Da General Heroes

Mitzi Gaynor Razzle Dazzle!

I finally got to see “Mitzi Gaynor Razzle Dazzle!: The Special Years” the other night and my long wait did not disappoint because it’s filled with snappy musical numbers, lots of dancing men and so many sequins and rhinestones it’s almost blinding!  Starring the gorgeous Mitzi Gaynor, this movie is a must for anyone who enjoys the simpler times of the late 60’s and 70’s when it was okay to light up a cigarette, drink a highball and enjoy show-stopping production numbers.  Mitzi is a fierce triple threat (actress, singer, dancer) who does it all to perfection and what’s showcased in this film is the television specials that spanned 10 years featuring luxurious costumes from Bob Mackie and an arsenal of long and lush false eyelashes.  All of her fabulosity was smartly lit for maximum sparkle and filmed with the magical star filter for extra wow, extra KABLAM!

Mitzi Gaynor: Glittering Perfection and Sparkle Army Hero!

Da General Heroes

Bob Mackie

Bob Mackie, one of the most famous American designers of all time, seems to see life as one big sparkling universe where high glamour should prevail above all.  His overtime-working-bedazzler has contributed to the superstardom of the most famous women in showbiz including Sparkle Army faves Raquel Welch, Cher, Diana Ross and Charo.  In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a movie or tv show that he didn’t have a hand in during the 70’s and 80’s, when sequins and starfilters were an everyday part of life. That’s right- if it sparkled, you could bet your life it was a “Mackie”!  Still in demand for his dazzling costumes, he’s most recently been glitzing up pop stars like Pink and Katy Perry- and let’s not forget the world famous, Barbie, who’s been wearing custom “Mackie’s” for years now. Did I mention costuming for stage, film, TV and the spectacular Las Vegas showgirls or designing a ready-to-wear fashion line?  There is nothing his magical hands have not touched!

Ever since I was a little girl, Bob Mackie represented the world as I hoped and dreamed it would be when I grew up. A world filled with glitter, sequins and rhinestones and a world where everyone is more beautiful because they sparkle.  Thank you, Mr. Mackie.

Bob Mackie: Legendary Dazzle Master and Sparkle Army Hero!

photos from the book  “Unmistakably Mackie” by Frank DeCaro

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2vLnzcX4dY

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SUPREME SPARKLE VIDEO DAY

Hold on to your pants ’cause if you don’t, today’s Sparkle Video is gonna knock ’em right off!  The gorgeous Supremes are giving it so hard in this full blown disco meltdown called “Let Yourself Go” that you can’t help but get up and dance.  The pulsating beat combined with the “overtime working” SEQUIN BATWING ARMS has an effect that can only be described as “KABLAM!”.  Wouldn’t it be great to have an alarm clock that played this every morning so you could start each day with SPARKLING FABULOSITY?   The only problem-  the Discos won’t be open for hours.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s07mfr0rlP4

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

FUNKED UP SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

I think we can all agree that Rick James invented “More is More” after seeing today’s Sparkle Video. There is nothing that’s not going on here: pyro entrance, glitterized hair, sequin spandex, knee-high metallic boots and a SPACE CUFF ONSLAUGHT that will kill your eyes with fabulousity! That’s because the whole entire band is decked out in Sparkle Funk Attire and it’s mighty impressive- especially because this song is about growing up in the ghetto and I’m pretty sure the only man who could get away with this outfit in the ghetto is Rick James. Even dressed in sparkles, he is a BADASS MASCULINE SEX MACHINE that takes full command of the stage and with when he says “Where’s the place you like to Funk?”…  you better know the answer!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slF1Y_inE4w

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SPARKLE VIDEO DAY RETURNS!

Today’s Sparkle Video truly represents my mind frame at the moment; I’m finally back home in NYC where Halloween Fever is taking over, and at the same time, I’m holding on to my Berlin-ness as long as I can.  To further illustrate where my brain is at, the legendary Romy Haag is sparklingly spacey as a retro modern Bride of Frankenstein surrounded by the ONLY accessories one needs: hot men in banana hammocks! This video’s sultry disco music, flashing lights and half naked bodies has me ready to jump back on a plane, but alas, that will have to wait until AFTER winter!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNV1hNV4scs

Da General SPARKLE ALERT!

Berlin!

I arrived in Berlin yesterday morning and the excitement is overwhelming- everyone here is ready to SPARKLE UP and PARTY DOWN!  Glitter is SOLD OUT everywhere you go and talks of outfits are jamming the cell towers! This Saturday night promises to be LEGENDARY and with so many Sparkle Surprises and fabulous things to get ready, I’m unable to post as much as usual.  To make it up to you… here’s one of my favorites to get you in the mood.

Join the Sparkle Army this Saturday, September 11th at Monster Ronson’s and dance all night with me and DJ’s Emil Doesn’t Drive and SpaceLex!  Lendless and very special guests DEN HAAN are performing LIVE and don’t forget… a 50 Euro Bar Tab prize for Spaciest Sparkle Outfit!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ1CIf0sIBY

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

“OK” SPARKLE VIDEO DAY

Don’t let the title of this post deceive you, there is nothing “OK” about today’s Sparkle Video- it’s PURE FUNK MADNESS! From the very beginning, American Gipsy starts forcing their mantra “I’m OK, You’re OK, We’re OK!” onto your soul.  There’s no intro, no build up- just FULL ENERGY ATTACK and that’s the way I like it. They’ve also covered everything when it comes to outfits: sparkle vests, space capes, metallic boots, white lady in cornrows and classic disco jumpsuit- this video has it all!

So…it’s Friday … let’s GET IT ON!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_GlSKi0Y7E

Da General Music

Release the Beast

Better than coffee, I am starting my day robot dancing to Den Haan’s “Release the Beast”. Dazzling bits of Moroder mixed with trashy computer sounds is a match made in Disco Heaven and we can all relate to the lyrics.  They’re about working hard all week long and looking forward to getting SPARKLED UP and heading straight to the dance floor to RELEASE THAT DISCO BEAST INSIDE US!

Okay, so I added the Sparkle part, but they do mention putting on makeup, so it’s a natural assumption. Besides-  it will all be true on September 11, when Den Haan plays LIVE at the Join The Sparkle Army at Monster Ronson’s in Berlin.  I’m so excited!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF-eIexWAcc

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

ULTRA-SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

This is like crack for the hopelessly SPARKLE ADDICTED! Let’s skip over the song, as I prefer to shut off the volume and replace it with the glorious sound of The Trammps “Disco Inferno”.  Luv’s video is all about the outfits- they are so nonsensically fabulous in a medieval cheerleader/Judas Priest sorta way. The fleshy bodysuit that only suggests nudity combined with Heavy Metal studded shoulder pads and wrist cuffs proves that sometimes, being all over the place really does work!

The other thing that makes today’s Sparkle Video special is that instead of using the 4 point STARFILTER commonly used in the 70’s- this show went FULL KABLAM with 8 points and the results are BEYOND!  Those sequins are twinkling like magic nonstop and it’s making me want to write the President demanding that this effect becomes a national mandate… who’s with me?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_YnB6U-sVc

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

LOVE to LOVE SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Donna Summer needs absolutely no introduction!  In today’s Sparkle Video she is the definition of Disco Beauty and takes hold of the stage in an EGYPTIAN SPARKLE CATSUIT ensemble that is on fire– especially when she starts to boogie down making use of the right arm flowing fabric/cuff moment! KUDOS!!!!!

Truth be told, it’s rare to find video of Ms. Summers performing in a Sparkle Outfit and I am unsure why. There must be a logical reason because I refuse to believe that she just didn’t like them. No matter, she’ll always be my Queen. Thankfully, I think the Midnight Special had a mandate that all performers wear sparkles so they could make use of their fabulous STARFILTERS! Thank you Midnight Special!

By the way-  the 20 minute version of this song is H-O-T!  Get it, play it.. make out to it!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JUnwrbU6Wg