The "War & Peace" Event.. featuring Artworks by Glenn Angel Echevarria at Sutra Lounge in NYC : What a Memorable Night!

CAC@SJB's Rich Robles (l.) and Glenn Angel (r.) pose with event organizer / host,
Reggie Johnson (c.) as he holds one of Glenn's paintings, "This Is Not A Test" at Sutra Lounge

This past Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, the event commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. at Sutra Lounge in the Lower East Side, Manhattan, was a memorable night filled with great music, great art, and some very good people having themselves a great time.

Guests enjoy the good vibes at Sutra Lounge

The night, themed War & Peace, featured a series of new artworks by Glenn Angel Echevarria: painted panels that contained many moving and thought-provoking images of war, peace, hope, and joy. The response to the art by all in attendance was great, and very inspiring. We sincerely want to thank all of you who came down to show your support, especially all Glenn's family and friends who came to represent! Much love and appreciation to you all. Add to that, the dance music spun by DJ TomCat, and you have what turned out to be a wonderful time, and another memorable experience for everyone involved. The night was over-flowing with good vibes, family, and friends all enjoying a special night at a very enjoyable place in NYC.. the Sutra Lounge!

Dancers, Rich and Edith, on the floor with Glenn Angel's beautiful art on the wall

("Paloma de La Paz" & "MLK Jr.")

We really want to give great, big thanks and respect to Reggie Johnson, who promotes and hosts the Rarefied Groove Party every Wednesday night at Sutra Lounge, Owner, Ariel Palitz, and everyone at Sutra for their support, and extending the opportunity for this night to happen.. and to DJ TomCat for the incredible music! We look forward to doing it again sometime in the very near future. For those of you who weren't able to make it, thanks for your blessings and all your messages of support. Your sentiments and good wishes were greatly appreciated.

Richie, Ariel, and Glenn Angel share a moment at Sutra

For those of you who haven't been to the Sutra Lounge on a Wednesday night, you should do yourself a favor, and pass by to catch the vibe, the great atmosphere, and music there every week. Sutra is really a nice and enjoyable spot. It's one of the gems of the Lower East Side, conveniently located at 16 First Ave. in NYC. (F, V train to 2nd Ave.) You won't regret it.

Special Note: If you missed the event and you'd like the chance to see Glenn Angel's painted panels in person, they will be showing at the Center for the Arts & Culture at St. John the Baptist in Brooklyn beginning this February in honor of Black History Month. Keep yourself posted on this site in the coming days for times and dates. Look forward to seeing you there!

Enjoy the rest of the pics from the Rarefied "War & Peace" event party, and Glenn's art showing at Sutra Lounge!

"Break the Chains.." by Glenn Angel


The fellas strike a pose in Sutra's back lounge room


Lovely Edith Maria, poses with "Love Dancing"


Alex and Ivan relax in the back room with Glenn's "Peace On Earth"


Spoken Word Poet, Luis Bernard, and artist, Chantal Smith, share a smile


A side shot of "New Orleans Jazz Lives On" by Glenn Angel


Richie and Keisha share a moment and a smile


"Richie Stomps the Bomb" and "Love Dancing" paintings in Sutra's back lounge room


Hanging at top right - "Casualties of War" (An Homage to Iandry Randriamandroso)


Having some fun and laughs inside the Sutra Lounge


Edith Maria & Glenn Angel wish you..

Peace!!

Welcome to a Special "One Night Only" Art Showing by Glenn Angel at Sutra Lounge in NYC

Glenn Angel Echevarria works on his new painting,
"Casualties of War" (An Homage to Iandry Randriamandroso)..
Showing at Sutra Lounge in NYC, Wednesday, Jan. 18th

This coming Wednesday, January 18, 2006 (8 pm - 1 am), CAC@SJB's director, multi-talented artist, and our very good friend, "Glenn Angel" Echevarria is having a rare, and special "One Night Only" showing of some of his most recent artwork at the Sutra Lounge in New York City. It's Glenn Angel's first art showing in Lower Manhattan, so it promises to be a special event filled with good friends, family, great music, and some beautiful artwork.

The theme for the evening is "War & Peace".. and the paintings by Glenn Angel were created specifically for this event to enhance the evening, and add some powerful, and vivid images to the festive atmosphere. This special showing is being held in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, and is part of an ongoing Wednesday night house music party that is hosted every week at Sutra by Reggie Johnson / Deepdance Promotions. DJ Tomcat (from the Underground Railroad / Rare Radio Show, WBAI 99.5 FM) will be spinning great tunes, and some mighty grooves from his collection of rare records, while supplying the musical energy for the music lovers, and dancers throughout the evening. You will not be disappointed.

Sutra Lounge is located at 16 1st Ave. (between 1st and 2nd Streets). The F and V trains to 2nd Ave. leave you across the street from the lounge. There's no cover at the door.

It all starts at 8 pm and goes until 1 am.. so, come down with us to Sutra Lounge, to see Glenn's new artwork, and to give him all our support. It's sure to be yet another memorable, blessed experience, and fun-filled evening for all of us. See you there!

The "Poetry 4 Peace" Event.. Ends the Year at CAC@SJB with a Blast!

The Center's final event of 2005, "Poetry 4 Peace", which took place on Saturday, Dec. 17th, turned out to be yet another wonderful event full of amazing poetry performances by some very gifted youth and adults from our community. In other words, we sent 2005 out with a serious blast of peace and love.. and set things off for 2006!

We can't say it enough.. without the constant support and presence of the talented youth and adults who continue coming to the Center, to share their gifts, and bless us with their presence, the Center would be dead. But, thank heaven above, the Center is far from dead.. it's alive and kicking because of these loving, generous, and truly gifted individuals who inspire us to continue doing what we do, and keep coming back for more. We thank you so much for bypassing the negative energy around us, and the controlling forces that seek to oppress us rather than sincerely bless us. We especially thank you for your constant support, your dedication, and your belief in us, our mission, and for your unshakeable faith. It's for these reasons that we remain committed to serving you, and to sharing all our gifts with you as well.

Young poet to watch, William Locario, takes the mic

It's both an honor, and a privilege to open the doors to anyone, and everyone from our community who desires to find a place where they can just be themselves without being judged, and made to feel unwelcome. We assure you that everyone is welcome at the Center no matter what faith, belief, or background you may come from. We pride ourselves on being open to all our community youth and adult residents, as long as you come with an open mind, a willing heart, and bring positive energy with you.. because the Center is full of nothing but positive, and loving individuals seeking to make a difference in our community with the God-given gifts we have. That's what we're about, and will continue to be about for as long as we are here. Hey, somebody's gotta do it!

Host, Luis Bernard, receives a rousing ovation
after the performance of his poem, "I Write Poetry"

With that said, the Poetry 4 Peace open-mic event was a testament to the amazing talent that already exists in our community that needs to be brought to the light, and given the platform for their voices to be heard. The event was hosted by the dedicated, and inspiring poet, Luis Bernard (President of The In Progress Group), who set things off with some of his powerful poetry. And then, an eclectic array of gifted youth and adult poets took turns taking the mic, and just ripped us all to shreds! Being ripped apart never felt so good. The teen and young adult poets served notice that they had some deep thoughts, and very important things to share. They were flat-out incredible, held their own, and did themselves proud! We were all mighty proud and impressed by them.

Young poet, Yazmira Hurtado mesmerizes the crowd
with her amazing poetic gift.


Young and gifted, Rashid Locario touches our hearts
with his sensitivity, talent, and deep feelings


Danielle Locario conquers her fears
and our hearts with her poetry

The adults also staked claim to this event with poetry that stirred the heart and soul. The return of the Word Bird, Malik Canty, was a special treat for the ears, and the spirit as he took us all to another level. It was great having him back to remind us that the Word Bird is still in flight with us at the Center.

The amazing "Word Bird" Malik Canty,
unleashes the spirits through his prophetic poetry at the Center


The always inspiring Cynthia Jimenez represents,
and moves the crowd with her words

We also thank all the members of the Center's new Lyrical Sanctuary for attending. Our young poets who came and represented, William, Rashid, and Danielle Locario, special guest poet, Ivan Angel Aviles, the amazing Yazmira Hurtado, and the surpirising Miguel, who shared his deep love poems. And as always, to the Center's resident poet family, Cynthia Jimenez, Edith Maria Baez, and now, Rich Robles, adding to his long list of credentials. To all our guests who attended this special event, we thank you for making the trip, for your kind words of support and encouragement. We're happy you enjoyed the presentation. Add to that, the beautiful paintings, and artwork on display by Chantal Smith, Iandry Randriamandroso, and Glenn Angel, and what you have was a magical experience, and an absolutely blessed time!

Special guest poet, Ivan Angel Aviles, takes the mic
and blesses us with his heartfelt poetry

The CAC@SJB Poetry Fam strikes a pose
and all look forward to seeing you at the Center for our next event!

So, here's looking forward to more opportunities to share our poetry and all our artistic talents with you, and with one another in this New Year of 2006. We can't wait to experience what's coming next! Hope to see you at our next art exhibition, poetry event, or activity we've got going at the Center. We assure you, you're gonna enjoy yourself. Til then, keep yourself posted to our upcoming events this year on this site.. and feel free to share any of your thoughts, feedback, and comments with us. We'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to be a part of the Center family, or just assist us in any way, feel free to contact us by e-mail, or calling and leaving a message for us at the Center's office, and we'll get back to you asap.

Peace and blessings to you all!!