POSTED BY: C HARRISON
POSTED By: C Harrison/November 28, 2014/8:13PM
OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR MALCOLM SMITH
On Monday, December 22, 2014, The Reverend Dr. Floyd H. Flake and The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York family will host “Christmas on Merrick.” From 10:00 am to 3:00pm on the 22nd, Merrick Boulevard, between 110th Avenue and 111th Avenue; will be closed to traffic and “Christmas on Merrick,” will afford us an outreach opportunity to connect with our neighbors this holiday season. We hope you will join Reverend Flake and Southeast Queens community at “Christmas on Merrick.”
In December 2007, The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Association and Feed the Children Program hosted “Miracle on Merrick Boulevard,” which feed over 10,000 people during the holiday season. It was one of the largest food give-away events ever hosted in New York City. It also served as part of an ongoing effort to alleviate hunger during the holidays, and raise pubic awareness of the 1. 4 million New Yorkers who go hungry every day.
With this year’s “Christmas on Merrick,” we will continue that effort and distribute toys, clothes, food and personal care items to underserved families who struggle to afford basic necessities. We have once again partnered with Feed the Children Program, and have commitments from City Harvest, Toys R’ Us, Men’s Wearhouse, Starbucks, and NCAA. We also anticipate commitments from WBLS/WLIB, Emblem Health, in addition to other certified Health Professionals, who will be on-site to provide a variety of health screenings and health care registration for families that are currently without care.
Please consider joining us in this momentous outreach commission by being a sponsor of “Christmas on Merrick.”
A contribution of your time, donations and support are needed. Please share this information with shelters and centers in your district that may benefit from this event. This humanitarian effort provides us all with an amazing opportunity to display compassion towards our neighbors during a time of charitable giving, remembrance and sacrifice.
It is our hope that you will consider joining us as a sponsor and help us bring joy to families this holiday season.
For further information and your availability please contact Pat Rubens at (516) 238-3639.
Posted By: C. Harrison/November
By: C. Harrison/11/26/2014/ 2:45am
photo credit: C. Harrison
Imagine! women artist in the Reggae Music Industry, had to wait 17-long years, to get back to the number #1 spot on Billboard. Etana did it for Reggae female artists, and it made us see that Cultural Reggae Music, is still alive and kicking; even though some people thought that good reggae music was dead; Ludicrous.
Monday, November 17, 2014, SOBs Night Club, in Manhattan hosted what I believe was the rebirth…of real Cultural Reggae Music and the core of what Reggae means. This is not to say, that there are not other good Cultural Reggae Music out there but right now this album is the best. And this is not ignoring the fact that the album has a couple of re-do’s, which were done over immaculately and masterfully by Etana. Thanks to the Irish and Chin Production Team and the VP Records Family, this has been in my book, a few years since Queen Ifrica; that we have gotten this type quality in reggae music coming out of Jamaica, as far as Women Reggae artist.
Duane Stephenson & C. Harrison
Etana’s entire album (CD), was well put together. The creativity and lyrical contents gives off pure vibes, up-lift-ment for the youths and this generation to rap themselves around. Joy is what I felt and the hope that in this decade, more reggae artist will try to match-up with the same or similar music.
Coming to the stage first was Duane Stephenson, who came to tease us with his kind of caroming fire and blessings. His first tease was “Rasta for High and High,” then “Real Ghetto Pressure,” cooling down with “Honey Its You That I Love,” and blazing fire with “Jah Rain Over Man.” These of course were meant to quench our thrust. Yes, his lyrical medleys coerces us to prepare for the main course. Stephenson’s performance was excellence, no short falls. His latest album is a must have.
Remising! The very first time that I heard Etana sing, was in the 2000 era…..on that very same stage at SOBs. It was her first time in the U.S., as a musician and her first debut to the New York music arena. I remember the host Michelle Thompson’s statement after Etana, was done singing to an uproar of applaud…..”Watch out for this young women, she will be someone to be reckoned with musically and she is not going away,” Ms. Thompson said. I remember pellucidly, because producer/singer Ed Robinson was sitting next to me and we all agreed in union. Ms. Thompson was right, we all felt it and knew it was because of that voice, Etana’s voice. This classy young women, has one of the most distinguish voices’ you will ever hear… a signature voice like a Whitney, Maria, or even Kayren White. You can’t dismiss it or mistaken it. This songbird rose against all odds and yes she Etana nailed it. Powerful, Powerful CD….Etana, we Rose with you, your vibes are rejuvenating.
I can tell you this, Jamaicans, Blacks and women all around the globe, will pick this cd up for Christmas; no joke. Remember back in the day when people bought up Judy Monett, Marcia Griffin, and Sister Carol’s and more recently, Ifrica album…..well, here comes Etana, packing her punches. All you have to remember is this song, “I am not Your Superwoman,” women jumped through hoops to get their hands on it after it was released and this album “I Rise,” will get the same treatment. I can’t rave enough about this album; when you hear a hit album or song you know it. No, no I can’t pick a favorite all the songs on this album are good all 15 tracks, that good. When Etana sang her song on that stage, in SOBs it brought forth the beauty in her being. She shined like a star-light, born for the part she is bestow, leaving her mark and legacy in her path. Looking at her singing and seeing the comfort and eased on her face, I couldn’t help but think of heaven bells ringing like crazy. Yes. Etana is in her element and no one was or is going to take it away from her. “I Rise,” definitely is a monster hit for Etana. Billboard couldn’t have remis.
Conscious roots message… rub-a dub style, pack with lyrics CD, Etana rised to thee.. cream of the crop….she has the best cultural reggae music album in the market today-with notoriety. Nuff and big respects to Christopher Chin and Neil “Diamond” Edwards and to the editor and mastering of the album, Christopher Scott.. Great job.
By: C. Harrison/November 17, 2014/2:11am
By: C. Harrison/November 17, 2014/12:13am
They met by chance or some would say faith, but whatever brought these two entrepreneurs Jimmy Blanco and Kirk Smith aka Killah Krome together, caused pure infusion. Its as if they were meant to be! and behaved as if they had known each other for a life time (click/karma). These two from the looks of it will be working together for a long time to come and will be making some ingenious movies yet envisioned, as well as music. To date, they have stuff (Music), that has not yet hit the streets and when they do drop some of it…can we say creativity (Mad)……..
The movie…..A first Jamaican film to really capture the essence of the 1980s drug-trade in the Caribbean Community in New York. The movie is a depiction of real life epic stories…born out of the characters dramatic lives. It accentuated itself around the ominous life of a promoter battling a New York, drug king pin….sprouting himself in the drug trade leaving dust in his wake, seemingly untouchable until his demised. The Game, is conspicuous, raw, edgy and controversial. Its characters are confident, seem well versed and look comfortable in their perspective roles…demanding to be taken seriously. Lace with real-life experiences each character come alive and each sequential puzzle comes into its own cradle….intense, emotional, gripping and sensible; comical at times with a sensible touch of wittiness, bravery comes to mind.
People who saw the movie noted praise. “Wonderful, great, nice work, love the characters, an eye opener etc.” The movie was also applauded by all that saw it and gave it an A grade for effort.
“For a first film Kirk Smith and Jimmy Blanco have established themselves as serious producers not to be taken lightly.”
Jermaine Harris, gave the movie a nine (9) rating out of a possible ten. “I like it because it’s a family movie. I love it because it’s a action flicks and I love it for the culture,” he said. Young adults and older adults… all who have seen the movie voiced some the same sentiments.
Karent Cameron, Orine Webb, and Pamela Baker of Long Island all loved the movie and wished it was longer. They voiced that they would have loved a Christian scene. Three outstanding women you would love.
All told, the movie is a hit and a must see.
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PLEASE SEE DATE FOR NEXT SHOWING ….HERE ON THIS BLOG.
