The Music of Bob Marley For Kids Family Concert

Check out the free family concert coming to Brooklyn on  Saturday, November 10, 

2018 at 12:30 PM at Industry City - 274 36th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232

http://therockandrollplayhouse.com/industry-city

Liyana Review

Last week I got to attend the opening of the movie "Liyana" in NYC. I thought it covered the very sensitive issue of children orphaned by AIDS with creativity and understanding. This is special if you get an opportunity check it out.

Liyana Review

Liyana is a gorgeous story where the landscape includes a documentary about five orphans living in Swaziland and an animated folk tale created  by them. When your country is peopled with over 100,000 children who are orphans growing up without their parents, one expects the stories told will be filled with strife, fear and hopelessness. Yet Liyana, the story created by the young people from Swaziland offers courage and healing, and a special look into the ravages of  a country plagued by AIDS.

In the documentary, Gcina Mhlophe, the leader and activist in a storytelling workshop guides the children whose lives have been colored by abuse, violence, hunger and AIDS to create a character that mirrors their own lives.  Liyana, the character they create is a good daughter. She is there for her mother when her twin brothers Thunder and Lightening are born, she cares for her mother when she gets sick and endures the violence of her father.  When her twin brothers are kidnapped she sets out with her beloved bull on a heroic journey to find them. This journey entails violence, hunger and despair along with brutal robbers, snapping crocodiles and a mean monster. The children are all to familiar with these obstacles so will they allow their heroine to overcome her trials or will she drown in despair?. With guidance from Mhlophe the children decide her fate, and in the process they create a powerful story that resonates with young and old.

In Liyana, the children "conjure a world of danger and enchantment that the directors (Amanda and Aaron Kopp) bring to life" while the animation from Nigerian artist Shofela Coker brings a visually rich and pictorial quality to the screen. Her sensual sunrise and lucious mangoes creates a world that is inviting despite the hardships of Liyana's life. The orphans' and Liyana's story are both touching and worth sharing. The film is on limited distribution in various locations so check their website for showings and distribution information.

www.liyanathemovie.com

Join Jumpstart for a Read Along of "Maybe Something Beautiful" on Oct 25.

Jumpstart will celebrate their 13th Annual Read for the Record on October 25, 2018. They are inviting everyone to read this year's selection, Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell and illustrated by Rafael Lopez.

Jumpstart's Read for the Record brings together millions of people each year in classrooms, libraries, community centers and homes across the United States. This annual campaign was launched over a decade ago to highlight the importance of building early literacy and language skill for every child so that all children have the opportunity to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed.  Check your local library for special activities.

Can art transform a grey community? Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood tells the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California through the eyes and inspiration of a young girl who brings a splash of color to her community.

For more information and to take the pledge www.jstart.org

We celebrate International Girls Day

In 2011, the United Nations declared October 11 International Day of The Girl. The resolution stated, "Empowerment of and investment in girls are key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence."  

Today women are releasing their fears and finding their voices. As we work to empower young women, this day allows us to celebrate their new strength, their resilience and their dreams.

Support Arts Jam 2017

Although New York City is the center of the art world, arts programs at New York city school children are considered inadequate.  New York offers families the best museums, theaters and cultural experiences in the world. Children's Focus was started to  encourage parents to expose their children to the abundance of cultural institutions in the city, but part of that  equation was to encourage children to participate first hand in creating music, art and literature. Unfortunately, funding for arts in New York City schools does not match that level of interest. The Center for Arts Education is trying to bridge that gap by providing parents and educators with information that empowers them to engage their schools on this issue. To learn more about their work, parents can download Arts Education Parents Advocacy Toolkit.

There are lots of great reasons for parents to get involved in getting art programs into the school. First, there are the benefits for the children, studies have shown that children who participate in dance, music, theater and visual art do better in their class work. Children can enjoy dancing, playing an instrument or creating art while they also learn discipline and self control,  This creativity allows children to think and build outside the box, to find solutions to problems, and eventually,  paves the way for a better society.

On May 1, you can support the work of The Center of Arts Education at their fundraiser, Arts Jam 2017. Enjoy a fun evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, musical performances, and a live and silent auction at SLATE, 54 W21 Street, New York, NY, at 6:30pm. If you are unable to attend the party, you can make a donation by contacting Kim Craig kim@caenyc.org or 212-971-3300. This year they will be honoring artist, composer, musician, filmmaker Laurie Anderson; and educators Patrick Burns and Maria Justiniano from J.H.S.217Q. 

International Women's Day

"Fearless Girl" The Wall Street Bull Meets His Match

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action, and the theme for 2017 is "Be Bold For Change."

This holiday has been observed for over a century. In 1975, International Women's Day was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations. Then in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.  The issues that women faced a hundred years ago are not that much different than the ones we face today, and the problems we face in our community are not that different across the globe. Everyone is encouraged to commemorate the day in her own unique way and work with other women to bring change. This is a year of activism, and International Women's Day is a catalyst.

"So make a difference, think globally and act locally!
Make everyday International Women's Day.
Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding."



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Celebrate Valentine's Day with Pen Parentis

Tonight join Pen Parentis for their racy special Valentine's Day event.  The Pen Parentis Literary Salon is a unique Downtown series that shatters parental stereotypes as it celebrates the diverse creative work of writers that are also parents.  For Valentines' Day they are featuring grassroots journalist Shani Gilchrist, Columbia professor Karl Jacoby, and bestselling novelist Helen Wan. These three amazing writers come together to discuss writing about race and other topics. Expect the unexpected. Join them on February 14  at Andaz Wall Street, 75 Wall Street, NY. Second Floor from 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM.  And it's free. Refreshments compliments of Andaz Wall Street. Pen Parentis meets on the second Tuesday of each month September through May. Visit their site http://www.penparentis.org/calendar

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