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Boston NAACP Opens New Office in Roxbury Mall Sat. 5/19

Blackstonian — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:55:09 +0000

Boston NAACP Opens New Office in Roxbury Mall Sat. 5/19

I’m reminded of the African proverb, “Rivers are filled one drop at a time.” This Saturday, the Boston NAACP will open a new office in the Mall of Roxbury, located at 330 Martin Luther King Blvd. As you know, effective advocacy and community engagement requires a strong infrastructure and team to lead change. Over the past year, the Boston NAACP has been recruiting and training the next generation of activists, celebrating 100 years of existence, rebuilding our voice and attempting to find a home that will accommodate our ambitious vision for this branch of the Association. The long awaited opening of our new office is a significant “drop” toward realizing our goals.

We humbly ask that you join us on Saturday. In the spirit of all those NAACP’ers of the past who worked in church basements, private homes and eventually out of that historic office on Mass Avenue, we ask for your attendance and support.

Attached, please find the press release for the opening. A private reception will take place from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m. for Boston NAACP members and electeds, followed by a public ceremony and ribbon cutting at noon.

PLEASE JOIN US (after the Malcolm X Breakfast)…and for business owners, we’ll have a FREE raffle for NAACP members throughout the program and would appreciate any contributions to the raffle. Please see Latisha upon arrival.

Every drop helps!

Michael A. Curry, Esq., President
Boston Branch NAACP
bostonnaacppresident@gmail.com
617..427-9494 Office Voicemail
617-275-6763 Mobile
617.431.1443 Directfax
www.BostonNAACP.org

Click Here for PRESS RELEASE (PDF)
Boston NAACP Opens New Office

Jamarhl Crawford on Occupy The Hood w/Callie Crossley (Audio)

Blackstonian — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:08:43 +0000

A Divergent Occupation

http://wwe.wgbh.org/programs/The-Callie-Crossley-Show-855/episodes/Tue-5812A-Divergent-Occupation-38479

On May Day, the nationwide Occupy movement launched a day-long protest to raise awareness and re-establish the Occupy voice in ongoing political discussion. Occupy Boston had its own simpatico protest at the Bank of America building in Boston’s Financial District. But, the proceedings were missing a core voice: the Boston chapter of Occupy the Hood. Occupy the Hood was established to more fully represent people of color in the Occupy movement. Jamarhl Crawford, one of the group’s Boston leaders, pulled out of Occupy Boston late last fall, citing a widening ideological chasm. Today he offers a critique of Occupy Boston, and updates us on Occupy the Hood’s agenda.

Turning Groundbreaking Research into Treatment

Blackstonian — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:15:16 +0000

The Blackstonian sends love to the entire Nelson family and Black Business and Finance Icon JD Nelson

Turning Groundbreaking Research into Treatment

by: Dr. Dennis Selkoe
http://www.connectwithpartners.org/2012/04/25/turning-groundbreaking-research-into-treatment/

The steady rise in the elderly population around the world – and particularly in developed nations like ours – means that we must redouble our efforts to understand, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

For patients at the Partners hospitals, like Mr. J.D. Nelson and their families, the quest for a safe and effective disease-slowing treatment is truly urgent. And for society at large, enormous numbers of baby boomers are coming into the age when Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) occurs, usually after about 70 years. Here at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, my colleagues and I have been working hard for more than three decades to decipher the earliest biochemical abnormalities that occur in AD and try to find points to intervene.

This research has gone very well, and we and other physicians and scientists at Partners HealthCare have in many ways led the worldwide effort to learn enough about the biology of AD to intervene. A major part of our research centers on the so-called amyloid beta-protein, which builds up in thinking areas of the brain over many years, even decades, before patients experience the first memory symptoms.

My lab has figured out how the amyloid protein is made normally and how certain gene alterations that cause AD lead to too much of the protein in the brain. Other scientists here have focused squarely on imaging the brain with specialized scans and have translated some of our basic research on the mechanisms of AD into both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Partners is a center for clinical trials of experimental agents that could potentially slow and ultimately prevent the progression of AD.

In my long years of clinical and research work in the Department of Neurology at the Brigham, I have found it to be a truly exceptional environment in which to conduct breakthrough science. I can think of few missions in modern biomedicine that are more important than defeating Alzheimer’s for people like J.D. Nelson, and I remain passionately committed to helping make this happen.

Dianne Wilkerson: Trayvon, Rodney King and Racial Profiling

Blackstonian — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:49:57 +0000

Trayvon, Rodney King and Racial Profiling
(Blackstonian Exclusive)

by: Dianne Wilkerson

The first week of May marked the 2oth aniversary of the Los Angeles riots sparked by the jury acquittal of the policemen whom the world saw beat Rodney King. When the smoke cleared, 55 people lay dead and the City of Los Angeles incurred $1 Billion in damages. Those numbers, however, don’t begin to tell the story of the true level of loss many would say continues to mount to this day. Cities all across the country braced for similar responses and Boston was no different.

After all, there was some legitamate reason for concern as Boston’s Roxbury and Dorchester neighborhoods had erupted in the late 60′s after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You can still see some of the remnants in the vacant lots and closed boarded up store fronts sprinkled up Blue Hill Avenue and Warren Street between Dudley and Grove Hall. Who can forget the important role entertainer the late great James Brown played when he accepted the invitation of the late Boston Mayor Kevin White and performed in concert outside at Carter Playground.

We knew we were sitting on a similar powder keg in Boston in April of 1992, particularly among young Black and Latino males still smarting from the wholesale assault by the Boston Police Department in the aftermath of the Charles Stuart case. The massive hunt for the make believe coked out, white jumpsuit wearing Black man in 1989 made nearly every Black and Latino male of any high yellow to chocolate brown complexion between the ages of 18-45 spotted driving or walking through Roxbury, Mission Hill and Dorchester the likely target of the BPD for a stop and frisk, sometimes even requiring them to drop their pants. As you may know, the story ended when Charles Stuart’s body was pulled out of the Charles River and his brother was convicted of helping him dispose of the gun he used to murder his pregnant wife.

None of us wanted to see the violence or buildings burned in 1992 so we went to work. Under the leadership of Boston Branch NAACP President, Louis Elisa, we gathered at Goodwill Morgan Memorial just days before the verdict we knew to be imminent. We scheduled a community meeting to allow the opportunity for those we knew were going to need to vent should the L.A. officers be acquitted. Then came the verdict- not guilty! We were ready.

So many demonstrated real leadership at a time when many outside and inside our community didn’t even know what we were doing. Though then Urban League President, Joan Wallace Benjamin and I became the public face for the co-ordinated effort which we named “The Ten Demandments”, there were others , Dr. Keith Mottley, Rev. Eugene Rivers, Sadiki Kambon, Andre Norman, Rep. Gloria Fox and Councillors Charles Yancey and Bruce Bolling who stepped up big time. Close to 700 people turned out to Madison Park High School to vent and adopted the platform of the Ten Demandments. The Urban League, especially Joan Wallace Benjamin, was critical in providing strategic meeting space and resources and we wanted to convey a message of peace, order and spiritual cover for what we wanted to see happen in our community. Through no small feat, we helped avoid mayhem in 1992. The meeting at Madison was so highly emotionally charged, my heart races when I think about the level of frustration and anger that permeated that room. In the end, there was a collective agreement to exert our energies on some positive action.

Much has happened in Boston’s communities of color since then. Nationally, the country has been focused on the tragic death of Trayvon Martin in Florida. Though it may feel like here we go again, something major has changed since 1992, you only have to look at the diversity of so many of the crowds coming together all over the country expressing outrage over his death and pleading for a real hard look at the reality of racism and racial profiling. Twenty years later, there is still much work to do. Let’s all hope that we can address the reality of racial profiling in Massachusetts by delivering on the promise made by the state legislature in 2000- if the Racial Profiling Data Collection Bill showed profiling the legislature would adopt a bill with “teeth” to punish officers who profile. We have more documentation of racial profiling than any other state in the country. We don’t need any more studies.

Nationally, we must all stay vigilant to seek justice for Trayvon Martin. With the level of frustration and racial tension so high across the country, we may not be so blessed to be able to quell an angry response in 2012 as we did 20 years ago if people feel the justice system has failed us again. It’s about more than Trayvon, it’s about all of us.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Barry P. Wilson to be jailed on Tue. May 15

Blackstonian — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:31:56 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

Criminal Defense Lawyer Barry P. Wilson will be imprisoned on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 704 at the Suffolk Superior Court.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

(Boston) May 10, 2012 Kazi Toure 857-204-0072

On Thursday May 3, 2012, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied Attorney Wilson’s motion for further appellate review, thus upholding the Court of Appeal’s March 20, 2012 decision denying Attorney Wilson’s appeal. Attorney Wilson was held in contempt last May by Superior Court Judge Patrick Brady. On May 19, 2011, Attorney Wilson was sentenced to 90 days in jail while representing a twenty-two year old African-American male charged with first degree murder. Attorney Wilson’s sentence will be executed on May 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 704 of the Suffolk Superior Court.

Supporters of Attorney Wilson will be gathering in front of the Suffolk Superior Court at 1:15 p.m. on May 15, 2012 to oppose Attorney Wilson’s imprisonment and the racist jury selection practice Attorney Wilson was objecting to when he was found in contempt for what Judge Brady describes as “atrocious behavior.”

Attorney Wilson was attempting to ensure that his client, a 22-year-old African-American man on trial for his life, had a jury of his peers in a first degree murder trial. Attorney Wilson protested the court’s findings and the government’s use of preemptory challenges when the prosecutor struck off all young people and people of African-American descent from serving on the jury.

Judge Brady sided with the prosecutor who had been challenged by Attorney Wilson after striking an African-American woman from the jury. The judge accepted the prosecutors’ reason that she might be biased against the police because her two (2) sons as juveniles had been in trouble with the law – one for driving without a license, and the other for possession of a small amount of marijuana. Neither juvenile did any jail time, and neither has been in trouble since.

Judge Brady did not agree with Attorney Wilson that the next prospective juror – a white man who had worked for 14 years for homeland security – might be biased for the police. When Mr. Wilson strongly objected to the seating of a jury without a single African-American juror, the judge found him in contempt. The Judge then stayed the sentence until completion of the trial and ordered Attorney Wilson to proceed. Two (2) days after the jury found the defendant guilty of first degree murder, and two (2) weeks after his finding of contempt, Judge Brady sentenced Attorney Wilson to ninety (90) days in jail, the maximum sentence for a contempt charge.

On June 28, 2011, Attorney Wilson’s sentence was stayed pending his appeal of Judge Brady’s finding. On March 20, 2012, three (3) justices of the Massachusetts Court of Appeals affirmed Attorney Wilson’s sentence. On May 3, 2012, the Supreme Judicial Court denied Attorney Wilson’s petition for further appellate review.

Attorney Wilson has made it his life work to represent the oppressed, expose the oppressors, and to hold those who routinely hide behind the guise that they are “just doing their job” accountable. As many would say:

“The man has the intestinal fortitude to go into court on a daily basis and say what many of us think without regard for his personal well being,” Attorney Joe Krowski Jr.

We ask that all of those who support Attorney Wilson, and his 37 years of thankless work, join us on May 15, 2012, at 1:15 p.m. in front of the Suffolk Superior courthouse to protest this decision and sentence.

Kazi Toure/Trial Consultant

Forum on Commutation and Parole in Massachusetts 5/16

Blackstonian — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:50:39 +0000

Forum on Commutation and Parole in Massachusetts

Wednesday May 16, 2012

3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Harvard Law School

Langdell Hall North

1545 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138

Speakers include:

Professor Margaret Burnham, Mel King,

Professor Charles J. Ogletree, Jr.

Harold Adams, Jamie Bissonette, Candace Kochin,

Patty Garin, Robert Gittens, Gail Hall, Rev. Michael Haynes,

Sheila Hubbard, Pamela Lombardini, Bob Romanow, Leslie Walker,

Josh Wall, Tina Williams, Gavi Wolfe, Andrea Goode-James

For more information and to pre-register (strongly recommended): call (617) 495-8285 or email to houstonevents@law.harvard.edu.

Free and open to the community

Sponsored by: Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, Through Barbed Wire,

Coalition for Effective Public Safety, A.C.L.U. of Massachusetts, Community Change Inc.,

Families for Justice as Healing, Jericho Boston, Community Church of Boston,

American Friends Service Committee, Judge R L Banks Community Justice Program, Prisoners’ Legal Services, Northeastern University School of Law Prisoners’ Assistance Project, Criminal Justice Policy Coalition.

Gov. Patrick & Representation of MA Black Interests by Ravi Perry

Blackstonian — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:37:47 +0000

Governor Deval Patrick and the Representation of Massachusetts’ Black Interests

By: Ravi K. Perry, Clark University

Get PDF of report here
Gov. Deval Patrick and Representation of MA

Abstract

This article examines the rhetorical strategies and legislative initiatives of Deval Patrick and his efforts to represent black interests in Massachusetts. Utilizing speech content analysis, census data, interview data, and archives of executive and legislative actions, the article identifies that Massachusetts’ only black governor has been able to advance policies and programs designed to represent black interests. The results indicate that when black interest policy actions are framed utilizing a targeted universalistic rhetorical strategy, Patrick advanced black interests as he detailed how his proposed initiatives benefited all citizens. At the state level, the finding exposes the limits of the deracialization perspective and indicates how the legislative, judicial, and executive advance of black interests can be achieved while maintaining significant white electoral and governing support.

Perry, Ravi K. (2012) “Governor Deval Patrick and the Representation of Massachusetts’ Black Interests,”
Trotter Review: Vol. 20: Iss. 1, Article 3.
Available at: http://scholarworks.umb.edu/trotter_review/vol20/iss1/3

“THANGZ-2-DO!!” (May 2012)

Blackstonian — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:12:48 +0000

“THANGZ-2-DO!!” (May 2012)

by: VCR

Welcome to the 2012 “Thangz-2-Do!!”, the monthly e-newsletter providing information of cultural arts (poetry, theatre, comedy, etc.), as well as several other info to keep people in the loop that includes a link for daily Black History facts. (http://www.yenoba.com), R.I.P. for those that passed away and a B-Day shout-out to those born in May. This time around, “Thangz-2-Do!!” has moved from Yahoo! to G-Mail. Hopefully this will help out a lot easier for folks to view the list of events.

Also, Boston’s longest-running open mic gathering commonly known as VerBaLizAtiOn goes on every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, bringing the community some more poetry and stuff. Our featured poet on May 8th will be BIG BROTHER SADI and on April 22nd is Urban Music Award-winning poet TAQWA THE EDUTAINER. Details below.

Please mention my name to the promoter of any of these events listed below if and when you do attend one or more.

Enjoy the list and have a blessed day!!

Peace,

VCR

R.I.P.

- STEVE COKELY (researcher/public speaker)

MAY B-DAY WISHES:

Musau Dibinga, Pelaiah Auset, Alkia Powell, Kanasha Herbert,

Christopher Johnson, Fisiwe, Wanda Atkins, Tantra Zawadi,

Stephanie Marson-Lee, Sabrina Gilbert, Optimus, Kena Sage,

Barrington Edwards, Stephanie Johnson, Nyjah Wyche-Alexis,

Ghislaine Jean-Mahone, Marquita Niles, A.M.B., Lisa Hendricks,

Allyssa Jones, Iguehi Usobo, Crystal Smith and Hazael

POETRY/OPEN MIC EVENTS:

Every Sunday Night

LIZARD LOUNGE SUNDAY NIGHT POETRY JAM

w/The Jeff Robinson Trio

@ The Lizard Lounge

1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge (between Harvard Sq. & Porter Sq.)

Doors at 7:30pm – $5.00 cover

21+ w/ID required

May 20th – Obehi Janice

May 27th – Regie Gibson

(plus the Lizard Lounge Queen Slam: reigning champ Porsha-O vs. Janae Johnson)

For info visit www.poetryjam.org

Saturday, May 5th 2012

THE 3RD ANNUAL CAMBRIDGE POETRY FESTIVAL

Celebrate poetry and the local poet community in recognition of National Poetry Month.

The Cambridge Poetry Jam features local and national poets representing various poetic

genres including traditional poetry, multilingual poetry, spoken word, poetry/music mash-up

and free verse.

@ Cambridge Public Library – Lecture Hall

449 Broadway, Cambridge

10:00am – 5:00pm

Hosted by Cambridge poet/populistToni Bee

Sunday, May 27th 2012

THE POET’S CORNER
Come and chill out for some live mellow music and inspirational poetry

to get you motivated for the next work week

@ Darryl’s Corner Bar & Lounge

604 Columbus Ave., Boston/South End

7:00pm – 11:00pm (open mic starts at 8:00pm)
$5.00 admission / Proper crowd only

Hosted by Iguehi and Herby F.

Every Monday Night

SoulKore Productions presents

GRAB THE MIC MONDAYS

@ Bossa Nova

290 Main St., Malden MA

(near Malden Center Station and bus routes 104, 105, 106 & 99)

6:30pm – 10:00pm / Free 2 enter

Come early for open mic sign-up

All forms of talent welcomed

Free parking / buffet and full menu

Hosted by Essex

Music by DJ Nomadik

For more info contact info@soulkore.com or 857-205-2706

Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday

VerBaLizAtiOn

@ Hibernian Hall

184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire department & barber shop)

7:00pm start (doors and open mic sign-up at 6:30pm)

Free 2 The Public / All ages are welcomed

Hosted by VCR

May 8th – Big Brother Sadi

May 22nd – Taqwa The Edutainer

4 more info. contact VCR at 617-480-7663 or bloodskinland@yahoo.com

Every Thursday Night

ART IS LIFE ITSELF

@ The Haley House Bakery & Café

12 Dade St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq. (off Washington St. – next to Tropical Foods)

7:00pm – 10:00pm / No cover charge

Hosted by Nina LaNegra & Fulani Haynes

For more info call 617-445-0900 or visit www.haleyhouse.org/cafe

Thursday, May 17th 2012

Ellite Promotions presents

POETRY COVE

Live Spoken Word by Talented Poets & Musicians

@ Byblos Lounge & Restaurant

2 Washington Sq., Worcester/Union Station

8:00pm – 11:00pm

$10.00 cover charge / 18+ mature crowd

Dress code: business casual

Live music by Be Heard

Cash bar and $1.00 garage parking available

If you are a poet or musician and are intertested in performing,

Also log on at www.ellitepromotions.net

* Poetry Cove is every 3rd Thursday of the month

Saturday, May 5th 2012

Butterfly Cafe presents

STREETLIGHT

Live Talent & Art Showcase

@ Butterfly Cafe

1420 Tremont St., Roxbury

(inside MBTA Roxbury Crossings – Orange Line)

8:00pm – 11:00pm

Featuring various artists TBA

Saturday, May 12th 2012
VerBaLizAtiOn (BloodSkinLand Productions) presents
ULTIMATE POETRY FORUM II
On April 24th, VerBaLizAtiOn had a poetry forum in honor of National Poetry Month.

There were discussions about the history of some open mic spots in our community

15 years ago and the current happenings going on in 2012. By request, there will be

a folow-up to further dialogue about what’s needed to improve or make stronger within

the Boston poetry scene. We are calling ALL artists of various artforms (spoken word, Hip-Hop, song, etc.)

to please join us for an important discussion.
@ Mattapan Branch Library – Conference Room
1350 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan MA
12:30pm – 3:00pm (doors open at noon)
Free to the public!
For more info contact VCR at 617-480-7663 or bloodskinland@yahoo.com

COMMUNITY/CULTURAL EVENTS:

Saturday, May 5th 2012

Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts presents

THE 23RD ANNIVERSARY ANDREW J. DAVIS JR.

“UNITY BREAKFAST”

“Mentoring Boys To Manhood”

@ Boston Marriott Cambridge

2 Cambridge Ctr., Cambridge/Kendall Sq.

10:00am – 1:00pm

Tickets & donations $40.00 in advance / $50.00 at the door

Presenting the 2012 Paul Robeson National Leadership Award recipient Toure

(award-winning novelist, essayist, music journalist, cultural critic)

Plus the Paul Robeson Awards for outstanding community service

and student achievements

For more info contact 617-541-8642 or log onto www.cbmm.net

Sunday, May 6th 2012

THE 7TH ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND URBAN MUSIC AWARDS

@ Hibernian Hall 184 Dudley St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

(next to fire department & barber shop)

Awards 6:30pm – 9:30pm (red carpet 5:00pm – 6:00pm)

Hosted by Courtney Boston of TOUCH 106.1FM

Tickets on sale at these locations:

- Skippy White’s Records: 1971 Columbus Ave. (Egleston Sq.)

- A Nubian Notion Inc.: 663 Warren St. (Grove Hall)

- Special Efx Hair Salon: 1454 Dorchester Ave. (Fields Corner)

- Mattapan Square Mobile (Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan)

For more info call 617-517-0987 or visit www.urbanmusicawards.org

Friday, May 18th & Sunday, May 20th 2012

HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH 2012

May 18th: 17th Annual Flag Raising Ceremony

@ Boston City Hall Plaza

Downtown Boston

12:00pm – 2:00pm

May 20th: 12th Annual Haitian American Unity Parade

From Mattapan Square to Blue Hill Ave.

1:00pm – 3:00pm

For more info contact H.A.U. at 617-298-2976 or unity@hauinc.org

Or HAPHI at 617-298-8076 or AFAB at 617-287-0096

Sunday, May 19th 2012

25TH ANNUAL MALCOLM X MEMORIAL & AWARDS BREAKFAST

@ Roxbury Community College- Student Center Dining Complex

1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury

8:00am start (doors open at 7:30am)

$40.00 donation

Special guest speaker TShango Mbilishaka

Born in Jamaica Plain, Brother T’Shango is dedicated to the mental liberation and

unification of African families throughout the world. He was awarded the Warrior Speaks

Community Award in 2005. Recognized for speaking on Black male mental health, he

received an award from the Massachusetts State Department in 2006. T’Shango was

awarded at M.I.T for “Solutions to Urban Genocide” in December 2007. He was also

featured in Essence Magazine as a “Do Right Man” in August 2006.

Tickets available at A Nubian Notion (Roxbury/Dudley Sq.) and at the door.

For more information, tickets, sponsorship and vendor opportunities call BCIC at617-427-2522

Saturday, May 19th 2012

SPRING OPEN STUDIOS AT GALLERY G

Celebrating the start of the spring visual art and performing arts season. Artists will be showing new

and old work with paintings, jewelry, collage, photography and sculpture.

@ Black Indian Inn

38 Bicknell St., Dorchester

1:00pm –8:00pm

Featuring visual artists Radiant Jasmin, Guadulesa,

Jameel Parker and Satiah Dancing Moon

6:00pm mixed-media performances by Radiant Jasmin, Guadulesa,

Terry Orlando Jones, Sonja Evans and other TBA

(the performance will combine dance, poetry, music and live body painting)

See our website for more info on the other programs at the Black Indian Inn:
www.blackindianinn.com

EDUCATIONAL

Every Sunday Afternoon

MEDU NETER CLASSES (later called Hieroglyphics by the Greeks)

The oldest of African languages and most sacred of languages

Reconnect with the Wisdom of our Ancestors…learn to read the writing on the wall

- Scribe/write

- Transliteration/read/translate

- Speak

- History/Culture

- Sentence Structure/Grammar

- Museum, Field trips & more

@ 53 Cedar St., Mattapan

11:30 –1:00pm (sign in at 11:00am)

To register call Dr. Nteri Nelson 617-296-7797

Saturday, May 12th 2012

LECTURE& BOOK SIGNING: GRAND OPENING

Dr Nteri Nelson’s new book release:

“KaAbBa -The Great Pyramid Is the Tree of Life: MerKaBa”

Introduction by invited guest Professor James Small (Black scholar)

@ 53 Cedar St., Mattapan

6:00pm -9:00pm (seating starts at 5:30pm)

Must RSVP to Dr Nteri Nelson at 617-296-7797 or www.imhotepinstitute.com

THEATRE

Tuesday, May 1st – Sunday, May 6th 2012

FELA!

A triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, FELA! is the true story of Kuti,

who created a type of music, Afro-beat and mixed these pounding eclectic rhythms

(a blend of Jazz, Funk and African rhythm and harmonies) with incendiary lyrics that

openly attacked the corrupt and oppressive military dictatorships that rule Nigeria and

much of Africa. Featuring many of Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones’s

visionary staging, FELA! reveals Kuti’s controversial life as an artist and political activist

and celebrates his pioneering music.

@ Cutler Majestic Theatre

219 Tremont St., Boston

To purchase tickets call 617-824-8400 or visit www.artsemerson.org

PARTIES/SOCIAL NETWORKING

Friday, May 4th 2012

Big Time Events & Betty Cohen presents

IT’S A PARTY OVER HERE!

@ Phillips Old Colony – Windsor Room

780 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester

9:00pm – 2:00am

$15.00 in advance / $20.00 at the door

Music by DJ Justice – Sounds by Evertone

Friday, May 11th 2012

MzLiz & DJ Chubby Chub present

THE FIX!

The Official Launch Party for StreetFixRadio.Com

WE all know that RADIO is incredibly important to the urban community and

now mobile phones and the internet are where it’s at for content creation.

Introducing…Boston’s newest and soon-to-be best online urban music experience.

@ Wonderland Ballroom

1290 N. Shore Rd., Revere MA

10:00pm – 1:00am

Music by DJ Chubby Chub, DJ Jack Frost, DJ Big, DJ Powa Serge,

“Big Chicago” DJ Reggie Beas, DJ Real P.

(playing the best in Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggae and Mash-Up)

Plus special guest hosts and live performances

For more info log onto www.streetfixradio.com

Also contact dstination@gmail.com or 617-819-4DST

Every Saturday nightCalloway Entertainment presents

30+ SATURDAYS – GRAND OPENING

Great Food, Music & Dance!

New nightlife for the 30+ crowd

@ Slade’s Bar & Grill

958 Tremont St., Boston/South End

10:00pm – 2:00am

$10.00 admission / 30+ proper dress

(no athletic wear, hoodies or boots – collared shirts accepted)

DJ spinning old school – 80′s, 90′s & today’s hottest music

Log-in now and receive 2 for 1 admission w/pass before 11:00pm

www.facebook.com/30plussaturdays

For more info or parking call 1-888-538-3834

Saturday, May 12th 2012

Heavy Fire Productions & Running With The Bulls Committee presents

“RUNNING WITH THE BULLS” TAURUS/GEMINI BIRTHDAY BLAST

@ Boston-Dedham Holiday Inn Hotel

55 Ariadne Rd., Dedham MA

9:00pm – 2:00am (doors open at 8:00pm)

Advanced admission $25.00 / $35.00 at the door

Birthday special: $15.00 advanced tickets for all Taurus, Gemini & Aries

21+ event w/proper dress preferred

Featuring performances by comeidan Shang (BET “Comic View” & “Def Comdey Jam”)

and local R&B sensation Tashawn King

Music by DJ Nyce

Hotel rooms available at $104.00 at the Dedham Holiday Inn

(781-329-1000, with RES code: RWB)

Saturday, May 19th 2012

30+: THE EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR
Looking for the extraordinary? Step it up as we mix, mingle and party with New England’s most

progressive mature 30+ urban elite! Come see why this long running monthly 30+ is the premier

event. 30+ attracts a diverse group from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and

Connecticut who seek to socialize with like-minded professionals in eclectic, trendy and upscale

non-club environments.
@ The Revere Hotel at the Boston Common
Gallery Ballroom
200 Stuart St.- 6th floor, Boston
9:30pm – 2:00am

$30.00 advance / $35.00 at the door
Proper dress ONLY: upscale cocktail attire
Gentlemen: collared shirts, slacks, blazers/suits and shoes
Women: Diva Chic!!!
Dress code enforced – reserve the right to turn away
(ABSOLUTELY NO JEANS)
Featuring a live band at 10:00pm
Resident DJ Reggie Beas at 11:00pm
Paid parking at the hotel
For information on VIP, B-Day parties, tables & vendor tables

and discounted hotel for this event, call 617-270-5753

Saturday, May 26th 2012

FamIVLife presents

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND “RED, WHITE & BLUE” BOAT CRUISE

2 Levels of Partying Aboard the Provincetown II Boat!

@ World Trade Center

200 Seaport Blvd., Boston

Boarding time – 8:00pm / Departing time – 9:00pm SHARP!

Returning at 12:00am

$30.00 advanced tickets

21+ event w/proper ID required

(mature crowd ONLY – no sweats)

Level I: DJ Junior Rodigan, Mikey Million & Shortman and Disciple Inc.

(playing the best of Reggae, Soca, International, etc.)

Level II: DJ Dex, DJ Moe Dee, DJ Al Gee and DJ Dru Nyce

(spinning R&B, Hip-Hop, Old Skool, etc.)

Tickets available at these locations:
- Mattapan’s Finest Barbers: 663 Warren St. (Grove Hall)
- Lawsons Beauty Supply: 1979 Columbus Ave. (Egleston Sq.)
- Silver Slipper Restaurant – 2387 Washington St. ( Dudley Sq.)

- Metro PCS: 1656 Blue Hill Ave. (Mattapan Sq.)
- Kung Fu Video & DVD: 356 Washington St. 2nd Fl

(above the Jewelry Exchange – Downtown Boston )

Tickets also available online at www.baystatecruisecompany.com

For more information call 617-888-8519

Or Facebook @ FamIVLife Entertainment or FamIVLifeBlogSpot.Com

COMEDY NIGHT

Every Sunday Night

Corey Manning presents

THE FUN ROOM COMEDY NIGHT

You Never Know What’s Gonna Happen or Who’s Gonna Come Through!

@ Biff’s Lounge

18 Washington St., Dorchester/Grove Hall

(downstairs from William E. Reed Auditorium/Prince Hall)

8:30pm start

Sun., May 27th – LAUGH & LOUNGE COMEDY SERIES

A series of nationally headlining acts

Featuring comedian Chris Thomas

Winner of “BET’s Comedy Award” for Best Impersonations

Appearances on “The Jamie Foxx Show”, “The Bernie Mac Show”, “Comic View”,

“Def Comedy Jam”, “Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy”

and original host/VJ/“The Mayor” of BET’s “Rap City”
Hosted by The Dynamic Duo of Comedy Chris Tabb & Corey Manning
With comedians Wes Hazard and Badd Lad
Limited tickets only $15.00 in advance – more at the door

Tickets can be purchased at www.coreymanning.ticketleap.com/funroomcomedy

For more info contact 617-506-FUN1 or funroomcomedy@gmail.com

Friday, May 11th 2012

ARIES SPEARS

@ The Wilbur Theater

246 Tremont St., Boston

7:30pm showtime

Tickets available at Wilbur Box Office (noon – 6pm) or TicketMaster

Or by phone at 1-800-745-3000

For more information visit www.thewilbur.com

Friday, May 25th 2012

LAFF MOBB

Featuring Red Grant, Rudy Rush, Roz G. and Mark Viera

@ The Wilbur Theater

246 Tremont St., Boston

7:30pm showtime

Tickets available at Wilbur Box Office (noon – 6pm) or TicketMaster

Or by phone at 1-800-745-3000

For more information visit www.thewilbur.com

CULTURAL PERFORMANCES/MAJOR CONCERTS

Every Sunday Night

LIVE JAZZ AT THE POST

Jazz Music For Your Ears!

@ William E. Carter Post

American Legion Post #16

1531 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Small donation is always appreciated

For more info call Gary at 617-905-4662

Every Monday Night

MAIN EVENT MIC CLUB

@ Dublin House / Yaz’s Place

7 Stoughton St., Dorchester

(Uphams Corner – one block from the Strand Theatre)

Doors open at 8:00pm – show starts at 9:00pm

Free to the public

Hosted by DJ Daz One

A.M.B. will be featured on May 21st

Wednesday, May 2nd 2012

SLAUGHTERHOUSE

Featuring Crooked-I, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5’9″ and Joe Budden

@ The Wilbur Theater

246 Tremont St., Boston

8:30pm showtime

Tickets available at Wilbur Box Office (noon – 6pm) or TicketMaster

Or by phone at 1-800-745-3000

For more information visit www.thewilbur.com

Thursday, May 3rd 2012

“YOU’RE AN NDN???”: A MEDICINE SHOW w/MUSIC

“You’re An NDN???” is an interactive performance piece with music by Mwalim:

The tales and adventures of a Black Indian experience from the perspective of a

Black Indian who grew up in a Jewish neighborhood.

@ Dudley Branch Library
65 Warren St., Roxbury/Dudley Sq.

5:45pm start

Mwalim will also have copies of his book “A Mixed Medicine Bag” as well as

copies of his CDs on hand

Thursday, May 3rd 2012

BOSTON TALENT SHOWCASE: SEASON 3 – VOL. #7

“Born To Do This”

@ Slade’s Bar & Grill

958 Tremont St., Boston/South End

8:00pm – 1:30pm / $10.00 all night – official after party until 1:30pm

No Tims, hoodies or athletic gear…sneakers OK

(bouncer has right to deny entry)

Offical after-party with DJ Dex until 1:30am

(playing today’s hottest in R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Top 40)

Hosted by Dee-Loopz & Kool-Key

With performances by Arthur Collins, Famous Nobodies, Rey Royal,

Mykel, Troy “The Electrik Kidd” Durden, FN “Real P”,

Urban Nerdz, Dave Wylen and more!

With special performance by violinist Austin Lightfoot and guest

Special performance by sax player Carl C.

* Boston Talent Showcase is every first Thursday of each month

Every Thursday Night (except the first of the month)

BERKLEE UNPLUGGED

Slade’s New Musical Experience!!

Bands and entertainment from Berklee School of Music

@ Slade’s Bar & Grill

958 Tremont St., Boston/South End

8:00pm – 2:00am

No cover charge / no dress code!

Kitchen open for lunch & dinner

Hosted by Ms. Stefany

Music by various DJs

With special guest artist each night

Thursday, May 10th 2012

BRANDED AUTHENTIC HIP-HOP SHOWCASE
@ Church of Boston
69 Kilmarnock St., Boston (Fenway area)
$10.00 cover / 21+ event
Doors at 8pm – showtime at 9:30pm SHARP!
21+ event / no dress code
Hosted by Mark Merren
With performances by:
Mecca Cashier, Antagonist, J The S, Pat G,

Iyadonna, Lisette Love, Lee Boy, City Slickers,

The Knowbodies, Steis, Koma and Lucky Dice
Music by DJ Drew (EZ St. Productions)
Free parking in rear of building

Sunday, May 13th 2012

Widow Son presents

THE 27TH ANNUAL ALL-MALE MOTHER’S DAY FASHION SHOW

An Evening of Food, Fun & Fashion

@ William E. Reed Auditorium

24 Washington St., Dorchester/Grove Hall

$30.00 admission (must have ticket to enter)

Proper dress required

Hosted by Naheem

Featuring Soul group Tribute and comedian Jonathon Gates

Music by DJ D-Rock

(playing the best in Soul, Oldies, Contemporary, Jazz, Reggae & Calypso)

Tickets available at A Nubian Notion (Roxbury/Dudley Sq.)

For more info contact Ric Anderson at 617-270-1038

Saturday, May 26th 2012

James Dancy Productions presents

SPRING AFFAIR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

With live performance by singer Howard Hewett

(former lead vocalist of R&B group Shalamar)

@ Russell Auditorium

80 Talbot Ave., Dorchester

(across from Franklin Field)

Doors open at 9:00pm / $40.00 advanced admission

Also special guest live band performance by Elegance

Tickets available at these locations;

- A Nubian Notions: 146 Dudley St., Roxbury (617-442-4425)

- Skippy White’s Records: 1971 Columbus Ave., Egleston Sq. (617-524-4500)

- Mobile Gas Station: Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan

Or contact Jimmy at 617-224-2147

For online or telephone ticket purchase call 1-800-838-3006 (option 1)

Or go to www.brownpapertickets.com