Milestones
GIL NOBLE: Mr. Noble’s Home Going service will be tonight, Thursday, April 12th, 7-10pm. The funeral service will be tomorrow, Friday, April 13th at 10am. The Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 Odell Clark Pl.(formerly 138th St.), New York. 10030, Tel: 212-862-7474. The Home Going service will be today, Thursday, April 12th, 7-10pm and the funeral service will be Friday, April 13th at 10am. (See story starting on this page.)
Arts, Culture, Lifestyle
Saturday, April 14, 3p
Walking Tour of the 2012 Black President’s Day Exhibition, led by African textiles author and Fulbright scholar Catherine McKinley. Liquid Oz Cafe. 302 Malcolm X Blvd. (between Decatur and MacDonough Streets) Brooklyn, NY. FREE (See story on page 3.)
Cinema (screenings)
Ongoing to Tues., April 17: The Film Society of Lincoln Center (FSLC) and the African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) have again joined forces to present the 19th New York African Film Festival (NYAFF). Presented under the theme “21st Century: The Homecoming,” this year’s festival will explore the modern notion of home and homeland. The NYAFF will also mark the 100th Anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC) and the 50th Anniversary of Independence for Algeria, Burundi, Jamaica, Rwanda and Uganda. Tickets: $13 General Public, $9 Students & Seniors, $8 Film Society Members. Visit www.africanfilmny.org for info.
Conversations
Fri., April 20
6:30p: The Eleventh National Black Writers Conference will host a post- Conference Center for Black Literature Fundraiser with Tavis Smiley and Cornel West at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, located at 695 Park Ave. (at E. 68th Street), New York, N.Y. Smiley and West will discuss their new book, The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto; this event will be their only New York City appearance to discuss their book. Smiley and West challenge us to re-examine our assumptions about poverty in America, what it really is and how to eliminate it now. Dr. Greene, Executive Director of the Center for Black Literature, states that, “The Rich and the Rest of Us is a reminder that we have a responsibility to do what we must to eradicate social and economic injustice in our society.” Tickets: $30 (w/o the book). To purchase tickets in advance, go to www.CLSJ.org and click “Donate.” Online ticketing is administered by the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College. Or call 718-270-4811.
Concerts
Fri., April 13 – Bob Cunningham Quartet, JAZZ966, 966 Fulton St. @ Grand Ave., 8-10pm, $15, 917-593-0776., www.jazz966.com
Sat., April 14 – 11:00a New Federal Theatre’s BLOOM AGAIN: Ceremony followed by Concert at 12Noon: “Harlem for Japan: TOMO Friendship Ceremony and Concert”- Sakura Park, 122nd & Riverside Dr. in Manhattan. (See ad, Page 6.)
Mon., April 16 – THE LAST POETS Originators of Revolutionary Poetry, For My Sweet, 1103 Fulton St. @ Classon Ave., 2 shows – 7:15 & 9:15pm, $10, 718.857.1427, jazzymondays@gmail.com
Fri., April 20 –The legendary LOU DONALDSON QUARTET at JAZZ966. 966 Fulton St. at Grand Ave., 8-10pm.Donation: $20. 917-593-0776.
Fri., April 27 – The Harlem Renaissance Big Band swings at JAZZ966. The 18-piece Swingtet features Jann Parker vocals with Ron Parker conducting for a Jazz966 Dance Party. 917-593-0776
2012 Dance Africa, led by Baba Chuck Davis, journeys to BAM, May 25-28 for 35th-Year performances. Special anniversary celebration will be on May 20, 2012 at 3pm. www.bam.org
Theater
Ongoing through April 15 – Journalist/Playwright Betty Dopson’s SHARED SECRETS of ELDER SISTERS, a play about the gripping confessions of seven sisters born in the early 1900’s who fought battles against racism, disrespect, sexism and poverty and won because of the choices they made. Stars: Dr. Adelaide Sanford, Nana Camille Yarbrough, Nana Betty Dopson. Runs on weekends: Fridays and Saturday eves, 8:00pm and Sunday matinees, 4:00pm. Black Spectrum Theater, 177th St. & Baisley Blvd. (Inside Roy Wilkins Park), Jamaica, NY. Tickets, Info: 718-723-1800.
Black Book Fair
Sun., April 22, 3p-7p, The Brooklyn Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is inviting the community to READ and meet authors and book illustrators at Medgar Evers College, 1150 Carroll Street, BK. For more information, visit: www.brooklynalumnaedst.org
Fund-raisers
Thurs., April 26, 8:00pm – Firefighter Leon W. Smith Foundation. Billy Holiday Theater located in Restoration Plaza, Brooklyn, N.Y. Tickets: $20.00 per person. According to Foundation rep, the organization has raised more than $75,000 and assisted ten students; three have graduated. Details: http://ffleonwsmithfoundation.com
Sat. April 28, 12noon-4p: The Girls High School Alumnae Association will hold their annual scholarship luncheon at Bethany Baptist Church 460 Marcus Garvey Blvd Bklyn NY .They will honor Bernard Gassaway, Principal of Boys and Girls High School; Fred Powell, Ceo of Barbara’s Flower Shop; and Ava Barnett. President of the Brownstoners of Bedford- Stuyvesant. Scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors of Boys and Girls High School. Donation $55.00 For addition information contact Pearl Jones 718 789-3996
Green Events (see special separate listing)
Housing Workshops (Foreclosures, Lien Sales, First-Time Buyers)
Thurs., April 12 – Sun., April 15, 10am- 7pm – Chase to Help Struggling Homeowners: Chase loan advisors will set up shop at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge for four days to help struggling homeowners find the best solution. Homeowners with Chase mortgages can receive the following services:Initial counseling to apply for a mortgage modification; Counseling for those who are current on their mortgage but are struggling; Short-sale assistance for those who cannot afford their home or don’t want to stay in it; Document signing and drop-off for modifications; Collection of outstanding documents for those on trial modifications; On-site execution of final modification agreements for customers who have completed their modification application. Chase loan counselors will assist borrowers with a Chase, EMC or WaMu mortgage. WHERE: New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Ballroom, 333 Adams St., Brooklyn HOW FAST: No appointments are necessary. Chase expects to sit down with most borrowers within 15 minutes of their arrival. BACKGROUND: The event supplements Chase Homeownership Centers that help New York families every week, from Monday through Saturday, including a locations at: 4 Chase Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, 718-242-2500; 176-60 Union Turnpike, Flushing, 718-286-5190; 530 Fifth Avenue, 8th floor, New York, 212-837-3207 (Monday – Friday, call for appointment)
FREE April – May Workshops Sponsored by the Bridge Street Development Corp.
· Weds. through April 18, 6:30p-8:30p/Fresh Start Clinic on Foreclosures
· Sats., April 14, April 21,10a-2p/First- time Buyer Counseling
· Thurs., April 19, 6:30-8:30/Saving on Energy Bills
Site for the Above: 456D Jefferson Avenue, nr. Nostrand, Bklyn.
· Weds., May 2, 5p-8p/Tax Water Lien Help Night
· (Restoration-1368 Fulton Street, Bklyn) Details: 718-636-7596, ext. 14
Green Special Events –
Listings Sponsor: Magnolia Tree Earth Center of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc.
Saturday, April 14
8:00a –BEDFORD-STUYVESANT HOME DEPOT’S 2012 GARDEN GRAND OPENING
585 DeKalb Avenue. Details- 718-230-0833.
Magnolia Tree Earth Center — 100 FREE TREES GIVEN AWAY IN BED-STUY, APRIL 14
11:00a-3:00p -PACC and Magnolia Tree Earth Center Tree Giveaway. 100 Free Trees will be given away to the public. PACC’s Affordable Housing Building- Magnolia Plaza, 686 Lafayette Avenue (btw. Marcy & Tompkins), Reserve your Crape Myrtle, Magnolia or a Pear Tree in advance! Go to www.nyrp.org/brooklyntrees. Trees will be available to individuals, families and community groups for planting on private property only and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out. Simple tree-planting and care instructions come with your free tree. All you need is a place to plant your tree and access to water. It is recommended that you bring a folding shopping cart to transport your tree. This event is hosted by PACC and Magnolia Tree Earth Center and is sponsored by: Toyota, plaNYC, NYC Parks Department, NYRP and the Million Trees Project. Rain or Shine.* First-come, first-served .* Arrive early as trees will run out quickly!
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens – If it’s April, Hanami’s here. According to the BBG, “Hanami at BBG follows the Japanese tradition of enjoying each moment of the cherry blossom season. BBG’s many species of cherry trees bloom at different times, culminating in a magnificent display on Cherry Esplanade. Hanami culminates in the Sakura Matsui Festival, the weekend of April 28-29 at the Gardens. For more information: www.bbg.org
New Federal Theatre: “BLOOM AGAIN” – SAKURA CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL-Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Gift of the Sakura Cherry Trees. Ceremony and Performances: “HARLEM FOR JAPAN: Tomo Friendship Festival” at Riverside Drive and 112nd Street. (See ad on page 6.)