If you live in Houston and haven't heard the name Dandee Warhol, I forgive you... But you've also missed a LOT. However, you must get to know him... because he has mentored many emerging artists in the city, from everywhere on a solid platform that even as an idea, and a brand, is very strong.
Transitioning from business to art, he's taken his talent to the front of the classroom, teaching new generations the value of being creative and throwing show that still draw hundreds, even thousands locally. He's thriving in a society that's slashing budgets or art programs.
How?
Houston's Warhol has an instinctual vision of what art can do for the world.
If you see this and support art, take him global... It's worth it.
This Saturday, 6/25/16 is our annual PRIDE celebration, (wish it were still in Montrose) where the parade and festivities will be along with more patrol on site to make sure everyone's safe.
On 6/12/16, Houston's LGBTQ Community stood together in Hermann Park to honor the victims in Orlando. Please listen to the very end and share my podcast below. Blast it in your car and let everyone know, we support our precious Alphabet community. #AllLivesMatter
Splash News and Pictures DID NOT take this photo! They are inaccurately claiming credit for MY photo, which has now gone viral... Those LIARS! This one posted on the Daily Mail, UK, was also claimed by Splash, which they DID NOT take.
I was at cle Saturday night and caught a snapshot where Justin Beiber's opening act Post Malone put his hand around the neck of the pop star. It looked like they were kidding, but I captured the shot and posted it because it was great. I'm the only one with the photo and now I want credit for it... because it is everywhere... even overseas! Though cropped, it's gone viral and has been reposted by the following sources, maybe more:
It's been circulated so much by others that Justin Bieber even posted a new reaction photo... (second below). Even the best meme ever has been created from it by a guy who claims he was at the party where the shot was taken... (third below).
I always
thought I’d have to take a trip to NYC to see him LIVE, but Sons of anIllustrious Father came to downtown Houston for a $5 show on 3/15/16. I showed up at 8:30. The next day off, incase…
Notsuoh downtown
Houston was the scene. I grabbed a bench inside by the door and in moments, I
saw Ezra Miller walking by. I tried to contain myself as he is truly stunning
in person. Graceful gait, perfect posture. Tall, thin, in a black zip down
jumpsuit. To my surprise, he and his band mates were carrying their own equipment
inside. Now mind you, this is the guy who will play “The Flash” in 2018, about which he said I'd have to go through his publicist in order to get an interview. A DC Comics indeed. Despite his star status, at 23, Miller is quite humble and sweet, thinks he can blend in, when he clearly stands out beautifully. I finally got
the nerve to stand, stop him, and ask for that interview.
“Ezra.”
He stopped,
looked at me, and I said “wow, it’s really you.” He said “hello,” politely
smiles and before I could totally unravel, he paused, grabbed my shoulder and my hand, and said “I can’t engage
in whatever this is right now, but thank you for coming to the show.” He was
about to walk away when I asked him “can I show you something?” He said “yes.” Though
a mature woman, I stood there with the pangs of a lovesick teenager, but if you know anything about him, you also know he's wise well beyond his years. I showed
him my iPhone wallpaper that has had his face for more than 3 years. He pointed
and said “that’s your phone with my face on it.” Then said “wait, how long has that been
there?” I said "a couple of years." He gave me a high-five and asked me my name.
I told him and he gave me a huge hug and thanked me for coming to see the show.
I sat back down, debating whether to ever bathe again! Decided, I will… one
day.
He moved
along and proceeded to carry his own equipment in and on-stage. Setting aside, I
took in every sight of him. After the interviews and films, even his trip to
the North Pole (which I forgot to mention worried me during his journey there),
I felt I had a pretty good idea about who he is. Or so I thought…
Still waiting
to see what I came here for, a couple other acts went on. Sons members engaged in the music,
danced, and stood in the crowd among us all. Moving and bobbing to the beats
of the other talent featured.
Then Sons of
an Illustrious Father took the stage. I bought them a round of drinks. Ezra and I had a quick toast from the stage. I about exploded! Before they began, Ezra also stood and
gently drew the band's three heads together, stroking the necks of his band mates, like
a tight family of cats. Once the band began to play, I could see the music freeing
the entire group, and the audience.
Lilah, the
female of the group, petite and thin, cute, is a great guitar player and
vocalist. Josh, great too, is essential.
Together, they were unifying and often vocally explosive, literally shaking at
times. The overall intensity delivers and moves, so beautiful to see up close.
I stood “Ezmerized.”
To tell you
the truth, I never really got into the band’s music until I saw them LIVE this
night. Frankly I can’t name any of the songs, but the show was so emotionally
seething, I cried.
Mind you, I’ve been a fan of Ezra’s since “Beware the Gonzo,”
when Miller played a student journalist… Something I live by. So needless to
say, this experience was very special.
After the
show, they moved off stage and I stuck around waiting for my photo with Ezra. I
didn’t want to approach him, yet again, to say “HEY! REMEMBER MY PHOTO?!” So I sat
awhile looking though my camera at footage and pictures of the performance I’d
captured. Ezra walked by a couple of times, then out again. It was 2:30am and I
thought, “time to go.” So I headed out and low and behold, Ezra was alone, curbside, conversing with a man who was seemingly homeless. I interrupted and asked Ezra “can I get
a quick photo before I go?” He enthusiastically said “yes, YES!” He reached into his pocket and
gave the man on the street $20 dollars to take our photo. I quickly handed the
man my camera, ready to shoot, hoping he wouldn't run. The man smiled excitingly and asked us “where do you want it?” Ezra said to him “let me see … you are now a
contracted photographer. Hired to take our photos!”
Frankly, I
have never and probably will never have a man so kind as Ezra, do something so sincere and truly
romantic my entire life. I stood in awe, as the man of my dreams frantically
looked for a place for us to pose for pictures. He turned one way, then another,
toward a table, me steady behind him for where we would capture this truly
surreal moment. “No.” Then he went by the steps that lead up from the outside
of Notsuoh.
Also, to
please me by trying to find a photo setting, I would have followed him INTO the
street, had he led me. LOL.
He said “we
need a setting to pose. How will we pose?” I was trying to find a place too and
all that came out was “I can think of many poses for us.” No response… He just continued
looking for a spot. Then he whipped close by me toward the street and I saw his
chest hair peeping out. So of course I went for it… and ASKED! “Can I touch
your chest hair in one photo?” To which he promptly responded, “no Rachel”
wagging his finger at me behind him. The
whole search took about a minute and half.
He then rounded
a light pole, then jumped on and said “you have to climb up here.” I jumped on the
base of the light pole too, “anything you say!” He said “we need theatrics.” I did
everything he said! It was a fantastic super awesome dream come true, as we smiled and had
fun on our photo shoot.
This was the best shot!
Then we just got crazy! So perfect!
He said “stretch out your arms.” I said “I’ll do
anything you want Ezra.” I did. I suggested, “stretch out one leg.” We did and
he said “Great idea! Rachel, I like your style.” I said “I love everything about you Ezra. You are my dream come
true.” Then we wrapped up and hopped down to review the photos.
I was already
the happiest girl in the world, until he headed for the door, leaving me
outside!
I suddenly
asked for a selfie. Still looking at the door, he said “you’re crossing
boundaries again Rachel.” I asked “then can I tell you something?” He said “yes.”
That’s when I told him all the nice things I thought about him… How long I’d
been a fan, who and what he reminded me of, and as much more as I could gush in
a matter of moments.
What I left
out without knowing, is, how his inspiration helped me get through breast
cancer last year, by simply entertaining me and making me happy when I was so
sad and isolated for an entire year and a half.
It didn’t
matter though. He walked toward me with a huge smile on his gorgeous face. As
he came closer, I asked myself aloud “what else did I want to say?” He said “that’s
a lot,” still smiling, adding “thank you.”
As he stood
with me on Main St., I thanked him back and asked if I could give him something. He said “yes.”
I took off my gorgeous black sequined headband from around my neck, which I
never wear out, but did for this occasion, and handed it to him. He said “nooo,
are you sure?! This is beautiful!” I said “yes, absolutely, it’s yours. I know
you’ll know how to use it, enjoy it and appreciate it.” He asked if I meant to
give that to him. I said “no.” I hadn’t. He said “I’ll wear it a lot.” Band mate
Lilah had come out to join us at that moment and I introduced myself. She liked
the headband I gave Ezra and agreed that it was nice of me, beautiful and that
he’d put it to good use. He said “thank you so much” and put it on then and
there. Once he had it on, he immediately started styling his shorter, thick and
gorgeous hair in it. That made me very happy. It looks so good on him!
We all stood
together and I began thinking I was already overstaying my exclusive welcome inside this inner circle dream state. So of course I asked for more photos, this time
of the band altogether.
As Ezra went
to get Josh, I got a chance to tell Lilah “you are the luckiest girl in the
world,” to which she had no response.
She is.
They all got
together under the Notsuoh sign, like I’d asked, and I shot 4 quick snaps of
the trio.
Yes, I flipped the one above...
I said "let's do a creepy undershot!" This was their favorite one!
What I
learned about Ezra Miller tonight, is, aside from him being the most gorgeous
man on earth, (which I told him) he’s an incredibly kind person. Far more
generous than anyone could imagine or expect. He knew I wanted a photo and delivered
beyond anything I ever dreamed. He didn’t want to take a selfie though, just
fun photos, which was even better. It’s more creative, which he clearly
is, brilliant, and just EVERYTHING I adore!
Their next shows
are at SXSW here in Texas this week. I’d love to go. Maybe this Saturday night…
I will tell
you what though. After spending one night with the sincere and generous
gentleman that is Ezra Miller, I’m done. My bar is so high, anyone else had
better touch the sky.
I love you
Ezra Miller!
Now you know... UPDATE: Saturday night, Sons of an Illustrious Father played in Austin. Here are some photos I shot:
At Cheer Up Charlie's in Austin 3/19/16 around 1am
And just last night, 3/22/16, Ezra attended the European premiere of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. See the PHOTOS
Not a lot of time to blog like I should, working 2 full time jobs, plus personal projects. I guess I expected to relax a little after being cured of cancer. Not happening though... But of course I still make time to keep up with all the big things happening in the world and today, here's what caught my eye: Virtual reality coming to Six Flags Texas ... SOOO DOPE!
Aging is a fact of life, but so many people today are looking for ways to look and feel younger. I always am! I don't have children so there's no indicator of how old I really am, but I don't fight my age, only poor health choices... because I love chocolate cherry bread and red meat. Yeah. I know... But to stay young, you really have to consider everything in your life, from fitness on the inside, and how you treat the outside of your body. I do. Staying hydrated through out is where I start. I drink water all the time. I also take vitamins, a multi, C, Iron, and Zinc too. Since recovering from breast cancer last year, it's been most important. I also use a lot of sunscreen, natural oils, but not product cremes to moisturize. Avocado, coconut and olive to stay soft. Even a spoonful from time to time. It also helps to keep your mind fresh and free, with great new music and ideas. Learn constantly and know what's going on in the world... not just on social media. Easy as that!
Bring on spring! The sun is shining brightly here in Texas with temperatures around 70 degrees. What's it like where you are? Let me know at rachelestrada@heightstonian.com.
A term around since 2011 has been scientifically studied and confirmed to be real... and it's great. It's a non-verbal that commands "don't bother me" nor "disrespect me" without saying a word. And I just got this face the other day from someone whom shall remain nameless. I get this face a lot actually. It's intimidating, effective and carries a clear message. When it give it, it is also understood so it surprisingly doesn't bother me.
