Black History Month Kingston 2018

Posted by: RUPCO Admin Categories: Uncategorized

The newly formed A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Library, located in Kingston’s Ponckhockie area, kicks off its first community-wide celebration of Black History. The combination of events and activities, include history, song, dance, drama and reenactments citywide. Black History Month Kingston 2018 pays tribute to the legacy and contributions of African-Americans in Kingston and the surrounding areas. Art exhibits, performances, spoken word, and dance are happening throughout February:

February 3: Black History Month Kingston kick-off, 1-5pm, The Lace Mill, 165 Cornell Street, Kingston, Free:
– Bluu Motion Exhibit by Frank Waters: An interactive exhibit showcasing a variety of animated movies, series, music videos and stills using a machinima concept
– The Poetry Corner: Youth are reciting a variety of poems from
black poets from the 1800’s-1900’s
– Special African dance performance
– Center for Creative Education Energy Dance Company

February 3: Black History Today: Silence is Not an Option, 6-8pm, African Roots Library, 43 Gill Street, Kingston, Free

February 7: Comedy Slam, 6-9pm, Kingston Artist Collective, 63 Broadway, Kingston, suggested donation $5

February 14: Ruby Mae Sweetheart Love & Soul Night, 7-10pm, 331 Hasbrouck Avenue, Kingston, Food priced off the menu

February 18: MyKingstonKids Puzzle Party, 1-4pm, The Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center, 43 Gill Street, Kingston, Free

February 23: Ruby Mae Sweetheart Love & Soul Night, 7-10pm, 331 Hasbrouck Avenue, Kingston, Food priced off the menu

February 24: First-person re-enactment of Sojourner Truth, 1-4pm, The Sanctuary of The Old Dutch Reformed Church, 272 Wall Street, Kingston, Free. Historic interpreter Deborah Zull of Saugerties will present Sojourner’s famous “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech and conduct an interview of Sojourner by James Bartholomew “Jimmy” Olsen, a fictional reporter. Sojourner is one of Kingston’s most famous women, and most famous person of color, and in celebration of Black History Month, RUPCO brings this history moment to life.

February 24: Black History Month Kingston Gala, 7-11pm, Arts Society of Kingston, 97 Broadway, Kingston, Tickets on sale now. The celebration introduces the first Ben Wigfall Legacy Award to his family and the first community recipient, Tay Fisher of Kingston.

February 25: Giving Life-from Survival to LGBTQ, Black Excellence, 3-5pm, HVLGBTQ Center, 300 Wall Street, Kingston, Free

February 28: Closing event, 6-9pm, Broadway Arts, 694 Broadway, Kingston, Free

February 24: African drumming with Amabou Diallo, 10-30am-12:30pm, Kingston City Library, 55 Franklin Street, Kingston, Free

In addition to the month-long off-site events, schools are invited to visit the Black History Month Kingston exhibits in The Lace Mill’s three galleries. Students will have a chance to engage creatively in many different platforms showcasing African-American history and culture. The goal is to make African-American history a source of pride and awareness for everyone.

For more information, visit Black History Month Kingston.

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Bon-Odori Dance Festival Photo Exhibition 2011-2017 at The Lace Mill

Posted by: RUPCO Admin Categories: Uncategorized

Youko and Kazuma Yamamoto will host a Bon Odori Dance Festival for Peace Photo Exhibition, 2011-2017 at The Lace Mill, 165 Cornell Street, Kingston, from January 5 to 31. The opening reception is January 6 from 4-7 p.m. in the West Gallery as part of Kingston’s First Saturday. Displayed photos commemorate peace efforts against nuclear war and promote advocacy of nuclear-free energy consumption.

During the month of August, Japanese citizens observe two events: “Genbaku-Kinenbi” and “Obon.” On August 6, Genbaku-Kinenbi is the Atomic Bomb Memorial Day for the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks during World War II. From August 13-16, Obon welcomes home ancestors and rekindles family ties.“Bon-Odori” is the dance festival held within small communities during that time.

In 2008, after opening their restaurant Gomen-Kudasai in New Paltz, NY, the Yamamoto’s began protesting the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings with newletters and meetings. They created peaceful energy by putting out lanterns along the street as a form of remembrance, and meditated with like-minded people. After the Fukushima power plant meltdown in 2011, the couple organized a movement that would combine meditative practices and advocacy under one event, the Bon-Odori Dance Festival for Peace. The couple now hosts the annual dance festival in Kingston and coordinates fundraisers to help pay for event equipment, food, drink, and related expenses. The photo exhibitions are free and open to the public; freewill donations benefit the 2018 Bon Odori Dance Festival for Peace.

“I began organizing Bon-Odori Dance Festival to share and heal everyone from the reality of radiation disasters. I believe now is the time to reflect on how nuclear [energy] effects our present and future generations,” says Youko Yamamoto. “We are not content to be victims. We refuse to wait for an immediate fiery end or the slow poisoning of our world. We refuse to sit idly in terror as the so-called great powers take us past nuclear dusk and bring us recklessly close to nuclear midnight. We rise up. We share our stories of survival. We say: humanity and nuclear weapons cannot coexist.”

Guest parking available on South Manor Street and Progress Avenue.

For more information or a private showing, e-mail Youko Yamamoto or visit BonOdoriKingston on Facebook.