48th International African Arts Festival (IAAF) in Brooklyn 7/4-7/7 & Fort Greene Park Music Fest Sunday, July 7th, 2019

While there are many amazing events happening in plenty parts of Brooklyn and the other boroughts of NYC, why not check out something that's 'at the top of cool and authentically amazing' at the International African Arts Festival at  Commodore Barry Park at 1 Park Ave (Flushing and Navy) in Brooklyn NY.

The donation asked is $5 and there are many vendors for food, colorful dress and much more to enjoy, so bring a wad of cash and a credit card to support 'shopping from real people.' For info on vending and housing call 718-638-6700 or connect with them on FB at International African Arts Festival or info@IAAFestival.org.

The program lists that there is OriginDirectory.com which is a 'free black business directory with crowdfundning events and classifieds.'

There was a 30th Annual Symposium on Culture, Community and Struggle at PS 287 at 50 Navy St in Brooklyn NY that ran Saturday, July 6, 2019 from 9am-5pm. I would like to have gotten to that and will see if anything was recorded or otherwise reported. That was 15-20 dollars for a day and included a free pass to the IAAF as well. 

With a main stage line up of music and some dance as well, there are hundreds of people watching from folding chairs as well as milling about vendors in various parts of the park. I got to see some of the Saturday night show by Etana but left to avoid potential stormy weather so missed the Kulu Mele-African Dance. Maybe I can find them on youtube.

Meanwhile I met some lovely folks doing demonstrations of Jujitsu (such as we have on Myrtle Avenue near Clinton Ave.) There is a MAUSA (Mastering And Utilizing Self-Awareness )Summer Day  Program from July 1 st  to August 30th, 2019.Fees for the 8am-5pm are $100/ one day weekly and $350/ 5 days weekly.

This is a martial arts program and other activities for ages 4-13. A MAUSA martial arts uniform is required to be purchased ($40) for all in the 5 day program. See studymartialarts.com for more information. Limited space is available.

The MAUSA Health and Fitness Center is located at 759 Washington Ave. 2nd Floor Brooklyn NY 11238. Their phone number is 718-210-3190. mausachildren@gmail.com is their email. There is more information on a brochure and from them directly.

I got a card from Hili Aliyy El, A Tai Chi Instructor (917)909-9578 who gave a demo with Rollie Lumumba Hernandez who is also an advocate for 'a better life' via food, garden, health and housing.

There will be an Artists Bring Out Your Family Day, Stop the Violence Summer Jam, @ Von King Park, 670 Lafayette Av, Bed-Stuy Brooklyn on July 14th, 4pm-8pm. There's a line up of 8 acts. A 'Save the Date' for Black Power Friday is Nov. 29th, 2019 for Ankhsgiving, Place To Be Announced. That will be a Family Event, with music, food, speakers and performers, and awards for youth and elders and more. The elements of Ankhsgiving are "Love, Trust, Respect, Honesty."

 The Unforgettable Mothers of the Movement, Celebration in Word, Songs, and Scenes, written and directed by Michael Green will be at ShadesOfTruthTheatre.com on Sat. July 20, 2019 at 7pm and Sun. July 21, 2019 at 4pm held at Joseph P. Kennedy Center 34 West 134th Street, NY NY 10037. (Enter from 135th and Lenox Terrace/ Btwn Fifth and Lenox Aves) A bakers dozen of featured performers are  listed on the flyer as are many being honored from the past such as Ella Baker, Ida B. Wells, Queen Mother Moore, Betty Shabazz, Fannie Lou Hamer, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Eartha Kitt, Mamie Till, Mary Church Terrell, Winnie Mandela and Myrlie Evers. Tickets can be obtained at eventbrite.com/KennedyCenter or 212-862-6401 ext. 410 and are 15-25 dollars

If you can't wait for another gathering, hop aboard the Banana Puddin' Jazz Cruise aboard the Cabana Tuesday, July 9th, 2019 from Skyport Marina at East 23rd St and FDR Drive at 6pm to sail at 6:30pm and return at 9:30pm. Tix are 20-25 dollars at eventbrite.com. There will be Jazz Vocals of Rome Neal and the Ray Blue Quartet, then open mic and free puddin' for all.

There was outreach being done to "help save a life' through BeTheMatch.org to help those in need of a bone marrow transplant. "Most patients don't have a fully matched donor in their family and that's when they turn to Be The Match."

There is also a way to have a non-surgical outpatient procedure to make a PBSC (Peripheral Blood Stem Cell) donation.A drugs is taken by the donor for 5 days prior to the donation that increased the number of cells in the blood stream. Donors may experiences head or muscle aches for a short time. The person is usually back to their normal routine in 1-2 days.

 Marrow donation is done in the hospital under anesthesia, with marrow collected by a doctor from the back of the pelvic bone. That may leave some soreness in the donor's back. The donor is back to their routine in 2-7 days.

There are sessions available from InLightYogaAndHealth.com or 646-571-9500. 

( Please note: They are not medical providers and do not claim to offer medical advice or practies, my added note. Nor do I. I am listing information from flyers. Each person needs to do their own research and should check with their own certified medical providers before pursuing anything that may impact their physical condition.)

That clarified, they offer ear candling, reflexology, kundalini yoga and meditation. There is also 'Ra Sekhi Kemetic Energy Medicine" that "helps eliminate toxins, remove energetic and emotional blocks, ease physical pain, achieve clarity of mind, improve immune function, aid in trauma recovery, accelerate spiritual growth and more. Access this ancient healing science to cleanse your aura, the magnetic field that surroungs all living things, and balance your aritu, chakras or energy centers. Learn which aritu may be out of balance. Receive feedback on how you can restore and maintain you. Sessions include consultation, a summary and follow-up." Sessions are $120-54 as of this flyer. There is also Gong Rejuvenation for Individuals and Couples for stress reduction and balance, (30-60 min sessions and priced $30-60.)  In Light Yoga and Health is located at 3626 De Reimer Avenue Bronx NY 10466, (An Oasis in the Bronx)

Other vendors include DTR360Books.com,  NuBeingWear@gmail.com "Flow in our comfort" and Mounkila Silver Jewelry Import  at Harlem Market 116th St. Lenox Ave, Booth #34 NY NY 10026 and mikasilver1@gmail.com