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! 🙂

The Park Unplugged features Leela James tonight.

Friday, May 20

The Park

920 14th St NW

Doors open at 5PM

FREE w/ RSVP to vsmithent@gmail.com

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Capital Canvases for a Cause is a FREE monthly community event to support local artists and community-based organization with wine, hors d’oeuvre and networking. All art sales are split 50/50 between artist and non-profit.  Donations gladly welcomed! Featuring artist Aniekan Udofia and non-profit The Posse Foundation .

Friday, May 20

Long and Foster

721 D Street, SE

6-8PM

FREE

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Just on the heals of The Common Controversy, there will be a screening of the “Black August: A Hip Hop Benefit Concert” directed by dream hampton, renown Hip Hop writer, activist and founding member of the Malcolm X Grass Roots Movement (MXGRM).  The documentary highlighted the work put in by the non-profit organization and the power of Hip Hop as a galvanizing force in bringing awareness of the plight of US political prisoners and garnering support through MXGM’s annual ‘Black August’ concert.

Riveting interviews with exiled, imprisoned and liberated activists, such as Assata Shakur, Nahanda Abiodun, Kathleen Cleaver, Mutulu Shakur, and more former Black Panthers and Black Liberation Army members, share their continued struggle for human rights and their fight against the prison industrial complex. The documentary is a call to bridge the gap between the young and the old to collectively confront the different challenges from the radical past to the present using Hip Hop as a vehicle in creating global social change.

Friday, May 20

Frederick Douglas Museum

1411 W St SE

7PM

Accepting Donations

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The Victorious Living for Moms book, Letters to a Mother’s Heart – Chapter “But God, Has the Final Say” Book Signing and Reading.   Authors Darnice Wright and Kenice Griffin of WrightVision Foundation.   ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE BOOKS SALES SUPPORT A “BEAUTIFICATION SUMMER CAMP” FOR GIRLS

Friday, May 20

Caribou Coffee

1101 17th Street, NW (Corner of 17 & L Street )

6-8PM

FREE

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“Home Is Where The Heart Is” is an original story and contemporary Gospel stage play about the “Anderson” Family and their strength that comes from the love they share for each other and their home. After years of moving away from each other to pursue their careers and own lives, three siblings, Angela, Ayana and Joseph, Jr. reunite when they return home together.

Friday, May 20

Atlas Performing Arts Center

1333 H St NE

7PM

Get tickets here

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May 21 and 22

Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique

2806 Bruce Place SE

11AM-6PM

FREE

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Children nationwide will take part in a grassroots movement to celebrate America’s parks through play on Saturday, May 21, as they participate in the National Park Trust’s first annual National Kids to Parks Day. The national kick-off event for Kids to Parks is planned for the National Mall on Friday, May 20, 2011.

Recognizing that young people spend far too much time indoors and far too little time appreciating America’s magnificent national, state and local parks – the National Park Trust is mobilizing kids across the country for a nationwide park play-in.  Already, over 1,600 kids have committed to visit a park on Saturday,by signing up online at the website.

Saturday, May 21

National Parks in the District

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The National Asian Heritage Festival -Fiesta Asia is a street fair held in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The event showcases Asian art and culture with a wide array of activities including live performances by musicians, vocalists and performance artists, Pan-Asian cuisine, martial arts and lion dance demonstration, a multicultural marketplace, cultural displays and interactive activities.

Saturday, May 21

Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3rd & 6th St.

10AM- 7PM

FREE

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There is also the Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival, an annual event sponsored each May by the Chinese Women’s League of Washington, DC. The two-day festival features competitive dragon boat races on the Potomac River, colorful cultural performances and hands-on activities. Approximately 60 teams from all over the east coast compete in these thrilling races.  The festival takes place near Georgetown between the Thompson Boat Center and the Kennedy Center.

May 21 & 22

Thompson Boat Center

2900 Virginia Avenue, NW

8:30AM-5PM

FREE

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This weekend is the Joint Services Open House and Air Show.  See USAF Thunderbirds pilots demonstrate their flight skills with aerial maneuvers.

May 21-22

Andrews Air Force Base

8AM- 5PM

FREE

Shuttles to the Andrews Air Show will run from the Branch Ave Metro Station. Guests also can park at FedExField where shuttle buses will provide transportation to Andrews.  In-bound buses to the event will stop running at 1PM on Sat and Sun.

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Washington Sound Museum is a cross-cultural collaborative music experience, a monthly intimate celebration of music and beverage, in partnership with Christylez Bacon & BloomBars. The purpose of the event is to introduce audiences to a variety of musical genres while bringing them together each month through collaboration. This month, we’re featuring Hindustani Classical Violinist, Nistha Raj.  This is going to be a great event.

Saturday, May 21

BloomBars

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Sunday, May 22

Patty Boom Boom

1359 U Street  NW

Be safe out there! 🙂