CALENDAR by Bo

Houston Person at Jazz 966

Through Sunday, April 8@3p: DORSEY ART GALLERY, the oldest continuously active black-owned art gallery in New York City, opens The 2+2 Art Show. 553 Rogers Avenue, corner of Lawrence P. Dorsey Way. The show features more than 50 pieces of original works in a range of mediums from two women plus two men, Romana Candy, Mary Change and Joseph Bell-Bey, Dudley Vaccianna. Details: 718-771-3803

April 25 – May 30: African Voices and Savae, Inc. will present A Choice of Weapons: The New Renaissance Artists in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Gordon Parks. Details to come.

Bookmaking
Bookmaking for Poets, Tues., April 17 – May 29; 8 sessions; also explore process of compiling and writing a poetry manuscript; trends in self-publishing. 6 pm-8 pm Registration: $200. Instructor: Jacqueline Johnson. Sponsor: African Voices magazine. You may mail registration fees to African Voices Magazine at 270 W. 96th St., Manhattan, 10025

Cinema (screenings)
Wed., April 11 – 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 from the legacy of music legend Miriam Makeba—subject of the Opening Night Film Mama Africa—to Diasporic visions like the New York-set Restless City. 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, as well as give a unique look into the life of President Obama through a film on his half-sister, The Education of Auma Obama.

The NYAFF will run from April 11 through 17 at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, and throughout April and May at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies, Maysles Cinema Institute and the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s cinematek. “This is a continuation of the discussion about the shape of Africa that has taken place since independence and that is now not being embraced by the younger generation,” said African Film Festival, Inc. Executive Director and Founder Mahen Bonetti. “Though these young people have not in many ways been thrown a lifeline as post-Independent conflict emerged, they have somehow managed, through technology, to craft their own narrative, unconsciously drawing on the past and creating something new and very modern without having disavowed the past.” Tickets: $13 General Public, $9 Students & Seniors, $8 Film Society Members. Visit www.africanfilmny.org for info.

Concerts
Fri., April 6 – Houston Person Quartet, JAZZ966, 966 Fulton St. @ Grand Ave., 8-10pm, $20, 718.638.8910, www.jazz966.com

Sun., April 8
Easter Sunday Premiere
Randy Weston’s
An African Nubian Suite
Randy Weston performs with his African Rhythms Orchestra
Featuring Jayne Cortez and Robin D.K. Kelley/
7:00pm/New York University/
Tickets: $15. 212-352-3101
(See Our Time Press story, p. 10)

Mon., April 9 – Bilal Sunni Ali & “The Singing Chef” Ras Chemash Lamed with Song of Life Ensemble, For My Sweet, 1103 Fulton St. @ Classon Ave., 2 shows – 7:15 & 9:15pm, $10, 718.857.1427, jazzymondays@gmail.com

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.

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

Thurs., April 19 – BROWNSVILLE to BROADWAY, afternoon of blues, tap, jazz, featuring The Harlem Blues and Jazz Band and Brownsville tap dancer Calvin Booker. Van Dyke Community Center, 392 Blake Ave., Bklyn., btw. Powell and Mother Gaston Blvd. Program is scheduled for 2pm- 3:15pm. FREE to the public. For directions, contact Van Dyke, 718-495-3719 or Councilwoman Diane Mealy’s office: 718-953-3097.

Fri., April 20 –The legendary LOU DONALDSON QUARTET at JAZZ966. 966 Fulton St. at Grand Ave., 8-10pm.Donation: $20. 917-593-0776.

Saturday, April 21- JAZZ SAXOPHONIST RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA leads his quintet for the New York Premiere of SAMDHI SUITE at Carnegie Hall. Musicians are: guitarist David Gilmore, bassist Rich Brown, drummer Gene Lake and percussionist Anand Ananthakrishnan. The concert is presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with The Joyce and George Wein Foundation in memory of Joyce Wein. Tickets: Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57 St.; CarnegieCharge, 212-247-7800; or visit: carnegiehall.org.

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
Opening today and ongoing through April 6 – Tyler Perry’s new comedy, The Haves and the Have-Nots, starring Palmer E. Williams, Patrice Lovely, Tony Hightower, Alexis Jones, touches on today’s key issues: from foreclosures to finances, and the prayers, relationships, critical thinking, mother wit and humor that keep people afloat. It can be seen at the Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, NYC. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.

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.

Family& Community
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

Faith Centers
HOLY WEEK SERVICES AT BROOKLYN CHURCHES, Through April 8
Bethany Baptist Church, 460 Marcus Garvey Blvd. in Brooklyn, continues Holy Week services with a series of powerful messages, including the Seven Last Words on Good Friday, April 6, beginning at noon:The Rev. Dr. M. Marquette Peace, Pastor – Zion Baptist Church, starts with the First Word, “Father, Forgive Them” (Luke 23:34). He is followed by the Rev. Michael A. Walrond, Pastor – First Corinthian Baptist Church (“Verily I Say unto Thee ..”., Luke 23:42-43); Rev.Dr. David L. Kelley II, Pastor – Christ Fellowship Baptist Church (“Woman, Behold Thy Son …,” John 19:26-27); Rev. Dr. S. Wayne Stokeling, Pastor – New Journey Church (“My God, My God …” Matthew 27:46); Rev. Conrad B. Tillard, Pastor – Nazarene Congregational Church (“I Thirst…”, John 19:28); Bishop Eric Figueroa, Sr., Pastor/Founder – New Life Tabernacle (“It Is Finished,” John 19:30); and Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor – Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, (“Father, into Thy Hands …,” Luke 23:46). On Easter Sunday, April 8, Bethany’s Dr. Peyton leads services at 8:00a and 11:00a. www.bethanybcbrooklyn.org. (718) 455-8400

Fund-raisersThurs., 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

Green Events (see special separate listing)

Housing Workshops (Foreclosures, Lien Sales, First-Time Buyers)
Bridge Street Development Corporation’s Recurring FREE SPRING WORKSHOPS:
· 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

Legal
Fri., April 6 & Sat. April 7, 9a –3p, each day: SAFE SURRENDER. Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 212 Tompkins Avenue @ DeKalb Ave. The Court and Defense Attorneys will be available to resolve any outstanding summons warrants including: Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Alcohol under the age of 21, Consumption of Alcohol in Public, Unlawful Possession of Handcuffs , Littering, Riding a Bicycle on the Sidewalk, Making Unreasonable Noise/Animal Nuisance, Failure to have a Dog License, Unleashed Dog, Spitting, Trespass, Disorderly Conduct, Loitering, In the Park after Closing, Failure to Comply with a Posted Sign in Park. For More Info Call: 718-250-3888. www.projectsafesurrender2011.org

Green Events – April is Earth Month
Listings Submissions Sponsor: Magnolia Tree Earth Center of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc.

Saturday, April 14
Magnolia Tree Earth Center — 100 FREE TREES GIVEN AWAY IN BED-STUY, APRIL 14
Sat., April 14th: 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 ARTS/Concerts)