GDW EVENT ALERT - MEMORIAL WEEK END AND BEYOND - ARE YOU READY?

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

This is a bittersweet time of the month for me - we are coming upon Memorial Day - and never has it had so much meaning for me - Four years ago I lost the Love of My Life, Lou Wilson; three years ago, my Mom, Ruby Love Dulan made her transition; and just three weeks ago, May 1, 2017, my favorite Uncle, LifeLong Friend and Mentor, Adolf Dulan, joined them in the realm of the Ancestor/Angels.  Adolf was the Patriarch of the Dulan family - in addition to being one of the Finest Black Men on the planet - and he's left us all, including yours truly, with some mighty footprints to fill, and some wonderful examples to live up to.

So, before I put together this calendar of events, I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of you here in Philly, New York, and especially Los Angeles for your love, well wishes, and prayers of concern as I and the entire Dulan family went through this most difficult time of our lives -saying farewell to Adolf.

In Oklahoma, our Memorial Day tradition was to go to the family graveyard - clean off all the tomb stones, wash them down and decorate them with flowers.  We'd then say prayers for our ancestors.  After that we'd have a Dulan Family Picnic with all the trimmings on the grounds my Grandfather owned in Luther, Oklahoma.  Everybody contributed, and everything was made from scratch - Sweet potato pies, Devils food cakes, fried chicken, catfish,  coleslaw, candied yams, tune fish casserole, and tons of watermelons (Granddaddy had his own watermelon patch - so you know we never ran out; don't forget the deviled eggs, (Ham - though I no longer eat pork, I did back then), and just about every condiment you could think of.  Top it off with a huge galvanized tub of Granddaddy's home made punch.  We'd lay out under the trees, chase around, turn flips, and do all kinds of fun stuff until the lightening bugs came out - then it was time to go home.  

Memorial Day was originally started by Black people during the Civil War, when our fore bearers would come out to the battle grounds and bury wounded soldiers and say prayers over them.  It's a tradition we should never forget, because there are so many who have made major contributions to us in their walk of life - and before we hang out, go to catch the sales, or just sleep in, we should definitely take time to pay homage to them.  Name them, thank them, bless them, and borrow that virtues and positive examples from them and inculcate them  into our own lives so they will continue to live on through us.  And, of course pass them own to our next generation so they to will learn to value and cherish our people - we never know when it will become our or their turn to become an ancestor - so also remember to give them their roses while they live as well. 

I'm keeping this short - because, for me DANCE AFRICA is my Memorial WeekEnd Ritual.  There are other events happening locally in your community - But remember, while you're partying, this is really about the Ancestors, without whom none of us would be here.  So take time to give thanks and pay your respects. 
For me, Purple is the royal color of ancestry - so this will appear in purple instead of my traditional red.

Stay Blessed  
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
and 
Have a wonderful holiday weekend

Gloria 

NEW YORK CITY, NY

 May 26—May 29, 2017

         The Healing Light of Rhythm: Tradition and Beyond

DANCE AFRICA @ 30 YEARS: 

  https://youtu.be/1Ip2bKR-vhA

                       May 26—May 29, 2017

                      

Artistic Director Abdel R. Salaam and Artistic Director Emeritus Chuck Davis

NOTE:  THERE WILL NO DOUBT BE LIBATIONS AND MEMORIALS FOR OUR BELOVED ANCESTOR BABA CHUCK DAVIS, WHO MADE HIS TRANSITION TO THE REALM OF ANCESTOR ANGELS ON MAY 15, 2017  - He was a friend and one of my personal heroes - 

CHUCK DAVIS (YOUTUBE)

https://youtu.be/Gk-zmXD2q48

CHUCK DAVIS DIES AT 80 - NY TIMES 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/arts/dance/chuck-davis-dead.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/obituaries&action=click&contentCollection=obituaries&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=1

I'VE ACTUALLY LOST TWO VERY PERSONAL HEROES IN ONE MONTH'S TIME - WOW! 

Forty years after its inauguration under the artistic direction of Chuck Davis, the nation’s largest festival of African dance returns for a special anniversary celebration. This year’s performance, under the leadership of Artistic Director Abdel R. Salaam, is a special curated program that pays tribute to the past, present, and future of the landmark festival and the transformative power of movement.

Members of Philadelphia's hip-hop based Illstyle & Peace Productions join with members of New York City's Forces of Nature Dance Theatre and the drummers and dancers of Asase Yaa, performing a joyful collision of traditional and contemporary styles. Then, Wula Drum and Dance Ensemble—a master group of US-based Guinean dancers and musicians—present a spirited showcase of West African culture. Both groups are joined by the BAM/Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble.

Wula Drum and Dance Ensemble

Asase Yaa

Forces of Nature Dance Theatre

llstyle & Peace Productions

BAM/Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble (Brooklyn)

Lighting design by Al Crawford

Sound design by David Margolin Lawson

Costume design by Hopie Lyn Burrows

LOCATION:Peter Jay Sharp Building

 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217-1486

BAM Howard Gilman Opera House

RUN TIME: Approx 2hrs with intermission

SUBSCRIPTIONS START AT  $17.50

TICKETS START AT  $25

BAM.org

Facebook.com/BAMstage

Twitter.com/BAM_Brooklyn 

MAY 26, 2017 IN THE BOOGIE DOWN BRONX

Heartist Productions and HipHopEd present the 5th Annual SCIENCE GENIUS B.A.T.T.L.E.S

http://app.bronto.com/public/viewmessage/html/479/cm1c2py4a6ejorrfjttcvoeg4t17o/0bcb03eb000000000000000000000010a84b

STARTING THIS WEEK END - MEMORIAL DAY AND MOVING FORWARD 

Friends, As summer edges closer, it's time for our green thumbs to "dig" into the 23rd Annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn Contest! This competition is presented by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in partnership with Brooklyn Borough Hall and the Brooklyn Community Foundation, promoting neighborliness and sustainability.  Various prizes will be awarded to the winners for both residential and commercial blocks for categories including: greenest storefront, best window box, sustainable practices, and other greening efforts. I hope you take this opportunity to enter your block; the deadline is Thursday, June 1st. This is a friendly showdown that strengthens our local environment, builds lasting community bonds, and improves a quality of life that every Brooklynite gets to enjoy. Get involved! -Eric P.S. Save the dates for these upcoming events, which I am proud to support, at and around Brooklyn Borough Hall; please contact our office for additional information and visit our Bulletin Board to post items that can be shared across One Brooklyn: Every Monday through Friday SCORE NYC Small Business Mentoring Every TuesdayFREE Legal Services for All - Veterans' Issues  Every Wednesday FREE Legal Services for All - Family Law Second Wednesday of Every Month FREE Legal Services for All - Foreclosure Intervention and Prevention  Second Thursday of Every Month FREE Legal Services for All - Housing Matters, Trusts and Estates, Elder Law, and Government Benefits Second Friday of Every Month FREE Legal Services for All - Housing Discrimination for Individuals with Disabilities Third Monday of Every Month FREE Legal Services for All - Domestic Violence Wednesday, May 31st to Wednesday, June 14th School Lunchtime Concert Series Tuesday, June 6th Brooklyn Borough Board Meeting LGBTQ+ Pride Month Celebration Wednesday, June 7th Prince Dance Party Wednesdays, from June 7th to June 28th Brooklyn Crochets for a Cause: Kidney Disease and Diabetes Awareness!    Saturday, June 10th to Sunday, June 11th Central Brooklyn Arts & Culture Weekend Saturday, June 10th Brooklyn Pride Day Monday, June 12th  12th Annual Iftar Dinner Friday, June 16th Men's Health Symposium and Expo   Saturday, June 17th Adopt-A-Shelter Animal Day    Wednesday, June 21st NYC Communities Care Workshop Saturday, June 24th "I Am My Sister, My Sister Is Me" Community Resource Fair Wednesday, June 28th One-on-One Assistance Clinic Thursday, June 29th Caribbean-American Heritage Celebration Wednesdays, from July 19th to July 26th A Summer Movie Under The Stars P.P.S. I am excited about 10,000 Concerned Brooklynites, our ongoing effort to identify, organize, and unite people from all walks of life to build a movement which will actively contribute to the betterment of their communities. Click here to sign up and join me and 9,999 other Concerned Brooklynites.   Brooklyn Borough Hall | | askeric@brooklynbp.nyc.gov |  http://www.brooklyn-usa.org 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

REMEMBER - JUNE IS BLACK MUSIC MONTH - ALL OVER THE WORLD

JUNE 8 - JUNE 11, 2017 

VOZA RIVEVOZA RIVERS/NEW HERITAGE THEATRE GROUP in association with  Gertrude Jeannette's H.A.D.L.E.Y. PLAYERS Roger Parris Artistic Director & John Mitchell Productions  present CHOSEN WRITTEN BY JOHN MITCHELL DIRECTED BY ERIC COLEMAN JUNE 8  7:00 PM JUNE 9 7:00 PM JUNE 10 3:00 & 7:00 PM JUNE 11 3:00 PM JULIA  De BURGOS PERFORMANCE AND ARTS CENTER 1680 LEXINGTON AVENUE (BTW 105 & 106 STREET(BTW 105 & 106 STREET)

CHOSEN   The story of how 3 Jazz Musicians from Harlem  survived the segregated Marine Corps  and the perils of  World War II  Starring Gareth Lawson, Nicole Betancourt,  Jerry Nelson Soto, Andre Ozim & Robert Homeyer  Original music by Roy Meriwether  &  Clarence "Chip" Shelton, Musical Director  David D. Wright, Sound Designer Dear Friends & Supporters, Recruiting for the "Montford Marines" began on June 1, 1942. Thousands of African American men, eager to serve, flocked to recruiting offices. The first black recruits received basic training at the segregated Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The 1,200 men in the quota were housed in prefabricated huts. Racism continued in the Marine Corps after the issuance of Executive Order 9981. Railroad tracks divided white residents from the camp for African American troops, and the black recruits were not allowed to enter the main base of nearby Camp Lejeune unless accompanied by a white Marine. By 1945, all drill instructors and many NCOs at Montford Point were African Americans. Between 1942 and 1949, more than 20,000 men were trained at Montford Point. In July 1948, despite strong opposition from Democrats of the segregated South, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which required the desegregation of the military. In 2012 the Montford Marines were finally acknowledged with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Former Mayor David Dinkins was a Montford Marine and is planned to be honored during the run of this play. New Heritage is very proud to present Chosen   the story of 3 Jazz Musicians from Harlem who survived World War II and the racism of the military. Please join us for this informative and entertaining theatrical event. Sincerely, Voza Rivers                                      Jamal Joseph Executive Producer                        Senior Executive Artistic Director New Heritage Theatre Group       New Heritage Theatre Group

TICKETS - $18 - $30 CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS This program is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of  PREVIEWS FOR KILL MOVE PARADISE (Click Image to learn more!) Set in an unearthly place, “Kill Move Paradise” follows Isa, Daz, Grif and Tiny as they try to make sense of their new paradise while confronting the reality of their past in the world they have been ripped from. “Kill Move Paradise” takes the Elysium of Greek antiquity and flips the script. Inspired by recent events, “Kill Move Paradise” is an expressionistic buzz saw through the contemporary myth that "all lives matter.” It is a portrait of the slain, not as degenerates who deserved death but as heroes who demand that we see them for the splendid beings they are. FEATURING: May 31 - June 25, 2017 Previews: May 31 - June 2, 2017 Wednesday - Friday: 7:30 pm Production Run: June 3 - Jun 25, 2017 Thursday - Friday: 7:30pm; Saturday : 2:00 & 7:30; Sunday: 4:00pm TICKETS ONLY $20 FOR PREVIEWS! BUY YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT! GET YOUR TICKET TODAY!                              THE 9TH ANNUAL  TEER SPIRIT AWARDS GALA (Click Image to learn more!) COMMUNITY EVENTS (Click Images to learn more!)                         KEEP SOUL ALIVE Help National Black Theatre Inc. reach new heights!  With your support we can impact the Harlem community even more and make sure NBT is able to Keep Soul Alive! MAKE YOUR CULTURE COUNT! DONATE TODAY...             Click the image above to #StartWithaSmile for your holiday gifts. With every purchase, Amazon donates to the National Black Theatre! Facebook                                                                      Twitter                                                                      Website                                                                      Instagram                                                                      YouTube                                                                                  NBT is partially supported by grants from the Ford Foundation; Andrew Mellon Foundation; Howard Gilman Foundation; City of New York's Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Council Members Inez E. Dickens, 9th Council District; Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito & the New York City Council; New York State Council on the Arts and private donations. Copyright © *|2015|* *|National Black Theatre|*, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 2031 National Black Theatre Way, Harlem, NY 10035 212-722-3800 unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, New York City Council Member Inez E. Dickens, The New York City Council Committee

PHILADELPHIA, PA

REMEMBER - JUNE IS BLACK MUSIC MONTH - ALL OVER THE WORLD

JUNE 3, 2017

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2017 AMJ Entertainment

NEW JERSEY

REMEMBER - JUNE IS BLACK MUSIC MONTH - ALL OVER THE WORLD

NEWARK: MAY 26, 2017

NOTE:  This is one of my favorite organizations - they work  with our Black young males and transform them into young Black men - GDW

Please remember to bring family and friends to come out and support the S.T.E.P.  youth organizations effort in the development of young black men. 

This Friday may 26th, 2017

Please pass the word!

Purchase your online tickets at:  

https://stepskatefundraiser. eventbrite.com

Learn more about S.T.E.P. at:

www.steptothefuture.org/

Make a donation by going to:

donate to S.T.E.P.

Visit S.T.E.P. on Face Book at:

Striving-Together-Equals- Progress-STEP-Inc-

And for S.T.E.P. on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/s.t.e.p.

We can "RAISE A NEW GENERATION OF YOUNG BLACK LEADERS" with your help!

Here's to the Future!

The Brotherhood of S.T.E.P.

Striving Together Equals Progress Inc.

(973) 842-8212

step_incnj@yahoo.com

steptothefuture.org