Friday, Aug 13: Free Fridays at the Bronx Museum!

Free Fridays! – Africanísímo 4

Outdoor Film Screening
in collaboration with
African Film Festival

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 6:00pm to 10:00pm

Screening of Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love" Chai Vasarhelyi, Senegal/USA, 2008, 102 min. (View Trailer)

Preceded by animated shorts by artist Piniang (Formally artist-in-residence at The Bronx Museum of the Arts)

Music by DJ Laylo
(Afrobeat, High Life, Reggae)

Performances by Asase Yaa
(Ivory Coast,Guinea, Mali)

Location: The Andrew Freedman Home
1125 Grand Concourse (at McClellan Street)


Rain location:
The Bronx Museum of the Arts

Admission: FREE!

July 31 - Sept 30: Eyewitness: Beautiful Black Brooklyn Exhibition at Skylight Gallery

"Through the work of six extraordinary Black Brooklyn photographers, the Skylight Gallery will examine the tumultuous intersection of the civil rights and cultural movements of the late 1960 s in Central Brooklyn. Eyewitness will feature the works of award-winning Brooklyn artists Larry Brown, Marilyn Nance, Beuford Smith, Randy Waterman, and Leroy Henderson. The artists, as eyewitnesses, have captured events, such as the 'Drummer's Grove' in Prospect Park and the 'Middle Passage Celebration' at Coney Island, and people, such as Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Nelson Mandela, and Jacob Lawrence."

Presented by Restoration's Center for Arts Culture
Contact: 718-636-6949 / mamitdart@gmail.com
Click here for more info

WHEN: July 31-September 30, 10am-6pm (Tuesday-Saturday)
WHERE: Skylight Gallery
1368 Fulton Street, 3rd Floor

Info: Brooklyn Arts Council

Ongoing Exhibit and Saturday Artist Talk: Ain’t I A Woman @ MoCADA

Ain’t I A Woman

Curated by Kimberli Gant – MoCADA Director of Exhibitions
July 15 – December 19, 2010

"This group exhibition offers contemporary artistic depictions of women of African descent, focusing specifically on their interiority. Rather than examining women through the objectivity of their bodies, the artists portray African Diasporan women as active participants in their own visual representations. Ain’t I A Woman features works in painting, video, installation and mixed media by damali abrams, Eric Alugas, Kimberly Becoat, Priscila De Carvalho, Andrea Chung, Elizabeth Colomba, William Mwazi, Kenya (Robinson), Phoenix Savage and Francis Simeni.

Taking its title from the 1885 speech given by orator and activist Sojourner Truth, this exhibition attempts to move the conversation toward the intellectual, emotional and spiritual components in the lives of women of African descent. In addition, each featured artist is paired with an African female poet, selected from The Heinemann Book of African Women’s Poetry, who uses their literary works as inspiration."

Artist Talk: Saturday, July 17 @ 2:00pm

Info: MoCADA

Friday, July 9: Bronx Museum First Fridays

"On the first Friday of every month, the museum offers free admission to a night of film, art, performance, music and other special programming. Previous First Fridays have featured local artists performing spoken word and hip-hop music, and dancing for all."

FRIDAY JULY 9, 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Lou Gehrig Plaza
(161st and Grand Concourse)
Admission: Free

**We realize this is the 2nd Friday, but it's what museum website reports!**

Info: Bronx Museum

Saturday, July 3: Target First Saturdays @ The Brooklyn Museum

"At the Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays, thousands of visitors enjoy free programs of art and entertainment each month from 5 to 11 p.m. All evening long, the Museum Café serves a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and beverages, and a cash bar offers wine and beer. Parking is a flat rate of $4 starting at 5 p.m. All other Saturdays, the Museum closes at 6 p.m."

July 3, 2010: American Icons

Music: 5–7 p.m.
An electro-pop showcase featuring two Brooklyn-based acts: Analogue Transit and Dynasty Electric. View event details.

Film: 6 p.m.
Fame (Alan Parker, 1980, 134 min., PG). Gifted New York City high school students pursue their Warholian fifteen minutes. Free tickets (330) are available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

Hands-On Art: 6:30 p.m.
Make a print worthy of Warhol. Free timed tickets (380) are available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.

Curator Talk: 7 p.m.
Associate Curator Sharon Matt Atkins discusses the exhibition Andy Warhol: The Last Decade. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.

Film: 7 p.m.
I Shot Andy Warhol (Mary Harron, 1996, 75 min., R). The true story of Warhol assailant Valerie Solanas and her SCUM Manifesto. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.

Performance: 7–8:30 p.m.
Art Battles hosts “15 Minutes of Fame,” a face-off featuring artists Antony Zito, Lexi Bella, Concep, and Marthalicia Matarrita and hosted by Illspokinn. View event details.

Young Voices Gallery Talk: 8 p.m.
Student Guides highlight Andy Warhol: The Last Decade.

Karaoke: 9–10:45 p.m.
Expressway Music hosts. Registration for lottery begins at 8:30 p.m. One entry per person.

Dance Party: 9–11 p.m.
Society HAE hosts "The Factory 2010" a Warhol-inspired party of eighties pop, hip-hop, and rock.

Info: Brooklyn Museum

Last Chance to Catch Studio Museum Exhibits: VidéoStudio: New Work from France @ The Studio Museum in Harlem

**Free museum admission on Sundays!**

VidéoStudio: New Work from France
April 1, 2010–June 27, 2010

"In a trio of month-long programs, the Studio Museum presents the work of three North African artists—Yto Barrada, Bouchra Khalili and Djamel Kokene—who were born or currently live in France. While these artists emerge from a specific Afro-European context, the exhibition brings together work that considers “France”—and the very idea of the nation—as a concept rather than a stable category. Together their work encourages us to consider the relationship between individuals and the state; culture and the law; and identity and modes of representation. VidéoStudio: New Work from France is the second installment of VideoStudio, an ongoing series of video art."

Info: The Studio Museum in Harlem

June 24-27: Northside Festival in Williamsburg and Greenpoint

*Anyone who knows me, knows I hold bit of a bias against Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and if you know me well, you know I have another Williamsburg much closer to my heart...Nonetheless, there is a pretty big music and arts festival taking place in W'burg and Greenpoint, called "Northside" and while the music is more indie than hip-hop, there are a bunch of galleries displaying work, and an accompanying film festival worth checking out. More info below*


"On any given day there's a ridiculous amount of music and art being made in New York City, but perhaps no more than in the four-mile radius of Williamsburg and Greenpoint. The goal of the Northside Festival isn't lofty: We want to celebrate that community of independent musicians, filmmakers and artists in the place where it thrives the most, shining a light on the sheer talent and creativity that Brooklyn cultivates."

Info: The L Magazine

Now through Aug 6: Life After Death: An Analysis of the Persona that Was/Is Fela Anikulapo Kuti (Exhibition) @ CCCADI

"Life After Death: An Analysis of the Persona that Was/Is Fela Anikulapo Kuti Exhibition

Presented by: Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute

On View: June 11 – August 6, 2010

"This exhibition seeks to pay tribute to one of the African Diaspora’s most influential living ancestors as well as critique the complexity of his persona. Life After Death: A Multi-Media Analysis of the Persona that Was/Is Fela Anikulapo Kuti is a visual homage to a musical genius and perhaps one of contemporary history’s most powerful protest artists.

Also including never before seen photography of Fela in '77 during FESTAC and at the Shrine with individuals such as Haki Madhubiti shot by Marilyn Nance."

Public Programming:
6.19 Center Saturdays: Music No Get Enemy | 1 p.m.
6.20 Fela’s Funk and Trunk Shopping Extravaganza | 3 – 8 p.m.
6.29 Artist Talk | 6:30 p.m.
7.18 Gallery Tour and FELA! On Broadway |
7.20 Film Screening: Music is the Weapon | 6: 30 p.m.

Marketing and Programmatic Partners include:
FELA! on Broadway and Society HAE

Fore More Information:
Caribbean Cultural Center African Diasporan Institute (CCCADI): 212.307.7420 | www.cccadi.org
RSVP – slewis@cccadi.org or 212.307.7420 ext. 2008

Info: SOCIETY HAE

June 19-26: Celebrate Brooklyn’s African Diaspora: Soul of Brooklyn Launch Week

Celebrate Brooklyn’s African Diaspora: Soul of Brooklyn Launch Week

Get involved with Brooklyn’s rich culture at these week-long festivities beginning Friday, June 18 and ending Saturday, June 26:

Friday, June 18: Soul of Brooklyn Launch Party

Saturday, June 19: 10th Annual Juneteenth Arts Festival Cooperative Culture Collective

Sunday, June 20: African Diaspora Walking Tour of Fort Greene & Brunch, The Best of Brooklyn Inside Out Walking Tour

Monday, June 21: Make Music New York! Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA)

Monday, June 21: 1st Anniversary Summer Solstice at Adriala Gallery

Tuesday, June 22: Restaurant Night in Fort Greene
Participating Restaurants: Madiba Restaurant, EN Restaurant and Bar and Bati

Wednesday, June 23: Carol’s Daughter Mini Facial Event

Thursday, June 24: ART, MUSIC, WINE & FASHION in BED-STUY

Friday, June 25: Poets respond to “Artists Speaking for the Spirits” Part Two

Saturday, June 26: Fort Greene Festival

Info: Brooklyn Exposed

Now through September 10: Rosie McCobb’s 'Unexpected Brooklyn' Photography Exhibit @ BPL

"Rosie McCobb, a Bed-Stuy resident, writer and photographer, is having her photographs presented at the Brooklyn Public Library’s main branch. The exhibit is called Unexpected Brooklyn: Neighborhood Landscape in Transition and will include photographs of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Red Hook and the Brooklyn Navy Yard."

Unexpected Brooklyn: Neighborhood Landscape in Transition
June 8th – September 10th
BPL Central Library
Foyer Cases
10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Info: Bed-Stuy Blog

Monday, June 21: Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective @ The Museum of the City of New York

Monday, June 21st @ 6:30 PM
The Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue / 104th Street

"The Museum celebrates Pride Week 2010 with the opening night of Maysles Cinema's second annual Homo Harlem film series. This week-long event investigates the cinematic representation of gay life and culture in black America's fabled homeland. Co-sponsored by State Senator Bill Perkins, Men of All Colors Together, and Queer Black Cinema, the series is curated by Michael Henry Adams. For a series schedule visit Cinema@mayslesinstitute.org. $ Reservations required. For more information please call (917) 492-3395."

Info: East Harlem Preservation

Sunday, June 20: Black Girls Rock! - Poetry Slam ‘I Rhyme Like a Girl’ | The Studio Museum in Harlem

Black Girls Rock! - Poetry Slam ‘I Rhyme Like a Girl’

June 20 / 2-3 pm / Galleries

"As part of our month-long celebration of Black Music, join us for this special poetry slam presented by Black Girls Rock! Inc. ™ This charity has been established to promote the arts and to encourage dialogue about the images of women in hip hop music & culture, as well as promote analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in mainstream media. Taught by ‘I Rhyme Like a Girl’ founder, international champion of hip-hop culture Toni Blackman, The Black Girls Rock ‘I Rhyme Like A Girl’ Spoken-Word program is one of Black Girls Rock’s initiatives to build self-esteem, nurture artistic gifts and foster personal growth of program participants."

The Studio Museum Harlem in free on Sundays, 12-6.

Info: The Studio Museum in Harlem

Sat, June 19: Juneteenth Celebration at 227 Abolitionist Place

"The Abolitionist Museum hosts an annual Juneteenth Celebration, recognizing the June 19th Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which gave African-American slaves their freedom. The evening of celebration at this historic site, where abolitionists once lived and hid African-Americans, features Shawné Lee’s spiritual healing performance; Indoda Entsha, West African drumming group directed by E. Preston Riddick; and Michael Hooper of Roots Revisited. Great food, too!"

$10 (includes food). Purchase tickets at door.

Presented by Friends of 227 Abolitionist Place with support from BAC.

Contact: 227abolitionistplace.org

WHEN: Saturday, June 19, 8 pm–midnight (Rain date: June 20)
WHERE: 227 Duffield St. (Downtown Brooklyn)

Info: Brooklyn Arts Council

June 18: SoulofBrooklyn.com Launch Party at MoCADA

"SoulofBrooklyn.com is your quintessential online and printed guide to discovering the unique cultural and business renaissance currently taking place within Brooklyn’s African Diaspora. In a city increasingly besieged by corporate chains and rampant development, SoulofBrooklyn.com’s goal is to promote neighborhood businesses, cultural institutions and special events that reflect the borough’s vibrant roots and contribute to the growth of stronger communities. Through advertising, cross-promotions and increase their bottom-line. SoulofBrooklyn.com is a reliable information hub for tourist and locals alike who want to locate and experience the amazing fusion of African, African-American and Caribbean cultural and business exchanges that can only happen in the great borough of Brooklyn."

Featuring music, food, vendors, art, and special performance by Blitz the Ambassador!

7pm-11pm
Free

Info: LuxuriousPROTOTYPE

Friday, June 18: The Usual Suspects, Graffiti Show in Brooklyn

The Usual Suspects: A Collection of Graffiti Art

"Featuring art from renown NYC writers Dance TM5, Snatch CWK, Suerte, MCA1 CWK, Rebel NSA, MOS, Ceos, Poet, KC Oner TBC."

7pm-12am
21+ , free.
Last Exit
136 Atlantic Avenue btw. Clinton/Henry Sts
Brooklyn, NY 11201
A, C, F to Jay St./Boro Hall.
2,3,4 to Borough Hall. R to Court St

Info: WHATYOUWRITE.COM

Friday June 18: Art Show Opening @ Azucarera

*Just heard about this one from a friend of the artist. Looks great. Read the details below, from the artists mouth straight here to the blog*


"The Misadventures of MC Tingbudong, which will take place from June 18th – July 6th, 2010. The show will take place at Azucarera, located at 414 W. 145th Street in New York City. I hope that every one can join me in Harlem to celebrate the exhibition’s opening night on the evening of June 18th at 7 PM.

I spent the previous year as a Fulbright Scholar, researching Hip hop culture in Beijing. During my study, I was tasked to compile a multimedia ethnography on the four pillars of hip hop and their local practitioners: emceeing, breakdancing, graffiti & dj’ing. After spending a year as an embedded researcher in Beijing’s Hip Hop scene, I have since taken this volume of photos, film & sociological anecdotes to present as a multimedia exhibit in galleries and schools in New York and Beijing, including the Speakeasy series and the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival. For those of you who have not had the chance to see my work, please take a moment to check out my website at www.jamnopeanut.com."

Info: Style By Nina

Now through August: Rafael Ferrer exhibit at El Museo del Barrio

Retro/Active: The Works of Rafael Ferrer

"Curated by Deborah Cullen, Director of Curatorial Programs, El Museo del Barrio. In the late 1960s, Puerto Rican-born Rafael Ferrer became internationally renowned for his guerilla art actions in New York and Philadelphia. In the 1970s, he was known for assemblage sculptures, kayaks, and tents. Since the 1980s Ferrer’s intensely colored paintings, prints, drawings and public sculptures have reflected his intelligence, sense of humor, and Caribbean perspective. The exhibition is part of El Museo’s FOCOS series, highlighting the achievements of mature, under recognized artists."

Tuesday, June 8th Through Sunday, August 22nd
Las Galerias de El Museo del Barrio -
1230 Fifth Avenue / 104th Street (Free)
Admission: Fees Vary

Tues, June 8: Amiri Baraka and Norman Kelley at the Studio Museum Harlem

Books & Authors: Amiri Baraka in conversation with Norman Kelley

June 8 / 7 pm


"Join us for a discussion between Amiri Baraka, author of Black Music, the long-awaited reissue of the sequel to Amiri Baraka’s seminal work, Blues People, and , Norman Kelley, editor of R&B (Rhythm and Business): The Political Economy of Black Music. The program will include an open question-and-answer session and a book signing.

Black Music is a book about the brilliant young jazz musicians of the early 1960s: John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, Sun Ra, and others. This rich and vital collection is comprised of essays, reviews, interviews, liner notes, musical analyses, and personal impressions from 1959-1967.

In R&B, Public Enemy’s Chuck D, author Norman Kelley, and other journalists and musicians combine forces to examine how black music has been developed, marketed, and distributed within the structure of American capitalism. The anthology dissects contemporary trends in the music industry, and explores how blacks have historically interacted with the business as artists, business-people, and consumers."

Info: Studio Museum Harlem

Sat-Sun June 5-6: Atlantic Avenue Artwalk

"Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk 2010 will be held the weekend of June 5 & 6 from 1pm-6pm both days. ArtWalk is a self-guided tour of open artist studios and area exhibitions, a range of public art projects, special events, and extensive local merchant participation. The tour provides a relaxed setting for dialogue, collecting, and for artists to discuss current bodies of work, while offering a glimpse into the creation process. ArtWalk now includes additional opportunities and support for public art, sculpture, film, performance, and more work across media.

The fee to participate in ArtWalk is just $20. This covers all registration fees, listing in printed ArtWalk tour map, and link and listing with color image in Artist Portfolio online."

Info and Registration: Atlantic Avenue Artwalk

Reminder: This Weekend: Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit

NYC What's Poppin'?: Memorial Day Weekend and Following Weekend: Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit