Friday, June 16, 2006

17th Annual Tribute to the Ancestors, Coney Island Brooklyn

Here's a small selection of digital shots of this year's Tribute to the Ancestors. Funny enough, I didn't shoot much digital on this day. I shot mostly color slide film, and B/W medium format with my dusty Yashica. I havent had a chance to process the film yet, but as soon as I have more photos from this event, I'll post them later. In the meantime, here's a few selects from that BEAUTIFIL June day at Coney Island. Enjoy!

"Tibute daughter"


"Tribute son"


"Natty brothers"


"Sky for the ancestors"


Sun setting behind the infamous "Parachute Jump" at Coney Island

BMX-NY- Sexaulity in the Black Community Forum

The Black Men's Xchange (BMX-NY) is doing great things in the community, like this groundbreaking event below. BMX hired me to shoot this event and I'm honored. As a documentary photographer, one of my long-term projects is to document different facets of black gay life. This is also the reason BROTHALUVA CAFE exists; to show the world "how we live" and "how we love", through my own personal photography. This is an interesting time in history to be a black Same-Gender-Loving man in living in NYC and I plan to document our rich history!

Hope to see you at the event!
--Ocean

THE BLACK MEN'S XCHANGE-NEW YORK
PRESENTS A
SEXUALITY
IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY FORUM
SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH, 2006 from 12 noon - 4 PM



Why Is Our Community Uncomfortable Talking About Sex?
Where Do Our Values About Sex And Sexuality Come From? Are They Really Our Values?
Why Do Black Men Feel Compelled To Conceal Their Sexuality Where The Sexuality Is Other Than Hetero?
How, If At All, Has The History Of Our Enslavement As African People Affected The Way Men And Women Relate
To Each Other As Sexual Beings?
To What Extent Is Sexuality A Factor In Making One �A Real Man�?
Why Is It So Many Sistahs Don't Feel Empowered To Negotiate Safety In Their Sexual Relationships?
What Might Happen If We Pro-Actively Engaged Our Children In A Dialogue Around Diverse Sexual Expression?

Invited Guest Panelists

John L. Bolling, M. D. (Mandala Center)
Bob Law (NYS Director of the Millions More Movement)
Cleo Manago (Founder of AmASSI & BMX)
Anthony R. Morgan (Fluid Bodies)
Salamishah Tillet (Founder of A Long Walk Home, Inc.)
Eric Adams (Head of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement)
Dr. Gail E. Foster (Toussaint Institute Fund )
Aishah Shahidah Simmons (AfroLez Productions)

MORE GUESTS TO BE ANNOUNCED!!


The Venue
NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE
2031-33 National Black Theatre Way
Fifth Avenue
(Between 125th & 126th Streets)
Harlem, NY 10035
National BlackTheatre.org

TRAVEL DIRECTIONS:
Trains: Take the #4, 5 or 6 train to 125th St.
Buses: Take the Bx15, M60, M100, M101, M102 or M103 to
125th Street & 5th Avenue

This forum was made possible by a grant from the
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene


www.BMXNY.org
212/330-7660
BMX_NY@blackwebportal.com

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Singer/Entertainer Kevian Aviance beaten in NYC

NEW YORK - A singer whose songs have topped the Billboard dance chart was attacked by a group yelling anti-gay slurs, and four people were arrested on hate-crime charges, police and his publicist said.


Kevin Aviance, 38, underwent surgery for a broken jaw after the attack Saturday, said his publicist, Len Evans. Police said the singer, whose song "Alive" hit the top of the chart in 2002, was in stable condition.

A group of six or seven men attacked Aviance early Saturday, and passers-by did not stop to help as they threw objects at him, Evans said.

Four people were arrested on charges of first-degree assault as a hate crime, police said. They were identified as Jarell Sears and Akino George, both 20; Gregory Archie, 18; and Gerard Johnson, 16.

Aviance performs in drag but was "dressed like a boy" when he was attacked, Evans said. He had planned to take part in next week's Gay Pride parade and festivities, but will now be unable to perform, the publicist said.

Other popular songs by the singer have included "Give It Up," released in 2004, and "Din Da Da," which topped the Billboard dance chart in 1997.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

June is National Caribbean American Heritage Month

I'm in another exhibition and the opening is in TWO DAYS! I'm still tending to last minute details of framing and matting. What can I say? I work better under pressure!
If you're Downtown Brooklyn this Friday, this exhibition will be the place to be! A great roster of artists!

Caribbean Anthology
An Exhibit Celebrating
National Caribbean American History Month

June 9 - 25, 2006
Gallery 26
26 Court Street, Suite 701
Brooklyn, New York



Meet the Artists
Answerd Stewart, Anthony Bonair, Anthony George, Gracie Xavier, Jean Auguste-Alix, OCEAN, Ramona Candy, Renee Ferguson, Richie Richardson, Veron Williams

Reception: Friday, June 9 from 6-10 pm

Gallery Hours
Monday to Friday 6-9 pm
Saturday & Sunday 1-5 pm