2007 FREE SUMMER OUTDOOR SCREENINGS SERIES 


For many New Yorkers, summertime in the city is the best part of the year. With such a wide spectrum of inspiring and eye-opening activities to choose from, we are constantly reminded of why this is called "the city that never sleeps". In the summer, New Yorkers are also fortunate to have a choice of many cultural events which are open to the public and which celebrate the arts! July and August 2007 AFF again presents its Free Summer Outdoor Screening Series – featuring live African drumming, vibrant dance performances and delicious delicacies.

 

AFF showcases the best of contemporary African cinema in city parks throughout Harlem, Brooklyn and Queens! Starting July 11th, AFF co-presents the 6th annual Historic Harlem Parks Film Festival "Through African Eyes", every Wednesday and Thursday at Marcus Garvey Park, Central Park's Harlem Meer, St. Nicholas Park, Jackie Robinson Park and Morningside Park. (Please see schedule in right column) The series includes cinematic treasures with a tribute screening of Ousmane Sembene's Faat Kiné (shown in memorial for the late "Father of African Cinema"), as well as the critically acclaimed Movement (R)evolution and a special screening of the rare Russian archival film African Rhythmus.  In addition, audiences will have an opportunity to see insightful documentaries depicting the trials and triumphs of the Diaspora. These include Welcome to Nollywood, All About Darfur, Banished and Dance In America: Beyond the Steps: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

 


In August, AFF is pleased to partner once again with the Queens Museum of Art to present "Passport Fridays – Africa", with an encore screening of the hit South African film U-Carmen eKhayletisha. AFF also joins forces with the Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Arts (MoCADA) in Brooklyn every Friday in August for the 7th annual KidFlix Festival in Bed-Stuy. Listings for the Brooklyn program will appear on our Web site shortly. Be sure to check back for more information.

 

In the summer AFF has something for everyone! So pack a blanket, bring friends and family and join us for another season of great entertainment under the stars as we continue to celebrate the richness of African and African Diaspora culture! We hope to see you in the parks and at the movies!

 Sing-Sing Rhythm at AFF's Outdoor Screenings in Brooklyn, 2005

AFRICA NIGHT @ PASSPORT FRIDAYS
Friday August 3, 6:30 pm

QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART

New York City Building

Flushing Meadow Corona Park

Leave your baggage at home and bring a picnic blanket out to the Queens Museum of Art in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for the 3rd edition of QMA’s Annual Passport Fridays Free International Outdoor Film, Dance and Music Series.  The event takes place every Friday evening from 6:30 – 10pm. The weekly outdoor festivities feature dance performances, continue with a live concert and film screening from one of the many countries that fuel Queens’ cultural & artistic vitality.

 

 

 from U-Carmen eKhayelitsha



7th Annual KIDFlix Film Festival

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn: Fulton Park

Stuyvesant Ave. and Fulton St.

Subway Directions: A/C Train to Utica

Film Festival Dates:

Friday, August 3, 8:30pm

 

Friday, August 10, 8:30pm

 

Friday, August 17, 8:30pm

 

Friday, August 24, 8:30pm

 

Friday, August 31, 8:30pm


Sing-Sing Rhythm at AFF's Outdoor Screenings in Brooklyn, 2005

DIRECTIONS & LOCATIONS:

MARCUS GARVEY PARK

LOCATION : The Amphitheater:
Behind Pelham Fritz Recreation Center
Mt. Morris Park @ 122nd St.

RAIN VENUE : Inside Pelham Fritz Recreation Center

Subway Directions : Tucked away just south of the 125th Street shopping corridor along the axis of Fifth Avenue in Central Harlem, Marcus Garvey Park is easily accessible by public transportation. Take the 7th Avenue Express number 2 or 3 trains; the Lexington Avenue number 4 or 5 or 6 trains; or Metro North to 125th Street. The M1 bus passes along the park and the M7, M60, M98, M100, M101, M102 and Bx15 buses all stop just a short walk away.



HARLEM MEER, CENTRAL PARK

LOCATION : Lawn adjacent to Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, 110th St. & Lenox Ave.

RAIN VENUE : Second Canaan Baptist Church 10 Rev. John P. Ladson Place, 10 Malcolm X Blvd.

Subway Directions: Take the 2 or 3 train to the 110th Street and Lenox Avenue station (Central Park North). The church is located directly opposite the subway. You can also take the 6 train to the 110th Street and Lexington Avenue Station. Walk four blocks West to Lenox Avenue. By Bus: Take M18, M3, M4, bus to 110th Street and Lenox Avenue




ST. NICHOLAS PARK

LOCATION : 135th St. & St. Nicholas Ave.

RAIN VENUE : To Be Determined (visit www.historicharlemparks.org for updates)

Subway Directions : 2, 3, or C train to 135th Street



JACKIE ROBINSON PARK

LOCATION : The Basketball Courts: 150th St. & Bradhurst Ave.

RAIN VENUE : Inside Jackie Robinson Recreation Center @ 146th St. & Bradhurst Ave.

Subway Directions: Take A, B, C, or D to 145th  Street. Walk east on 145th Street until you reach the park. Enter park by stairs into the park, or enter from Bradhurst Avenue.



MORNINGSIDE PARK

LOCATION : 113th St. & Morningside Dr.

RAIN VENUE : To Be Determined (visit www.historicharlemparks.org for updates)

Subway Directions: Take the B, C, to 110th and Central Park West, walk one block west, enter park at 110th and Manhattan Avenue, or Take 1 Train to 110 Street and walk 3 blocks east and enter park at 110 and Manhattan Avenue 



AFRICA NIGHT @ PASSPORT FRIDAYS

LOCATION:
QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART
New York City Building
Flushing Meadow Corona Park, Queens

In Case of Rain: All events will take place indoors, inside of the museum. No raindates!

Subway Directions: Via #7 Flushing IRT. Exit Willets Point/Shea Stadium and follow the yellow signs on a ten-minute walk through the park to the museum, which is located next to the Unisphere. Alternatively, exit at 111th Street Station. Walk south on 111th Street past the New York Hall of Science. Left on 49th Avenue into the Park. Continue past fountain over the Grand Central Parkway bridge. Museum is on right, next to Unisphere.Please Note: If you plan on taking the subway to the museum during the weekend, check the MTA Service Advisory Postings before leaving home

Q48 to Roosevelt Ave and 111th Street. Walk south through park (toward Unisphere)Q23, Q58 to Corona Ave and 51st Ave. Walk east through park.



7th Annual KIDFlix Film Festival

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn: Fulton Park

LOCATION: Stuyvesant Ave. and Fulton St.

Subway Directions: A/C Train to Utica

 Sing-Sing Rhythm at AFF's Outdoor Screenings in Brooklyn, 2005
2007 FREE SUMMER OUTDOOR SCREENINGS SERIES

6th ANNUAL HISTORIC HARLEM PARKS FILM FESTIVAL

Schedule and Locations

MARCUS GARVEY PARK

The Amphitheater:
Behind Pelham Fritz Recreation Center
Mt. Morris Park @ 122nd St.

RAIN VENUE: Inside Pelham Fritz Recreation Center

Subway Directions: Tucked away just south of the 125th Street shopping corridor along the axis of Fifth Avenue in Central Harlem, Marcus Garvey Park is easily accessible by public transportation. Take the 7th Avenue Express number 2 or 3 trains; the Lexington Avenue number 4 or 5 or 6 trains; or Metro North to 125th Street. The M1 bus passes along the park and the M7, M60, M98, M100, M101, M102 and Bx15 buses all stop just a short walk away.

Wednesday, July 11

7:30pm

LIVE PERFORMANCE : Kotchenga Dance Company – Ivorian Drummers and Dancers

FILM :
Faat Kiné

(Ousmane Sembene, Senegal, 2001, 121m)

Sembene, “Father of African Cinema”, tackles the question of women in contemporary Dakar, Senegal. It’s a warm, often funny story of a single mother, her children, ex-husbands, aged mother and friends. Sembene contextualizes his heroine, whose life is shaped by tribal custom and sexism as by her own ambition.

Thursday, July 12

7:30pm
MUSIC :
DJ L’mani V / DJ Stone

FILM:
Banished

(Marco Williams, USA, 2006, 86m)

From the 1860s to the 1920s, American towns violently expelled their entire African American communities. Thousands of families were forced to flee their homes.  Banished tells the story of the Black descendants and the white residents who struggle with their hidden past.

 

Followed by

FILM :
Notes On A Paper Plane

(Nemo Librizzi, USA (Harlem!), 2006, 15m)

Hope has just turned sixteen and her mother suggests its time she face the real world and learn to make money. Hope is less than enthusiastic at the prospect of taking on a part-time job, yet in obedience to her elders she seeks out a paper route.


from U-Carmen eKhayelitsha

HARLEM MEER, CENTRAL PARK

LOCATION : Lawn adjacent to Charles A. Dana Discovery Center,110th St. & Lenox Ave.

RAIN VENUE : Second Canaan Baptist Church 10 Rev. John P. Ladson Place, 10 Malcolm X Blvd.


Subway Directions: Take the 2 or 3 train to the 110th Street and Lenox Avenue station (Central Park North). The church is located directly opposite the subway. You can also take the 6 train to the 110th Street and Lexington Avenue Station. Walk four blocks West to Lenox Avenue. By Bus: Take M18, M3, M4, bus to 110th Street and Lenox Avenue


Wednesday, July 18

7:30pm
LIVE PERFORMANCE : Mouminatou Camara with Seewe African Dance Company

FILM :
Forgiveness

(Ian Gabriel, South Africa, 2004, 115m)

Tertius Coetzee, an ex-cop granted amnesty for his crimes by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, seeks out the family of one of his apartheid-era victims to ask them for forgiveness. His decision to visit the family results in heated emotions, unexpected twists, and an ending that will have a lasting impression on you.

Thursday, July 19
7:30pm
MUSIC :
DJ L’mani V / DJ Stone

FILM :
Dinka Diaries

(Filmon Mebrahtu, USA, 56m)

In English, Dinka with English subtitles

Over the course of ten months, this film follows the lives of three Sudanese refugees who resettle in the Philadelphia area and adjust to the new American culture and way of life.


ST. NICHOLAS PARK

LOCATION : 135th St. & St. Nicholas Ave.

RAIN VENUE To Be Determined (visit www.historicharlemparks.org for updates)

Subway Directions: 2, 3, or C train to 135th Street


Wednesday, July 25

7:30pm
LIVE PERFORMANCE :
Sing-Sing Rhythm – Senegalese Sabar Drummers and Dancers

FILM :
All About Darfur

(Taghreed Elsanhouri, Sudan/UK, 2005, 80m)

Up until now, the perilous situation in Sudan has been seen only from the perspectives of those outside the country. All About Darfur offers an opportunity to hear the story told by eloquent, at times contradictory, voices from within Sudan.

Thursday, July 26

7:30pm
MUSIC :
DJ L’mani V / DJ Stone

FILM :
Welcome to Nollywood

(Jamie Meltzer, USA, 2007, 63m)

The burgeoning Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, is reportedly the most popular cinema in all of West Africa and the third largest film industry in the world.  Welcome to Nollywood looks in to this newly emerging industry, exploring its peculiar inner workings, economic challenges and diverse array of colorful films.

Followed by

FILM :
Mama Put

(Seke Somolu, Nigeria, 2006, 30m)

When a gang of three armed robbers arrive one night, a struggling mother soon finds herself feeding and sheltering criminals, in return for money and protection. But this fiery character uses her smarts and talents in the kitchen to extricate herself and her family.


Sing-Sing Rhythm at AFF's Outdoor Screenings in Brooklyn, 2005

JACKIE ROBINSON PARK

LOCATION :The Basketball Courts: 150th St. & Bradhurst Ave.

RAIN VENUE : Inside Jackie Robinson Recreation Center @ 146th St. & Bradhurst Ave.

Subway Directions: Take A, B, C, or D to 145th  Street. Walk east on 145th Street until you reach the park. Enter park by stairs into the park, or enter from Bradhurst Avenue.

Wednesday, Aug. 1

7:30pm
LIVE PERFORMANCE :
Urban Bushwomen

FILM:
Movement (R)evolution Africa

(Joan Frosch and Alla Kovgan, Various countries, 2007, 65m)

An astonishing exposition of nine African choreographers from Senegal to South Africa who challenge stale stereotypes of “traditional Africa” and unveil soul-shaking responses to the beauty and tragedy of 21st-century Africa!

Preceded by

FILM:
African Rhythmus

(Archival Footage – Senegal/USSR, 1966, 50m)

At the First World Festival of African Art, delegates from 37 countries of the world met. The festival, taking place in the open air rather than in theater halls, created a merry and friendly atmosphere that laid the foundation of a new way for people to converge.

Thursday, August 2

7:30pm
MUSIC :
DJ L’mani V / DJ Stone

FILM :
American Blackout

(Ian Inaba, USA, 2006, 80m)

American Blackout chronicles the recurring patterns of voter disenfranchisement from Florida 2000 to Ohio 2004 while following the story of Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Mckinney not only took an active role investigating these election debacles, but has found herself in the middle of her own after publicly questioning the Bush Administration about the 9/11 terrorist attacks.


AFRICA NIGHT @ PASSPORT FRIDAYS

LOCATION:
QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART
New York City Building
Flushing Meadow Corona Park, Queens

In Case of Rain: All events will take place indoors, inside of the museum. No raindates!

Subway Directions: Via #7 Flushing IRT. Exit Willets Point/Shea Stadium and follow the yellow signs on a ten-minute walk through the park to the museum, which is located next to the Unisphere. Alternatively, exit at 111th Street Station. Walk south on 111th Street past the New York Hall of Science. Left on 49th Avenue into the Park. Continue past fountain over the Grand Central Parkway bridge. Museum is on right, next to Unisphere.Please Note: If you plan on taking the subway to the museum during the weekend, check the MTA Service Advisory Postings before leaving home

Q48 to Roosevelt Ave and 111th Street. Walk south through park (toward Unisphere)Q23, Q58 to Corona Ave and 51st Ave. Walk east through park.


Friday, August 3

6:30pm

FILM :
African Underground: Democracy in Dakar
shorts Episodes 5 & 6

Followed by

FILM :
U-CARMEN EKHAYELITSHA

(Mark Dornford May, South Africa, 2005, 120 min, Xhosa with English ST)

Set in the sprawling township of Khayelitsha and sung entirely in Xhosa, U-Carmen is a rousing and imaginative contemporary adaptation of George Bizet's 19th-century opera Carmen. It's impressively performed and operatically sung by the Dimpho Di Kopane theatre company U-CARMEN stars Pauline Malefane (who also co-wrote the script) as the titular cigarette factory worker who seduces a Bible-reading policeman with fateful consequences. *Winner Golden Bear, Berlinale 2005*

 

DANCE: Dance in Queens Awardee Nibroll presents a multimedia performance for three dancers and a video artist entitled Public=un+public, which explores the concepts of individuality and difference through the struggle to communicate across cultures.

 

MUSIC: African Underground All-Stars featuring MCs, DJs and live percussion from Africa and the Diaspora.

 

*Co-Presented with African Film Festival & Nomadic Wax*

MORNINGSIDE PARK

LOCATION 113th St. & Morningside Dr.

RAIN VENUE To Be Determined (visit www.historicharlemparks.org for updates)

Subway Directions: Take the B, C, to 110th and Central Park West, walk one block west, enter park at 110th and Manhattan Avenue, or Take 1 Train to 110 Street and walk 3 blocks east and enter park at 110 and Manhattan Avenue 

 Wednesday, August 8

7:30pm
LIVE PERFORMANCE :
Les Merveilles de Guinea – Guinean Drummers and Dancers

FILM :
Heartlines

(Angus Gibson, South Africa, 2006, 95m)

After serving a jail sentence for theft, Manyisa, a young man with a cruel past and an uncertain future, is released. Distrustful, but seduced by an opportunity for redemption, Manyisa and his new benefactors find that friendship and love are not cheap.


Thursday, August 9

7:30pm
MUSIC :
DJ L’mani V / DJ Stone

FILM :
Dance In America: Beyond the Steps: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

(Phil Bertelsen, USA, 2006, 87m)

Follows Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater during a pivotal time in its history as the company ventures abroad while establishing new roots at home in New York City.

 
 

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