Blog – Green Earth Poets Cafe

February 12, 2018 by Curtis Haris

Green Earth Poets Cafe’s Exec Dir To Be Honored By POM May 5th

Good Morning Curtis,

This year 2018 will make POM’s 7^th year anniversary! It has been a long wonderful road. We really are thankful to have supporters like you. Not only for the big impact you have made in our POM family but also in the community.

Curtis, we are so proud of all of your accomplishments and community service with your company, Green Earth Poets Café. You have gone from the state office, to prisons to schools, spreading positive images thru spoken word!

We would like to honor you as POM’s 2018 Man of the Year! This all White Gala will be held on May 5^th, at St Phillips Hall in Bklyn from 7-11pm.

We do hope you accept this much deserved honor! If so we need the following information:

Photo for our flyer

Names of two of your artist that would present a spoken word piece- no more than 3 mins each

Name of one additional adult guest for comp list

All children names for comp list.

We will need all of this information by Mar 1^st.

We do hope that you accept this well-deserved honor!

Sincerely yours,

Gia and Samirat

January 8, 2018 by Curtis Haris

Green Earth Poetry Theater to launch inaugural play “You Are Who You Eat” @ Kumble Theater Mar 3

Green Earth Poetry Theater presents:

You Are Who You Eat

It gives us great pleasure to officially announce the launching of Green Earth Poetry Theater with our inaugural stage play “You Are Who You Eat”.

Tiffany chooses men like she orders from a menu, consuming anything from organic interactions to fast food flings. How will her dating diet change after she discovers her eyes are way bigger than her stomach?

“You Are Who You Eat”, is a comedic Spoken Word play by Tarishi ‘M.I.D.N.I.G.H.T.’ Shuler and Jashua Sa-Ra. Directed by Tarishi Shuler. Bring your appetite for laughter!

This program is supported, in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with NYC Council Members Darlene Mealy and Robert E. Cornegy, Jr.

Tickets for this production are available online at Kumbletheater.org

December 6, 2017 by Curtis Haris

Green Earth Poets Cafe’s board member Genesis Valdez receives poetry prize

For immediate release:

Dec 6, 2017

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate one of our illustrious board members on receiving the Jerome L. Schulman Memorial Poetry Prize. Genesis Valdez, our youth board member has served as a board member for Green Earth Poets Cafe for a few years and has curated a number of our poetry open mic series. “I tied 3rd place with Miguel Machado who is also a phenomenal writer”, says Genesis Valdez.

September 21, 2017 by admin

The Children’s Monologues

Work with Oscar winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting) to develop music, dance, and spoken word for:

The Children’s Monologues

A One-Night-Only Theatrical Performance

November 13th 7:30 pm

Carnegie Hall

The US premiere of The Children’s Monologues features the stories of children growing up in Africa who answered the question, “What’s a day I will never forget?” The stories are adapted for the stage by some of the world’s finest playwrights and performed by an all-start cast sharing the stage with 20-30 young people from New York City.

An ensemble of 20-30 young people ages 14- 21 years old will perform dramatic actions, dance and words to emphasize the monologues delivered by today’s celebrities including Daveed Diggs, Lena Dunham, Daniel Kaluuya, James McAvoy, Trevor Noah and others. No professional training necessary to be a part of the ensemble!

AUDITIONS:

October 3 4:30-6:30 pm October 7 3:00-5:00 pm

October 5 4:30-6:30 pm October 9 1:00-5:00 pm

TO RSVP: Call 212-903-0707 or email agregg@carnegiehall.org

RSVP for one date. Auditions will happen in the order of arrival and will take place at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan: 154 W. 57th street (between 6th Ave and 7th Ave)

TO AUDITION:

1. Perform something. (sing a song, deliver spoken word, dance, tell a story)

2. Talk to us. We want to get to know you.

3. Say YES to the full schedule. If selected, you must be available for all dates and times below.

All activities take place at Carnegie Hall- 154 W. 57th Street.

Metrocards and meals provided.

REHEARSALS

Wednesday, November 1st 4:00-7:00 PM

Thursday, November 2nd 4:00-7:00 PM

Saturday, November 4th 4:00-7:00 PM

Monday, November 6th 4:00-7:00 PM

Tuesday, November 7th 4:00-7:00 PM

Wednesday, November 8th 4:00-7:00 PM

Thursday, November 9th 4:00-7:00 PM

Friday, November 10th 4:00-7:00 PM

DRESS REHEARSAL

Saturday, November 11th 12:00-6:00 pm

CONCERT

Monday, November 13th 3:30-6:00 pm rehearsal on stage, 7:30 pm performance

WRAP UP PARTY

Friday, November 17th 4:00-7:00 PM

July 7, 2017 by Curtis Haris

Green Earth Poets Cafe receives $5K funding from NYC Council Member Robert Cornegy, Jr. FY 2018

July 1, 2017

For immediate release

Green Earth Poets Cafe is the proud recipient of a $5,000 grant through the Dept of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) for FY2018 from the Honorable NYC Council Member Robert Cornegy, Jr. The grant will be used to support our Spoken Word Open Mic Poetry Series, conducting poetry readings featuring guest poets and open mic for the community. We thank the Honorable Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr for this generous grant to help Green Earth Poets Cafe continue to offer excellent poetry and theater services to the people of Brooklyn NY and beyond.

July 7, 2017 by Curtis Haris

Green Earth Poets Cafe Receives $25K Grant from NYC Council Member Darlene Mealy FY2018

July 1, 2017

For Immediate Release:

Green Earth Poets Cafe a Crown Heights, Brooklyn 501 c 3 non profit poetry company, has received a NYC Council Discretionary Funding Fiscal Year 2018 Budget grant in the amount of $25,000. This grant provided by the Honorable NYC Council Member Darlene Mealy 41 CD, through the NYC dept of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) will provide funding for our spoken word open mic poetry series, fund the rental and purchase of equipment for Green Earth Poetry Theater, and provide funding for program in the 41st CD for youth and seniors.

“Council Member Mealy has been a supporter from the beginning of our existence in 2013 and continues her support with this very generous grant. She is and will always be our (s)hero.” says Curtis Harris, Exec Dir Green Earth Poets Cafe.

May 18, 2017 by Curtis Haris

Our new Island CZ Cafe Open Mic Spoken Word Review

We started our new open mic at the Island CZ Cafe located at 743 Franklin Ave Tuesday May 16. There were awesome artists in attendance. This is a review by one of them:

Cindy ThePoet Calderon -1000 handclaps and a SNAP SNAP SNAP!!!!! My 2nd show as a spectator and I was blown away! Phenomenal talent!
Green Earth Poets Cafe is a well oiled machine that brings entertainment to a completely different level!

I immensely enjoyed each artist! Especially the one and only EmpressD. (Aka Dorothy Ham author “I Asked And He Answered) with her piece “On A Misson”.

Also Ms. Kareema Allsmiles Edwards (I’m a huge fan of hers lol) brought a triple threat by way of vocals, poetry and performance!

Additionally, it was a lyrical smorgasbord with every artist that blessed us with the mic!!!!!

Curtis Harris is a top shelf CEO!!!! He makes absolute sure that you are part of his Poetic family!!!! He made the venue extra delightful with his professional charm! Shouts to the whole Green Earth Poet Cafe board of directors!!!!!! From the moment you enter the venue your met with love!!!!! I really appreciate being a part of this eventful evening

I recommend anyone reading this who have not yet experienced what Green Earth Poet Cafe offers …… keep your ear to the ground so you can hear the announcement “Tickets on Sale”.

Grab your tickets one for you and one for a friend and come out to enjoy POETRY/SpokenWord/ Talent AT ITS FINEST!

Take it from a Poet who Know it….. Green Earth Poet Cafe DO NOT Disappoint!

Many blessing to you Mr. Harris

All the best in your continued success!!!!!-“

January 18, 2017 by Curtis Haris

Green Earth Poets Cafe @ Brooklyn House of Detention Jan 14,2017

To: Green Earth Poets Cafe Board of Directors

Re: “No More Silent Voices”- Prison Poetry Program

Date: Jan 14, 2017

It gives me great pleasure to report to you the results of our first prison program for 2017. Today was a day of healing, inspiration, empowerment and fantastic poetry. Green Earth Poets Cafe extended its prison program from Rikers Island to the Brooklyn House of Detention today. For three years we have been visiting and performing at Rikers Island prison with some of the finest poets and artists imagined. Today at the Brooklyn House of Detention, we had eight wonderful artists who amazed, inspired, and empowered inmates of the Brooklyn House of Detention. So much so that the inmates asked that we come back soon. Thank you to 2 of the inmates in particular, Franki and Rico who were moved to share and let their voices be heard. I wish to thank the artists who came and shared including Nicole Najmah Abraham, Debra Bramlett, Devanté Tate, Danyeil Green, Carlos Lavezzari, Raymond Vasquez, Xavier Rice, and special guest artist David Roberts aka D-Black. Thank you all who gave so selflessly today to our incarcerated brothers. A special thank you to Captain Branch and Deputy Warden Evan, Rachel Dutt, and ED Dir of Program Linda Eaddy all of the department of Corrections for helping make today happen.

Faithfully submitted,

Curtis Harris
Executive Director
Green Earth Poets Cafe
www.greenearthpoetscafe.com

cc: Board members- Diane McNeil, Tina Callender, Jeri Baskerville, Sharon Wedderburn, Zulma Rodriguez, Genesis Valdez, Curtis Harris.

December 15, 2016 by Curtis Haris

Green Earth Poets Cafe participates in Senator Jesse Hamilton’s Campus

We are pleased to share the news that Green Earth Poets Cafe will be one of many community based organizations to join NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton’s Campus initiative in Brownsville Brooklyn.

The Campus is the first technology and wellness hub in public housing in the United States. Green Earth Poets Cafe will be conducting poetry workshops at the Campus featuring teaching artist Nicole Najmah Abraham.

“We are honored to join the Senator in Brownsville Brooklyn the home of my birth”-Curtis Harris , Exec Dir Green Earth Poets Cafe.

December 11, 2016 by Curtis Haris

Green Earth Poets Cafe performs @ Rikers Island Prison Dec 10, 2016

To: Green Earth Poets Cafe Board of Directors

Re: Rikers Island Prison Holiday Poetry Program- Dec 10, 2016

I am pleased to report that Saturday’s poetry program at Rikers Island “No More Silent Voices” was very well received by the inmates of the EMTC facility. Six (6) wonderful artists joined us at the prison to help bring holiday cheer and a phenomenal performance. I wish to thank personally Quindell Evans aka Nuvha Nguvu program director and MC of the program for running a great show. We had four (4) inmates join us and share performing their original poetry. The eight or nine inmates (young men age 18-21) seemed to really enjoy the words of wisdom, performances and appreciation we shared with them. Also we want to thank teaching artist Nicole Najmah Abraham who by the way has a great left handed jump shot. (We were in the gymnasium playing basketball until the inmates came down to the gym, where the show took place). Thank you to our newest member of Green Earth Poets Cafe Devanté Tate aka Black on both sides who is a extraordinary poet, artist and activist. We will be doing great things with Devante. Thank you and appreciation to Poet extraordinaire Midnight aka Tarishi Midnight-Shuler. Tarishi is becoming a regular fixture at Green Earth Poets Cafe and will be a key player and director of Green Earth Poets Theater upon launch. The last kudos goes to the dynamic duo of Poetic Black aka Danyeil Green and Carlos Lavezzari. These two perfomed a collaboration which was powerful and we will be trying to encourage collaborating with them and our poetry theater. So thank you to the artists who came yesterday. Yesterday’s Poetry performance was funded in part by The Alvin and Fanny B. Thalheimer Foundation grant. Pictured Curtis Harris, Devante Tate, Danyiell Green, Carlos Lavezzari , Quindell Evans, and Nicole Najmah Abraham. (Not pictured Tarishia Midnight Shuler).

Faithfully submitted,

Curtis Harris, MPA
Executive Director
Green Earth Poets Cafe
“Helping People Find Their Voice”
www.greenearthpoetscafe.com

cc: Board members- Diane McNeil, Tina Callender, Sharon Wedderburn, Zulma Rodriguez, Jeri Baskerville, Genesis Valdez