Posted by: C. Harrison/January 27, 2016

Last chance to sign up for your free market Obamacare Health Insurance before January 31, 2016. You don’t want to wait another several months. Sign up now  ♥ yourself.

Posted By: C. Harrison/January 27, 2016

Program Schedule & Activities at JCAL

Curated by MLJ Johnson

On view: February 5-March 24—–Reception Friday, Febryary 20- 4 to 6pm Free-JCAL Robert Miller Gallery/161-04 Jamaica Ave

The exhibit showcases work by WEUSI Artist Collective members. Reminiscent of the Black Arts Movement of African American imagery in a more contemporary context.

WEUSI.com Artist includes: Che Baraka, Stanwyck,  Cromwel, Talwo DuVal, Gaylord Hassan, Rod Ivery, MLJ Johnson, Dindga McCannon, Karl McIntosh, Otto Neals, Ademola Olugebefola,  Okoe Pyatt, Ed Sherman and Emmett Wigglesworth.

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On view from: February 1 to March 31, 2016 at JCAL Community Gallery-161-04 Jamaica Ave

On loan from African American Museum of Nassau County, this exhibit shows images of Queen Sophia Charlotte of Meckleburg-Strelitz, also known as the ‘grandmother of European royalty’ and 400 years earlier, Queen Philippa of Hainault who was mother of the warrior knight, Edward the Black.

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By: August Wilson/Directed by Arthur French

-Thurs, February 18, / 7:30pm

-Friday, February 19, /7:30pm

-Saturday, February 20, /7:30pm

-Sunday, February 21, /3:00pm

JCAL presents the dramatic presentation of FENCES, written by the award-winning playwright August Wilson and directed by renowned director Arthur French. Winner of 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. FENCES is set on the 1950s, exploring and examining the evolving African American experience and race relations among other themes.

All performances will take place at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (J-PAC), located at 153-10 Jamaica Avenue Jamaica, NY. For tickets information call our box office at (718) 658-7400 x 2300.

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Friday, February 19, 2016, 6:30pm FREE/ Ghosts of Amistad, in the Footsteps of the Rebels–JCAL’s Black Box Theater -161-04 Jamaica Ave

Join us as we explore the Amistad slave ship rebellion 177 years later with a screening of the documentary film, based on Marcus Rediker’s.  The Amistad Rebellion, an Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom (Viking-Penguin, 2012) This film documents his journey to Sierra Leone in 2013 to recover historical accounts and view the slave trading factory, Lomboko. Following the screening is a discussion lead by co-producers Dr. Philip Misevich and DR. Konrad Tuchscerer.  To reserve seats: ( 718) 206-0545 x 13.

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Saturday , February 27, 2016-7:30

United African Dance Troupe -The Year of The Calabash

Tickets $10 Children & $ 25 Adults —At Jamaica  Performing Arts Center (JPAC) Directed by Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson

Experience the United African Dance Troup’s signature libation, drumming and dance performance honoring the ancestors of the African Diaspora.  Call  (917) 519-3425 for tickets information

Posted By: C. Harrison/January 27, 2016

This Event Is For Clergy And Faith-Based Leaders Only

A community Clergy Breakfast will be hosted by State Senator James Sanders Jr. January 29, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church located at 111-10 Guy R Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11433.

The guest speaker will be BLOCPower. The month’s topic will be “Energy efficiency for churches, non-profits and small businesses”

For more information or to RSVP,  contact Kevin Jean Baptists at (718) 523-3069 or via email at jean@nysenate.gov

REMEMBERING MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

By: C. Harrison/Jan 18, 2016/5:17PM

Also on my facebook page:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2016…….Today is a great day because Dr. King passed through this world. Use this day to reflect and draw comfort on what situation we could now be beholden to in 2016, had it not been for one man who decided to help his own. Today, we are grateful for his courage and stamina. Today,  we pray for God’s blessing for all races.

DR. King came to us-this world for the said purpose that he lived and died. He fulfill his promised, he knew what he had to do and he did it under pure grace and stature and fell as he knew he would for his fellow man….just as Jesus did for us in his days. The similarities of both men is un-candid toward there fellow man and shouldn’t go unmissed or un notice by us………They live on through the ages.

DEATH IN THREES

   Natalie Cole: born 1950 & closed her eyes Dec 31, 2015 @ 65

                                    Rene Angelil: born 1942 & closed his eyes Jan 2016 @ 73

David Bowie: born 1947 & closed his eyes Jan 2016 @ 79

By: C. Harrison/January 18, 2016/4:06PM

I remembered were I was when I heard the announcement over the radio that Natalie Cole had died….My two cousins and I was on our way to Dyker Heights, in Brooklyn to see the Christmas lights, we wanted my cousin from Canada to experience the spirit of it all.

January came in with a bang and everyone gave thanks for making it; thereafter the other foot dropped, I was in my kitchen cooking and again heard over the radio that Celine Dion’s husband Rene Angelil, had died of Cancer…..Were I come from we know that most of the time death goes in pairs of three. I immediately wondered who was next, days later the most unexpected name  dropped David Bowie. How ironic that all three had been battling Cancer and died within  proximity of age.   As if Natalie went first and came back for the other two Ace, Rene and Bowie. All three contributed greatly to the Music Industry and all three left their respective legacy for generations to learn from.

I strongly believe that there is a game going on in heaven-that when an Ace dies it look for other Ace cards and take them out. These three will be remembered for generations to come for the share facts about their lives and their vision that they shared with us.

Posted By C. Harrison/Jan 13, 2016/7:00PM

Finn Partners Giving Back to Their Community. It was a night filled with Journalists, Editors, Models, Community Business Partners, Music Promoters and Public Relation Partners.

Photos taken by: C. Harrison

BOROUGH PRESIDENT IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATION

Posted By: C. Harrison/January 12, 2016

Borough President Katz has began accepting applications from organizations seeking Discretionary Capital and Expense Funds for fiscal year 2017 (July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017). Application process and applicable deadlines can be found online at www.queensbp.org/budget. Borough President Katz and the Queens Borough Board will hold a public hearing at he Mayor’s  Fiscal Year 2017 Preliminary Expense and Capital Budgets on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 1:30 PM at Queens Borough Hall. Members of the public are encouraged to testify but are also advice to  pre-register at www.queensbp.org/budget to secure a speaking time slot.

Posted By: C. Harrison/January 12, 2016

FREE APPLICATION SUBMITTION

The Jamaica Center for the Arts and Learning (JACAL) is inviting artist to submit applications for free one-month residency, osing JACAL’s studios. Artists will then present their work for the following JACAL first Friday Residency Series event.

Application will be accepted in the following disciplines:

~Poetry and creative Writing

~Film-making/Video and Multi-media

~Performance Arts

~Visual Arts

SOME FROM HIGHLIGHTS FROM JACAL’S CHRISTMAS PARTY Photos By: C. Harrison

  An Artist in her own rights she came to JACAL at 5-years old, she is now 65 and still Teaching at JACAl

SOUTH EAST QUEENS ARTIST CIRCLE

Posted By : C. Harrison

Discover grant opportunities available for Artist: Visual Artist, Filmmakers,  Dancers, and Actors….

Come join Senator James Sanders Jr.

January 20, 2016

6:30 PM To  8:30 PM

Center for the Arts and Learning

Location Jamaica Avenue at 161-04 Jamaica Avenue New York, 11432

Highlights from the last meet: Photos By: C.Harrison

 ITS HUMANITARIAN AWARD

photo credit: C. Harrison

By: C. Harrison/January 1, 2016/5:00 am

New York, NY….COJO, is a New York’s base Jamaican Charity; Children of Jamaica Outreach Inc., held its 21st Annual Fundraising Gala and Humanitarian Awards recently at the Hilton New York, JFK Airport. At the event, six outstanding community service awards were handed out to individuals and corporations that were most charitable to those in need in 2015; to children base in New York and Jamaica. Meteorologist Dave Price of NBC New 4, served has emcee for the evening.

The Gala Affair was attended by 250 plus guest, including his Excellency Ralph Thomas & his wife Sharon, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Rev. Cannon Calvin McIntyre, political consultant Basil Smikle, among numerous other officials. Director of Administration at Sandals Resort International, Wayne Cummings, was this year’s guest of honor.

The Gala’s entertainment was provided by No-Maddz and Tropical Rhythms, who entertained during the cocktail hour and music ensued by Empea Entertainment.

photo credit: Margot Jordan

Headliner of the grant  affair, Olympian, Veronica Campbell Brown, whose award was presented to her by COJO’s Founder, Gary Williams, thanked COJO, on being selected as the recipient of the special award. She was slated for the coveted award because she championed the work of COJO and its mission, which is similar to her own Foundation, which focuses on young women not children. The Sprinter,  was also chosen for her work as a Goodwill Ambasador to promote gender equity and her efforts to give back to her home town in Trelawny.

The 2015 honorees were rounded out by: Madge Warren, for COJO’s Distinguish Service Award, Patrick Jolly, for COJO’s Visionary Award, Orville Mckenzie & Donald Vernon, Esq for COJO’s Community Service Award and Caribbean Airline, for COJO’s Corporate Service Award.

In addition, when addressing guests, Mr. William thanked sponsors, donors, and supporters for their commitment to the organization’s overall well being to ensure that COJO, is able to continue its mission of amelioration, to help in in the health, education and general affairs of underserviced children in Jamaica and here in the United States. Thus far, COJO, has contributed $500,000 to various child care facilities in Jamaica and provided scholarships to deserving wards of the State.

The organization which is made up of volunteers has, for the past two decades, supported a number of institutions in the United States and Jamaica, including  the Alpha Boy’s Home, Glenhope Place of Safety, Marigold Child Centre, City of Refuge, St. Augustine Place of Safety for Boys, Musgrave Girl’s Home in Jamaica and in New York, the Jamaica, Queens YMCA. Moreover,  since its inception in 1994, COJO, has dedicated its resources to the human and financial sector, to help make a difference in the lives of children in penury, in Jamaica and here in the United States.

Corporate sponsors for the Gala consisted of: JetBlue Airways, Half Moon, Hyatt Ziva, Jamaica Inn,  Courtleigh & Suites, Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, Jamaica Tourist Board, Caribbean Airline, Finn Partners, Grace Foods, Jablum, Sandals Resort, The Door Restaurant, Tower Isles and Walkerwood. Proceeds from the  evening’s fundraising will provide scholarship and support for deserving students and Jamaican child care institutions in need.

Highlights