Drag Queens from days gone by: Female impersonator Karyl Norman (1896 – 1947) #vintage #photography

Female impersonator Karyl Norman (1896 – 1947)

The 1910′s and 1920′s were the heyday of male and female impersonators. Karyl Norman, younger than Julian Eltinge and other men who impersonated women in vaudeville, billed himself as the “Creole Fashion-plate” and was indeed a glamorous presence on the stage. He sometimes did a double act of sorts, playing female roles and singing in a womanly voice and switching quickly to a male role and singing baritone.

The collapse of vaudeville and the harshness of a growing Depression dispelled some of the frivolity of previous decades. Blue laws were introduced that made female impersonation against the law. The female impersonators like Eltinge and Norman retreated into the shadows of underground clubs. Little is known of Karyl Norman’s later years, but he seems to have entertained in the clubs of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Florida.

All Things #Nashville -- Summer Starts Here

Reblogged from Sit a Spell:

• 

There is so much going on in town over the next few days that it is genuinely overwhelming...but I'm giving you the highlights.

• Tomorrow in Donelson -- Hip Donelson Farmer's Market at 108 Donelson Pike...EVERY Friday from 4-7. Facebook page found here.
• The Dancin' in the District (now horribly known as Nashville Dancin' released the line-up today."Nashville, Tenn. – May, 16, 2013 – Music City's FREE premier community event Nashville Dancin' presented by Dollar General is revving up for the summer.

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Your one-stop site for the people, places and things happening in our fair City...

Face Of The Day

Reblogged from The Dish:

U.S. President Barack Obama looks to see if it stopped raining as a U.S. Marine holds an umbrella for him, during a news conference with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey in the Rose Garden on May 16, 2013. President Obama also answered questions on the IRS Justice Department investigation. By Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

WHAT A PIC

Josephine Returns

Josephine Baker performing after a 25-year absence in New York City, 1950. Photo by Eve Arnold.

Josephine Baker (June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975) was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress. Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri, she became a citizen of France in 1937. Fluent in both English and French, Baker became an international musical and political icon. She was given such nicknames as the “Bronze Venus”, the “Black Pearl”, and the “Créole Goddess”.

Baker was the first African-American female to star in a major motion picture, Zouzou (1934), to integrate an American concert hall, and to become a world-famous entertainer. She is also noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States (she was offered the unofficial leadership of the movement by Coretta Scott King in 1968 following Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, but turned it down), for assisting the French Resistance during World War II, and for receiving the French military honour, the Croix de guerre.

When one door closes… #SayingsIHate #IWillSayThisInResponseNextTime

This saying and “Everything happens for a reason” are two of the most sanctimonious expressions…typically used to dismiss loss. Sadness is not the enemy. Untreated depression is the enemy.

I ~~*LOVE*~~ Thrift Stores

Reblogged from Thought Catalog:

I love thrift stores -- and I mean love. It’s the type of love one might have for Law and Order SVU once they get to season 9, a kind of no-turning-back-I-love-this-even-though-it’s-probably-not-good-for-me-and-can’t-stop type of love. And sure, going to thrift stores might not be the healthiest obsession. I mean there are probably some negative side-effects to long-term exposure to whatever it is they use to disinfect the clothes, and I could see how there might be a downside to filling your closet with other people’s castaways, not to mention the cumulative money spent over the years.

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I am very much in line with this author. I know what thrifting can mean...how it can bring shame. But, for me...it brings immeasurable joy.

The Empress of the Blues #AintSheGrand

Bessie Smith

This reminded me of Otto Maduro and reminds me that kindess is its own power.

Our Favorite Things: Villain Songs

Reblogged from Girls in Capes: TV & Film Writer Janelle Smith The main reason that I love “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame so much is because it approaches a subject matter that isn’t child-friendly: a man who is lusting over a woman. In the song, Judge Claude Frollo talks about his growing desire to have […]

Ok. I admit. I originally read this because of the giant “PENIS” on the graphic. #LearnSomethingNewEveryDay

From I love fucking science group on FB

Some days you are the swooping predator and some days you are the oblivious mouse.

Photo by Tom Samuelson

United Humanists give you the best caption contest you will see today. #humanism

My caption? “Go home God. You’re drunk.”

Christians should really stop doing things like this. Or at least do a good parody.

Terrible terrible terrible

A Black Lillies Playlist…’cause I really like you

Interview - The Black Lillies

Reblogged from Evolution of a Fan: As I stood behind the Americana Stage at MerleFest and waited for the members of The Black Lillies to congregate for the interview, I observed their post-set routine—careful casing of beloved instruments, quick visits with old friends, and sincere entertaining of questions, adorations and photographs with fans. Somewhere in […]

Love this, although I read it this way… A girl should DO two things: who and what she wants.

Homophobic males: The fear that another man will treat you like you treat women

Reblogged from Under the Mountain Bunker: Shut up and deal with the world you’ve created. “We were discussing homosexuality because of an allusion to it in the book we were reading, and several boys made comments such as, “That’s disgusting.” We got into the debate and eventually a boy admitted that he was terrified/disgusted when […]

Looking for a last-minute gift for Mom?

Reblogged from Point4CounterPoint: Looking for a last-minute gift for Mom? Show how much you admire Mom with a Mercy Corps gift – and help a family in poverty thrive. You’ve gotten everything you need to make this Mother’s Day just perfect, right? If you haven’t, don’t worry! It’s not too late to get Mom a […]

Questions For Your Conservative Friends

Reblogged from The Democratic Dialectic: The next time your conservative friend tells you they vote Republicans because they believe in small government, fiscal conservatism or family values, ask them the following questions: 1) when you say “small government”, do you mean like when male politicians decide when a woman can or cannot have an abortion? […]

#MothersDayTweetsOfNote

shonda rhimes ‏@shondarhimes  “Mother is not a title. Mother is a verb. It is not who you are. It’s what you do.” -my mother aka the smartest woman on the planet

Chase it.

“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery–isolation. […]

Frost flowers: beauty in the far north

Reblogged from Point4CounterPoint: by Lynda V. Mapes Jeff Bowman had never heard of frost flowers when he decided to study them to earn his PhD in oceanography at the University of Washington. But, as it turned out, they are a ubiquitous, spectacular marvel at both poles, forming whenever the conditions are just right, with superchilled air […]

11 Thoughts I Have About 'Scandal'

Reblogged from Thought Catalog: 1. My all-time favorite quote from the show, “Everyone is a good guy to someone, it just depends on your point of view…” is a true but terrifying statement. So even murderers, terrorists, etc. they’re all good guys to someone. Yeah… 2. Olivia Pope is a fixer. Is that an actual […]

Depression, Illustrated

Reblogged from The Dish: The brilliant cartoonist and writer Allie Brosh is back, still battling clinical depression and as insightful about the condition as ever: At first, I’d try to explain that it’s not really negativity or sadness anymore, it’s more just this detached, meaningless fog where you can’t feel anything about anything — even the things […]

"Guitar" - Spray Paint on Canvas by Me....

Reblogged from Ray Ferrer – Emotion on Canvas: “Guitar” - is spray paint on canvas, it measures 36″ x 24″ and it will be one of MANY pieces on display at my San Diego exhibition through August 2013.   ***ALSO***   I will be giving away free merchandise to random followers on my Facebook page every month!  Come over […]

Flappers. The Charleston. Washington DC. #YouCannotLose

Flappers do the Charleston on the railing, with U.S. Capitol in background.

God it sucks being a middle generation // Generation X Doesn’t Want To Hear It

God it sucks being a middle generation // Generation X Doesn’t Want To Hear It

When you realize that your chains are made of assumptions…

Context matters. Always. #LearnedHelplessness

He lifted me like a Superhero, but showed me how to be a better human #RIP #OttoMaduro #Drew #ThankATeacher

In August of 1993, I arrived on the campus of Drew University for the first time. For many tragic reasons, I didn’t visit the campus before accepting admission to the Theological School. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to study religion. I had never been to New Jersey or NYC and I was running away […]

Her intensity — you can see she is not persuaded #Vintage #photo

Photographer and subject unknown

Lessons from Childhood: The Lion King and Poverty

Reblogged from Girls in Capes: Like many a 90’s child, The Lion King was one of my very favorite movies growing up. Timon and Pumbaa were funny, I couldn’t resist crying a little when Mufasa died, and it was tons of fun bouncing around on my couch with my little sister while singing “I Just […]

Ms. Prairie Rose — showing you what unabashed joy looks like

Ms. Prairie Rose Henderson – Hall of Fame Cowgirl

56. String City: Nashville's Tradition of Music and Puppetry

Reblogged from 365 Days of Nashville – Music City: It’s a puppet show based on the story of country music and Music City. How cool is that?! The Nashville Public Library and Foundation has partnered with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to present String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry. The […]

I’ve been a temptress too long…give me a reason to love you #AThousandFlowersCouldBloom

Love this song. Love this band. And yes, it is a fantastic song to get dirty to…

What Hating Gwyneth Paltrow Says About Us

Reblogged from Thought Catalog: This month, Gwyneth Paltrow pulled one hell of a pop culture hat trick. In addition to breaking international box office records with her newest film, a little movie called Iron Man 3, People named her as the world’s “Most Beautiful Person.” The world, however, proved itself not so fond of the […]

Go ‘head….”Love Me Like a Man” #BonnieRaitt #blues #LawdHelp

1977 with Jerry Portnoy

We Are All Wonder Women!

How lovely is this!

To Admit You Suck At Something Should Elicit Compassionate Instruction (especially in bed)

Everyone wants to be good in bed. Kind of like a “sense of humor,” it seems everyone assumes they are funny…unitl they are not. If we suck in bed, it is likely we have no idea. Some incredibly intelligent people still don’t know what to do with a clitoris. Some very confident women don’t tell […]

Losing My Religion

Reblogged from Women and Words: That’s me in the corner. That’s me in the SPOT-light…. Okay, I got that out of my system! I waffled back and forth considerably when I considered writing the subject matter in this blog. Then again, I’m a Libra, I’m used to it. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you […]

Comics 101, Issue #002: Fairy Quest; Outlaws

Reblogged from Girls in Capes: Comics 101 is an introduction to running series for those who are interested in trying comics, but are unsure of what to try. The Comics 101 series is aimed particularly at female readers who may be interested in trying comics for the first time. With only a few exceptions, most […]

Toot Toot Hey Beep Beep

The fierceness that is Donna Summer.

Get Down On It #burlesque #vintage

Lilly Christine – burlesque dancer, 1950′s

Not funny

Reblogged from Point4CounterPoint: Philip Seymour Hoffman 23 of the nation’s leading cartoonists have something to say about gun violence — and it isn’t funny. Watch this amazing short film and share it with your friends and family. In the wake of the tragic mass shooting in Newtown, these artists came together and created some beautiful images […]

Wonder Woman.

Watch the doc: Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines http://video.pbs.org/video/2331042879

Tina Fey’s “A Mother’s Prayer” #LeadHerAwayFromActingButNotAllTheWayToFinance

A Mother’s Prayer by Tina Fey “First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches. May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty. When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she […]

I am in love with Josephine Baker. She. Is. Such. A. Badass.

Josephine Baker also had a pet cheetah. She actually had him walked around Paris on a leash.

Dorothy Lamour would really like for you to caption this pic. #Vintage #photography

Dorothy Lamour, 1930′s.

Goals Are For Losers

Reblogged from A Canvas Of The Minds: Time flies, fun or not. A week, a month, a year simply…vanishes. I graduated a year ago, and it has taken most of that year to recover enough to think about next steps. Another job search, and probably moving. Continuing efforts to improve my health. Things like that. […]

I’m about to do a Poetry Slam — wherever it is you are. #SpokenWord #NationalPoetryMonth

Retribution Not Lost  Apostle Lithium Chronicle On Writing

Zore Neale Hurston’s Got Something To Say

Another great quote: “Those that don’t got it, can’t show it. Those that got it, can’t hide it.” PREACH

Wanna know happenings and deals around Nashville? Like us on Facebook. We will like you back.

Wanna know happenings and deals around Nashville? Like us on Facebook. We will like you back. Sit a Spell in Nashville is a multi-media blog about the Nashville we know. We are Lindsey Sellers and Kristen Chapman Gibbons & longtime Nashvillians.

Bert Savoy (1888-1923) Early Female Impersonator #Vintage #Photography

Bert Savoy (1888 – 1923) female impersonator. The 14-year old Everette worked as a female taxi-dancer until he had enough money to head for the Yukon to dig for gold. In Chicago in 1904, using the name Bert Savoy, he married a showgirl called Ann Krehmker, and they worked in vaudeville as Savoy and Savoy […]

Drinking Your Own Kool-aid: The Psychology of Hyping Yourself Up

Reblogged from psychologistmimi: New Yorkers tend to be a tad bit on the jaded side. Seen that. Been there. Done that.  When superstorm Sandy hit, it was a bit overwhelming because we hadn’t fully bought into the weather hype. Nature was unimpressed by this. The ocean, comprising 70% of the planet’s surface and thus fairly […]

How badly do you want it?

Reblogged from Broadside: By Caitlin Kelly Here is a powerful essay by British pianist James Rhodes, from The Guardian, about the many sacrifices he’s made for his music: Admittedly I went a little extreme – no income for five years, six hours a day of intense practice, monthly four-day long lessons with a brilliant and […]

The Roaring Twenties

Reblogged from : Flapper: Term used in the early 1900 to describe a young girl who had yet to become a debutante. By the 1920′s it meant any young woman who cut her hair short, wore Cloche hats and later Berets, a short skirt and blouse, stockings rolled at the knees, and heeled – usually T-bar […]

From appalled to applauding: Reactions to Meg Jay’s controversial talk about 20-somethings

Reblogged from TED Blog: Monday’s TED Talk, “Meg Jay: Why 30 is not the new 20,” has been a runaway hit: five days later, it has nearly 600,000 views and almost 200 comments on TED.com alone. Commenters of all ages have offered personal anecdotes, helpful resources and a fair dose of criticism, many writing about […]

You Should Feel Nostalgic About The Future

Reblogged from Thought Catalog: It’s the end of something. You’ve been at the beach resort for a week and now you’re flying back to work. You’ve been on your college campus for 4 years and now your all-embracing microcosm implodes. You’re moving to another burg. You’re changing jobs, or is it breaking ties with your […]

25 Things You Didn't Know About 'The Great Gatsby'

Reblogged from Thought Catalog: 1. In its initial publication, the novel received mixed reviews. Although championed by The New York Times, noted essayist and critic H.L. Mencken called it a “glorified anecdote” and others felt it to be a “minor” work and a comedown after The Beautiful and the Damned and This Side of Paradise. […]