ATTENTION: ART/NY Holiday Toy Drive!

The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York (ART/NY) is participating in the Brooklyn Borough President's Office Best of Brooklyn Toy Drive.

The organization is accepting donations at their South Oxford Space. They will collect new unwrapped toys suitable for children ages 3 to 10 years of age. There is a box in the first floor lobby for collection. The toys will be picked up on December 5, 2011, and donated to more than 2,500 children from public housing developments, congregations, and social service organizations at the “Best of Brooklyn Holiday Program”.

South Oxford Space is located at 138 S. Oxford Street between Hanson Place and Atlantic Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. If you come to drop off donations, use buzzer number 1.

For more info, you may call 718-398-3078.

CM James Comments on Opening of 'A Fire In My Belly' Exhibition At BK Museum

For Immediate Release

Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

Statement by Council Member Letitia James on Opening of A Fire in My Belly”Exhibition at Brooklyn Museum of Art

(Brooklyn, NY)- Freedom of expression is protected under the first amendment, and I support Brooklyn Museum Director Arnold Lehman's decision to feature the exhibition A Fire in My Belly, by the late David Wojnarowicz.

This year New York City celebrated the victory of the passage of gay marriage, a win for everyone seeking equality and justice in life. The passage of this law is especially important because it repositions New York again as a leader in freedom for family expression and equal rights. Also, my colleagues and I stand with the Occupy Wall Street movement, and the overall opposition of social inequality and corporate greed. Protestors all over the country have the right to express their dissatisfaction with the excessive influence of big business and the wealthiest one-percent of Americans on U.S. laws and policies.

New York City has come to far to allow the Hide/Seek exhibition, scheduled to open at the Brooklyn Museum next week, a major museum show exploring gay themes in art history to be altered from the artist's original intent, or pulled. Freedom of expression is the pillar of democracy, and much is to be gained from the entirety of this show. Censorship has no place in a free society."

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Weeksville Heritage Center Fall 2011 Harvest Festival

The Weeksville Heritage Center presents
the Fall 2011 Harvest Festival - the final day of Weeksville's Farmers Market.

The mission of Weeksville Heritage Center is to document, preserve and interpret the history of free African American communities in Weeksville, Brooklyn and beyond and to create and inspire innovative, contemporary uses of African American history through education, the arts, and civic engagement.

OCTOBER 29TH / FROM 11AM-4PM
(Free Admission)

WEEKSVILLE HERITAGE CENTER
1698 Bergen, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Directions are available on website at http://www.weeksvillesociety.org/

~ Children’s Cooking Classes
~ Canning & Seed Saving Workshops
~ Iron Chef Competition
~ Food Vendors & Farmers Market
~ Youth Art Exhibition
~ Tours of the historic Weeksville houses
~ DJ

This event is funded by the National Grid Foundation, Valentine Perry Snyder, and Con Edison. For additional information, please contact 718-756-5250 or info@weeksvillesociety.org

Deconstructing the Steel Band Panorama at Medgar Evers College

PANEL DISCUSSION TO ADDRESS STEEL BAND PANORAMA
http://events.cuny.edu/EventDetail.asp?EventId=32378

"Deconstructing the Steel Band Panorama"
WHEN: Thursday, April 28
7:00-10:00 PM.

WHERE: Mary Pinkett Lecture Hall
Medgar Evers College

1637 Bedford Avenue

Admission is free.

Fort Greene Association’s Black History Month Art Exhibit

Contact Info:

Lillian Jean-Baptiste
lillian@historicfortgreene.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fort Greene Association’s Black History Month Art Exhibit

Brooklyn, NY – February 19, 2011 – In honor of Black History Month the Fort Greene Association (FGA) produced a community collaborative art exhibit. The works of three local Fort Greene - Clinton Hill artists with ties to Pratt Institute are on display in a vacant storefront located at 395 Flatbush Avenue Extension, part of Metrotech BID.

“When we were approached by the Fort Greene Association to collaborate on this project, we were happy to be involved. This is the type of installation that, not only, celebrates a rich heritage and history, but it brings art into the public realm by enlivening a retail corridor and exposing fine artists to a wider market” said Catherine Hickey, Director of Retail / Commercial Development, Metrotech BID.

Passersby are greeted by a tribute to Fredrick Douglas created for the FGA’s Black History Month Tribute by Ryan Jones, a Pratt Fine Arts student who has a strong interest in the community and public works. Jamillah Jennings, Pratt alumna whose work is inspired by music and dance has four pieces on display: “African-American Dancers, Forces of Nature - Diana Harvey, Jazz in Motion and Modern Dancer.” Pratt alumna Kikelomo Amusa-Shonubi created for the FGA’s tribute Economic Stimulus, 1620 to 1850, a piece that exhibits the slave trade routes commonly taken to the New World and encourages viewers to think about how slavery has affected all of us here in the western hemisphere.

Black History Month murals were also created on the windows of local businesses in Fort Greene. Josh Friedman created a mural called "We Never Stop" inspired by the novel "Black Boy" by Richard Wright which can be seen at Fort Greene SNAP, 324 Myrtle Avenue. An African textile inspired piece dedicated to Brenda Brunson-Bey was created by a talented group of diverse and developmentally disabled adults from Brooklyn Day Hab. part of AHRC org. which can be seen at Kiki’s Pet Spa & Boutique, 239 Dekalb Avenue.

“The Fort Greene Association’s Black History Month Art Exhibit is a community collaborative project that showcases the neighborhood’s dynamic talent and exhibit’s what makes Fort Greene so special and unique” said Lillian Jean-Baptiste, FGA Communications and Community Engagement Chair. “It is long overdue that the Fort Greene Association enters into the tradition of Black History Month. Our neighborhood, and in fact this very organization, is indebted to the accomplishments of African Americans who live and have lived in this vibrant neighborhood. This tradition will become a beacon and inspiration for future generations across racial lines. It is what Fort Greene is about” said Paul Palazzo, FGA Chairperson.

The FGA’s Black History exhibit is on display now until February 28, 2011. The works exhibited at 395 Flatbush Avenue Extension are for sale by the artists; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to fund a program created by the FGA to encourage local youth facing financial hardships to attend college.

The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Please visit www.historicfortgreene.org to learn more about our organization. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/fortgreeneassn / & Fan us on Facebook!

REMINDER: Inaugural Cinema Festival Begins Black History Month

"Inaugural Festival by Brooklyn-Based Film Organization Opens Up Black History Month 2011 at BAMcinèmatek"

Read more here.

Inaugural Cinema Festival Begins Black History Month: ActNow, Council Member James & BAMcinematek

Inaugural Festival by Brooklyn-Based Film Organization Opens Up Black History Month 2011 at BAMcinèmatek

Brooklyn, NY - Fort Greene based ActNow Foundation, in conjunction with BAMcinématek and NYC Council Member Letitia James, presents a new film festival that directly reflects the wide spectrum of views and themes within the African diaspora communities in Brooklyn and beyond.

The New Voices in Black Cinema Festival is a multi-genre showcase of quality movies geared towards getting general and new audiences to appreciate Black independent film. Choosing excellence over spectacle and boldness over standard fare, this program pushes the gamut of showing how film explores Black society and provides exhibition to new voices, and existing ones.

Taking place February 4th to the 9th at BAM Rose Cinemas, this program is an extension of ActNow’s ongoing New Voices in Black Cinema screening series at BAMcinèmatek, which last summer premiered Idris Elba & Thomas Ikimi’s festival hit Legacy and in 2009 showed the stirring documentary on soul music legend Bill Withers, Still Bill. “This festival continues ActNow’s mission of giving independent filmmakers the opportunity to present their stories to audiences on a grand scale,” proclaims ActNow Executive Director Aaron Ingram. He continues, “Especially being in Brooklyn, they’ll be able to reach out to our borough’s diverse African diaspora and beyond.”

New Voices in Black Cinema features documentary films of cultural and socio-political significance like Coming Back For More (2009—Feb. 5 & 6), in which the search for reclusive soul music superstar Sly Stone takes documentary filmmaker & musician Willem Alkema on a memorable, musical journey of a lifetime. Heart of Stone (2009—screening Feb. 4 & 9), examines Newark’s Weequahic High School principal Ron Stone’s efforts in confronting the extra-violent gang problems in his school and the backlash from the once-proud Jewish alumni in what was once among the highest-rated schools in the USA and journalist Dream Hampton’s documentary Black August (2010—Feb. 4 & 6), showcases a grassroots movement’s efforts to raise awareness about political prisoners, featuring interviews with intellectuals and social activists such as Assata Shakur, as well as performances by Hip-Hop artists such as Brooklyn natives Mos Def and Talib Kweli.

The series also includes personal narrative films like Money Matters (2010—Feb. 7), award-winning filmmaker Ryan Richmond’s portrayal of a single mother and her teenage daughter, as well as Tanya Hamilton’s Night Catches Us (2010—Feb. 4 & 7)—named one of the Best First Features in The Village Voice 2010 Film Critics’ Poll—starring Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington, about a former member of the Black Power movement returning home. Robert Heath’s SUS (2010—Feb. 4 & 7) a “sharply written, beautifully acted, and devastating critique of institutional racism,” (David Edwards, Daily Mirror) set entirely in a British interrogation room on election night in 1979, centers on two bigoted cops attempting to pin a murder on a man, played by Clint Dyer, who also produced.

The festival concludes on Feb. 9 with the ‘Brooklyn Block’ showcase of short films from local filmmakers, as well as a screening of Wendell B. Harris’ newly-restored Chameleon Street (1990—Feb. 9), inaugurating ActNow’s New Black Classics series. This race-examining satire based on the life of William Douglas Street, Jr.—played by the director himself—a Detroit con artist who successfully impersonated numerous professionals, became the first black film ever awarded Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize in 1990.

For more information about the New Voices in Black Cinema Film Festival, please contact Curtis John at curtis@actnowproduction.org or Donnet Bruce at donnet@actnowproduction.org or (347) 274-0563 and go to www.ActNowproduction.org. The contact for Council Member Letitia James is Amyre Loomis at aloomis@council.nyc.gov, (718) 260-9191.

For press and more information on BAMcinèmatek , please contact:
Gabriele Caroti at 718.724.8024 / gcaroti@bam.org
Matthew Yeager at 718.636.4129x1 / myeager@bam.org
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New Voices in Black Cinema schedule
Q&As with filmmakers at select screenings
Friday, February 4
2pm: Heart of Stone
4:30pm: SUS
6:50pm: Night Catches Us
9:30pm: Black August
Saturday, February 5
6:50pm: I Will Follow
9:30pm: Coming Back for More
Sunday, February 6
6:50pm: Coming Back for More
9:15pm: Black August
Monday, February 7
4:30pm: Night Catches Us
6:50pm: Money Matters
9:30pm: SUS
Wednesday, February 9
4:30pm: Heart of Stone
7pm: Brooklyn Block shorts
9:30pm: Chameleon Street

Website: www.actnowproduction.org
Blog: actnowfoundationfilmandtheater.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActNowFoundation
Twitter: twitter.com/actnowfilmstage

General Information
BAM Rose Cinemas is located in the Peter Jay Sharp building at 30 Lafayette Avenue (between St Felix Street and Ashland Place).
Subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, Q, B to Atlantic Avenue;
D, M, N, R to Pacific Street; G to Fulton Street; C to Lafayette Avenue
Train: Long Island Railroad to Flatbush Avenue
Bus: B25, B26, B41, B45, B52, B63, B67 all stop within three blocks of BAM
Car: Commercial parking lots are located adjacent to BAM
For ticket and BAMbus information, call BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100, or visit BAM.org.
For ticket information, call BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100, or visit BAM.org.

FGA Celebrates Black History Month- Call for Artists

For the month of February, The Fort Greene Association (FGA) will salute the contributions of African-Americans who’ve made significant contributions in and around Fort Greene; individuals who’ve committed selfless acts as well as recognize pioneers who’ve paved the way for others. The FGA is seeking artists interested in donating their time and talent to create Black History Month window displays/murals in the windows of local Fort Greene businesses to be exhibited for the month of February.

Artists interested in participating in the FGA’s Black History Month Celebration can send an e-mail to Lillian@HistoricFortGreene.org to learn more about the project and discuss next steps.

CDSC Starving Art Show and Sale

Last night we hung most of the art, prepped the sound system, added special lighting, waxed the floors, and gathered much of the food. All we need is YOU to make the show a success!
Here's the detes, just in case!

CDSC Starving Art Show and Sale*
Free Wine, Sparkling Juices, Nibbles, Live Entertainment

6:30 PM to 10 PM
Friday, January 21st
352-358 Classon Avenue
b/t Lafayette and Clifton
(G train to Classon)

*50% of all art sold will benefit CDSC for the creation of a community art center.

Besos,
Dave

CM James Dances At Stars of NY Dance For A Cause!

"Even though I lost Stars of NY Dance for a Cause, it was great to participate and dance to fundraise for youth in the community!"- Council Member Letitia James.



*Video borrowed from Bed-Stuy Patch.

REMINDER: CM James, NYS Senator Adams, and CM Williams Present Holiday Musical Celebration; 12/16 TODAY; 1PM; BK Center for Performing Arts

This is a reminder to attend "A Rockin' Holiday Musical Celebration" featuring Soul Music & Christmas Tunes sponsored by Council Member James, NYS Senator Adams, and CM Williams.

WHEN: Thursday, December 16, 2010
1PM
WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre
2900 Campus Road, Hillel Place

Call the Office of Council Member Letitia James at (718) 260-9191 for more information.

**This is a free event; no ticket necessary**

UPDATE: The Stars of NY Dance Re-Scheduled, Additional Stars Dancing!

The Stars of New York Dance event has been re-scheduled-- with Public Advocate Bill Deblasio joining as event host and special guest dancer, and the Rev. Al Sharpton joining as special guest dancer, the event is sure to be amazing!

Tickets are available here.

IFNY Monologue Slam at Kumble LIU- 12/04

The Top Entertainment Group, Inc in association with Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, Independent Film New York, and The Malik Yoba National Theater present:

IFNY Monologue Slam - Saturday • DECEMBER 4 • 7:30PM

On the heels of the last three successful IFNY Monologue Slams at Kumble, another group of talented actors will compete against each other for prizes and the IFNY championship title through a series of challenges and boot camp-like exercises in front of industry judges and a cheering audience, hosted once again by Malik Yoba.

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Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts

One University Plaza, Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 488-1624

ATTENTION: CM James, NYS Senator Adams, and CM Williams Present Holiday Musical Celebration; 12/16; 1PM; BK Center for Performing Arts

New York City Council Member Letitia James joins New York State Senator Eric Adams and Council Member Jumaane Williams in presenting-

"A Rockin' Holiday Musical Celebration"
featuring Soul Music & Christmas Tunes
performed by
The Anita Wells Ensemble

WHEN: Thursday, December 16, 2010
1PM
WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre
2900 Campus Road, Hillel Place

Call the Office of Council Member Letitia James at (718) 260-9191 for more information.

**This is a free event; no ticket necessary**

CMs James, Lander, and Van Bramer Award NYC Cultural Institutions, Joined By Actor/Activist Ed Norton

New York City Councilmembers Letitia James, Brad Lander, and Jimmy Van Bramer were joined at today's Stated Council meeting by two-time Academy Award-nominated actor Edward Norton to recognize this year’s NYC-based National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award winners.

Heart of Brooklyn and Global Action Project, are two of just fifteen organizations nationwide to receive this prestigious annual award from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH). This award is the nation’s highest honor for outstanding after-school arts and humanities programs, particularly those that reach underserved children and youth. The awards were presented by First Lady and Honorary Chairperson Michelle Obama on October 20th at the White House, and Committee Member Ed Norton joined the New York City Council in recognizing these two outstanding organizations.

Photo Credit: William Alatriste, New York City Council

Free Event at Borough Hall on 11/16, 2:30pm: Brooklyn Celebrates FELA - It's Brooklyn Day!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - Fela Brooklyn DAY!
Join the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and the Office of City Council Member Letitia James as they honor the many Brooklyn residents who are members of the cast and band of the award winning musical FELA! on Broadway.

Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - Time: 2:30pm
Place: Brooklyn Borough Hall Rotunda, 209 Joralemon Street

Meet and greet Brooklyn-based FELA! cast and musicians. Special performance by Jamel Gaines' Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn (Master dancer, teacher and choreographer Jamel Gaines has trained many of the FELA! performers) Reception follows the ceremony.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Brooklyn Night at FELA! on Broadway

Everyone please join us as we celebrate all the Brooklynites featured in FELA! the award-winning musical featuring Patti LaBelle!

Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00 pm, Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 West 49th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue)

FELA! is the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation. Inspired by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity. FELA! is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Fela Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones.

See FELA! on Brooklyn Night and Save when you use code FEWTG615

$75*

Orch/Front Mezz Seats

(reg $112)

---

$49.50*

Rear Mezz

(reg $99)

Three Ways to Buy Your Tickets for Brooklyn Night at FELA! on Broadway - Online: Visit www.broadwayoffers.com and enter code FEWTG615;
By Phone: Call 212.947.8844 and mention code FEWTG615;
In Person: Print a print out of this flyer/email to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Box Office, 230 West 49th Street. http://www.felaonbroadway.com/

*All Sales Final. Offer based on availability and cannot be used in combination with other offers. Limit to 8 tickets/per person/per week.

ActNow, Council Member James, and BAM Present: Nurse.Fighter.Boy on Nov. 8th

ActNow: New Voices In Black Cinema, in Conjunction with BAMcinematek and NYC Council Member Letitia James, Presents: Nurse.Fighter.Boy

Monday, November 8th - Showtimes: 4:30pm, 6:50pm, and 9:30pm at BAMcinematek in Brooklyn, NY

NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY, 2008 (93 min): stars Clark Johnson, Karen LeBlanc & Daniel Gordon; is directed by Charles Officer; written by Charles Officer & Ingrid Veninger; and produced by Ingrid Veninger…

Dear Movie Lover,

ActNow: New Voices in Black Cinema, Council Member Letitia James, and BAMcinematek present Nurse.Fighter.Boy. The film, directed by Charles Officer, is a heartwarming tale about the Soul of a mother, the Heart of a fighter and the Faith of a child. The visually vibrant story finally comes to Brooklyn… For those of you coming to the 6:50pm showing - you are in for a special treat; we will be having an after party in the BAM lobby following the screening (and prior to the 9:30pm show). This is ActNow Foundation’s way of celebrating the film...toasting to the 2010 ActNow season and welcoming in the 2011 season!

Click here for a look at the trailer.
http://www.nursefighterboy.ca/

Award-winning Canadian love story Nurse.Fighter.Boy makes its Brooklyn premiere at “New Voices in Black Cinema” screening series at BAMcinèmatek on Monday. November 8!

Weekend Events at Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts

Check out the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University this weekend for special events that will stimulate your mind, tickle your funny bone and feed your soul!

St. Martin/St. Maarten Friendship Association presents: The Philosopher of Humor - Fernando Clark
Friday • OCTOBER 29 • 7:30PM

Fernando Clark, The Philosopher of Humor and St. Maarten’s leading stand up comedian and radio host - appearing in his latest comedy DVD release Fernando U 2 Baad - will perform his one-man, stand-up comedy show live on stage – rescheduled from September 3, due to the impact of Hurricane Earl on the island of St. Martin/St. Maarten.Tickets: $25, group discounts available

Minister Marcus and Friends presents: 2nd Annual Kingdom Choice Awards Saturday • OCTOBER 30 • 7PM

The 2nd annual Kingdom Choice Awards is New York City's official urban gospel award show which presents seventeen urban gospel categories, in true award show style. The show features live performances by some of the leading urban gospel artists from New York, Philadelphia, Florida, Ohio and other states. The 2010 KCA honorees will be special guests performers Hip Hop pioneer Kurtis Blow and the grandfather of Holy Hip Hop, Mike Peace. Tickets: $25

Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts One University Plaza, Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 - (718) 488-1624

Culture Classics at LIU this Weekend

Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University Hosts: Culture Classics

Friday • OCTOBER 22 • 8PM & Saturday • OCTOBER 23 • 8PM

Come celebrate three years of fabulousness as Brown Girls Burlesque presents Culture Classics. BGB’s Culture Classics is a fusion gumbo of movement and storytelling that merges neo-burlesque with post modern theater and dance. Guest artist Yalini Dream shares her magic. Ashley Brockington will host this unforgettable evening.

Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
One University Plaza, Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 - (718)488-1624

For more info:
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/407011/e578b7717d/1644000515/dd17c25cbd/