For those who don't know, my brother, dancer/choreographer/teacher Derrick Davis has been very ill and was recently hospitalized at Miriam Hospital, in Providence, RI. He is home now, recovering from surgery, but his cancer has returned and he will be undergoing chemotherapy. He is maintaining high spirits as always, in large part due to the outpouring of support, love, and friendship that he has been shown over the last several weeks. All of the phone calls, letters, visits and support that he has received are deeply appreciated.

The days and weeks to come will not be easy for him, but your support by attending this upcoming benefit means a lot of ALL of us.

Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 7:30pm
@ The Dance Complex

536 Mass. Ave. Cambridge (Central Sq.)
$10 at door, bringing food and drink is welcome.

A Dance Party with a special silent auction with informal dance pieces performed by:

Ricardo Foster
US Crew and Modern Discomfort (Unyted Stylz)
Rainbow Tribe
Disco Brats
Beat Tree
Dance Theater of New England
Babes in Boinkland
Music by DJ Pace
and performance by Sonia

spring is in the air...

I often hear people say that there's nothing going on in Boston. What I think they really mean is, they don't know about anything going on in Boston. That's why I'm here people -- to put you on. Spring has sprung (at least the calendar says it has, even if the temperature is having a delayed reaction) and there are plenty of things going on this week to help you shake off that winter hibernation mode.

Tonight:


POETIC ESCAPE
break out your A-dogs (that's Adidas for you non-Bostonians), throw your threes and prepare to party, poetic style in celebration of our own Wendy Sanchez!
@ Blue Wave - 343 Congress Street, Downtown Boston
8PM-1AM
$5

Thursday:

THE ARIES AFFAIR
Hip Hop,Old School Classics, RnB, Top 40, Dancehall
@ District Lounge - 180 Lincoln St. Boston
9PM -2AM
No Cover All Night/Proper dress required
www.NightLifeExecs.com

Friday:

IT'S JUST JOKES - WOMEN'S EDITION
Celebrating Women's History Month with laughter
@ Johnnie's on the Side - 138 Portland St (Near the TD Banknorth), Boston, MA
9PM-2AM
$15
https://sogood.ticketleap.com/womenofcomedy

Saturday:

A HAWAIIAN STAY-CATION
Sip exotic drinks and vibe to the music of DJ Pain spinning R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, House and Old School. If you're in the mood to be pampered, we've got you covered. Enjoy a manicure or relax under the skilled hands of two massage therapists. The happy ending? A portion of the proceeds will benefit FACE Africa, an organization currently working to bring clean water solutions to Africa.
@ Ivy - 49 Temple Place, Boston, MA
10PM-2AM
Cost: $10 before 11, $15 after 11

Sunday:

BATTLE BOUTIQUE @ THE ATTIC
B-boy/B-girl Battles for $500 Popping Battles for $200
@ The Attic - 563 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA
12PM-6PM
$10

Need I say more? Well, maybe a little more...like the logistics:

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11TH, 2009

Hosted By: Elie, Nuri & Herby F .
Blue Wave Lounge
343 Congress Street

$5.00| casual dress | 21+
Doors open at 8:00pm (get there early)

EMW x 4 = DOPE

Big ups to my Boston Progress fam! 4 years y'all? I can't believe it's been so long. Congrats, blessings and kudos. East Meets Words has been holding it down as one of the best open mic scenes in Boston, as an incredible place for API* artists to showcase their skills and as a place to build family. I'm really proud to have had the chance to take part in the EMW experience. You can too:

East Meets Words Asian American Open Mic Series
Four Year Anniversary
Hosted by Boston Progress Arts Collective
http://www.bostonprogress.org :: collective@bostonprogress.org
@ East Meets West 934 Mass Ave Cambridge
8pm, Friday, March 13
$3 Admission :: All ages welcome :: Come early to sign up for the open mic

This month's feature: BPAC Beat Collective

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.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a screening of The Black List Part 2 at the Strand Theater. It was good just to be back in the Strand again, surrounded by community leaders, artists, youth and families. It was snowy and cold that night, but I left feeling inspired both by the people on the screen and by the people surrounding me. If you missed the screening, definitely stay on the lookout for this wonderful HBO documentary, but in the meantime, come check out Part 1 with Tito and Wynndell this Thursday:

A Flick with Tito and Wynndell
March 12, 2009
6:30 Networking
7:00-8:00 Movie
8:00-9:30 More Networking
The CharlesMark Hotel Lounge
655 Boylston Street
(across from the Copley Library)
Boston, MA
FREE

Every year I miss this conference and every year I say I'm definitely going to make the next one. This year's program looks excellent and the theme covers some important issues, questions and topics:

"Crossing Borders: Exploring Local and Global Perspectives on Race, Inequality and Education

The conference is born from our desire and the urgency to create a dialogue between domestic and international approaches to social justice and education.

This year's conference has two purposes: First, it will cross geographic borders to explore the commonalities and diversity among groups that have been historically under-represented or discriminated against by educational systems in the US and beyond. Secondly, the conference will cross racial, cultural, language, gender, and class borders among and within communities of color to learn about the many perspectives and identities that make up these communities.

Underlying this dialogue is the idea that to cross boundaries in search of understanding is not to give up those characteristics that make groups and individuals unique. It is our hope that crossing borders will simultaneously strengthen group identities and build bridges across communities of color in the US and abroad. We believe it is possible to create a world in which equality, community, freedom and dialogue are the main drivers of a common human endeavor."

http://www.isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=hgse-aocc&pageid=icb.page51311

One love to all my HGSE peoples.