Hey Beautiful People!
It’s #FreedomFriday, and I am ready for the weekend. I know you are too. 
Check out the events below, and I will see you on the other side of the weekend.
Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl
Tag Archives: Atlas Performing Arts Center
Freedom Friday
Freedom Friday: The Fall Back Edition
Hello Good People!
It’s that time again….to fall back. By setting the clock back, evening will descend upon us earlier. I used to hate ”falling back” because I disliked being in the office all day, then to be greeted by darkness when leaving the office. I am a bona fide summer baby so I love light and warmth. It totally energizes me. However, someone said ”you probably need to power down.” And that is what I intend to do. I intend to fall back into relaxing, reflecting and re-building for the spring and summer months. ”Good use of fall-back time helps us spring forward later.” So when I leave the office, I am looking forward to coming home to a warm house and snuggling under blankets to either read, write or come up with my next brilliant plan. How do you plan to take advantage of “falling back”?
Check out some great and FREE events this weekend. Enjoy!
Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl
Freedom Friday: The Block is Hot Edition
Courtesy of http://www.projectsgallery.com
Hello Good Folks!
TGIF!
Summer is right around the corner, but things are already in full gear– high temperatures and power outages. Hopefully, your lights are back on. With all of this, I am ready for the weekend to cool out and relax.
You can start by chilling out at the Annual Capital Jazz Festival starting tonight with legends Herbie Hancock, David Sanburn and George Duke! The whole weekend has a great line-up. You can still get tickets at the door, at least for lawn seating .
For those who want to support a great cause and get some excercise, on Saturday, the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure begins at 8AM at the National Mall. If you still want to run, you can do late registration until 6PM today (6/3) at the Hyatt (400 New Jersey Avenue, NW ).
The temperature seems to have evened out, so check out some events.
Lastly, shout out to all my fellow Geminis. Let’s get it in! :-)
Smooches!
Freedom Friday: The No Pictures Please Edition
Best picture I could get with my BB due to U Street Music Hall's "no photos" policy
Hey Good People!
WHEW!
ThatKellieGirl has been hitting the streets hard this week–from concerts to receptions to book signings. Friday is becoming my day of rest for the week!
And just for the record, U Street Music Hall has been killing me with their ”no photography” policy. I was trying to get some pics of the Crossrhodes Reunion Show. This was the second time I went to an event there, and the bodyguard was on anyone with a camera HARD about taking pictures. At times, I felt he was down right rude, but I guess it was a frustrating job. And he wasn’t paid to be nice. It was sort of funny though. We saw the bodyguard lurking and peeping us from the corners, then from the stage, then BAM! he was in our faces. It’s crazy! For the record, you can take pics with your cell, but unless you are the official event photog, you gets no camera love. I sneaked a few shots, but nothing worthy. If I am able to find some pics, I will share them with you.
Overall though, the show was great. Incwell opened up the show. I love this guy’s voice and he has some good lyrics. And, his band was the truth…dj, horn section, congas, a fierce sista on the drums and good background singers. They got a good synergy. And the main event didn’t disappoint…great stage presence and audience interaction. As much as I enjoyed hearing the old songs, I was more excited to hear that there will be new stuff on their upcoming “Don’t Bring Sand to the Beach”. A shout out to the Urban Ave 31 fan group. They represented hard!!!!
Here are some events for the weekend.
Sending love and blessings to everyone!
Freedom Friday: Emancipation Day Edition
Celebrate our rich heritage, Celebrate Emancipation Day (Courtesy of Smithsonianmag.com)
Hello Good People,
April showers bring May flowers! Remember that?
I hope everyone had a good week, and I know you are ready for the weekend.
In honor of the of the emancipation of slaves of African origin, Emancipation Day is tomorrow (4/16). Check here and here for Emancipation Day events. Take this opportunity to pass on our rich history to young people.
Filmfest DC ends this weekend. I checked out a movie last Sunday called Transfer. I love sci-fi so I was quite excited to view this movie. It was about a rich old couple from Germany who decides to buy the bodies of two black Africans. The German couple regain their youth while the Africans ensures that their families get money. However, four hours every night, the Africans regain control over their bodies. After a while, the African hosts and the German guests begin to communicate with each other. As the story progresses, the “Transfer” isn’t as simple as advertised. Sci-fi Blogger, Martin Wikner reviews Transfer as revealing “the relation between the rich and the poor in the world. In this movie we see how Europeans exploit Africans to the degree that “we” take over their bodies. This makes it sci-fi, but is a good metaphor for how we make others give up their life for our well-being, without really knowing or considering the costs. The African couple do sign their contracts by free will, but the question is how free the choice really is.” A stand-out performance from actor BJ Britt.
The Annual Servathon event sponsored by Greater DC Cares is tomorrow (4/16). It is a great opportunity to give back to the community. It’s not too late to sign up.
Enjoy your weekend!
Peace and Blessings.
Freedom Friday: Ready for the Weekend Edition
Hello Family,
The sun finally came out for a little bit today. I hope you were able to get some rays. This week flew by for me, but I am ready for the weekend. There are so many great events this weekend so make sure to get out of the house.
Remember to send out prayers to Japan for being hit by an earthquake and tsunami today.
Peace and Blessings!
Back to the Caverns by popular demand!!! Last year I saw the Rober Glasper Experiment, and all I can say is that they are the truth. Hailed by listeners and critics alike, Grammy nominated artist Robert Glasper is considered to be the consummate jazz pianist of his generation. A native of Houston, Texas, Glasper has performed with neo-soul singer Bilal, Mos Def,Q-Tip,Erykah Badu and Meshell Ndegeocello, among many others. With three widely popular albums released on the Blue Note label, Glasper melds modern genres while preserving the jazz tradition. Seeing is believing.
March 11& 12
Bohemian Caverns
2001 11th St NW
8:30Pm & 10:30PM
Get tickets here.
Get Some Culture…
There are some fabulous plays opening in the area. Make some time to check them out!
A Raisin in the Sun
An epic story of the Younger family struggling to realize the American dream by escaping ghetto life.
March 5, 6, 12 & 13, 8 pm; Sundays, March 7 & 14, 3 pm
@Harmony Hall
10701 Livingston Road, Ft. Washington, MD 20744
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Mahalia
Mahalia chronicles the life of the “Queen of Gospel Music” from her beginnings in the segregated South to her debut on the stage of Carnegie Hall, culminating in her triumphant performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
March 13, 2010
@MetroStage
1201 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA
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Little Shop of Horrors
“Little Shop of Horrors” tells the story of the well-meaning flower shop employee Seymour Krelborn and his wise-cracking carnivorous plant, Audrey II. Seymour delights in the attention his leafy friend attracts, but when Audrey II develops a craving for human flesh, the situation spins out of control.
Friday, March 12 through Tuesday, May 18
@Ford’s Theater
511 Tenth St, NW
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Clybourne Park
A white community in 1950’s Chicago splinters over the Black family about to move in. Fast-forward to our present day, and the same house represents very different demographics as we climb through the looking-glass of Lorraine Hansberry’s classic A Raisin in the Sun. These hilarious and horrifying neighbors pitch a battle over territory and legacy that reveals how far our ideas about race and gentrification have evolved—or have they?
March 15 – April 11, 2010
@Woolly Mammoth Theater
641 D St NW
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Porgy and Bess
This quintessential American masterpiece follows the story of a crippled beggar and the headstrong woman he loves.
Saturday, March 20 through Saturday, April 3
@Washington Nation Opera
Performances at the Kennedy Center
2700 F Street, NW
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ColorStruck: With the Skin I’m In!
This musical embraces the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. challenge to accept people based on the content of their character and NOT by the color of their skin.
Friday, March 26, 2010, 7 – 9pm
@TheARC
1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE
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Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies starring Maurice Hines
This glorious re-creation of the big band sound features some of the most memorable music from the Roaring Twenties to the Swing Era, including such classic songs as “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Satin Doll” and the haunting “In a Sentimental Mood.”
April 9 – May 30, 2010
@The Lincoln Theater
1215 U Street Northwest
Tickets
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The Older Settler
Sisters Elizabeth and Quilly take in a young man to help out with expenses. But when his ex-girlfriend gets wind of his whereabouts and discovers a forbidden attraction between him and one of the ladies, she’s none too pleased about it.
Thursday, April 15, 8pm – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 8pm
@Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H Street, NE
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Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne stars in Thurgood, the dramatic retelling of the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Rising from the streets of Baltimore to the highest court in the land, Marshall bravely challenged and proudly served his country
Tuesday, June 1 through Sunday, June 20
@The Kennedy Center
2700 F Street, NW
Get Familiar…
Photo Courtesy of 100 Strangers/mofo
If you missed it, you truly missed it. The world premier of “In Pursuit of Me: The Story of Christylez Bacon” was featured at the Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Theater. This musical autobiography tells the story of GRAMMY nominated, DC Native Christylez Bacon. Christylez’ versatility was showcased throughout the play from writing the music and lyrics to beat boxing to playing spoons and a guitar. We get a glimpse of his journey from Southeast DC to the top stages in town not usually associated with Hip-Hop. He became the first Hip-Hop artist to receive an Artist-in Residence position at the Mansion at Strathmore, and the first Hip-Hop artist to be featured at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. He also has performed at he National Cathedral and the John F. Kennedy Center.
The story opens on a typical day at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts where Christylez’ creativity and talent is nurtured and encouraged. However, when he steps outside the school, and heads home, there are several challenges that he endures. From his mother’s disability to the mean streets to a failed attempt at college to being kicked out his home, Christylez navigates each situation with a burning desire to succeed as an artist. The story is humorous, and to my surprise, personal and emotional at times. His relationship with his family is left unresolved within the play. Throughout the show, I found myself rooting for Christylez, and I will continue to do so afterwards.
Artist Extraordinaire, Christylez Bacon & ThatKellieGirl
Check out Christylez’s website here.
Get Some Culture…
I am really excited to see “Wetbacks, Aliens, & Towelheads: True Stories from the First Generation” this evening. It is being performed as part of Intersections: A New America Arts Festival at the Atlas. Five artists will tell their true stories about being children of immigrant parents or immigrants themselves. The stories combine humor, honesty, and insight.
This play hits close to home for me because many of my friends are first generation. When I have conversations with them, I stand in awe when I hear about many of the challenges that they have to face. The lack of intolerance and patience Americans have for people from other countries is shameful. Our unwillingness to learn how to pronounce their names correctly. Our unwillingness to learn about their culture. Our unwillingness to look at them as individuals. Putting aside your feelings about illegal immigrants and english as our national language, we should treat everyone with respect.
When I was a student at Ohio University, my roommate was from China during summer school. When we met, I could tell she was nervous, and she was self-conscious about her english. I tried to make her feel comfortable. I would help her time to time with her english. She would ask me to pronounce and spell words. However, I was being polite rather than genuinely caring. I now wish I would have seized the opportunity to have gotten to know her. I don’t even know why she came to America to attend school? *smh* Man, I could have visited China by now with a room and board hook-up.
On the serious tip though, how many of us would be willing to travel to another country where you do not speak the language well, and immerse yourself in the culture? You would hope that people would have a little patience, and even help you out from time to time. Every once in a while it’s good to step outside of yourself to feel what another person is experiencing.
When you look around at your friends, who are they? Where are they from? Is everyone the same for the most part? Do you live your life insulated from the diversity and richness of life?
If you want to broaden your perspective, join us for this wonderful event.
February 26, 2010 at 9:30PM & February 27, 2010 at 7:30PM
@Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St, NE
$18.50
Buy tickets here.
Get Some Culture
The line-up of artists is great for this festival. And there are several DC artists representing, so go check it out!
INTERSECTIONS: A New America Arts Festival will bring together artists and audiences of diverse races, ages and heritages to experience and explore the evolving cultural landscape of America today. Presenting three weekends of music, dance, theater, film, literary and visual arts that spotlight cultural connections and feature the best of Washington area artists, INTERSECTIONS will celebrate differences and discover commonalities.
February 19 to March 7, 2010
@Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
Get tickets here.
