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. 🙂

The crowning event for me this weekend is seeing Gretchen Parlato.  An alumnus of the Thelonious Monk Institute, Gretchen Parlato has been turning heads ever since she won the 2004 Thelonious Monk Institute International Vocal Competition with which she displayed a musical individuality loaded with paradoxical powers. Her sultry, intriguing voice and unique, rhythmically agile phrasing came with inescapable centripetal force, the more intimate and understated she sang, the more she drew listeners in. Since then she has toured worldwide to sold out audiences.

April 15 & 16

Bohemian Caverns

2001 11th St NW

8:30PM & 10:30PM

Get tickets here

Enjoy this little sample!

It is the summer of 1930 in Harlem, New York. The creative euphoria of the Harlem Renaissance has given way to the harsher realities of the Great Depression. The play brings together a rich cast of characters who reflect the conflicting currents of the time through their overlapping personalities and politics. Invoking the image of African-American expatriate extraordinaire, Josephine Baker, as both muse and myth, Pearl Cleage’s characters struggle to look beyond 125th Street for the fulfillment of their dreams. By the African Continuum Theatre Company.

April 14-May 8

Atlas Performing Arts Center

1333 H St NE

Get tickets here

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DC’s only party dedicated to Hip Hop music & culture goes down every 3rd Friday of the month. Hosted by the one and only Grap Luva.  Pull out your dopest throwback Hip Hop gear and come out and celebrate the golden era of Hip Hop.

Friday, April 15

Black Cat

1811 14th St NW

Doors open at 9PM

7 bucks

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Experience an intimate performance at the city’s incomparable, soul-infused event, The Park Unplugged. Georgia-bred singer and record producer, Joe, graces the stage this week. From his timeless hits “I Wanna Know” to “Don’t Wanna Be a Player,” Joe brings a smooth R&B style that make his performances unforgettable, to the Unplugged series.

Friday, April 15

The Park

920 14th St NW

Show starts at 7PM

Click here to RSVP by 3PM today (4/15)

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This Saturday, commemorate Emancipation Day at DC I AM: An Emancipation Day Celebration, a festival blending history, community, and the arts.  Click here for a list of events.

Saturday, April 16

National Geographic Museum

1145 17th Street NW

10AM-4PM
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Record Store Day is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances.

Saturday, April 16

Click here for a list of DC stores.

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Fatback DC a funk and soul dance party that takes place the third Saturday of each month at Liv.  No cover, no dress code… just a chance to do it right.

Saturday, April 16

Liv 2001 11th St NW

10PM

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The Color Purple opened this week at The National Theatre.  The play will feature special guest star Lil’ Mo as the Church Soloist. The Color Purple is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world.

April 12-14

National Theater

1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Click here for tickets

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April 16-24

Click here for a list of parks in DC

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Widely regarded as the country’s most prestigious juried exhibition and sale of fine American craft, the 29th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show opened this week in the historic National Building Museum in Washington, DC. Exemplifying innovation, creativity and technical merit, each of the 120 exhibitors reflects the story of contemporary American craft in one of 12 categories: basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art and wood.  Bid online for items here.

April 13-17

National Building Museum

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“Voices of a Movement” is your chance to take the stage and share your story through music, spoken word poetry and other artistic mediums. And if performing is not your thing, simply come and listen. Every month, a different issue facing the community is highlighted.  This month’s topics are unemployment and alternative economies. But you’re welcome to bring work about any topic which concerns you to share. Come early and sign up for the open-mic.  One Common Unity proudly presents this event in partnership with Busboys and Poets, the DC Employment Justice Center and DC Jobs with Justice.  Co-Hosts: HawaH and Maimouna Youssef

Sunday, April 17

Busboys and Poets

5th & K Sts NW

8PM

Donations: 5 bucks