Last Friday I went to an event called the Rooftop Films and can't go on enough about it. They hold mini film festivals weekly through the summer on the tops of roofs. It sounds hokey but being outside on the top of a building where you are able to see downtown, the bridges, etc was really cool.
They usually start off with a band and then begin to show the films. The films are typically shorts and more of the independent film style. So if you are looking for X-Men, well, you probably won't enjoy yourself. But if you enjoy movies such as the Science of Sleep, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, etc, then you'll probably enjoy these films.
They only have a limited amount of seats so you must get there early if you want one but it is all good if you don't. People bring comforters, blankets, and picnic while they are there. We are talking close to 2000 people where I was in Chinatown. They had three screens to help accommodate everyone and there really wasn't a bad seat in the house.
Below are some pics from their website. Of course I forgot my camera. LOL 
Rooftop Films
RIP Darrell Simmons
This past Monday one of my neighborhood friends was strangled to death in his apartment. They evidently had been arguing when Leonardo Novoa decided to end the life of Darrell. Darrell who was one of those people that always brought a smile to your face was also one of the most giving people I've met. He will truly be missed.
AIDS Walk/Church Anniversary
First as a reminder, please see my post about the Creative Challenge and "Gay = Sin" video.
As some of you may recall, I am walking in the AIDS Walk this Sunday. I am almost at my goal of $250 with $200 raised to date. I am hoping that readers of this blog may contribute what they have to help me reach my goal. This can be any dollar amount and you can even sponsor anonymously. To sponsor on-line, just go to this website:
http://aidswalknewyork2009.kintera.org/ty
Again, thanks.
Church Anniversary
For those who aren't doing anything Sunday, stop by my church for our 3rd Anniversary. We are an inclusive church and it is a come as you are so there is not excuse. LOL
Creative Challenge
First I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me, so far, for the NYC AIDS Walk. If you would like more information about it, see my previous post.
Creative Challenge:
Well, there have been a couple of requests for me to restart the creative challenge. Hopefully, those people will continue to submit entries (hint, hint).
Anyway, for those who are not aware of how this works this is how it goes. I give a subject for the challenge. For this challenge it is "AIDS" which is based on my walk this month. You then can create ANYTHING that relates to that subject. You can do a video piece, picture, narrative, poem, song, blog entry,... ANYTHING. You then email it to me (image, link to video, or link to blog, etc) to tyw at me.com by 5/30/2009. And yes you can put your watermark or credentials on your piece. I will create a special blog entry with everyone's submissions. This is not a contest so ALL skill levels are welcomed. This is just an exercise to keep our creative juices flowing.
Topic: AIDS (this can be awareness, prevention, etc)
Deadline: 5/30/2009
Send To: tyw @ me.com
NYC AIDS Walk
This year I am working in the NYC AIDS walk on Sunday, May 17, 2009. If anyone would like to help sponsor me, I will greatly appreciate it. Here is the link to make a secure donation on-line:
http://aidswalknewyork2009.kintera.org/ty
Remember, these donations are tax deductible.
Thank You
Quick Movie
I threw this together last night for a friend of mine to put on his iPhone. He gave me a few words that he wanted and I took some pics of him previously and there you go. Anyway, here it is.
Drama Queenz
Queer Black Cinema presents
DATE: Thursday, April 23
TIME: 7 PM - 9 PM
LOCATION: 208 West 13th Street (between 7th & 8th Ave/The LGBT Center)
Drama Queenz, a new Black Gay Comedy Web-Series
QBC ReelTALK Q&A Discussion w/ Cast & Crew
TOPIC: The State of Black Gay roles in Theater
Moderated by Aaron Ingram (Executive Director of ActNow Foundation)
The Drama Queenz is a ten-minute web-series that focuses on gay actors living in Queen, NY looking to make it big on Broadway. The series follows Jeremiah (Joseph), a dreamer with ridiculously poor audition luck, Davis (Griffith), a perfectionist whose hard work produces uneven results, and Preston (Rucker), a realist whose inhibitions stir-up delightful “drama” for all to enjoy
The series stars Dane Joseph (national tour of Aida), Kristen-Alexzander Griffith (national tours of Rent), and Troy Valjean Rucker (national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar).
Cash Bar & Light Refreshments (while supplies last)
$8 online $10 @ The door $6 w/ valid student ID
TICKETS
info@queerblackcinema.org
PRESS RELEASE
INSIDE THE Q Blog
VIDEO PROMO
PURCHASE A TICKET ONLINE AND ENTER A CHANCE
TO WIN DIRTY LAUNDRY dir. Maurice Jamal
Photo Opt/Networking/Light refreshments@7:15 PM
Screening @8 PM
Some More Vids
This is the second dance performance from the church's dance ministry
This is Akua Doku with "Nappy Headed Ho's" from the last Verve event.
"Finding Me" Screening
You Don't Have to Ask... I'll Just Tell You
Sorry for so many posts in one, but I'll try to be quick. On Saturday, I attended ChillFest which is a monthly viewing party for mostly gay and lesbian movies/documentaries. This month they screened a movie called "Ask Not". As you can probably already guess, it was focused on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the US Army.
Prior to the movie, this policy seemed to make since to me and I didn't quite understand what the big deal was about it. I figured, if you aren't sexually active while serving in the military then how would anyone really know anyway. Well, let's just say that I had my eyes opened this past weekend. I didn't think about the psychological abuse that you may receive from the other soldiers with teasing or their cadences that talk about "fags" being weak (yes they showed several troops shouting them in training). Most soldiers during their training and military career begin some type of psychological evaluation with trying to cope with a more aggressive way of life, post-traumatic stress, or coping with living without their loved ones, etc. Straight soldiers can discuss how they miss their wifes, girlfriends, etc, however, if a gay/lesbian discloses this information even to a psychiatrist, can have it used against them. I didn't realize that the military will take any letters that you receive from loved ones and use that against you. They also will tap into phone calls of yours. Now, when I say use it against you, I mean towards a "Dishonorable Discharge". I remember my father being in the military and if ever you have a dishonorable discharge, you can kiss every really having a decent job good bye. Not only in the military but back in civilian life!!! This will also disqualify you of your military benefits including retirement and/or educational benefits.
On top of all of this, there was a shortage of linguists at the time of 9/11. The military discharged more than what was needed to fill that shortage simply because they were gay. Many of them are fluent in Arabic and could have easily translated the threats prior to 9/11. To add insult to injury, the US would rather enlist people with felonies than accept qualified gay/lesbian troops.
After viewing the documentary I have to admit that I am compelled to become more active in gay/lesbian rights.
Friday's Events
This is just a quick post to put up some images from Friday. The first set of pics are from a musical event where Nhojj performed. It was at this place called Temple M in Harlem. It used to be a mansion and then was converted to a synagogue and then a church until it was purchased by Mi'Chelle (the man with the Sweeney Todd haircut) and turned into a performance space. He now lives in this awesome apartment at the top, if you are really nice he'll show it to you.
Afterwards, I ran over to Newark for Shawn QT's birthday party. I felt so bad because I realized at that point that it has almost been a year since the last time I hung out with the guys. It was really nice to see everyone again and to see that so many of them are now hooked up. I resolve to stay in better contact. Anyway, here are the pics
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS LAUD NEW REPORT TRACKING HIV/AIDS AMONG NYC WOMEN BY NEIGHBORHOOD
A press release by the Women's HIV Collaborative of New York states that "60% of HIV-positive women reside in just 4 areas of Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan...". The Women's Collaborative brings women together to address the needs of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The women of the Collaborative are from multi-racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and serostatuses. They believe that targeting services in these areas would improve public health benefits and reduct the number of newly infected HIV cases. I know that most of my blog readers are men but we are all in this together. The purpose of this blog entry is just to bring awareness with the hope that these staggering numbers will be dispersed throughout the community.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of this report.
Happy Birthday Derrick and Edwin
Last Saturday was the party for two of my friends, Derrick and Edwin. As you can see, it was a white party. Even though I was greatly against it, who wears all white that early in the year lol, it turned out really nice. On top of that it was a very nice mix of people (straight, bi, gay and confused). Anyway, I am so proud of them. They have been married for, like, 13 years and are still together. They are now buying houses and renting them out. I wish them many happy years to come.
March Verve Clips
Well, here are some clips from the last Verve event. More to come.
BTW, if anyone has contact with Omar, let me know. I really want to see if we can have him do a set.
"The Looking Glass" by Dy'Ari
Nhojj opened up for the event singing "Love"
The Power of Life and Death is in the Tongue (Revisited)
Well, just an update. Many of you read my post titled, "The Power of Life and Death is in the Tongue" that I talked about being afraid to say that I was in a relationship and why. Well, it is over. We have decided that we are better off as friends as we both have issues that need to be resolved before the two of us can go on any further, together. The good thing is that it wasn't an ugly break-up and that we are still friends. I am glad when people can carry themselves in a mature way even through having hurt feelings from a break-up. I guess that is because there was no cheating (that I know of) or ugly name calling sessions, etc. It was just the realization of where we both are at this point of time is not what the other needs.
Rehoboth Dance Ministry
I just had to post this. This is the Rehoboth Temple Dance Ministry in their very first performance/ministry. I am excited for Edwin and Sherron. Keep up the good work guys. Can't wait to see what you do next.
Morning Question
I heard this question this morning while listening to Big Boi In The Morning and thought it may be interesting to see what some of my fellow bloggers think. Here's the question;
Does internet flirting constitute as cheating?
Speak on it!!
