Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone

By Kenrya Rankin

Looking for something fun to do in the city?

Check out the 13^th annual Washington, DC Independent Film Festival, which runs through March 13^th. This year’s fest will screen more than 100 full-length features, documentaries, shorts, and animated creations at five venues around the DMV (Gala Theatre in Columbia Heights, Regal Cinema at Gallery Place, Letelier Theatre in Georgetown, Dome/Artisphere Theatre and Spectrum Theatre in Arlington). Each night will feature a different theme, ranging from typical festival fare (horror, comedy, the environment) to the uniquely DC (politics, immigration, presidential history). Highlights include:

• The New “N” Word, a short about navigating “post racial” corporate America directed by DC filmmaker Sowande Tichawonna. (March 4 @ 9:30 pm, Spectrum)

• Sole of a Hustla, a doc that tells the story of Memphis-based entrepreneur Checliss “Big C” Rice as he struggled to start his athletic shoe and apparel company, GameTime Athletics, on his own terms. (March 4 @ 9:30 pm, Spectrum)

• Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone, an award-winning documentary that explores the rise and struggle of the band, which combined punk and funk to much success in the ’80s. Features interviews with George Clinton, ?uestlove, Ice-T and Branford Marsalis; narrated by Laurence Fishburne. (March 6 @ 7 pm, Dome)

• Late Rounders, a documentary that follows two college football players (successfully) trying to get drafted into the NFL. Stars current NY Jets Fullback John Conner and Atlanta Falcons Defensive Tackle Corey Peters. (March 13 @ 3:30 pm, Dome)

General admission tickets are $10 for most screenings; passes start at $50 for 10 screenings (which can be shared among multiple attendees). See the schedule and buy tickets at dciff.org.

destroyed  by  jealousy  with  its  sixth  wordless  Shakespearean production,  Othello.  When  the  general  Othello triumphantly returns  home  to  the  promise  of  peace  and  marriage,  little  can  he  know  that  his  most  trusted  advisor  is  also  one  of  the  most  fiendish  and  manipulative  villains  imaginable.  Scandal  is  fueled,  families  and  friendships  destroyed,  as  a  ”trifle  light  as  air”  –  a  handkerchief  –  undoes  them  all.

Othello stars  company  members  and  Helen  Hayes  recipients  Roger Payano  as  Othello  and  Salma  Shaw  as Desdemona, and  features  Irina  Koval  as  Emilia  and  Scott  Brown  as  Cassio.  Othello is  performed  as  part  of  the  2010  International VSA  Festival,  and  Synetic  is  proud  to welcome  Greg  Anderson,  an  accomplished  Deaf  actor,   to   its   Main   Stage.   Rounding   out   the   cast   are   Philip   Fletcher,   Alex   Mills,   Ryan   Sellers,   Vato  Tsikurishvili,  Natalie  Berk,  Armand Sindoni,  Peter  Pereyra,  Brynn  Tucker,  Sarah  Taurchini,  and  Matt  Ward.

Synetic  Theater  is  Washington  DC’s  premier  physical  theater  company.  Founded  in  2001  by  the  husband  and  wife  team of  Paata  and  Irina  Tsikurishvili,  Synetic  seeks  to  advance  and  enrich  the  theater  arts  in the  Nation’s   Capital   through   its   unique   performance   style,   which fuses   the   classical   elements   of   drama,  movement,  dance,  mime,  and  music  into a  distinct  form  of  non-­‐realistic  theater.  This  form  is  simultaneously  avant-­‐garde   and   accessible,   with   a   broad   appeal   to   a   wide,   culturally   diverse,   and   cross-­‐generational audiences.

For more details on the Synetic Theater and this innovative version of Othello visit: www.synetictheater.org

EXHIBIT Rush Education ’10: Concurrent exhibitions of artwork created in Rush Education Programs

GALLERIES
Corridor Gallery
334 Grand Ave, Bklyn, NY                            
(C or G trains to Clinton/Washington)
Opening reception: Saturday June 5^th, 1-2pm

Can’t make it out this Saturday? No worries, there’s another artist reception next week!

Rush Arts Gallery
526 W 26^th St. suite 311
Opening reception: Wednesday, June 9^th, noon-1pm

HOURS: Exhibits will be on view throughout the summer by appointment only

About Rush Education

Rush Philanthropic aims to present the highest quality of arts education for New York City’s children, with a particular focus on under-served, under-recognized or disadvantaged populations.

Rush feels that the process of making art is an invaluable tool and that art making itself can be used as a vehicle to build bridges between communities. Rush offers a creative learning environment in which students can interact with artists, explore contemporary arts, and see the world through a variety of perspectives. Art provides a unique way for young people to learn, connect and communicate. While its primary emphasis is also on the arts, Rush Philanthropic is committed to the general well being of young people by considering a wide range of concerns.

For more information on the organization visit: www.rushphilanthropic.org

Co-produced by Sue Mingus and Seth Abramson, Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard marks the tenth Mingus Big Band recording, six of which have been nominated for Grammys.  According to Sue Mingus, who produces Jazz Standard’s “Mingus Mondays” series, “this recording embodies the essence of Mingus’ spirit from ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ – perhaps his best-known composition- to the rarely performed ‘New Now Know How.’ ”

“We’re thrilled to be sharing what was an unprecedented and memorable night of music performed on our Jazz Standard stage,” exclaims Seth Abramson, Artistic Director of Jazz Standard.

Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard showcases swinging dance tunes, gospel hollers, church music, lush ballads and, of course, the blues.  The opening track is a Charlie Parker tribute, “Gunslinging Bird,” followed by “New Now Know How” performed here for the first time since its original recording in a new arrangement by Sy Johnson. It features a trumpet battle between Kenny Rampton and Randy Brecker, who recorded with Mingus on his final album and has played in Mingus repertory bands since they began 30 years ago.

Performed back-to-back are two of Mingus’ preeminent compositions: “Moanin,” followed by probably the most covered Mingus tune, “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat,” an enduring classic written in honor of Lester Young.  Ending New Year’s Eve at midnight before a celebratory crowd, and rounding out the album, is “Song with Orange,” in an arrangement by John Stubblefield, a former member of the Mingus Big Band who ignited Mingus music for over a decade.

Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard augments the long-term “Mingus Mondays” performance series at Jazz Standard.  Raved as probably the best in the world, “…the weekly Monday Mingus show at the Jazz Standard is New York’s most transcendent weekly residency (LucidCulture.com).”

Get acquainted with the Mingus band here: http://www.mingusmingusmingus.com

Travel to Miami for a weekend of sultry sounds

The city of Miami Gardens’ fifth annual Jazz in the Gardens, hosted by Tom Joyner, promises to be a sexy and classy concert extravaganza this year. For two days (March 20–21), Miami Gardens brings together some of the best performers in jazz, pop, R&B, neo-soul, and Caribbean to have a celebration. The festival, held outdoors at Dolphin Stadium, is expected to attract about 60,000 fans, according to Suzan McDowell, one of the chief organizers of the event. Mary J. Blige, Teena Marie, Cassandra Wilson, Robin Thicke, John Legend, and Boyz II Men are set to hit the stage, and you can even kick it old-school style with a founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, Joe Sample.

Count on several after parties and shopping in a marketplace filled with souvenirs and a variety of soul, Latin, and Caribbean foods to round out your weekend.  And you thought you loved South Beach. jazzinthegardens.com

—Deena Campbell

ESCAPE to South Beach with UPTOWN

South Beach’s fabulous waters, exquisite restaurants, and breath taking weather will serve as the backdrop for the ultimate tastemakers’ weekend, “Uptown Escape, 2010: An Upscale Getaway” presented by UPTOWN Magazine and The Peter Thomas Entertainment Group.

Hosted by Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe and Andre Harrell, the festivities take place March 18th thru March 22nd. Attendees will get the opportunity to indulge in a wide array of social activities that cater to a multitude of tastes.  From the welcome reception, old school concert, health and wealth management and relationship panel to a beauty day with top celebrity make up artist Sam Fine, spa treatments, ultra chic celebrity birthday parties and networking mixers, this lifestyle empowerment weekend is one you cannot afford to miss.

Of the many highlights of this power packed weekend, the main attractions are Friday’s celebrity golf tournament and Saturday’s Salute To Excellence Dinner, honoring the finest in entertainment, sports and publishing such as Nia Long (actress), Roger Bobb (Tyler Perry Studios), Devyne Stevens/ Akon (music executive/artist), Rainforest Films and more! This is your opportunity to live our mantra: “Escape from the norm, retreat to the extraordinary”!

Let UPTOWN Escape be YOUR toast to luxury, lifestyle, and living!

To purchase packages and for more information, visit uptownescape.com