CAC@SJB's "Momentz of Noize" Open-mic Holiday Jam.. What A Blessed Event!!

Wonderful Black Angel soars on the open-mic

Something truly special happend on Saturday, Dec. 13th in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.. CAC@SJB opened its doors to the community for our "Momentz of Noize" Open-mic Holiday Jam 2008.. and what resulted was an experience so profound and inspiring, that it leads us to ask, "Could it get any better?"

Guest Comments:  

"This is a great place that nurtures the soul, and enhances the spirit with positive energy, faith, and positive messages.  These are desperately needed by all people and our communities.  I am proud of receiving the opportunity to contribute and share. Much success!" - Jaime "The Maestro" Emeric

CAC@SJB fam members, community organizers, poet, Luis Bernard 

& artist, Glenn Angel, hosted the event at the Center

Poets take turns on the open-mic

This afternoon gathering of wonderful community artists, poets, and activists was one of the best events at the Center to date!  All our invited guests unanimously agree.. when we gather together at the Center to celebrate our art, our music, our culture, and most of all, ourselves with one another for the sake of community, magical things happen in our humble little center that truly feeds the soul.  On this day, the Center was more than just a hidden gem.. it was truly a brilliant jewel on a cold December afternoon that will not soon be forgotten.

Guest Comments:  

"What a beautiful space and a blessing.  I had a wonderful time.  Thank you for this place, and healing of spirit."  - Tachelle Wilkes 

 

Educator and amazing poet, Charan P, 

wowed the crowd with her deep poetry

Soulful Tachelle sings and moves the crowd 

at the Center with her beautiful voice

The group art exhibition that was beautifully displayed at the Center was both the backdrop and a great enhancement to what took place as poet after amazing poet and special performers took turns on the open-mic. Poetry of all kinds just dazzled the mind and inspired the soul in such a way.. in other words.. the Center was totally transformed into a safe haven of peace, love, and wonderful artistry by the community for the community.  In a parish where not too much is being offered to teens and adults in the greater community as far as art, poetry, and freedom of expression, this event helped fill a great void in a quiet parish building on a cold Saturday afternoon in December where so much more can be done to bring the outside community inside to this historic building at St. John the Baptist parish.

Enjoying the vibe at the event

Richie Robles played his guitar and sang his heart out 

for the guests at the Center

This special "Momentz of Noize" event gathering was an opportunity to celebrate the gift of creativity, and to meet new artists, poets, musicians, and community activists who have never visited the Center nor this side of Brooklyn before.  It was a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals with one main shared vision.. to utilize our God-given abilities to make a positive impact in young people's lives, and to enhance the quality of life in our inner-city communities through the gift of art.

Guest Comments:  

"This place is AWESOME!" - Kris Echevarria

Guests enjoy the art displayed in the Center

Guest were blessed to see the wonderful paintings and artwork of Glenn Angel, Iandry Randriamandroso, Chantal Smith, Jai Cruz, Kris Echevarria.. and special guest artists, John Aguilar Marrero and Reina Miranda (Taino Spirit), who showed only a sample of their amazing creations.  We look forward to having Aguilar and Reina back at the Center for their own art exhibition.. because their art is truly a treasure to behold, and the community would be blessed to see it first hand. 

Amazing artist, Aguilar, explains his beautiful 

paintings to a group of guests at the Center..

..while Reina did her thing on the open-mic

We also had a special appearance by a unique brother / sister art team, Marthalicia & Tomas (M Squared Art Productions) come by and do some live painting with Marthalicia's son, Wesly, taking to the canvas as well while the poets took turns on the microphone. We thank Marthalicia, Tomas, and lil' Wesly for blessing us with their presence.. and also look forward to showcasing them at the Center in 2009.  They are wonderful young artists with a world of talent, passion, and stories to share with the community.

Guest Comments:

"I am glad.. more like.. ecstatic to be able to participate in something that gives back to the community, especially children.  I look forward to work with your group in all future endeavors." - Black Angel

Wesly paints live in the Center during the event

while mommy, Marthalicia, proudly watches on

Tired Wesly takes a well-deserved break during the event

We truly want to thank all our special guests, our great poets, wonderful artists, and especially our CAC@SJB family members, Richie Robles, Howard & Dorothy Folk, Jeorlaine Hill, Lucia Totoya, and Luis Bernard for making this event a great success and a blessed experience for all who attended.  This type of community gathering in celebration of our diverse cultures and our great array of gifted artists of all genres is what our parish community greatly lacks and needs much more of.  We are hopeful to continue presenting more opportunities for our community residents (especially our very own youth and young adults of St. John's parish and our Bed-Stuy community) to be exposed to the many gifted and dedicated individuals in our very own inner-city communities and neighborhoods that have so much to offer and share with us all.  This is what makes a community more real, more relevant, and more colorful.. and inspires us all to dream big and make important things happen for the betterment of our quality of life in our under-served communities.  Because if we don't do it, who will?  

We look forward to having all our special guests back, and to have new visitors experience the Center in 2009 at one of our special art and poetry events!  Until then.. may we all have a great and very prosperous New Year!!

For more great pictures of our Momentz of Noize Holiday Jam (courtesy of Jaime "The Maestro"), link into the Center's myspace webpage and click on pics at www.myspace.com/CACSJB