Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Boatride

When: June 26, Boarding 8pm SHARP
Where: South Street Seaport Pier 17
Damage:$75 before June 20 $100 after
Pre-Boarding Check In/Reception: 7:06pm until boarding @ Sequoia (Mall Entrance)

**3 Levels of Enjoyment**
Music by Chip Shelton & MWV on the first level, and Brooklyn's own DJ LaPooh on the second level

General Tickets: $75 until June 20th, $100 after
Includes: Premium Buffet with carving and dessert stations, Live Jazz Band, DJ, and Premium Cash Bar
Reserved Tables Available for Groups of 10

Attire: Semi-formal- All Black

Proceeds to benefit the Alpha Gamma Lambda Scholarship and Service Foundation

Tickets can be purchased online at www.alphagammalambda.org/cruise.html

Tickets can be purchased by calling:
Shaun B. Henry @ 646-270-7449

Femi Kuti and the Positive Force FREE CONCERT

When: June 25 6:30pm
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell
Prospect Park West and 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
**This is a private home or office**

Femi Kuti is an award winning Nigerian musician, and the oldest son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.

Femi was born in London on 16 June 1962 and grew up in the former Nigerian capital Lagos.

Like his father, Femi has shown a strong commitment to social and political causes throughout his career, but he differs in his religious views.

In 2001, Femi collaborated with a number of US musicians such as Common, Mos Def, and Jaguar Wright, on his Fight to Win album. This album was widely regarded as the most influential Neo-Afrobeat album of the early 21st century

Check out the Femi's youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5w5QpUJxqs

ALL GIRL ART SHOW.....MEN WELCOME

When: Jun 24 7:00 PM
Where: Sputnik
262 Taaffe Pl
Brooklyn, NY 11205
718.398.6666
Damage: $5

Art-Ecologik presents: "Clash of The Industry Titans" - An art social + networking mixer 4 young corporate professionals, artists, designers & musicians. Come out for a fun-filled night of art, music and minglin' with one of the hottest DJs-DJVicBlack from Gangstarr!

The night will feature one of the hottest

ALL-GIRL ARTIST LINE UPS IN NYC!!!:

Alexandria Smith-Granderson (Parsons)

Venus (SVA)

Lissette Barros (The School of the Museum of Fine Arts )

Carrie Hawks (Barnard)

+ DJ VicBlack from Gangstarr will be spinnin' R&B, HipHop and Reggae!

-AND-

live painting by Venus and Lissette Barros!

*(This is a "organically-grown local fresh food" fundraiser event. A portion of the proceeds will go to SBUFC (a women-of-color run and operated urban farmer collective in the South Bronx ... So Fresh & So Clean!)*



Art-Ecologik is accepting artist's submissions for future shows. Please email: reason9776@yahoo.com

Support a New Play HAPA Playwrite/Director/Actress

When: June 23 8:00 pm
Where: Brick Theatre
575 Metropolitan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Big Girls Club (Happy Dance Dance Princess Show) features a wonderful up and coming Hapa actress named Lisa Bierman in a leading role, and is written by hapa director/playwright Leah Winkler, who is also a member of our meetup!

Synopsis:
It's a girls' night in for Lisa, Katie and Nancy. All they want is to be happy. But as they gorge themselves on unhealthy food and BUTTERFACE! the TV Show, the night escalates into a sadistic game of truth or dare that reveals a shockingly surrealistic glimpse to their disturbing world. Big Girls Club (Happy Dance Dance Princess Show) is a play on uppers, exploring excess, fetishism and female cruelty propelled by our ever schizophrenic and media frenzied culture.
....It's a comedy.

For more details and to buy tickets:
http://www.yelp.com/events/brooklyn-big-girls-club-happy-dance-dance-princess-show

Group Discount:
Leah has kindly worked with the theater to set up a group rate exclusively for our group! By entering the online discount code "meetup", you can get tickets for a discounted price of $10 for the next 2 performances.

***Disclaimer - the show is rated R***

**************************************************
We will also be meeting up for drinks at a nearby location following the performance with the writer, director, and cast members. Location details to follow.

HIP HOP MUSIC FESTIVAL

When: June 20
Where: Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park
Plymouth St & Main St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Damage: Suggested Donation is around 10....but they won't turn anyone away


OK, everyone! Old school hip hop and Brooklyn?????

Great combination!

The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival will be held on June 20, 2009. You will get to see old school artists like DJ Premier and Grand Puba.

This is an all- day event, so you can bring your families. Early in the day, you will see family oriented events and you will be able to find out about community organizations, such as the Beacon program, which runs afterschool programs; and Black Girls Rock, which is a mentoring program. Then in the afternoon, the concert series begins at 4pm.

Afterwork Comedy Show hosted by Talent from 98.7 KISS FM

When: June 19
Where: Eden Lounge at 264 West 47th Street
(Between Broadway and 8th Avenue)
Damage: EVERYONE FREE UNTIL 7PM
PAY $10.00 AFTER 7PM
PAY $20.00 AFTER 8PM


Come Dance, laugh, eat & drink with NYC's urban professionals & celebrity comedians!
Doors open 6pm - No cover for All b4 7pm - Drink Specials til 8pm - Show starts @ 8pm

Must RSVP in advance AfterworkFridays@gmail.com

Music will be provided by Da Union's MIKE NEEZE

Come enjoy an A-List comedy show at The Eden Lounge for free!

Featuring the Nation's Top Comedians as seen on DEF COMEDY JAM, BAD BOYS OF COMEDY & B.E.T.'s COMIC VIEW

21+ ID required

Have a Bday coming up?!!

Celebrate with Black Singles Magazine, Adante Ace, Joe Jaxson & TALENT from 98.7 KISS FM

MUST RSVP @ Afterworkfridays@gmail.com

Information about the Eden Lounge: Eden, part of the China Club-makeover (now known as Opera), sports a refreshing indoor/outdoor rooftop bar just above the milling crowds of Time Square. The best of midtown DJ’s play for patrons as they mingle amongst stone columns, observe the trompe l'oeil wallpaper, and dance under colored laser lights. Cocktails range from $9-$16 prices while a beer will run around $7. Bottle service is best enjoyed in the outdoor Cabanas or indoors close to the dance floor that showcases an oak wood vaulted ceiling and décor to match. The outdoor space features an impressively-stocked bar, plush chaises, and a circular banquette set against a verdant backdrop. In a city of clubs that toe the line between ultra-chic and ultra-pretentious, Eden proves it's not a sin to have fun without pandering to a superiority complex.

SKIN film Screening

When: Tuesday, June 16th
Where: The National Black Theater
located at 2031-33 National Black Theatre Way
Fifth Avenue (Btwn 125th & 126th Streets)
More info call 347-581-5016
Damage: $15 in advance and $20 at the door
Buy tickets online at http://www.imagenation.us/pages/main.htm

(the membership discount will be honored, even if you haven't recieved your card yet!)

ImageNation invites you to a night of film, music, discussion and cocktails at an advance screening of ... SKIN

a film by Anthony Fabian and starring Sophie Okonedo

SKIN is a dramatic feature based on the true life story of Sandra Laing. Sandra is distinctly African looking. Her parents, Abraham and Sannie, are white Afrikaners, unaware of their Black ancestry. They are shopkeepers in a remote area of the Eastern Transvaal and, despite Sandra's mixed-race appearance, have lovingly brought her up as their 'white' little girl.

Evetually, Sandra realizes that she will never be accepted in white society. She falls in love with a Black man, is disowned by her family, and leaves home to her life, for the first time, as a black woman in South Africa - with no running water, no sanitation, and little income.

SKIN examines race, identity and power, through a story of family, forgiveness and the triumph of the human spirit.

100 Black Men of America 23rd Annual Conference

When: June 10-14, 2009
Where: New York Hilton
1335 Avenue of the Americas



DETAILED SCHEDULE FOR 100 BLACK MEN 23RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Black Tie Gala and Concert
Location: Grand Ballroom Suite – 3rd Floor
Time: 8pm to 11pm
Price: $250.00 per person or $2500 for table of 10
Emcee: Vivica Fox / Curt Menefee

Honorees: Leadership in Public Advocacy
Gov. David Paterson
Gov. Douglas Wilder
Leadership in Education
Dr. Howard Fuller – Black Alliance for Education Options
Dr. Charles Kennedy (WellPoint)
New York Chapter Recognition
Entertainment: Maxwell

Host Presenting Sponsors: Bloomberg L.P.
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
Sponsors: AARP
Anheuser-Busch Companies

FREE ADMISSION TO PPV COTTO vs. CLOTTEY

When: June 13, 2009
Where: Village Pourhouse
982 Amsterdam Avenue
between 108 and 109
Damage: FREE
Pay Per View fight of Cotto vs Clottey, with FREE ADMISSION for our readers...Please RSVP to aka.whitleygillbert@gmail.com and include number in party along with names. Parties larger than 4 will not be accepted.

The Village Pourhouse-Uptown, one of the newest bar/restaurants in uptown area! Excellent drinks, food and music in a spacious bar/lounge on the UWS. No dress code. Throw on a pair of jeans and sneakers or slacks and shoes and come through!!!

Please note the details below:


Admission is FREE. You just pay for your own drinks and food.
For those that wish to take advantage of the $40 Open Bar deal can either prepay here online via the Paypal link below, or pay at the door when you arrive to receive your drink bracelet. Note that those who prepay via Paypal get first dibs on the seats, no exceptions.
$40 prepaid Open Bar Special Paypal link for the event via Paypal.
The Full open bar special, top shelf drinks included. Open bar starts from the beginning of the boxing program, and lasts until the end of the title fight.
We will have a dedicated waitress as well, so no need to wait on lines at the bar!! Even if you do not get the $40 Open Bar drink special, you will still have a waitress available to take your drink orders!
We will have 3 flat screen TV's in our VIP section to view the fight, while mingling with the group.
They have a bar food menu as well (wings, calamari, sliders, chips and dip, chicken tenders, quesadillas, spring rolls, etc).
They also have a VERY EXTENSIVE BEER menu as well (more than 100 Beers from over 20 Countries).
After the fight, they will have a DJ spinning Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae and Top 40, for those that want to hang around as well.

7th Annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

When: June 13-14 11am til 7pm

Where: Madison Square Park

The Seventh Annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party returns to Madison Square Park June 13-14, 2009, from
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. The weekend-long event takes place every June and brings together the country’s top pitmasters who cook
up their award-winning food for over a hundred thousand barbecue enthusiasts. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Madison Square Park, the Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party attracts people from near and far to sustain and celebrate America’s authentic culinary and musical traditions.
Admission to the event is free. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the event – from great live music to engaging seminars and cooking demonstrations – without ever dropping a dollar. The country’s best barbecue is available from top pitmasters for only $8 per plate.
Proceeds from the Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party support the Madison Square Park Conservancy, the organization responsible for the beauty, ongoing maintenance, and programming of this historic park.
Saturday, June 13
1:00PM – 2:15PM SARON CRENSHAW
Singer/guitarist SaRon Crenshaw might be one of the most soulful and exciting blues artists you haven’t yet heard. The thing is, he’s been out there for over three decades, having shared stages with the likes of Denise LaSalle, Bobby Rush and the late Tyrone Davis. SaRon Crenshaw is a masterful blues showman in the lineage of B.B., Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy.
2:45PM – 4:00PM HOWARD TATE
Howard Tate is one of the world’s greatest living soul singers and the man who recorded the original versions of “Stop” (covered by Jimi Hendrix), “Ain’t Nobody Home” (B.B. King), and “Get It While You Can” (Janis Joplin). Missing from public view for over twenty years, Tate made a triumphant return in 2002. Appearing with Howard Tate will be The Sweet Divines, a fabulous femme foursome (Pamela Quinn, Ashley Vitha, Jennie Wasserman and Heather Wolfe) making new soul music in a distinctly old school way.

Jay-Z Vs. Biggie all night long!!

When : June 11, 2009
Where: Sutra Lounge
16 1st Ave.
btwn 1st & 2nd St. | LES | F or V train to 2nd Ave, get out @ 1st Ave.
Time: 10:30 until 4
Damage: FREE
Who can resist the music of Jay-Z and Biggie?! Hiphop music @ it's best! :-) Well...If you LOVE Biggie and Jay-Z, come out and join us @ The Sutra Lounge located on the lower east side this Thursday!

In addition, if you're not the "club" type too much anymore, Sutra lounge provides the perfect atmosphere to dance, drink and socialize while listening to Biggie and Jay-Z's hottest hits ALL NIGHT LONG!

NOTE: please rsvp @: kingroddyjones@gmail.com

Gospel Uptown Restaurant Opening

When: June 12
Where: Gospel Uptown Restaurant
2110 Seventh Avenue
(between 125th & 126th Streets)
Damage: FREE

The Village of Harlem’s Most Exciting Opening of the Year
Features The Best of Entertainment, Dining and Inspiration!

New York, New York (May 26, 2009)- On June 12, 2009, Gospel Uptown ( aka GU) Harlem’s Inspirational Place, the hottest new entertainment and dining destination will open its doors in the heart of Harlem at African Square at 2110 Seventh Ave between 125th & 126th Streets. GU will present a daily schedule of established performers and emerging artists, reflecting the influence Gospel has had on many genres of music, including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Blues, Latin, R&B and World Beat. Comedy, poetry, liturgical dance and musical theatre will also be featured on GU’s state-of - the art sound stage. The theme of this broad-based entertainment platform will be to bring the “good news” of inspirational performances to Harlem residents, visitors and tourists.

Occupying 12,000 square feet, and accommodating 225 diners, and 500 for cocktail receptions, GU will offer its guests Healthful Soul Fusion Cuisine at brunch, lunch, dinner, private parties and special events. Leading the culinary team is Chef Kenneth Collins who calls his cooking style “multi-ethnic nouvelle.” Previously the Executive Chef of NYC’s Ida Mae’s Restaurant, Chef Collins will use this eclectic approach for GU’s menu, venturing beyond the familiar soul food items to include Asian, Latin and intriguing accents —the result will be a unique cuisine not found anywhere else in Harlem.

GU patrons will be uplifted by the expansive, elegant dining beautifully designed by Harlem based architect Victor Body –Lawson. Exceptional service will be provided by GU’s well trained staff under the leadership of veteran restaurant general manager Aiesha Abel. Other features will include a sidewalk cafe, a signature non-alcoholic beverage menu, private green room/dressing rooms to accommodate talent, and an unique array of merchandise in the GU Gift Shop.

GU’s Founder/Owner is long-standing Harlem entrepreneur Joseph H. Holland. “With all GU has to offer, our vision is for this new entertainment/dining destination to become both a spur and symbol of Harlem’s Second Renaissance.”

For the entertainment calendar, visit the GU website – www.gospeluptown.com.

GU serves Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30am-3:00pm; Brunch: Saturday& Sunday 10:30am-4:00pm; Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 6:00pm-11:00pm, Friday and Saturday 6:00pm-Midnight; Reservations are Required. For More Information call 212-280-2110.

When you are considering where to go to enjoy the Harlem community, and to fellowship
with family and friends in an elegant setting come to Gospel Uptown, where you will experience the best of entertainment, dining and inspiration!

**FREE EVENT** ANDY TROY'S 4th Annual LUAU

When:Friday, June 12, 2009 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: Imperial 17 West 19th
Damage: FREE

Hello Everyone:

This year, I'll be teaming with my good friends Lyndon & Eric to present an event that's hard to beat!

It Will Include:

*Free leis for those who aren't already wearing them as a
fashion statement.

*Drink specials including $6.00 Mai Tais & Malibu Bay Breezes!

* Umbrellas for your umbrella drinks.

*Umbrella drinks for your umbrellas.

*Music by my friend Freddie Retro!

So put on your best Hawaiian shirt or your most festive tropical wear, and lets get the summer started!