By Raymond Tyler
This may be my busiest April on record. I scheduled everything I could except sleep. I agonized over what to write about this week and what would be painfully left out. Then I remembered that under-appreciated Jeopardy category…Potourri! So here are pictures and words regarding what happened and what’s happening in days to come.
April 20 – DJ Fah D’s DENIM and WHITE: 13th Annual Celebrity Birthday Bash at The Claridge
While it seemed like everyone was celebrating 420 all around Atlantic City, I just enjoyed a nice evening of the best hip-hop and R&B and a lot of good folks. The evening was high on good vibes and dancing; smoking not so much.
April 21 – Murphy Writing Workshop with Cole Eubank’s at The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University
After a night of dancing. I decided to attend this writing workshop and give my brain and creativity a workout. Cole Eubanks is a former school teacher, ice-cream man and current acclaimed poet. Like most of my favorite poets, Eubanks has developed the craft of adding creativity to everyday happenings. His workshop focused on personification and breathing life into inanimate objects.
FYI-Sunday April 28 at noon will be a youth writing workshop with Gretna Wilkinson at The Noyes Arts Garage.
April 22 – Senior Art Exhibition-Reverse Networking Fair at The Stockton University Art Gallery
Thanks to Rosaria Pipitone for inviting me to attend this showcase for seven graduating art students on their way to taking over the world. I really enjoyed meeting these young artists who reminded me how exciting it is to unleash your creativity on an unsuspecting world.
I hope to have the space to feature them all very soon because their eyes and hands are amazing and will ring out. I spoke with photographer MAC and she intends to use her art to change the world. Guess what. The world has no chance of stopping her.
April 23 – The Sixties Concert and Peace & Love Museum at The Stockton University Campus Center
A day-long event celebrating 1960s pop culture took over the Campus Center Coffeehouse. Students in John O’Hara’s General studies course hosted a concert featuring performances from other Stockton students, staff, and faculty, and a pop-up exhibition full of artifacts and ephemera from the 1960s.
Upcoming Events
Friday April 26 at 7:30 p.m. – Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo by Calpulli Mexican Dance Company at The Stockton University Performing Arts Center
“Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo” was conceived by Artistic Director & Co-Founder Alberto Lopez Herrera who sought to honor the culture of his birthplace in Puebla, Mexico. At the same time, he wanted to take advantage of the American celebration of Cinco de Mayo, and the many misconceptions about what it represents and why. Lastly, its retelling of the history is through the eyes of Mexicans, Pueblas and immigrants.
Saturday April 27 at 6 p.m. – The 50th Annual Freedom Fund Gala at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino sponsored by the NAACP: Atlantic City Chapter
This year’s awards will feature the first recipient of the Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver Award, Dr. Patt Reid-Merritt, a distinguished professor at Stockton University. This award recognizes someone who embodies the life and legacy of the recently passed lieutenant governor.
Additionally, the 2024 President’s Award will be given to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the NAACP Atlantic City Council President, Aaron Randolph. The 2024 honorary chairperson is George Goldhoff, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
“Hard Rock Atlantic City is honored to host the NAACP Freedom Fund Gala for its golden anniversary,” said Goldhoff. “One of Hard Rock’s core values is ‘Love All Serve All,’ and we are honored to continuously partner with the NAACP Atlantic City Chapter to champion civil rights and equality in our community.”
Monday April 29 at 6 p.m. – The Stockton University Combined Choir Concert at The Stockton University Campus Center Theater
This rousing, fast-paced evening of music will feature The Stockton Pops, University Chorus, and The Stockton Oratorio Society. The choirs will present an evening of individual and joint performances of choral highlights covering a a variety of musical genres including choral arrangements from Broadway to pop to classical.
Tuesday April 30 – Last day of the Jersey Girls Group Exhibit at the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, Newtonville
The museum supports talented artists by providing them with gallery opportunities. The “Jersey Girls” exhibit, organized by founder and president Ralph E. Hunter, Sr., will include artwork by established and emerging artists in the local art community.
The artwork of the women included in this exhibit represents the rich diversity of artistic talent available in our area. Our artists are: Nastassia Davis, Kandice Fields, Jasmine Haines, Heather Deegan Hires, Randi Meekins, Glynnis Reed, Chanelle René, Sydnéi Smith Jordan, Simone and Hazel Levy Washington.
You can connect with Raymond Tyler via Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram @RaymondTyler2018.
