Speakeasy Rendezvous - the Further Adventures of a Time Lady

The incomprable Lonette McKee - The Cotton Club (1984)

"You're only misleadin'

the sunshine I'm needin' Ain't that a shame?

It's so hard to keep up with troubles that creep up

from out of nowhere, when love's to blame.

So, ill wind blow away. Let me rest today.

You're blowing me no good, no good."

- Ill Wind (1934) 

1:25 a.m.

I'm up late, putting the finishing touches on my Winter/Spring semester's syllabi. I'm currently embroiled in The Great Depression. I always assign an extra 'outside' reading to accompany our text book's chapter. Well, I'm...stuck; I can't think of a single thing and Google is being a huge pain in my round brown booty! No inspiration to found anywhere on the 'nets - sigh. Time to jete into my trusty T.A.R.D.I.S.! And I know exactly where I want to go, to the perfect place to find the inspiration I need - the Cotton Club...

I've slipped on my smoky gray Vionnet gown with a matching pair of killer heels. Officially, the Cotton Club is 'restricted,' but I've never had a problem, maybe it's the heels ;-) I'm going to sit at my favorite table, order a Sidecar (or three) and take in the show. Cab Calloway is playing all night, and I hear that Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday will be singing too - sublime!

Yep, a night at the Cotton Club is just what I need to inspire my 'professor.' I'd love for you to join me, but I understand why you can't - last minute, the late hour and all. Still, I wish that you were here - a dame never likes to sit alone. Though Mr. Gorgeous usually joins me for a glass of champagne. In the meantime, I send you a clip from the Cotton Club's headliner, La Chantuese Lila Rose Oliver singing the beautiful haunting Ill Wind. A voice and a song that perfectly captures people's sadness, poignancy, and indomitable spirit during one of the U.S.'s darkest hours...

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple