6ix new events for this weekend + more

The first featured event comes to urbanseashell's collection by way of Cecelia Durkin of Womens Work.
Mamapalooza 2007 takes place on May 12 and is presented by The Motherhood Foundation Inc., which is a 501c3 corporation.
If you are interested in being a sponsor, an attendee or registering as a vendor the stipulations are simple. Vendors include being a mom and having fair trade products.

Vendor deadline is May 1st. There are a few spots left. View thumbnail of application below or contact
Terry Textor Platz,

Managing Director,
MAMAPALOOZA Festivals
Regional Coordinator,
MAMAPALOOZA Rocks the `Burbs
Footage from Rocks the `Burbs:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVFR14XMDL4

H/O: (845) 424-3863
Cell #: (914) 907-8129

Mamapalooza Inc.
C/o Terry Platz
P.O. Box 2
Garrison, NY 10524
(Tell her Lisa from the blog urbanseashell—a collection sent you.)

If you are interested in sponsoring this event,
please read the following statement to learn more about the
Motherhood Foundation Inc.
839 West End Ave. #1C
New York NY 10025
212-517-9345
jen@jened.com

Motherhood Foundation Inc. (MFI)

The Motherhood Foundation Inc. (MFI) creates, produces and presents visual, literary and performing arts events and festivals which celebrate, nurture and support mothers, and their activities. MFI pays tribute to mothers (Moms) and gives individuals and groups of Moms opportunities for artistic presentations and performance they might not otherwise have; free of age, race and socio-economic barriers. The Foundation hopes to change the public perception of Moms by showing them to be artistic, intelligent, and capable beings. MFI works to challenge the notion, which persists even in the 21st century, that choosing motherhood entails giving up creative endeavors. We recognize the vital importance of laying a new foundation for mothers, and the impact this has on future generations. MFI is strongly committed to our local communities and our youth. Ultimately, MFI intends to establish a Museum of Motherhood. The museum will document the history of American mothers through their collective good works, their contributions to the arts & sciences, and society at large, honoring mothers in perpetuity while further fortifying the mission of the Motherhood Foundation.

For further information, please contact Jennifer Edwards,
Board Chairperson,
212-517-9345,
jen@jened.com

Any donations should mark
'Kensico Dam Event' on
checks and be sent to:

Motherhood Foundation Inc.
P.O. Box 210
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706


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NEW THAI AND THAI-AMERCIAN FILMS FEATURED
 IN ‘THAI TAKES 3: INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL’ 
April 13-15, 2007

In association with the organization Thai Links, the Museum of the Moving Image will present the opening weekend of the Thai Takes 3: Independent Film Festival, April 13 through 15, 2007. The Museum programs feature screenings of twelve films—many accompanied by filmmaker discussions—including the U.S. premiere of Wisit Sasanatieng’s The Unseeable and a preview screening of Pen-Ek Ratanaruang’s Invisible Waves.


The program is presented as part of the ongoing series Independence World Cinema Showcase. With support from the Independence Community Foundation, the Museum regularly presents outstanding contemporary films from around the world.



Coinciding with Songkran, the Thai New Year, Thai Takes 3 opens on Friday evening, April 13 with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the U.S. premiere of The Unseeable, the new period piece from Wisit Sasanatieng (Tears of the Black Tiger). Other weekend highlights include a preview screening of Invisible Waves, the new film by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Last Life in the Universe) starring Japanese icon Tadanobu Asano and photographed by Christopher Doyle; the U.S. premiere of Innocence, a documentary about a boarding school for rural children in northern Thailand, with directors Areeya Chumsai and Nisa Kongsri in person; and the U.S. premiere of The Tin Mine, Thailand’s entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 2006 Academy Awards, with director Jira Maligool in person.



The Festival also features short films made by Thai and Thai-American filmmakers including a program of family-themed films on Sunday, April 15, that will be followed by discussion and a classical music performance.



Additional guest speakers include Kong Rithdee, film critic and correspondent for the Bangkok Post and Variety; Virada Chatikul, director of the short film Boonkhun; Tana Sarntinoranont, the male lead, co-writer, and producer of Blush; and Jerome Austria, director and co-writer of Blush.

Thai Takes 3: Independent Film Festival (www.thailinks.org/thaitakes3) is a showcase for new works by established and emerging Thai and Thai-American filmmakers. The Festival continues at the Pioneer Theater (www.twoboots.com/pioneer) in Manhattan, April 21 to 22. To view the Festival’s own press release, visit www.thailinks.org/thaitakes3/literature_tt3/FOR_IMMEDIATE_RELEASE_TT3.pdf


The Festival is made possible by the Fund for Creative Communities / NYSCA Decentralization Program administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Fund for Creative Communities, the Asian American Arts Alliance SOAR Program, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York Council for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Asian Cultural Council, and the Asian / Pacific / American Institute at New York University. Additional support provided by Bedwick & Jones Printing Inc., Thai USA Association, Thai Film Foundation, Thaiindie, SugarHill Works, Kick the Machine Films, Singha, Stay Lounge, and ThaiLinks Volunteers. 


SCHEDULE
Tickets are $10 adults; $7.50 senior citizens, college students, ThaiLinks, Asian American Arts Alliance, and Asian CineVision members with ID; $5 children 5-18; Free for Museum members. Tickets include Museum admission.



Friday, April 13 
8:00 p.m.

The Unseeable 
Introduction by Kong Rithdee
Thailand, 2006, 100 mins., 35mm. U.S. Premiere. Directed by Wisit Sasanatieng. In 1934 Siam, a pregnant woman searches for her missing husband. 
Preceded by Blush (U.S., 2005, 17 mins., 35mm. Directed by Jerome Austria. With Tana Sarntinoranont.) A woman begins to question what is real and what is fantasy. Preceded by an opening night reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum’s lobby. Post-film discussion with male lead, co-writer, and producer Tana Sarntinoranont and director and co-writer Jerome Austria, moderated by Kong Rithdee.


Saturday, April 14 
5:00 p.m.

Innocence
Post-film discussion with Areeya Chumsai and Nisa Kongsri
 Thailand, 2006, 100 mins., video. U.S. Premiere. Directed by Areeya Chumsai and Nisa Kongsri. This documentary follows a group of children who leave their families to attend a remote boarding school in the mountains of northern Thailand.


8:00 p.m.

Invisible Waves
 Post-film discussion with Kong Rithdee
 Thailand, 2006, 115 mins., 35mm, Directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. In this noir-flavored thriller by the director of Last Life in the Universe, photographed by Christopher Doyle, a man flees to Thailand after committing a crime for his boss. Preceded by Graceland (Thailand, 17 mins., video. Directed by Anocha Suwichakornpong.) Two strangers embark on a journey in this exquisite short, which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival.


Sunday, April 15
 5:00 p.m. 
“Coming of Age” Short-Film Family Program
 Post-film discussion with director Virada Chatikul 
Screening followed by a Thai classical music performance 
Hamburger Boy (Thailand, 2006. Directed by Siwadol Rathee.); The Table’s Space (Thailand, 2006, Nisha Jurairattanaporn.); The Stain (Thailand, 2006, Sittisak Jiaphotjamarn.); Take a Message (Thailand, 2005, May-Thus Chaichayanon.); See (Thailand, 2006, Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit.); Boonkhun (US, 2006, Virada Chatikul.) 
Total running time: 96 mins., video. In this family-friendly program, growing up is explored with mischief and ingenuity, from childhood squabbles to adolescent crushes, including issues of acceptance, identity, and self-discovery. The discussion after the screening will be moderated by Kong Rithdee, film critic for The Bangkok Post and Variety.


8:00 p.m. The Tin Mine
 Post-film discussion with Jira Maligool
 Thailand, 2005, 111 mins., 35mm. U.S. Premiere. Directed by Jira Maligool. In this beautifully photographed screen adaptation of the semi-autobiographical short stories by author Ajin Panjapan, a young man seeks work at a tin mine in the South of Thailand after World War II. Selected as the Thai entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 2006 Academy Awards. Post-film discussion with director Jira Maligool moderated by Kong Rithdee, film critic for The Bangkok Post and Variety.

MUSEUM INFORMATION
 Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fridays, 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Tuesday, school groups only by appointment.)
 Film Screenings: See schedule above for schedule.
 Museum Admission: $10.00 for adults; $7.50 for persons over 65 and for students with ID; $5.00 for children ages 5-18. Children under 5 and Museum members are admitted free. Admission to the galleries is free on Fridays, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Paid admission includes film screenings (except for special ticketed events)
 Location: 35 Avenue at 36 Street in Astoria.
 Subway: R or V trains (R or G on weekends) to Steinway Street. N or W trains to 36 Avenue.
 Program Information: Telephone: (718) 784-0077; Website: www.movingimage.us 


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Please join us as we celebrate the Earth

April 14-15 and April 20-21

EarthFair 2007
Grand Central Station
Vanderbilt Hall April 14-15
and on Vanderbilt Ave April 20-21

For more information see:
www.earthdayny.org/earthday_2007.html
or call 845.809.5299,
email peter@african-excursions.com
cecilia@womensworkbw.com

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STEP IT UP
is a nationwide event happening this coming weekend,
April 14-15, to highlight climate change.
There'll be lots of rallies and protests, including
a planned linking of arms around the shoreline
of manhattan to demonstrate how high the waters
will rise when the ice cap melts.


But here in Brooklyn, the events have a slightly more, um,
celebratory nature (all involve eating and drinking!)
So enjoy:


potluck picnic prospect park
http://events.stepitup2007.org/events/show/533

park slope wine tasting
http://events.stepitup2007.org/events/show/1292

fort greene fair
http://events.stepitup2007.org/events/show/726

gowanus/carroll gardens canoe trips
http://events.stepitup2007.org/events/show/896

williamsburg katrina benefit party
http://events.stepitup2007.org/events/show/1740

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Live performance this Sunday, April 15
on WBAI -International Women
from 9-11pm (EST) on 99.5FM radio
David Kenney's "Everything Old is New Again"
featuring live performances by members of
International Women in Jazz
including
Mary Foster Conklin, vocalist/co-host
Carla Cook, vocalist
Laurie Krauz, vocalist
Golda Solomon, jazz poet
Janice Friedman, pianist/vocalist
Janine Alondres, vocalist
Jan Leder, flutist
Deanna Witkowski, pianist/vocalist
Ann Hampton Calloway, vocalist
www.oldisnew.org

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Stay tuned for urbanseashells next interview with a very talented woodcarver!
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