April 27th----From the Boat to Obama

Source: : http://www.bushnell.org/

From the Boat to Obama is a musical play highlighting notable, historic moments in the African-American experience.  The play begins with the capture of African Americans from their home land and from there takes the audience on a journey up to the present time. Using songs, dance, dramatic interpretations, and poetry punctuated with a photographic slideshow, the performers will make chronological, historic “short stops” in various eras, which constitute the acts of the play: the burning of Rosewood town (what really happened), slaves shipped to Spain, the reconstruction, moving to Texas, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, the Sixteen Street Church experience, the start of the hip hop era and more ending with present-day history makers like Barack Obama.
Location: Maxwell and Ruth Belding Theater


Ticket Prices:        $12.00 for the 10:30 a.m. performance; Adults $20.00, Children 12 & under $15.00 for the 7:00 p.m. performance    

Please visit: http://www.bushnell.org/ for tickets and more information.

April 13th ---Academy Award Winning Director/Producer Charles Ferguson at Trinity

Trinity College welcomes Charles Ferguson, writer, director, and producer of Inside Job, winner of the 2011 Academy Award for Best Documentary.  The Sony Pictures film will be screened at Cinestudio, and Ferguson will discuss the film afterward, followed by a reception.  Film critic Roger Ebert describes Inside Job, narrated by Matt D...amon, as a “…very angry, very carefully argued, brutally clear documentary about how the American financial industry set out deliberately to defraud the ordinary American investor. It was directed by Charles Ferguson, whose academic, business and government backgrounds make him unusually well-qualified for this subject.”  The event, sponsored by the Trinity Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and the Departments and Programs of Economics, Film, History, International Studies, and Public Policy, as well as the Dean of Faculty, is free and open to the public.

When:
Film Screening: Wednesday, April 13 ~ 2:00 p.m.
Discussion: Wednesday, April 13 ~ 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

(Admission is FREE)

Where:
Discussion: Washington Room in Mather Hall
Film Screening: Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College
300 Summit Street, Hartford, Conn.

Saturday May 7th: Connecticut's Elite Young Professional's Event

I'm actually pretty excited about this event.  According to Hartford City Councilman Cory Brinson, the event will bring together the best of Connecticut's Young Professionals for a Night of Celebration of "Our Collective Success."  Ladies are requested to wear white attire and gentleman are requested to wear black attire.  Jeans are not allowed into the Hartford Club. 

This event takes place Saturday May 7, 2011 9 pm  - 2 am at the Hartford Club, 46 Prospect Street Hartford, CT.  Please visit http://www.ctsuccess.com  for more information.

SWEETS WILSON TO ANNOUNCE CANDIDACY FOR HARTFORD CITY COUNCIL

On Thursday April 14, 2011, Sweets Wilson will announce her candidacy for the Hartford City Council at a meet and greet at the Artist Collective in Hartford. 

Wilson, a Republican, has been a resident ande homeowner of Hartford since 1996.

A native of Harlem, New York, Wilson is the daughter of Victor of Jamaica and Ruth from Cuba.  She holds a PhD in Biblical studies/counseling from Biblical Life College and Seminary; and a MSW from the University of Connecticut.  She is a clinically certified domestic violence counselor and licensed alcohol and drug counselor.  She also holds certificates in forensic social work and women’s studies.

An educator, Ms. Wilson is an adjunct professor at Capital Community College, an author, motivational/inspirational speaker, freelance columnist, and a Christian life purpose coach.  Ms. Wilson is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Inspire ME, LLC a consulting firm that empowers individuals to adapt a more positive attitude to achieve what they desire in life.  Ms. Wilson is a professional life purpose coach and therapist who helps illuminate under estimated strengths while identifying self limiting mental road blocks.

Ms. Wilson has over 22 years of community experience, advocacy, and experience interfacing with people from diverse backgrounds, organizations and affiliations.  She is passionate about the city and its people and believes she help to fix the City’s many troubles. 

As a City Council member, Ms. Wilson will advocate to improve the quality of life of City residents by collaborating with law enforcement officials to reduce the crime in the City.  “I will also advocate getting more young people involved in politics to take a leadership role within their communities
because they are our future leaders,” she said.

Ms. Wilson invites Hartford residents to speak with her at her meet and greet Thursday April 14, 2011, 6pm – 8 pm at the Artist Collective located at 1200 Albany Avenue Hartford, CT 06112. 

Saturday March 26, 2011 ---Circle of Hands Charity Event

The Circle of Hands Foundation is a Hartford based 501 (c) non profit organization that assist three orphanages in Jamaica that cares for children with HIV/AIDS. We work directly with the caregivers and children in the homes. In addition to providing school uniforms, fees for after school activities, sponsoring an annual outing for the children, we send $1,000 ( US ) per month to the homes to assist in the purchasing of food. 100% of the funds that we receive go directly to the children. Our only overhead expense is our post office box that we maintain. The organization is run by a group of dedicated volunteers and relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations to accomplish our mission.

One of our homes (Martha’s Home in Kingston ) suffered a devastating fire two years ago. Luckily none of the over 30 children who resided in the home were hurt. The children at this home were relocated to the main home (Day to Care) in Spanish Town . Martha’s House is being rebuilt at the Day to Care campus in Spanish Town and the current plan is to place all children under 10 years of age at this facility.

Currently there are 75 children (50 girls and 25 boys) ranging in age from 2-18 years old.  54 of the children are located in Spanish Town and the remaining 21 (all boys) are at Matthew 25:40 in Kingston . All the children are responding well to their ARV therapy. All the children are treated at the Pediatrics HIV/AIDS clinic at University of the West Indies Hospital in Kingston .

 On March 26th will be having a benefit dinner to recognize several organizations and individuals who has supported us over the years. The function will be held at the City Hall Atrium at 550 Main Street , Hartford Conn. We look forward to your support. Like most non-profit organizations, we have experience a significant decrease in donations due to the global economic crisis. We are confident that with the generosity of others, we will be able to continue to carry on this very important mission/ministry that we have undertaken.

Please try to attend this event as we will provide you with an overview of the services that we provide to the orphanages.

We look forward to your support and I am looking forward to seeing you.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Errol A. Smith
President
Circle of Hands Foundation
(860) 729-0468

Wednesday March 16, 2011---Diana Ross live in concert at Bushnell Theater

Watch out Hartford, The Diva Ms. Diana Ross comes to town on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 for her one night only performance at The Bushnell in Hartford.  I have been a fan of the big hair diva since hearing her hit "Upside Down" blasting through the speakers of RJR network in my native Jamaica. Anyone else remember her 1983 Central Park performance? I am still jealous of those lucky bastards that actually had the opportunity to stand with her in Central Park as she seduced all of New York City with her sultry voice in a one-piece lingerie/swimsuit really lacey thing.  The rest of us had to watch on television.  I will not miss another live Diana Ross experience again.  I wonder if there are any tickets left?

Saturday March 12, 2011 ---Barbados American Society Jamboree

The Barbados American Society of Hartford presents their fundraiser Jamboree on Saturday March 12, 2011 from 1 pm to 7 pm.  There will be vendors selling all kinds of items including authentic Bajan food. 

The Barbados American Society is located at 126 Homestead Avenue, Hartford, CT 06112.