weekly Afro-Cuban dance classes in NoHo!

For people who are enchanted by Afro-Cuban rhythms and dances we are offering ongoing classes in Afro-Cuban folkloric dance. Join us as we learn a variety of folkloric dances from the Yoruba and Bantú cultures; and social dances such as Rumba and Comparsa.

Tuesdays 8:00 – 9:30 PM
Northeast American School of Dance
25 Main Street, Northampton MA
(on 4th floor; above the Fitzwilly’s restaurant)

Each class includes a warm-up; instruction in basic movements; creation of choreographies out of the basic steps; and discussion of the historical and cultural roots of the various Afro-Cuban dances. The classes always conclude with a traditional dance circle where each dancer takes a turn to put what he or she has learned into practice by dancing before the drums.

What Would Jesus Buy?

**For 4 Days Only**

WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY?
Morgan Spurlock presents a film by Ron VanAlkemade

December 21-25
Amherst Cinema Arts Center
click here to buy tickets

Watch the trailer & download the choir’s subversive song lyrics at: http://wwjbmovie.com

University Dancers Concert

This is it, the weekend of the University Dancers Concert, a high-energy, diverse program that shows off the talent of its dancers. This concert has great sense of theme and vision, featuring choreography by Ron K. Brown and José Limón as well as Five College Dance Faculty members Billbob Brown, Richard Jones (former), Marilyn Sylla, and Tom Vacanti. Performed pieces range from African-inspired rhythms to contemporary ballet. This concert will whisk away any winter blues with its vibrancy. Don’t miss this opportunity to see an                                                                                     incredible performance!

University Dancers – In Concert
Dates: Thursday, Dec. 6
Friday, Dec. 7
Saturday, Dec. 8
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Place: Bowker Auditorium
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Please make reservations at the Fine Arts Center Box Office: 413-545-2511

Diaspora Poetry Concert

 

La Causa presents one of the the largest annual ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, Native American) spoken-word poetry events in the Northeast.

THE 10TH ANNUAL VOICES FOR THE VOICELESS:
DIASPORA POETRY CONCERT

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2007
5:30 PM – 10 PM
KEEFE CAMPUS CENTER- FRIEDMANN ROOM
AMHERST COLLEGE

 

Dinner from La Veracruzana will be served at 5:45 p.m. and the concert will be begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

The eight world-renowned poets include Louis Reyes Rivera, Tony Medina, Talaam Acey, Shaggy Flores, Fay Chiang, Jahipster, Bao Phi and Mariposa.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Voices for the Voiceless

 

Five-College Dialogue Between National Community Poets and Academics

Opening Ceremony to the 10th Annual Voices for the Voiceless: Poetry and Spoken Word as Acts of Freedom

 

Date: Friday, December 7, 2007
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Fayerweather Hall Room 113
Amherst College

The idea behind this project is to expose the five college area to the diversity, complexity, and Power of the national ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, Native American) poetry Scene. Join the poets performing in Voices, who will discuss the role of poetry and spoken word and its relationship to community activism and social justice.

Appetizers and Refreshments from La Veracruzana will be served.

UMASS Public Forum: Costumizing Racism

Costumizing Racism: Power and Privilege in Academic Spaces

A public forum organized by the UMass Civil Rights Committee of the GEO/ Graduate Employment Organization

WEDNESDAY, DEC 5, 2007 @ 3 p.m.
UMass Campus Center Room 101

The Civil Rights Committee of the Graduate Employment Organization is hosting a public forum to discuss racist displays, the invisibility of minorities, and the role of the institution regarding racism. UMASS faculty will comprise a panel from which short presentations will be made with a discussion to follow.

This forum is a community event and everyone is encouraged to attend. Because of recent events at Smith and UMASS, the Civil Rights Committee has decided to hold this public forum so that our community can dialog in a safe and open place. The Civil Rights Committee was formed to support students with grievances concerning racism, sexual harassment and gender bias.

Women & Gender/Film Studies Lecture:”Return of the Bad Girl”

The Program for the Study of Women and Gender and the Film Studies Program at Smith College are pleased to sponsor a visit by independent filmmaker, media artist, and activist Yau Ching (Associate Professor of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong)

Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Time: 8:00-10:30 pm
Location: Seelye Hall 201, Smith College
Preview Screening: “Ho Yuk (Let’s Love Hong Kong)” – 87 min
Followed by Q&A with filmmaker Yau Ching

Thursday, December 6, 2007
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
Location: Seelye Hall 201, Smith College
Annual Kixie Denison Fieldman ’53 Lecture
“Return of the Bad Girl”
This public lecture by Yau Ching will include a screening of the short
film “I’m Starving” and allow time for a Q & A with the filmmaker.

Jean Marie Teno this Monday!!

Cameroonian filmmaker and visiting Copeland Fellow, Jean Marie Teno, will be talking about his work . The presentation will take the form of an informal retrospective of his films with clips and an opportunity to interact with the audience. The presentation will be followed by a reception at the Mead Art Museum among the paintings, photographs, and activities that are part of the Collaborative Art project by Wendy Ewald and Brett Cook.

Monday, December 4 @ 7:30
Merrill Science Center Rm. 2
Amherst College

African Folk Opera- The Palmwine Drinkard

THE PALMWINE DRINKARD

By Kola Ogunmola

Directed by Dr. Bode Omojola
Featuring
Mark Ojo, Singer
Bisi Adeleke, Yoruba Master Drummer
Esi Nicholl, Choreographer
MHC Students of Music 166

Produced by
Departments of Music and Theatre

With support from
The Inclusiveness Initiatives Fund
The Elizabeth Kennan Fund

M O U N T    H O L Y O K E    C O L L E G E
Sunday, December 9 @ 2 & 8 pm
Rooke Theatre

Admission: $5 General     $3 Student     Box Office 413-538-2406

Robert Farris Thompson’s Lecture

The Black Studies Department at Amherst College presents

Robert Farris Thompson
(Colonel John Trumbell Professor of the History of Art at Yale University)

Topic: “Eshu-Elegba in the Atlantic Context”

Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 4:30 PM
Pruyne Lecture Hall (Fayerweather 115)
Amherst College

Robert Farris Thompson, starting with an article on Afro-Cuban dance and music published in 1958, has devoted his life to the serious study of the art history of the Afro-Atlantic world. His first book, Black Gods and Kings, was a close iconographic reading of the art history of the forty million Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. He has published texts on the structure and meaning of African dance, African Art in Motion, and a reader on the art history of the Black Americas, Flash of the Spirit, which has remained in print since its publication in 1983.