Happy Birthday Bobby.

The Bean's own Bobby Brown was born this day in 1969. Get your barber or hairstylist to hook you up with an asymmetrical haircut, strap on some giant shoulder pads and get to giggin to some of Mr. Brown's greatest hits. Since I'm a Tenderoni, I plan to do the running man with Every Little Step I take, cuz it's My Prerogative.

Holleration in the Hood (part 1)

EXT. TREE LINED STREET IN THE PROJECTS - LATE AFTERNOON

A freezing cold winter day in Roxbury, MA. Few people and little traffic on a remote side street. I walk rapidly to my car before I go Bobby Drake.

A young 'round the way brotha walks toward me after just exiting a Black SUV, as another young brotha exits a sedan behind him, and begins helping his three children out of the car. The 'round the way brotha calls out to me as I continue to speed-walk down the sidewalk.

BROTHA FROM 'ROUND THE WAY

(catcalling tone)

"Yo Ma, how you doin?"

ME

(continues walking rapidly while responding)

"Ahight, thanks. How are you?"

BROTHA FROM 'ROUND THE WAY

"You don't have to have your hood all pulled low like that Ma. Can't even see your face!"

ME

"Um, yeah I do. It's freezing out here, Son!"

BROTHA FROM 'ROUND THE WAY

(calling over his shoulder after I've passed him by)

"I mean, you could just wear a hat or something though..."

ME

"I got a hat on too!"

Young brotha with kids starts cracking up as he hustles his children inside their building, and winks at me as he passes.

Meet me in the House of Love...

Start stretching now people, because come Saturday, it's gonna be on and poppin! Get ready to break out your hottest b-boy/girl moves, your roger rabbit and cabbage patch, or your tightest two-step for the House of Love dance-a-thon for Haiti.

I think of no better reason to sweat it out on the dance floor until a charlie horse kicks in than for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Check out the details:

BOSTON HOUSEMUSIC COALITION / LOVE & NAPPINESS together with
THE ROXBURY Y.M.C.A and PARTNERS IN HEALTH

Present

“HOUSE OF LOVE for HAITI”
12 HOUR DANCE-A-THON & MUSICAL EVENT (For ALL Ages)

We encourage you to bring your entire Family (Especially Kids)! This is going to be a Fun-Filled Event for ALL!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6th, 2010
12 Noon – 12 Midnight

- FOOD
- VENDORS
including:
:: LGappareL® http://www.HaitianNation.com ::
:: Janeen St. Louis "J JEWELS" ::
- KIDS ACTIVITIES

*We will have a room set up for kids to draw pictures, write letters, make cards to send out to Families & Kids over in Haiti*

Some of Boston’s Top DJ’S have teamed up and donated their time, talent & resources to play the best in:

- HIP HOP
- R&B
- OLD SCHOOL
- REGGAE
- HAITIAN CREOLE / KOMPA
- DEEP HOUSE
- DANCE CLASSICS
- FUNK
- DISCO

DJ LINE-UP:

12pm-1pm: DJ NI-TEE
1pm-2pm: DJ PAUL FOLEY
2pm-3pm: DJ BRUNO
3pm-4pm: MS. THANG
4pm-5pm: DJ VAL BEATS / DJ PAIN / DJ CUE
5pm-6pm: KING ILABASH
6pm-7pm: DJ NOMADIK & LUNA del FLOR
7pm-8pm: DJ CRUZZ
8pm-9pm: IGNACIO FORRESTER
9pm-10pm: CHRIS GRANT & DJ SAVUTH
10pm-11pm: KC HALLET
11pm-12am: BOB DIESEL


::: PLUS SPECIAL LIVE PERFORMANCES BY :::

- 2 time winner of The Apollo Theater Amateur Night
- Featured "Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam" Poet:
- Recording Artist

.:: OVEOUS MAXIMUS ::.

And

poet/vocalist:

.:: IYEOKA IVIE OKOAWO ::.

- 2nd place 2009 Individual WORLD POETRY SLAM Champion
- 2008 recipient of the National Performance Network / NCCC Artist of Color Residency Award.


====================================

.:: THE SONGBIRDS ::.

featuring:
- TASHI PIQUE
- DONNA MANSORA
- LUNA del FLOR

==========================

.:: JUSTIN WAITHE & INDUS JOHNSON ::.

performing a song:
"THERE'S HOPE"

============================

AND OTHER SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES.

* PLUS a special Aerobic WORKOUT SESSION with:

REGGIE B.
Master Fitness Trainer

===============================

::: SOUND and LIGHTS PROVIDED BY :::

VAL BEATZ
(Good Life Entertainment)

::: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK :::

- JORGE "DJ CRUZZ" GALVEZ - for designing such a beautiful flyer and poster for this event. You are truely a master at your craft brother!

** There will be SPECIAL RAFFLES from FILENE'S BASEMENT to be given away!

=============================================

THIS IS A TIME AND NEED WHERE WE ALL HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND SHOW OUR LOVE & SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAITI. WE ALL LOVE MUSIC, WE ALL LOVE TO DANCE, SO COME OUT AND JOIN US AND RAISE MONEY FOR THIS CAUSE.

"WOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT, AN EVENT LIKE THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. WE AT PARTNERS IN HEALTH ARE GREATFUL YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR HAITI"
- Samantha Enders
Regional Outreach Director
Partners in Health

BRING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, KIDS, TEENS, EVERYBODY!
FOR 12 HOURS WE HAVE TO GIVE TO THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON AND ALL THAT COME. HAVE THE BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE AND SHARE IN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION FOR LIFE.

::: Suggested Donations :::
* Minimum $10 DONATION (ADULTS)
** Minimum $3 DONATION (KIDS: Ages 12-17)

Proceeds will go to PARTNERS IN HEALTH to help aid in relief efforts in Haiti

Networking Mixer...time to revive...

TONIGHT, Friday, 22 Jan 10, HBNN and Jazz Cafe & Bar are hosting a networking mixer for all to come out and unwind. We are getting together to be able to find a safe space to come together with others to connect, decompress, and appreciate the people who are in our lives. This has been a really busy and hectic week for all of us, however it will be good to take a moment to reflect on our recent successes, get re-energized and to build new ideas and plans to take us forward.

This will be a relaxed lounge feeling that encompasses music such as Haitian, Zouk, Neo-Soul, R & B, and Classic Hip Hop

Location: Jazz Cafe & Bar
4174 Washington Street
Roslindale Square
(Across from Dunkin Donuts)

Time: 7pm-2am

Dress Casual

There is so much that could be said about the need for us all to band together in sustained support of our brothers and sisters in Haiti, but this is a time for actions, not words. So that said, please support Unity.

EMW presents: YOUNGJOO JULIA LEE with KUMJU PARK on keys

Come join Boston Progress for the August Open Mic featuring YOUNGJOO JULIA LEE w. KUMJU PARK on keys

When?
Friday, August 14, 2009 @ 8pm

Where?
East Meets West Bookstore
934 Mass Ave, Cambridge
$3 suggested minimum donation

Bring a poem, song, story, thoughts to share, and ears with an open mind.

Join the vibe. Sign up starts at 8pm, come early if you want seats, the space will fill up quickly! All ages are welcome.

This month's feature is YOUNGJOO JULIA LEE with KUMJU PARK on keys.

Youngjoo Julia Lee is a jazz vocalist, violinist, arranger and composer. She is a talented, imaginative and dedicated musician with a unique and rich vocal sound. She loves to listen to, play, and sing every kind of music, but she prefers to perform jazz, Latin, and Brazilian styles of music more than she does other styles. Youngjoo fell in love with jazz because she could be creative and be free with the rules of the genre.

She has performed at hotels and major jazz clubs and worked as a voice instructor at music academies in Korea. She is currently attending Berklee College of Musicon the 'North American Scholarship' , majoring in Voice Performance and Music Business & Management.

General Meeting @ 6:30pm

There will also be a general meeting at the bookstore before the open mic so folks who are interested in learning more about Boston Progress or getting involved are encouraged to attend. These meetings are always open to the general public.

Boston Progress Arts Collective is a community of API* artists that aims to create a supportive space and outlet for personal growth, creative expression, and artistic exploration. We strive to use art as an active means for mobilization and education within our communities locally, nationally, and beyond.

Plug in at the Pru

(photo credit: Nuri © 2009)

I was shopping at Trader Joe's on Boylston when a friend called to tell me that there was something right up my alley just up the street. I walked down the block and spotted these giant daisies in front of the Prudential Center ready to brighten my day. Topped with solar panels and featuring bench bases with outlets, these Prius contributions give new meaning to flower power. Stop for a moment to charge your cell phone if it's running low, or chill on one of the benches with your laptop to take advantage of the wifi, or to write the next best-seller without running out of juice. What could be better than enjoying some new school photosynthesis while you shop?