To counteract the alarming shortage of public art programs, these days women are taking matters into their own hands to make real and lasting changes in the lives of inner city youth. Let’s face it, most public schools are underfunded, teachers are underpaid, and students often feel underappreciated or straight-out neglected. Female artists with grassroots backgrounds recognize the importance of reaching out to kids. Reminding them that their voice matters, showing them that their dreams of becoming poets, MCs, visual artists, or performers can in fact translate into reality.

Renaissance woman and true revolutionista at heart, Caitlin Meissner is living her dream of being an artist on a mission. Spoken word poet, educator, and graphic designer by trade, Caitlin makes things happen. Building on her long standing involvement in activism, and her natural ability as a community builder, she has been successfully running the Lower Eastside Girls Club’s Saturday Performance Series. The series hope to fulfill two objectives, showcasing today’s hottest female poets, singers, and artists in an intimate, free-to-all setting while fulfilling the Girls Club’s mission dedicated to “build ethical, entrepreneurial, and environmental leadership” for the next generation of female movers and shakers.

Since its debut two years ago, the Saturday Series has achieved many goals “making the Girls Club Art+Community Gallery and Café a downtown cultural destination for a socially conscious audience, connecting girls from lower income families with working artists, poets and musicians through the ‘VIP Luncheon’ series before each performance, and providing entrepreneurial training opportunities to Girls Club members through the adjoining café and gift store”, Caitlin explains. Some of the amazing women to grace the series this season included Honey Larochelle, Pyeng Threadgill, The Piper Jane Project, Maya Azucena, Shelly Nicole’s Blakbushe, Erika Rose, HeaVy, and Tamar-Kali. If you missed out on their performances, you can listen to the podcasts of past shows here.

This Saturday, you can check out some of New York City’s dopest female acts: 2007 Grand Slam Champ of the Nuyorican Poets Café, Aja Monet, who has been a favorite of both spoken word devotees and Hip-Hop crowds alike, performing alongside singer-songwriter, Maritri, whose bittersweet lyrics over piano, cello and guitar will take you to an inner space for reflection. I suggest you go early as seats get filled rather fast. Did I mention it’s free? For more info and schedules, visit the Girls Club online, or email Caitlin Meissner for more info at development@girlsclub.org

My intro to house music came by way of Black Box’s “Everybody, Everybody” some time around 1990- every time it came on, I would instantly get open and flail around happily (I was young, okay?). Last year, when I was trying to upgrade my house moves from my private flailings, I came across a track, “Testin’ Me” by Peven Everett that almost sent me back into my pre-adoloscent apoplexy.

With sensual, smooth beats and a bass line that won’t quit, the Chicago native’s house music comes out of the post-disco, dance culture of early 80’s Chi-town. Although the music has morphed into many very different forms (from R&B styling to the thump-thump, glow-stick, trance-like variety), what remains key about Chicago’s house music is its soul. And don’t think the music died with the early 90’s. Chicago and the UK continue to produce chill, soulful house music, and one of the best examples today, is Peven Everett.

Dubbed the “Prince of Soul” (in house circles), the 27-year-old singer is performing tonight at Cargo in Shoreditch. Everett doesn’t just sing, he plays his own instruments (all nine) and of course, since we’re talking about house music, dances as well. His performance tonight is sure to satisfy. Alongside Everett are the King of Grooves, Glenn “Underground” Crocker and PA Daisy Villa, performing songs of their latest release, Rize. If “Follow Me” and “Hot” can still get you open from time to time, you’ll enjoy the show. If you’re new to soulful house music, Everett just might make you a fan. Flailing around is definitely not required but you’ll be dancing by the end of the night. Check it out.

8P-3A
£6 B4 9, £10 adv, £12 after
LIVE: PEVEN EVERETT + GLENN UNDERGROUND + DAISY VILLA
DJS: RAP SAUNDERS

General Enquiries: 020 7739 3440

Tickets available through Ticketmaster and on Cargo’s website
www.pias.com/peveneverett/

Known in the 70’s as one of New York’s most “up” graffiti artist, James Top has painted the scene with his crew, tags, pieces and murals. He continued to evolve and contribute, by making the city a piece of art wherever he stopped to paint, and now he continues on canvas to bring consciousness to the “African American experience in America”. Opening to the public tonight, Afrology, is expected to be a historic night, attracting attendee’s from across the map, as Top exhibits 17 variations of the ‘Afro’ using graffiti art and mixed media.

Get your shovel out, trek down to the Lower East Side tonight and stop by the Essex Street Gallery! Come see this important figure in the history of New York subway art, as he shows through art what it means to be Black in America. “It is my time not only to be the voice of graffiti art but also to be the voice of the people in my community.”

www.essexstreetgallery.com

When most people think of Brazil, visions of sun bleached sands, tanned beauties in Ipanema bikinis, Rio favelas, and World Cup soccer usually come to mind. However, the same historical paths that led to the beauty of the world’s most outrageous Carnivale setting also produced pockets of forgotten Afro-Brazilian communities known as ‘quilombos’. In director Leonard Abrams’ new documentary, Quilombo Country, the origins of these communities are examined and light is shed on the current conditions of the ‘quilombos’ struggling inhabitants.

“Brazil, once the world’s largest slave colony, was brutal and deadly for millions of Africans. But many thousands escaped and rebelled, creating their own communities in Brazil’s untamed hinterland. Largely unknown to the outside world, these communities, known as quilombos, struggle today to preserve a rich heritage born of resistance to oppression.”- Quilombo Country

Narrated by the legendary voice of Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Quilombo Country is the culmination of over 5 years of travel, research, and interaction in the quilombos. Abrams provides an intimate and provocative glimpse into the lives of a people determined to keep their legacy in tact. This Saturday, February 23rd, Quilombo Country will hold its world theatrical screening in New York City’s Anthology Film Archives, at 8pm. Admission is $8, and the screening will be followed by a Q&A with Abrams and a celebratory reception. If you’re in the city come out to support this important documentary and be sure to carry the experience beyond Black History Month.

Back in 1985 Aretha and Annie said it, but here in 2008, these girls are actually doing it! That’s right the sisters are doing it for themselves by way of the MF Gallery. The all female art show is back for a second round “ding ding!” In 2006 Martina and Frank brought us GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! Attracting many from all over NY and beyond. Fast forward a little over a year later, and they’ve done it again, presenting us with GIRLS 2! Again this show strictly exhibits the work of female artists, and will pay homage to a line up including Martina herself, and the likes of Lisa Petrucci, Aya Kakeda, Meredith Dittmar and Tracy Drury - just to name a few of these amazing ladies.

To launch the five week exhibit, an opening party will be held on Saturday, February 23rd, where you’ll be able to meet the women responsible for the work. It starts at 7pm and is totally free for all, no RSVP required. Don’t miss the show, attend any of the days between the 23rd and Sunday March 30^th. Be there or be square!

Opening Party Saturday February 23rd 7pm-10pm
Show runs Saturday February 23rd - Sunday March 30th (Wed-Sun 2-7pm)

www.mfgallery.com