....hm...i dunno....they said the same thing about the Jerry-Curl too......so...maybe it is....JUST a fade......then again....maybe not.

Hey Joe....here are some kickers for ya.....great prices too.....

Bet if I opened a shoe outlet back home....I could prolly make a killing!
















Showing off the haircut again.

THINGS WORTH REMEMBERING

This is old Sparty....on the campus of Michigan State University....(the OTHER university in Michigan....lol)

In any case.....I am a proud product of this institutions Upward Bound Program....and was invited back to attend the program's 40th annivesary celebration and its first Alumni Weekend.

This is Sandy Firestone....one of the programs longtime directors. LOL...she would REALLY keep us in check.....at barely 5 foot and 100 lbs....she could give one look....and that is all it took.





This is my lil cousin....Brandon Dail....he 'followed in my footsteps'....so to speak....and became an Upward Bound student....finished at MSU went on to get a masters in engineering.....another UB success story!

"HOW OLD ARE YOU?"

Over the past 10 years...whenever asked this question....my reply has been to say...."Very!" Well...that is changing.

As a youngster growing up....most people treated me as if I was 'more mature' for my age....and I guess...rightfully so....because....well...I was! But....looking back....I was in such a hurry to 'grow-up'....that by the time I did.....I looked back only to find that I could not remember most of my 'childhood'. Much of it is something of a blur.

For instance....someone took that picture of me....at age 16...playing the piano and I guess....singing a song....but I honestly have no recollection of the circumstances of that event.

Me at age 28....my last year living in San Francisco













Me a few weeks ago...here in Harlem....at age 36....

So....Yeah...for all those who have been asking that question: "How old are you?"....I was born July 5, 1970

What's the secret? Clean living and God's grace

THINGS PROFOUND AND PROPHETIC

I recently had the honor of singing with members of Opera Noire for a MLK celebration honoring life and legacy of Ruby Dee.

L-R: Me, Robert Mack, tenor, Dick Gregory, Ruby Dee, Alteouise DeVaughn, mezzo, Audrey DuBois, soprano

For your listening pleasure...for the edification of your soul....and to encourage your spiritman.....CLICK HERE to hear the incomparable, spell-binding, and Spirit-filled sound of soprano Audrey DuBois and maestro Damien Sneed...as the give their rendition of the spiritual "Give Me Jesus"....as performed live at a recent Opera Noire concert. I perfect collaboration between singer and instrumentalist.....a consumate balance of sophistication and sincerity.....of Soul and of Spirit.....I had the good fortune to hear them for the first time....at this event....and honestly...if she had sang just one more rendition of the reprise...."you can have all dis wohrl"....I would NOT have been responsible for what I would have done afterward.

One day.....the whole world will know...but you can catch a sneak peak by CLICKING HERE

THINGS PEDESTRIAN

It's Saturday afternoon and I just left the gym. Let's take a stroll through the Boogie Down Bronx.






























I've prolly past this corner a couple dozen times now....but have never stopped in for pizza.



















Just across the street ....in the middle of the picture.....is a little bodega (store) where I buy fruit. It's never really that fresh...but...it looks ok...and its inexpensive. 3 oranges for a $1 ....banana's 59 cents per pound...granny smith apples $1.25 per lbs....etc.














Yes....on ONE side of the street you have the REAL stores....on on the OTHER side of the sidewalk....you have the street vendors....selling ALL kinds of things.....usually at 'rock-bottom' prices.





Everything from shoes, hand bags, perfume, arts, crafts, fruit, hats, scarfs, lotions, incense, books,.....you name it.....







On this particular day....the fruit stand here on the street looks far better than that at my little bodega.








Cosmetics galore.










Hats...'knots'..and specticals










Hand bags...and 'church lady purses'










Timekeepers for the fellas










Smell goods for the ladys










I walked a few extra blocks.....and found this mercato....it was very clean and festive.....prices wern't to bad either....maybe I'll make a return trip.

THINGS PHYSICAL

Me up in the Bronx....leaving the gym....









The day of the Noreaster.....yeah....I still went to the gym...










Sometimes....I even go at night...










But day time is preferable....













Part of my strength as an actor...is my use of facial expression.....to convey the nuance



















YES.....I have grey hairs.....I am afterall....a VERY grown and VERY old man....LOL.....actually....I've had them since my mid 20's.








Are we ready yet?










"The road to the MET".....hmm?

I've twice applied to their young artist program...and have twice been denied....they would'nt even grant me a hearing.

(and just by way of update.....Thanks to the wonderful help of Mr. Byron Sean......I gave a great audition for the doctoral program at Rutgers.....but was denied entrance into the program.)

So....what ever is one to do? My answer.....continue to be deligent and dutiful....do good....and be grateful.....and keep believing that for every right desire....there IS an answer"

Click to hear a recording of "Great Day" by Thomas Kerr, Jr....as performed by Byron and I at the Opera Noire concert......and the gospel classic..."My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord" written by my dear friend Mr. Douglas Miller.... with Alvin Waddles at the piano....as I said before....for sake of the recital setting....I used restraint.

I am now preparing for Prelude to Performance....the opera training program of the Martina Arroyo Foundation, which runs June 10 - July 23 here in New York City.

I have been cast as Luther, Schlemil, and Crespel in Tales of Hoffmann by Offenbach.....and I am so excited!! It is an honor to be accepted and invited back to the program and this will be my first French opera! Let me know if any of you want to come to NYC to see the show...I would be happy to assist you in making arrangements. Also....you can check out the program's website for show dates and other details.