Hurricane Sandy
- President Barack Obama has declared New York and New Jersey a federal disaster zone. This means that all New Yorkers are eligible for FEMA support. For more information, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.disasterassistance.gov. Also, for more direct local info and updates on services, transit schedules, etc., in New York and New Jersey, visit www.nyc.gov or www.nj.gov.
- Activist-author Kevin Powell and April Silver of Akila Worksongs have done vital work on organizing critical info and services. Text sandy411 to 33233 for updates, relief and resources or visit www.kevinpowell.net/blog/2012/11/new-york-post-hurricane-sandy-inforesources.
Theater
- “Sowa’s Red Gravy,” starring Lonette McKee, acclaimed Tony and stage actress, is a six-character play with music that captures the sound, heart and fury of African-American culture. Narrated by Sowa, a 110-year-old wise woman who resides in Harlem in quantum time and claims to have lived many lives, as varied as a white Hollywood film star, an African warrior and a Louisiana voodoo queen. Directed by Woody King Jr. Through Nov. 18. Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Castillo Theatre, 543 W. 42nd St. Box office: 212-941-1234 or 212-353-1176. For more information, visit www.castillo.org or www.newfederaltheatre.org.
- “The Resurrection of Alice,” written and performed by Perri Gaffney, directed by Jackie Alexander. Arranged marriages are practiced among many cultures around the world. But surprisingly, through the mid-20th century, young girls in the United States found themselves in arranged marriages to men who were usually pillars in the community and financially comfortable but old enough to be grandfathers. Now through Tuesday, Dec. 18, at the Billie Holiday Theatre at Restoration Plaza, N.Y. Call 718-636-0918 or 718-636-0919 for tickets or visit www.billeiholiday.org for more info.
- “Sing Harlem Sing.” In addition to the 30-year anniversary of “Mama I Want to Sing” at the Dempsey Theatre in Harlem, the legendary media icon Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro are presenting “Sing Harlem Sing!” a musical set in a happening Harlem nightspot from back in the day. You’ll enjoy music from Saturday night and Sunday morning. For tickets and more information, go to www.mamafoundation.org.
- “Platanos & Collard Greens” is still a feast in the political and cultural melting pot we find ourselves in. Makes you laugh and think about the combined power of the nation’s “new majority.” Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Ave. at 25th Street. Call 646-312-5073 or visit www.platanosandcollardgreens.com.
Music
- Westbury Music Fair presents En Vogue, Lillo Thomas, James DTrain Williams and Cherelle on Saturday, Nov. 10 in an evening of sophisticated soul that you don’t want to miss at the Theatre at Westbury. Tickets available now at Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, N.Y.
- Mary Flowers Entertainment presents a Thanksgiving Celebration on Saturday Nov. 24, at 8 p.m. featuring Faith Evans and Tank. Apollo Theater, 254 W. 125th St. For ticket information, visit www.apollotheater.org.
Exhibitions
- The “Harlem is Activism” exhibit will be free and open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Corridor Gallery at the Interchurch Center (enter at 475 Riverside Drive) now through Nov. 23. It includes a 30-foot photographic timeline of Harlem from 1900 to the present, developed in collaboration with the Schomburg Center. For info, call 212-459-1854 or visit www.communityworksnyc.org.
- “Gordon Parks: 100 Moments,” curated by Deborah Willis, New York University. Through Dec. 1, Mon.-Sat.,10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Latimer/Edison Gallery. Schomburg Center, 515 Malcolm X Blvd. For more info, call 212-491-2200 or www.schomburg center.org.
Film
- “Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey With Mumia Abu-Jamal,” will be screened once only on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2:30 p.m. Unlike any other film about Abu-Jamal, “Long Distance Revolutionary” focuses on his dynamic career as a writer, journalist, public intellectual and revolutionary, from Pennsylvania’s Death Row. SVA Theater (School of Visual Arts) 333 W. 23rd St. (between Eighth & Ninth avenues). Q&A to follow with Stephen Vittoria, writer, director and editor; and Noelle Hanrahan, producer. To purchase tickets, go to the IFC box office, 323 Sixth Ave., at West 3rd Street from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Open daily. For online purchase, visit www.docnyc.net/buy-tickets or call 212-924-7771.
Community
- New York University’s Institute of African American Affairs will host its second conference on literature for children of African descent: “A is for Anansi: Africa, the Future and the Urban Landscape,” Nov. 9 and 10. Events are free and open to the public. It will include such notable authors as Nancy Tolson, Ashley Bryan and Eloise Greenfield. Anansi Awards will be presented to Ashley Bryan, Pat Cummings, William Loren Katz and Eloise Greenfield. Keynote by Dr. Michelle H. Martin. Panels include “Fantasy: The Final Frontier,” “Urban Landscapes” and “Africa Imagined.” Space is limited; please RSVP at 212-998-IAAA (4222). For more information, visit: www.africanastudies.as.nyu.edu/ object/ IAAA-Anansi-2012.html.
- Cemotap presents its 25th anniversary and a victory celebration for President Barack Obama on Saturday, Nov. 10, at Majority Baptist Church,115-21 Farmers Blvd. (off Linden). Keynote speaker is Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, brilliant educator, playwright and author of “Race Law and American Society: 1607-Present.” Commentary from yours truly, Imhotep Gary Byrd, “The Radio Griot.” Admission is free. For more information, call 718-398-1766.
- Kamit Fest 2012: A Celebration of Kamitic (Ancient African) Culture on Saturday, Nov. 17, from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 18, from noon to 8 p.m. This annual, festive event will take place at 626 Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. There will be activities for the whole family, health workshops, spiritual readings, entertainment, and fun! Admission is free! For more information, contact the Ausar Auset Society, located at 626 Flatbush Ave. at Fenimore Street, by calling 718-469-3199, emailing nvm@nilevalley.com or visiting www.taui.biz or www.facebook.com/KamitFestNYC.
Hear Imhotep Gary Byrd on 107.5 WBLS-FM daily with “Imhotep’s On-Air Guide to Black Events” and “Express Yourself,” Sunday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., and on WLIB-AM with “The GBE Mind Flight,” Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to midnight (simulcast on WLIB-AM/WBLS-FM from 7-8 p.m.). The full show can be heard on HD radio at WBLS-HD2. IGB is also heard on WBAI-FM 99.5 with the GBE 2.0 “Global Black Experience” and “Global Beat Experience,” Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. We are archived online with both shows at www.wbai.org. To reach us about your event, email gbemail2@yahoo.com, find Imhotep Gary Byrd on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at GBELIFE, or call 212-592-3279.
