So It's 2 am and I am in London Gatwick Airport......

Somehow I guess I thought my arrival into England would include Mary Poppins and Doctor Who greeting me at the border with a blue box, a bumbershoot and some charming chimney sweep with a terrible cockney accent.... that's not what happened..... what happened was I had to wrestle 50 tourists at Termini train station for 2 seats on the bus to Rome's FCO airport, spend about 45 minutes wandering around the most confusing airport I have ever been in, though I did manage to locate the plane after 2 gate changes, all in a rush for the privelege of sitting at a coffee shop on the other side of the security gate all night in suburban London....But it's all ok though, cuz just before I left Rome, I carbo loaded at Mama Angela's with a burlesque dancer named Wonderful Ginger, and that's something I could have never predicted, after I sang for her on a bridge, she stuffed me full of pasta, panna cotta, tirimisu and bruschetta...... and then on the plane I sat next to a delightful choir master and conductor and we chatted for hours about music, art, debauchery, who was our favorite Doctor (Who) and the social merits of fist mastication whilst flying the friendly skies.... And, really, the last several weeks have been a kind of blur.... we documented everything, so it's all on tape, and we will edit it and get it into a movie form when we get home.... but really, we have been changing locations every 3 or 4 days and it's just long enough to make a couple friends, or re ceonnect with old ones, sing on some bridges, go to jam sessions, make plans for future ventures and I am deep down tired and  exhausted through every bone and fiber....I think I am on my 27th wind right now..... I have been trying to post pictures and videos on my facebook page..... I have two now.... the one I have always had for my music which is http://www.facebook.com/PhatManDee and my new one, for this video documentary project which is http://www.facebook.com/TakeItToTheBridgeWithPhatManDee I hope you will "Like" it and "Share" it.

Some random recent memories.....
Squeezing into a basement with 111 new best friends for a marathon 4 hour long poetry reading extravaganza led by an Italian in a French basement in the Oberkampf in a club called "Le Chat Noir" with Pittsburgh born, Paris based jazz poet Moe Seager, and getting a standing ovation for my poem "Jim Crow is Alive and Well" with cries of "Viva La Resistance" and "Black Lives Matter" resonating through the stone walls....and somehow it not feeling rediculous.

Reconnecting with a Swedish bagpiper named Steffanos di Panoptico, whose music I fell in love with 15 years ago and singing with him on the Oberbaumbrucke in Berlin, Germany.....standing on the former border of East and West Germany, we sang "Herr Mannelig" a Sweidsh folk song about how one is not always open to seeing the beauty which lies within the one before you. Berlin also included a phenomenally delightful evening set up by a 7 foot high professional Blue Bunny named Scottie who I used to tour with in Bindlestiff Family Circus....

And the jazz clubs....such beautiful jazz clubs....in basements, in marble, in caves, in Prague, Hamburg, Berlin, Amsterdam, Venice, Belgium, Rome.....with truly beautiful players....from all over the world..... making music together in an international language of standards and community. Even though we didn't always speak the same language, we spoke music....and we connected in song.... this music which started in America, derived from the African American experience and fused with European instrumentation and international rythyms and traditions..... its resonating all over the world.....

Bridges.... sometimes I got some musicians to join me on the bridges.... sometimes I didn't. In Malta I sang alone before the "Azure Window"..... a natrual land bridge with a window looking out on the sea and sky. In Rome I sang on Ponte Fabricius, built in 64 AD with an accordionist named Daniele Mutino, who I met in San Francisco when we both performed in "How to Survive the Apocalypse a Burning Opera" and then I sang on "Ponte della Musica" for a dancer I had just met the night before named "Wonderful Ginger". In Ghent I performed with Nik Phelps, a brilliant composer who scores animations and played on every Tom Waits album for over 10 years..... we played "Lush Life" on a bridge in Ghent and he made me a "Prarie Chicken" in his Western Swing band and we played at Gentse Feeste...For the rcord, Belgians LOVE to dance.... in Hamburg I played with a 65 year old saxophonist named Helmarr and a 19 year old drummer named Jan-Phillip on a bridge and we jammed it over "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans"..... in Prague I sang on a 1000 year old bridge with 3 cellists with whom I only had in common one song, "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley......In Paris I interviewed Chrisopher Henderson, a drummer who played in Sun Ra's Arkestra then I jammed on some poetry on a bridge over Canal St Martin with Moe Seager..... In Austria I sang at the World Body Painting Festival with an 18 year old wind player who is just starting his studys at conservatory in Vienna, but who plays like he's 4 times that age.... his daddy is a super hot Jewish trucker from Georgia who runs Body Art America..... In Malta I sang on Sister Mable's Magic Terrace and witnessed my cousin marry into a beautiful family from Iran.

It's a weird, beautiful, artistic and musical world...... I am so grateful to be having this expereince..... it's rounding the bend....but not quite done. In 5 hours I will fly to Edinburgh, Scotland.....to sing at one of the world's biggest festivals....if you know anyone in Edinburgh or London, let them know Phat Man Dee is coming..... here are the deets for those shows, feel free to spread the news.....

August 8 - 16, 2015 I am singing in Chaz Royal's Best of Burlesque and vareirty cabaret show at the Spiegeltent Columbino! Show time is 11:30 pm, it is 16 pounds to attend, and patrons must be 16 years old or above. The show lasts an hour and I will be there with Tommy Amoeba and Smokin' McQueen as well as some of the best performers currently working in Burlesque from all over the world! Linkety link link link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/best-of-burlesque

August 18, 2015 I make my London, England debut at Royal Vauxhall Tavern at a delightful event called "Bar Wotever" a "Royal Queer Variety Show" hosted by Virgin Xtravaganza and Mzz Kimberly!!  Linkety link link link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1605299139743314

On Aug 19 I come home....

There is one thing I am very sad to miss, and if you could check it out, it would make me happy....and you too, cuz it's awesome.... my friends Ed Pinto and Mike Mangiafico are brilliant artists, working in glass and wood..... they have a major display of their work at Touchstone Center for Crafts and the opening is this Saturday August 8 at 5 pm - 7 pm. It will be up for some time, if you can't go to the opening, you shuold go check it while it's up. The work is incredible. There are 4 people in the world who know how to make glass casts of honeycomb. Only 2 of them can make 2 sided honeycomb. That's Eddie and Mike. I can't truly explain how beautiful their work is, if I were in town, I would definitely be singing at this opening. Check it: https://facebook.com/events/520183171469083

So, there we are....it's now 3 am and in 4 and a half hours I shall fly to to Scotland. I shall board a local bus and ride to town, for one of the biggest festivals in the world. Will anyone see me? Will anyone like my music? I think so.... will it lead to something bigger? Probably.....but even if it doesn't..... even if this goes no where past what I am experiencing RIGHT NOW..... so long as the video we make is seen and heard and enjoyed.... then we win....I feel like I won every present under the Channukah Bush and even though it seems from over here like my country is going off the damn rails.....For example, is Trump REALLY being considered seriously??? And  what in the world is going on, when Sandra Bland and Samuel Dubose are the latest victims in a centuries old hunt of Black people by the authorities, and how many more innocents have to die before the world stands up and demands justice and release from the madness????? I am grateful for this opportunity but I must admit I am having a hard time looking for international jazz musicians, which is a form of music started by Black people and right now my own country seems to be having open hunting season on the very people who gave it to us...... but I digress..... or do I??? Music is born of heartache and struggle, but I beseech the world, I would like to write music born out of a sense of security..... not fear. I leave you with this..... tell someone who you care for that you love them. Our art, our music, our communinty is a blessing, and when we share it with one another we create a better world than the one we had yesterday. Tomorrow is not promised to us, and today is now.

Love, respect,
Mandee

2 weeks! 6 cities, 4 countries, a month to go!

I have been going at it hard, friends! I have seen some truly amazing things, met some incredible musicians, crossed some phenomenal bridges, big small, old, new.... sung with some delightful people and made some wonderful new friends and fans! It  has been a very difficult and emotionally wrought journey, but I wouldn't trade a single moment of it for anything in the world..... 

We left Pittsburgh, PA amid much consternation, did we have everything we needed??? Or had I brought too much? Would people even like my voice? Would i be too pushy, and seen as some loud mouth American (which I kind of actually am???) Would I know enough words in their languages to not look like a jagoff? How do you use a bidet? What do you mean flipping someone off in Germany is illegal and punishable by up to 1000 euro fine? Would I be able to carry my heavy luggage onto boats and trains and busses and over the bridges I so wanted to see and sing on? Would we lose all the camera gear in an absinthe inspired jazz brawl under a 1000 year old bridge in Prague? All of that (except I didn't flip anyone off in Germany, cuz it's not the kind of thing I do anyways and did I mention that if you do it really is illegal??? And also we didn't fight anyone under Charles Bridge, though some drunk crusty spangers were giving us the "hey you look like you might be carrying $2000 worth of camera gear stink eye", but I "hey man, you aren't the only crazy person here" look and stunk eyed them right back and they left us alone....)

So i cannot recount the whole story right here and right now, it would be too much, and anyways its still being told and thats why were filming everything and making this whole "Takei It To the Bridge"  documentary. Editing will happen after we have created all the content, backed up the data and footage twice, watched it all and compiled it in a way that makes sense, so by winter is our eventual deadline.... but  I did want to touch base, let you know what is happening and where I am at right now.... which as of this writing is in a little air b n b in an artists loft in Fredrichshain, Berlin, Germany. I have some pictures, I have a little video, I have a show to promote (it's tomorrow, we confirmed it yesterday, so if you know anyone in Berlin, make sure to invite them for me!) 

Some pics and stories:

1st we flew to Venice, Italy.... if you want to know how strong you are and if your luggage is any good, go there first. I amm weak. And my braind new luggage was held together by tape when we arrived if that is any hint to my mental state when I arrived..... we bought the vaporetto passes (public transport via water on boats) and made our way to the first hotel, several really gorgeous bridges (there were thousands to choose from) and one phenomenal jazz club (simply called "Venice Jazz Club") in this ancient and sacred city of art, culture and passion.....The musicians there were incredible..... I cannot wait for you to hear the footage we got of them! 

After Venice we went to the World Body Painting Festival in Portshach am Worthersee in Austria so i could sing for Madelyn and Scott of Living Art America's wedding!! Madelyyn painted me for my set at the Green Stage on the Friday afternoon!

Then I sang for her wedding on Sunday!!! Which was featured in this month's Makeup Magazine! 

here is a beautiful shot of the entire body painted wedding party!!!

Btw, the guy on the right in the horns, he is 18 years old and just enrolled in the Conservatory of Music in Vienna and he's a bad ass wind player, he totally sat in with me and he killed it, cannot wait for you to see THAT footage! 

After this mind blowing and phenomenally incredible experience....we moved on to Munich.... where I found my old friend Jodi Mates Phlegar, who I have known since the age of 3 when we played in kindergarden together at Agudah Achim Synagogue day care in Altoona, PA.....she booked me at the club where her comedy improv group plays with a wonderful singer named Tracey Adele Cooper! Small world.... Tracey is dear friends with the man who sold me my cello when I was 12 years old.... after my Bas Mitzvah in Altoona..... even weirder, a lady named Shirley came to the show, she was born in Germany but raised in Altoona and we were children in Altoona but Jodi was living in Munich.... so weird.... it was an amazing night of music with Tracey's musicians and the next day we went off to play on a small bridge leading to the Nymphanburg Palace.....

here we are the "Sirens of Munich" as we sang "Wade in the Water" at the bridge at the palace! With the beautiful song stylist and operatic jazz vocalist Tracey Adele Cooper on my right and Jodi Mates Phlegar on my left and the Nymphanburg Palace at our backs! 

After Munich we headed for Prague.... beautiful, old, stunning and intense Prague.... so many musicians.... I found these gentlemen, the "Prague Cello Quartet" playing on the Charles Bridge which was built in the 1300's, before Spain started colonizing the Americas.... I sat in with them just yesterday..... we  had very few songs in common, because they are not jazz musicians, but we knew a couple in common, so I sang "Love Me Tender" with them.....

And then later that night I checked out a killer jam session at an underground jazz club, built into what looked like a bona fide cave called "U Mahelo Glena". I sang 4 tunes with them, but the band leader didn't seem to understand that when I said "May I video tape this show" that I wanted to show it to people....my Czech is truly terrible.... so hopefully after we edit it and send it to him, maybe he will change his mind, but for now, I am not allowed to play it on youtube or anything.... thankfully the musicians in Munich and Venice didn't feel that way, nor did the cellists on the bridge! But the club was pretty epic and this morning I ran into 5 French tourists at the train station who loved my singing and told me where in Paris to go to find the best jam sessions!!! So all is not lost!

Here is Alistair aka Smokin' McQueen getting B roll at 7 am on the Charles Bringe yeysterday morning! 

Today I am in Berlin! I have never been here before, and when I arrived it was RAINING! Jossephine Baker once said that it is good luck if it is raining when you go somewhere new.... It means that the city is washing itself for you and you for it.....it was raining when  she arrived in Paris the first time you see....Well it was pouring fit to burst! Luckily we had waterproofed the camera bag, covered it in plastic and had an umbrella, and found shelter.....ON A BRIDGE EXITING THE S BAHN!!!! (fancy German metro) 

So, we have not had alot of time to edit and put movie clips up, we are madly creating the music and opprtunities to film, but I promise we will get something up as soon as we can!!!! 

And tonight, at Chelsea Bar. A dear friend of mine, who just happens to be world's tallest professional blue bunny, Scotty Blue Bunny, has kindly offered to present me to Berlin at this very special show..... he is beautiful and I am so excited to see him, I haven't known him quite as long as Jodi, but I've known him since I was in the circus sideshow back in the 90s.... he's beautiful....

here's the facebook link to that show, please help me spread the word, if you have anyone in Berlin..... 

https://www.facebook.com/events/710134619109205/

So that's it for now..... I been busy..... If you want to get more stream of consciousness on the go stuff definitely find me on instagram, twitter or my FB page..... LOVE YOU!!!!!!

I am @phatmandee on both the twitter and the instagram and I am Phat Man Dee on the book of face.....

Love, light and creativity for all, let us now say together "Take It To the Bridge"

xoxo

Mandeee

Hey Phat Chick! Video Premiere, Unity Concert, goin' outta tahn w/ Kabarett and Ka-Blam!

Hey friends!
I gave you incorrect info in my last email/post! I said I had a Video Premiere tonight at Blue Moon, Sat April 18.... AND IT WAS ALL LIES AND PROPAGANDA! It's TOMORROW!
So, here is a list of some incredible events I am part of this week and next, I hope you can come, and my show schedule is popping, so check my reverbnation profile for the most up to date info about my appearances!

Tomorrow, April 18, 2015

(not the 19th as I originally stated) we are premiering my video "Hey Phat Chick!" at The Nomi Darling Show Episode 8: The Indecent Episode AND Phat Man Dee Video Release Party at Blue Moon! It's free and the drinks are cheap and the bar is SMOKY! (which is appropriate considering the videos and evening are presented by "Smoke This Productions")
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/434108646736594/ 

This Thursday, April 23, 2015 

at Altar Bar, Pittsburgh Artists for Social Change (that's me, Christiane D, Dr. Dr. HollyHood, Lita D'Vargas, Elizabeth Kivowitz, Brian Drusky) & Drusky Entertainment present: 

Unity Concert, a fundraiser for the Afro American Music Institute! 

Artists, activists and promoters in the Pittsburgh community have come together to present a concert to be a small part of helping to foster unity through music and art. This concert series shall benefit AAMI with 100% of all proceeds from the door, and in addition to donating 100 % of ticket sales, Drusky Entertainment shall contribute a portion from each and every ticket sold at all future Drusky Entertainment concerts at Altar Bar for the period of one year the beneficiary. Pittsburgh Artists for Social Change is proud to associate with Drusky Entertainment in their mission to demonstrate in a real and meaningful way how much we all support and appreciate the work of both of these worthy groups.

Scheduled Performers include:

Reverend Deryck Tines and the Lemington Gospel Chorale
Faculty Jazz Instructors from Afro American Music Institute
Afro Cuban Duets by Miguel Sague Jr and Miguel Sague III
Puerto Rican standards by Geña y Peña
Christiane D and the V*Sage Sangers
Launka Zimeir • Shad Ali • John Basement • Bluey • Sosa • Billy Pilgrim
Students of We Rock Workshop!
DJ Mike Canton of the Soul Show on WYEP
DJ Nuke Knocka of PR7X
Hosted by Phat Man Dee, Lita D'Vargas and Dr. HollyHood

Speakers:
•Tim Stevens of B-PEP
•Anupama Jain of Pittsburgh Coalition for Racial Equity in the Arts
•Mayor Bill Peduto

About Afro American Music Institute:
Afro American Music Institute (AAMI) began in 1982 by founders Dr. James Johnson and his wife, Pamela. On August 15, 2003 AAMI moved into its current location at 7131 Hamilton Avenue in Homewood. The facility provides a more inviting location with larger rooms and professional appearance and atmosphere. Consistent with its mission, the Afro-American Music Institute provides programs of excellence under the guidance and tutelage of its committed staff and board members. They seek out youth for enrollment and completion of programs and courses offered at AAMI. Their many students gain self-confidence, self-esteem, creativity and problem solving skills. Their curriculum provides specialized instrumental and vocal training in all styles of African-American music, gospel, Negro spirituals, jazz and more. People of all ages who wish to learn music from an African American musical perspective may study piano, voice, percussion and more at this incredibly powerful institution.
If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute, please do so directly through paypal at: http://www.afroamericanmusic.org/
FB event page (please please share and help us spread the word!!!)
https://www.facebook.com/events/965074193512294/ 

The following night Friday April 23, 2015
I am hitting the road to go to Johnstown, PA for the Young Professionals of the Alleghenies Vegas Night and Fundraiser! We will be performing at the dinner and entertainment early evening event at ArtSpace! It's almost sold out, only 15 tickets left, so if you want one, now is the time! More info and tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ypvegas-2015-tickets-15669383548 

And Saturday April 25, 2015 

I return back to Pittsburgh for Ka-Blam! a fundraiser for the Toonseum at the Teamsters Temple Banquet Hall in Lawrenceville. VIP reception scheduled beforehand from 7pm to 8pm. VIP tickets are $75 each or $125 per couple, while regular admittance is $40. Rick Sebak is hosting, J Malls is spinning, Pittsburgh Dad's gonna be running around up in there somewheres and I hope to see you there!!!! https://www.facebook.com/events/448209131993766/ 

The weekend after on Friday May 1, 2015 

I am thrilled to state I shall be emceeing the opening night festivities of the International Queer Burlesque Festival, right here in Pittsburgh, PA! Join us downstairs in the showbar of Cattivo for the Fierce: International Queer Burlesque Festival fancy Friday Showcase. The headliner is the luscious Ms. GiGi LaFemme from Nashville, TN - joined by our evening Feature, the equally delicious Ms. Nina La Voix from NYC Presale tickets $10 bucks or $15 bucks at the door!
http://www.showclix.com/event/Fierce3 
FB event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/821866711200306/ 

May kind of explodes after that, with the Atrocity Exhibition and also trips to ABS Fest and VABS Fest in North Carolina, Virginia and while this all going down, I am planning my European tour in July and the "Take it to the Bridge with Phat Man Dee" video web series....to all who contributed on my kickstarter campaign, thank you so much, I will be starting to send rewards soon, but I am eternally grateful.... 
One love to you, for now and always, Phat Man Dee

Springtime means LOTSA gigs!!!

Friends.... after emailing you seemingly every other day for a month.....I thought you might need a break....but now, let me say, I am honored and blessed and overwhelmingly grateful to all the support you all showed me during my supremely intense kickstarter campaign..... which was SUCCESSFUL! This summer I am going to Europe to sing at the World Body Painting Festival in Austria and then spend a month traveling with my videographer Smokin' McQueen as I search out and sing with jazz musicians and on bridges all over the continent! I have musicians in Belgium, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and I'm getting bridge suggestions from Malta, London and Bristol.... I cannot wait! THANK YOU!!!!!!! So much planning! 

Between now and then I have shows like mad! 

TOMORROW NIGHT April 1, 2015, 10 p.m., Smiling Moose, South Side

I am making a special appearance with a world traveling troupe of side show marvels who never fail to amaze me with their wild feats of human daring and ever increasingly stupefying and beautiful shenanigans! Join us for Circus Convergence III!! The Steel City Kitty Show presents Squid Shift Solutions with members of the Squidling Bros. (Philadelphia), Pain Solution ( Oslo, Norway) and Swing Shift Sideshow (Las Vegas), local acts Phat Man Dee and Kat de Lac! 

more info:

https://www.facebook.com/events/669929943129244/

Next week on Monday April 6, 2015

I am singing as one of many incredible artists at the annual B-Pep (Black Political Empowerment Project) Annual Jazz Marathon

This event is extremely exciting to me, for it showcases nearly the entirety of the Pittsburgh jazz community in a 7 hour long extravaganza! Tickets $35 and available at the door!

http://thesoulpitt.com/main/easter-monday-jazz-marathon-a-musical-fun-raiser-for-b-pep-on-april-6th-at-bridges/

The following week on April 18, 2015 I am excited to participate in a video screening with the filmmaker of my music video "Hey Phat Chick!" by Smokin' McQueen at the Blue Moon in Lawrenceville! Also screening that evening is The Nomi Darling Show "The Indecent Episode"! Other live performers include Lilith Deville, Smokin McQueen, the Indecent Divas, Veronica Lustt and Nomi Darling! More info:

https://www.facebook.com/events/434108646736594/

Thursday April 23, 2015 

Altar Bar, in the Strip, all ages, $10 doors, show 6:30 pm

I am *SUPER* excited to announce that I have been working with a new group of social justice activists, who are also, like me, performing artists. Our new group "Pittsburgh Artists for Social Change" is dedicated to affecting positive social justice through the use of our art and music. 

Artists, activists and promoters in the Pittsburgh community have come together to present a concert to benefit the Afro American Music Institute. 100% of all proceeds from the door, and in addition Drusky Entertainment shall also contribute a portion from each and every ticket sold at one of their concerts at Altar Bar for the period of one year to AAMI. 

For this concert, I am one of the hosts and organizers, and I will be singing with the gospel chorale (I joined a gospel choir, yes it's true, and they are fine with me being Jewish....haven't explained SubGenius yet.....we'll get there!) and I will also sing with Christiane D and Geña in our new project "The V*Sage Sangers". Also, the students I teach with Liz Berlin in the We Rock Workshop will also be performing!!!! 

Scheduled Performers include
Reverend Deryck Tines and the Lemington Gospel Chorale
Faculty Jazz Instructors from Afro American Music Institute
Afro Cuban Duets by Miguel Sague Jr and Miguel Sague III
Puerto Rican standards by Geña y Peña
Christiane D and the V*Sage Sangers 

Launka Zimeir
Shad Ali 

John Basement 

Bluey 

Sosa 

Billy Pilgrim
Students of We Rock Workshop!
DJ Mike Canton of the Soul Show on WYEP
DJ Nuke Knocka of PR7X
Hosted by Phat Man Dee, Lita D'Vargas and Dr. HollyHood

Speakers to include
Tim Stevens of B-PEP
Anupama Jain of Pittsburgh Coalition for Racial Equity in the Arts
Human Rights City Alliance

About Afro American Music Institute:
Afro American Music Institute (AAMI) began in 1982 by founders Dr. James Johnson and his wife, Pamela. On August 15, 2003 AAMI moved into its current location at 7131 Hamilton Avenue in Homewood. The facility provides a more inviting location with larger rooms and professional appearance and atmosphere. Consistent with its mission, the Afro-American Music Institute provides programs of excellence under the guidance and tutelage of its committed staff and board members. They seek out youth for enrollment and completion of programs and courses offered at AAMI. Their many students gain self-confidence, self-esteem, creativity and problem solving skills. Their curriculum provides specialized instrumental and vocal training in all styles of African-American music, gospel, Negro spirituals, jazz and more. People of all ages who wish to learn music from an African American musical perspective may study piano, voice, percussion and more at this incredibly powerful institution. 
See more at:: http://www.afroamericanmusic.org/

Please join us for this, I am honored to have so many wonderful people on board, and it would mean so much to me to have you as part of this historic evening of wonderful music!!!! 

More info:

https://www.facebook.com/events/965074193512294/

Here is some video of my friend Howard Alexander who teaches at AAMI with the Boys Choir:

I am honored to be in a world with you..... and I am grateful more than ever to know how many people truly respect my work and have shown their support with such thunderous waves of applause int he form of monetary donations and sharing of my now funded kickstarter.... Thank you....I am going to spend the next couple months before I leave planning my journey, sending off the rewards to the beautiful people who donated and doing the shows and gigs which led to you believing in me so much...... 

Love, light and faith,

Mandee

Once, there was a little phat girl, and she had a very big dream!

Right now....in a land known as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there sits, at her 12 year old desktop imac, a little phat girl who has dreamed of singing in Europe for the past 25 years. Since the birth of her dream, she has studied and made music with Pittsburgh jazz greats, ballet orchestra cellists, vocal teachers of great renown, medieval German bagpipers, Afro Cuban dance bands, Puerto Rican bomba bands, Egyptian classical and electronic composers, Middle Eastern master percussionists, Afro Latin master percussionists, gospel choirs, punk rock circus side show bands, heavy metal mavens, social justice singers, SubGenius spiritualists, hip hop producers, flamenca guitaristas, burgeoning rock operas about Burning Man, complaint choirs, I even led a Pan Spiritual Multi Lingual choir at Sankofa last year and we backed them all up with my jazz band, the Cultural District!!! I give thanks every day for the AMAZING power of the Lord, the Lady and Bob.... I am a pan spiritualist, I love God and the Goddess in all their forms and I feel blessed by everything every day. I was alienated as a child, felt bullied (was bullied) for being fat, weird, Jewish.... you name it.... small town, middle of Pennsylvania.... you know.... and as I grew I have come to understand we are ALL made to feel "less than" for some reason or another. Some friends of mine, it's because they're Black and we live in an inherently racist world with a ton of work left to do, some beautiful new friends of mine in Puerto Rico apparently STILL don't have the right to vote cuz of some CRAZY OLD racist laws on the books, some for religious, sexual orientation or economic bias, there are so many reasons for people to hate you in this world.... BUT I DIGRESS..... As an adult, I have turned the hurt and shame of being me around into joyous celebration of self and those around me through my music and art and it has allowed me to see the beauty of everyone else, I love language, culture, music, the flavor of a people can be heard in their songs and I want to sing with them ....

Here is example of the kind of videos I would make in Europe, on bridges.... this one I am on the Smithfield Street Bridge, down the street from my house:

As of this posting I am 22 hours from my deadline, at 10 AM EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) tomorrow, my kickstarter campaign expires and if I don't get it all, I get nothing.... I am so close to this that I can hear the accordions in Rome and the jazz trumpeters in Belgium..... and the bridges are singing in my mind's ear..... I just added some amazing last minute rewards.... music listening sessions with my bassist/producer/arranger Tony DePaolis, you can choose ANY RECORD YOU LIKE from his massive and seriously eclectic catalogue of vinyl (this comes with a wonderful souvenir of the session), glass figurines by Ed Pinto accompanied by my poetry, a photo shoot with me as co model and stylist with photographer Erica Dilcer, Saturday morning cartoon watching parties with Tommy Amoeba and I in our home with overly sugared cereal, laser printed clutch zippered wallets by Suz Pisano, Phat Man Dee jewelry by Angela Rocco..... or go whole hog and book my band for a special event, private party, wedding, Bas Mitzvah band.... (though if it's for a Bas Mitzvah, it won't really be "whole hog", I can keep it kosher...) you can see some pictures and look at the updates here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/402781557/help-phat-man-dee-get-outta-tahn-and-document-the/posts/1163720

Please help me make this reality. I love living in a world with you. We're all weirdoes and freaks and artists and we need to support each other. Every little bit counts, and if you don't have a couple bucks to send....share a link to someone who might. If you already have, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I can't wait to post the videos we will be making across Europe.....I have $1557 left to raise from my budget of $16,200, that means FOURTEEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE DOLLARS has been raised by wonderful people who want to see me sing in Europe..... THAT IS AMAZING!!!!  Still need a little bit more to toss me over the edge.... 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/402781557/help-phat-man-dee-get-outta-tahn-and-document-the

One love, I am ever grateful for the love and support we share together in this mad mad world we call home....

Mandee

PS The 20th Annual Ides of March March is this Sunday March 15, 2015, we meet at 12th and Carson, South Side, Birmingham Square, Pittsburgh, PA Fly your freak flag high and put on the dog! Bring a drum and beat the gong soundly!

New Rewards on my Kickstarter! New Gigs Announced!

I swear to you, asking for help is the most humbling thing I have ever done. And then, receiving it, even more so. I am blessed with the love and support of some incredible fans. I am grateful to live in a world where so many kind people respect me and my work. I have raised over 1/3 of the monies I need to take my music to Europe and create a video document of the journey. I have invitations to sing with musicians, in clubs and festivals. I want to make a video web series of me singing on bridges across the world, to symbolize the connection our city has to the rest of the world as an international hub of art, music and culture and THE BRIDGES THEMSELVES! What doesn't say multi lingual jazz like singing on a bridge? Please, I still need a little help. Every little bit helps, and I have awesome rewards at all levels. I really want to sing to you from the Eiffel Tower. I really want to hand deliver a pie to your home with a song. Please be part of the magic and the project. Also, I should say, if I don't get all the money pledged, I don't actually get any of it.... Kickstarter won't charge anyone's card if the project doesn't get all the funding. I think I made a pretty reasonable budget, and I don't want to take half the $ I need to make it happen and then do the project half way, I want to make it happen right, for real for true. Please donate what you can and please share it around. I didn't become Phat Man Dee all by my lonesome, I became Phat Man Dee because of the wonderful people I have known in my life who helped me get here. Thank you. 

kickstarter link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/402781557/help-phat-man-dee-get-outta-tahn-and-document-the
facebook event page for fundraiser link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1459809560906487/


Future gigs to keep in mind:

Sunday March 15, 2015 The 20th Annual Ides of March March


Meet 6 pm at Birmingham Square in South Side, S. 12th and E Carson, parade to 21st St, cross street, come back down the other side! This year marks the twentieth annual Ides of March March.... For the past twenty passings of our planet, our giant communal space ship, around our sun, we, artists, freaks, clowns of every ilk, sideshow marvels, dancers and mad blue bakers, we have marched through our neighborhood to warn the good people of South Side of Pittsburgh, PA that we, the Ides of March March, are ever watchful of our own return. Please join us this in this historically lacksadaisacal insistence that we are who we say we are! Put on the dog and let the horns be heard high, we are, and have been and this year we shall continue to be the one and only (except for the one in Phili and we are gonna try to have a virtual satellite feed of their parade to ours, kinda like in that one South Park episode where Kenny had to stay at the video staore so the others taped an ipad to a stick and brought his head trick or treating with them? kind of like that) 20th Annual Ides of March March! 6 pm! Sunday March 15! South 12th and E Carson St at Birmingham Square! Sahs Side! Bring drums! Sidewalk floats! We're on the sidewalk, not the street...remember, this is happening for no particular reason at all..... it's just exactly what it is..... 


Saturday March 21, 2015 
Winterstar Ball : A memorial to Jeff Rosenbaum 
The WinterStar Ball is a fund raising event to honor the life and legacy of Jeff Rosenbaum. The money raised will be utilized to place a headstone at his grave site. Any funds raised that exceed the cost of the headstone will be put towards the continuing vitality of the Starwood Festival which is the enduring legacy of Jeff's life work. Come be a part of something quite special! There will be workshops, live music, a psychic fair and merchants catering to many specialties. 
https://www.facebook.com/events/524968607642338/

Also dave these April dates, more info to come! 
Monday April 6, 2015 
B-Pep Annual Fundraiser tix $50, jazz jam session featuring over 50 of the regions finest jazz players in one room at one time! More info tba! 

Thursday April 23, 205
Unity Concert at Altar Bar! 
Produced by Pittsburgh Artists for Social Change and Drusky Entertainment! 
All proceeds to benefit Afro American Music Institute and Hosanna House! More info tba! 

Thank you for your time, you art, your love, yor support, your life, just being on the planet with oyu, there is so much happening, some good, some bad, some really bad.... and I feel blessed to just know we are here and doing everything we can to leave this world a better place then we found it. 
One love,
Mandee

PS My kickstarter....OMG PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!! WHY DID I DO THIS? IT IS TERRIFYING AND I SHOULD HAVE JUST BECOME A LAWYER OR A VULCAN LKE I MEANT TO DO WHEN I WAS YOUNG CUZ THEN I COULD HAVE EITHER JUST PAID MY OWN WAY OR STOLEN A STARSHIP AD GONE THERE MYSELF!!!!!!!

PPS Rest with God Mr. Nimoy, you were an inspiration and a mensch.