If you love a seamless jam with lots of percussion, you owe it to Chuck Brown to pay some homage.

Click the photo to go to YouTube and hear his most popular song, "Bustin' Loose"

Here’s an oral history provided by The Washington Post.  Watch and enjoy!

And here’s what the local ABC affiliate posted:

Chuck Brown, the legendary musician who is known as the “Godfather of Go-Go,” passed away Wednesday, his daughter confirmed to ABC7′s Sam Ford.

Brown died Wednesday at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. Hospital spokesman Gary Stephenson confirmed Brown had died after a hospital stay that began April 18.

His publicist says the cause of death is multiorgan failure due to sepsis.

Brown’s passing comes about a week after the Washington Post confirmed that the musician, considered  the pioneer of Go-Go music, had been hospitalized with pneumonia.

Shortly after his death was confirmed, radio stations across the D.C. metro area were filled with his music. Sadness and grief over his passing was soon replaced by a celebration of his life by so-called “Chuckaholics” – his most ardent fans.

“We came out to celebrate the life and legacy of a D.C. icon,” Chuck Brown fan Luis Cardona said. “I’m a Chuckaholic from way back.”

Brown’s 1970 hit, “Bustin’ Loose,” hit #1 on the MCA charts. The song was later sampled in the 2002 Nelly song, “Hot in Herre,” which won Nelly a Grammy.

He had recently postponed numerous shows due to his failing health.

“Go-go is D.C.’s very own unique contribution to the world of pop music, and Chuck Brown was regarded as Go-go’s creator and, arguably, its most legendary artist,” D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray said in a statement. “Today is a very sad day for music lovers the world over, but especially in the District of Columbia.

“Without Chuck Brown, the world – and our city – will be a different place. What a loss.”

Brown always liked to tell the story of how he grew up on the streets of Washington shining shoes, then later ended up in prison. That’s where he would say he got his hands on his first guitar, and the go-go revolution was on.

Thanks to Brown and his deep, gravelly voice, go-go music was uniquely identified with Washington. That’s where he continued to play the city’s club circuit late in life.

by Kiesha Easley

As New Edition celebrates 30 years, I can’t help but reflect on the good times that those songs bring to mind.  There aren’t many groups that I can honestly say I grew up with – I literally grew up listening to their music.  I watched them grow and change as I did over those same years.  This group (and its associated members) has produced songs that make up a collective soundtrack that accompanied each era of my life.  I’ve got a memory for just about every song!

A few seconds into any song on their Greatest Hits CD suddenly invoke vivid memories of fun-filled summers spent with friends, dancing non-stop for hours, wearing ripped jeans, bright colors and biker shorts.

My kids laughed when I showed them some of my favorite New Edition videos – especially “Cool it Now” and “NE Heartbreak.”  Of course, that style and time is foreign to them, but for me, those videos were reflective of the way life unfolded for me.

I was about five or six when “Candy Girl” came out.  Those days in the 80s were innocent and fun.  Even to this day, when I hear that song, I’m instantly transported to that year’s elementary school talent show.  A group of pop-lockers performed and blew everybody’s mind with impossible moves!

I remember staying up late with cousins, lip-syncing “Mr. Telephone” man – we’d get yelled at for keeping the phone off the hook for too long – those were the days when you’d get a “busy signal” instead of voicemail because having two-way calling was un-heard of!

A few years later, as I became a pre-teen, my cousins and I could be found practicing the choreography from the “If It Isn’t Love” video.  We’d dance all day in front of the television – we had to rewind that video hundreds of times.  We practiced with intensity as if there was some special prize awaiting.  Then we’d put on our bright colors and would swap shoes so that we each had on one black shoe and one white shoe.  No one could tell us we weren’t dope (yes, “dope” as in utterly amazing!) – boy, were we silly!

When the group broke apart, we all asked, “Is this the End?” (only real NE fans remember this song!)  But then Bobby Brown came with Don’t Be Cruel – I think I played that cassette until it broke and wore the T-shirt from his concert until the ink peeled off!

Then Bell, Biv, Devoe hit us with “Poison” and all anybody had to do was hear those first few beats of that song, and it was on – instant party!  On the smoother, more romantic side, Ralph Tresvant’s “Sensitivity” always reminded me of long drives along the beach – it instantly put me in chill-mode and still does to this very day.

I have my favorites (that I’ve listed below), but I wanted to hear what other people thought.  I posed the question on Facebook:  What’s your all-time favorite New Edition song – and why?

Tyra McFadden (ML writer) said, “If it Isn’t Love,” because she loved the choreography.  Another friend said, “Mr. Telephone Man,” because, in his opinion, it was the last good song they made.  Yet another friend said, “Can You Stand the Rain,” because she’s a hopeless romantic.  Crystal Sunshine Williams said, “Candy Girl,” because it’s a song about true love.  The “Hit Me Off” video is my personal favorite because it was a rare showcasing of all six members – including Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill.

Watch the video here:

Which song(s) or videos would you add?

My Top Ten NE (and related artist) songs

I couldn’t possibly put my Top 10 NE songs in any order, it was hard enough narrowing it down to ten, but each one of these songs have special places in my heart that no matter how old I get, will still take me back, if only for a few minutes, to those unforgettable days of my childhood.

• Can you stand the Rain
• Boys to Men
• Candy Girl
• Cool it Now
• Count me out
• Sensitivity (Ralph Tresvant )
• If it isn’t love -
• Poison (BBD)
• Every Little Step (Bobby Brown)
• You’re not my kind of Girl

By DJ Kingpin–The Villain of Vinyl

One of the greatest groups of all time, New Edition, will be coming to the capital city (Colonial Life Arena, May 6) for a night full of love, emotion, romance, memories, and more. Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Michael, Johnny, and Ralph will take center stage at the Colonial Life Arena (May 6th) performing hits, hits, and more hits. With almost thirty years of producing great music and performing at the highest of the heights, New Edition will definitely be bringing the house down. As the direct influences to EVERY male group (and a few soloists) that have come out since they began in the early eighties, New Edition is the definition. With countless hit songs and classic albums, New Edition has legions of fans from all generations. Here are some New Edition songs (and a few solo gems) to get familiar with before catching them live ANYWHERE!!!

• Count Me Out
• Cool It Now
• Mr. Telephone Man
• If It Isn’t Love
• You’re Not My Kind Of Girl
• Can You Stand The Rain
• Crucial
• N.E. Heartbreak
• My Prerogative
• My, My, My
• Poison
• Sensitivity
• When Will I See You Smile Again?
• Hit Me Off
• Every Little Step
• A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)
• I’m Still In Love With You
• Candy Girl
• Don’t Be Cruel
• Rub You The Right Way

You can definitely be sure that a bunch of Midland’s Live Magazine readers, along with me, will be in
attendance singing every song word for word. Enjoy.

by Vernessa Pendergrass     

You remember the days of hanging out at Secrets on Trenholm Road?  Secrets was the spot for happy hour every Wednesday,  live comedy on Friday, and the hottest Saturday night party in the metro!  Do you remember Sam, the DJ?  Sam was so hot on the one’s and two’s!

Well, get ready for the Club Secrets Reunion Celebration!   It’s planned for Friday, June 15, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at the beautiful Hastings Point Clubhouse; all sexy mature adults are invited to attend the Secrets Reunion (especially those who hung out at Secrets back in the day).

Remembering the late 80’s and 90’s of the Secrets era has re-kindled lots of memories and great times at Secrets for me.  Secrets Sunday live jazz was my favorite.  I looked forward to hosting Jazz every Sunday evening and featuring local and national jazz artists jamming contemporary and traditional jazz.  But it was more than jazz.  Secrets Sunday jazz was a fellowship of mature adults gathering to socialize, network and re-energize for the work week ahead.  I’m sure you have fond memories of making new friends and partying with your girls or your boys at Secrets back in the day!

Maybe you heard party stories about Club Secrets and you want to see the real deal for yourself.  Or maybe you’ve been looking for a great place to dance and party.  Columbia, it’s here!  This is the party you don’t want to miss.

Picture this: live jazz on the deck under a lovely moonlight sky overlooking the tranquility of the pond.  Jazz to wind down and Old School R&B to get the party rolling!  I will be your host and I can’t wait to see the old Secrets family and meet some new friends at the first ever Secrets Reunion Celebration in Columbia.  It will be an exciting night of dancing, food, drinks and prizes.  I expect this to be the event of the summer, so tell all your old Secrets friends that “The Secret is Out!”

I’ll see you at Hastings Point Clubhouse, 8301 Wilson Boulevard, Columbia.  Advance tickets are available by calling 803-414-0999 or 803-269-3740.

Cirque du Soleil presents Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour
by Alexis and Tyra McFadden

I see NO wires-how is this possible?!

For those of us fortunate enough to have seen Michael Jackson perform live, it is safe to say it was an unforgettable experience.  Those who were not able to witness his brilliance live, Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson–the Immortal World Tour stage show at the Colonial Life Arena promises to be the next best thing.

Immortal World Tour’s spokesperson Max Charbonneau says the show is “part rock concert and part theater,” and incorporates all eras of Michael’s music from the Jackson Five debut to his later solo career.

In keeping with this month’s theme, Charbonneau, provided behind-the-scenes insight into how the performers keep fit physically and mentally in order to bring us this magnificent spectacle paying homage to the greatest performer to ever live.

How many performers are touring with the Immortal show?

There are 65 performers varying in age from 19 through age 40. There are 30 dancers, 20 acrobats, and 12 musicians.

Yup, they're suspended in the air while dancing. Cirque du Soleil and Michael Jackson is artistic synergy. like you've never seen before.

The travel demands for this show must be a challenge. What is the daily routine of the performers?

The company usually spends two to three days in each city we play.  Usually our artists have a day off between every city to sleep and recover, hit the gym, work on their art or to just have some fun.  Our acrobats often find a local gym to work out an hour or two, and of course we take time for choreography and technical work.  On show days the performers arrive at the venue around four to test apparatus and perform sound checks before the doors open at seven.

Is there a special diet or nutritional routine specifically designed for the health of the performing artists?

There are 175 artists to feed so we have caterers that travel with the show and they provide great food with many options and everything that is served is approved through our headquarters in Montreal.  A variety of dishes are served up so there is something for everyone, including those with specific religious dietary concerns.  There are steak and chicken options, as well as fish, veggies, and fresh fruits.  Of course, there are lots of delicious desserts served as well. In fact the food is so good that some of us have gained weight since being on the road!

Are there ever any exhaustion or muscle fatigue concerns for the performers?

Most of our performers have lots of on-the-road experience having toured with Brittany Spears, Rhianna, and Janet Jackson, so they know what to expect performing 5 shows per week on average with Immortal.  To assist the performers in maintaining maximum health we have artistic directors, two acrobatic coaches, two physical therapists, and two dance coaches traveling with the company.   So, the performers are able to work out frequently, take movement and flexibility classes, and receive therapeutic massages.

How are injuries handled on the road?

Our performers are really healthy and have been performing in this capacity for several years, so they are real aware of their bodies and know how to take care of their instruments. This is to the advantage of a production of this kind because with 65 artists on the show, we do not have backups or under studies.  Usually if someone has an injury serious enough to sideline them for a few shows, the numbers are modified by the choreographers to work around any injuries.

Even if you have seen other Cirque shows, Immortal is said to be the largest and most amazing one yet. The creators have taken great care in maintaining the integrity of Michael Jackson’s artistry, from his music, his stage wear, to his trademark signature dance moves–with an added gymnastics element.  The Immortal World Tour is all in the spirit remembrance and celebration of the great and gifted artistry of Michael Jackson.

Many of the musicians on the show are former members from Michael’s tour bands over the years. Greg Phillinganes, who was musical director on many of his road shows, takes the same role on the Immortal World Tour.  Several of the choreographers working with the Cirque show, such as Travis Payne, worked closely with Michael and helped to create many of his short films.

Charbonneau palpably describes the show with barely contained enthusiasm, saying things like, “it’s like nothing we have ever seen.”  If a seasoned professional such as he is that excited, then this is a must-see event this April 27-28 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man  

by Steve Harvey
Review by Stacey Wilson

I must admit, I don’t care for relationship books.  The advice seems to have a whole lot of “undies:”  unrealistic, unreasonable and unapproachable.  Not true for Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Comedian Steve Harvey (with Denene Miller).  This is the kind of book that makes me grab my girls and a pizza (my girlfriends know I also need a gallon of milk) and have a good ol’ fashioned girls’ night out.  It says a lot that I sometimes laughed out loud while reading; my husband tells me all the time people have to work for my laugh!

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man gives ladies a realistic approach about love, relationships, intimacy and commitment.  Ladies, Harvey is giving us this information raw and uncut–straight–just like our daddies or a favorite uncle would.

Harvey starts the book off saying that men and women love on different levels but you can better believe that if a man really loves you he will:

1. Profess that you are in a relationship.  He has no problem telling his friends or his momma about you.  Harvey says “After six months if he hasn’t introduced you to his mother, taken you to church, or took you to a social/job/ networking event. Let it go–he does not see you in his future.”

2. Provide for you.  And in a selfless way.  A man will make sure that his lady has what she needs to be happy.  Now gold diggers need not apply because game recognition game and men will know a true a lady.

3. Protect.  Harvey goes to explain that it is in every male species to protect their family starting with, in most cases, their mother (pay close attention to a man who doesn’t have a good relationship with his mother.)

In a chapter called “Sports Fish Vs. Keepers” Harvey gives examples on how to tell if your man sees you as a “keeper” or a “throw back.”

Keeper:  a woman who won’t let you feel all over her body while you’re dancing
Throw back:  a woman who drops it like it’s hot and puts on a dance floor performance that would make video vixen Karrine Steffans blush

Keeper:  a woman who understands that a man validates his manhood by who he is, what he does, and how much he makes, and who knows how to finesse her relationship so that her man feels like he’s handling his business
Throw back:  a woman who wields her check and influence like a sword and belittles his career and financial contributions

Uncle Steve covers many common issues such as checking if your man has “Mama’s Boy” tendencies and pointers on how to help him cut the umbilical cord.

Harvey gives five questions you should ask in the beginning of a relationship when you are SOOO excited about each other.  Y’all know what I am talking about:  you’re on the phone saying  “I know I got to go,” but neither of you hangs up and “ohh Baby, I just can’t get enough of you.”  Make good use of that time where you are just breathing on the phone and ask (Uncle Steve will tell you what kind of reply you need to get):

!. What are your short-term goals?
2. What are your long-term goals?
3. What are your views on relationships?
4. What do you think about me?
5. How do you feel about me?

Harvey says ladies need to set standards for themselves up front.  Here’s why:  when a man meets a woman, he decides early on if he wants to sleep with her (“get the cookie”),  what he would have to do to get the cookie, and how long it will take before he gets the cookie.

Uncle Steve gives us more information in the book like how to tell if he would be a good father, how to get the ring, and the infamous question, “Why do men cheat?”.  I left that topic out on purpose so that you can pick up the book yourself.  What?  Did ya’ll think I was going to tell the WHOLE book?

Building the Bridge between Home and School
by Tyra McFadden

Standardized test season is here

As we move into the spring semester of the public school year, our attention turns to end of the year concerts, class trips, graduation preparation, and of course, standardized testing. Though not very popular, standardized testing is necessary to measure how well students are mastering the core standards set for each subject area. These tests can help teachers determine what lessons need to be covered to ensure student learning and also where students may need more targeted help and assistance. These tests also assist with future planning allowing for appropriate leveling of students in their next grade level.

What is the purpose of standardized testing?

The purpose of standardized testing is to compare the abilities and skills of students from different schools and backgrounds. These tests usually consist of multiple-choice and true-false questions, as well as a writing test. The value of standardized test scores is based on the ratio of correct to incorrect answers. Thus, if all students tested answer a particular question the same way (either all answer correctly or all answer incorrectly), that question has no value in comparing test takers to each other. Standardized tests are meaningful only if they present a comparison of individual scores to a norm group. For this reason, most of these tests also place scores in a percentile rank, indicating how that score compared to every other student who took that particular administration of the test.

Types of standardized tests

There are basically two types of standardized test: norm-referenced and criterion-referenced. Each provides different kinds of information. The score your child earns on a norm-referenced test tells how he compares to other children taking the same assessment that year. This type test does not tell if she has met certain benchmark levels of proficiency. The second type, the criterion-referenced test indicates whether or not your child has achieved set benchmarks.

What is MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)?

MAP assessments are adaptive achievement tests taken on a computer. The difficulty of each test is adjusted to the student’s performance. As the student answers correctly, the questions become more difficult. Students are typically tested at the beginning of the school year and again at the end. MAP tests are aligned to the content and structure of state standards.

What is the PASS (Palmetto Assessment of State Standards)?

The PASS is administered to South Carolina public and charter school students in grades three through eight. PASS test items measure student performance on the South Carolina Academic Standards. PASS test results are used for school, district, and federal (No Child Left Behind) accountability purposes.

What is the HSAP (The High School Assessment Program)?

The HSAP is used to measure students’ academic achievement on high school standards in accordance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Students who meet the state HSAP participation guidelines will take the HSAP. This test is based on the South Carolina Curriculum Standards for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics that teachers use in classroom instruction.

What Parents Should Know

Parents should be aware of the type of test your child’s school is giving and what the assessment measures. In addition, you should be aware of how the data derived from the tests will be used by your child’s school and how this benefits your child.

Do you know what grade levels will be taking the test and the dates the test is to be administered? Are you aware of how much preparation for the test is taking place in your child’s classroom? Review your child’s test results with your school’s assistant principal for curriculum and instruction, their teacher, or a guidance counselor.

Parents should also remember how important it is to ensure your child’s attendance at school on standardized testing dates. As best you can, try to avoid planning trips to Disney, Alaskan cruises, and orthodontist appointments. In addition, make certain your child gets a good night’s rest, has a healthy breakfast, and is on time each day.

Darion McCloud, Founder and Creative Director of the NiA Company, is a Columbia, SC, native who resisted the tug of going elsewhere to stay home and work in his community. He has spent most of his adult life working with non-profits as an art professional by performing, educating, consulting and organizing art and art experiences in museums, prisons, theatres, libraries, schools, TV, the Internet and more.

He is a pleasure to interview and has a lot to teach us about art in the community!

ML:  What is the significance of the live theater experience in the community?
DM:  This is a good question. Most people make  direct comparisons to theatre and movies. Movies are great and I love them, but there is nothing like seeing a great theatrical performance. That communal experience of being in the moment with the actors on stage and with the audience is hard to describe. You see characters doing things that you and your friends will talk about for a long time. You hear the audience gasp, laugh, cry. You walk through whole other worlds and it makes you look at your world differently. It all happenes to you with real people in real time right in front of you! Madd fun.

ML:  What was your intention and purpose for starting a theater company?
DM:  The Trustus Theatre used to have a program called the African American Acting Workshop. Joanne Minder (then Moton) had the idea that we in the workshop should stay together and do something; we weren’t quite sure what.  We didn’t have a leader, we didn’t have a facility and we didn’t have money. But we all knew we didn’t want to just sit around and wait till theatres decided they needed a black chick or black male to fill a role.  We wanted to create opportunities for ourselves.
I became the Creative Director almost by default. We were trying to choose a leader and no one would accept the position including me.  I heard our death rattle beginning before we were even born.  Now, here we are fourteen years later.
From the beginning we thought of art as a way to serve our community. Whether by telling stories others wouldn’t tell in ways they wouldn’t tell or by presenting to and for people who usually wouldn’t be part of the conversation.
Initially our mission was more shaped by race–the lack of opportunities for actors of color.  Now we have evolved to include any and every ethnicity, gender, orientation, economic background , whatever.  We kind of clumsily call these groupings “non-traditional audiences.”

Great shirt!

ML:  Why the name NiA?
DM:  NiA is a Swahili word which means “purpose.”  To have purpose, to give purchase, to do with purpose:  all these are meanings of NiA.  Most people will recognize it as the fifth principal and day of Kwanzaa. Company member Loretta Brown gave us the name and Indira Cureton- Cummings gave us the stylized spelling with the little i. The addition of the word Company shows we are a group.
Plus NiA looks cool on a t-shirt.

ML:  What types of shows can people expect to experience through the NiA Company?
DM:  The media has taken to calling us boundary-pushing and I’d say that’s right. We do daring things. We’ve portrayed nudity, homosexuality, violence, sex , racism and other hot buttons on stage. We don’t do this to be sensational but to be real. We try to pick smart, entertaining material because we think our audience is smart and wants to be entertained. “We don’t tell you what to think, but we give you a lot to think about.” We do shows we would like to see and we think we can do well and have fun doing. Our children’s shows help little ones define their personal aesthetic. We try to give them good, smart, funny, stuff so they will grow up expecting good smart, funny stuff.

ML:  The most recent show was August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean.” Of all Wilson’s works, what made “Gem” your choice?
DM:  We didn’t pick this one. Trustus already had it on their season and asked us if we would be interested in collaborating. It’s August Wilson so of course we said yes. And whenever we partner with Trustus I think it brings out the shine in both companies. Trustus has made a real commitment to Mr. Wilson’s work. This their fifth production of his work.

ML:  Many of the NiA shows are performed at Trustus Theater. How did your involvement with Trustus begin and what do you hope to accomplish through this relationship?  
DM:  We do shows all over from libraries, to museums, to theatres, to restaurants, anywhere we can make a “stage;” we are “nomadic.”  But we do perform one to two shows per season at Trustus. Trustus has always been supportive. Many of us are NiA Company and Trustus company members.

ML:  How can the community get involved and support the work that NiA is doing?
DM:  The most immediate way to help is give us a chance. Come check out a performance. Usually people are pleasantly surprised once we get them to a show. Especially men:  somehow art has been perceived as an exclusively feminine interest. But when men come and see the “realness” of theatre, they get hooked. It’s hard sometimes for our audience to follow us because we are in a different places almost every show, but  stick with us–we are here for you.

ML:  Are there opportunities for those who want to be involved?
DM:  There are always opportunities for novices with us. Part of our mission is to create opportunities.  We usually get approached by people who want to act. I always say “the question isn’t whether you can act but can you rehearse?”  It’s hard work, but if you are serious, so are we. I am hoping more people will find their way on the technical side, putting the work in and directing, designing lights and sound, costuming, reviewing shows–not just the black shows, but all shows.

ML:  Share the upcoming shows for this season.
DM:  Because we are “nomadic” we schedule our season differently from most companies.  Every time we do a show we have to figure out the what, where and when. We are currently trying to figure that out for the next adult show. However our children’s work can be seen at Southeast this April. Also we will be participating in the Urban Tour this spring and One Columbia Has approached us about doing some things with them. And we are excited to be back at the State Libraries Storyfest this summer.

ML:  What is your 5-year vision for NiA?
DM:  In five years NiA will have a semi-permanent home but still travel to our neighborhoods performing for young and old alike. Also NiA will extend its reach beyond the borders of South Carolina to be known throughout the region as a place where new work can be produced. NiA has a full blown educational wing that serves people from students to senior citizens. And NiA is also generating enough capital to have a full-time staff.

ML:  What is feeding your spirit these days?
My daughter Zaire is my greatest joy, of course. She has already upstaged her Daddy onstage!  And it’s cool to see this new and familiar wave of artistic energy flowing into Columbia.  It has the potential  to change our landscape.
But one of the coolest things to happen to me recently was a homeboy of mine.  A “cousin” who I hadn’t hung out with in years came to see “Gem of the Ocean.”  His loud, proud, enthusiastic response during the curtain call at the end of the show was worth more than money.  Afterwards he waited for me to come from backstage. He was so excited and happy for me but more importantly about what he had seen.  He kept shouting “Wow!” We talked briefly, he had to rush on but before he left we hugged and told each other “love you man.” Now THAT is why we do theatre.

“We try it before you buy it.”

Welcome to the first edition of “Our Two Cents” where our staff reviews a product before you spend your hard-earned money on it.

Wardrobe Malfunction
Remember that old Snickers commercial where the gal talks about hunger pokin’ at ya, pokin’ at ya? It’s funny when it’s a candy bar, but not so funny when something really is poking at you.  Repeatedly.  In a very tender area.  Underwire:  we love what it’s supposed to do but when it malfunctions, watch out!  Janet’s wardrobe malfunction pales in comparison to a day spent with underwire pokin’ at ya, pokin’ at ya.

Bra-lee to the rescue!
We found Bra-lee online and received it within a couple of days of ordering, with a nice note from the ladies who invented this little skin-saver and some simple instructions.  The little Bra-lees come in cute envelopes that ladies can tuck into their  makeup cases, but one of us noticed that they were so small she could slide them into a credit-card slot in her wallet.

Prince's fav color is represented in Bra-lee's Bright collection: purple!

They are satiny-smooth little rectangles of padded fabric with an adhesive strip on the back.  They come in traditional bra colors, plus some fun ones for flair.  The color collections have cute names like Brazen (animal print), Bling (sparkly material), and Blush (pinky colors for Breast Cancer Awareness).

We found that our two underwire problems had burst through the seams in odd areas not noted on the instructions.  No problem!  The Bra-lee adhesive stayed put all day on the bra whose underwire poked out under the arm.  On the other bra, the wire pierced through in the typical area, but much lower and the Bra-lee could not fold over as shown on the instructions.  We put the Bra-lee on straight, without the fold, and it protected what it was supposed to protect.  Additionally, the instructions say not to move the Bra-lee once it’s stuck on or the adhesive won’t stick.   Well, we moved it twice and it kept just fine.  Our advice is to keep the bra on when you put on the Bra-lee, so you can see where it’s poking you and cover the hole at the correct angle, if necessary.

From Bra-lee's Brazen collection: leopard!

Gals, when you have a favorite bra, you don’t want to throw it our until it disintegrates!  Plus, they’re expensive contraptions to replace and a pain to shop for.  We decided to sew the Bra-lee on for a permanent fix that kept us perky (what?  I was talking about our perky dispositions!).  Bra-lee is well worth the $4.99 for a pair; we highly recommend them.

If you have a product you’d like us to review, email us at info@midlandslive.com.  Be sure to include a photo or video!

For Black History Month, the staff at Midlands Live opens their libraries to you.  Here are our recommendations for essential Black History reading.  Let us know what your must-read foundations are in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Demetria Mosley recommends…

Black Like Me, by John Howard Griffin

Griffin was a journalist who wanted to know how life REALLY was in the south. In
1959, journalist John Howard Griffin took medication to darken his pale white skin
into dark brown skin that resembles a black man. He wanted to see how life was
for a black man in the Deep South. This is his story about the discrimination he
faced as a traveling black man.

Dear Senator: A Memoir by the Daughter of Strom Thurmond, by Essie Mae Washington-Williams with William Stadiem

Finding out her father was the late Strom Thurmond, one of the leading southern politicians against Civil Rights, Essie Mae Washington speaks out on being the black daughter of the politician. The father she grew to knew was affectionate, supportive and generous however he refused to acknowledge her in public.

Tyra McFadden recommends…

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, by Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was a great thinker ahead of the times he lived in and tells his story with thoughtful eloquence. His determination to self-educate and to help remove the chains of slavery from the lives and minds of his people makes me proud. Revisiting his work challenges me to remember that the only limitations that exist on my life are the ones I place there.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Dr. Maya Angelou

When my mother gave me this novel as a child, it changed my life and made me want to write. The story is such a personal expression about a girl who looks like me. As I reflect on this fine literary work, I see how our experiences feed into our art. Dr. Angelou taught me about strength, perseverance, and learning to create without fear.

Alexis McFadden, age 11, recommends…

If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad, by Ellen Levine

If you have questions about the Underground Railroad then you should read this book.  Levine answers all of your questions about the Underground Railroad like who, when, where, why, and how African Americans traveled on it. As a result of reading this book I learned some information that I never heard before. You’ll find out lots more about African American history by reading this book.

Who Was Harriet Tubman, by Yona Zeldis McDonough

This book was an easy read with great information. Most books on Harriet Tubman tell how she served as “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, but this book tells her life story. You learn about her childhood, how she lived, and what motivated her to help her people escape slavery. This book also gives illustrations that tell her story without words, an important factor in story making.

Kiesha Easley recommends…

Kindred, by Octavia Butler

As a kid we always joked about how if we were slaves, we would never have put up with the many injustices that our ancestors endured.  But of course, that’s easy to say since we didn’t grow up in that time or that environment.  In this book, set in the 1970s, the main character, like us, had never experienced slavery until on her 26th birthday, when something happened, she passed out and woke up as a slave.  Read this book to find out how her character is changed and how she must control her attitude, just to survive.

Incidents in the Live of a Slave Girl, by Harriet Jacobs

Published in 1861, this slave narrative recounts the life of a slave who spent a great deal of her life hidden away in an attic.  Jacobs recounts her life and how it felt during that time as she painfully watched her children play outside from an attic window.  Read to find out she finally got her freedom.

DJ Kingpin-Villain Of Vinyl (Kingsley A. Waring), recommends…

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Malcolm X & Alex Haley

A jewel in my collection.  I first picked it up during high school and have reread it over 10 times since.  It spoke to my channeling and managing the varied bouts of accomplishment, confusion, fear, anger, and self-awareness that all black men encounter.  This book explains how the mistakes we may make as youth; do not have to be burdens of our future.

The Ways of White Folks, by Langston Hughes

There are very few works by Langston Hughes that I do not have, but The Ways of White Folks is by far my favorite.  He was the master of the short story, and this book is compiled of many great ones. From “Passing” to “Cora Unashamed,” The Ways of White Folks is almost 300 pages of dynamic insight into how the people of our world relate to each other.

What It Means To Be Black: A 365 Day Journey, by Kingsley A. Waring

This book serves the greater purpose of keeping our eyes on our selves.  After events surrounding two high-profile men of African descent–the death of Michael Jackson and the nomination of Barack Obama–and got me thinking.  If the problems we face because of our skin color are to ever get solved, it is because we are willing to do more than talk, but develop concrete plans with attainable and effective goals.