HUDSON
VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
JUNE 1 CALENDAR, 2014, Issue #683
Send event
announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
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| WELCOME TO JUNE, THE SWEETEST MONTH. |
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Attention Reader:
1. We're off for part of the summer and the next issue will be around the third week in August.
2. We now update each monthly calendar online as new events are announced. During May we listed a dozen new entries after the initial posting. Check us later in June. The additional items will begin with this mark: √.
1. We're off for part of the summer and the next issue will be around the third week in August.
2. We now update each monthly calendar online as new events are announced. During May we listed a dozen new entries after the initial posting. Check us later in June. The additional items will begin with this mark: √.
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Sunday, June 1, NEW PALTZ: The
Hudson Valley LGBTQ pride march and festival begins with a rally for equal rights and justice for
all in the parking lot of the New Paltz Middle School (Main St. and Manheim) 12 noon-1 p.m. The
pride march then begins. Following the march, there will be a
festival at Hasbrouck Park. Award-winning musicians and performers — including
comedienne Julie Novak, trailblazing all-women rock band Big Sister,
Woodstock-based rock group Hemingway’s Cat and the all-youth Percussion
Orchestra of Kingston — will take the stage. The festival runs from 1 to 4 p.m.
The
festivities conclude with a party-after-pride from 4 to 8 p.m. at Joe’s
East-West in New Paltz, featuring live DJs, rooftop dancing and a performance
by award-winning rock group Sister Funk. Information, visit http://lgbtqcenter.org/pride.
Monday, June 2, OLD CHATHAM: We recommend the colorful new documentary “Girl Rising,” which will be screened at 7 p.m. at the Old Chatham Quaker Meetinghouse 539 County Rt. 13. The film “journeys around the globe to witness the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world. Viewers get to know nine unforgettable girls living in the developing world: ordinary girls who confront tremendous challenges and overcome nearly impossible odds to pursue their dreams. Prize-winning authors put the girls’ remarkable stories into words, and renowned actors give them voice. It’s public, free and sponsored by the Quaker Meeting. Refreshments will be served and a moderated discussion will follow. Information, (518) 766-2992. Directions, www.oldchathamquakers.org
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| Waiting to pass through an Israeli checkpoint. |
Friday, June 6, KINGSTON: A free screening of “The Other
Son” will begin at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the
Catskills, 320 Sawkill Rd. This offering, part of the Films of Palestine
Series, “is the moving and provocative tale of two young men — one Israeli, the
other Palestinian — who discover they were accidentally switched at birth, and
the complex repercussions facing them and their respective families. In an
altered situation, one may imagine Joseph and Yacine fighting and even killing
each other, each one mistaken by the other for the enemy.” The series is
sponsored by Middle East Crisis Response (http://www.mideastcrisis.org) and Hudson
Valley Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (http://www.hudsonvalleybds.org).
Information, Jane.toby7@gmail.com, (518)
678-2076.
Saturday, June 7, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): This is a quite distinctive
modern dance production presented by The Arts Community at 7 p.m. in the
McKenna Theatre on campus. The dancers include Figures in Flight 4 (a
professional youth dance company composed of high school students from the
Hudson Valley), and Figures in Flight Released (a group of men whose dance
training began through a rehabilitation program in prison). We’re told: “In
spite of their obvious differences in race, age, and background, the two groups
share something that shines through: a love of dance and a commitment to mutual
respect between people of all kinds.” Local columnist, dance instructor and
cultural figure Susan Slotnick trained both groups. Admission is $15 ($10
students, seniors and children 12 and under). Campus map: http://www.newpaltz.edu/map/
Saturday, June 7, CHATHAM: There will be a meeting today of
the Citizen’s Climate Lobby, Columbia County Chapter, 12:45 p.m., at Chatham
Real Food Market Co-op, 15 Church St. “We are a new local chapter of a national
non-partisan grass roots effort dedicated to building political will for
Congress to take meaningful action for a sustainable climate. All
are welcome.” Information, ccl.columbiacounty@gmail.com, About the group, http://www.citizensclimatelobby.org
√ Sunday, June
8, GOSHEN: “Valley View Nursing Home belongs to the people” is an implicit
theme of a 2-5 p.m. public rally in Goshen Green park (adjacent to the First
Presbyterian Church). At issue is the proposed privatization of the Orange
County-owned facility. Those who support public ownership of Valley View have
organized an unusual rally by inviting county politicians who support
privatization to also speak and answer questions. Civil liberties lawyer
Michael Sussman, a county resident and staunch advocate of public ownership,
stated: “I personally urge the families of Valley View residents,
the workers at Valley View and everyone else who cares about this issue to participate
with us June 8." Sponsor,
Citizens for Valley View. Information, Greg Winner, gwin12344@gmail.com.
√ Sunday, June
8, GOSHEN: “Valley View Nursing Home belongs to the people” is an implicit
theme of a 2-5 p.m. public rally in Goshen Green park (adjacent to the First
Presbyterian Church). At issue is the proposed privatization of the Orange
County-owned facility. Those who support public ownership of Valley View have
organized an unusual rally by inviting county politicians who support
privatization to also speak and answer questions. Civil liberties lawyer
Michael Sussman, a county resident and staunch advocate of public ownership,
stated: “I personally urge the families of Valley View residents,
the workers at Valley View and everyone else who cares about this issue to participate
with us June 8." Sponsor,
Citizens for Valley View. Information, Greg Winner, gwin12344@gmail.com.
√ Sunday, June 8, KINGSTON: An anti-drone warfare mini
rally and educational outreach effort will take place 3:30-4:30 p.m. at popular
Rondout Landing, located at the end of Broadway. Organizes will bring a mock “drone”
and flyers. If you wish, “bring lawn
chairs and refreshments.” Information,
Andrew, (845) 699-3051.
Monday, June 9, TROY: Labor journalist and lawyer Steve Early will speak
on the topic “How Can We Save Our Unions?” at 7 p.m. in the Oakwood Community
Center, 313 10th St. This
James Connolly Forum event is cosponsored by Monthly Review, Troy Area Labor
Council (AFL-CIO), Solidarity Committee of the Capital District and Bethlehem
Neighbors for Peace. Early was an organizer for the Communications Workers of
America for 27 years. His latest book is “Save Our Unions: Dispatches From a Movement
in Distress." Donation, $5; unemployed and students $2. Information (518) 629-5972.
Tuesday, June 10, KINGSTON: The End the New Jim Crow Action
Network! (ENJAN), a Hudson Valley network dedicated to fighting racist policies
of racial profiling, police brutality, and mass incarceration (the "new
Jim Crow"), meets 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the New Progressive Baptist Church,
8 Hone St. (Also meets here Tuesday, June 24.) Information, (845)
475-8781, http://www.enjan.org.
√
Tuesday, June 10, ALBANY: The Women's Equality Coalition is
holding a legislative lobby day today. In preparation, the coalition is hosting
a conference call on Friday, June 6 at 1 p.m. When you join the call, you will
be updated on the lobby day, on the status of the Women's Equality Act in the
NYS legislature, the Twitter Tuesday #UpgradeNY social media campaign, and a
recap of the coalition's field work across the state. To RSVP and to receive
call-in information, please email KaeLyn Rich at krich@nyclu.org.
Wednesday, June 11, POUGHKEEPSIE: The End the New Jim Crow Action network will meet 6-7:30 p.m. at the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library, Family Partnership Center, 29 N Hamilton St. (NOTE: Also meets here Wednesday, June 25.) Information, (845) 475-8781, http://www.enjan.org.
Thursday, June 12, WOODSTOCK: Middle East Crisis Response, a
group of Hudson Valley residents joined together to promote peace and human
rights in Palestine and the Middle East, will hold its regular meeting
tonight, 7-8:30 p.m. at Woodstock Public Library, 5 Library Lane. Information,
(845) 876-7906, http://www.mideastcrisis.org.
Saturday, June 14, KINGSTON: Juneteenth will be celebrated
today 3-6 p.m. at the New Progressive Baptist Church 8 Hone St. This is the
oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the
United States. The program will include special tributes to Rev. G. Modele
Clarke, pastor of New Progressive and Rabbi Jonathan Kligler of the Woodstock
Jewish Congregation. For a history of Juneteenth see http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm.
Saturday, June 14, VALHALLA: The 17th annual Asian American
Heritage Festival takes place today 12 noon-6 p.m. at Kensico Dam Plaza. We’re
told: “The public is invited to bring family and friends for an afternoon of
entertainment featuring experts in traditional Asian dance and song and masters
of the martial arts, including lion dancers. Professional artists share
the stage with children's dance troupes in colorful traditional costumes. There
will be plenty of activities for children such as face painting, Lego classes,
Chinese paper cutting, origami, and games. One of the most popular of the
ethnic cultural celebrations on Westchester County's summer calendar, the Asian
Heritage festival attracts as many as 7,000 residents each year. Free admission
and parking, The sponsor is OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates.
Information, info@oca-whv.org, http://www.oca-whv.org.
√ Saturday, June 21, ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON
(Bard campus):
“Unfinished Business: The Civil Rights Act at 50” is the title of a free 9:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m. symposium sponsored by the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val Kill
and the National Park Service. The keynote speaker is Bard History Professor
Myra Young Armstead. Panelists include Alexandra Cox, Assistant Professor of
Sociology at SUNY, New Paltz; Odell Winfield, co-founder of the Sadie Peterson
Delany African Roots Library; and Simon Gilhooley, Visiting Assistant Professor
of Political Studies at Bard. Pre-register at at (845) 229-5302 or at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E158701&id=16.
Doors open at 9 a.m. for registeration
and continental breakfast. Bard campus map: http://www.bard.edu/campus/maps/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.
√ Saturday, June 21, NEW YORK
CITY: There will be a speak-out for Marissa Alexander sponsored by WORD at 1
p.m., at 125th St. and Lenox Ave. in Harlem. Marissa was sentenced to 20 years
for defending her life from an abusive husband, but she appealed and was
granted a new trial. Now she faces 60 years in prison if she is not acquitted
in the upcoming trial, now scheduled for Dec. 1. Information, nyc@defendwomensrights.org or call (347) 292-WORD (9673).
√ Monday, June 23, NEW PALTZ: Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie
Hawkins will speak, discuss the upcoming state elections and answer audience
questions starting at 7 p.m. at Village Hall on Plattekill Ave., one block south
of Main St. information, Margaret Human, (845) 255-5727.
√ Saturday, June 28, HIGHLAND:
The "Improv Patrol" playback theatre is performing a show on civil
rights 7- 8:30 p.m. We’re told: “Audience members have the spotlight! In a
playback event, someone in the audience tells a moment or story from their
life, chooses the actors to play the different roles, and then all those
present watch the enactment as the playback actors use improvisational theater
to make the story come to life. Cost: $5. Sponsored by Improv Patrol.
Information, christopherauthor@gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/improvpatrol, http://www.youtube.com/user/Christopherauthor,
