Thursday, February 17 at 6p, Harlem's Hue-Man Bookstore presents Donald Bogle, the preeminent African American popular culture historian noted for his groundbreaking "Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, & Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films"as well as an acclaimed biography of Dorothy Dandridge.

Bogle will discuss and sign his exemplary biography of pioneering Broadway, film, recording, and television star Ethel Waters (1896-1977). As a singer Waters introduced such standards as "Am I Blue," "Stormy Weather," and "Heat Wave." She was the first African American to be billed above the title in a Broadway show. Bogle does not shy away from a frank discussion of Waters's bisexuality and her legendary temper born of a lifetime of slights.

His Eye is on the Sparrow (The Ethel Waters Story)
By Wayne Young

Bernardine Mitchell stars in His Eye is on the Sparrow, a revealing story about entertainer Ethel Waters, through Sunday, March 20. Like many of Metro Stage’s Black-cultured performances, this one is a one-woman monologue with song. However, this play will be a little bit more riveting for those who know very little about the trail blazing performer.

After hearing Mitchell belt “Stormy Weather,” I felt compelled to recall Diana Ross’s tribute to Waters in TV’s An Evening with Diana Ross (1977). The life of Waters is more than worth an evening of exploration, and Mitchell’s portrayal is a great place to start.

Diana Ross and Ethel Waters on Hollywood Palace including Water’s startling performance while singing the solo, "Supertime"

 

Anacostia River Realty (ARR) will celebrate its 2nd anniversary with a viewing party showcasing its recent HGTV debut. The free event takes place Friday, February 25 from 6p to 9p at the Big Chair Coffee & Grill, 2122 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE.

 

To RSVP and to be placed on the guest list or for more information click here.

The Home: It's a gorgeous historic end-unit in great location with Capitol views. Brand new interior and restored exterior with private parking. New roof, hardwood floors, huge gourmet kitchen w/ stainless steel appliances. Downstairs open floor plan w/ half-bath & lots of light. 3BR, 2-full baths upstairs w/ Master Suite. Steps to new streetcar, Big Chair Coffee, the new Uniontown Bar & Grill, art galleries, river. Only 7 minute walk to Metro! One mile to the new Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard Headquarters. 10 minutes to Downtown DC, Monuments, and National Airport.

 

Photo:  ARR Broker/Owner Darrin Davis

 Whether you live in New York or are visiting the Big Apple, let yourself be surprised by the new Harlem—a place rich in history, culture, the arts, global cuisine and elegant accommodations. From West Harlem to Central Harlem to East Harlem, the Harlem Travel Guide is your ticket to all things cultural, historical, entertaining and delicious. With a rich 350-year history, Harlem has been host to some of the most creative, influential, and captivating people of our times, and its ethnic diversity and wealth of talent make Harlem an experience not to be missed.

About the Authors:

Publisher and writer Carolyn D. Johnson is president of Welcome to Harlem, a business that operates a Visitors Center and provides authentic walking and bus tours. Johnson is a graduate of the City University of New York and is a New York City licensed tour guide.

Editor and writer Valerie Jo Bradley is owner of Harlem 144 Guest House, an 1888 restored brownstone townhouse. She produces the annual Dance Harlem Festival and is coproducer of the Reel Harlem film festival. Bradley is a graduate of Indiana University and has worked for more than 40 years as a journalist and publicist.

Grandma’s Gift, by Eric Velasquez - Diversity starts at home and this book is a great story about the relationship between a young man and his grandmother. You can use the story to introduce English-speaking African-Americans to our Spanish-speaking African-American cousins. We featured Velasquez in the November 2010 - April 2011 print issue of Port Of Harlem. Most people know Velasquez as an illustrator and we featured the book Our Children Can Soar, in which he has an illustration, in Snippets.

Hey, That Kid Got Issues Maybe It’s ADHD, by Ernest L. Williams, Jr. - This easy to read book tells the story of Joshua, a young boy with ADHD. While the story enlightens readers about the condition and is not set in any particular culture, Joshua is of African descent. It’s great for children to just see themselves in stories as people versus laden with the history of their people.


I See the Rhythm of Gospel, text by Toyomi Igus and paintings by Michele Wood. The book playfully explores the history of gospel music from our kidnaping from Africa to the election of the first U.S. President of African descent. The book includes a CD with five gospel songs ranging from the enslaved-era Wade in the Water to the contemporary Holy Hip-Hop I Love You.

For the sixth consecutive year, the CITGO-Venezuela Heating Oil Program is helping approximately 500,000 individuals, including those in more than 250 tribal communities and 234 homeless shelters across 25 states and the District of Columbia with free home heating oil. Families struggling to pay for home heating oil can call Citizens Energy Corporation at 1-877-JOE-4-OIL (1-877-563-4645) or apply online at www.citizensenergy.com to see if they are eligible for heating oil assistance. If approved, the household will receive an authorization letter from Citizens Energy Corporation and details on how to arrange delivery with an approved heating oil dealer.

Venezuela

Human Rights Record Applauded

According to an October 2010 OAS/UNDP report, between 1998 and 2008, poverty in Venezuela fell by 44 percent, representing the single biggest decrease in the region. Additionally, and just as importantly, economic inequality fell 17.9 percent, a rate five times higher than Venezuela’s regional neighbors.

The decreases can be attributed to increased government spending on innovative social programs addressing health, education, and employment. Between 1988 and 1998, the year President Chávez took office, social spending stood at 9.5 percent of GDP. Since then, it has averaged 17.5 percent – amounting to more than $330 billion in social spending.

 Studio Theater has extended Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet! through Sunday, February 20.  This will be the final extension.

Eastland Gardens, a well-kept majority Black neighborhood off Kenilworth Avenue in NE DC, is home to more than 105 buildings that 16 Black architects designed between 1929 and 1955. The Garden Club of Eastland Gardens has created a brochure on its unique buildings and designers as a precursor to a history book that Javier Baker is researching. Baker is an African-American of Costa Rican heritage. Click here to contact Baker.