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LA EVENTS: The 7th Annual Young African American Males Conference

Friendship Baptist Church will be holding its 7th annual Young African American Males’ Conference at the Pasadena City College on Saturday, September 21 at 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The event, with the theme “Success by Choice,” is co-hosted by the Metropolitan Community, Action Services Corporation and Pasadena City College, which is located at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

Friendship Baptist Church is one of the oldest congregations in the city of Pasadena, having been founded in September 1893. It was the first Negro Baptist Church in the city and for many years had the largest membership of any African-American Church. Throughout it’s history, the Church has played an important religious and civic role in Pasadena.

This is an awesome conference geared towards helping young Black men learn life skills that will help through school and beyond! This is also an opportunity for our young men to network and develop mentors to aid them through life’s challenges. Support this event on the 21st!

For more information, visit http://pfbchurch.net.

 

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LA EVENTS – Sip: A New After Work Experience

LA Babies, if you kicked it with us through spring/summer then you know Sip: A New After Work Experience is the place to be this Thursday! We are moving indoors and across town for the fall to The Brownstone Bistro with Chef Clive Jackson at the helm of the kitchen! Between his “knock you off your feet” rum punch, coconut shrimp, chicken and shrimp quesadillas, and a slice of homemade sweet potato cheesecake, you’ll leave Sip fuller than a tick at this happiest of happy hour events! Be sure to RSVP via the Facebook event page to be eligible to win our dinner/theatre package which includes dinner at The Brownstone Bistro and tickets to see “One Night in Miami” at Rogue Machine Theatre! Details for Thursday are as follows:

Sip: A New After Work Experience

@ The Brownstone Bistro

5047 W. Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90019

Happy hour from 5 – 9 pm

See you there!

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LA EVENTS: Leimert Park Village African Art & Music Festival

This is the most anticipated Labor Day event in LA – where people party all day and night!!!

The 5th Annual FREE Leimert Park Village African Art & Music Festival in Historic Leimert Park Village is a FREE 3-day event, scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31, Sept. 1 & Sept. 2, 2013 in the heart of LA’s most dynamic cultural enclave for African and African American culture enjoyed by over 10,000 people from all council districts. Our highly anticipated festival features jazz, blues, reggae, R&B, neo-soul, Afro-beat, spoken word, comedy, traditional African drumming and dance.

In addition to our exceptional music, there are 5 special events that occur during the festival: 1) a Fashion Show, 2) a Natural Hair Show, 3) Sankofa Sunday – a remembrance of those that have transitioned in the past year, 4) a Legacy Awards Ceremony and 5) Leimert Park After Dark – entertainment in and around Leimert Park that occur after 6pm on Sat. & Sun. nights.

Our multi-generational and multi-ethnic audience will enjoy browsing and shopping in our authentic African Marketplace that has over 50 fine art and quality craft vendors selling paintings, sculptures, wood carvings, jewelry, designer clothes, and quality crafts from around the African Diaspora.

We also have age-appropriate activities and distinct areas for children and teens and an international food court with vegetarian, vegan and meat entrees, quick bites, snacks, desserts and drinks.

We invite you to join over 10,000 people who eagerly look forward to this annual event that showcases the best national and local talent.

Email Us: leimertparkfestival@gmail.com

Like Us: facebook.com/LeimertParkFestival

Follow Us: twitter.com/LeimertParkFest

Join Us: http://tinyurl.com/7t3xv8j

Stay Informed: LeimertParkFestival.blogspot.com

Dates: Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31, Sept. 1, Sept. 2, 2013
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, daily
Location: Vision Theater Special Events Lot, 4318 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008

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LA EVENTS: One Night In Miami

February 25, 1964 was supposed to be a great day for boxing fans. It was the day a loudmouth, 22-year-old fighter named Cassius Clay was finally supposed to have his bragging stopped by fearsome heavyweight champ Sonny Liston. That was not to be, and after the young Clay’s shocking victory, there was no celebration planned, since no one thought he would actually win. No one except his three friends, activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football player Jim Brown. The foursome threw together a party in Malcolm’s tiny hotel room in Overtown, the city’s downtrodden black ghetto. The next morning, Cassius would make an announcement that would shock the world yet again. One Night in Miami… imagines what might have transpired on that very real, very fateful night in Malcolm’s motel room in 1964. The civil rights struggle was ready to boil over. And in less than a year, two of these friends would be dead. But on this night, the possibilities seemed endless.

The World Premiere of

One Night in Miami…

by Kemp Powers

Directed by Carl Cofield

Featuring Kevin Daniels, Jason Delane, Matt Jones, Ty Jones, Jason E. Kelley, Burl Moseley, Giovanni Adams, and Jah Shams

Scenic Design by Stephanie Kerley Schwartz

Lighting Design by Leigh Allen

Sound Design by Christopher Moscatiello

Costume Design by Naila Aladdin Sanders

Prop Design by Katherine Hunt

Stage Manager: Daniel Coronel

Buy your tickets NOW!

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KC’s Corner: Recap of LA’s 1st Annual Natural Hair Expo (PODCAST)

Listen in as KC recaps her experience at Los Angeles’ 1st Annual Natural Hair Expo! Special shout out to the vendors I had the pleasure of supporting: Sophie’s Hair Essence, My Black Skin Is…Tees and Apparel, and Mademoiselle Cafe Au Lait’s Chic Boutique!

For comments or questions about this episode, call the hotline at (323) 455-4219!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

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LA EVENTS: Ramsey Lewis at BHCP!

The BHCP free summer concert series continues this Thursday with a performance from composer, pianist and music legend Ramsey Lewis! This event is free and open to the public. Early arrival is suggested and doors open at 5:30 pm! Enter to win a pair of free VIP tickets for seating at this extraordinary event! Details are as follows:

BHCP Live! featuring

Ramsey Lewis 

and His Electric Band

Thursday August 8th at (Doors open at 5:30pm)

Please visit Ramsey’s website at: www.ramseylewis.com  and Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/RamseyLewisJazz

*Sorry, no glass containers, alcoholic beverages, or audio/video recorders are allowed.*

 

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LA EVENTS: Wellington Square Farmers Market Fundraiser

LA Babies, we have a few farmers market options around zip codes 90008, 90043, 90016, and 90018 – and therefore we need to do what we can to keep them going. The Wellington Square Certified Farmers Market sponsored by the Mid Los Angeles Healthy Community Project (501c3 pending) and also sponsored by, The General Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist IRS 501(c)(3)#52-0643036 is holding a fundraiser on the evening of Friday, August 2nd from 7pm-midnight, at a lovely private historic home in our community. Tickets are $29.00 which will include food, drinks and live music.  This is an over 21 years of age event. We will have a bar with specialty mixed cocktails, wine and beer for a modest additional cost.

This is personally, one of my favorite neighborhood markets because of their fresh floral and produce selection – you can’t beat it! Come out this Friday night and show your support so that we can keep this farmers market going! Details are as follows:

Wellington Square Farmers Market Fundraiser

Friday, August 2nd from 7pm – 12am

1927 Buckingham Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Tickets: $29 which includes food and (non-alcoholic) drinks

See you there!

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LA EVENTS: Los Angeles Natural Hair Care Expo

Calling a kinky, curly, and transitioning folks! The 1st Annual Los Angeles Hair Care Expo is almost here!E

Experience all things about natural hair care; organic body & skin products, holistic living workshops, afrocentric hair products and accessories, styling demos, look and learn classes, community economic empowerment speakers and more. Whether you are natural, straight, transitioning, wearing hair extensions and wigs, gray or balding, professional stylist, barbers and “do your own hair” consumers, LA Natural Hair Care Expo is designed to serve and enlighten you.

Details are as follows:

LA Natural Hair Expo

HACIENDA HOTEL

525 North Sepulveda Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90245

(310) 615-0015
Purchase your tickets ahead of time!


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LA EVENTS: Meshell N’degeocello at Santa Monica Pier

Amidst all of the national drama and tension, a night on the pier would be welcomed; Meshell Ndegeocello putting on a free show makes the night an event.

Introducing the Twilight Concert Series on the Santa Monica Pier featuring Meshell, The Record Company + KCRW’s Anthony Valadez on Thursday, July 18th at 7 pm. This event is FREE and open to all ages. Click here to RSVP.

Canonized, marginalized or just scrutinized, Meshell Ndegeocello has given up with the politics of explaining herself. After 20 years in an industry that has called her everything from avant garde to a dying breed, what unquestionably remains is the fearsome bassist, prolific songwriter and the creativity and curiosity of an authentic musical force. With that, she has earned critical acclaim, the unfailing respect of fellow players, songwriters and composers, and the dedication of her diverse, unclassifiable fans. For the sake of setting the record straight, a few brass tacks remain: Meshell was born in Germany, raised in DC, signed at 23, and has been nominated for 10 Grammy awards.

See you there!

 

 

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LA EVENTS: Leimert Park Looters and Two New Black Indy Films

As I write this post, I’m watching my local news and seeing my beloved neighborhood in the midst of chaos. It makes no sense, it won’t solve anything, and it’s indicative of why many people in the country perceive Black Americans the way they do. Those that attempted to do something positive with a peaceful protest in honor of Trayvon Martin in Leimert tonight had to be outdone by the masses that chose to act foolish and take advantage of a situation for their own selfish purposes. They are lost – on the streets against the police with everything to lose and not serving a single purpose. LA, I’m disappointed. I’m hoping we all get the opportunity to sleep peaceful tonight.

In other news, Ava Duvernay and AFFRM are still at work with their new film release, Big Words. Check out the trailer below:

It looks pretty good to me. Happy to see Dorian Missick aka DJ Tailwind Turner casted as the lead in this. I love him as a DJ and I’m hopeful that will translate onscreen. This film drops in Los Angeles on Friday, July 19th and will be playing at Downtown Independent. Click here to see showings in other cities.

Finally, Fruitvale Station is out and the reviews are favorable. With emotions already running high I expect this to be an effective tear jerker. Prepare for it by checking the trailer here:

Fruitvale Station is currently playing in select theaters.

Stay tuned in to Black Is as we prepare for our live broadcast on Friday!