Events in Michigan

June 29, Mon 6 – 9pm Michigan Peaceworks will hold a fundraiser potluck. 700 Madison Place, Ann Arbor (Eberwhite neighborhood). Suggested donation is $10 (larger donations accepted), and all proceeds will go to benefit Michigan Peaceworks. Bring a dish to share! Please feel free to call us at 734-761-5922 if you have any questions. Also, check out the exciting projects we’re working on like the Iraq Water Project, the Peaceworks Through Art Mural, and the Youth Summer Activist Training at www.michiganpeaceworks.org.

July 1, Wed 7.00 pm: “After Gaza:  Exploring Resistance in Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank”. Detroit – International Institute 111 e Kirby (across from DIA, ample parking) Regina Birchem, Ph.D. past International President of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. She recently returned from Israel where she was on a delegation with Code Pink. The US women’s coalition met with the Israeli Coalition of Women for Peace and with Palestinian women. In March she was also in the first delegation to Gaza after the war.

July 2, Thus 7.30 pm: “After Gaza:  Exploring Resistance in Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank”. 310 South Ashley, Ann Arbor (Liberty and Ashley). See above – July 1 – for details.

July 7, Tues  2-4 p.m. CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE BRIEFING & SPEAKER’S BUREAU TRAINING.  Get involved with a campaign to reform Michigan’s broken public defense system. Held at Michigan Catholic Conference, Gabriel Richard Room, 510 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. RSVP by July 3 to 517-372-3050.  If unable to attend this training, there will be a webinar on July 14th at 4 p.m. Contact: Stephanie Chang, Campaign for Justice, 313-310-5666.

July 8, Wed, 7pm.  “50 Years of Cuban Cinema”.  COMPAS Center of music and Performing Arts, 8701 W. Vernor, Detroit, 48209.  (A sampling of great Cuban films of all genres. Filmed interviews with Cuban directors and panel discussion among local Cuban film aficionados. Sponsored by Justice for Cuba Coalition and US/Cuba Labor Exchange. Info (313) 575-4966 or laborexchange@aol.com.

July 8, Wed, 7-9pm. “Nuclear Option: Renaissance or Relapse?” Speaker Keith Gunter, co-chair Peace Action of MI and co-founder of Beyond Nuclear. Madonna U., 14221 Levan rd. Livonia (I-96 & Levan N of Schoolcraft.) Info MISTBC@comcast.net, 248-545-1862.

July 9, Thus, 7pm.  “50 Years of Cuban Music”. COMPAS Center of music and Performing Arts, 8701 W. Vernor, Detroit, 48209.  Musical Samplings of various Cuban styles, Including filmed and live performances by local artists including Ismael Duran, Alberto Nacif, Paul Vornhagen, Mike Racette and others. Sponsored by Justice for Cuba Coalition and US/Cuba Labor Exchange. Info (313) 575-4966 or laborexchange@aol.com.

 July 10, Fri, 7-10pm. Celebrate 50 years of the Cuban Revolution. COMPAS Center of music and Performing Arts, 8701 W. Vernor, Detroit, 48209. Fundraiser dinner, dance and awards evening. Donation ($25) includes delicious Latin buffet. Detroit’s hottest Salsa ensemble La Inspiracion . welcoming of the Pastors for Peace Caravan. For ticket or program info (313) 532-4129. Credit cards accepted at laborexchange.blogspot.com. Limited scholarships available at $15. Sponsored by Justice for Cuba Coalition and US/Cuba Labor Exchange. Info (313) 575-4966 or laborexchange@aol.com.

July 11, SAT Noon WOMEN IN BLACK Silent Peace March, East Dearborn, Warren & Miller. SE Corner. Please wear black, all are welcome. To subscribe to email notice of future WIB monthly marches: WIB-Detroit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

July 16-19, Thus – Sunday, 11th annual Allied Media Conference. For more info go to www.alliedmediaconference.org

 

Things to do in Detroit

 

 

Grace Lee Boggs’ 94th B-day Celebration

 

Detroit: Women of Color Speak Out Against Violence

 

Detroit: Million Father March

 

Detroit Lives! T-shirts

 

Order HERE

 

Detroit: Green Art Fair

 

Habitat for Humanity Detroit

 

Detroit: The Foundation: Women in Hip Hop

 

Detroit: Farming Workshops with Eliot Coleman

 

I

 

Detroit: 2009 Concert of Colors

 

 

SPEAK! CD listening party/I Will Survive book event – Puerto Rico – be there!

 

Support Ending Detroit Incinerator

 

Last chance to end incineration and start recycling for Detroit

When: Tuesday June 16th 11am-1pm
Where: Spirit of Detroit Statue on the corner of Woodward and Jefferson

Mayor Bing will release his decision of the future of our trash on June 17th. Our cause for alarm stems from his withheld position of incineration since his election.

This is a critical moment for any concerned citizen of the Detroit area to speak out against incineration and show support for recycling. Please join us in a rally to pressure the mayor into making the right decision.

This moment in time gives Mayor Bing a wonderful opportunity to move Detroit forward: to improve air quality, create jobs with the materials recovered in recycling and to reduce costs of solid waste management for now and the years ahead. As he said during the mayoral campaign, “what you burn cannot earn.” LETS HOLD HIM TO IT!

The Mayor’s decision is due on June 17th. Please email, call and fax your opinions and concerns to:

Mayor’s office phone: (313) 224-3400
Mayor’s office fax: (313)224-4433
Mayor’s office email: iojeda@detroitmi.gov  and  ojedai@detroitmi.gov

NOISE MAKERS, PERCUSSIVE INSTRUMENTS, AND MEGA PHONES ARE HIGHLY SUGGESTED!

 

Detroit Activist Elena Herrada’s NYTimes Op Ed on immigration and unions

We Came to Work – Happy Days Blog – NYTimes.com

I am a lifelong Detroiter. My grandparents came here from Mexico in 1920. My grandfather worked at Ford Motor Co. He was laid off in 1922. That should give you a little hint of how long this has been going on.

 

Detroit: Battle of the Sexes

 

June 19, 2009

EchoVerse Presents: Battle of the Sexes 5.0 : the fifth annual Battle of the Sexes featuring Detroit’s top male and female performance poets. It’s a fun show where the audience decides the winner each year (last year the ladies got lucky). Ten poets, two x-factors and one mic. Proceeds benefit the 2009 Detroit Slam Team’s travel to compete in the National Poetry Slam.

Website

1515 Broadway

1515 Broadway
Detroit, Michigan

 

Happenings in Michigan

3. Substance Abuse Training “Creating a Culture of Gentleness”

THE MICHIGAN CENTER FOR POSITIVE LIVING SUPPORTS AND THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ADMINISTRATION

 Present  “Creating a Culture of Gentleness”

 June 12, 2009 from 9:30am – 2:30pm  (Registration at 9:00am)

 Lansing West Hotel & Conference Center

7501 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI 48917

 This training is a REPEAT of the MDCH April Creating a Culture of Gentleness trainings held to kick-off the campaign to create a culture of gentleness in the public mental health system.

 Each CMHSP executive director, the deputy director (COO or affiliation director), the DD program director (MI program director may also attend), and the directors of the CMHSP’s major provider networks (e.g., MCPNs, Core Providers) are expected to attend one of the three training sessions offered.  If you were unable to attend in April, it is expected that you will be represented at the June training.

 Leaders of provider organizations and advocacy organizations, directors of local Offices of Recipient Rights, and Mt. Pleasant Center liaisons are also encouraged to participate.

Each session will include an introduction and orientation by MDCH’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Administration leadership and a description of the MDCH’s new “Safety Net Plan” for individuals discharged to the community from the Mt. Pleasant Center.  MDCH is especially pleased to announce that Dr. John McGee, author of Gentle Teaching, will present his concepts and be available for discussion throughout the session. In addition, Kym Juntti, Director of the Center for Positive Living Supports, and John Williams from Progressive Lifestyles, will review and describe their success in using supports, rather than control, to help people move from expressing their fears and frustrations through behavior, to healing and growing into adults who lead meaningful lives.

From the Desk of:

Christina Ward, Administrative Executive Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards

426 S. Walnut Street, Lansing, MI  48933

(517) 374-6848 phone

(517) 374-1053 fax

www.macmhb.org

Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards.

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4. 10^th Annual Substance Abuse Conference

Registration, Exhibiting and Overnight Accommodation Information is currently available on our website at www.macmhb.org click on to conferences and trainings scroll down and click on the 10th Annual Michigan Substance Abuse Conference

 When: September 14 & 15, 2009

 Where:  Marriott Detroit at the Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI 48243

 

Three Easy Ways to Register:

Online:  go to www.macmhb.org click on to conferences and trainings

 By Fax:  download the registration form and fax the form in to 517-374-1053

 By Mail:  MACMHB, 426 S. Walnut, Lansing, Michigan 48933

 Featuring:

Lonnetta Albright, Director, Great Lakes Addiction Technology Transfer Center [GLATTC] Carl Christensen, MD, President, Michigan Society of Addiction Medicine Arthur C. Evans, PhD, Director, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services Michael J. Head, Director, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Administration, Michigan Department of Community Health Deborah Hollis, Acting Director, Office of Drug Control Policy, Michigan Department of Community Health Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., PhD, Commissioner, Connecticut Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Mark Menestrina, MD, Medical Director, Detox Unit, Brighton Hospital & Medical Director, SEMCA Anthony Saucedo, Michigan State Police, Methamphetamine Investigation Unit Donald Ray Vereen, Jr., MD, PhD, Director, Community-Based Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan – Invited

 Program Topics Will Include

Anger Management as a Relapse Prevention Strategy Coalition Building and Community Organizing Changes in Clinical Practice under ROSC Developing a Recovery Oriented System of Care [ROSC] Effects of Combined Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on People with Co-occurring Disorders Michigan ROSC Initiatives Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Violence Risk Assessment with Adult AOD Clients Advances and Principles of Detoxification Cultural Issues in Screening for Problem Drinking in Immigrant and Religious Minority Communities

 Watch your mail for a full brochure in July!

*Continuing Education Clock Hours and Contact Hours for Substance Abuse Professionals are pending.

 Training is provided through a contract with the Michigan Department of Community Health, Office of Drug Control Policy.

 Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards.

 

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5. Prevention Trainings

http://www.semca.org/calendar.html

 Some key trainings to attend are:

 June 5

Program Evaluation: Measuring Prevention and Community Level Impact SEMCA Administrative Offices

25363 Eureka Rd.

Taylor, MI 48180

9a.m. – noon

This training is for SEMCA provider staff only. You will need a password to register.

Click here for on-line registration.

 

June 8

Trendy Drugs

SEMCA Administrative Offices

25363 Eureka Rd.

Taylor, MI 48180

9a.m. – 4p.m.

This training is for SEMCA provider staff only. You will need a password to register.

Click here for on-line registration.

 

June 9

Drug Recognition Training

SEMCA Administrative Offices

25363 Eureka Rd.

Taylor, MI 48180

9a.m. – 4p.m.

This training is for SEMCA provider staff only. You will need a password to register.

Click here for on-line registration.

 

June 9

Teens Using Drugs: What To Know and What To Do Part II FREE, ongoing, two-part workshop series to help participants learn to understand, identify and address adolescent alcohol/other drug problems. Presented by Ron Harrison, SW. Cosponsored by Dawn Farm, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, and Livingston/Washtenaw Safe and Drug Free Schools Consortium.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center

5305 Elliott Drive

Ypsilanti, MI

7:30 pm – 9 pm

 

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6. Certified Lactation Counselor Course

USET is pleased to announce that it will offer a Certified Lactation Counselor Course on July 13-17 hosted at Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort.  This course is for nurses, current lactation consultants/counselors, peer counselors, WIC staff, nurse practitioners, RD’s or ANYONE who might be assisting breastfeeding mothers.  USET is opening up remaining seats to the rest of Indian Country.  Cost will be $400, well below the original cost of $675.  CEU’s are available.

Also there is a block rate available for rooms for $70 a night for Sunday through Thursday, and a rate of $148 for Friday night, if needed.

All of this is FAR cheaper than you will find elsewhere.  Please see that attached flyer for more details or contact me for more info.

Christy Duke, Epidemiologist
United South and Eastern Tribes
711 Stewart’s Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37314
cduke@usetinc.org
usetepi@usetinc.org
Phone: (615) 872-7900
Fax: (615) 872-7417

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 June 13, SAT Noon WOMEN IN BLACK Silent Peace March, Clark Park, gather at corner of Vernor & Clark, SW Detroit. Please wear black, all are welcome. To subscribe to email notice of future WIB monthly marches: WIB-Detroit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

 June 13, Sat, 3-7pm, Community Peace Concert, Central United Methodist Church parking lot. Fee community concert in the parking lot of Central United Methodist Church located next to Comerica Park.  The concert is to promote peace and raise awareness on the issues surrounding homelessness.  We all claim to want peace in this chaotic world, let us claim to want peace in our own backyard.  Anyone is invited to enjoy music, poetry, and speakers that talk about peace at home.  All are welcome to celebrate our common humanity. Many wonderful acts include headliner Jocelyn B. & the Detroit Street Players, Julie Beutel, shoe., the Y-Arts Deep River Choir, The Recovery Band and the N.O.A.H. Arts Collective band.  Also featuring guest speaker Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and special poetry readings from local poets.  Sponsoring this event are supporters of the Y-Arts and Central United Methodist Church. INFO: Krista Dover, The N.O.A.H. Project at Central United Methodist Church, 23 E Adams, Detroit. 48226 (313)965-5422 or kdover04@gmail.com

 JUNE 14-17 (Sun-Wed Continuous) PEOPLE’S SUMMIT OF ALL WHO STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE, “In the spirit of Dr. King”.  FOUR DAYS OF ACTIVE RESISTANCE, POLITICAL DISCUSSION AND STRATEGIZING FOR A “PEOPLE’S STIMULUS PLAN” AND AN “ECONOMIC BILL OF RIGHTS” FOR WORKING PEOPLE AND THE POOR. Grand Circus Park, Woodward Avenue at E. Adams, downtown Detroit. Tent city counter-alternative to the National Business Summit, sponsored by the Detroit Economic Club at nearby Ford field. Hear voices speaking in the interests of those most affected by the economic collapse. The People’s Summit will be a dynamic event. The People’s Summit will confront the big-business CEOs and politicians gathering next door. Initiated by the Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions.

 INFO and updates: www.peoplessummit.org. Anyone can subscribe for email updates, send an email request to Peoples.Summit-subscribe@organizerweb.com

June 16 Tues, 7 p.m. Michigan Coalition on Human Rights Annual Meeting, Barth Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Woodward at Warren. Brief meeting to elect new board members. Speaker: Asst. Detroit Police Chief, Ronald Fleming Program on Police, Policy and Profiling. Responders from the Hispanic, African American and Arab American community. Go to www.mchr.org for more details.

June 16, 6:30 p.m. Tues, SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE FORUM.  What is it? Why do we want it?  How do we get it? Panel discussion regarding H.R. 676, a single payer health care bill. To dispel myths & present plan to help convince Congress that this is the plan America needs. Speakers: Dr. David Green, Adrian Campbell, Al Cholger and Sr. Mary Ellen Howard.  1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, Oakland County Comm’s Auditor.  FACEBOOK RSVP: http://tinurl.com/cyhbbb Call: Frank Goeddeke, 586-822-5242

 June 17, 7 p.m. PRES. OBAMA’S 1ST 5 MONTHS IN OFFICE. Prof. Mike Whitty speaks at Troy Democratic Club, Troy Community Center (Livernois at Big Beaver).

June 19 FRI – 7 pm “After Innocence” a documentary about seven men wrongfully imprisoned and later released due to DNA evidence. With special guest, Walter Swift, who spent 26 years in Michigan prisons for a crime he did not commit. ACLU of Michigan, 2966 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Free parking on Woodward at Watson and behind ACLU building. Tickets at door ($5 min. donation)or http://aclumi.convio.net/site/R?i=VFfAo90vrXTLdTJM7Ou4_g 

 

* Mark you calendar and consider helping out: October 11, Sunday, 3 – 6 PM. “Living the Rosa Parks Legacy, “ an afternoon of inspiration and celebration sponsored by the Metropolitan Christian Council. Call the Council Office at 313-870-9550 or Judy Holmes at 586-264-8730 for further notification or if you’d like to serve on the planning committee.

 

Jobs in Michigan

Jobs: Ginsberg Center Community Partnerships Coordinator

Here is a link to a job announcement for the UM Ginsberg Center Community Partnerships Coordinator. Please review and share!

 Department: Ginsberg Center for Community Service Learning
FLSA Status: Exempt
Target Salary Range: $37,000 – $45,000
Hours/Week: 40.0 Hours/Week

NOTE:  This position is located within the Division of Student Affairs.

Basic Function and Responsibility
The Ginsberg Center’s mission is to engage students, faculty, and community members in learning together through community service and civic participation in a diverse democratic society. The Community Partnerships Coordinator is responsible for strengthening Ginsberg’s connections with and contributions to community organizations. This position is based in the Ann Arbor office, but the staff member will travel to Detroit and around the Ann Arbor region to carry out the work.

Duties and Responsibilities
1. Identify and cultivate relationships with community organizations for future partnerships with Ginsberg programs, faculty, and students.
2. Serve as first contact for community organizations that are interested in collaborating with Ginsberg and/or other University programs and units.  
3. Coordinate Ginsberg-wide events that involve community-based organizations’ staff
4. Develop and implement communications and publications whose target audience is community organizations that have partnerships with Ginsberg.
5. Design and implement workshops and/or orientations that would strengthen community based organizations’ ability to work with students and promote service-learning objectives. Provide guidance to community organizations about how to get the most from student interns and volunteers.
6. Work with Ginsberg Center programs to enhance benefits for community partners.
7. In collaboration with others, identify geographic areas where Ginsberg could strengthen the contribution to community agendas that results from community-university partnerships.
8. Work with faculty across campus to assist them in creating and strengthening connections with community partners.
9.  Work with the student initiatives director and leaders of student organizations to develop and strengthen ties with community organizations.
10. Develop and write grant proposals related to strengthening connections with community organizations.

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2. Jobs for 14-24 year olds, Detroit Workforce Development Dept. 
(313-873-7321) is  hiring young people, ages 14-24 for summer jobs including community service, fire/police cadets, green jobs.  They need to be Detroit residents and meet federal poverty requirements.  The program will include vocational and academic training.  With stimulus funds, hiring will be expanded to  7000 positions.

Applications can be picked up now at 707 Milwaukee office.  Then they  set up interviews/certification appointments.  Youth under 18 will need to bring a parent or legal guardian with them to the appointments to sign the paperwork.

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Detroit Spacewalk

24 Hour Community SPACEWALK – DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit

 

DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.

 

The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, “Warrior Girl’s Baffling Bubbling Bailout.”

 

The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.

 

We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.

For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.

This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.

 

There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.

For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.

 

# # #

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.

 

Detroit: Sew Sundays

facebook link

 

Third Annual Detroit Women Of Color International Film Festival

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ANNOUNCING  
THIRD ANNUAL DETROIT WOMEN OF COLOR
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 2009

Charles H. Wright Museum of
African American History
315 E. Warren Ave
Detroit, MI 48201

Friday, July 24, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Oyatunde Amakisi
Chief Executive Officer
The Detroit Women of Color
International Film Festival
www.dwcfilmfest.com
(313) 429 0796

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 5, 2009
Terry Howcott, MSW

Detroit, MI – June 4, 2009 The Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival is proud to announce its third annual event with a stunning array of films and workshops.  

DWC International Film Festival CEO Oyatunde Amakisi said that the event will be held starting Friday, July 24 and ending Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the world-renowned Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.  

Complimenting a workshop presentation at the event by great actress extraordinaire Lonette Mckee will be an intimate dialogue with several insightful Detroit women filmmakers including Alicia Smythe (Nadir’s Distorted Soul), Ryan Myers (3 Colors), and Danielle Eliska Lyle (HIPHOP Aesthetics: The 5 Senses, Part 1-SIGHT).  

DWC International Film Festival seeks to confront an ever-growing challenge of “regaining the power of self-definition and self-representation,” and is poised and uniquely prepared for the task.  

This stand-out event, running three consecutive days features a powerful lineup of films broaching topics from love and romance, birth-control and abortion to the intriguing world of graffiti art.  

The films are conceptualized, produced and directed by some of the most imposing, accomplished talent to climb the cinematic landscape in recent years.  They are women who range the indigenous terrain, from African American, Continental African, Asian, Caribbean, Latino, Middle Eastern and Native American.  They are visionaries who reflect through their work broad cultural perspectives meeting the needs of a wide array of women’s concerns.  

Correspondingly, the DWC Film Festival audience spans every racial and cultural reality, is young and old alike, and hails from across the geographical spectrum in the US and Canada.  Oyatunde Amakisi artfully fashioned this diverse environment by staying true to her aim to “make sure everybody hears our stories,” and to prescribe women-produced film “as a tool of healing and empowerment.”  

Ms. Amakisi hints, “this year’s DWC International Film Festival is expected to far exceed the few hundred participants from last year’s event.”  She concludes from exit polling from previous events that the key draw of the festival is that her audience “trusts that we are not afraid to expose them to some of the most sensitive topics of socio-political significance.”  

Oyatunde Amakisi, along with her deep reservoir of sponsors (including The Third Eye Group, The Museum of African American History, The Michigan Citizen, www.afluentmag.com, www.afrikanspiritcards.com and www.terryhowcott.com) urges you to attend this critical event while also “looking to the future as the Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival, 2009 works to ‘reel’ in more animation, romance, tough issues and more Sister filmmakers from around the world in the years to come.”  

FILM ITINERARY

Sampling From a List of Twenty-Five Films to Be Presented at
The Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival, 2009

Montage#1, Silence
Rashin Fahandej and Katherine Toukhy
US / 2008 / 5 Minutes

The artists seek to highlight the place of women and women’s rights on a world stage dominated by polarizing forces of western imperialism and eastern fundamentalisms.

HIP HOP Aesthetics: The 5 Senses, Part 1 – SIGHT
Danielle Eliska Lyle
US /2009 / 30 Minutes  

To Generation X, the essential 5 elements of survival are air, water, fire, earth and HIP HOP…   HIP HOP is more than Dirty Dozens on playgrounds, cardboard on sidewalks, b-boxing contests and tagged freeway overpasses — it is liberation through expression and sound.

HIP HOP Aesthetics: The 5 Senses is a documentary series on the elements of HIP HOP in Detroit. We get up close and personal with two of Detroit’s finest — SINTEX, the Graffiti guru and Fel’le, the Airbrush don. They stimulate our visual, bringing us to a climax while we feast on eye candy in Part I— SIGHT.

Nadir’s Distorted Soul
Alicia Smythe
Detroit, Michigan, USA / 2009 / 9:20 minutes
 
An exclusive snapshot of Detroit recording artist, Singer/songwriter and producer Nadir & the music of Distorted Soul – includes a discussion with Detroit filmmaker Alicia Smyth,  J. Nadir and Akanke Omowale.  Nadir will perform live and CDs will be available for sale.

Silent Choices
Faith Pennick
US / 2007/ 60 minutes
 
Silent Choices is about abortion and its impact on the lives of African American women.  This is a ‘hybrid’ documentary: part historical piece, part social and religious analysis and part first-person narrative.  From African American’s cautious involvement with Margaret Sanger during the early birth control movement to black nationalists and civil rights activists who staunchly opposed abortion (or stayed silent on the issue).  Silent Choices examines the juxtaposition of racial and reproductive politics.  

When the Spirits Dance Mambo
Cuando los Espiritus Bailan Mambo
Directed by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega & Robert Shepard
US / 2002 / 90 minutes
Spanish with English subtitles
 
A triumphant voyage of faith and power, “Cuando los Espíritus Bailan Mambo”/”When the Spirits Dance Mambo” is a real life testament of strength and triumph of the human spirit. Tracing the role of sacred African thought and practices in the formation of Cuban society, culture and music, it is a tribute to the spiritual energy that traveled from West Africa to Cuba and New York.

A Fish Never Sleeps
Directed by Gaelle Denis
United Kingdom / 2002 / 1:10 minutes  / animation

Naoko is a complete insomniac. She has tried everything to get to sleep. She works in her own sushi restaurant and she lives close to the Tsukiji Market, the biggest fish market in the world.

3 Colors
Ryan Myers (who will also be present for discussion after the film)
Detroit, Michigan, USA / 2006 / 7:10 minutes
 
3 Colors is an experimental study of the urban female psyche. The lives of three culturally distinct Brooklynites are explored utilizing dance, experimental editing and photography.

I Love You
Directed by Sabrina Moella
Canada / 2008 / 4 minutes

Three words that many people are afraid to say… Janice is an independent and organized black woman. Chris is a relaxed and creative black man. Although madly in love with each other, when they decide to move in together, they quickly realize that there is a thin line between love and hate.

TICKET INFORMATION

Films
$15.00 – Friday, July 24, 2009
$15.00 – Sunday, July 26, 2009

Film Special
                                                                                                      

$25.00 – For Both Film Dates: Friday, July 24 and Sunday, July 26                                              

Workshops

Four Workshops on Saturday, July 25, 2009 are $65.00 each.  
They will include a presentation and discussion with veteran Broadway-screen actor, filmmaker, educator Lonette Mckee, Kathy McKee, owner of Kathy McKee Casting, and veteran actor, educator, filmmaker, and co-founder of the Trinity Film Coalition, Marshalle Montgomery.

Michigan Women in Film and Television President Serenity Sherie Boston will also share her considerable knowledge and experience at the DWC International Film Festival Screenwriting workshop (Please see website for more details).

The Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival
www.dwcfilmfest.com

 

Detroit: First Day of Summer Party (Just Seeds & AMC)

 

 

 

Support Just Seeds and the Allied Media Conference locally by attending this benefit:

First Day of Summer Party
Saturday June 20th
5pm BBQ, Dance Party after
Suggested Donation $10-20

Featuring Montreal’s Swamp Sex Robots Live
DJ Battle “Punk vs Funk”

Trumbull Plex
4210 Trumbull
Detroit 48208

Just Seeds is a Visual Resistance Artists’ Cooperative.  This decentralized community of artists sell their work on www.justseeds.org, collaborate with each other and support social movements. Read about current events in radical art and culture on their website. The blog covers political printmaking, socially engaged street art, and culture related to social movements. Just Seeds believes in the power of personal expression in concert with collective action to transform society.

The Allied Media Conference is the central project of the Allied Media Projects (AMP) network, which emerges out of ten years of organic relationship-building. Since the first conference (then the Midwest Zine Conference) in 1999, people have been compelled by the concept of do-it-yourself media. Later, as the Underground Publishing Conference, the emphasis was on building a movement of alternative media makers. With the shift towards Allied Media, the AMC has attracted more and more people who are interested in using participatory media as a strategy for social justice organizing.

 

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Blair: CD Release Party