A Salute to Monica Pearson

On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, more than 300 guests gathered at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, to celebrate 37 years of career success for WSB-TV veteran anchor

Monica Pearson

. An evening filled with surprises, guests walked the blue carpet, Monica's favorite color, and were escorted upstairs for a special cocktail reception where they mixed, mingled and took pictures with Monica. Following cocktail hour, guests entered the dazzling Eygptian Ballroom decorated by Tony Conway of Legenday Events and were thrilled to discover that the surprise guest emcee was

Robin Roberts

of Good Morning America. 

Before the three-course dinner was served, an Invocation was performed by Bishop Wiley Jackson, which led into a toast for Monica by Vice President and General Manager of WSB-TV, Tim McVay. A performance from the Morehouse College Glee Club and Alumni and a blessing of the meal by Father John Adamski followed. As guests dined, they enjoyed performances from Theresa Hightower and the Mose Davis Trio.

As the dinner portion of the evening began to wind down, a video for Monica was played, which included a special message from

Oprah Winfrey

.  Throughout the evening speakers Ambassador Andrew Young, Mayor Kasim Reed, Director, Kenny Leon, and WSB-TV's John Pruitt, Jovita Moore and Justin Farmer all took to the stage singing Monica's praises and bidding her the best of luck in her retirement. Station Director Marian Pittman and Tim McVay also surprised Monica by donating $37,000 dollars to Meals on Wheels, one of her favorite charities, on her behalf.

The evening concluded as WSB-TV members joined Monica on stage for a Salute to Monica video before she gave her final words and thanked her family, friends, co-workers, and supporters. The final surprise for Monica was Theresa Hightower singing "Fever" and getting Monica and all the guests to join in.

join

fashionado

on

facebook

&

twitter

Astrology with Maxine Taylor ~ Move Into the Magic

"When you fall in love with you, the world falls in love with you. Because we are love. That's what we are and that love is God in an earthbound body." Maxine Taylor.

A powerful introduction from an amazing astrologer, in fact, Georgia's first licensed astrologer. I recently sat with Maxine Taylor, which was my first time visiting with an astrologer, to have my birth chart and my annual astrological forecast read. I was blown away at the accuracy of what I learned about myself, my character, my personality and my potential!

The birth chart "validates" our existence by telling

you

about

you

based on where the planets, sun and the moon were aligned within the universe at the time of birth. [Prior to my visit with Maxine, I provided her with the date, day of the week and time of (my) birth.] As a Scorpio with a Virgo ascendant I learned that I'm supposed to be exactly who I am, quirks and all. So rather than fighting myself so much, I am now have a better understanding of why I

am

and why I

do

.Perhaps you're a Scorpio too but remember the readings are specific to you and only you!

Maxine explained the meaning and power of every planet present in all twelve houses. That was eye opening.

[I learned / reaffirmed!] that as a Scorpio, I need to be in control all the time.

True

. But she explains, "there's a fear of not being in control and this is not ego, this is survival. With a Scorpio, everything's life or death." Wow, Maxine hit the nail on the head! She went on to confirm what I've known - and battled internally - that I always think 20 paces ahead, crossing t's and dotting i's while worrying about the details. No kidding, I have been this way since childhood.

The annual forecast reading was significant because it detailed the "raw potential" that my life and career has in store based on planetary alignment and the effects of eclipses through 2013. I left with a feeling of empowerment. Oh, and a CD of the hour long reading. Trust me, I've played it over and over.

Visit Maxine's

website

and

move into the magic

... Treat yourself to a reading. I promise it will answer questions and open eyes. You will leave with a sense of clarity and a feeling of empowerment. *Through Maxine's website you can also sign up for her free monthly forecasts. I get them and love them!

[caption id="attachment_14153" align="aligncenter" width="382" caption="Photos by Tomas Espinoza Photography."]

[/caption]

"To be afraid and not to care that you are afraid is the courage of which Scorpio is made."

join

fashionado

on

facebook

&

twitter

EMME... Super Everything!

Laura Turner Seydel introduced Emme as the "first super size super model" last week at a luncheon at her "Eco Manor" in Buckhead. About 100+ guests  were treated to the fabulous model, mother and activist who spoke about positive self-esteem and body image.

Emme, who started as a TV journalist said that she "fell into modeling" and signed with agency in NYC. As a "plus-size" model she faced her share of ridicule from an insensitive industry that told her she's not pretty and called her "fat!" Cruel words that could demage the average person. Emme, on the other hand, found strength from this and showed them all by being named

People Magazine's

50 most beautiful... TWICE! "Women come in a bouquet of beauty" she pointed out.

Emme was engaging and so inspiring. She exudes positivity and I was totally captivated. I could have heard her speak for hours. 

A few great Emme quotes to live by: "Your actions make a difference. Just don't do anything, do something!" 

"Activism starts with the mindset that diversity exists." 

"Great self esteem comes from inside and feels hot and wonderful."

Visit Emme's website EmmeNation: where mind, body and spirit meet.

fashionado

Celebrity Dance Challenge 2011

Fashioned after hit shows like So You Think You Can DanceTM and Dancing with the StarsTM, local Atlanta non-profit,

EDIN

(The Eating Disorders Information Network), and Dance 101 are joining forces again for the

2011 Celebrity Dance Challenge

TM. Local Atlanta celebrities partner with Dance 101 teachers and compete by dancing for votes! The number of fan votes received determines winners. Anyone can vote for his or her favorite celebrity for as little as $1.00 per vote. Tickets to the performance are $25.00 plus tax & service charge. Tickets are on sale now:

http://www.woodruffcentertickets.org

.

HLN Anchor

Christi Paul

& CBS Better Mornings' 

Brandon Rudat

who both competed last year, return as this year's emcees.

Richie Arpino

and

Ofelia de la Valette

return as judges with a new addition,

Me

! [I competed in the 1st annual and was the first runner up, I danced in the opening group number last year and now, I'm so excited to come back and NOT have to cut a rug.]

Former American Idol finalist,

Anoop Desai

will be the guest performer. He recently released his first EP, All Is Fair.

Celebrity Dance Challenge is Saturday December 3rd at 7pm, 14th Street Playhouse.

AND your 2011 DANCERS:

• Patric Bell, Local Celebrity Chef

• Julio Cesar, L’Oreal Professionnel Design Artist

• Alyson Steiniger Howard-Hoag, CEO/Founder, Authentic Beauty

• Kristin Klingshirn, Member of Q100’s The Bert Show

• Ginair Goodwin McKerrow, LCSW, Psychotherapist & Philanthropist

• Samantha Mohr, On-Camera Meteorologist at the Weather Channel

Who'll win?

YOU control the votes!!

fashionado

twitter

Disco REPLAY

[caption id="attachment_11017" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="B52s Fred Schneider."]

[/caption]

Atlanta was overcome by a dusting of glitter and feathers Halloween weekend as some of the city's stylemakers, hipsters and celebrities were struck by discofever in

Cathleen Smith's

DISCOWEEN for

Canine Companions for Independence

. Hosted by the super-groovy B52

Fred Schneider

in a blond afro, he and DJ

Vicki Powell

made sure that Paris on Ponce became the best disco in town in what had to be the best weekend party in Atlanta. Photographer

Ben Rose

captured all the fun and debauchery for us to enjoy... 

A glamourous Caren West and a very chic Cathleen Smith live it up like Studio 54 with a sexy hustler and a 70's zombie, aka Justin Gray.

Sweet puppy Violet who will soon be undergoing her training for Canine Companions for Independence.

Fred Schneider with DJ Vicki Powell who set the floor on fire with classic disco favorites all night long.

Andy Warhol, don't leave without your "It Girl" Edie Sedgwick.

That's a whole lotta 'stache!

Pan Am flight 1979 departs after the Last Dance...

Chad, Caren and I are feeling groovy!

Pretty couple Coy Wire and his wife Claire.

It takes a Village!

GAGAlicious from hair to heels!

HOLY DISCO Batman!

Hey mister, have you got a dime...

Ziggy!

Foxy Nicole Paige Brooks.

And this is why clowns are scary...

Discoween was a successful 70's blast! Great costumes, drinks, food, music and people. Canine Companions is very lucky to have the super powers of Cathleen Smith on their side and we are very lucky that Ben Rose stayed all night!

fashionado

Sir ARI GOLD ~ Spirit, Flesh, Sparkle

Sir Ari Gold

is certain to

'Sparkle'

at the

Atlanta Pride

stage this week. I got turned on to Ari Gold about four years ago through his music videos which played regularly on the LogoTV Network. The music was great and well, Ari was easy on the eyes. So, with that said, you can imagine my excitement when I read in

Project Q

that Ari Gold was to headline Pride! I wasted no time in contacting him for a "chat".

We chatted about the things that matter most to Sir Ari Gold: his music & LBGT rights. And if you're not familiar with his music, Gold describes it as a mixture of R&B, dance, soul and pop. [

I describe it as fabulous.

]

I asked Sir Ari Gold how he came to choose Atlanta Pride and learned that we chose him! He said: The Pride Committee approached me. I've done about fifty Prides but I have never done Atlanta. I'm excited to come. I hear Atlanta has a love of music.

What can we expect on Sunday October 9th?

I want people to get a good feeling of what I do. I'll perform songs from the new album

Between the Spirit & the Flesh

. I'm bringing dancers along with me so we'll take a journey with my sets. I like to give a little theater...

You made a choice to be openly gay. Will you talk about that?

I think it stems from being an

artist and not really being famous nor rich but its more about being able to write and sing about the things I'm passionate about. I couldn't justify in my head being 'out' in my public and private life and not having that be a part of what I do. I need to write about the things I see every day from the perspective of a gay man - that's a big part  of my life...

How did folks react at first to your lyrics and content?

I came into resistance from the industry. Unfortunately many of them were gay themselves who told me I should go into the closet or that I won't sell records.

You are an active supporter of gay/civil rights and anti-bullying. Tell me about [your]

It Gets Better

video.

I read

Dan Savage's

column religiously. Its amusing and informative. I saw a call for those videos so I did one. That too got a great response! Whenever I can use my platform to propell acceptance to move LBGT people forward, I try and do so. [

WATCH VIDEO

]

When I asked Sir Ari Gold about his musical inspirations he laughed a little because he gets asked this loaded question all the time. He answered as concisely as possible since his influences are multi-layered and  cross generational:

[At first] I loved and worshiped many great artists in the 80's like Michael Jackson, Madonna and George Michael. However, as I did my research, I fell in love with the 70's and artists like Sylvester, Chaka Khan and  Johnny Hideway.  And of course, I'm influenced by 90's.

The videos for

Human, Make My Body Rock

and

Wave of You

are some of my favorites. They're beautifully artistic. Sir Ari Gold describes the sexy

Make My Body Rock

video as "a True Blood meets Mad Men deconstruction of heterosexual marriage and a heterosexist economy." His

Wave of You

video was a collaboration between Ari and director Guy Guido and serves as an homage to the "iconic" body of work of the late photographer Herb Ritts.

Currently, Sir Ari Gold is promoting his new album, the critically acclaimed,

Between the Spirit & the Flesh.

The second single to be released,

Sparkle

, features the vocals of

Sarah Dash

. The song serves as a "self-empowerment" anthem and "a rallying cry against all bullies" as described by Sir Ari.

When I asked if he'd ever consider doing a full concert in Atlanta Ari enthusiastically answered, "I would love to!" In the meantime, you can enjoy Sir Ari Gold on Pride Sunday, October 9th at the

Coca-Cola Stage

at 6:15. [

I know I'll be there... not missing this one!!

]

BTW, and if you're wondering why the "Sir"... Ari was knighted by the

Imperial Court of New York

...

fashionado

Atlanta COTILLION~10 Years of Gay Royalty

There seems to be a charity fundraiser or two or three every week in Atlanta, yet, only a very small number stand out as different, unique and creative. The

Atlanta Cotillion

for

AID Atlanta

has embodies all three characteristics, plus a fourth: longevity.

Congratulations, Atlanta Cotillion for offering a different way of fundraising, through a creative means in the most unique of endeavors. "10 years of Royalty" speaks loudly of your success and commitment to the Atlanta community.

So, what is the Atlanta Cotillion?

In their words:

Annually, a group of gentlemen from the Atlanta gay community participate as “debutantes” in a unique fundraising concept to benefit HIV/AIDS charities.  Each participant is given a financial goal; how they reach and, almost always, exceed that goal depends on their creativity, resources and passion for helping those affected by HIV/AIDS.  Since 2002 the Atlanta Cotillion has not only donated over $750,000, but has also become one of the single largest donors of unrestricted funds to AID Atlanta, the largest AIDS service organization in the southeast.

After months of creative individual fundraising efforts, the Atlanta Cotillion social season culminates in the lively and entertaining

Atlanta Cotillion Ball

. In keeping to tradition the escorted debutantes are presented on stage to celebrate their fundraising successes.  As the highlight of the evening, the debutante who has raised the most funds is crowned Queen of the Atlanta Cotillion Ball.  Now in its ninth year in this format, the Atlanta Cotillion Ball is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Atlanta and has achieved national awareness.

[caption id="attachment_9999" align="aligncenter" width="382" caption="The reigning Cotillion Queen who raised $15K, Ava VonSeco. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Cotillion."]

[/caption]

The six dedicated gentlemen turned "Debutantes" making a significant difference in fundraising for an important cause are: 

John Ford

(Chardonnay Chenine d'Asti)

; 

Tim Hobby

(Lotta Pusse')

; 

JD Kellum

(Jacqueline D'Bouvier VonSeco)

; 

Jesse Rhodes

(Gabriella Sofia "Sophie" Isabel)

; 

Ric Sosa

(Sofia Santana “GiGi” de la Gorgonzola-Gonzalez)

; 

John Weathers

("McCray Iona "Mona" Fitzjohn"

)

Cotillion X

takes places on Saturday, September 17 at

The Foundry at Puritan Mill.

For information on all things Cotillion, visit their

AIDAtlanta

website. Maybe you'll get inspired to attend! Look for a recap and photogallery later next week!

fashionado