The Grand Viewing for the Br. Joe Tauraso, CM Memorial Mural: What A Blessed Event!

We want to thank everyone who came down to the Center for the Arts & Culture at St. John the Baptist in Bklyn. for the "Grand Viewing" event for the Br. Joe Tauraso, CM Memorial Mural on Saturday, Nov.13. It was truly a blessed event, and a wonderful time was had by all the youth and adults who attended.

Over 40 people attended this special event including over 10 members of Br. Joe Tauraso's family who came down from upstate New York, and Long Island. There was a special program of live music and poetry that included performances by jazz musicians Kenny Forsch and Richie Robles, Carlos Lazarus, and inspiring poetry performances by "the Word Bird" Malik Canty, and Edith Maria Baez. There was also a special liturgical dance performed by Denise Springer and Monique Locario, and a performance by a group of enthusiastic youth from WYSIWYG ( meaning "What You See Is What You Get") Performing Arts Club at St. John the Baptist, led by founders Aloha Peartree and Calona Christian, before the mural was unveiled by Br. Joe's brother and sister, Vinnie and Kathy. In a moving tribute, Vinnie Tauraso shared a few words on his brother, Joe, and also expressed the great joy and gratitude felt by himself and his family for the gift of the mural created in Joe's honor, and for the community gesture of having the unveiling event itself. Thunderous applause greeted Br. Joe's mural as it was finally unveiled for his family, and for the community of St. John the Baptist parish to see. After the unveiling, there was a break for food and refreshments. After the break, there was more live music, poetry, and a "show stealing" dance performance by Malik Canty and his wife, Beverly's 6 year-old granddaughter, Jasmine. It was truly a moving performance, and a memorable afternoon for all of us who were fortunate enough to be there. WE ARE POSTING A NUMBER OF THE PICTURES FROM THE GRAND VIEWING EVENT ON SATURDAY, NOV.13TH RIGHT AFTER THIS POST. ENJOY!!!

The Memorial Mural in honor of Br. Joe Tauraso, CM will be on display as part of a Community Exhibtion that will continue through the rest of the year at the Center for the Arts & Culture @SJB at scheduled dates and times. If you weren't able to make it for the grand viewing on Nov. 13th, or just missed it, you will still have an opportunity to see the mural in the main gallery, and also see the special exhibition of pictures of the youth and adults who worked on painting the mural. There is also artwork on exhibition by exciting young artists Kris Echevarria, Jose Gonzalez, Theoni Sapounas, and Crystal Chaparro in the main gallery. We are inviting everyone to take the opportunity to see the Br. Joe mural, and all the great artwork at the Center during the holiday season. It'd be a great gift for youself, your family, and friends! We are extending special invitations to all the past youth and young adult members of St. John's Youth Group, when Br. Joe was director, to view this special mural. We definitely had all of you in our hearts, minds, and prayers when this mural was being painted. We hope you will come visit the Center and see the mural for yourselves. You won't regret it. The Community Exhibition of the Memorial Mural in honor of Br. Joe is dedicated to all the youth of St. John the Baptist Parish, and to the Loving Memory of Guilene Valcin.

For more info about the exhibition, or the Center, please, feel free to call and leave a message for Mr. Glenn Angel Echevarria, Director, at 718-455-6864 ext. 152, or e-mail us at cacsjb@yahoo.com. The Center for the Arts & Culture @SJB is located on the 2nd floor of St. John the Baptist Parish Center at 75 Lewis Ave. (between Hart St. & Willoughby Ave.) in Brooklyn, NY. By transit, J/M/Z trains to Myrtle Ave. and Broadway. By bus, B54 to Myrtle and Lewis Ave., B44, B46 to Myrtle and Broadway, B15 to Willoughby Ave.

MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED AND SAFE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WITH ALL YOUR FAMILY, AND FRIENDS..