What the Media doesn't want you to know about... Successful Black Community Gatherings

Blackstonian Exclusive

The Media "Black Out"
Good News is No News

While the media in Boston is eager to cover any and all instances of death and destruction in our community, they seem equally eager to ignore events in our community which are positive and peaceful.  We have all heard the sentiment "They won't tell about anything good in our community" and in this case in 2011 they have provided us with a major example of such lack of interest when our community puts our best foot forward.

I am calling on the community of Black Bostonians, "Blackstonians" to send in photos of these events so we can tell OUR OWN story. Send photos to: blackstonian@verizon.net

The media in Boston cannot simply tell one side of the story or provide their interpretation of our community.
Particularly when the events are just too big to ignore.

Saturday June 18th 2011
Juneteenth - Roxbury Homecoming
Franklin Park
estimated crowd 8,000

For years this event has gone on and brought together people from as far away as California to return home to Boston for what has become a Mega-Family Reunion with hundreds of Families and one day in Boston where everybody is Family. Never has there been so much as a fist fight. This is the single most beautiful day in the Black Community where babies, children, teenagers, 20 somethings, 30 and ups all the way to seniors of 90 + are all in attendance listening to music, reminiscing and eating good food. Some people would say, well there is no trouble there because the "Thugs" don't attend. Not true. Rather you can see people from every "Hood" in Boston who on this one day forget about all drama. This shows us a shining example that peace is possible.

Sunday June 19th 2011
Father's Day Cookout
Malcolm X Park
estimated crowd 2,000

Brought to you by "The X Men" The Father's Day cookout in Malcolm X Park has been going strong for 10 years.  It has been a blessing to watch a group of men from the Hood who have given back consistently with no fanfare, no thanks and little to no outside support. This is truly a For Us By Us event. Throughout the year these brothers dedicate themselves as coaches and mentors working with children from our community from all walks of life. This year I watched as they handed out at least 20 scholarships to schools ranging from North Carolina State to Yale University.  Once again, this community event is violence and drama free. In my several years of attending the only negative incident I have ever seen was caused by the Boston Police who chased a teen through the park spraying pepper spray which hit an infant, an elder and a single mother.  This event is one that everyone should not only attend but support! Contribute to the scholarships and donate food and money.

Other Noteworthy Events that took place over the Juneteenth/Father's Day Weekend were

Friday, June 17th 6/17
617 Day
brought to you by the folks at Six One Seven Live
A celebration of the Boston scene including Hip-Hop and more!!!
In the house was a who's who of Boston
Edo G., Twice Thou, Cool Gzus, Takeitha, D.L., Terryl Calloway and many more!!!

Sunday, June 19th
The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists
300 Walnut Ave.
also held a Juneteenth celebration with Art, Music, Poetry and more!!!
Hosted at the museum by Community Arts Elder
Edmund Barry Gaither

READ MORE - What the Media doesn't want you to know about... Successful Black Community Gatherings

JUNE 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!! brought to you by: Vernon "VCR" Robinson

JUNE 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!!

brought to you by: Vernon "VCR" Robinson
join VCR on Facebook

JUNE 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!!

Welcome to "Thangz-2-Do!!", the monthly e-newsletter providing information of cultural arts (poetry, theatre, comedy, etc.), as well as several other info to keep people in the loop that includes a link for Black History facts (http://www.yenoba.com), R.I.P. for those that passed away and a B-Day shout-out to those born in June. We have also attached a file that include out-of-Massachusetts events for those who plan on traveling outside the state.

Also, please come out to Boston's longest-running open mic gathering, commonly known as VerBaLizAtiOn every second and fourth Tuesday at the Hibernian Hall. We will celebrate Black Music Month by featuring
singer/poet Simone Iman on June 14th, as well as celebrating the life of
the late great poet Gil Scott-Heron on June 28th.

Lastly, I wanna wish a Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful and supportive fathers out there. Prayers and blessings go out to those whose fathers are not present physically but here spiritually. Let's show our love to our dads everyday, if possible!!

Please continue sending prayers to the families of murdered victims in Boston and also to the people of Haiti!!

Enjoy the list and have a blessed day!!

Peace,

VCR

R.I.P.

- CORNELL DUPREE

(Jazz and R&B guitarist/founder of group Stuff)

- ROBERT "TRACTOR" TRAYLOR

(NBA player: Bucks, Cavaliers & Hornets)

- M-BONE

(rapper & member of Cali Swag District - "Teach Me How To Dougie")

- RON SPRINGS

(NFL player: Cowboys & Buccaneers)

- GIL SCOTT-HERON

(legendary poet - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised")

- WILL "DA REAL ONE" BELL

(poet - HBO's "Def Poetry" & BET's "Lyric Cafe")

- ANTHONY "TONY" SMITH

(brother of Boston resident Queen Vivian)



JUNE  B-DAY  WISHES

Natalie Gill, Terri Brown, Mwalim, Carmen Blyden,

Nakita Bowman, Rebecca Auguste, D-Cross,

RaShawn Seams, Courtney Boston, Eddie Hegeman,

Omekongo Dibinga, Porsha-O, Julia John, Teresa Valentine,

Adilson Barros, Kwesi Johnson, Cindy Diggs, Nancy Rousseau,

Amina Shaw, Cara Lisa Berg Powers, Hood Louis, Shana Turner,

Fulani Haynes, Shilo Kuriakose, Toni Asante Lightfoot, Abria Smith,

Alexandria Webb, Melonie Turner, DJ JonJack, Deborah Shariff,

Shanelle Gabriel, Liz Miranda, Mariama White-Hammond, Walnut,

Seth Flint and Toussaint LaCoste



JUNETEENTH

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States . From its Galveston , Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.




POETRY/OPEN MIC EVENTS

Every Sunday Night

LIZARD LOUNGE SUNDAY NIGHT POETRY JAM

w/The Jeff Robinson Trio

@ The Lizard Lounge

1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge

(between Harvard Sq. & Porter Sq.)

Doors at 7:30pm - $5.00 cover

21+ w/ID required

June 5th - Harlym 1-Two-5

For info visit www.poetryjam.org



Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday

VerBaLizAtiOn

@ Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(across from the fire dept. and barber shop)

7:00pm start / doors and open mic sign-up at 6:30pm

Free 2 The Public - All ages welcomed

(parental discretion suggested)

Hosted by VCR

Simone Iman: June 14th

Gil Scott-Heron Tribute: June 28th

4 info contact VCR at 617-480-7663 or bloodskinland@yahoo.com



Wednesday, June 22nd 2011

POETIC ESCAPE

@ Blue Wave Bar & Lounge

343 Congress St., Boston

Doors at 8:30pm / $5.00 before 9:30pm

Proper dress required - no baseball caps or Timbs allowed

Hosted by Eli & Nuri

Music by various DJs

(spinning the best of Neo-Soul, R&B, Old School and Hip-Hop)

For more info to feature or to sign-up in advance for the open mic,

E-mail poeticescape3@gmail.com or call 617-549-2700



Every Thursday Night

ART IS LIFE ITSELF

@ The Haley House Bakery & Café

12 Dade St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(off Washington St . – next to Tropical Foods)

7:00pm – 10:00pm / No cover charge

Hosted by Nina LaNegra & Fulani Haynes



Every Thursday Night

REY ROYALE PRESENTS R&B THURSDAYS

A Night of R&B, Poetry and Live Performances

@ Club Choices

381 Somerville Ave., Somerville MA

8:00pm / No cover charge

Hosted by Posira Lady Rydah

Brought to you by 513 Entertainment



Wednesday, June 29th 2011

Social Mixxer presents

JUSSLISSEN BOSTON VOLUME 2

Live Music + Spoken Word

@ Club Felt

533 Washintgon St., Downtown Boston

(next to the Opera House)

7:00pm - 11:00pm / $10.00 before 9:00pm

Spoken word by:

Ashley Rose, Johnny D., Nuri and 3rd Knowledge

Live music by Joy Daniels featuring The Fresh Kids

Music by DJ Bruno (Utopia Boston)

For more info visit www.socialmixxer.com





THEATRE

Thursday, June 2nd 2011

Huntington Theatre Co.'s Dept. of Education and Community presents

"KNOW THE LAW!"

A Play Written  and Performed by Boston Teenagers

Directed by Naheem Garcia

Designed specifically for a young urban audience, Know The Law! is a

40-minute play of interwoven dramas about teenagers in trouble. Teen

actors present authentic scenes in an effort to teach their peers how a

better understanding of Massachusetts law can help them make informed

choices and stay out of trouble. A discussion between the actors, the audience and a Boston Police Officer follows each performance.

@ The Strand Theatre

543 Columbia Rd., Dorchester/Uphams Corner

11:00am & 7:00pm / Free and open to the public

No RSVPs required. However, school groups may contact

Meg Wieder for 11am student matinee reservations

For more info please contact Meg Wieder (Education Dept. Manager)

at 617-273-1558 or mwieder@huntingtontheatre.bu.edu



Friday, June 17th 2011

Soca Productions presents

"FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE

WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF"

@ Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire department & barber shop)

8:00pm - 10:00pm / $15.00 tickets

Starring Boston poet Ashley Rose

With very special guest Ntozake Shange

(author/poet/playwright of the play)

For more info visit www.madison-park.org  







COMMUNITY EVENTS
Saturday, June 4th 2011
TOUCH 106.1FM and Mass. Dept. of Children & Families presents
FATHERS FAMILIES FUN DAY
Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities, Uplifting Fathers
& Putting Fathers Back Into Families!
The purpose of the event is to affirm the importance of fathers in families
and the lives of their children & to provide information for fathers dealing
with situations that prevent them from being present.
@ Harambe Park (Franklin Field)
59 Talbot Ave., Dorchester
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Hosted by Jonathon Gates (of TOUCH's "The Cookout")
Also featuring "Funky Fresh Radio"
(presenting the Battle of the Old School/New School DJs)
Minister Don Muhammad will lead off the event with prayer as well as to answer the question "what does responsible fatherhood mean to our community?"
Invited guests include Gov. Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas Menino
and other special guest speakers
This is an event for the whole family. Come for a day of socialization and support. Fathers can help and encourage other fathers to support their children and their community.
For more info contact John Laing at 617-288-2030


Saturday, June 18th 2011

JUNETEENTH DAY COOKOUT

@ Franklin Park – by Playstead Park

(near White Stadium)

1:30pm – 7:30pm

Families, friends, food, music and fun!!



PARTIES/SOCIAL NETWORKING

Every Friday Night

Soul Cafe presents

GROWN & CLASSY FRIDAY

Voted "Best Old School Night" in the city

@ The Blue Wave

343 Congress St., Boston

9:00pm - 2:00am

$5.00 before 10pm / $10.00 until 11pm w/RSVP

Proper dress required

Each night with a different DJ each week

For info and RSVP contact stephenanglin_firstfridays@msn.com



Every Friday & Saturday Night

BARE YOUR SOUL WEEKENDS

We are excited to now offer enhanced entertainment for the discriminating mature professional that seeks to shake off the worries of a long week. We will now feature some of the areas best DJs and dancing weekly. Bare Your Soul will be a compilation of music to make you move!
That may be R&B, Neo Soul, Funk, Latin, Carribean, Throwbacks & Deep Soulful House!!

@ Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
604 Columbus Ave., Boston/South End

(diagonally across from NY Pizza)
11:00pm - 2:00am
$10.00 admission / Proper dress required

Darryls is an chic quaint restaurant, bar and lounge with great quality food and people. Darryl's will continue having a full range of live bands and dinner in the early evening.



Every Saturday Night

SoulKore Productions presents

ELECTRIC SATURDAYS

@ Dockside Rivers Edge

270 Medford St., Malden MA

(corner of Commercial St. - across from Comcast)

9:00pm - 12:00am midnight / FREE admission

Early dinner served until 11:00pm

Music by DJ Nomadik

(spinnning dance classics from the 70's, 80's & 90's)

For more info contact info@soulkore.com



Tuesday, June 7th 2011

SoulKore Productions & SoulPowerGeneration presents

A CELEBRATION OF PRINCE AND HIS MUSIC

@ Club Choices

381 Somerville Ave., Somerville MA

8:00pm - 12:00am midnight / 21+ event

Featuring DJs, Live Acts, Contests and more!!

For tickets visit www.soulkore.com

For more info contact info@soulkore.com



Saturday, June 11th 2011

Jonathon Gates (in conjunction  with TOUCH 106.1FM) presents

THE PINK & WHITE AFFAIR 2011 – PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

In loving memory of Jonathon Gates’ mother Maggie Mae Gates Waltower

who passed away (06/26/2006) from breast cancer

@ Russell Auditorium

70 Talbot Ave., Dorchester

(across from Franklin Field)

9:00pm – 2:00am

Music by 5 of Boston ’s best DJs:

DJ Tee Lawson, DJ Philly Black,

DJ Wade, DJ Dru Nyce and DJ Saki

Plus live entertainment with special guest host!

All proceeds to benefit the Codman Square Health Center

Cancer Care & Research

Tickets available at these locations:

Mattapan’s Finest Barbers (Grove Hall) at 617-904-1101

Skippy White’s (Egleston Sq.) at 617-524-4500

Studio 24 Graphix (corner of Morton & Blue Hill Ave. ) at 617-296-2058

Love Lee Creations at 617-249-3772

For advanced tickets or make a donation via PayPal,

contact Jonathon Gates at 617-590-8334 or jgates1963@aol.com



Saturday, June 18th 2011

30+ Event presents

"I WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU!"

A monthly meet-up for a diverse and progressive group of professional men and women seeking to socialize, mix and mingle with like-minded peers. After a long drawn out winter, everyone is now ready to come out of hibernation and see old friends, as well as making new ones in time for the summer!

@ The Foundation Room at House of Blues

15 Lansdowne St., Boston

(across from Fenway Park)

9:30pm - 2:00am
Featuring a live band playing Jazz and R&B

With special guest vocalist Lisa Bello

Music by DJ Reggie Beas

(spinning R&B, Neo-Soul, Chicago House and Old School Classics)


Thursday, June 23rd 2011

FULANI HAYNES BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Come celebrate the birthday of amazing Jazz vocalist/poet/storyteller

Fulani “JazzVoc” Haynes with a red hot affair dance party. Learn how to Swing and Zumba. We can together!!

@ Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire department & barber shop)

6:30pm start / Free admission

Featuring live Jazz band, entertainment & full meal

With a special performance by

Fulani “Jazz Voc” Haynes & the Jazz Collaboration Band
Music by DJ Marion
Visit www.jazzvoc.com for more info




COMEDY NIGHTS

Every Monday Night

SoulKore Productions presents

EXPRESS YOURSELF!

New Open Mic Nite

@ 270 Medford St., Malden MA

6:30pm - 10:00pm / Free 2 enter

Come early for open mic sign-up

All forms of entertainment welcomed

Open mic slots are limited (5 minutes each)

Hosted by Bigg Nez / Music by DJ Nomadik

For more info contact info@soulkore.com



Every Wednesday Night

BLACK COMEDY EXPLOSION

@ Slade's Bar & Grill

958 Tremont St., Boston/South End

9:00pm showtime / $15.00 admission

Hosted by Jonathon Gates

For more information contact Jonathon Gates

617-590-8334 or jgates1963@aol.com



Monday, June 11th 2011

Edubl Productions and Ray Entertainment presents

PRE-FATHER'S DAY COMEDY JAM

Starring comedian Red Grant

@ The Strand Theatre

543 Columbia Rd., Dorchester/Uphams Corner

Doors open at 7:30pm - show starts at 8:30pm

Ticket prices: $35.00, $30.00, $25.00 & $20.00

This is a 21+ event!

Hosted by Kool Key & Dee Loopz

With special guests Rip Michaels, Lav Luv and Frank Casseus

(as seen on BET's Comic View & P-Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy)

Musical performances by Strobe & Aural  Essex Are I.W.

And special performances from the Boston Talent Showcase

Music provided by DJ Reggie Beas

For more info  visit www.playmakersent.com or www.staetru.com







CULTURE/PERFORMANCES

Every First & Third Thursdays

The Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall presents

CAFE TATANT

An Upscale Venue for Jazz, R&B and Sweet Soul Music

Come early for socializing and enjoy fine dining, dancing and the most

evocative talent around as the grand ballroom is transformed into a

relaxed listening lounge & supper club

@ Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire dept. and barber shop)

Drinks at 6:00pm / Dinner served at 7:00pm / Show starts at 7:30pm

Cash bar available

Dinner & show: $39.00 / $69.00 for couples

Show only: $19.00

Thurs., June 2nd:

Jonathan Singleton & Quartet

Thurs., June 16th:

Larry Watson

(plus scenes from "Rachel & Sybil at the Stonewall Inn")

Tickets can be purchased online at www.madison-park.org/cafetatant

Parking behind Hibernian Hall off Zeigler St.

Additional free parking available at Peking House on Harrison Ave.

For more info visit www.madison-park.org/cafe-tatant



Friday, June 10th 2011

AfroDesiaCity & Stevie Newbury Events presents

FUTURISTIC SOUL - "NOVACANE"

@ The Brewery Complex

Milky Way/Bella Luna Restaurant & Lounge

284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain

Doors open at 9:00pm / Showtime at 10:00pm

$10.00 admission

21+ mature crowd / fashionably trendy / free parking

Featuring special guest and a live performance by:

The Voltik Project (NYC Eletric Renaissance),

Agari Crew (Boston Soul Movement) and Melissa Green (poetress)

Live art showcase by Mike The AirBrusher

For more info contact 617-297-8179

Or e-mail afrodesiacity@gmail.com or newurbanmale@hotmail.com



Friday, June 17th 2011

The Shack & Lady G. presents

A BLAST FROM THE PAST - THE SUGAR SHACK REUNION

Featuring R&B/Soul band Rose Royce ("Car Wash", "I'm Going Down")

and classic Soul group The Delfonics

("La La Means I Love You", "Hey Love", "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)")

@ William E. Reed Auditorium

24 Washington St., Dorchester/Grove Hall

9:00pm - 2:00am

Tickets $25.00 in advance - $30.00 at the door

RSVP: VIP seats early - tickets limited

$40.00 in advance - $45.00 at the door

Dress to impress (no sneakers or jeans allowed)

Free hors d'oeuvres/free buffet!

For tickets contact Theresa Kelley or Gloria Avila

at 857-753-5974 or 857-753-5844



Saturday, June 18th 2011

Kulturez Dynasty & Acoma Art Gallery presents

WU-TANG AT THE GALLERY

@ Acoma Art Gallery

24 Spice St., Charlestown MA

(across from MBTA Sullivan Station – Orange Line)

8:00pm – 1:00am / $10.00 entrance fee ($5.00 w/Wu-Tang apparel)

Opening art exhibition 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Featuring artists like Amuse, Chepelena, Acoma ,

Hans-1, Raodee Rekloos, Barrington Edwards, H.R.O. and more!

Live performance by Strobe & Essex and Vendetta

Music by DJ Mechaniks and more TBA

Friday, June 24th 2011
Junior Rodigan & Big Up Media presents
THE CLASSIC
"We Takin' It Back To 1991!!"
Starring Naughty By Nature
("O.P.P.", "Hip-Hop Horray", "Uptown's Anthem")
@ Wonderland Ballroom (formerly Club Lido)
1290 North Shore Rd., Revere MA
(next to MBTA Wonderland Station - Blue Line)
Doors open at 9:30pm
Showtime at 11:30pm - ends at 1:00am
$25.00 limited tickets / 21+ event
Also featuring Boston's own Edo.G & Da Bulldogs
Music by DJ Dex and DJ Philly Black
Tickets available at these outlets:
A Nubian Notion (Dudley Sq.), Mattapan's Finest Barbers (Grove Hall),
Irie Jamaican Restaurant (Bowdoin Ave.) and Club Lido Box Office
Visit www.ticketmaster.com for online tickets
For VIP booths text 617-435-3402
Saturday, June 25th 2011
WALNUT DA LYRICAL GENI'S ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
Come celebrate with us as we introduce the new album release by Walnut Da Lyrical Geni entitled "Love Is In Your Face". This 21 track album features over 30 artist of various musical backgrounds from Folk to Rock and all in-between. We are also celebrating the birthday of those who were born in June. So June babies...come on down!! This is not your ordinary Hip-Hop show. We will embark upon Hip-Hop fused with ol' school and true school. Hip-Hop is a culture so we are here to demonstrate, educate, set it straight and rejuvenate! We bring you socially conscious Hip-Hop...thought provoking Hip Hop! If you are all about mind stimulation and progressive motivation, then you have chosen the right show.
@ LynnArts (Neal Rantoul Black Box Theater)
25 Exchange St., Lynn, MA
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Tickets $8.00 in advance / $12.00 at the door
With special guest performances by Elizabeth McKim (poet)
Philly's own Gretchen Elise (singer/songwriter)
D-Mo (poet/MC)
K-Unit (poet/MC)
MC-D. (Hip-Hop artist)
Dorren Murray (singer/songwriter) and more TBA!!
To buy tickets visit www.brownpapertickets.com

READ MORE - JUNE 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!! brought to you by: Vernon "VCR" Robinson

Redistricting Hearing 5/14 @The Lee School

Redistricting Hearing 5/14 @The Lee School

READ MORE - Redistricting Hearing 5/14 @The Lee School

MAY 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!! brought to you by: Vernon "VCR" Robinson

MAY 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!!

brought to you by: Vernon "VCR" Robinson
join VCR on Facebook

Welcome to "Thangz-2-Do!!", the monthly e-newsletter providing information of cultural arts (poetry, theatre, comedy, etc.), as well as several other info to keep people in the loop that includes a link for Black History facts (http://www.yenoba.com), R.I.P. for those that passed away and a B-Day shout-out to those born in May. We have also attached a file that include out-of-Massachusetts events for those who plan on traveling outside the state.

Also, please come out to Boston's longest-running open mic gathering, commonly known as VerBaLizAtiOn every second and fourth Tuesday at the Hibernian Hall. We will have another Poetry Community Forum on May 10th, as well as special guest poet/musician/storyteller/author MWALIM on May 24th.

Lastly, I wanna wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful and supportive mothers out there. Although my mother have joined the ancestors last year, she is still with me in spirit! For those whose mothers are still present physically, please take a moment to hug her...not just for Mother's Day but everyday, if possible!!

Please continue sending prayers to the families of murdered victims in Boston & Haiti and send some to Japan as well!!

Enjoy the list and have a blessed day!!

Peace,

VCR

R.I.P.
- CASSELL KELLEY JR.
(cousin of VCR)

- GERARD SMITH
(bassist of art rock band TV On The Radio)

- ZOILA LEE
(mother of friend M. Clemencia Lee)

- the father of VCR's friend Janeen St. Louis


MAY B-DAY WISHES

Pelaiah Auset, Musau Dibinga, Alkia Powell, Takiyah Roberson, Christopher Johnson, Fisiwe Zwana Freeman, Wanda Atkins, Dania Diallo, Nahdra Ra Bey, Tantra Zawadi, Stephanie Marson-Lee, Sabrina Gilbert, Barrington Edwards, Kena Sage, Lisa Boyd, Ghislaine Jean-Mahone, Nyjah Wyche, A.M.B., Marquita Niles, Allyssa Jones, Lisa Hendricks, Crystal Smith, Bridgit Brown, Kwatice Ezell and Hazael


POETRY/OPEN MIC EVENTS

Every Sunday Night
LIZARD LOUNGE SUNDAY NIGHT POETRY JAM
w/The Jeff Robinson Trio
@ The Lizard Lounge
1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
(between Harvard Sq. & Porter Sq.)
Doors at 7:30pm - $5.00 cover
21+ w/ID required
May 15th - Neiel Israel
May 29th - Regie Gibson & Neon Juju
For info visit www.poetryjam.org

Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday

VerBaLizAtiOn
@ Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall
184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.
(across from the fire dept. and barber shop)
7:00pm start / doors and open mic sign-up at 6:30pm
Free 2 The Public - All ages welcomed
(parental discretion suggested)
Hosted by VCR

"Poetry Community Forum 2": May 10th
Mwalim: May 24th

4 info contact VCR at 617-480-7663 or bloodskinland@yahoo.com


Wednesday, May 25th 2011

POETIC ESCAPE
@ Blue Wave Bar & Lounge
343 Congress St., Boston
Doors at 8:30pm / $5.00 before 9:30pm
Proper dress required - no baseball caps or Timbs allowed
Hosted by Eli & Nuri
Music by DJ Razor Kutz (of Simply Sweet Entertainment)
spinning the best of Neo-Soul, R&B, Old School and Hip-Hop
For more info to feature or to sign-up in advance for the open mic,
E-mail poeticescape3@gmail.com or call 617-549-2700

Every Thursday Night

ART IS LIFE ITSELF
@ The Haley House Bakery & Café
12 Dade St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.
(off Washington St . – next to Tropical Foods)
7:00pm – 10:00pm / No cover charge
Hosted by Nina LaNegra & Fulani Haynes


THEATRE

Sunday, May 1st 2011 - Sunday, May 22nd 2011

New Repertory Theatre presents

"PASSING STRANGE"
This 2008 Tony Award-winning modern Broadway musical, whose title was born from the illustrious Moor's lines in Shakespeare's Othello, takes audiences on a pilgrimage led by a Narrator who shares his life through song. This soulful journey follows a young man from a comfortable, suburban neighborhood in Los Angeles, to the coffeehouses of an Amsterdam paradise, and finally to the riotous art houses of West Berlin, as he searches for his artistic and personal voice - what he calls "the real." Experience one man's personal story through this uniquely passionate musical.
Starring Cheryl Singleton, Cliff Odle, Kami Rushell Smith,
Cheo Bourne, De'Lon Grant, Eve Kagan and Maurice E. Parent
@ Arsenal Center for the Arts - Charles Mosesian Theatre
321 Arsenal St., Watertown MA
Sundays at 2:00pm
(7pm show & "Pay What You Can" 2pm show on Sun., May 1st)
7:30pm shows on Mon., May 2nd & Wed., May 11th
Thursdays at 7:30pm (2:00pm show on Thurs., May 5th)
Fridays at 8:00pm / Saturdays at 3:00pm & 8:00pm
(no 3:00pm show on Sat., May 7th)
For tickets and more info visit www.newrep.org


Sunday, May 1st 2011

“TREEMONISHA”

Mssng Lnks, Roxbury Center for Arts and Opera Boston are teaming up to present Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha”, the first opera written by an African-American composer. Completed in 1910 by the “King of Ragtime”, “Treemonisha” was not fully staged for sixty years. In Joplin ’s play, set in Arkansas during the Jim Crow era of the 1880s, the feminist heroine "Treemonisha" leads the townspeople to reject the local conjurers’ superstitions in favor of hard work and learning, a message that remains timely today. The musical styles speak directly to modern audiences -

from heartfelt arias to rousing ragtime choruses. This is the first time “Treemonisha” will be staged in Boston

@ Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall
184 Dudley St. – 3rd floor, Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire department & barber shop)

3:00pm showtime

For more info visit http://madison-park.org/about-us/events/treemonisha-roxbury-center-arts

Friday, May 6th 2011
"AND STILL WE RISE"
An authentic documentary theatre humanizing the lives, the struggles
and the triumphs of those touched by incarceration.
Starring Vanity Reyes
@ The Great Hall - Codman Square Health Center
6 Norfolk St., Dorchester
(on the corner of Norfolk, Washington & Talbot)
7:00pm - 9:00pm




LECTURES

Sunday, May 1st 2011

Akhet Tours Inc. (in conjunction with the Upper Nile Research Society)
presents it's first annual
NUBIA SUMMIT
Museum Tour and Lecture All Afternoon!!
@ The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
465 Huntington Ave., Boston MA
and @ The Reggie Lewis Track & Field Center
1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury
(across from Roxbury Community College)

Trip includes: a walk-through of the Nubian & Egyptian exhibits,
lectures on the history of Nubia & the Egyptian/Nubian relationship,
and food & beverages available during the lectures
Museum tour at 12:00pm / Lecture at 4:00pm
Museum and lecture: $40.00 adults / $30.00 students/elders
$15.00 children 13 & under
Lecture only: $20.00 adults / $15.00 students/elders
FREE for children 13 & under

With lectures by: Dr. Leonard Jeffries
(historian, author, lecturer and professor of Africana Studies & Political Science at the City University of New York)

Anthony T. Browder
(author, "symbologist", publisher, cultural historian, educational consultant, artist and lecturer)

Mfundishi Jhutyms
(Kemet warrior priest, ourstorian, spiritual healer, professor of Afrikana Studies, author, lecturer and motivational speaker)

Vending opportunities available - call Bro. Ray at 347-745-0500
For more info visit www.akhettours.com or www.unrs.org
or e-mail at akhettours@aol.com
Also call 917-834-5100 or 718-926-7045


COMMUNITY EVENTS
Saturday, May 7th 2011
BloodSkinLand Productions presents
AFRO-CINEMA
An afternoon of important films being shown followed by
a discussion about the film.
@ Mattapan Branch Library
1350 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan MA
12:00pm noon SHARP! / Free admission / all age event
(parental discretion suggested for adult language)
Featured film: "GOOD HAIR"
Comedian Chris Rock visits beauty salons and hairstyling battles, scientific laboratories and Indian temples to explore the way hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships, and self-esteem of the black community in this exposé of comic proportions that only he could pull off. A raucous adventure prompted by Rock’s daughter approaching him and asking, "Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?”, GOOD HAIR shows Chris Rock engaging in frank, funny conversations with hair-care professionals, beauty shop and barbershop patrons, and celebrities including Ice-T, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, Raven Symoné, Dr. Maya Angelou, Salt-N-Pepa, Eve and Reverend Al Sharpton – all while he struggles with the task of figuring out how to respond to his daughter's question.
For more info contact VCR at 617-480-7663
or bloodskinland@yahoo.com



Sunday, May 8th 2011

The Louis D. Brown Peace Boston Institute presents
THE 15TH ANNUAL MOTHER’S DAY WALK FOR PEACE
Take a Stand Against the Violence That Plagues our Lives
and our Community!

The Walk for Peace is a fundraiser supporting the programs and services of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. Every year, thousands of people from across the state gather to take a stand for peace and to support families stricken by violence.

@ Townfield Park , Dorchester/Fields Corner
Registration begins at 7:00am
Walk begins at 8:30am - ends at 10:30am with a closing ceremony.
Walkers are invited to walk all or just part of the 3.6 mile route. There is no registration fee and no fundraising minimum, but walkers and volunteers are encouraged to raise as much.
This is an all-family event.
For more information, contact Jennifer Saphier Whitman at 617-416-0013
Email at motherswalk@ldbpeaceinstitute.org

or visit http://www.ldbpeaceinstitute.org/



Saturday, May 14th 2011

THE ROXBURY-HARLEM BOOK FAIR

@ The Reggie Lewis Athletic Center

Roxbury Community College

1350 Tremont St., Roxbury

(across from RCC - on the corner of Malcolm X Blvd.)

12:00pm - 5:00pm / Free admission

Authors, vendors, booksellers, poets, publishers, entertainment,

activities for children and youth writers workshops, African art and

jewelry will be on display.

Featuring Charles Yancey

(Boston City Councilor & honorary Chairman of RHBF)

and Nicole Robert Jones

(of Imani Corporation & author of "Define Your Own Way: Empowering

Young African-American Women")

For more info contact 617-442-4413 or highfort@juno.com



Saturday, May 21st 2011

The Black Community Information Center, Inc.

& Roxbury Community College presents

THE 24TH ANNUAL MALCOLM X MEMORIAL

& AWARDS BREAKFAST

Theme: "New Vision...One Nation...Afrikan People"

@ Roxbury Community College

Student Center Dining Room - 2nd floor

1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury

(very last building of RCC)

8:00pm - 10:30pm / $35.00 donation

With special guest speaker DR. PENIAL JOSEPH

(professor of African-American Studies at Tufts University,

author, historian and activist)

Vendors welcomed - call for table fee

For more info contact 617-427-2522 or visit www.blackinfonow.org



Sunday, May 22nd 2011

D.A.T. & P.A.C.E. presents

"SALUTE TO BLACK WARRIORS"

The “Salute to Black Warriors” share, preserves, enlighten, entertain and celebrate the history and achievement of past and present pioneers and leaders within our communities. It is a community-oriented performance incorporating the talents of youth and adult alike.

@ Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire department & barber shop)

4:00pm - 7:00pm

Adult Tickets - $10.00 in advance / $15.00 at the door

Youth Tickets - $5.00 in advance / $10.00 at the door

(all children under 10yrs of age admits FREE)
Special performance by Michael "Warrior Griot" Bonds(poet/author/activist/spoken word artist)

Various youth performances by Defensive Arts Training,

One Luv Dance Co., I Know I Can Athletics, and Swagga Inc.

In addition to awards and recognition of unsung warriors in our community.
For more information please call 617-784-0080 or 617-513-4114

Or visit www.paceachievement.org

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Community and Cultural Empowerment Youth Program - Pan African Cultural Education Inc.




PARTIES/SOCIAL NETWORKING

Every Friday Night

Soul Cafe presents

GROWN & CLASSY FRIDAY

Voted "Best Old School Night" in the city

@ The Blue Wave

343 Congress St., Boston

9:00pm - 2:00am

$5.00 before 10pm / $10.00 until 11pm w/RSVP

Proper dress required

Each night with a different DJ each week

For info and RSVP contact stephenanglin_firstfridays@msn.com



Every Friday & Saturday Night

BARE YOUR SOUL WEEKENDS

We are excited to now offer enhanced entertainment for the discriminating mature professional that seeks to shake off the worries of a long week. We will now feature some of the areas best DJs and dancing weekly. Bare Your Soul will be a compilation of music to make you move!
That may be R&B, Neo Soul, Funk, Latin, Carribean, Throwbacks & Deep Soulful House!!

@ Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
604 Columbus Ave., Boston/South End

(diagonally across from NY Pizza)
11:00pm - 2:00am
$10.00 admission / Proper dress required

Darryls is an chic quaint restaurant, bar and lounge with great quality food and people. Darryl's will continue having a full range of live bands and dinner in the early evening.



Every Saturday Night

SoulKore Productions presents

ELECTRIC SATURDAYS

@ Dockside Rivers Edge

270 Medford St., Malden MA

(corner of Commercial St. - across from Comcast)

9:00pm - 12:00am midnight / FREE admission

Early dinner served until 11:00pm

Music by DJ Nomadik

(spinnning dance classics from the 70's, 80's & 90's)

For more info contact info@soulkore.com



Saturday, May 7th 2011

Fam IV Life presents

ROLLS REUNION

@ Russell Auditorium

70 Talbot Ave., Dorchester

(across from Franklin Field)

9:30pm - 2:00am

$20.00 limited advanced tickets (no refunds/no exchange)

21+ event w/proper ID required

No hats, hoodies or athletic gear

Featuring the best of Rolls Club DJs

DJ Moe Dee, DJ Nyce, DJ Junior Rodigan,

DJ Dru Nyce, DJ Wade and DJ Dex!!

(spinning the best of R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Old Skool)

Tickets available at these locations:

- Mattapan's Finest Barbers (663 Warren St., Grove Hall)

- Lawson's Beauty Supply (1979 Columbus Ave., Egleston Sq.)

- Silver Slipper Restaurant (2387 Washington St., Dudley Sq.)

- Kung Fu Video & DVD: 2nd fl. inside Jewelry Exchange

(356 Washington St., Downtown Boston)

- Threadz (614 Blue Hill Ave. - across from Franklin Park)

- Golden Eye Hair Studio (425 Washington St., Four Corners)

For more info go to "Fam IV Life Entertainment" on Facebook

Or contact famIVlife@gmail.com, www.famIVlifeblogspot.com,

or follow us on Twitter @famIVlife or call 617-888-8519



Saturday, May 7th 2011

AfroDesiaCity Events & All-Out Entertainment presents

A NIGHT OF AFFECTION

Mix & Mingle!!

Come experince an exquisite and posh atmosphere that gives patrons a magnificent view of the Charles River and Boston's skyline.

@ Dante Lounge / Royal Sonesta

40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge MA

(across from Cambridge Galleria Mall)

10:00pm - 2:00am

Grown & Sexxy - mature college ID required / 21+ To Drink

Music by DJ Kobe along w/Celebrity DJ Obi

(playing Top 40, Afro-House, Hip-Hop, Reggae and African Rhythms)

Valet/garage parking available in hotel!

Free parking behind Dante Lounge along 5 Cambridge Prky.
For VIP tables, guest-list and more information,

contact AfroDesiaCity Events at 617-297-8179

Or All-Out Entertainment at 617-648-6756

Saturday, May 14th 2011

30+ Event presents

"I WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU!"

A monthly meet-up for a diverse and progressive group of professional men and women seeking to socialize, mix and mingle with like-minded peers. After a long drawn out winter, everyone is now ready to come out of hibernation and see old friends, as well as making new ones in time for the summer!

@ The Foundation Room at House of Blues

15 Lansdowne St., Boston

(across from Fenway Park)

9:30pm - 2:00am
Featuring a live band playing Jazz and R&B

With special guest vocalist Lisa Bello

Music by DJ Reggie Beas

(spinning R&B, Neo-Soul, Chicago House and Old School Classics)




COMEDY NIGHTS

Every Monday Night

SoulKore Productions presents

EXPRESS YOURSELF!

New Open Mic Nite

@ 270 Medford St., Malden MA

6:30pm - 10:00pm / Free 2 enter

Come early for open mic sign-up

All forms of entertainment welcomed

Open mic slots are limited (5 minutes each)

Hosted by Bigg Nez / Music by DJ Nomadik

For more info contact info@soulkore.com



Every Wednesday Night

BLACK COMEDY EXPLOSION

@ Slade's Bar & Grill

958 Tremont St., Boston/South End

9:00pm showtime / $15.00 admission

Hosted by Jonathon Gates

For more information contact Jonathon Gates

617-590-8334 or jgates1963@aol.com





CULTURE/PERFORMANCES

Every First & Third Thursdays

The Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall presents

CAFE TATANT

An Upscale Venue for Jazz, R&B and Sweet Soul Music

Come early for socializing and enjoy fine dining, dancing and the most

evocative talent around as the grand ballroom is transformed into a

relaxed listening lounge & supper club

@ Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire dept. and barber shop)

Drinks at 6:00pm / Dinner served at 7:00pm / Show starts at 7:30pm

Cash bar available

Dinner & show: $39.00 / $69.00 for couples

Show only: $19.00

Tickets can be purchased online at www.madison-park.org/cafetatant

Parking behind Hibernian Hall off Zeigler St.

Additional free parking available at Peking House on Harrison Ave.

For more info visit www.madison-park.org/cafe-tatant
Thursday, May 19th 2011
AfroDesiaCity, Stevie Newbury Events
& UtopiaBostonRadio.Com presents
FUTURISTIC SOUL - HIP SOUL FUSION
Featuring a live performance by NYC Project's Oveous Maximus
With special guest DJ Bruno
@ The Brewery Complex / Bella Luna Milky Way Restaurant & Lounge
284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain
Doors open at 9:00pm / showtime at 10:00pm
$10.00 admission / 21+ Mature Crowd / Fashionably Trendy / Free Parking
Also featuring performances by
Pelaiah Auset, R.A.Y. & Members, April Stanford
Live art showcase by the School of the Museum of Fine Arts
Advanced tickets at the House of Culture (Columbus Ave. - next to NY Pizza)
For more info contact 617-297-8179 or afrodesiacity@gmail.com

READ MORE - MAY 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!! brought to you by: Vernon "VCR" Robinson

Community recalls devastation of crack Event mourns losses of life and stolen futures

Community recalls devastation of crack
Event mourns losses of life and stolen futures

April 10, 2011|By Meghan E. Irons, Globe Staff

One man recalled selling it to his best friend’s father. A woman watched her husband fall further into its grips. A nurse recounted caring for babies born addicted to it.

Twenty-five years after crack cocaine swept across this city, destroying families and neighborhoods, Bostonians say they are still reeling from its deadly legacy. Yesterday more than 100 people came together at Hibernian Hall in Dudley Square to mourn the lives, the years, and the friends they lost.

“Crack cocaine came and infiltrated our community like [Hurricane] Katrina,’’ said Leonard Lee, a 52-year-old from Dorchester who works with drug and violence prevention issues for the city. “It got rid of all our moral values.’’

FULL STORY HERE
http://articles.boston.com/2011-04-10/news/29403983_1_powder-cocaine-crack-cocaine-families-against-mandatory-minimums

READ MORE - Community recalls devastation of crack Event mourns losses of life and stolen futures

Crack chipped away at Hub

Crack chipped away at Hub

By Marie Szaniszlo  |   Sunday, April 10, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage
Photo by Faith Ninivaggi

Twenty-five years after crack cocaine surfaced in urban America, dozens of people gathered in Roxbury yesterday to talk about its lingering impact on Boston’s black community.

“In the beginning of the 1980s, we were feeling good about ourselves,” said George “Chip’’ Greenidge, founder of the National Black College Alliance and organizer of the symposium. “We had ‘The Cosby Show,’ affirmative action. And then something just came out of the sky and hit us.”

The “game-changer,” as Greenidge put it, came in a new, cheaper form of cocaine.

Fulani Haynes was a pediatric nurse who used to treat crack-addicted babies at the former Boston City Hospital. Screaming, shaking and sleepless, the infants were born showing withdrawal symptoms no amount of cuddling seemed to soothe, Haynes said. So nurses would give them small, decreasing amounts of pure opium in a hypodermic needle, wrap them tightly in blankets and lay them in their cribs in complete darkness to calm them for a few hours.

“The nurses became the mothers,” she said, “because the parents were busy getting high.”

Grandmothers spent their “golden years” caring for their grown children and their children’s children, and violence increased as word spread that dealing crack was a fast way to make money, said Boston Deputy Police Superintendent William Gross.

In the late 1980s, Congress brought back mandatory minimum drug sentences, treating crack offenses much more harshly than powder cocaine crimes, said Barbara Dougan of Families Against Mandatory Minimums.

“These laws were not passed out of concern for young, black men, but out of fear of young, black men,” Dougan said.

The result, she said, was an explosion in the prison population that has left one out of nine black men between the ages of 20 and 34 in behind bars.

“Clearly, they’ll be coming back to our communities,” said Boston Police Superintendent Paul Joyce, “and we want to make sure they end up in a better situation than they began.”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1329648

READ MORE - Crack chipped away at Hub

Workplace Diversity Job Fair Tues. 4/12

Workplace Diversity Job Fair Tues. 4/12

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Radisson Hotel Boston
200 Stuart Street
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, April 12, the Boston Herald is sponsoring the Workplace Diversity Job Fair to promote career opportunities for professionals in the areas of business, sales, medical, retail, high-tech, and more.

Here is a partial list of companies attending:
Aflac
American Student Assistance
Amica Mutual Insurance
Amtrak
Arbour Health System
Bay Cove Human Services
Cambridge Health Alliance
Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation
Eastern Bank
Eliot Community Human Services
Emerson College
Hess Corporation
Lahey Clinic
Liberty Mutual
Marriott International, the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company & MVCI
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
National Fire Protection Association
New York Life RPS
Partners HealthCare
Prudential
Rockland Trust
South Bay Mental Health
Spaulding Rehab Network
State Street Corporation
The Home Depot
Trilogy Financial Services
Tufts Health Plan
U.S. Army

and many more...

There is no cost or obligation for attending the Workplace Diversity Job Fair as a job seeker. Proper business attire is suggested. Pick up the Boston Herald on Monday, April 11th for a complete Job Fair program including Job Fair tips, company editorial and advertising along with directions, and a floor plan.

The Workplace Diversity Job Fair is conducted in accordance with federal laws advocating employment of all individuals. The Workplace Diversity Job Fair is handicapped accessible. If special arrangements are required, please call 617-619-6384.

Official Site: http://www.bostonherald.com/jobfind/

READ MORE - Workplace Diversity Job Fair Tues. 4/12

APRIL 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!! brought to you by... Vernon "VCR" Robinson

APRIL 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!!

brought to you by: Vernon "VCR" Robinson
join VCR on Facebook

Welcome to "Thangz-2-Do!!", the monthly e-newsletter providing information of cultural arts (poetry, theatre, comedy, etc.), as well as several other info to keep people in the loop that includes a link for Black History facts (http://www.yenoba.com), R.I.P. for those that passed away and a B-Day shout-out to those born in April (especially one special child you all should know...LOL). We have also attached a file that include out-of-Massachusetts events for those who plan on traveling outside the state. 

 

Also, please come out to Boston's longest-running open mic gathering, commonly known as VerBaLizAtiOn every second and fourth Tuesday at the Hibernian Hall. We will have an important Poetry Community Forum happening on April 12th. All poets, spoken word artists and others involved in the cultural arts are welcomed for discussion. VerB will also have special guest Jazz artist/storyteller FULANI HAYNES on April 26th.

 

Also, congratulations to TITO JACKSON for his victory in the District 7 City Council candidacy. Congrats to runner-up candidate CORNELL MILLS for a valiant effort as well. Much success to the both of them!!

  

Lastly, I would like to thank all honorees of the NAACP Image Awards of the Boston Chapter who were announced on March 4th, in which I am an awardee this year. Other recipients of this prestigious award are:

AYANNA PRESSLEY (Boston City Council-At-Large)

SHAUMBA DIBINGA (OrigiNation)

CHIP GREENIDGE (Greatest Minds)

BOYCE SLAYMAN JR. (Poppa B's)

NANCY ROUSSEAU

TONY "T-RICH" RICHARDS

VALERIE STEPHENS (singer)

SALIH ROWE (9-Alarms Ent.)

THE MAESTRO Z.O.O.M. (rapper/producer)

MARIAMA WHITE-HAMMOND (Project Hip-Hop)

M.L. VENAY

RAHSAAN HALL

& ALICIA CANADY (YBWS)!

 

Congrats to all!! 

 

Please continue sending prayers to the families of murdered victims in Boston & Haiti and send some to Japan as well!!

 

Enjoy the list and have a day!!

 

Peace,

VCR

 

R.I.P.

SIS. RUBY MUHAMMAD 

(known as "Mother of the Nation of Islam)

MARK ADAMS 

(bass player for funk band Slave)

ST. CLAIR LEE 

(singer/member of soul group Hues Corporation - "Rock The Boat")

NATE DOGG 

(Hip-Hop artist)

LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY 

(Disco singer - "Love Sensation")

 

 

 

APRIL B-DAY WISHES

Makita aka "At Peace", Myriam Ortiz, Thulani DeMarsay,

Lisa Simmons, Ashley Oguadimma, Ernesto "E-Roc" Arroyo,

Crystal Johnson, Elie St. Brice, Irina Martinez, Joanne Pena,

Ramona Lisa Alexander, Tito Jackson, Greta Douglas,

Pat Williams, Wyatt Jackson, Erika Zysman, Mawakana Onifade,

Enisoto Adika Ekunsirinde, Preach Nelson Cepeda, Zenda Walker,

Nicole "Cole" Rodriguez, Dana Gilmore, Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo,

and Vernon C. Robinson aka "VCR" 

 

 

POETRY/OPEN MIC EVENTS

Every Sunday Night

LIZARD LOUNGE SUNDAY NIGHT POETRY JAM

w/The Jeff Robinson Trio

@ The Lizard Lounge

1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge

(between Harvard Sq. & Porter Sq.)

Doors at 7:30pm - $5.00 cover

21+ w/ID required

April 17th - 2011 Lizard Lounge Poetry Slam Team Finals 

April 24th - Mwalim

For info visit www.poetryjam.org

 

Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday

VerBaLizAtiOn

@ Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(across from the fire dept. and barber shop)

7:00pm start / doors and open mic sign-up at 6:30pm

Free 2 The Public - All ages welcomed

(parental discretion suggested) 

Hosted by VCR

Poetry Community Forum: April 12th

Fulani Haynes: April 26th 

4 info contact VCR at 617-480-7663 or bloodskinland@yahoo.com 

 

Every Wednesday Night

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KINGS

Some of Boston's most talented performers take

over the King's Lounge. If you are a musician, poet,

comedian or magician...this is the night for you!

@ Kings Lounge

50 Dalton St., Boston/Back Bay

9:00pm start (sign-up at 8:00pm) / 18+ event

For more info contact kingsopenmic@gmail.com or 617-266-2695 

 

Wednesday, April 27th 2011

POETIC ESCAPE

@ Blue Wave Bar & Lounge

343 Congress St., Boston

Doors at 8:30pm / $5.00 before 9:30pm

Proper dress required - no baseball caps or Timbs allowed 

Hosted by Eli & Nuri

Music by DJ Razor Kutz (of Simply Sweet Entertainment)

spinning the best of Neo-Soul, R&B, Old School and Hip-Hop 

For more info to feature or to sign-up in advance for the open mic,

E-mail poeticescape3@gmail.com or call 617-549-2700 

 

Every Thursday Night

ART IS LIFE ITSELF

@ The Haley House Bakery & Café

12 Dade St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(off Washington St . – next to Tropical Foods)

7:00pm – 10:00pm / No cover charge

Hosted by Nina LaNegra & Fulani Haynes 

 

 

THEATRE

Friday, April 1st 2011 - Saturday, April 23rd 2011

"BROKE-OLOGY"

A play by Nathan Louis Jackson

A warm and wrenching play about a loving African-American family facing its troubles with humor, resiliency, and grace. Set in a beleaguered Kansas City neighborhood, two grown brothers try to balance the challenges of their own lives with their desire to care for their ailing father. Even as they remember simpler times, tension builds between the brothers as their conflicting interests churn into a surprising outcome.

Starring David Curtis, Johnny Lee Davenport,

Monte Cole and Patrice Jean-Baptiste 

@ The Lyric Stage Company of Boston

140 Clarendon St., Boston/Copley Sq.

Friday shows at 8:00pm / Saturday shows at 3:00pm & 8:00pm

Sunday shows at 3:00pm

Wednesday & Thursday shows at 7:30pm (2:00pm show on April 20th)

Talk-backs on Sun., April 10th after 3:00pm performance

(an informal way to meet and chat with the artists)

For tickets call 617-585-5678 or visit www.lyricstage.com

 

Saturday, April 23rd 2011

Peace Boston presents

HIP HOP 9.1.1.

A Play Featuring Ebony & the Ghosts of Hip-Hop Past, Present & Future

Directed by Naheem Garcia / written by Queen Vivian

Featuring Cindy Diggs, Dilania Tirado, Shaquan Reed and Mr. Harvey

@ Roxbury Community College - Media Arts Center

1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury

(across from MBTA Roxbury Crossings & Domino's Pizza)

Doors open at 6:30pm - performance at 7:00pm

General seating: $15.00 adults / $10.00 youth under 21 / $25.00 VIP Tickets can be purchased at A Nubian Notions in Dudley Square

(148 Dudley St., Roxbury MA)

For more info contact peaceboston@gmail.com

 

 

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Saturday, April 2nd 2011

8TH ANNUAL URBAN WALK FOR HAITI

@ St. Paul's Church Courtyard

29 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge MA

12:00pm - 2:00pm 

Hosted & emcee'd by Ashley Rose

Please join H.B.N.N. and friends for this 8th Annual event. Beginning promptly at 12pm pre-walk festivities will include the fabulous Caribbean female group Zili Misik, poets, dancers, a gospel group, food, vendors and more! The walk will begin at 2pm, which consists of a 3-mile walk along the Charles River.

This is a family-freindly event.
Ways to get involved:
-attend the walk and bring a donation to benefit Partners in Health's (PIH) work in Haiti
-collect donations at work, school or form friends and family to bring to the walk
-organize a walk team or go to www.walkforhaiti.org to dowload a pledge form or start a fundraising page to get people to sponsor your participation in the walk.Saturday, April 2nd 2011

BROTHERS FOR BOSTON MARCHWhere Are The Men in our Community??

Men, Women, youth, elders, Black, Latino, Cape Verdean,
Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, South End
TAKE A STAND!!
(education, crime, violence, drugs, guns, gangs, housing, family)

WEAR BLACK!!!

@ The Grove Hall Mecca

Dorchester / Grove Hall
Gather 1:00pm at the Stop & Shop parking lot

March at 1:30pm from Grove Hall to Dudley Square

Arrive 2:00pm at Hibernian Hall for "Facing Love IV"
Brothers for Boston will attend the "Facing Love IV"
community forum on Black/Latino relationships & family.
Organized by Brothers For Boston
ALL ARE WELCOME!!

Saturday, April 2nd 2011 

FACING LOVE IV

The 4th symposium focusing on the dynamics and intricacies of Black male/Black female relationships in order to strengthen lines of communication and empathetic perceptions between the genders and among our people overall. Facing Love works to the elevate the

number of marriages that occur between men and women of the Black community.

@ Roxbury Center for  Arts at Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St. - 3rd floor, Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire department & barber shop)

1:00pm - 7:00pm / Free event

Free buffet + Giveaways + "Facing Love IV" soundtrack

Subject matters are as follows:

- Is slavery a relevant factor or just an excuse?

- What role does music play in our relationships and perceptions

of each other?

- Do men get more physically attractive with money, success,

fame or position?

- Is there too much comparison between Black relationships

and white relationships?

Panelists on "What role does music play in our relationships/perceptions

of each other?"

include: Angel Babbitt, Sherie Graves, Catch Wreck,

Hassan Smith (road manager for John Legend),Reggie Beasley, Hammad S. N'Cho, G. Valentino Ball, TaShawn King,

Eric Hardin (Eclipse Magazine) & Tekitha (of the Wu-Tang Clan)

Also featuring Dr. Kathryn Silva Banks

(asst. history professor - Andrew Univ.)

And special guest Mayor Setti Warren 

(Newton mayor - 1st Black mayor elected in Massachusetts)  

Musical performances by Tekitha and TaShawn King 

 

Saturday, April 9th 2011

25 YEARS AFTER CRACK!

The Effect of Crack Cocaine On Boston's Black Community (1986-2011)

Join 25 community leaders, non-profit agency directors, social workers,

ministers, health professionals, judges, politicians, university professors,

law enforcement officers, youth, former drug dealers, former crack users, youth advocates and ex-offenders for a retrospective discussion and symposium on the arrival of crack cocaine and how 25 years later

it has effected community building planning sessions. This will help develop grassroots and non-profit solutions to build a new infrastructure

for our Black communities.

@ Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St. - 3rd floor, Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to the fire department & barber shop)

9:00pm - 4:00pm / Free to the public

To RSVP or for more info, please e-mail your name and number to

greatestminds@gmail.com

 

Saturday, April 9th 2011

Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts (CBMM) presents

THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY ANDREW J. DAVIS JR.

"UNITY BREAKFAST"

Mentoring Boys to Manhood!

@ Marriott Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

606 Congress St., Boston

10:00am - 1:00pm

Tickets $40.00 in advance / $50.00 at the door

Featuring the 2011 recipient of the Paul Robeson Leadership Award

Hill Harper (award-winning actor in "CSI: NY", "Get On The Bus")

plus Outstanding Community Service & Student Achievement Awards

Proceeds benefit the Paul Robeson Institute for Positive Self-Development

For sponsor opportunities and more info call 617-541-8642

or visit www.cbmm.net 

 

 

PARTIES/SOCIAL NETWORKING 

Every Friday Night

Soul Cafe presents

GROWN & CLASSY FRIDAY

Voted "Best Old School Night" in the city

@ The Blue Wave

343 Congress St., Boston

9:00pm - 2:00am

$5.00 before 10pm / $10.00 until 11pm w/RSVP

Proper dress required

Each night with a different DJ each week 

For info and RSVP contact stephenanglin_firstfridays@msn.com 

 

Every Friday & Saturday Night

BARE YOUR SOUL WEEKENDS

We are excited to now offer enhanced entertainment for the discriminating mature professional that seeks to shake off the worries of a long week. We will now feature some of the areas best DJs and dancing weekly. Bare Your Soul will be a compilation of music to make you move!
That may be R&B, Neo Soul, Funk, Latin, Carribean, Throwbacks & Deep Soulful House!!

@ Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
604 Columbus Ave., Boston/South End

(diagonally across from NY Pizza)
11:00pm - 2:00pm
$10.00 admission / Proper dress required

Darryls is an chic quaint restaurant, bar and lounge with great quality food and people. Darryl's will continue having a full range of live bands and dinner in the early evening.

 

Saturday, April 9th 2011

Establised Entertainment presents

THE 6TH ANNUAL ARIES GALA

Come Party in Style at Boston's Premier Grown-Up Affair

@ William E. Reed Auditorium

24 Washington St., Dorchester/Grove Hall

8:00pm - 2:00am (performance at 10;00pm)

$8.00 tickets in advance...FOR ARIES ONLY!!

Reduced tickets in advance - $15.00 at the door

Hosted by T. Brown

21+ event w/cocktail attire

Music by Ill Neil (playing the hottest music)

Tickets sold at the following locations:

- Chanique's Hair Salon: 900 Morton St. (617-265-2500)

- Sun-Ah's Cafe: 503 Washington St. (617-297-5912)

- On Topp Clothing: 10 Walk Hill (617-522-8050)

For tickets or info contact 617-759-4130 or 757-303-8395

 

 

Saturday, April 9th 2011

Fam IV Life presents

"I'M SO FUNKY FRESH" 80's & 90's SHOW/PARTY

With live performance by legendary Hip-Hop group Whodini

@ China Pearl Lounge

219-237 Quincy Ave., Quincy MA

(in the President Plaza - 9 mins. south of Quincy Ctr.)

Doors open at 9:00pm - performance at 11:00pm SHARP!

$20.00 limited advanced tickets

21+ event / proper ID required

No hats, sneakers, yellow Timbs or athletic gear (jeans OK)

Featuring DJ Dex & DJ Philly Black

(spinning the best of R&B, Reggae, Hip-Hop and Old Skool)

Advanced tickets located at these outlets:

Mattapan's Finest Barber (Grove Hall)

Lawson's Beauty Supply (Egleston Sq.)

Silver Slipper Restaurant (Dudley Sq.)

Kung Fu Video & DVD (Downtown Boston - 2nd fl. at Jewelry Exchange)

Threadz (Dorchester - across from Franklin Park)

Star Styles Unisex (Brockton)

For more info, Facebook "Fam IV Life Entertainment"

or contact famIVlife@gmail.com, check out famIVlifeblogspot.com

or follow us on Twitter at famIVlife 

Saturday, April 23rd 2011

30+ Event presents
"THE PARTY ON THE CHARLES"

A monthly meet-up for a diverse and progressive group of

professional men and women seeking to socialize, mix and

mingle with like-minded peers.@ Courtyard Marriott Hotel
777 Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA

9:00pm - 2:00amFeaturing a live band playing Jazz and R&B

Music by DJ Reggie Beas

(spinning R&B, Neo-Soul, Soulful House and Old School Classics) 

 

COMEDY NIGHTS

Every Monday Night

SoulKore Productions presents

THE HAPPY HOUR

Express Yourself!!

@ 270 Medford St., Malden MA

6:30pm - 10:00pm / Free 2 enter

Come early for open mic sign-up

All forms of entertainment welcomed

Open mic slots are limited (5 minutes each)

Hosted by Bigg Nez / Music by DJ Nomadik

For more info contact info@soulkore.com  

Every Wednesday Night

BLACK COMEDY EXPLOSION

@ Slade's Bar & Grill

958 Tremont St., Boston/South End

9:00pm showtime / $15.00 admission

Hosted by Jonathon Gates

For more information contact Jonathon Gates

617-590-8334 or jgates1963@aol.com

 

 

CULTURE/PERFORMANCES

Every Thursday Night

The Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall presents

CAFE TATANT

An Upscale Venue for Jazz, R&B and Sweet Soul Music

Come early for socializing and enjoy fine dining, dancing and the most

evocative talent around as the grand ballroom is transformed into a

relaxed listening lounge & supper club

@ Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire dept. and barber shop)

Drinks at 6:00pm / Dinner served at 7:00pm / Show starts at 7:30pm

Cash bar available

Dinner & show: $39.00 / $69.00 for couples

Show only: $19.00

Tickets can be purchased online at www.madison-park.org/cafetatant

Parking behind Hibernian Hall off Zeigler St.

Additional free parking available at Peking House on Harrison Ave.

For more info visit www.madison-park.org/cafe-tatant

 

Thursday, April 28th 2011

New England Up Front presents

A.M.B. (African Man Born): BIGGER THAN HIP-HOP!

@ Sammy's Patio

63 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere MA

9:00pm - 1:00pm

$10.00 in advance / $15.00 at the door

21+ event with ID required (no ID...no entry)

With guest performances by

Simone Iman, Cassius The 5th, Lyfe Styles, Genius and Mike Biggs

Special performances by The Knowbodies

Hosted by D.Loopz

Sounds by DJ Daz-One

Tight security will be present!

 

Saturday, April 30th 2011

THE 2011 NEW ENGLAND URBAN MUSIC AWARDS

A Tribute To Womem In Music!

Join us as we celebrate women in the music industry at the

UMA's 6th annual award ceremony. we will acknowledge the

talented women who don't get enough recognition for all of

their hard work and dedication in the performing arts. 

@ The Strand Theatre

543 Columbia Rd., Dorchester/Uphams Corner

For more info call 617-686-1377

or visit www.urbanmusicawards.org

 

Saturday, April 30th 2011

K-Ghee Productions presents

A PRE-MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION

featuring Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient

("Everybody Plays The Fool", "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely")

Performing with a live band

@ Moseley's On The Charles

50 Bridge St., Dedham MA

Doors open at 8:30pm

$45.00 advanced tickets / $55.00 VIP tickets

Celebrating the birthday of Cuba Gooding Sr.

Also featuring "The Time Tunnel Reunion" with J. Michaels

(80's voice of WILD 1090AM's "The Time Tunnel")

Tickets available at these outlets:

A Nubian Notions (Dudley Sq.) 617-442-2622

Skippy White's (Egleston Sq.) 617-524-4500

For more info call 617-792-8328

READ MORE - APRIL 2011 THANGZ-2-DO!! brought to you by... Vernon "VCR" Robinson