UCAN! Magazine-Summer 2013

UCAN!

volume one issue FOUR

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THE HOT SEASON Jesenia the Actress & Jenni Ruiza Climbing to the Top-One Laugh at a Time The Avenues Master the Art of Busking Darcel Wyne Leonard Improving Self Esteems and Marriages Ocktoberfest Music and Film Festival Accepting Film Submissions NOW

Tracey M oore The Golden Touch

shop at www.etsy.com/shop/yoammo

FROM THE EDITOR

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SUMMER 2013 VOLUME ONE ISSUE FOUR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

STAR DAVIS

Star Davis

What an experience getting this issue together! Good, bad, and crazy all at the same time. I dedicate this Summer Issue to the amazing team with whom I worked. Randy, David, and Richard - You all were the epitome of creativity, talent, professionalism, and fun.—UCAN! Magazine wishes our readers a most joyous summer! We’ll be back with lots of great talent and the interesting projects on which they’re working. (below, left to right) Randell Pearson, Creative Director and Artistic Director; Star Davis; Tracey Moore, Cover Model for Summer Issue; Richard Lomax, Make-Up Artist and Stylist. Not pictured, David Charles, Photographer (Charles David NYC)

CREATIVE

DIRECTOR

RANDELL PEARSON CONTRIBUTING

EDITORS

DENISE THOMAS-KERSEY Z. STARMAN CHRISTOPHER GRISSOM MELISSA GOLDSTEIN editorial

p roduction

NAIMA SOLOMON ENTERTAINMENT

DIRECTOR

KAREN Y. BROWN RESEARCH

CENTER

DEIDRE GREGORY KEIDRA CAMERON MICHELLE DUBOIS ADVERTISING

DIRECTOR

KIMBERLY ANN RICHARDS

UCAN! MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED SIX TIMES ANNUALLY IN ENGLISH. UCAN! IS REGISTERED AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK. COPYRIGHT © 2012 BY PINDARA STUDIOS LLC. COPYRIGHT UNDER UIVERSAL COPYRIGHT CONVENTION. FRONT COVER AND ENTIRE MAGAZINE DESIGN COPYRIGHT @ 2012 BY PEARSON DESIGNS, BROOKLYN NY, USA. REPRODUCTION OF ANY PARTS OF THIS PUBLICATION REQUIRES EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. UCAN! ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHY OR ARTWORK.

deadline for submissions: August 5, 2013 www.iffmnewyork.com www.facebook.com/IFFMNewYork

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& WRITERS JENNI RUIZA & JESENIA L AT I N A L A D I E S W H O KEEP US LAUGHING

UCAN! Magazine had a chance to sit and talk with two rising stars of comedy. Their series, BECOMING RICARDO is destined to be a sure-fire hit having gotten some of the most robust laughs we’ve ever heard at premiers. Both of them are talented writers and actresses in their own right, but when you put Jesenia and her writing partner and good friend Jenni Ruiza together, not much else needs to be said.

UCAN! What brought you two together in this crazy world of entertainment?

JENNI Jesenia was looking for sketch writers for the third season of her comedy show, AY QUE FUNNY. One of our mutual

friends told me about it and connected us via Facebook. Next thing you know, we met at the Marriot [and were] bonding over how there are NO Latinas in comedy, and our inappropriate humor. We clicked, and she invited me on to be a writer for the show. I have to be honest though, I didn’t think I was going to get the gig.

JESENIA Yup! Exactly what she said! I knew Jenni’s sick and twisted humor would be perfect for my show, also because I

needed to be able to work with people that got my humor and, to date Jenni is the only person that has been able to understand the methods to my humorous madness. Little did I know, when I first met her, that we would not only become sister friends but also a great comedy writing duo!

UCAN! What was the original inspiration behind your hilarious show, BECOMING RICARDO? And from where do you get

your inspiration now?

JESENIA Basically, BECOMING RICARDO came from Ricardo’s fans. People kept asking to see him in more and more things

sketches, movies, vlogs [video blogs]. So because my goal is to become a television actress, I decided to do a web series with Ricardo.

UCAN! So for our readers who don’t know, the super abbreviated premise of the show is that Ricardo is really a woman

pretending to be a man. Tell us what made that idea come about.

JESENIA It took me a while to figure out what the show would even be about, but then one day the movie TOOTSIE popped

up in my head, and I just knew that was the right way to go! The show is also very much inspired by Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball and Laurel and Hardy, but the overall premise of the show was derived from the thought of: “What would a woman do/act/ think like if she were to have to live as a man? Would it be easy? Would it be hard? Would she be treated differently as a man vs. as a woman?” All these thoughts came to mind, and so I put my pen to paper and started thinking how could I go about this comically and, of course the ideas just came flooding in!

UCAN! Would you say that one of you takes more of a lead when it comes to your writing partnership, or does it depend

on the specific project?

JENNI For the pilot episode of BECOMING RICARDO, Jesenia was head writer and I was contributing writer. But for the rest of

the season we literally pulled up two chairs to one computer and sat for hours on end writing, rewriting, and editing until each episode was perfect. So it’s very much a tag team effort. There were some points in our writing where one session would last for up to twelve hours with little breaks.

JESENIA Yes, I was the head writer for the pilot episode; developed the idea, the characters, the premise, the locations,

the script. But for the rest of season one it is definitely a joint effort between Jenni and me. I enjoy collaborating on ideas and hearing out the thoughts of where Jenni would like to take an episode. Most times we agree on pretty much everything, so we make a great team!

JENNI Yeah, a great writing team is hard to find. Either someone’s feelings get hurt or maybe someone feels like their ideas

are going unnoticed, but that never happens to us. I think what makes it work so well for us is that we’re so close, so it’s second nature for us to be brutally honest. And then we’ll just continuously smack each other in the face if we can’t agree. Right?

JESENIA Yup! I will beat yo’ ass to prove my point! Nah. I’m usually right, so ya know, it works! (Evil laugh.) No seriously,

when it came time to write my first ever TV show, I knew Jenni would be the one to help me make this show memorable!

UCAN! Everyone on our team loves the pilot episode! There hasn’t been that much hardy laughter in our screening room

since…well ever. Where do you see BECOMING RICARDO going?

JESENIA I see the show going on TV. I think it’s about time we had a comedy on TV where the lead is a Latin woman! I would

be more than honored to fill that and would work my ass off on representing myself and my people in a more positive, nonstereotypical way. Both Jenni and I work very hard to market the show to the right people, while expanding our audience. From the very beginning, our show has been a fan-based mission of mine. For all the support we have been getting from so many people within the industry and from the supporters who have been there from the beginning, I thank you!!! As an artist all I can do is the best that I know how, nonstop! I promise you I won’t [stop]! I appreciate people loving what I do; hopefully soon we will rule the Universe or Univision, whichever comes first!

JENNI We constantly hear, “this has to be on TV,” or “where can we see more?” So if the feedback holds true to that, then

hopefully executives will take notice and we’ll be in your face before you know it. We work so hard on this show, we literally live and breathe it, and we want our audience to feel as passionate about it as we do.

JESENIA We are currently in the production and post-production (yes simultaneously) of BECOMING RICARDO. We have

been able to raise just enough money to film four more episodes (episodes 2-5), which we will be premiering this summer in a private screening. After that, we will be campaigning to raise more money to film the rest of the season (episodes 6-10). We will begin to campaign sometime in September or October. During this time we will continue to market the show to TV and cable networks. So keep your fingers crossed for us, because we plan on taking it to the top!

UCAN! What’s coming up, project wise, for you ladies in the future?

JESENIA We’ll be working on writing our first short film.

We can’t say too much about it, but I will say that both Jenni and I will be starring in this one together. Check out our websites. We also have a blogtalkradio show called COMEDY GIRLS, where we talk all things comedy, meaning: we find the comedy in all things but from a woman’s point of view. We have over fifteen thousand listeners and counting! So I do believe we are on to something. Stay tuned for our next show on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 10:00pm EDT. JENNI Your help is much needed! If you enjoy the show,

share it with your friends. Word of mouth carries like you wouldn’t believe, especially with social outlets popping up all over the place. Subscribe on YouTube; like the Facebook page; follow our Twitter/Instagram. We promise you will not be disappointed! And if you are, I’ll buy you a drink. (Laughter.) Not really…. www.becomingricardo.com Youtube.com/becomingricardo www.facebook.com/becomingricardotv Twitter: @becomingricardo http://www.blogtalkradio.com/comedygirls www.jeseniacomedy.com www.jenniruiza.com

lomax

Richard

Beauty

“Be flawless in all aspects.”

UCAN! MAGAZINE TRACEY MOORE

—Richard Lomax

BEFORE+AFTER: LINDSAY CORRINE BEFORE+AFTER: ALEXIS BROWN

Richard Lomax is a NYC based make-up artist to The Stars. Lomax’s 8-year career includes recent projects for the Tamia Hill Tour (NYC) with celebrity make-up artist Demetress Valentine and Sean Paul’s video How Deep Is Your Love featuring Kelly Rowland. He has worked with Robin Givens for the Women Who Care luncheon, with international designers, The DPiper Twins (twice appearing in Sister2Sister Magazine) and for the past 4 years with Iman Cosmetics. He has collaborated with the industry’s top artists, such as Valente Frazier and Byron Barnes. Lomax believes there’s 2 ways to do makeup...your way and the correct way. “When it comes to make-up, hair and fashion...I do it my way.” Please visit the website and blog page for more information.

richardlomaxbeauty www.RichardLomaxBeauty.com . sirr.lomax@gmail.com

http://www.faintstudios.com /campiflegreiwebseriesfest/

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Steven Del Castro is an actor who is always passionate about his work.

Realizing the power in building his own projects, he and filmmaker Rob Santana co-wrote and co-directed the film FIRST ROUND through their production companies, New Majority Films and What If Productions. Steven was also the film’s star. At present time, he has a national commercial running, plays the male lead in a Salsa music video, and has several print ads. This winter, Steven plans to shoot a web series; a police drama in Philadelphia; and has a feature film in development which is slated to shoot next year in Puerto Rico.

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TalLi CLEMONS recently completed filming Jahmar Hill’s, LAST LOVE LOST in New York. Immediately upon returning to his home of Boston, he finished up with filming INSTAGRAMABLE

by Lyv Bien Aime. A steady working actor, Talli is currently working on IN MEMORY OF YOU, by Bryan Casey and ROSIE’S DINER by Camp9films. See his work on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Actor-Talli-Clemons/431225283626352 Mario Corry is an actor, director, and singer. He also writes.

His company, M.A.C. Films has two impressive short films to its credit: MANIPULATION, which Mario also directed and co-wrote with C.C. Corry and BOLOGNA AND LETTUCE, which he wrote and directed. Mario was nominated for Best Director for the Levi Wilson play, SOMETHING LIKE

PENGUINS which, he tells us, went on to win for Best Play at the Strawberry One Act Festival in 2010. As an actor, Mario has appeared in Law and Order Criminal Intent (with Roy Schieder), One Life to Live, The Good Wife, Rescue Me, Person of Interest, Zero Hour, and Pan Am. His new projects include the role of John Abbott on the Dianna Smith/Tony Clomas web series, Disciplinary Actions and the role of Tony in the feature film, Full Circle, by Slick Misfit.

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TRACEY MOORE C O V E R

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SHARING SOMETHING MORE VALUABLE THAN

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B + W P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y W ILSON S A N T INELLI

Tracey Moore is surprisingly easygoing and low maintenance despite her many years of working in show business, and the long list of entertainment people with whom she has close relationships. Like the true professional she is, she showed up early for the interview. And true to her pleasant nature, she was free flowing and willing to go with whatever the mood and tone.

My interview with Tracey was a combination of girl talk and serious schooling. I loved how she spoke with me as if all the projects I’d worked on were big budget blockbusters. Like I was someone who knew the highest echelons of the game. The fact is, I was the independent actor who had seen the grittiest of guerilla filmmaking. Whether she knew it or not, Tracey was teaching me many things during our talk. And just like the first time I’d seen her three years ago, I knew what she was telling me now would stay with me for years to come. Perhaps even for the rest of my acting career. What’s so disarming about Tracey is that she seems to have absolutely no idea of the lasting positive effect she has on people.

Tracey and I first met back in 2010 at a monologue competition where she was one of the judges. I didn’t know who she was, but I was very intrigued by her feedback on each actor’s performance. One instance in particular, where Tracey’s comments still stand out in my mind, was when an actor was doing a monologue that took place at a gravesite. When the scene was finished, Tracey talked about how different elements such as the dirt and flowers would have come into play. Three years later, her words still affect me and influence the choices I make as an actor.

One quality she has, a common thread in most successful people, is that innate desire to help others. “I went to Catholic school for twelve years. When I was six years-old in the first grade, I was standing in the playground, and I told my friend I wanted to be like Jesus. Not Jesus being Jesus, but I remembered the nuns telling us stories about how he always helped people. I wanted to be like Jesus and help people.”

Tracey came to New York City in 1981 with the hopes of being a theater performer. With the stub of her one-way ticket from San Francisco, two hundred dollars, and a trunk, she knew all of two people when she arrived. Both of them were unemployed actors. That experience, unbeknownst to Tracey, set her on a path that would change the course of not just her life, but also of many others.

“I pretty much deadened the idea of being an actor shortly after I came to New York. I mean, I was so encouraged to work with actors because my friends were actors and they were unemployed. So I was like, ‘how can I get my friends work?’ And then when I found out that a casting director helps actors get work, I was like, ‘Oh I gotta do this job! I can help my friends,’” Tracey says with a laugh.

During Tracey’s twenty year career as a casting director, she has provided work for actors in productions ranging from commercials, to films, television and music videos.

When Tracey first began that journey, there were no books, no schools, no classes to where one could go to learn the profession of casting. There still aren’t. Another way she has helped others is by being a mentor, and teaching what she’s had to teach herself.

A lot of casting directors owe what they’ve learned to Tracey’s generosity.

For outsiders looking in, it’s easy to think that with such a successful track record one could gladly do that for a lifetime. “For me,” Tracey says “casting wasn’t my final destination. The truth is, if you talk to people behind that table – casting directors want to be either producers or actors. That’s the truth.”

Tracey stopped casting after working as an acting coach for Hip Hop artist, Busta Rhymes. He was so comfortable with her style and technique that he wanted her on set all the time. She made a complete transition and started coaching exclusively.

Many industry executives who hire Tracey as an acting coach, do so because of her unique understanding of both the film and music worlds. Some clients crossing over from music to film can be a challenge. While most artists in the business are always appreciative of work opportunities, there are a few who forget the good fortune they are living. It’s hard to fathom that a successful

performer could forget what a privilege it is to be successful in this business. That successful performer most likely works very hard, but there are many other dedicated and talented artists who still struggle to pay their rent who also work very hard.

“It’s about protocol and work ethic. That’s what it’s about. Being on time is not twelve thirty. It’s being there at twelve twenty and respecting the time of the production. And when you sign that contract, you are obligated to a certain schedule and preparation.

Some people come with a lot of baggage. If your call time is at 7:00 a.m., and you get there late, that pushes back hair. That pushes back make-up. That pushes back wardrobe. And in production all of that adds up to money,” Tracey says as a matter of fact.

“What you don’t want to do is cause the production to go into overtime, because then people talk. And those executive producers and producers are going to talk about you, your work ethic, and that’s going to affect your next job – if you get a next job,” she adds almost curtly.

These work tenets are just a part of what Tracey teaches in her acting classes.

The Spirited Actor Workshop is held every second Sunday of each month at the Drama Book Shop located at 250 West 40th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. The class time is from noon to four.

Some classically trained actors may not understand that formal techniques like Stanislavski or Meisner are not the main focus of these acting workshops. “I have over twenty years experience as a casting director casting commercials, film and television. I also have seventeen years experience as an acting coach working with some of the most dynamic directors in the industry,” Tracey says without a even a hint of apology. So a potential student has a choice: being in school or on-the-job training.

“Also you need to know terminology. When they call ‘first team’ nobody’s going to tell you that first team means the leads. Or ‘hit your mark,’ or ‘make sure you’re in your light.’ Nobody’s teaching you that on a set because our expectations are that you’re a pro and this is what you do.”

“When you’re at those high stakes, and you’re making the big bucks – your job, from the time you get that script, which is white…. I’m sure you know, as changes are made, there’s a color scheme. The next day they’ll give you yellow pages. You have to take out those white pages and insert those yellow pages. Every color is a different day and changes made.” How fortunate we are to get to learn those things from Tracey!

The Spirited Actors would know to be in their trailers going over their lines, and discovering things over and over. When they show up on set with the rest of the cast, they will be open to what they’re giving, and that there are many discoveries in that as well.

Sadly most actors are never taught these valuable lessons.

So many aspiring performers will eat a can of soup a day, or walk for miles just to pay for acting classes which should be honing their skills – but unfortunately do not.

“The audition process is where you really see it,” Tracey continues. “Most actors, in my opinion, are just not prepared.”

Another key factor in whether or not an actor books the role, is personality. “In my opinion, the audition is fifty percent talent, and fifty percent personality. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in an audition: dynamic talent, bad attitude. Bad attitude is going to cost me.

Because when I need you on the set, and I have to go to your trailer, and I have to negotiate [with] you to come out… That’s costing me money. I want to work with great people.

I don’t have to love you, but I want to like

“It’s all about the work.

That’s what’s going to separate you.

That’s what’s going to create a career of longevity.” you. In those first two to three minutes, when you give me strong eye contact, a strong confident handshake, all those things matter.”

Always have questions in an audition. The more specific, the better. You will always be wrong when you assume. “If you don’t understand, either ask them to elaborate or give you an example. Because if you nod your head and say, ‘yes I understand’ and do it the same way, they’re going to believe you can’t follow direction. You’re going to get checked off, and you’re not going to get a callback.”

Tracey believes listening is key. She will say that ninety nine percent of acting is actually listening.

“You’re already nervous, so I am big on preparation. That is huge. There are no excuses in this business. If this is what you want to do, you will make time – you will find time to do it. It’s all about the work. That’s what’s going to separate you. That’s what’s going to create a career of longevity.”

With a plethora of bad classes and discouraging coaches so eager to take your money, it’s no wonder that many actors choose to not study at all. Tracey could not disagree more. “For me classes educate, and it’s a fellowship of like energy. So I’m a huge advocate of classes or a coach - forever.”

“As an actor your job is to create the human experience. You have not had all human experiences, and especially in the range to which you can portray these characters. I think the challenge with most celebrities is that they get to a point in their careers, and the outside entities and the extras convince them that they are of the greatness, so they don’t need to work on their craft. I don’t believe that.”

With such a wealth of knowledge under her belt, Tracey is still looking for ways to grow. In fact, she has just started producing a television series which has all the makings of a bona fide hit. THE FAMILY BUSINESS, tells the story of a wealthy New York family who deals in high end, luxury cars. The show is based on the New York Times Best Seller, written by Carl Weber who is also an executive producer of the show.

The excitement in Tracey’s voice is heartfelt when she talks about her most recent venture. “I’m excited for two reasons,” Tracey says. “One, it’s groundbreaking TV in the sense that we’ve never seen an African American billionaire family. And two, it will provide opportunities for a lot of aspiring, up-and-coming actors, as well as established actors, to come on the show. And it’s a mainstream show, not an urban show, so the diversity is there.”

There are many complimentary words one could use to describe Tracey Moore. After she was featured on CBS’ The Early Show, the correspondent Laurie Hibberd simply said, “This woman has an aura the color of roses.” To those who know Tracey well, that could almost be an understatement.

W R I T E R ’ S

C O R N E R

STEVEN WILLIAMS FINDING THE HUMOR THE CAST OF PAULIE PASTRAMI: KING OF ILLEGAL MEATS

Steven Williams is the quintessential creative soul. Not only is he a writer, producer, and director, Steven also studied acting at New York’s well known HB Studios. To date, he has produced several black box theater productions and is also the creative force behind two comedy series. Audience members’ cheeks will be sore from laughter after seeing his shows.

A fan favorite, THE MISS BOMBA CLAUDIE SHOW is about a 68 year-old Jamaican woman who dreams of becoming the next Oprah. However, in comedy fashion, Miss Bomba Claudie lacks the patience or tact to be on such a worldwide level. Her snappy comebacks and atrocious honesty will keep you giggling after you’ve seen the show- either on stage or screen.

Steven’s latest and favorite project is PAULIE PASTRAMI: KING OF ILLEGAL MEATS. It’s a comedy series about an organized crime boss who sells deli meat as if it were an illegal substance. The series takes place in Newark, New Jersey. “I love Paulie because on the surface he seems somewhat controlled

and cool, but inside he is deeply conflicted about his life of crime,” Steven says about his character. Is Paulie a mobster with a sensitive side?

Steven Williams is a writer who has proven that he can consistently create his own content.

“Ever since I was a child I always had a colorful and wild imagination,” he says. ”And also as a comedy writer, I feel that comedy comes directly from pain. For example being broke is very painful, but at the same time it can be very funny if used in a different context. I mean just imagine a guy who’s broke taking a girl out to dinner with just two dollars in his pocket. Now that’s hilarious. I feel that the greater pain, the greater the comedy.”

Perhaps it takes a specific type of knowledge to fully understand the humor in that scenario. Two dollars could get a senior on the train, and that’s about it. But, true to his innate creativity, Steven has the ability to find humor in any and all situations.

Check out his projects: Miss Bomba Claudie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUruJQAi69M Paulie Pastrami Rap Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snlhj6j593E Paulie Pastrami website: http://pauliepastrami.com/

M U S I C

theavenues

Members of THE AVENUES felt that name was a perfect one to describe who they are as a group: a collection of people who travel throughout many avenues while performing on the trains all over New York City. o Their sound can be categorized as Hip Hop or R&B, and even Pop. They describe their music as being influenced by Chinese punk rock, Reggae, and classic soul.

“We usually like to include some kind of a message in our songs, because otherwise we feel like we’re just talking for no reason,” says Chaunice LeRé, one of the group’s members. “Our music is all about the human experience.” o She, Calvin Dolcy (aka SK or Skolar), and Mark (aka Abraham Allgood) received an enthusiastic applause from passengers after having finished their song. The night we saw them, passengers were full of smiles and eager to make donations. o What does it feel like to perform on the subway, or “busking” as they call it? For most of the group members, busking was a way to survive because there was nowhere else to find work. Most of the members were unemployed, couldn’t pay their bills, and some hadn’t eaten in a while.

But what they did have was talent, and out of pure necessity they went for it. o Now that circumstances have improved for the group members, they continue to busk because they never expected it to be so fulfilling. o “The response we’ve gotten from people has been amazing. To hear somebody say you made their day better, or to get positive feedback on the music you’re working on…that keeps us going,” Chaunice says. “One time a woman came to me moved to tears thanking me! I couldn’t believe it. I felt indebted to her! The feeling is indescribable, spiritual. Not to mention, most musicians pay for rehearsal space and pay for studio time and put everything on the line when it’s time to see if anyone digs it. Well, we get paid to rehearse and get better, busking pays for studio time or connects you with producers that will give it to you free because they want to work. Plus before the pressure’s really on we get to see if people dig what we’re creating. Instant gratification. “ o Some members of the THE AVENUES have landed a Poconos gig for Labor Day weekend at a private event. o “Things come up for us on the trains, a lot of time with short notice.” o Chances are you’ll catch their cool sound on a train in your neighborhood.

darcel Using Her Gift of Dance to Raise Self Esteems and Improve Marriages Darcel, the principal dancer of the 80s hit TV show Solid Gold, is more beautiful now than ever. A seasoned beauty, she continues to use her gift of dance to rejuvenate and inspire other women. In truth, Darcel started a series of dance classes specifically for women over fifty who needed to get their sexy back. The class slogan was, “It’s not what you have to lose, but what you have to gain.” o While overseeing the entire dance programs at both the Glendale and La Crescenta Ys, Darcel sees to it that variety is always available. Both locations have large assortment of dance classes they offer. She brings in instructors, who are also accomplished performers in their own right, to teach everything from Bollywood to Salsa. However, the classes Darcel teaches personally are the all time favorites. In one of Darcel’s classes, known simply as Sexy Back, women wear their high heels and use feather boas as a part of the class. At the same time, they get useful strength training exercises that keep them looking good and feeling young for many days to come. o Darcel gives one hundred percent from her heart when it comes to sharing her gift of dance. “For my Funk it Out class, I’d bring in a guitar player,” she told us. “But for my Master Class, I’d bring in a whole band!” o Darcel believes her gift of dance came from God. Although she has been criticized by some churches, her love and passion for dance has been shared in a good way. After a few weeks of class with Darcel, the Sexy Back students would put on a student showcase at a local supper club. One student, who worked as a housekeeper to the rich and famous, reported a renewed feeling of joy in her life and a stronger pride in her work. Most interestingly, husbands and boyfriends thank Darcel to this day, saying their loves are dressing nicer and taking more time to fix themselves up. Several of the husbands have offered to pay Darcel double the usual class price to continue what she is doing. o “God is doing wonderful things in my life and in yours,” she says. “So always be encouraged, and never give up. My last days will be the best days of my life”

ASTROLOGY NUMEROLOGY NOW SUMMER 2013 B y Z . STAR M AN

JULY 2013 Highlights July 2013 is a FOUR Universal Month. Add 7 (July is the 7th month) + the Universal year 2013 (2+0-1+3 =6). 7 + 6 = 13. 1=3 = 4. The 4 universal month is about building foundations that will make you feel emotionally, physically and financially secure.

July finds us in the midst of the second Mercury Retrograde (Rx) of 2013 which started on June 26th this time in the water constellation of Cancer, the sign of family, home and women. As written in the March / April 2013 edition of UCAN magazine a Mercury Rx is a cosmic timeout, a period of readjustment for everyone on Earth. The importance of this Rx in Cancer, that will last until July 20th, is here’s a chance to go back or deal with old and unresolved emotional issues pertaining to the aforementioned attributes of the sign of Cancer: family, home and women. Family secrets are bound to rise or come out the closet during this period. At this time the universe asks us “to thine own self be true,” in dealing with our emotions and feelings and the paths we must take to feeling emotionally secure and nourished. On July 7th, sun sign Capricorns and those with Capricorn rising signs were finally able to exhale and begin once again to make things happen as their ruling planet Saturn went direct in the sign of Scorpio - after being retrograde since February 2013. Mid July we’ll see in the heavens the planetary alignment of Neptune in Pisces, Saturn in Scorpio, coupled with Jupiter conjunct Mars in Cancer to form the harmonious Grand Water Trine. The cosmic doors will be wide open for emotional and spiritual healing. The Sun returns to its sign of rulership as it enters fire sign Leo on July 22nd at 11:56 a.m. ET. Promote your talents and ensure higher ups understand exactly what you’re capable of. Love is in the air for Virgos, as Venus enters Virgo also on the July 22nd. The weekend of July 26th, Venus in Virgo opposes Neptune in Pisces. In matters of love and money be careful about being gullible and open to deception and on July 27th Mars in Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn. This aspect can be a very explosive one. Tempers and tongues must be kept in check.

July Celebrity Birthdays: Malia Obama, July 4. Forrest Whitaker, July 15. Diahann Carroll, July 17. Danny Glover, July 22. Wesley Snipes, July 31.

AUGUST 2013 Highlights August is a number FIVE universal month. Add August (August is the 8th month) + the universal year 2013. 8+2+0+1+3 = 14. 1+4 = 5. The vibration of the number FIVE is freedom, change and originality, creativity and self-expression. Do something that’s beyond your wildest dreams like changing your looks or even your name.

August 3rd Mercury comes out of the shadow of its retrograde (the place where its Rx began in June) and it’s full speed ahead for everyone especially air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. August 8th Mercury enters the fiery sign of Leo for only a 15 day stay before it moves to Virgo on August 23rd. Its brief stay in Leo the sign of drama and entertainment presents a window of opportunity for negotiating successful business presentations, pitches and ideas pertaining to theatrical, TV and film productions. Venus returns home when it enters Libra on August 16th restoring balance to our everyday routine for only a short time. Shortly after we’ll have to contend with the full moon in Aquarius on August 21st that will bring unexpected incidences pertaining to the U.S. landscape, environment and economy. In the days leading up to or after this full moon, a natural disaster could be on the horizon.

August 22nd, the end of the summer solstice, begins as the Sun enters the earthy constellation of Virgo at 7:02 p.m. ET. On August 26th we’ll experience a transit of the Sun in Virgo opposing Neptune in Pisces, which could be a double whammy to the full Moon event of a week earlier. Mars enters Leo on August 27th. If possible, avoid or postpone outpatient surgery until after October 15th Since Leo rules the heart, it’s a great time to begin cardiovascular fitness activity and health / wellness programs. Be sure to check with your physician before beginning any fitness regimen. Namaste.

August Celebrity Birthdays: Tempest Bledsoe, August 1. President Barack Obama, August 4. Viola Davis, August 11. Yolanda Adams, August 27. Quvenzhane Wallis, August 28. Michael Jackson, August 29.

Contact Z. STARMAN @ 646 389-1311 Email: zstarmannyc@yahoo.com Facebook.com/astrologynumerologynow Facebook.com/zstarman Twitter.com/zstarman

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