Sunday, December 31, 2023

Rob Riggle: Actor, Comedian, Writer, Director, Producer, Military Veteran

Rob was still on active duty with the United States Marine Corps, when he broke into comedy. 

While sitting on a beach in Corpus Christi, Texas, Rob wrote his goals on paper. One of those goals was to be part of Saturday Night Live. It took 10 years, and he made it as a featured SNL cast member from 2004 to 2005.

Rob served in Albania, Liberia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan, earning over 22 medals and ribbons, including a Combat Action Ribbon. He also earned a master's degree.

After 23 years, Rob retired from the Marine Corps Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Photograph © 2015 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.


Impaired Driving

Many Kansas law-enforcement agencies continue with their, 'Taking Down DUI', traffic-enforcement campaign, through Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Expect police saturation patrols.

I made this photograph of a holding cell at Leawood, Kansas, Police Headquarters.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

 

Friday, December 29, 2023

Mike Bozzoli - New Release

Released today on all streaming platforms, Mike Bozzoli's 'Safe', one of the tracks on the 'Saturday Night EP'.

'Safe', Mike Bozzoli

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@mbbozzoli @boz_music_kc #musician #singer #songwriter #guitarist 

Horticulture

 

Ravenea rivularis, as it's opening and expanding.

Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

#plants


Thursday, December 28, 2023

Summer Timperley, Vocalist

 

#WomenYouShouldKnow 

Summer, performing with The Wednesdays, Wednesdays at Herman's.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@wednesdaysathermans

Kian Byrne, Musician

Kian, performing with The Elders.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@kianqbyrne @theelderskc #drummer 

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Ed Obermeier, Musician

Ed, performing with Surfin' USA - A Tribute to The Beach Boys.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

#guitarist 

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Wrongfully Convicted

Seventeen-year-old Lamonte McIntyre was arrested for a double homicide in Kansas City, Kansas, then spent 23 years in prison before being freed and exonerated.

The only evidence police had was his first name, and coerced testimony from two eyewitnesses.

Donate to Midwest Innocence Project 

Website for Midwest Innocence Project

Kansas needs jailhouse-informant reform.

Photograph © 2017 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@lamontemcintyre @the.mip www.themip.org #ProceduralFlaws #SystemicRacism #HumanError #HumanMisconduct 

American Jurisprudence

 


Photograph © 2018 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Todd Bolender: Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer, Director

Ballet dancer Todd Bolender, moved to New York City to study theatrical dance about the same time soon-to-be-famous George Balanchine arrived in the United States.

Balanchine supervised Todd at the fledgling School of American Ballet.

Todd danced from 1936 to 1972, an unusually-long period, and went on to choreograph dozens of ballets.

He also choreographed for musical theater, opera, and television. He choreographed the opera Samson and Delilah, for which the dancing received a better review than the singing.

In 1981, he was granted the Dance Magazine Award for his lifetime achievement in dance.

To make this photograph, I visited Todd at his residence. As I loaded film into my camera, he reminisced about his long career.

The Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity opened in 2011, and is home for Kansas City Ballet.

Photograph © Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

@kc.ballet @kc.balletschool #kansascityballetguild 

Candle

Photograph © 2019 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved. 

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Pine Cones

 


Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

Military Veteran

The gentleman behind me wore a cap bearing the words 'Vietnam Veteran'.

I suggested he take my place in line, and I would go behind him.

Eventually, and somewhat reluctantly, he agreed and we talked.

He lost his community college student deferment in 1968, and drafted into the Army. His service was in 1969 and 1970.

It was an interesting conversation, and a good way to begin my day.

Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

#VietnamWarVeteran #AfricanAmericansInCombat 

Friday, December 22, 2023

Poinsettia


Photograph © 2019 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved. 

Wrongfully Convicted

#WomenYouShouldKnow

At the age of 16, LaQuanda Faye Jacobs was convicted of capital murder in Arkansas, a crime she did not commit.

After 26 years, LaQuanda was released.

Arkansas does not allow one to raise all innocence claims in one straightforward petition.

Midwest Innocence Project  @the.mip    

Photograph © 2018 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

#ProceduralHurdles #SystemicFlaws

 

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Homelessness

 


#BeLikeThePhilCollinsExperience

The song, "Another Day In Paradise", was written by legendary British singer and drummer Phil Collins to highlight the plight of homeless people worldwide.

'The Phil Collins Experience', is an exceptional 12-piece tribute band that recreates the best of Phil Collins, and Genesis. 

Pictured, is Terry Adams Jr., singer and drummer who performs the role of Phil in the tribute band.

At each of 'The Phil Collins Experience' performances nationwide, band merchandise is available for purchase. Proceeds from those sales go to homeless charities.

I applaud you. Bravo. The compassion and commitment of all 'The Phil Collins Experience' band members to further the mission of Phil Collins is exemplary.

"She calls out to the man in the street

'Sir, can you help me?

It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep...'"

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@pcexperience #drummer #singer #homeless #musician

Lives Lost To Violence

From 3 years ago:

"Christmas, 2020. Christian church. No nativity scene. No brightly-lit decorations.

On the main doors of this Baptist church in Kansas City, Missouri, hang two simple wreaths.

As an alternative to Christmas adornment, one sees 173 crosses honoring those who lost their lives to violence in Kansas City this year."

Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

 

Oleta Adams: Singer, Songwriter, Musician

 


#WomenYouShouldKnow

For truly sublime Christmas music, stream or download Oleta Adams' album, 'Christmas Time with Oleta.'

'Christmas Time with Oleta', Oleta Adams

Oleta has four Grammy nominations, and graced with, "The voice that brought me out of the shower." -Oprah Winfrey

Photograph © 2019 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

@TheOfficialOletaAdams #LegendsAward #BlackMusicHonors #AmericanJazzWalkOfFame 

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Tiffany & Co.

#WomenYouShouldKnow

Christina Carlson, Tiffany & Co.

Photograph © 2013 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@tiffanyandco #model 

Lisa McKenzie, Favorite Drummer

#WomenYouShouldKnow

Lisa McKenzie is Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors Favorite Drummer for 2023. 

Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@lisadrummergirl @kansascityjazz #2023JAMAwards #percussionist #drummer #FavoriteJazzDrummer #musician 

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Jim Erwin, Musician

Jim, performing with The Suburbans.

Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@xpansion7 @suburbanskc #keyboardist  

Monday, December 18, 2023

John P. Connolly, Actor

You certainly remember actor John P. Connolly from 9 1/2 Weeks, NYPD Blue, and The West Wing.

He has many more credits, including Will & Grace, ER, The Practice, and Law & Order.

John is the former Actors' Equity Association Executive Director, and former National AFTRA President (American Federation of Television & Radio Artists).

Photograph © 2011 Larry F. Levenson.

All right reserved.

#television #movies 

Statue of President Andrew Jackson

By the end of his presidency, Andrew Jackson had signed into law nearly 70 Indian-removal treaties.

Approximately 50,000 indigenous people in the Southeast were moved to Indian Territory, the dry plains west of the Mississippi River.

Thousand died en route.

This purge opened millions of acres of fertile land east of the Mississippi to white settlers.

Indian Territory was vast, however the government intended the Native Americans' destination be a more confined area; what would become eastern Oklahoma. 

Photograph © 2019 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.


Sunday, December 17, 2023

Noah Austin, Musician

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

#guitarist 

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Christa Dubill

#WomenYouShouldKnow

I miss seeing Emmy® Award-winning, television-news anchor Christa Dubill.

Photograph © 2019 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@christadubill #NewsAnchor #TelevisionNews 

Carlton Bost, Musician

Carlton is a guitarist, programmer, and producer for the band 'Berlin'.

Photograph © 2021 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@carlton_bost @berlinofficialband #guitarist 

Compassionate Law Enforcement

#WomenYouShouldKnow

Over a two-week period in late 2020, the Franklin County, Kansas Sheriff's Office received multiple calls of concern regarding a woman walking alone along a highway in the pre-dawn cold. 

Upon speaking to the woman, deputies learned she was walking 6 miles to work each morning to her job at Love's Truck Stop in Ottawa, Kansas, then 6 miles back to her home in Princeton, Kansas, when her shift ended.

She supports herself and her young twins.

Sgt. Jesse Vega and his patrol team wanted to help. In a matter of days, they located a van, child safety seats, procured vehicle insurance, and more, to give her as a surprise.

Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@franklincountysheriff.ks @lovestravelstops 

Friday, December 15, 2023

Wreaths Across America

National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 16, 2023.

Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@wreathsacross #military  

Candle

Beginning in 1960, when Jacqueline Kennedy was the 31-year-old First Lady of the United States, she enjoyed throwing White House dinner parties.

Her request of the staff, was to light these Rigaud candles in every room.

The fragrance was Cyprés, as is this one.

Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@rigaud_paris "Créateur de la bougie parfumée."

Light on the Wall

 


Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

Ashley Barron, Singer/Songwriter

#WomenYouShouldKnow

Photograph © 2021 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@ashleybarronofficial #nashville #countrymusic 

Sign

Photograph © 2021 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved. 

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Bill Farmer, Voice Actor



Bill has been the official voice of Disney's Goofy and Pluto since the mid-1980's.

Additionally, Bill's resume is full of leading and supporting voice roles in movies, television, and advertising.

He has worked for Pixar, Warner Brothers, Universal Studios and MGM.

Photograph copyright 2016 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

#Disney #Pluto #Goofy #VoiceActor 

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Joe Voye, Musician

Joe, performing with Elton Dan and the Rocket Band.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@jvdrums81 @elton_dan #drummer

Leaf

 

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

Danny Kaul, Musician

 

Danny is also a conductor, arranger and composer.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@dannykaul123 #bassguitarist #guitarist

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Dancers

 

Photograph © 2020 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

Amy Casey, Vocalist

#WomenYouShouldKnow

Amy, performing with Cherry Bomb.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@cherrybomb_rocks  

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Table, Chair

Photograph © 2021 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved. 

Abdur-Rahim Jackson

 

Dancer/choreographer Abdur-Rahim Jackson, trained at The New Freedom Theatre, Philadanco, The Boston Ballet School, and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

He graduated from The Juilliard School, and performed as Principal Dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 

His credits are extensive, and work has taken him across the United States, and to other countries.

Abdur-Rahim worked on the choreography team for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, choreographed sections of the Beyoncé 'Crazy in Love' Super Bowl XLVII Halftime performance (CBS), and co-choreographed the Beyoncé 'Halo' music video. 

He also choreographed for singer/songwriter/actress Taylor Dayne, The Salt-N-Pepa Lane Bryant Campaign, Hair/Fashion Award Shows for JC Penney Salons, ULTA Beauty, and Matrix (L'Oréal).

Photograph © 2018 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@abdurrahimjackson #dance #choreographer #ballet #dancer 

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Ice Skaters

Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

 

Friday, December 8, 2023

Casi Joy, Musician

 

#WomenYouShouldKnow

Casi Joy: Singer, songwriter, guitarist.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@casijoymusic #singer #songwriter #guitarist 


Bobbi Burton

#WomenYouShouldKnow

I met actress Bobbi Burton on a movie set 19 years ago. We became great friends.

Here she is the following year, part of the production crew on another movie.

She can do it all.

Photograph 2005 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@contactbobbiburton #movies #film

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Wrongfully Convicted

Rodney Lincoln, number 48563, spent 36 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He is now free.

Midwest Innocence Project helped make this possible for Rodney, and others wrongfully convicted.

Presently, Midwest Innocence Project has 670 applications for others needing help. The have 10 cases being actively litigated, and 10 being actively investigated.

Partners For Innocence, Midwest Innocence Project

Number 48563 was Rodney's prison identification number.

Enjoy this holiday season with your family, Rodney.

Photograph © 2018 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@the.mip #wrongfullyconvicted #partnersforinnocence

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Colin Ridge, Musician

Colin, performing with Big Time Grain Co.

Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@ridgetastic @bigtimegrainco #guitarist 

Alvin Sykes, Activist

Portrait of a civil rights activist: The late Alvin Sykes.

Alvin devoted his life to investigating racially-motivated murders, and helping those wronged by the United States justice system.

He became nationally known when he was the impetus for the Emmett Till Civil Rights Crimes Act, which created a cold-case component within the United States Justice Department.

Alvin dropped out of school in the tenth grade. He used the public library system to educate himself, and began sitting in on courtroom trials to learn the law.

Photograph © 2018 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.

#CivilRights #HumanRights

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Michael Brandt

 

Michael Brandt: Writer, director, executive producer for Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, Chicago Justice, 2 Fast 2 Furious, 3:10 to Yuma, and many more.

Watch for, "Arthur the King", to be released in 2024.

Photograph © 2017 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

#movies #television

Monday, December 4, 2023

Eric Nettle, Musician

Eric, performing with Way Too Famous.

Photograph © 2022 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@nettleeric #guitarist  

Jeff Bruntzel, Musician

Jeff, performing with The Wednesdays, Wednesdays at Herman's.

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson.

All rights reserved.

@jeffbruntzel @wednesdaysathermans #guitarist  

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Leaves

Photograph © 2023 Larry F. Levenson. 

All rights reserved.