Greetings! On we go into December, celebrating GBE “Black Family Month,” setting the stage for Kwanzaa 2012. In the spirit of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, let us view the challenge of Sandy as an opportunity to put those principles into practice in a truly powerful way.
Hurricane Sandy
Apply for FEMA assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 1-800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. You may also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
To find the DRC nearest you, text “DRC” and your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by mobile phone at m.fema.gov.
Activist-author Kevin Powell and April Silver of Akila Worksongs have done vital work on organizing critical information 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.
Cornerstone Baptist Church is in need of cleaning products! Donations are accepted Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The church is located at 562-74 Madison St. in Brooklyn. Visit www.WLIB.com for more information.
Theater
The world famous Apollo Theater presents a full calendar this month for the holiday season, including Ballet Hispanico, the Double Dutch Holiday Classic, the Sinbad Comedy Special, comedian Chris Tucker, the Coca Cola Winter Wonderland, Sweet Honey in the Rock and our annual Kwanzaa Celebration. For more schedule information, go to www.apollotheater.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, yet old enough to be grandfathers. Now through Tuesday, Dec. 18, at the Billie Holiday Theatre at Restoration Plaza, Bed-Stuy. Call 718-636-0918 or 718-636-0919 for tickets or visit www.billieholiday.org for more info.
Music
Lonette McKee, the acclaimed, Tony-nominated film and stage actress and star of “Sparkle,” and four-time Grammy-nominated music legend Michael Henderson come together for a one-night-only performance on Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m., at Aaron Davis Hall, City College of New York, Convent Avenue and West 135th Street on the City College campus. For more information and ticket sales, visit www.adhatccny.org or www.lonettemckee.com or call the Aaron Davis Hall box office at 212-650-6900.
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence with an electrifying concert event that brings together three of reggae’s hottest acts: Third World, one of the longest-reigning reggae units of all time; Grammy-nominated British superstar Maxi Priest, whose sexy, soulful vocal style blends a hardcore reggae vibe with mainstream jazz, pop and R&B influences; and new generation dancehall artist Ky-Mani Marley, who follows in the footsteps of his legendary father, Bob Marley, with an urban sound that’s deeply rooted in both reggae and hip hop culture. Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. NJ PAC, One Center St., Newark, N.J. Visit www.njpac.org for more info.
NJ PAC also presents “FunkFest,” featuring George Clinton with Parliament-Funkadelic and special guest Morris Day and the Time. Saturday at NJ PAC, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. A one-of-a-kind night dedicated to all things funk. NJ PAC, One Center St., Newark, N.J. For more info, visit www.njpac.org.
WBLS welcomes the “Sounds of Reggae” concert to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Featuring Ali Campbell’s UB40, Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest and Shaggy all performing as part of Jamaica’s 50th year of independence celebration. For more info, www.wbls.com.
Exhibitions
“Gordon Parks: 100 Moments,” curated by Deborah Willis, New York University. Through Dec. 1, Thu.-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 visit www.schomburg center.org.
Community
“The Central Park Five,” a new documentary from David McMahon and Sarah and Ken Burns, explores the still unaddressed miscarriage of injustice involving five young New York City African-American teenagers (Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise). The film puts a spotlight on their conviction in 1989 for the brutal rape and beating of a female jogger in Central Park, a crime they did not commit. Now, years later, their story is a major film. Appearing at the IFC Center, located at Sixth Avenue and West 3rd Street; Lincoln Plaza Cinema, 1886 Broadway, between 62nd and 63rd streets on Broadway; and Maysles Cinema in Harlem, 343 Lenox Ave. (Malcolm X Boulevard).
The World African Diaspora Union presents a health forum. Want to learn how to get rid of your cancer, diabetes and hypertension? There will be a screening of “Food Matters,” examining solutions for overcoming illnesses naturally. Saturday, Dec. 1, from 2-6 p.m. Afrikan Poetry Theatre, 176-03 Jamaica Ave., Queens. For more info, call 718-523-3312 or visit www.afrikanpoetrytheatre.org.
Dr. Lenora Fulani will interview Roy Ayers, a music legend and one of the most sampled artists in history. Always innovating, he has enjoyed a long and accomplished career as a soul, funk and jazz composer and the No. 1 vibraphone player. Fulani will interview Ayers on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, 163 W. 125th St., Second Floor. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by calling 212-962-1699.
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.