NUBIAN KNIGHTS NETWORK

OKON Underwear New Black-Owned Fashion Underwear Company Needs Our Support: "LIKE" Them On Facebook and BUY Something!

2014-05-19T07:38:00.000-04:00

Through LinkedIn I came across brutha Azi Okon who has his own new fashion underwear business in London, England. We've conversed a bit, and in the spirit of the 4th KWANZAA principle of "Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah-AH): Cooperative Economics", I wanted to spread the word about his new underwear line which frankly looks HOT (I proudly confess to having a huge fetish for male underwear for eons now! LOL!) Check out the website and support if you can.

The following was an email that Azi sent to me regarding some questions I asked him:

Hello Mr Risbrook,

Thank you for the kind words and compliment, i deeply appreciate it.

I am glad you love my design style, its my debut collection, do let me know which style you desire, i need all purchase support.

(ROD'S QUESTION: So are you a Black-owned company or aka a company of African descent owned?)
- Its African owned

(ROD'S QUESTION: What does "Okon" stand for or mean? Is it African based?)
- It's an ancient African male name.

(ROD'S QUESTION: What sizes do your undies generally run in? I see only small, medium and large. Will you offer extra-large and 2XL???)
- I shall offer all sizes in the following (next series) collection.

(ROD'S QUESTION: What is the inseam length of your undies? They seem more like trunks(?). I preferably like a 6" inseam, but they seem shorter than that.)
- The inseam for the modal boxer is 5.5", and the Mesh boxer is 4.5", its very comfortable plus fits African males perfectly.

(ROD'S QUESTION: Do you ship to the United States? And by what method do you use? And how long for delivery?)
- Yes, I ship to the US by Air, and it takes a maximum of 5 working days.

- Thank you, the "About Us" section plus everything that makes it warm your heart, comes from my essence. Am glad it touched you as i have more to offer.

Thank you for the LIKE, please make a purchase to support, and if there are any opportunities in NY or anywhere else in the States, to get orders for my brand with its uniqueness for *condom-vaults* on the undies as stated on the "scroll", owing to HIV, please let me know. I need all the support to succeed.

Warm regards from Europe:
Please reply here: info@OkonOnline.com
Azi

http://www.okonunderwear.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/OKON-UNDERWEAR/211684862196979

The DL Chronicles RETURNS - EPISODE: Thomas World Premiere Begins Streaming Monday, May 19th, 2014

2014-05-18T20:20:00.001-04:00

Thank you for your former support of The DL Chronicles RETURNS.

We would like to apologize for the extremely long delay. The project faced many unexpected setbacks and false starts over the past two years. However, we are happy to announce that those obstacles have been cleared. Perseverance pays off!

On Monday, May 19th.
We will be releasing Episode Thomas to the public.
http://www.vimeo.com/ondemand/dlchronicles

WHERE TO WATCH?

Vimeo is available online and through a variety of broadband devices such as Smart TV's and BluRay Players, as well as Apple TV, ROKU, Google TV, XBox Live, Amazon Fire TV, iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows phone, Samsung TV, Samsung BluRay, Panasonic Viera HDTV and more. So watch the show the way it was intended to be seen... everywhere!

====================================================

2014 DL CHRONICLES PLANS

As dedicated supporters of this project we would like to share with you our plans for 2014.
Due to the fact that this project did not meet it's original funding goal, we were not able to complete the full trilogy. Many of your perks pertain to the completion of the trilogy. We will contact you as the additional promised perks are made available. We are working hard to get you everything promised!

Therefore, we are releasing the first film for streaming rentals online on Vimeo On Demand. The profits collected from rental views will go towards funding the 2nd film; Episode Harvey!

If we can garner over 25,000 rentals, Episode Harvey can begin pre-production! The sooner we can make that goal, the sooner we can begin!

So we need your assistance spreading the word! Tell your friends!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Please discuss this series with friends and share our link http://www.vimeo.com/ondemand/dlchronicles

Please write a review at Vimeo
Post a video review on Youtube, Vine, Instagram ‪#‎dlchronicles‬ - NO SPOILERS.
Please add us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/dlchronicles
Please add us on Google+ http://www.google.com/+DLChronicles

Please follow and tweet us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/thedlchronicles
#dlchronicles

Once again, thank you for your long-suffering and patience!

Kindly,
Quincy & Deondray Gossfield

WE NEED YOU!!! Please Take The African American/Black LGBT Community Survey

2014-02-21T22:59:00.001-05:00

Greetings Folks,

Global Network of Black Pride (GN-BP) would like to invite you to take the African American/Black LGBT Community Survey. Participating in this study helps open minds and doors around the world, influences positive changes for our community, and will help provide valuable insights for Black Pride organizations and LGBT media around the U.S.

Everyone who completes this survey by March 8th, 2014 may enter into a drawing to win one of five US $100 cash prizes (or you may elect to have the prize donated to a charity of your choice).

Click here to begin, or copy and paste the following link into your browser: http://survey.communitymarketinginc.com/se.ashx?s=359D342B1FE0DDD5&CMID=CMI

And don't forget to forward the survey link to your LGBT friends, and post to your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn accounts! We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to be counted.

We respect your privacy! Your answers are completely confidential, and will never be used for sales or marketing purposes. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

Thank you very much!
Richard & Ulysses
GN-BP Executive Team

--
Richard E. Pelzer II
President & Managing Director
Global Network of Black Pride
1633 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Office: 212-537-4069
Cell: 929-841-6541
Richard@GN-BP.com
GN-BP.com (Launching August 2013)
Facebook.com/gnblackpride
Twitter.com/gnblackpride
Pinterest.com/gnblackpride

ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery MLK, Jr. Celebration $ALE | 20% OFF For 6 Days ONLY!!! Use Coupon Code: MLK20

2014-01-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

From today, January 15th until midnight on Monday, January 20th, 2014, I am running a continuous 6-day $ALE on everything on my photography website at 20% OFF in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Choose from traditional photo paper prints with optional choices of metal or wood frames with a mat and museum glass, aluminum and glass prints, specialized standing desk prints, wall canvas prints, hanging wall canvas art, and custom design cups, travel mugs and more. At checkout simply use coupon code MLK20. You must do this at the time of checkout in order to receive the discount! Don't forget! :-)

THANK YOU!

Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah-AH): Cooperative Economics

__________________________________________________________

Need A Photographer?

ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery

The Performing Arts | Portraits & Headshots | Special Events

Contact Me

ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery Official Harlem Pride Vendor Saturday, June 29th, 201312 NOON — 6PM… SEE YOU THERE!

2013-06-28T03:26:00.001-04:00

OFFICIAL HARLEM PRIDE VENDOR

@ JACKIE ROBINSON PARK, NYC

ENTRANCE: 148 ST & BRADHURST AVENUE

GOOGLE MAPS

SATURDAY, JUNE 29TH, 2013

12 NOON — 6PM… SEE YOU THERE!

The Kinsey Collection Where Art and History IntersectAfrican History & Heritage

2013-04-15T05:38:00.000-04:00

We strive to live our life guided by two principals: to whom much is given much is required, and a life of no regrets. We are compelled to give back, so we set about to document the African American experience through original documents, manuscripts, photographs, paintings and sculptures.

Our intention is that this work allows people to develop a deeper relationship to the pieces in our collection that bring African American history to life. Having that connection with the past creates this sense of strength, identity and lineage that is so powerful in each of us.

- Bernard and Shirley Kinsey

VIDEO: The Kinsey Collection Introduction

About The Kinsey Collection...

The Bernard and Shirley Kinsey collection contains a wide range of art and artifacts that bear witness to the multilayered intersections of the past and present. From a curatorial perspective, the correlations of seemingly disparate objects and their historical moments are both purposeful and necessary to form a holistic understanding of the Kinsey's mission. In aggregate, these intersections that are sometimes confrontational become a celebration of the diversity of African and African American experience in the world.

Very little is consoling about the artifacts that are contained in the collection. The context of each piece is complex, giving light to the difficulties of being black, and also, illuminating the brilliance, sometimes tragic, of exceptional people whose contributions add enduring force to the often undervalued collective history of a people.

Buy The Book...

Official Website: www.TheKinseyCollection.com

-
The Kinsey Collection:
Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey
Where Art and History Intersect

A Letter To My Same Gender Loving Ancestors By Louis "Azucar Negro" Farmer

2013-03-13T13:22:00.000-04:00

A Letter To My Same Gender Loving Ancestors

by Louis "Azucar Negro" Farmer

(A Guest Nubian Knight's Perspective)

I don’t know you, but I feel your presence.

You, my ancestors, the ones who loved the SAME gender.

You, my ancestors, who often were the ones that possessed the ability to communicate with the dead or offer spiritual harmony to family, tribes, villages, the physical and spiritual world. Yet, able to love the same gender with no questions or frowns.

You were respected, revered, considered sacred, admired, sought after, and most of all LOVED by our people.

You were called many spiritual names by others since the beginning of time, before slavery, during slavery and after slavery: sooth sayer, gate keeper, priest, priestesses, sangoma, elder, mambo, iya, babalao, houngan, mambo, santero, ialorixá, babalorixá.

I feel your magic, power, supernatural abilities, love for nature and animals in me.

Thank You!

You, like your other tribe members, were captured by the so called “God Fearing Europeans” and by our very own misguided, greedy and foolish hearted brothers and sisters.

You also had wives, husbands, boyfriends, a mother, a father, siblings, aunts, grandmothers, grandfathers and clans. How did you keep their memories as you were torn away from them, never to see them again?

You, my ancestors, loved the same gender before the identities to ‘explain’ who and what we are were given to us. Yes, there was a time before we felt the need to identify as
‘Gay’
‘Queer’
‘Homosexual’
‘Bisexual’
‘Transgender’

Some of these words make many cringe, while others celebrate being associated with them.

Some have found solace with the various sexual identities, while others have fallen further into an emotional hell because of them.

You must be shaking your heads while seeing many of us follow more of an often constricted, culturally insensitive and manipulated sexual identity while wandering aimlessly, spiritless and empty seeking approval and acceptance from others who give less than a damn about us, your children.

You, my ancestors were in the bowels of the slave castles, asking yourself, like the others around you “why?”

Both men and women regardless of sexual orientation were raped at the hands of savages who saw themselves as saviors spreading the word of Christ or Allah.

Many of you fought, more died and countless survived the Middle Passage.

How did you do it? How did you deal with a once alive but now dead body chained to you on the ship headed to the new world, as it rotted and gave a toxic odor in front, behind, above and below you? How did you deal with seeing your brothers and sisters die one by one on a ship bound for the new world? How could you stomach the scraps and moldy food given to you for nourishment while smelling feces, urine, puss, blood, vomit and peeling flesh?

How did you my ancestors, handle strange hands touching your body, every crevice being pulled, tugged, pinched, sometimes burned?

How did you keep faith, or did you lose it?

No, you didn’t lose faith because the Orishas and Loas came with you during this horrible, heinous, and soul wrenching trip. Many African Gods and Goddesses wept with you. And many more spirits sank to the bottom of the ocean with the dead Africans thrown off of the ships, as well as those that chose death over slavery, and jumped to the depths of the ocean to be in the arms of Olokun, Yemaya, Mami Wati, Agwe, La Sirine and many more.

My same gender loving ancestors what was it like to be pulled up from the hull of the ship to a new land? I can only imagine what it was like to see a sea of White smiling faces surrounded by angry, sad, sullen and strong Black faces.

How did you handle being forced to worship a God that looked nothing like you? When the Catholic priests threw ‘holy water’ on you as you marched in a line chained to one another and branded, were you confused? What went through your mind as your natural beliefs had to stop or be hidden behind Catholic saints?

Were you angry or did you laugh at the idiot slave masters who had no clue that you were indeed establishing another way to preserve OUR Gods and Goddesses?

I have read many slave narratives that many of you left. Often the meanings about same sex relationships were discussed in secret and hushed tones. When you talked of slavery you probably already felt that discussing being a slave was enough, let alone discussing loving the same gender to a Christian White person recording your experiences.

I know that many same gender loving men were forced to fuck, suck and feed their male masters. Oh the anger I feel for ALL of my people.

I know many of you lived openly in a same gender relationship, living together as a couple. Oh yes, it was documented. Yet, many don’t want to believe it.

How horrendous was it for my female same gender loving sisters alongside with their straight sisters to be treated as cattle, forced to “breed” with and/or marry men. I know that many of you were raped mentally, sexually and physically just like your non same gender loving people at the hands of overseers, masters, mistresses, owners, slave traders and slave catchers.

But I also know many fought, maimed and sometimes killed those that dared to touch you!

What was it like my same gender loving ancestors if you were deemed effeminate or soft by your master and made to be a house slave? You had to have been upset, hurt and angry. But this is not to say that some of you weren’t field slaves too.

How did you, my more masculine male and female same gender loving ancestors, handle often being a field slave because you were deemed to be a stronger ‘buck’ or ‘wench’, when often your ‘lover’ was in the big house, or even working next to you picking cotton?

Are you upset that so many so called Afro centric speakers and writers today dismiss your existence during slavery, minimize your presence or claim that White people ‘made’ you gay? I can only imagine what it was like for you to hold your head up high as you long to be next to the one you love, while being forced to ‘make babies’ with a stranger and not losing your mind when the children are sold away, abused or even killed.

You were clever my same gender loving ancestors when many of you used the bible to free your people. You were called preacher, prophet, minister and other names. Dispensing advice, solace and encouragement to your flock.

Yet, still a slave.

When you ran away with your boyfriend or girlfriend, holding hands in the dark, avoiding the slave catchers with their barking dogs, how did you know to wrap hot peppers on the bottom of your feet and on your clothes to throw off your scent from the dogs pursuing you?

How did you know how to make the Voodoo bags called gris gris to protect the runaways including yourself from being caught?

How did many of you feel participating in slave rebellions and dying for freedom?

My same gender loving ancestors, I have vivid dreams about being a slave. I have visions of being at a camp fire and instructing others what to do as we plot our escape. I have also had dreams of being a slave and sold away as a teenager screaming and begging to stay. I have had dreams of running away for freedom with a blue black muscular man, who loves me with all of his heart, both ready to die for our love and our freedom.

Are you trying to send me a message?

Is it to not……….forget?

I shall not.

I shall not.

Harlem Pride PETITION: Harlem Needs A Community Pride Center (New York City)

2013-01-13T21:49:00.001-05:00

Official Website: HarlemPride.org

Harlem needs A Community PRIDE Center. There are many reasons why this need is evident:

Though home to the city’s second largest SGL/LGBT community outside of Brooklyn, Harlem is without a Community PRIDE Center that serves the needs of the diverse Same Gender Loving and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community in this area.

There is an expressed hesitancy, difficulty or inability of Harlem’s SGL/LGBT community to travel to other Community PRIDE locations. This is particularly true of the elderly and youth.

There already exists a growing sense of PRIDE and opportunity in our community. A Community PRIDE Center would enable us to tailor programs to the specific needs of our Uptown population.

The long-standing history of Harlem’s SGL/LGBT community should not be forgotten, and the contributions of its current residents should be celebrated.

Please help Harlem Pride continue to the push to bring Harlem its very own Community Pride Center by signing their newly created online petition. Lending your voice to this effort is absolutely pivotal in making this dream a reality.

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION if you feel that it's time for Harlem to have a Community PRIDE Center.

ALSO, please help spread the word via your social networks.

Thank you,
Harlem Pride, Inc.

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION

About Harlem Pride...

In 2010, Harlem Pride's founders saw an opportunity to celebrate not just our SGL (Same Gender Loving) & LGBT community, but its role and contributions to Harlem's rich history and thus Harlem Pride was born. Our mission is to promote Same Gender Loving & Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender pride in Harlem and to provide opportunities for networking and communication among its SGL & LGBT organizations and community members. These opportunities are organized for and on behalf of all Same Gender Loving & Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender individuals and groups, and all others who support the struggle for the liberation of these communities. We invite the participation of all, regardless of age, creed, gender, gender identification, HIV status, national origin, physical, mental or developmental ability, race, religion or sexual origin.

The inaugural Harlem Pride Day Celebration was held on W. 119th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues, on Saturday, June 26, 2010 and hosted over three-thousand guests. Each year, during the last weekend in June, our pride celebration will consist of a VIP Launch Party on Friday, a Harlem Pride Day Celebration on Saturday, and a Harlem Pride Family Day on Sunday.

Since 2010, Harlem Pride has expanded to include monthly seminars and workshops, social events, and other community outreach activities.

Harlem Pride was incorporated in New York State as a Not-For-Profit Corporation in 2010, and received its retroactive 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service in 2011. Harlem Pride is a Registered Charity in New York State. All donations are Tax Deductible.

Wilhelmina Grant/SISTAAH Studio Presents Greet the Griot! An Art Exhibition Featuring Robert Oba Cullins Opening Reception: Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 - 2:00 PM - 7:00PM

2013-01-13T21:26:00.003-05:00

Wilhelmina Grant/SISTAAH Studio

Invites you to a Black History Month art exhibition:
Greet the Griot!
Featuring Robert Oba Cullins:

World Traveler, Art Collector, Warri Master

Opening Reception:

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

2:00PM -7:00PM

Exhibition On Display 2/2/13 - 2/28/13
An O.Y.E. (Open Your Eyes) Exhibit of
SISTAAH Art Studio

401 West 149th Street

(between Convent and St. Nicholas Avenues)

GOOGLE MAPS

SistaahStudio[at]gmail.com

(646) 590-2728

www.SISTAAH.org

Subway: A, B, C, D train to 145th St. (closest)

or the #1 train to 145th Street

Bus: M3, M100, M101 to 148th Street
For Further Info Call: (646) 590-2728

The Outsider in Science Fiction: African American and Latino Perspectives A PANEL DISCUSSION At The Museum of the Moving Image Astoria, Queens (NYC) - Sunday, Dec. 9th, 2012

2012-12-07T00:06:00.000-05:00

Image by Credit: Gary K. Wolfe

Official Website: MovingImage.us

PANEL DISCUSSION
The Outsider in Science Fiction: African American and Latino Perspectives
Sunday, December 9, 2:00PM

Panel discussion with Walter Mosley, Sam Delany, Alex Rivera, Lawrence Oliver Cheery, and Lola Salvador
Part of the series Changing the Picture, sponsored by Time Warner

A group of prominent authors and filmmakers will discuss the theme of the outsider in science fiction literature and film, from African-American and Latino perspectives. This hour-long discussion will be moderated by filmmaker, producer, and curator Warrington Hudlin. The discussion was programmed by Dan Abella for the Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival, which takes place from December 7 through 9, 2012.

SPEAKERS

Walter Mosley is the author of more than 37 acclaimed books, including the major bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins. His work has been translated into 23 languages and includes literary fiction, science fiction, political monographs, and a young adult novel.

Samuel Delany is an author, professor, and literary critic best known for his science fiction novels, which include Babel-17, The Einstein Intersection, Nova, Dhalgren, and the Return to Nevèrÿon series.

Alex Rivera is a filmmaker best known for his feature film Sleep Dealer, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008, where he was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Prize for best film with a science theme, and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award.
Lawrence Oliver Cheery is a writer and producer for Haylies Films, an independent company that produces science fiction, dramas, and documentaries.

Lola Salvador and Carlos Molinero wrote, produced, and directed the acclaimed experimental feature film The Mist in the Palm Trees, a journey through space and time using footage shot throughout the 20th century.

Free with museum admission.

Nutcracker Sunday Matinée!Dance Theatre of Hatrlem Sunday, December 9th, 2012 @ 5:00PM

2012-11-27T01:17:00.003-05:00

Sunday Matinees 2012-2013
Sunday, December 9th, 2012 @ 5PM
Adults: $18.00 each
Children and Seniors: $14.00 each

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

The second Sunday of each month we open up our studios to showcase our dancers and other artists in the community!

Since its inception, Dance Theatre of Harlem has welcomed neighbors near and far to high-quality performances by students from our school, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble and special guest artists.

Now called Sunday Matinées, the performances take place at 3:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month from November through April, and the first Sunday of May, and are followed by a Meet-the-Artist reception.

In years past special guests have included Councilman Robert Jackson, Daniel Beaty, Phyllis Stickney, the United Nations Children’s Choir; American Ballet Theatre Studio Company; Percussionist, Edwina Tyler, Sidra Bell Dance NY; Lotus Music and Dance; Tania Leon; and Carmen deLavallade, to name a few.

Dance Theatre of Harlem
Everett Center for the Performing Arts

466 West 152nd Street

Harlem, New York, 10031

212.690.2800
DanceTheatreofHarlem.org

BLACK WALL STREET Theater Play by Celeste Bedford Walker Friday, Nov 30th & Saturday, Dec. 30th, 2012At The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center (New York City)

2012-11-19T20:52:00.000-05:00

Official Website: ShadesOfTruthTheatre.com

Shades of Truth Theatre

Presents
BLACK WALL STREET
by Celeste Bedford Walker

Directed by Aixa Kendrick

SYNOPSIS:

In 1921, in a small community in Tulsa, Oklahoma there was a Black paradise called Greenwood. This community consisted of Blacks, who fled the oppression of the South; to carve out for themselves their place in history. They formed a peculiar society of Blacks, Indians, and Jews, who respected and did business with each other. In time, some of the Blacks who happened to settle on oil rich land became incredibly wealthy. So wealthy, in fact, that the town was soon known as Black Wall Street. In a mere 36 block section of town, these African-Americans owned and operated up to 600 thriving businesses.

One of the most popular of these businesses was Old Lady Boleys’, an eating establishment which is where our play begins. One Sunday evening, the town’s more influential citizens gathered to have their pictures taken for the local newspaper; in honor of the community’s 20th anniversary. Before the play ends, the entire community of Greenwood is completely burned to the ground. In a 12 hour period, a major Black economic movement is halted.

PLACE:
The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center
3940 Broadway (@ 165th Street)

New York City
Ph: 212-568-1341

Train Travel: #1, "A" or "C" train to 168th Street

GOOGLE MAPS

DATES:
Friday, November 30th, 2012 at 3PM and 7:30PM and
Saturday, December 1st, 2012 at 3PM and 7:30PM

INFORMATION:
General Admission is 25.00
Groups of 10 or more: Tickets - 20.00
Groups of 20 or more: Tickets - 15.00

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

About Shades of Truth Theatre Company...

We would like to extend a special "Thank You" to a valuable asset of Shades of Truth Theatre. You!!! The enthusiastic responses to "Whistle in Mississippi: The Lynching of Emmett Till", Zora Returns to Harlem, After Midnight! Kings Powerful Rebuke of the War in Vietnam and our longest running production The Meeting by Jeff Stetson compels us to persevere. Because of you, we have the passion to explore and develop relevant, provocative, and innovative new plays written by and about people of color and the Black experience.

Shades of Truth Theatre, Audelco Award Winner 2009, has been a welcoming presence in the theater community for the past 10 years because of its excellence in producing positive and affordable entertainment with high standards. At the core of Shades of Truth Theatre is our commitment to produce works that stimulate, agitate and activate. We are excited to bring to the stage as part of the 2013 season Celeste Bedford Walker’s new play "Black Wall Street" based on the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921.

Thank you so very much for your consideration in presenting one of our outstanding theatrical productions in your facility. Please review the details below on the shows that will be available for 2013. Booking fees are often modified based on circumstances…let's dialogue.

ShadesOfTruthTheatre.com

Art In FLUX Harlem presents ECHOES: A Time to Keep & A Time to Let Go Opening: Friday, November 9th, 2012 (6-9PM) Harlem, New York City

2012-10-29T02:37:00.000-04:00

Official Website: www.artinfluxharlem.com

ECHOES
Opens NOV. 9th, 2012 6-9pm
A dual-gallery exhibition in which artists reveal the importance of the spiritual power of Africa by retaining elements of the traditional world and yet creating a new contemporary vision. Through visual art, film, photography, dance, and spoken word, artists proclaim a cultural heritage while they explore, celebrate, play, question, challenge or protest diverse issues. The exhibition, spreading in two inter-connected spaces, illustrates the importance of past histories and conveys the vital significance of African traditions in the diaspora.

Opening Night Special Events

Spoken Word: Hisham Tawfiq, Ebbe Bassey, Tara Mhella, Gena Bardwell

Percussion Performance: Mark Manczuk
Dance Interpretation: Ntifafa Akoko Tete-Rosenthal
Instrumental music: Hasan Bakr and Kevin Nathaniel Hylton
DJ Mix: Jeremiah Kpoh

EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Alberte Bernier, Beatrice Lebreton, Carlos DeMedeiros, Dougba Caranda-Martin, Gail Shaw-Clemons, Geraldine Gaines, Ibou Ndoye, J W Ford, Lance Johnson, Leonardo Benzant, Makeba Rainey, Nyugen Smith, Tara Mhella, Toni Thomas, and Trish Mayo.

PRODUCTION TEAM
Beatrice Lebreton, Curator
Ibou Ndoye, Curator
Ebbe Bassey, Filmmaker
Belynda M'baye, Production Manager

This exhibit, reflective of the mission of Art In FLUX Harlem, was created through a collaborative effort among artists. The idea of the exhibit was sparked by a curatorial proposal presented by Beatrice Lebreton, and Ibou Ndoye. The two were introduced to filmmaker Ebbe Bassey whose film, Siri Oko Fo (Mending Fences), inspired the artworks presented in the “Time to Let Go” gallery. Belynda M’baye came on board as the production manager for the opening night reception and coordinated dance, music and spoken word - all responses to the artworks and the film.

LOCATION:
Art In FLUX Harlem
1961 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (7th Ave) @ 118th Street

Harlem, New York City

GOOGLE MAPS

GALLERY HOURS:
Wed - Sat: noon to 7pm
Sun: noon to 5pm

www.artinfluxharlem.com

A (Black) Comic Book BOOK Party in Brooklyn In Collaboration w/ Bronx Heroes Saturday, October 27th, 2012 / 6PM - 8PM Brooklyn, New York City

2012-10-24T02:01:00.002-04:00

Click To Enlarge

N.Steven Harris is coordinating an event which utilizes alternative space for comic events. Bronx Heroes is going to Crooklyn!!! There will be independent and mainstream comic artist displaying and selling their work, books and other items. Come check out another side of comics you may not be use to seeing.

Simeon and Cinningham Gallery:

A Comic Book BOOK Party

Featuring Some of the Most Talented

Comic Book Creators and Animators

Be Prepared To Buy Stuff

Saturday, October 27th, 2012

6PM - 8PM

1081 Fulton Street

(at the corner of Classon Avenue)

Brooklyn, New York City

"C" or "S" (Shuttle) Train To Franklin Avenue

GOOGLE MAPS

ARTISTS

Jennifer Crute

Ray Felix

Robert Garrett

N. Steven Harris

Regine Sawyer

Rob Taylor

Trevor Von Eeedon

UPDATE (Saturday, October 27th, 2012)

I just got back from the Comic Book BOOK Party and had a nice time. I saw one of my favorite artists (a qool, qool brutha) and the co-event organizer, N. Steven Harris.

I picked up a few books from the grassroots Black artists that were there: so, from C.F. Godwell we have NUKLEUS: Born Into This and it's precursor The Boy From Planet (pictured above and signed -- of course!)

And from an artist named Da'Shen I picked up a science-fiction novella (short story) called The Atrophied Man. The small compact size and NICE cover caught my attention, plus the fact it was science-fiction themes opened my eyes more.

Da'Shen said The Atrophied Man is about a brutha who has these powers where he can communicate with inanimate objects. The downside is that when he uses theses powers he blacks out for lie 3 months and when he awakens there's drama at times because he hasn't conducted his life in 3 months. It sounds interesting so I'll give it a read.

THPAC Presents A RAMP TO PARADISE 21 Performance ONLY!!! November 8th, 2012 @ 7:30PM The Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, New York

2012-10-18T16:31:00.002-04:00

Official Website: ThelmaHill.com

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Fatima Kafele
718-484-0022; fatima.kafele@liu.edu

Paradise Garage, New York City’s Legendary Underground Dance Club Celebrated in Major Multi-media Dance Project by Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center

"A Ramp to Paradise 2"

Dancers Recreate One Night at Paradise Garage Under the Choreography and Direction of Walter Rutledge

October 8, 2012 (Brooklyn, New York) Renowned Brooklyn, New York arts organization, Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC), in association with Kumble Theater, presents A Ramp To Paradise 2, a groundbreaking chronicle of the legendary New York City underground dance club, Paradise Garage, choreographed by Walter Rutledge. The performance will take place on November 8, 2012 at the Kumble Theater on Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus located on Flatbush Avenue between DeKalb Avenue and Willoughby Street (Trains-2,3,4,5,B,Q,R). Performance is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 until October 20, $25 thereafter and may be purchased at the Kumble Theater box office or website www.kumbletheater.org. Ticket prices include an after party.

The groundbreaking A Ramp To Paradise 2 is a multi-media dance narrative of one night during the 1980s at the edgy, predominantly Black and Latino lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT)/same gender loving (SGL) club, which featured the awe-inspiring DJ talent of the late Larry Levan, live performances by everyone from Luther Vandross to Jocelyn Brown, Patti Labelle to Grace Jones, Madonna to Sylvester, a host of house music superstars, and a mix of LGBT/SGL and straight patrons no other club has matched.

“While all of our programming has its challenges, the magnitude of A Ramp To Paradise 2 required 5 years of planning,” states THPAC Executive Chair, Alex Smith, Jr., who conceived and developed the project. "Choreographer and dancer selection were critical as there is a huge Paradise Garage fan base we wanted to satisfy as well as the dance enthusiasts who support THPAC,” he stated. A Ramp To Paradise 2 exclusively uses period club music mixed by a DJ including mixes by Paradise Garage DJ phenom Larry Levan.

The work not only celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the closing of the iconic Paradise Garage, but also exalts the great strides made in the LGBT/SGL community. Over its ten years of operation (1977- 1987), the groundbreaking Paradise Garage shaped the club scene in New York City and set the standard worldwide. "We feel a responsibility to share this unique era in club culture and LGBT/SGL history," says director Rutledge. The cast will reflect the diversity of the LGBT/SGL community with old way vogue artists, couples who hustle, transsexuals who “walk runway and face” as well as traditionally trained dancers.

About Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC)THPAC, www.thelmahill.com, an independent non-profit organization, was formed in 1976 to forge and temper creative talent. Over 36 years, the organization has attracted both emerging and established artists of color who developed a perpetual evolutionary cycle in which hundreds of alumni have gone on to successful careers as dancers and choreographers in the U.S. and abroad. The mission of THPAC is to build bridges of understanding through the presentation and celebration of choreographic works by artists of color. From fostering grassroots involvement at home to expanding awareness of the arts abroad, THPAC facilitates artistic collaborations, such as performances, workshops, seminars and community projects. Alex Smith, Jr. has been at the helm of the organization for the past 15 years.

Choreographer, director, playwright, and author Walter Rutledge studied at Harkness House for Ballet Arts where he was encouraged to develop his interest in choreography and direction. He danced with the Harkness Ballet of New York. His choreography was performed at the Paradise Garage in the late 80’s. Presently he is the Associate Artistic Director and resident choreographer of the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre and Senior Cultural Arts contributor for Harlem World Magazine.

About The Paradise GarageHoused in a parking garage, now owned by Verizon, in lower Manhattan, the Paradise Garage was founded by Michael Brody and operated from 1977 to 1987. The club was famed for its DJ Larry Levan and its award-winning sound system designed by Richard Long and Associates (RLA). It was also known for its highly diverse celebrity patrons and its all night parties, which often lasted until past noon the next day. The club was focused on dancing and was one of the first to put the DJ at the center of the action.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Ebony Soul 2013-2014 19-Month Wall Calendar; Photographer Anthony Ragland PUSHES The Envelope, Yet Still Maintains A Sexy, Stylish and Succulent Multi-Hued Portrait of Black Men

2012-10-18T15:28:00.003-04:00

Official Website: EbonySoul.net

FINALLY!!!! It's been a looooong minute since photographer Anthony Ragland has released a new calendar of sexy Black men. His last and previous calendar was the 2010-2011 edition!

Unlike most calendars, Anthony takes a different approach by creating calendars that typically overlap from one year and into the next - generally he creates TRUE 18th-month calendars. And by "TRUE" I mean you get to flip to a new model once a month for 18 months!! There's none of that bullshit where some calendars CHEAT by condensing the last 4 months of the current selling year onto 1 page and then turn around and call it a 16-month calendar when it is not, as an example.

I had met up with Anthony (for the first time) and we had lunch at Grand Central Station back in May 2012. He showed me the new calendar, and of course, it was off the chain!! And being a fan of Anthony's work you know I had him sign the cover to my copy of the calendar...

Now that we are in calendar season, and the NEW EbonySoul.net website is up and running, I wanted to do this blog entry on the calendar.

As usual, and as I have been saying for many, many years now, Ebony Soul is the PRE-EMINENT top of the line producer of Black male calendars. I like other calendars such as Spirit of Black Men (which is published by the Shades of Color company which, by the way, also produced the previously awesome and now defunct ONYX calendar), Black Men and City Gym Boys, but this time around he really pushed the envelope by having some of the models pose nude -- and no there's no private parts revealed -- yet Anthony's photography once again TASTEFULLY shows his VISION of Black men as sexy, stylish and very succulent! There are too many calendars out there that are really just boring and ordinary especially the nude ones -- NOT EBONY SOUL! Ebony Soul, in my mind, continues to be the KING of Black male calendar for 10 YEARS NOW!

For the record, Anthony does not pay me to do this, nor do I endorse something that I don't like or not passionate about (especially to my Nubian Knights Network readers)... with that said, out of the 19 models this time around there are a few models with a photographic look by Anthony that exceptionally exude sexy, stylish and succulence...

ROD's Top 7 Favorites Bruthaz Are:

RONNIE (January 2013)

I Made This Image Garayscale (Black & White)

But It Is A Color Image In The Calendar

ARTHUR (August 2013)

The Loose Belt, Shirt & Blue Sky

Really Make This Image Stand Out

WALT (September 2013)

What Can I Say? - WALT Is Just Exuding Succulence...

CROSS (October 2013)

WOW! Can I Have a Pair Of Those Plum Colored Undies???

WILSON (December 2013)

Wilson Is Tied With Dwight As My TOP, TOP Favorite.
AAAHHHHH!!! Book Reading...

KENIKA (April 2014)
This Image Was More About The Photography For Me

Than The Model Because of The Sepia Tone Look

And The Water Streaming From The Showerhead

And The Streams & Beads Of Water On KENIKA's Body

DWIGHT (July 2014)

IF I Had To Make A Hard Choice

DWIGHT Would Be The Top Winner Here

ULTRA SEXY & SUCCULENT

The Ebony Soul 2013-2014 19-Month Wall Calendar

is 12" x 12" in size and is available for $19.99 by clicking below at

++++++++++++++++++++++

Other Black Male Calendar Considerations...

Spirit of Black Men 2013 Wall Calendar

(12" x 12" - 12-Month)

Click Image To Purchase

Black Men 2013 Wall Calender
(12" x 12" - 12-Month)

Click Image To Purchase

City Gym Boys 2013 Wall Calendar

(12" x 12" - 12-Month)

Click Image To Purchase

Joe Pressley's Community Vision For GMAD... Renewal Into The Next 25 Years

2012-10-17T06:40:00.000-04:00

Community Vision

by Joey Bernard Pressley

(A Guest Nubian Knight's Perspective)

The recent resignation of Tokes Osubu from New York City’s Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) has prompted me to think very seriously about the future of the Black gay/same gender loving (SGL) community and the vision needed to confront and address our needs as we work to move forward. It has also generated my interest in becoming GMAD’s next executive director. A position for which I would consider applying the moment the organization’s Board of Directors elects to initiate its search process.

I’ve read that GMAD founder, the Reverend Charles Angel, was a tireless, outspoken and fearless activist who stood in the forefront of several organizing efforts in the New York City gay and people with AIDS communities including, the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays, ACT-UP, and the People with AIDS Coalition. In those Silence = Death days, he understood the vital importance of advocacy, a clear vision and establishing a set of goals for addressing a community’s broader needs. It was a holistic approach to activism rooted in a proud African heritage, progressive Christian teachings and his belief in psycho-spiritual growth. It was from this set of beliefs that GMAD grew, and continued to grow even after Charles Angel’s untimely death from AIDS complications in 1987, three years before I discovered GMAD via its Friday night forums. These forums often brought a hundred or more Black gay men to The Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in Greenwich Village.

Organizations such as GMAD, many of which are more than two decades old, were founded as psycho-social-political entities designed to celebrate and empower Black gay/SGL men. GMAD employed its holistic approach to create a much needed safe space for its constituents to look at the intersecting issues in our lives. In the 1990s, these well-intentioned organizations sought funding to combat HIV/AIDS. This shift transformed them into AIDS service organizations that, by necessity, narrowed their scope and vision. As the unpaid director of GMAD in 1991, I was involved in securing one of the first grants for the organization thinking that it would create a pathway to growth and facilitate a greater response to the devastation levied by AIDS on our community.

Given this ongoing devastation, it stands to reason that our organizations must maintain a powerful response to the epidemic; however, being pigeonholed as only an AIDS service organization restricts the ability of Black gay/SGL institutions to effectively speak for and to the myriad needs of their constituents. Black gay/SGL men are as concerned about employment as they are about HIV prevention and treatment. We are concerned about the impacts of climate change and hate crimes, a woman’s right to choose as well as marriage equality and our presence in the military. Black gay/SGL men are equally concerned and impacted by lack of access to healthcare, education, housing, criminal justice issues and income inequality. Working with faith-based institutions, combating stigma, homophobia and addressing the social, economic and behavioral cofactors related to the rise in HIV/AIDS infections will be ongoing work for GMAD. At the same time, I see GMAD standing shoulder to shoulder with other progressive organizations working in coalition to promote a fairer, more just society and world.

Our organizations need new funding streams that will enable us to become active participants and thought leaders in these arenas. As an expert in community organizing and policy analysis, with years of experience in organizational management and fund raising, I would seek to diversify GMAD’s revenue supports so that its efforts would reflect the broader needs of its constituents. An initial first step moving forward is for GMAD to engage in a strategic planning exercise designed to assess strengths and weaknesses and to redefine its vision and related mission. Stakeholders engaged in this process would include past and current staff and funders, policymakers, community leaders and of course a diverse representation of New York’s Black gay/SGL men. The organization would work directly with Black gay/SGL men via ongoing participatory engagement to develop agendas and strategic plans reflective of the community’s priorities and work with legislators and public officials to shape policy and legislation responsive to identified needs.

I recognize that this vision is broad and ambitious, but it is also one of more personal concerns. I think about my 9 year old nephew. What if he shared with my husband and me that he is gay? What world would he face? Simply put, I would want our society to embrace and support him. I would look to GMAD, and organizations like it, to stand without equivocation or shame in demanding that all of us, including my dear nephew, have the equal and unmitigated opportunity to celebrate our lives, and have the space to act as partners in bringing about transformative social, economic and political change.

Respectfully,

Joey Bernard Pressley
(October 16th, 2012)

My Quick Thoughts On Kal King and Tariq On... The L.A. Complex 2nd Season Finale: "Don't Say Goodbye"

2012-10-03T04:17:00.000-04:00

Don't know if anyone saw the 2nd season finale ("Don't Say Goodbye") of The L.A. Complex, but it was quite a ride to see the Kaldrick King (aka Shawn Duggan) character (played by actor Andra Fuller) grow in his story arc. After his domestic abuse of if the Tariq character (played by Actor Benjamin Charles Watson) I didn't know if I could have compassion for Kal.

Actors Benjamin Charles Watson and Andra Fuller

I was most struck by his admission of having a Black man -- his father -- re-enter his life and make him be a better person. You usually don't see that in series television for Black men.

Though deep down I would have liked some reconciliation -- no, a relationship with Tariq and Kal, it was probably for the better as a more realistic storyline and not cheapen the characters with a fairytale fake ending. I still FEEL for Tariq because he will STILL be left with those emotional scares for quite some time. And as bruthaz alluded to in a previous thread, the writers didn't get into a story arc of Tariq's struggles of get his life together from the traumatizing domestic abuse from Kal.

Actor Andra Fuller as Kal King

It's still painful to see one Black man die at the hands of another (the end of the episode), but Kal's boyhood buddy (Rook) was being a friend as best he could, and though I don't agree with the method of CANCELLING another bruthaz' LIFE I understood he felt like he had no other options. And the angry Black man syndrome is tired, too, by the way.

Actor Benjamin Charles Watson as Tariq

Not sure if the show will come back for a 3rd season, or even if it does, not sure it would be with these set of characters because it looks like the writers have done all they could with all of them -- but as superficial as most of these characters were in this tv series, it was satisfying to know the meat of integrity for this series was Kal King (and Tariq and later Kal's father) driving a relevant and good story arc.

LINK: http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video/the-la-complex/dont-say-goodbye/

CALLING ALL DANCERS & OTHERS---- Auditions for Ramp to Paradise 2At The Kumble Theater (LIU Brooklyn Campus)Tues, October 2nd & Wed, October 3rd, 2012

2012-09-26T06:04:00.000-04:00

Click To Enlarge

THELMA HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
PRESENTS
A RAMP TO PARADISE 2

HOLDING AUDITIONS AND CASTING
ALL ROLES FOR PRODUCTION OF
A RAMP TO PARADISE 2
In Tribute to THE PARADISE GARAGE

Walter Rutledge
choreographer/director
Alex Smith, Jr.
Executive Producer

OCTOBER 2nd & 3rd, 2012
5PM- 8PM
at the
KUMBLE THEATER
(Long Island University

Downtown Brooklyn Campus)

WE ARE CASTING ALL ROLES

FOR THIS NEW MULTI MEDIA DANCE/THEATRE PRODUCTION

OF THE LEGENDARY UNDERGROUND DANCE CLUB

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Trained dancers (ballet, modern, jazz, pointe and partnering)
"Old Way" Vogue Artists
Couples who Hustle
TS Girls who walk runway and face
Boyz with Bodies
And a Grace Jones impersonator

All are welcome to audition.

Dancers, please come ready to dance.

All others come prepared to show your talent.

For more info contact
Walter Rutledge at 917 744 2601 or
walt_rutledge[at]yahoo.com

New Film On ADODI Filmed Partially in Philadelphia, PA (On Saturday, September 8th, 2012) As Filmmaker ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Visits... by Tracy Gibson

2012-09-10T18:35:00.001-04:00

New Film On ADODI Filmed Partially

in Philadelphia, PA

As Filmmaker ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Visits...

by Brother Tracy Gibson

(A Guest Nubian Knight's Perspective)

A dozen courageous Black Same Gender Loving men came together at the Songhai City Cultural Center at 3117 West Master Street {The heart of North Philadelphia}, to pay homage to Brother Rod Patrick Risbrook's new documentary: "ADODI - 25 Years And Beyond: Claiming the Legacy, Continuing the Legend...'' The film is set to be released in August of 2013.

The film tells the story of ADODI --a support group for Black men who are Same Gender Loving and who refuse to be stereotyped, categorized and put down, but who insist on being treated--and treat each other--with dignity, respect, LOVE, kindness and as men of Tomorrow today. Men who are and will lead our people in a positive direction and men who take responsibility for their sexual activities and actions, deciding to act as responsible adults--not immature children.

ADODI was founded in May of 1986 by Creative Arts Therapist Clifford Rawlins, also an artist, who opened his home to create a warm and loving atmosphere each week on Sundays, that helped nurture and educate literally hundreds of Brothers through the beginning stages of the AIDS / HIV Crisis. Clifford held us spell-bound during those heady early days as we were surrounded by his fantastically gifted art work, the art work of other Black artists and luscious jazz music as we learned survival tactics, and techniques to help us build vital self-esteem that would carry most of us on into another millennium and another generation. Many more of us would have perished if it had not been for ADODI.

A brief trailer of Brother Risbrook's film was shown at this recent gathering of men and the courageous attending Brothers took the time to talk about the up-coming National election and how they think President Barack Obama will fair; the history of the Black man and the Black woman in business; The history of the Black church movement in Philadelphia; the expectations of Blacks in the Arts and film; the potential of this particular film and how it was conceived; the vast potential for a new Black Renaissance that will not only lift Black people locally, but lift our hearts and spirits as a Black Diaspora internationally. There was also talk of the White Male's penis envy of Black men.

The event was sponsored by the Black Millionaires Network and offered a chance for the filmmaker, a good Brother from Brooklyn, New York, to discuss his film {which is still in production}, and meet with some of the people that are part of the heart of its' creation--The ADODI Brothers themselves. {Earlier in the day, three ADODI Brothers, including myself, were interviewed on film as part of the production}.... The Brothers who attended this event had the courage to not be defined by there own fears nor by their supposed oppression, nor by the exclusivity, marginalization, discrimination and homophobic attitudes we often face from our own Black community and even our own Black families and Black churches. We had the courage to move forward and attend an event in the heart of North Philadelphia which is stereotyped as a violent, miseducated and oppressed neighborhood when in fact while there may be some aspects of North Philadelphia that are like that, there are and always have been Brothers and Sisters in North Philadelphia who have struggled for decades to improve the schools, improve living standards and improve the lives of Black North Philadelphia residents.

There were 38 empty seats at this event, but they were filled by our Ancestor's strong forthright, forward-moving and supportive spirits as the night went on and everyone enjoyed each other's company and the delicious vegetarian food prepared by Sister Atiya Ola, who catered the event and who owns a vegetarian restaurant at 4505 Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia...

When the film is released, this writer plans to help the producers and director get it seen widely throughout the country because the story of ADODI is close to my heart and it is a story that needs to be told.

SPECIAL THANKS

To Ado Ernest Duncan

For Taking The Photos
& Shooting The Video Interview

CHILDREN OF KILLERS by Katori HallAt The Castillo Theatre In New York City September 21st - Ocotber 28th, 2012 (Limited Engagement)

2012-09-06T05:23:00.000-04:00

Official Website: http://www.castillo.org/show-children-of-killers/

Castillo Theatre Presents The U.S. Premiere Of

CHILDREN OF KILLERS

by Katori Hall

Author of the Olivier Award-Winning Play THE MOUNTAIN TOP

Directed by Emily Mendelsohn

September 21 - October 28th, 2012

Synopsis:

Set 15 years after the Rwandan genocide, Children of Killers follows a group of teenage friends as many of their fathers are being released from prison where they have been serving time for their roles in the mass killings of their Tutsi neighbors. How are these innocents — young people who don’t even remember their fathers — going to live with their brutal legacy; is it possible to move beyond it, or will they be shaped by their tragic heritage?

"With its dedication to fierce, thought-provoking political theatre that forces audiences to look into the mirror and question and confront themselves, I knew this would be the perfect home for the first American incarnation of the play." - Katori Hall

Read more at: Off-Broadway World.com

Featuring:
Raphael Agbune, LaTonia Antoinette, Edgar Cancinos, Kimarra Cannonier, Franceli Chapman, Suzanne Darrell, Khadim Diop, Sidiki Fofana, Naja Jack, Rain Jack, Lorenzo Jackson, Lauryn Simone Jones, Melech Meir, Niara Nyabingi, Andrea Rachel, Mariel Reyes, Starshima Trent, Terrell Wheeler

Get your tickets online today at www.castillo.org or call our box office at 212-941-1234

For group rates contact Gail Peck at 212-356-8449 or gpeck@allstars.org

Castillo Theatre

543 West 42nd Street

(between 10th & 11th Avenues)

New York, NY 10036

GOOGLE MAPS

PRESS RELEASE

The Castillo Theatre is opening its 29th season with the American premiere of Children of Killers by award-wining playwright, Katori Hall. Ms. Hall comes to Castillo fresh from the London and Broadway triumphs of The Mountaintop, her play about the last night of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and from the premiere at the Signature Theatre of Hurt Village, a play set in the projects of her hometown of Memphis. The Mountaintop won the Olivier Award for best play in 2010. Hurt Village won the 2011 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Ms. Hall is pleased that Children of Killers is being presented to Castillo’s diverse audience, and has said, “With its dedication to fierce, thought-provoking political theatre that forces audiences to look into the mirror and question and confront themselves, I knew this would be the perfect home for the first American incarnation of the play.” The production is directed by Emily Mendelsohn.

Set 15 years after the Rwandan genocide, Children of Killers follows a group of teenage friends as many of their fathers are being released from prison where they have been serving time for their roles in the mass killings of their Tutsi neighbors. How are these innocents — young people who don’t even remember their fathers — going to live with their brutal legacy; is it possible to move beyond it, or will they be shaped by their tragic heritage?

Originally commissioned by the National Theatre in London, Children of Killers was inspired by a trip to Rwanda in 2009 when Hall attended a genocide studies conference and spoke with victims and perpetrators of the genocide. The play was developed in part through a workshop conducted by Ms. Hall and National Theatre director, Anthony Banks with students in Castillo’s youth theatre program, Youth Onstage!, in the summer of 2010. It has received eight productions in Britain and 40 productions in Portugal.

Located at the All Stars Project’s performing arts and youth development center on West 42nd Street, the Castillo Theatre (Dan Friedman, artistic director; Diane Stiles, managing director) brings experimental political theatre, dealing with contemporary and historical social issues, to the heart of New York’s commercial theatre district for a diverse audience drawn from the many communities that make up NYC. Since 1983, Castillo has staged well over 100 productions — from multicultural and avant-garde plays, to musicals and improvisational
comedy.

Children of Killers is being presented in conjunction with Performing the World 2012, an international cross-disciplinary, experiential conference being held at the All Stars Project, October 4-7. Children of Killers opens on September 21 and runs through October 28th.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. at the Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street (between 10th & 11th Avenues). Tickets are $35 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased through the Castillo Box Office at 212-941-1234 or www.castillo.org.

Playwright Katori Hall is available for interviews.

Contact Gail Peck at 212-356-8449 or 917-371-5008; or via email: gpeck@allstars.org.

ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery Feat. @ The 2nd Annual BEDSTUY PRIDE 2012 Herbert Von King Park (aka Tompkins Park) Sunday, August 26th, 2012 (12PM - 6PM) Brooklyn, New York City

2012-08-20T04:42:00.002-04:00

My Official Website: RodPatrickRisbrook.com

Audre Lorde Project‘s

Safe OUTside the System Collective (SOS)

Presents…

The 2nd Annual BEDSTUY PRIDE 2011
Sunday, August 26th, 2012
12PM - 6PM
@
Hebert Von King Park

(formerly/aka Tompkins Park)
(Lafayette Avenue between Marcy & Tompkins Avenues)

Hey Y'all,

I'll be one of the featured vendors at the 2nd Annual Bed-Stuy Pride event where you can meet me in person, chat a bit, and be able to purchase some photographic prints from my varied body of work.

See you out there Sunday... SAY CHEEEEEEEEEEESSSEEE!

ROD

My Official Website: RodPatrickRisbrook.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sonia Cheruvillil
Telephone: 718.596.0342 ext. 11
Email: bedstuypridemedia@alp.org
The Audre Lorde Project (www.alp.org)

2nd Annual Bed-Stuy Pride 2012:

Challenging Violence and Building Resilience

Sunday, August 26th at Herbert Von King Park, Brooklyn

12PM – 6PM

Bed-Stuy Pride is an annual festival held in the heart of central Brooklyn that cherishes the diversity of our communities and recognizes the importance of creating safer spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, trans and gender non-conforming (LGBTSTGNC) people of color. Our communities experience greater violence related to both race and marginalized expressions of gender and/or sexuality including increased stop and frisks by police and stranger based violence. Transgender people of color are 2.38 times as likely to experience police violence and 1.85 as likely to experience discrimination [avp.org]. Organized by the Audre Lorde Project‘s Safe OUTside the System Collective (SOS) --- Bed-Stuy Pride is an opportunity to remind the residents of central Brooklyn of our histories and celebrate our communities.

Traditionally, pride marches all over the world (and especially in New York City) have been in recognition of the historic Stonewall riots. Contributions of transgender women of color like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Riveria, and Miss Major --who were central to these historical riots are forgotten or ignored completely. Bed-Stuy pride is a chance to center these stories and provide the context of resistance and justice inherent in pride.

Bed-Stuy Pride highlights its commitment to safe neighborhoods and communities. On Sunday August 26th, there will be performances from local artists, interactive art installations, and community leaders. There will be a Freedom Tent [Inspired by 1968 Mississippi Freedom Schools] where skill-based workshops will be held including Navigating Gendered Public Space, Health and Wellness, Erotic Poetry, and much more will be offered throughout the day.

Free childcare, and Interpretation provided.

Want to get inlvoved in Bed-Stuy Pride? Here's how...

Volunteer! Email us at bedstuypride@gmail.com

Endorse! Go to www.alp.org to become an endorser

Spread the word! Join the ALP Facebook group, share on twitter, tumblr and other blogs.

For more information on Bed-Stuy Pride or to schedule an interview please contact Sonia Cheruvillil Telephone: 718.596.0342 ext. 11; Email: bedstuypridemedia[at]alp.org

PICTURES FROM LAST YEAR'S 1ST ANNUAL BED-STUY PRIDE (2011)...

ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery Feat. @ The 2nd Annual BEDSTUY PRIDE 2012 Herbert Von King Park (aka Tompkins Park) Sunday, August 26th, 2012 (12PM - 6PM) Brooklyn, New York City

2012-08-19T22:28:00.001-04:00

My Official Website: RodPatrickRisbrook.com

Audre Lorde Project‘s

Safe OUTside the System Collective (SOS)

Presents…

The 2nd Annual BEDSTUY PRIDE 2011
Sunday, August 26th, 2012
12PM - 6PM
@
Hebert Von King Park

(formerly/aka Tompkins Park)
(Lafayette Avenue between Marcy & Tompkins Avenues)

Hey Y'all,

I'll be one of the featured vendors at this event where you can meet me in person, chat a bit, and be able to purchase some photographic prints from my varied body of work.

See you out there Sunday... SAY CHEEEEEEEEEEESSSEEE!

ROD

My Official Website: RodPatrickRisbrook.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sonia Cheruvillil
Telephone: 718.596.0342 ext. 11
Email: bedstuypridemedia@alp.org
The Audre Lorde Project (www.alp.org)

2nd Annual Bed-Stuy Pride 2012:

Challenging Violence and Building Resilience

Sunday, August 26th at Herbert Von King Park, Brooklyn

12PM – 6PM

Free childcare, and Interpretation provided.

Want to get inlvoved in Bed-Stuy Pride? Here's how...

Volunteer! Email us at bedstuypride@gmail.com

Endorse! Go to www.alp.org to become an endorser

Spread the word! Join the ALP Facebook group, share on twitter, tumblr and other blogs.

For more information on Bed-Stuy Pride or to schedule an interview please contact Sonia Cheruvillil Telephone: 718.596.0342 ext. 11; Email: bedstuypridemedia[at]alp.org

PICTURES FROM LAST YEAR'S 1ST ANNUAL BED-STUY PRIDE (2011)...

Nhojj Offers New "My Brother" Music Video As A Gift of Gratitude

2012-08-16T04:14:00.002-04:00

Official Website: Nhojj Café - nhojj.com

Nhojj Offers New "My Brother" Music Video as A Gift of Gratitude

With a little help from friends, Nhojj releases "My Brother" - a simple heart felt music video that reaches toward the joy of true friendship - offering thanks to those who helped shape and mold him.

In contrast to his controversial gay marriage "Amazing Grace" video, Nhojj turns his focus to the simple value of friendship with his collaborative "My Brother" released 8/12/12 on YouTube. At the heart of both music videos lies the gift of affirmation and the celebration of love.

Taken from Nhojj's critically acclaimed 2008 "Soul Comfort" album, "My Brother" features a diverse array of male artists: poets sean360x and Baron, his classical trained brother Sam Martinborough, Gospel vocals from ButtaFlySoul and Jesse O's R&B stylings. "My Brother" was released as a single with 2 additional Soul House remixes in August 2011 and is now Nhojj's 3rd music video.

Nhojj writes in his liner notes, "With this song I strive to go beyond the contradictions and disappointments and reach for the good times, the fond memories, the moments of strength and courage. With this song I offer thanks to the fathers... friends... brothers... lovers... sons who helped me be the man I am today." In this fast paced and highly competitive world where simple values are often ignored or forgotten, "My Brother" seeks to be a reminder of the meaning of brotherhood and friendship. It shows 5 black males supporting and affirming one another, with special emphasis on the good times and happiness that can result from positive male relationships.

"The goal of this music video is to show the possibilities that can exist in the realms of friendship between men, and to remind viewers to cherish these special moments. I hope it provides a warm feeling and sends waves of love to the viewer because love is healing," Nhojj explains.

Performing in the "My Brother" video is writer, director and #1 Reverbnation artist sean360x. Recipient of the Jacob A. Wieser Writing Award, his work has been featured in the International Fringe Festival - the largest multi-cultural arts festival in North America. The Voice of Harlem (WHCR 90.3FM) says "His eccentric style, energetic live performances, and conceptual music dazzle critics and audiences alike." Nhojj says "I'm always in awe of the energy and creative spirit of sean360x. In the beginning, his company uni aum Entertainment really provided a home for me to grow and develop artistically. I know I wouldn't be the artist I am without sean360x."

Another member of the "My Brother" ensemble is Def Jam Poet ButtaFlySoul. "Before I started writing 'Soul Comfort' ButtaFlySoul sat me down and shared some wisdom - he spoke to my mission here on earth and challenged me to reach deeper into my Spirit. I will never forget that night - he really awakened something special within me." ButtaFlySoul is a writer, director, actor, recording artist, emcee and activist. He has opened for Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Ledisi and toured with Grammy nominated poet Nikki Giovanni in the BET sponsored "Totally You Tour."

Baron is an OUTMusic Award winning electro/hip-hop recording artist and his music has been featured in films like "Finding Me" and "Blueprint." He met Nhojj in 2003 during the live video taping of "An Intimate Evening with Nhojj," directed by Emmy nominated Bill Cote and they became quick friends. "Baron inspires me because he is always reaching higher, pushing further, and becoming more of who he is. I've always admired artists who aren't afraid to explore the musical terrain and evolve - I love his new EP "RadioHeart" and I am indebted to him because he connected me with the music supervisor for "Blueprint" and suggested I submit "Love" to be included in the film's soundtrack and the rest, as they say, is history." Nhojj's music video for the song "Love" climbed to #1 on MTV Music.

The final "My Brother" cast member is Nhojj's brother Sam Martinborough - founder of Mssng Lnks, a Boston based non-profit organization focused on helping aspiring teenage vocalists pursue their dreams, get into college and stay there. Mssng Lnks provides the financial, logistical, emotional support they need as they pursue vocal or musical training. "What can I say about my brother… he was the first family member I came out to and he has always been someone I could talk to and whose support I could depend on. He personifies everything this song and music video means - he is the inspiration" Nhojj reveals.

"My Brother" was filmed at Studio 80 and JW Recording studios where Nhojj recorded most of the song's vocals. Nhojj explains, "The recording booth in the music video is the actual booth where I recorded my vocals for "My Brother" so it was great to be able to capture this moment on film with all these men who I admire and love. Even my co-producer Jon Evans was there behind the mixing board. The only person that was missing was Jesse O, because of his hectic study schedule. He wasn't available to film, but we had his support and love, and it is this same support and love we hope to pass along to everyone who watches "My Brother."

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17% OFF Marcus Garvey Birthday Sale @ ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery A 3-Day Sale From Friday, August 17th Thru Midnight Sunday, August 19th, 2012

2012-08-15T00:28:00.000-04:00

My Official Website:

ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery

www.RODPATRICKRISBROOK.com

Hey FAM,

Starting Friday, August 17th and running until midnight on Sunday, August 19th, 2012, I am running a 17% OFF Marcus Garvey Birthday Sale on everything @ ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery. The only gallery NOT on sale is the ADODI Summer Retreat (Group) Portraits (2012) fundraiser items (for the ADODI Documentary Film Project I am working on for a summer 2013 release). Those are available separately for $45.00 each in a beautiful 11"x17" size.

Please use coupon code MARC17 at the time of checkout to receive your 17% discount on anything you buy!

For easy navigation of my website, all my Photographic|Imagery are located in two overall collections:

(1) ROD PATRICK RISBROOK: Cross-Sampling Portfolio (11 Galleries)
http://www.rodpatrickrisbrook.

com/cross-sampling-portfolio

(2) More Photographic|Imagery (13 Galleries)
http://www.rodpatrickrisbrook.

com/more-photographic-imagery

As usual you can purchase PRINTS (I've added more new sizes), while if you wish, you can add and purchase MATS (black or white) and FRAMES (12 different colors in metal or wood varieties ) to your shopping cart, too, before you checkout. Additionally, the wall canvas gallery wrap prints, desk stand and wall mount option prints continue to be available.

I'm really (REALLY) HAPPY to announce that my website has been significantly expanded:
I now offer my photographic|imagery work on GLASS art prints (2 sizes available), ALUMINUM metal art prints (4 sizes available), as well as everyday functional items we use such as kitchen glass cutting boards, stainless steel water bottles (silver), travel mugs, an iPad Folio, an iPhone case, mouse pads, coasters (a set of 4 with a mahogany wood base) and canvas tote-bags... A little somethin' for everybody.

My website is flexible and accepts a number of different currencies and ships around the United States as well as to Canada, the United Kingdom/England, Australia/New Zealand and other countries.

As always THANK YOU to everyone for their support in me.

P.S.> This Saturday, August 18th, 2012 from 5 to 8PM, I will be attending and you can greet me and the other artists live at the closing reception for our Celebrating Our Sons Through Words and Images photo/art exhibit. This event will be festive with spoken word. jazz, African drumming and other goodies. In conjunction with the photo/art exhibit we're calling it RISING HIGH: Youth Talent and Art Showcase (see flyer attached and embedded below).

P.S.S >> Another announcement to be made next week. Stay tuned y'all!

Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah-AH): Cooperative Economics
- "To build and maintain our own stores, shops and
other businesses and to profit from them together".

--
ROD (aka BIG ROD)
ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Photographic|Imagery: www.rodpatrickrisbrook.com

RPR