HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR

February 3, 2013, Issue #665

Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net

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Editor’s Note: Another February calendar will be published to cover events later in the month. There may also be updates on the Feb. 14 One Billion Rising demonstrations throughout the Hudson Valley, and additional information about buses from our region to Washington Feb. 17 for the environmental protests (below we list Albany and New Paltz) and the big Feb. 14 gun control protest in Hartford.

Save the Date! Thursday, March 7, for a Mid-Hudson regional public gathering to commemorate International Women’s Day at 6:30 p.m. in SUNY New Paltz Lecture Center 100. Stop Violence Against Women, Stop the War on Women’s Rights! Supported by many local groups in conjunction with nationwide IWD rallies and meetings. Full details soon. To volunteer (leaflets, postering, research, organizing), contact organizer Donna Goodman at donna0726@earthlink.net.

Activist Events

Monday, Feb. 4, OLD CHATHAM: Powell House Quaker Conference and Retreat Center is the venue for a showing of the documentary "Bridge over the Wadi," followed by a discussion of this 55-minute 2006 film about Arab and Jewish parents establishing a bi-national, bi-lingual school inside an Arab village. We’re informed the documentary "portrays through the personal stories of its characters how complicated and fragile is the attempt to create an environment of co-existence against the backdrop of complicated reality." This free public showing begins at 7 p.m. at 524 Pitt Hall Rd (off Columbia County Rt. 13). Information, (518) 766-2992, poetapoetus@taconic.net.

Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Feb. 4, 5 and 8, ALBANY: Several days of opposition to sweatshops in New York State, sponsored by the Labor-Religion Coalition, take place here this week. On Monday, there’s a press conference and a rally starting at 11 a.m. outside the Governor’s Mansion. On Tuesday there will be a 6:30 p.m. showing of the sweatshop documentary “Made in LA” at the Spectrum 8 Theater, 290 Delaware Ave. On Friday, a potluck supper starts at 6 p.m. followed by speakers at 7 p.m. at the Pastoral Center, 40 North Main St. Information, (518) 213-6000, ext.6348, JPerkett@labor-religion.org.

Tuesday, Feb. 5, ANNANDALE (Bard College campus): Middle East analyst and progressive activist Phyllis Bennis will discuss “Where Do We Go From Here?” in the geopolitical arc from North Africa to the Middle East and Central Asia. Bennis, who directs the New Internationalism Project of the Institute for Policy Studies, will appear at 7 p.m. at the Bito Auditorium, Reerm Kayden Center at 30 Campus Rd. This free public event is sponsored by the Bard Human Rights Project, Bard Middle Eastern Studies, Bard Palestinian Youth Initiative, and Middle East Crisis Response. Information, (518) 966-5366, kprehm@aol.com, Campus map, http://www.bard.edu/campus/maps/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, ALBANY: Middle East analyst and progressive activist Phyllis Bennis will discuss “Where Do We Go From Here?” (see above) at 12:05 p.m. in the main branch of the Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave. The sponsors include the Palestinian Rights Committee of Upper Hudson Peace Action, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Women Against War, UAlbany Peace Action and the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District. Information, (518) 966-5366, kprehm@aol.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, ALBANY (SUNY campus): Middle East analyst and progressive activist Phyllis Bennis will discuss “Where Do We Go From Here?” (see above) at 7 p.m., Humanities Building room 354, 1400 Washington Ave. (same sponsors as Albany above.) Information, (518) 966-5366, kprehm@aol.com.

Thursday, Feb. 7, POUGHKEEPSIE (Marist campus): Progressive activist and comedian Dick Gregory is featured at a celebration of Black History Month 
and a commemoration of the 150^th  anniversary of the
 signing of the Emancipation Proclamation 
starting at 7 p.m. in 
Hancock Center, room 2023. The event is sponsored by the American Association of University Women, who note: “This evening will bring you face to face with a seminal figure in the civil rights movement that transformed America. You will be ‘moved to your bones.’ Do not miss this opportunity to see one of the members of Comedy Central's list of ‘100 Greatest Standups’ of all time.” Information, http://www.aauwpoughkeepsie.org/newsletters/branch_2013_02.pdf. Campus map, http://www.aauwpoughkeepsie.org/uploads/PDFs/2013/Marist_campus_map.pdf.

Thursday, Feb. 7, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): The Harlem Renaissance, its major figures (Aaron Douglas, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen) and their work, is the topic of a panel discussion by the cast of “Ebony Embers” 1:40-2:55 p.m. in Student Union 62-63. At 7 p.m. The Core Ensemble and Jamyl Dobson will perform the “Embers” in the McKenna Theatre on campus. The musical score includes works by jazz giants Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Billy Strayhorn, Thelonius Monk and Charles Mingus as well as concert music by Jeffrey Mumford and George Walker. Public and free. This event is supported by the College's Office of Academic Affairs, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Department of English, the Department of Black Studies, the School of Fine & Performing Arts, and the School of Education. Information, James Schiffer, schiffej@newpaltz.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 7, MILLBROOK: “Climate Change and the Future
 of the National Park Service” is the topic of a free public talk by National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Cary Institute auditorium, 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rt. 44). We’re told: “Jarvis will discuss how climate change is manifesting itself in our national parks and detail the strategy that has been set in motion to help America’s most treasured landscapes adapt and mitigate.” Space is limited and it’s best to get there when doors open at 6:30 p.m. Information, (845) 677-7600, ext. 121, freemanp@caryinstitute.org.

Friday, Feb. 8, NEW PALTZ: A member of the recent CodePink delegation to Pakistan studying the human rights aspects of the U.S. drone war in Waziristan will describe what the group saw, did and learned in this troubled country. She is Patricia (Paki) Wieland, a retired professor, and peace/justice activist who has participated in seven human rights delegations to conflict zones in the last three years. She was on a boat to defy the blockade of Gaza, and recently traveled to Bahrain in an effort to protect civilian protesters from state directed violence, among other adventures. This important 7-9 p.m free public event is at New Paltz Village Hall, 25 Plattekill Ave., a block south of Main St. (Rt. 299). The sponsor is Middle East Crisis Response. Information (845) 876-7906.

Sunday, Feb. 10, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): In observance of Black History Month and the 150^th  Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the SUNY Music Department and others will present “A Ride on the Underground Railroad,” 3 p.m. in the Julien J. Studley Theatre. The concert will feature contemporary music as well as traditional spirituals. The performance will feature the Poné Ensemble for New Music, SUNY Concert Choir and College-Community Chorale, members of the College Youth Symphony, the Newburgh Free Academy Choir, mezzo soprano Patrice Eaton, violinist Ashley Horne, and maestro Harvey Felder. There’s also a special photographic exhibit chronicling slavery in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Tickets are $12 general admission, $8 seniors and $5 for students. Information, Historic Huguenot Street, (845) 255-1889 (or 1660), www.huguenotstreet.org.

Sunday, Feb. 10, MONTGOMERY: Two progressive films, followed by discussions, will be shown 2-5 p.m. at Wallkill River School of Art, 232 Ward St. (State Rt.17K). First, there’s “The Sky Is Pink," Josh Fox's 2012 18-minute documentary on the safety record and public relations strategy of the hydrofracking industry. Second is "The Economics of Happiness," a 67-minute 2011 documentary on how the way of managing material goods affects intangible factors in families and larger communities. Free will donations accepted but not required. Co-sponsored by WRS and Occupy South Ulster. Information, (845) 457-2787, (845) 699-3051.



Tuesday, Feb. 12, ROSENDALE: SUNY Professor A. J. Williams Myers will discuss the economic and social contributions of Africans along the Hudson River from the Dutch occupation of New York to the American Revolution. The 6:30-8:30 talk will be held at the Recreation Center on Rt. 32.

Thursday, Feb. 14, HARTFORD: On this Valentine’s Day, exactly two months after the slaughter of children in Newton, CT, thousands of people are expected to march and rally on the north steps of the state Capitol in Hartford to support gun control legislation. In partnership with Fairfield-based Connecticut Against Gun Violence, the March for Change movement was initiated by two Fairfield parents in response to the killings of 26 first grade students and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14. Several other groups, including One Million Moms, will join the gun-control actions, as well as individuals including a Yale student survivor of the Colorado movie massacre.  Organizers said they formed a bipartisan grassroots coalition to urge state legislators to pass stricter “common sense” gun laws. Gov. Daniel P. Malloy is expected to address the crowd at 11 a.m. He will be joined by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and state Attorney General George Jepsen. “We became activists because we had to,” said Nancy Lefkowitz, co-founder, with Meg Staunton, of March for Change. “All eyes are looking to Connecticut. There’s a fervor to get something done and we need to seize the opportunity.” People throughout Connecticut have been reserving spots on charter buses. If we learn of bus transportation from the Hudson Valley we’ll send a notice.

Thursday, Feb. 14, U.S./WORLDWIDE: Today is Valentine’s Day – but it is also the 15^th anniversary of V-Day, “a growing global movement to end violence against women and girls” launched by Eve Ensler, author of the Vagina Monologues. This year the title is “One Billion Rising” and its goal is for “one billion women and those who love them to walk out, dance, rise up, and demand an end to violence against women!” The call is based on the fact that “One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. One billion women violated is an atrocity. One billion women dancing is a revolution.” There will be many events throughout the world and the United States, including in the Hudson Valley. We list several Valley events but you will find many more of them if you Google “Hudson Valley New York One Billion Rising Feb. 14, 2013.” If there is an action planned in your town, send us word fast. Here are the two main international websites: http://www.onebillionrising.org/, http://www.vday.org/home.

Thursday, Feb. 14, WARWICK: Occupy Orange County is sponsoring a V-Day One Billion Rising event starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be a speakout and dance program at the Warwick Valley Community Center, 11 Hamilton Ave., followed at 8:30 p.m. by candle lighting and a procession to the Railroad Green in Warwick. Information, oorangeny@gmail.com, http://www.onebillionrising.org/page/event/detail/startarising/4jvf2.

Thursday, Feb. 14, NEW PALTZ: Supporters of One Billion Rising will rally at 3 p.m. at Main St. and N. Front St. The group will then walk several blocks to an indoor dance opposing violence toward women at the New Paltz Community Center on Rt. 32. behind Town Hall. Information, Mary Goggin, (845) 702-4506, maygog952@earthlink.net.

Thursday, Feb. 14, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): “Strike, Dance, Rise” is the slogan of a One Billion Rising flash mob dance at 3 p.m. in the Student Union Atrium to change social attitudes about violence against women.

Thursday, Feb. 14, HUDSON/CATSKILL: A One Billion Rising dance demanding an end to violence takes place at Columbia Greene Community College (in Hudson, Columbia) 10 a.m.-6 p.m., the Hudson Opera House from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Petite Productions of Catskill (in Greene) from 12 p.m-2 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m.  “Come and be a part of an interactive community dance mob!” Participants are encouraged to register in advance and obtain sponsors to contribute and support their “Dance Strike.” Anyone raising $30 or more will receive a T-shirt.  Information, (518) 828-4619, ext 205 in Columbia County and (518) 943-4482 in Greene County.

Friday, Feb. 15, HUDSON: As part of One Billion Rising, a reading of the play “The Vagina Monologues” by noted author and women’s rights advocate Eve Ensler begins at 8 p.m., followed by a coffee, tea and dessert reception. The three actors are Elena Mosley, founder of Operation Unite; Stephanie Monseu, co-founder of Bindlestiff Family Cirkus; and veteran stage and film actor Kim Sykes. The event will take place at Stageworks/Hudson, 41 Cross St., and is directed by Laura Margolis. (The show is not recommended for children.) All seats are $25 and proceeds will go to the Reach Center in Hudson (a project of the Mental Health Association of Columbia and Greene Counties.) For tickets call the Stageworks box office at (518) 822-9667 or https://secure.stageworkshudson.org/buy_obr.php.

Friday, Feb. 15, TROY: "The Politics of Immigration" is the topic of a 7 p.m. talk by progressive activist Jane Guskin, co-author of a book of the same title. She is also an editor of Weekly News Update on the Americas, a summary of Latin American news, and co-director of the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute. Her talk will will be at the Oakwood Community Center (former Presbyterian church), 313 10^th  St. Donation, $5 requested, $2 unemployed and students. The sponsors are The Troy Area Labor Council,  and Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Information, (518) 505-0948.

Saturday, Feb. 16, SAUGERTIES: Marxist activist Fred Goldstein will discuss his recent book “Capitalism at a Dead End,” 2 p.m. at Inquiring Minds Bookstore, 65 Partition St. He posits that the economic crisis, which began in August 2007 marked a turning point in the history of capitalism. Information, (845) 246-5775.

Sunday, Feb. 17, ELLENVILLE: A 3-5 p.m. meeting on Empowering Ellenville agency and information on Climate Change/Alternative Sustainable Energy actions will take place at 159 Canal St. (near Shadowland Theater). There will also be a 30-minute recorded presentation on "Ending Corporate Rule" by Paul Cienfuegos, co-founder of Democracy Unlimited, followed by a facilitated discussion. The sponsor is Occupy South Ulster. Information, (845) 699-3051.


Sunday, Feb. 17, WASHINGTON: The Sierra Club and Bill McKibben’s 350.org are organizing what they expect will be “the largest climate rally in history” in the nation’s capital from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Buses and car pools are coming from many parts of the U.S. Charter buses will bring Hudson Valley residents to the rally and back. So far we know about Albany and New Paltz. From Albany, contact Pete Looker at (518) 399-7118. (Leave Albany12:30 a.m., cost $58 but sliding scale). From New Paltz, contact corvasorora@yahoo.com. (Leave N.P. 4:30 a.m., cost $35, reductions possible). Let us know if there are other Valley buses joining the protest so we can list them. Sierra and 350 report: “Presidents Day weekend, we'll be taking to the streets of Washington, D.C. and the National Mall with thousands to form a massive human pipeline, and to tell the President that we expect leadership on climate change, beginning with a rejection of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. President Obama has just four years left to provide the leadership we need to stop climate change that is causing extreme weather like Hurricane Sandy, and Keystone XL is the first test of whether he's up for the job.” From Bill McKibben last week: “President Obama alone has the power to reject the pipeline – but we have the power to force him to make the right decision.  Over 12,000 people have already signed up to be at the action on Presidents Day weekend. That’s pretty good, but our goal is to make this the largest climate rally in history. Will you help us make it 20,000? This is our year. This is our future. Let’s demand a better one.” Information, http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nat_signup_feb17, http://act.350.org/signup/presidentsday/?akid=2665.10375.flltTU&rd=1&t=1.

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The rest of February will be sent soon.