Living It
A hayride with HOTBOX
Wednesday, November 9, 2005 3:59 PM CST
David AN Jackson is hitching his arts project to a wagon in Forest Park
next weekend
By Lydia McGhee
For The St. Louis American
Combine the old-fashion feel of a hayride with the urban setting of St.
Louis’ Forest Park and the result is a fun-filled event appropriate for the
perfect date or the entire family.
Every fall the City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and
Forestry offers pulled hayrides through historic Forest Park where
individuals and groups can reserve wagons and end their 45-minute trip
with a bonfire.
For several years David AN Jackson, founding artistic director and
producer of The HOTBOX Virtualclub.STL, has reserved wagons for a
Illustration by Kevin Belford
culturally enlightened hayride complete with a variety of performing arts.
Participants bring open minds, poetry books and creative spirits to the event. At the conclusion a large bonfire provides
backlight and ambiance for mutual sharing between participants and the performing artist.
Jackson created and conceptualized The HOTBOX Virtualclub.STL in June 1999 as a forum for the arts in St. Louis. He
coordinates and participates in a number of poetic, musical and theatrical events throughout the year, including the
Moonlight Hayride and Bonfire.
At the last hayride on October 15, singer/guitarist Tracy Mitchell soulfully performed a few songs from his album Sweet
Blaqberry Jam for the adventurous crowd. Mitchell also performed a few selections from Prince, Stevie Wonder and
others to the enjoyment of all those within the warming rays of the fire and the soothing sounds of his guitar.
Jackson had planned an evening of enchantment and appreciation of the arts; little did he know their art would come with
a free serving of flying hay. The hayrides tend to feature an all-out hay-throwing war between the different wagons on the
outdoors adventure. Jackson said one of the other wagons pulled up alongside his wagon and began pelting everyone
with hay. By the time it was over, a number of the children in the wagons had temporarily disappeared underneath the
airborne hay.
The hayrides take place in Forest Park on Friday and Saturday nights on fall weekends through Saturday, Dec. 10. The
wagons leave from a gathering point at Clayton and Faulkner by the Science Center at assigned departure times.
Individual wagons can be reserved for $100 and each wagon holds a maximum of 20 people.
Jackson has reserved a wagon for Friday, November 18. Artists scheduled for the ride include drummer/percussionist
Kelly J. Wimbley and Jackson himself, whose performance skills include an amazing variety of percussion, plus poetry
and singing.
Other upcoming events for the HOTBOX include a performance by vocalist and musician Michelle Green at Legacy Books
& Café, 5249 Delmar, on Saturday, November 26 at 8 p.m. The HOTBOX is also holding open call auditions and
accepting submissions for film, plays and scripts for the 2005-2006 season. Auditions will be held at Legacy Books by
appointment Sunday, November 20 and Wednesday, November 30.
For more information or to reserve a seat for the Nov. 18 Moonlight Hayride & Bonfire, call 995-9570 or 430-9816.
Living It
Two Idols serenade the Classic
Wednesday, September 21, 2005 4:27 PM CDT
Aloha and Nikko to sing Negro and National anthems Saturday
At the Gateway Football Classic, Mischeaux will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing" while Smith will sing "The Star-
Spangled Banner."
Lydia McGhee
For the St. Louis American
St. Louis natives and American Idols Aloha Mischeaux and Nikko Smith will be on-hand for the 2005 Gateway Football
Classic. The new-found celebrities are proudly returning home and taking a break from their quickly growing careers to
share in a little St. Louis spirit.
Mischeaux and Smith will participate in the Gateway Classic Hardee's Parade Saturday morning and will also open the
game that afternoon with solo musical performances. Mischeaux will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (the Negro
National Anthem) while Smith will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" (the U.S. National Anthem).
Both Idols answered the show's casting call after being spurred on by family and friends.
"My mother and a friend encouraged me to audition," said Smith. He said the audition process was exhausting, but well
worth it in the end. Mischeaux was also encouraged by friends to audition after prior attempts to crack the music industry
fell through. She said she was a little nervous about the audition, but after "praying and walking around" to calm her
nerves, she was in the moment and ready to go.
Neither candidate knew that a plea from friends would forever change their lives.
"Being a part of Idol was one of my best and worst experiences, but I'm glad it happened the way it did," Mischeaux said.
"It's still hard for me to accept the celebrity title because I'm just me, but I'm always excited to meet fans."
One of Smith's eye-opening experiences occurred when he returned to the Savvis Center in St. Louis as a performer on
the American Idol Tour. "I had just gone to the Savvis Center to see the Best of Both World's Tour, so to be back in the
center as a performer was amazing," Smith said.
Despite being thrust into the limelight by the American Idol juggernaut, both contestants remain grounded and focused.
Mischeaux and Smith both grew up in St. Louis singing in church. Family and faith are the undisputed motivators and
supports for these budding stars.
Mischeaux, a graduate of University City High School, was a member of the dance squad and numerous other student
organizations. Smith, a graduate of Parkway West, is of course the son of baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, but he said
he gets his voice from his mother, Denise.
"I remember the way she used to walk through the house singing when I was younger," said Smith. He admits to being a
"momma's boy" and says his mother is everything to him. "I couldn't imagine my life without my mother," he said.
Both former Idols have been recording albums and traveling the country to further their careers. Both have had brushes
and made connections with celebrities in and outside of the music industry. Smith's cool and reserved demeanor was
tested when he met Babyface during the American Idol finale. "I was, like, that's Babyface," said Smith.
Mischeaux and Smith both took a chance and have made their families, friends, and fans in St. Louis proud. After the
2005 Gateway Football Classic Weekend, keep your eyes open for albums and appearances from both artists coming
soon.
The 2005 Gateway Football Classic will kick off at 4 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Edward Jones Dome. The
Hardee's Parade starts that morning at 9 a.m. at 12th & Market streets. For game tickets, call (314) 621-1994.
Living It
St. Louis through the eyes of Nigeria
Wednesday, October 19, 2005 3:51 PM CDT
Timothy Orikri brings African vision and social activism to the art scene
Lydia McGhee
For the St. Louis American
If pictures tell a thousand words, then local artist Timothy Orikri is a great
orator. Step into the Orikri Design Studio and you’ll be instantly transported
into a world of brilliant colors and textures where life’s stories are frozen in
time. Orikri is more than an amazing artist; he is also a storyteller, healer
and social activist.
The talented artist manipulates dried fruits, hand-woven canvases, rope
and other common household items to illustrate important issues and
situations. To see his work is to be awakened from the inside out. Tears have poured from the faces of onlookers as they
have taken in the marvel that is Orikri's work.
Raised in a small town in southern Nigeria, Orikri learned the importance of social responsibility and helping others at a
young age. Orikri credits his father, a Baptist minister who passed away a little over a year ago, as a major inspiration.
“Even in hopeless situations, I was told by my father to move on. I was told to constantly seek towards the beauty of the
prize,” Orikri said. He graduated from college in Nigeria in 1991 and came to the U.S. in 1995.
Orikri's passion for social change goes beyond theory as he donates his paintings to worthy causes. He has created
paintings for breast cancer awareness, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Zoo and Hurricane Katrina relief
efforts.
One of Orikri’s most inspiring pieces is a collective work created with the perspective and help of 100 children from
varying religious backgrounds. The work, which often stirs the soul of visitors, is a collage comprised of the children's
definitions of peace. The mural is a testament to the unity and love that can be achieved when differences are celebrated.
The work will benefit Iraqi children and, hopefully, be displayed in the United Nations during a future exhibit.
Orikri has had a difficult time breaking into the mainstream art world. Fortunately, he has attracted a few notable allies.
Mayor Francis Slay has taken a keen liking to Orikri’s work and has had the artist render several paintings
commemorating St. Louis events. (The St. Louis skyline is a repeated theme of Orikri's and appears in a number of his
paintings in tribute to the city.)
"Timothy's work comes from the wide variety of life experiences to create a view of our city unlike any that I have seen,”
Slay said.
Orikri has also produced works for Dr. Henry Givens Jr., president of Harris-Stowe State University, for the school’s
annual Martin Luther King celebration.
One of his most treasured blessings came from the individual who provided him with studio space. “I will always bless the
day I met my benefactor, Mr. Patrick Stanley, for his foresight and a heart that supports the weak as well as the
unfortunate,” Orikri said.
The energy in the Orikri Design Studio is so positive that it is difficult to leave the gallery unchanged for the better.
Located at 1521 Washington, the studio shares an alley with the City Museum. If you are an art aficionado or activist in
need of a boost to your spirit - or simply looking for an interesting activity - you will want to visit the Orikri Design Studio.
For more information, call (314) 588-1961 or visit www.orikri.com