Shine celebrates National Poetry Month with the syntax dreams of IF.

By e.e. cummings

If freckles were lovely, and day was night,

And measles were nice and a lie warn’t a lie,

Life would be delight,–

But things couldn’t go right

For in such a sad plight

I wouldn’t be I.

If earth was heaven and now was hence,

And past was present, and false was true,

There might be some sense

But I’d be in suspense

For on such a pretense

You wouldn’t be you.

If fear was plucky, and globes were square,

And dirt was cleanly and tears were glee

Things would seem fair,–

Yet they’d all despair,

For if here was there

We wouldn’t be we.

By PT

April is National Poetry Month and Shine Beauty Culture will feature some of the most raw, romantic, rhythmic and thought provoking;  sonnets, stanzas and limericks to celebrate poetic prose.

A special birthday “shout out” to one of

the most prolific poets of our time.

Happy Birthday Phenomenal Woman

Maya Angelou!

Born April 4, 1928

Photo.Dwight Carter

An Excerpt from Alone by Maya Angelou

There are some millionaires

With money they can’t use

Their wives run round like banshees

Their children sing the blues

They’ve got expensive doctors

To cure their hearts of stone.

But nobody

No, nobody

Can make it out here alone.

White Knuckle Ride of RDSL CD . Nov 1st Release . You Tube . www.jamiroquai.com

National Dance Day . Sat., July 31, 2010 . Photo . M6Fitness

By PT

MOVE something this weekend with National Dance Day (NDD) an inaugural event developed by Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator of the dance show, So You Think You Can Dance. Lythgoe explains, “NDD was created to promote health and self-esteem through the art form of dance” now recognized by an official act of congress.

Nationwide dance events will take place in Chicago,  Dallas, Boston, Phoenix,  Philadelphia,  Atlanta, Tampa, Sacramento, Nashville, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Birmingham, Orange, New Jersey and more.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, a long-time proponent of the Bill and the First Lady, Michelle Obama’s aims in reducing child obesity introduced the Lifelong Improvements in Food and Exercise Act, in January 2010, to promote exercise and diet changes.  “30% of Americans are obese and childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years, holding a National Dance Day is a terrific way to promote fitness and fight obesity says Norton who will host an NDD flash mob from 1 to 5 p.m. on the National Mall between 3rd St. and 4th St. SW.  All dance forms are welcome, participants include  featuring local dance enthusiasts, representatives from dance schools, renowned organizations and former “So You Think You Can Dance” finalists.

In addition to a plethora of performers, Step Afrika, DC’s Official Cultural Ambassador, direct from their Central America tour, will grace the National Mall stage, west side of the Capitol between 3rd & 4th Streets at Madison & Jefferson Streets at 6:14 pm. Step Afrika is the world’s internationally renowned authority on the art of stepping.

“Step Afrika! Is honored to be participating in National Dance Day,” says C. Brian Williams Executive Director. “We view National Dance Day as a great opportunity to share and engage with the public. As DC’s Cultural Ambassador it is our pleasure to provide District residents and visitors alike a unique cultural opportunity through the arts.”

MOVE something and Shine Brightly across this country tomorrow, support National Dance Day!

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