Posts Tagged ‘CFAC’

Levels of Confession

Friday, November 14th, 2014
Drake Harrison talked about the difference between being a male and being a man during last night's Question Bridge Dialogue event. Drake Harrison fields a question from the panel during last night's Question Bridge Dialogue event.

OCC’s Drake Harrison (right) talked about the difference between being a male and being a man during last night’s Question Bridge Dialogue event.

Last night the Community Folk Art Center hosted an intimate discussion related to the Question Bridge exhibit. The multi-generational panel of men tackled topics such as racial pride, the N-word, dating, fears, work, code switching and the definition of manhood.

The discussion was moderated by Inspiration for the Nation’s George Kilpatrick.

Syracuse University's Ernest Dailey participated in the panel discussion.

Syracuse University’s Ernest Dailey talked about his trip to Ferguson, Mo during last night’s discussion.

Question Bridge: Black Males is an innovative transmedia project that facilitates a dialogue between a critical mass of black men from diverse and contending backgrounds

New Creative Class

Tuesday, July 8th, 2014
sif-stock-jhr-cfacSU Professor and artist Dr. James Haywood Rolling, Jr. discussed his book at a CFAC event

SU Professor and artist Dr. James Haywood Rolling, Jr. discussed his book at a CFAC event

Columnist David Brooks wrote a piece yesterday that touched on some ideas in Dr. James Haywood Rolling, Jr.’s book Swarm Intelligence, particularly the myth of the creative loner. Rolling’s text also talks about applying principles of the swarm (and diversity) to civic innovation, business leadership, and educational initiatives.

After the Show…

Saturday, April 26th, 2014

Hot Tones/Warm Reception: Camille Thurman finds a score of new fans after her blazing vocals on the cover of  Roy Ayers “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.”

All About Strings: Anthony and Eric McGriff with Mimi Jones

All About Strings: Anthony and Eric McGriff with Mimi Jones

Return of Mimi

Saturday, April 26th, 2014


Shout out to WAER’s Joe Lee for hooking up with CFAC to bring Mimi Jones and her jazz fusion experience to Syracuse last night. Jones came to CNY previously to play along side Tia Fuller. This time she came with her own band,  made up of Camille Thurman (sax and flute), Justin Faulkner (drums) and Luis Perdomo (keys).

In addition to being band leader, Jones is also the head of her own music label.

This show was a great way to put an exclamation point on Jazz Appreciation Month and adds another great show to the legend of CFAC.

Mimi and Camille singing a Roy Ayers classic (Everybody Loves the Sunshine).

Mimi and Camille

Substance with a side of Style

Saturday, April 26th, 2014
Philly Justin Faulkner

Philly Justin Faulkner

Justin Faulkner, who played with the Mimi Jones band last night at CFAC, and who is currently a member of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, is DWA: a drummer with attitude.  This young cat is definitely one to watch.  And don’t let his urbane fashion sense fool you, Faulkner can roll up his sleeves, work those sticks and funk you right out of your chair.

We would love to see him return to Central New York very soon (maybe even with Marsalis, Revis and Calderazzo).

Future of the Funk

Saturday, April 26th, 2014


Here is a short video clip of the McGriff brothers playing one of the songs from the Great American Modern/Pop Songbook during their set at Jazz & Wine (at CFAC) last night. The McGriffs, who have played many venues along the Corridor, opened for Mimi Jones.

The Art of Photography (part 3): Ousman’s Way

Friday, April 11th, 2014
Ousman Diallo from the Bronx

Ousman Diallo from the Bronx

Much respect to photographer and Newhouse grad student Ousman Diallo. We got to meet him and check out his lively portraiture last night at CFAC. He shot most of the pictures at Light Work, but a few were done during his time in Italy.

It is always good to see the city and it’s people from a different perspective.

Object Lesson

Saturday, March 22nd, 2014
Historian David Crane purchased his first vintage Civil Rights Movement button for a few dollars. He has turned his now extenstive collection into an exhibit that is on display at the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC).

North Carolina historian David Crane purchased his first vintage Civil Rights Movement button for a few dollars. He has turned his now extensive collection into an exhibit that is on display at the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC).

Trenchtown Romance

Saturday, February 8th, 2014
Asomgyee Pamoja (along with Arthur Parris) led a post film discussion at CFAC last night.

Asomgyee Pamoja (along with Arthur Parris) led a discussion after “Better Mus Come” at CFAC last night.

The third night of the Community Folk Art Center’s Caribbean Cinematic Festival featured a showing of “Better Mus Come.” The film, which was directed by Storm Saulter, can best be described as a “The Harder They Come” meets “Boyz n the Hood” (and ‘The Wire’), all wrapped in a love story.  To the best of our knowledge this was the film’s public debut here in Central New York.

A lively post-film discussion featured talk of tribalism, senseless violence, and dangers posed by oppressive geopolitical manipulation within the African Diaspora.

These Songs for You, Unplugged

Saturday, February 1st, 2014
Chenae Marie

Chenae Marie: First Take

The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) kicked off Black History Month a few hours early by introducing Syracuse to the soul/boho/acoustic duo Che’Zee last night.  The group is made up of husband-wife team Xeno and Chenae, who have their roots in the ATL underground music scene.  This show was part of CFAC’s Journey Through Music of the African Diaspora series (with collaboration from WAER-FM 88).

Zeno Moonflower

Xeno: Mr. Soul (flower) Power