Auburn Avenue Spring Fest 2012 Atlanta GA

A young lady who has a collection of photographs she has taken with celebrities was on a popular morning show.  When asked what is the key to getting celebrities to pose, she said “choosing the right time to take a photo.”

When I was photographing people at the mall, a man asked “Who are you?”  I responded by saying “Who are you?  He then wanted to know what I was doing.  I said “I’m taking photos of fashions.”  He wanted to know why.  I then asked “Why do you want to know?  I’m not taking any pictures of you.”  When he got out of his car, I moved back and  thought to myself  “Is this going to be another citizen’s arrest?”   As it turns out, he stepped out of his auto to look around for someone he was waiting for.

Singer/Songwriter/Actor Krystle "Kryscendo" Pitts

Choosing the right time is the key.  That’s one of the reasons I look forward to attending the Auburn Avenue Spring Fest in Atlanta.  At the festival, there is a variety of food, refreshments, merchandise and entertainment.   What’s more, I can people watch and take photos without answering twenty questions.  The event draws a host of photographers and tourists.  So I blend right in.

The most popular fashion trend at the festival is the Maxi dress.  Also in style are pants in various colors, denim shorts paired with tees, above the knee frocks and black and white fashions.

After checking out the festivities and taking a few photographs, I headed back to my car — no questions asked.  Choosing the right time is the key.

On the grounds at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta GA

The Sweet Auburn Fest 2012 will be held from May 11 to May 13 in the Historic District of Atlanta, Georgia.

If you are color shy during a season when color is key, use your cosmetics as an accessory.   Add a pop of color to a monotone look by contrasting your lip and/or nail shade.  You can also make a statment by coordinating your manicure back to your fashions.  Aretha Franklin’s stylist matched the color of the Queen of Soul’s nail polish with her turquoise blue gown for a Trumpet Award red carpet look. 

Tarte

Speaking about looks, my favorite eyeliner is Tarte’s emphasEYES  Amazonian clay waterproff liner in green.  I apply it whenever I wear fashions  in khaki, white or black and white. I pair the eye shadow color with a lip shade in either sheer hot pink, copper or neutral–depending upon what I’m wearing. The other day, I was speaking with a young lady who was sporting a manicure with mixed colors and patterns.  One nail was painted avacado while the other nail was decorated with a black and white diagonal stripe– the pattern continued across her nails.  It looked great!

If wearing mixed colored fashions is not your thing but you want to stay on trend, try sporting more colorful cosmetics and have fun with summer!

For a report on Atlanta fashions, visit www.atltrends.com/AtlantaFashion.htm

 
   (left) Xernona Clayton and Ted Turner, recipient of the Golden Trumpet Award

Upon my arrival at the Performing Arts Centre at 11:40 am, I immediately signed in at the media desk and was appointed a spot on the red carpet. As it so happens, It started to drizzle around 1:00 pm, so the media, stationed outdoors, was asked to come into the Cobb Energy Performing Arts building. While waiting inside for the light rain to pass, I decided to write a few notes.

This is the 20^th Anniversary of the Trumpet Awards. If one would ask Xernona Clayton about the occasion, she may reminisce about the time when she first approached Ted Turner, founder of CNN and TBS, about the idea of honoring African Americans who excelled in their endeavors. Colleagues had advised her to be well prepared when she spoke to him, so Xernona Clayton stayed up all night working on her proposal. To her delight, Ted Turner approved of the idea without asking any questions. “Let’s do it,” he said. Xernona Clayton, founder and executive producer of the Trumpet Awards and president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation,  may also tell you how the Trumpet Awards has evolved to become an international event that has influenced other cultures.

 
 Tyrese Gibson, Actor - Pinnacle Award Recipient

The weather cleared, so back to our designated stations the media went. While waiting for the arrivals, a couple of photographers spotted actor/rapper Ice-T’s daughter LeTesa who was covering the Trumpet Awards. All eyes were on her blue suede, leopard print, over-the-knee high boots. That’s a mouthful. She’s very personable. LeTesha commented that she was supposed to be working not taking pictures. One of the photographers replied, ”You knew that you were going to get noticed when you put those boots on.” She smiled and said “yeah.”

 
         (left) Mrs. Carolyn Young

 On the Red Carpet 2:30 pm

A host of dignitaries and celebrities came out to celebrate the Trumpet Awards 20^th Anniversary. Aretha Franklin appeared on the red carpet dressed in a beautiful blue gown. The Queen of Soul came to accept the Civil Rights Warrior Award on behalf of her late father Rev. C. L. Franklin. Others who graced the red carpet include Senator John Lewis; Ted Turner, recipient of the Golden Trumpet Award; Tyrese Gibson, Pinnacle Award recipient; Blair Underwood, Actor; Mrs. Carolyn Young (Rev. Andrew Young was in Ghana), Earth, Wind & Fire, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; Emmitt and Pat Smith, NFL Hall-of-Fame -recipient of the Humanitarian Award; and Rev. Run to name a few.

Emmitt and Pat Smith, NFL Hall Of Fame
Humanitarian Award Recipient

Highlights 

Gloria Goven from the Basketball Wives attended the event as well.  When asked who are you wearing? Ms. Goven replied, ” BCBG. I shop at the Mall like everyone else.”

When Ted Turner arrived, the announcer warned the media that he was not going to stop for photos. The photograph that I took of him and Xernona Clayton was one of my favorites.

When Rolling Out asked Blair Underwood about Valentines Day, he responded “My wife’s birthday is next week. I have to concentrate on that first!”

                      Earth, Wind & Fire – Lifetime Achievement Award

 
                         Congressman John Lewis

  The Fashion Report

Black evening attire was popular on the Red Carpet at the Trumpet Awards. Mid-range jewel tones were in style as well. Most popular  were gowns in royal blue or deep violet, which prove to be alternatives to navy and dark purple.

One family coordinated their look. The wife wore a gray gown while her daughter sported evening wear in pink. The husband is a recipient of the Power at the Front Door Award. An honor for hotel general managers of African decent.

After photographing the last arrivals, the media packed up. As always, I had a great time. While in my car, the first thing that I did was tap the “home” option on my GPS. When the system directed my car to I-285, I rerouted to I-75 and headed home.

The taping of the Trumpet Awards Ceremony was held at the Cobbs Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta,  on Saturday, January 7, 2012. 

The first broadcast viewing window on local networks for the Trumpet Awards is March 24-May 6, 2012; WSB-TV (ABC) in Atlanta, GA will air during this time.  The Trumpet Awards will also air on April 8, 2012 on TV One.  Wayne Brady will serve as host.  Special guests include The O’Jays, Mint Condition and Naturally Seven.

Angela Ragsdale

　CLICK ON LINK TO SEE CLIP FEATURING TYRESE AND BLAIR UNDERWOOD ON THE RED CARPET  http://www.atltrends.com/News.htm

Blair Underwood

Rev. Run

Rev. Willie Bolden, International Civil Rights Walk of Fame Inductee

Georgianna Bolden

Gloria Govan, Basketball Wives (Center) Power at the Front Door Award Recipient

(Center) Power at the Front Door Award Recipient

Check out the video clip on http://www.atltrends.com/News.htm

     
                                        The Braxton Sisters

        Pastor Paula White

            Judge Glenda Hatchett

      Rev. Clifton Davis and Wife

  Aliyah Najm, T-Pain’s Mom