Here's an opportunity to see what the folks over at MIT have to say about the extensive efforts to rebuild the nation of Haiti.

East Meets Words meets Payal.

East Meets Words
Asian American (API*) Open Mic Series - second Friday of every month

Hosted by Boston Progress Arts Collective
http://www.bostonprogress.org :: collective@bostonprogress.org

8PM, Friday, February 12
@ East Meets West Bookstore
934 Mass Ave, Cambridge

Suggested minimum $3 donation :: All ages welcome :: Come early to sign up for the open mic

This month's feature: Payal Sharma

Payal Sharma is a youth worker dancing crazy moves through the world, in truth love and light: REBEL WITH A CAUSE! She has been doing high school youth work, programming, and leadership development for over 7 years and has loved every minute of it.

Aside from her work, Payal is a 1st-generation South Asian-American, proud of her Indian/Desi roots. She thrives on dance and anything else the world offers her – give her a beat, and she’ll be moving. This is her first feature, but she's been in a committed relationship with pen and paper for years.

Payal truly loves life, and her community is insanely important to her. She surrounds herself with people who look to change this world for the better and won't settle for less. If you meet her, you’ll know that Payal moves through this world with love-dipped, love-tipped, love-stained fingers, touching everything in her path and leaving lasting marks.

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