Posted By: Editor C. Harrison August 29, 2017

 A CONVERTED SPACE FOR

QUEENS WOMEN

By: Editor C. Harrison/August 29, 2017

A restoration plaque and public space was dedicated to the women of Queens August 22, 2017. The “Women’s Plaza in Queens,” ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the northeast corner of Union Turnpike and Queens  Boulevard across  from Borough Hall, Kew Gardens. Borough President, Melinda Katz hosted the ceremony.

The removal of the original  statue “Triumph of Civic virtue,” was the idea of former Borough President, Claire Shulman who wanted it gone went she was the borough’s President. Shulman infamously stated of the old statue, “A municipal building is not appropriate place for a statue that portrays women as evil and treacherous.”

The new plaza was formerly the site of the controversial “Triumph of Civic Virtue” statue, a 17-foot high marble statue depicted a male nude  standing on top of two female figures representing “Vice” and “Corruption.” The statue was commissioned by Mayor George b. McClellan, Jr. in 1909 and  designed by Beaux-Arts sculptor Frederick MacMonnies.

The statue was installed and resided at City Hall since 1922 until it was  relocated by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia in 1941, to the grounds of the then new Queens Borough Hall, where it remained for over 70 years. The statue finally found a permanent home in December 2012, at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, where MacMonnies father , mother and brother are interred. 

In January 2014, after taking office that newly installed Borough President Katz, endorsed former Borough President Helen Marshall’s idea to repair and restore the remaining structure and surrounding plaza and to repurpose and dedicate it to the women of Queens.

According to Borough President Katz, “Queens has been home to so many incredible trail-blazing women across all industries, from business to politics, sport to entertainment,”  “The Women ‘s Plaza in Queens-located in our borough’s civic center–is a visible, meaningful tribute to all the women of Queens who have made a lasting positive impact in New City and around the globe. This  newly restored public space at Queens Borough Hall should be utilized by many and will serve as a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we must go.”

I asked of the Borough President, what does the significant of the newly restore statue means to her in-light of how women are depicted by our President today, she stated “It means we are moving forward.” Katz also said  the statue signified the importance of the movements around the country.

BP Katz, further articulated  that it’s essential that children recognize the statue and asked about it. Why it is dedicated to women.

State Senator Leroy Comrie, another former Deputy Borough President, said the statue represented the dark day of Queens and if anyone had seen the space before it was 10 shades darker. He said people can come and enjoy the space.

Claire Shulman, who thank and congratulated Borough President Katz for creating a beautiful space where people can relax and women will now be celebrated rather than denigrated. She also referenced the fact  that we can’t champion the sculptor’s legend– too many women leaders have come out of Queens.

The base of the statue was repaired and cleaned as apart of a restoration project funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Brought President Katz, which began in May 2016 by  DDC and contractor Perspective Construction Company, The $960,000 capital project restored damaged stonework, improved landscaping and installed  plantings, new lighting and benches for public use. The site now also includes a ceremonial plaque indicating that the site has been rededicated in honor of the women of Queens.

Highlights from the ribbon-cutting ceremony…all photographs taken by C. Harrison….

     C> Harrison in last photo

Posted By: Editor C. Harrison 8/17/2017 @ 4:48 PM

The ECIPS Festival Features Grammy winner and R&B artist Freddie Jackson, International icons Queens Ifrica, Elephant Man, Half Pint, Tinga Stewart, Papa Michigan; Catching the attention of New Yorkers  with their latest are Akon, Alkaline, Kiprich,  Denise Belfon, Roy Ryan, Remy Ma, De La Ghetto, Genah, Donyale, and Maddadan;  international musical stalwarts singers Mega Banton, Taflon and Lady G

According to organizers a transformation will take place via Doicia Grant owner of Jewels Caribbean Café—creating a much anticipating  wait.

August 20, 2017

General admissions  $70 • VIP Admissions $150 • Exclusive VIP $250

for more information: www.ecipsmusicfestival.com

Canada’s Caribbean Film Festival

Posted By: Editor C. Harrison 8/17/2017

New York, NY…  Toronto, Canada, launched their 2017, Caribbean Film Festival. The year’s featured film is A Caribbean Dream and the international release of the trailer for Toronto-bases filmmaker Sharon Lewis’ fifteen year  labour of love -a soon to be release Afrp futurist film Brown Girl Begins.  The Caribbean Tales International Film Festival (CTFF) held the media launch. It was co-presented by the Consul General of Barbados in Toronto.

With fourteen feature films and thirty short films from eighteen countries, the twelfth annual CTFF promised to challenge viewers on the beauty and complexities of Caribbean legacy. Screenings series will take place from September 6 through September 21, 2017, at The Rpyal Cinema and ay Cineplex Scotiabank Cinema