Posted By Editor C. Harrison

AN EXQUISITE ENTERTAINER

STEVE HIGGINS

September 20, 2017

York College, CUNNY will open its performing Arts season with  an exciting  concert by tenor soloist, Steve Higgins. In addition to his credentials he is also known for Jazz, Gospel and Jamaican folk music, with three solo albums to his credits.

Higgins is a member of the popular trio, Dem 3 Jamaican Tenors, along with David Reid and Cecil Cooper. Higgins is an award -winning Actor and his guest artist will thrill the audience at the Milton G Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College. His eclectic repertoire usually includes favorites from classical, Broadway, ballads, Jazz and selections from popular genres with an infusion of island music from his native Jamaica. He will appear with Dahlia Wynter, April Marr & David Reid .

He has performed at New York Mets games and at a tribute for Queens Elizabeth 11 on the occasion of her 90th birthday celebration. He has also sung with Olive Lewins’s Jamaican Folk Singers. As an actor Higgins has had leading roles in musical theatre productions such as Sweeny Todd, Pepper, A Little Night Music and Fair Lady .

You will be infuse by this amazing group of singers  that will excite you with lessons about “keeping it fresh and new or rekindling the flame and just how to make her happy”. “The energetic banter is guaranteed to make you laugh and to increase your  understanding as to the language of love.”

I especially love his jazz piece “Fly Me To The Moon.” I surmise that you will love it too. Coming to Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College, Sunday, September 24, 2017..show time 6:00 pm, Tickets are $30, $40, and $60.

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

who remove my work this will be investigateed

Post by: Editor C. Harrison: 7/26/2017 

PLAYING DICE WITH OUR HEALTH

                         photo credit: C. Harrison…courtesy of my garden

Written By Editor : C. Harrison/7/26/2017

New York, NY.. Today is D-day and most New Yorkers are afraid. We are afraid of losing what we have has health insurance. We are afraid that many of our Seniors will resort to going back to Canada crossing the border to get good health service or to fill there prescriptions, this was what many had to do in years pass.

Today, the Republicans have drafted up an evil and vicious healthcare decree. A decree that will put us all in a state of confuse sense. This administration have toyed with see less numbers, numbers that are not real to bolster their argument for driving us into the sea with the plan they’re laying out for health insurance.

How can they run a productive nation on gas only. There is going to be a time when the gas is finish the engine breaks down and the product needs fixing? where to turn if there is no viable avenue and you can’t afford the status quo health.

It is in-conceivable that this administration do not care to or understand or don’t want to understand it populas and their health needs. They will tell you that it cost too much, but for who does it cost too much.? Who is really paying for your health insurance? its not them you can bet on that. Matter of fact, we are the ones paying  for their health coverage imagine that and they in-turn don’t want to give you any. Ask yourself this, is this right?

More importantly, this administration,  is decrying the middle class, depriving them of a good healthcare system. Without a middle class unit functioning as a body, which they are, this country is nothing. A country needs the middle to keep the whole going or functioning. If they’re not stable everybody is not stable. The most important structure in any given country is its middle class. Without them their is no us. The bubble in this country has burst and we need to strengthen the middle class as well as the working poor.

I am warning as I did 20 + year ago, that the middle as in middle class, will burst along with the working poor and it did; now If this administration continues to tamper with the efforts of many who want to see our nation climb further out of the whole dugged by some it better shape up, buck up and smell the grease can; because if they don’t and the middle continue its decent…along with the working poor it is going to be devastating for us has a nation. We might never come back which I think that is what the Russians are kind of hoping and smell.

The last administration, the Obama administration tried with all its might…along party lines, within party lines and outside party lines. That administration maneuver when there was no help, where there was no help, with help and under surmount of pressure. And had to deal with those who needed the help but asked too late thus, many got left out and Obama took the blame. Obama work with his Gov, with his people, with this nation’s populas and did brought some credibility and dignity to this nation. His administration gave us most of what we ask and what he could do with out the help.

This current administration a few months in is already seeing black, people are dropping out like flies, some are running with their backs half turned and other are cloak and daggering. What is the Republicans doing…nothing to stop this administration but is surely twisting the knife into the nation’s side. Why? no one can understand it; imagine that, we the Government who’re paying for their healthcare coverage. Well, we the People are seeing red and the knife twisting must stop.

People we has a nation has to be able to stop and smell the roses sometimes.                                                   photo credit: C. Harrison.  

Posted By: Editor C. Harrison

via Senator James Sanders jr.

Immediate  Release

Posted By: C. Harrison/July 4, 2017

New York, NY….Today Senator James Sanders Jr. chided the senate Republican/IDC Majority Coalition for failing New Yorkers during the past legislative session. The Senator said that while some accomplishments were made , the 2017 Legislative Session will be judged on what was left undone. Sanders highlighted the Senate Republicans/IDC Majority’s failure to address a host od issues and ignoring efforts by the Senate Democrats to resist the Trump Agenda.

“New Yorkers deserve better from their state government and they have been failed by those in power in the State Senate,” Sanders said.   “I am deeply frustrated and disappointed by the Senate Republicans/IDC Majority’s refusal to listen to the voters and enact real reforms and progressive polices. While the Senate leadership may have skipped town, I’ will keep up the fight to give my constituents and all New Yorkers, the government results they demand and deserve.”

The New  York State Senate ended the 2017 Legislative Session this past Wednesday, June 21. On the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The Senate Republicans .IDC Leadership dragged out proceedings into late hours of the night. Despite this fact, they refused to act on critical issues like criminal justice reforms, protecting New Yorkers’ health care, investing more in public education, protecting the environment, and many, many more. Additionally, the Senate Republicans/IDC Coalition failed to extend mayoral control, thereby  throwing the 1.1 million student New York City public school system into chaos.

Senator Sanders who’s the Chair of the Senate Democratic MWBE Task Force, did noted that there were some successes over the past legislation session. A raise the age compromise was passed in the Senate Budget which will take full affect in October 2019. Sander said, together with Assembly member Rodneyse Bichette, Chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on MWBEs, kicked off the first ever MWBE Advocacy Day in Albany.

“I am very proud to serve as Chair of the Senate Democratic MWBE Task Force, because it enables me to continue the work that I did in the New York City Council to support minority and women-owned businesses,” Senator Sanders Jr. added. He said, “While we took strides to grow the economy and help encourage investment in minority communities, the fact remains that the Senate Republicans/IDC Coalition skipped town with many issues left untouched and unaccomplished. Over the weeks and months ahead I will continue pushing for common sense reforms and legislation to protect New Yorkers from Donald Trump.”