The Night is Beautiful...

"The night is beautiful,
So the faces of my people.

The stars are beautiful,
So the eyes of my people.

Beautiful, also, is the sun.
Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people."

When I was very little, I was taught and memorized this poem entitled My People, by Langston Hughes in an acting class at the Elma Lewis School. Both the words and their meaning have stuck with me with perfect clarity even to this day. This is just one small example of the impact that Elma Lewis and her school had on students, and on the Black community in Boston as a whole. Although the school is no longer in existence, her legacy lives on through the National Center of Afro-American Artists, which she founded in 1968 and through the Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park, which you can check out through the month of August in Franklin Park.

roxbury film festival 2008

the roxbury film festival is an annual event for filmmakers to showcase their talents. each year the festival draws some of the most innovative films and incredible national talent (ruby dee and robert townsend this year y'all!) and is a celebration of the diverse and rich perspectives of people of color.

there are some really promising films in this year's lineup. some of my personal picks are:

FRIDAY

The Night James Brown Saved Boston - Friday, 5:30pm @ Wentworth
"Focuses on a little known but pivotal event that followed the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leef and his team tell the story of how James Brown - one of the greatest, most popular and influential artists of the 25th century - faced the crucible moment of his life and career and became an American hero."

If you don't know about the story of this James Brown performance then you're missing out on a piece of Boston's history and of music legend.

Jellysmoke (dinner & movie w/ Michael Ealy) - Friday, 7pm @ Haley House
"After his latest stay in a psychiatric facility, Jacob (Michael Ealy) struggles to prevent his mental health from spiraling out of control, as his manic episodes become increasingly psychotic."

Delicious Haley House food. Micheal Ealy. You can't go wrong.

SATURDAY

Africa Unite - Saturday, 3pm @ MFA
"Africa Unite is a singular and masterfully executed film by Stephanie Black that is at once concert tribute, Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary, igniting the screen with the spirit of world-renowned reggae icon Bob Marley in its every frame. In commemoration of Bob's 60th birthday, Africa Unite is centered on the Marleys first-time-ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005. Includes rare footage of the legendary reggae icon Bob Marley."

Of Boys & Men - Saturday, 6pm @ Northeastern
"Robert Townsend stars as the patriarch of a family devastated when his wife is killed in a senseless auto accident. Reeling with grief, each family member must find courage and vision to carry on, ultimately eager to do the mother proud."

Sister's Keeper - Saturday, 8pm @ Northeastern
"Sister's Keeper is an action-drama about a military-trained assassin, Jacob Tate, who has been sent by his handler to eliminate a small-town, school teacher, Diane Shaw. Diane mistakes Jacob for her long-lost brother and he finds himself drawn to her colorful, Southern family."

Action/drama where the target is a school teacher. I'm there. Also, local favorite Jibril Haynes will have a short film screened before Sister's Keeper called Your Daughter's First Date. I'm guessing it's a horror film for parents of teenagers.

SUNDAY

Pray the Devil Back to Hell - Sunday, 12pm @ Wentworth
"Pray the Devil Back to Hell recounts the experience of a group of Liberian women who came together to bring peace to their country after years of conflict. (Screening partner Coolidge Corner Theater)."

Welcome to the Terrordome - Sunday, 2:30pm @ Wentworth
"Chronicles the 20 year career of rap band Public Enemy and their impact on the music world. Known for their ability of weave serious messages of activism and societal ills into their music, two decades later, this controversial group of the 80s is still going strong."

There are so many other films in the lineup that really look like they're worth seeing, particularly the Youth Produced/Focused films screening at the Roxbury Center for the Arts @ Hibernian Hall on Saturday starting at 2pm. For a full listing of all films being screened, check the schedule.

great minds...

If you haven't heard about the Greatest Minds yet, then you definitely aren't hip to what's happening for brown folks in the Bean. But, that's why I'm here to put you on, right?

Greatest Minds is an inter-generational collective of Black Bostonians committed to developing strategies to solve community problems in leadership, education, politics, entrepreneurship, nightlife and networking in Boston. Young people, veteran community activists, corporate leaders, college students, educators, and next generation leaders have been coming together to share information and to develop action steps for Black Boston. For more information email the Greatest Minds.

Last night was the latest meeting of the Minds, where the focus was Boston's nightlife scene. A lot of folks complain that there's nothing to do at night here, but the truth of the matter is, there's A LOT going on. Yes, it could be better and that's what folks were building on at last night's meeting. There are a lot of people working hard to put on great events for you and I to enjoy (and hopefully to make some cheese for themselves in the process - can you say economic stimulus?). Here are just a few of the upcoming events that were mentioned last night:

WEDNESDAY: Poetic Escape @ Blue Wave (see yesterday's post).

THURSDAY: Socialite Thursdays @ District - 180 Lincoln St Boston, MA 02111. 21+. RSVP for FREE admission all night.

FRIDAY: First Fridays @ Whiskey Park - The Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 64 Arlington St., Boston. Business/Business Casual/Classy Upscale attire REQUIRED. Collared shirts for men. No athletic wear, hats or sneakers. Dress to Impress. For more information call (617)943-0656.

For my b-boys/b-girls, see yesterday's post on the Floorlords' event, United Styles 4.

SATURDAY: (again, see yesterday's post for info on the HipHop Fest and Influence Show).

A Night on the Roof of the Hyatt Regency Boston - 1 Avenue De Lafayette, Boston. Tickets $20. For more information visit www.gfhf.com:


SUNDAY: Poetry Jam @ The Lizard Lounge - 1667 Mass Ave., Cambridge. $5. Poetry Slam starts at 7:30pm, followed by a featured poet and open mic accompanied by the incredible Jeff Robinson Trio. All that for $5. Can't beat it.

And for my house heads, as always there's Utopia @ An Tua Nua



There. Have a great weekend. Don't say I never gave you nuthin. Oh and, if I've left anything off the list, my apologies. The coffee hasn't kicked in yet. Hit up the comments section and share the 411.

a good weekend for hiphop

the floorlords have become synonymous with b-boying/b-girling in boston. if you want to see some amazing breakin, check them out this weekend @ united styles 4.

speaking of synonymous crews, you can't talk about graffiti in this city and not give props to the the sickest crew in the game, ALA. these cats have been showing and proving for decades with unparalleled visual edutainment. the younger generation (PFP) has been well mentored by members of the ALA crew and are doing big things themselves. they have a show coming up at the piano factory on saturday, august 2, 2008. be there, or be square!

the influence show 6pm-12am
@ the piano factory
791 tremont street, boston

showcasing new and old works of art by lee beard, as well as his influences. bring your friends and family, this should be big. featuring artwork from celebrities such as: Astro 3, Neckro 2, Bamboo2, Deme5, Problak, Marka27, Biz20, Audio9, Never of sf crew, Dayz, Odesy & many more. there will be food and drinks. no cameras please.

last but not least, be sure to check out the annual hiphop fest:

city hall plaza 4pm-8pm
saturday, august 2, 2008.

this year's show will feature epmd, das efx and chubb rock! oh and did i mention, it's FREE!!!

do you need a poetic escape?

want to know a little secret about the bean? boston has some of the hottest poets in the game. maybe it's all the brainpower converging in such a small radius. maybe the constantly changing weather that keeps folks on their toes that sparks such creativity. maybe it's in the water. whatever it is, the spoken word scene in boston has been blessed with extraordinary talent, passion and diversity for many years now.

come check out some of the skills on the last wednesday of each month:

POETIC ESCAPE
9pm @ the blue wave
343 congress street, boston
$5 21+ casual dress

hosted by: elie, herby & nuri

music by : dj solblak & paul foley

jazz - soul - funk - house - neo-soul

70's-90's classic hiphop, r&b and reggae
&
the jason hunter quartet

r&b - jazz - funk - rock - blues