Psalm 30:5

The Eiffel Tower at Night

The Eiffel Tower at night is a breathtaking sight! As the sun sets, the tower transforms into a dazzling spectacle of light and wonder. The iron latticework is adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a magical glow that illuminates the Parisian sky.

As the darkness falls, the tower's five levels shine like a beacon, with each one showcasing a different aspect of its grandeur. The first level, with its sleek and modern glass floor, sparkles like a sheet of ice, while the second level's intricate metalwork glimmers like a web of diamonds.

The third level, with its observation deck and stunning views of the city, shines like a crown, its lights reflecting off the glass and steel. The fourth level, home to the famous Eiffel Tower restaurant, Le Jules Verne, glows with a warm, golden light, inviting visitors to indulge in a culinary delight.

Finally, the top level, with its iconic radio antenna and panoramic views of the City of Light, shines like a star, its lights twinkling like a celestial display. As the night wears on, the tower's lights dance and swirl, creating a mesmerizing display of color and light that leaves onlookers in awe.

The Eiffel Tower at night is a true marvel, a testament to human ingenuity and creativity. It's a sight that inspires wonder, joy, and a sense of connection to the beauty and magic of the world around us.

Oliver Cheatham - Get Down Saturday Night 1983 HQ

Nighttime in Downtown Miami - Photography by Cassone

Behind the Lens 002 - Back in the '90s

Every picture has a story and this feature on my blog is directed to that notion. I decide these first posts would be of my work in front of the the camera. I have been blessed to work with a few great artists who were an excellent match for me and my theatrical or 'drag' persona. Eventually, as I learned and experienced more as a photographer, I ended up pointing that lens inward...lol...to get some interesting self-portraits as well.

These selections are a handful more of what I did in the 1990s and the blurbs behind each one...

Bloody Mary, photo by Sharon L. Cassone (1996)

God Bless my mother... this is a rare find from her. Through the years and due to life circumstances, I lost a lot of the photos she had taken of me from my earlier career. This was from the show The Extravaganza IV: Spellbound & Speechless, which ran at Club 246 in downtown Detroit and was the most successful installment of that series and I still use this photo annually around Halloween. Lilyne Zook designed the outfit. I have no idea what I was even doing in that moment in time, as that show was so off the hook and fun. Ahh, the memories.

makeup & photo by Diva Kingsley; a black and white variation of the photo from the earlier post... playing in makeup: The early days...haha

Miss Sam's Tiffany's Eternity, photo by Deborah Oliver

An 'eternity' only because the club got raided on drug-infested night in Detroit, thus the long standing club with quite a history filled with many good memories over the span of several decades and for many people in the Gay night club scene - all because of a selfish bar owner who cared more about peddling dope and less about his patrons and the entertainers, bartenders, spot light operators, DJs and production staff who counted on his pay to get on with their daily lives. Don't even get me started...

Sketch, by Anonymous

a fan did this drawing for me, but asked I not reveal their identity ever. hell, I don't even remember who did this for me anymore (just kidding), but I LOVE IT!

Miss Sam's Tiffany's Eternity, photo by Deborah Oliver

another variation

Review: Betty White, Jay-Z & Alumni Divas Deliver the Goods for a Memorable 'SNL'

My first point that I made to my dear friend, Pam, while we were watching this week's much anticipated episode of Saturday Night Live was... I can't remember the last time I actually sat and watched an entire episode of the show. High school? When Eddie Murphy & Joe Piscopo did their thing, nah. College? When Phil Hartman and Dana Carvey were on? Sure, I saw a bit of Molly Shannon back in the day and a spot of Tina Fey here and there, but to sit through the entire show???Right. Maybe....

Well, I kept my word and I watched SNL last night - and you know what? It was fantastic. Sure, there were a few slow parts in the middle and maybe they had Betty White doin' one too many sex jokes for even my taste, but even then - lighten up, right? She may not be our Grandma's Betty White, but she sure had me and Pam laughing like buffoons during that muffin, NPR radio skit. I swear, I will never look at a muffin the same way again. I liked a lot of her schtick, but that one, the 'Lawrence Welk'-esque opener, her take on her heavy metal/grunge 'version' of "Thank You for Being a Friend" (theme song from The Golden Girls) and her opening monologue were all highlights to me.

Also, seeing the SNL alumni divas doing their thing again was wonderful. Rachel Dratch had me in stitches, Maya Rudolph's take on Whitney Houston was hilarious, Tina Fey is always a welcome return to the show, Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler and Ana Gasteyer all doing bits that made them hits when they were on their regular runs on the series, now in it's 35th season.

Jay-Z did not disappoint either. He did almost a mini-concert of some of his major hits that had me dancin' in my seat. It was a very commanding performance and his Forever Young tribute to the evening's host was a very nice touch to cap the evening off just right. Bravo!

I will be interested to see how well the episode did in the Nielsen ratings. On my social media networks, there was a lot of buzz - that which is usually typical during major sporting or news events and/or awards shows.

Speaking of awards shows... SNL and, especially, Betty White clear some mantle space because I smell some Emmy's coming your way come August 29th...at least a slew of nominations in July.

You'll see ...because that show and it's iconic host are golden.

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photo courtesy of NBC.com

Preview: Betty White Hosting 'SNL' with Musical Guest Jay-Z Could Prove to be Historical Meeting Between Social & Mass Media

I am elated that I am a part of a group on Facebook that urged, begged and pleaded to get a beloved comedic icon to host Saturday Night Live. At first, I was leery...and a tad cynical, but I have always been a fan of the Emmy Award winning actress and animal rights activist. So, I signed up...not thinking anything would actually come of it. Then it happened. She would finally host (I say that only because legend has it that 'SNL' producer Lorne Michaels tried to get her to host three previous times). And tonight, Betty White hosts 'SNL' with musical guest Jay-Z, and I look forward to being VERY entertained. It is good to see that sometimes, something as simple and fleeting as a fan page on a social networking site could actually render some power with execs in really high places, in those buildings that touch the sky. Who da thunk it? I just want to see a good show and see what the Nielsen TV ratings say about it.

Betty White is a national treasure in my eyes with her wit, stone-faced and well-timed comedic performances have won audiences over for six decades now. From The Mary Tyler Moore Show to The Golden Girls and even her regular walk-ons on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and her numerous high profile guest spots on a variety of shows this past decade, we have always been treated to a bravura performance of quality, a 'golden' standard that speaks of excellence.

Jay-Z, as the episode's musical guest, is a wonderful choice. This multiple Grammy Award winning talent has a sound that has been part of the soundtrack of this past generation. His grit and grandeur with his style is not only poetic, but the pulse and vibe of trends that have been set long ago.

I think tonight's show will be a feather in not only NBC, Lorne Michael's and Saturday Night Live's cap, but an ultimate fan's dream come true. Imagine David Matthews, the man who began the Facebook campaign, who will be at the show. He hopes to meet Betty White, and she has reportedly promised to meet him, IF “he doesn’t mind me, you know, beating him up for getting me into this trouble,” said Betty White.

Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch all former-SNL alumni are all also returning for the episode and the fact that it is airing on Mother's Day weekend is also a wonderful programming faux pas.

If for anything, it should be a wonderful tribute to a very deserving entertainer and humanitarian. It is borderline historical, or could very well be - the marriage between social media and mass media. I think this is an excellent stepping stone in the right direction, and very timely.

Okay, Betty White - no pressure now... go out there, girl... take Jay-Z by the hand and you all go out there and make some history, money and maybe bring NBC out of the ratings cellar - if only for one night.

Photo from Access Hollywood.

Back Atcha a.k.a. Late Night Trade (Photography Archives #017)

"Late Night Trade"

Model: Nkosi Figueroa

Photo: Antonio Cassone

"Back Atcha"

Model: Nkosi Figueroa

Photo: Antonio Cassone

These two photos were from my session with Nkosi. I thought a little something for the boudoir collection, but with a twist. I love bringing out a naughty and nice quality in my models. There is nothing wrong with throwing a little sensual heat to the foray, nor is there any fault in showing characters within a reality. Nkosi can do anything as a model. I hope to work with him again. In "Back Atcha," I loved the over the shoulder glance he was giving. It was totally opposite anything else we did on that shoot. It was one of my most hit upon images in the early days of the website, but not as much as "Late Night Trade" and "Entourage" (which will be posted in a furure article). "Late Night Trade" is a play on words in more than one way with multiple variables... His expression was what Iwanted. Where are those casting directors?