MARCH EVENTS AT ASH� CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
Sistahs Making a Change
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Every Monday and Thursday
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
SPECIAL GUESTS MARCH 8: DANCE WITH MARIOCAS DRUM AND DANCE COMPANY FROM BRAZIL.
Regular dance class will be taught at 6:00 p.m. each Monday and Thursday by Giselle Nakhid. Featured guest instructors for March will be Stephanie McKee (Toning), Mariocas Drum and Dance Company from Brazil (Dance & Drumming), and Iesha (Belly Dancing).
So get fit with the "sistahs" as you exercise and dance your way to wellness. The program is directed by Jamilah Peters Muhammad, a registered nurse and professional dancer, who handles all aspects of programming, such as dance, educational films, nutrition, and health and wellness. Monday at 7 p.m., enjoy the film series "Unnatural Causes," pertinent to Place Matters. A nutritious meal is served after each class. No dance experience required. For more information, call (504) 569-9070 , or just show up ready to move.
Kuumba Institute Summer Program Registration - NOW OPEN
March through June 4, 2012
Register 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m, Mondays through Fridays or
at the Institute, Saturdays 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Tuition and registration fees apply.
Give your kids, ages 6-16, a cultural arts experience they'll never forget at the Kuumba Institute, operating June 4-July 20, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Students receive specialized training in visual arts, dance, martial arts, voice, stepping, yoga, photography, poetry, Capoeira, arts & crafts, drama and African drumming. Students are served breakfast, lunch and a snack. In addition to providing them with various means of artistic expressions in a classroom setting, they gain exposure through field trips and off-site performances. Each session concludes with a culminating experience where students share with family, friends and the community, artistic expressions which are created from instructional inspiration. Registration Fee: $35 per child. Tuition: $250 if registering one child, $350 for two children, $450 for three children. For more information call (504) 569-9070 .
Barbershop Meeting - It's Fathers' Time
Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2012 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
The Barbershop Meeting happens weekly and focuses on issues of importance to the growth and well-being, especially of young men. Men of all ages are invited to join the discussion and to give input based on their life experiences. This meeting affords the opportunity for goal-setting and reflections. Come and bring a few friends. Peter Nakhid leads the discussions. For more information, call (504) 569-9070 .
Open Call Auditions - The Vagina Monologues
March 10, 2012 | 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Open to the public
Open call auditions for Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, directed by Kesha McKey, will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012; 4:30-7:00 p.m., at Ash� Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Needed for the production are female actors and dancers ages 18 and up, any race. Sides will be provided. Singers prepare 16 bars of any song; be prepared to sing acapella. Dancers, come prepared to move. Rehearsals will start immediately. For more information, call (504) 569-9070 .
Women's Retreat 2012 - "Celebrating Wellness & Culture"
Women are the Spice of Life
March 10, 2012 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
Join Senator Sharon Weston Broome and the Louisiana Center for Health Equity at the Women's Retreat 2012. This celebration of women will offer educational seminars, health and wellness exhibitors, health screenings, and activities like Zumba, Salsa, belly aerobics and other physical activities. The focus is on vital health information to increase health awareness among women all across Louisiana. Other celebrations will be held in Baton Rouge (March 31) and Shreveport (April 21). Visit Louisiana Center for Health Equity on Facebook for retreat updates and registration information.
Film Screening: Revenge of the Electric Car
March 16, 2012 | 6:00 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
Revenge of the Electric Car, by Chris Paine, follows the race to be the first to win the hearts and minds of the public around the world. It's not just the next generation of green cars that's on the line. It's the future of the automobile itself. Enjoy free snacks and popcorn. Stay after the film for a talkback and panel discussion. For more information, call Drena S. Clay at (504) 569-9070 .
Douglas Redd Cultural Summit
March 17, 2012 | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
Inspired by the legacy of iconic visual artist Douglas Redd, who died in 2007, local cultural workers have sent out a call to African-American artists in all disciplines to gather for a The Douglas Redd Cultural Summit on Saturday, 
March 17, 2012 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Ash� Cultural Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. This year's focus is on health and entrepreneurship. Under the summit's theme, Banding Together, musicians, museum workers, visual artists, actors, Mardi Gras Indians, art gallery heads, writers, poets, social aid and pleasure clubs, night club owners, digital media developers, photographers, cultural center directors, and community activists are invited to attend an all-day session of panel discussions, performances, networking, and organizing designed to provide cultural workers with the tools and direction to become more involved in rebuilding and sustaining the New Orleans community.
This year's summit includes a health fair which opens with a yoga ritual led by Swami Jendra. Discussions on wellness, housing, insurance, creative entrepreneurship and a creative partnership exercise will fill the day. The finale-a drum and dance circle-will be presented by Congo Square Preservation Society. Other organizational and individual presenters involved are the Fatherhood Consortium, LaCare Health Services, Neighborhood Housing Development Foundation, Rhodes Life Insurance Company, Carol Bebelle, Barbara Lacen-Keller, Arthur Pfister, Goodwork Network, Hope Community Credit Union, the Idea Village, and Side by Side. For more information, call Luther at (504) 495-0463 .
Arts Council Grant Writing Program
March 20, 2012 | 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
Arts Council Grants staff will conduct free grant application workshops that are open to the public. Questions can be addressed to Joycelyn L. Reynolds at 504-595-8471 or Karen Kern at 504-595-8461 .
Grantwriting for Beginners
March 21, 2012 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Registration is $35 per person. Discounts are available for students and groups.
The Funding Seed presents "Grantwriting for Beginners," an engaging workshop that teaches the basic tools needed to start writing grants. Participants will learn how to find funding opportunities, tools and tips for writing proposals and ways to make a program competitive for repeat funding. Who should attend: nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers, students and people in academic fields, activists and community organizers, religious leaders, and anyone who wants to learn about the exciting world of grantwriting. A certificate of participation will be awarded to those completing the workshop. For details and registration, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3094689299. Email info@thefundingseed.com to inquire about discount codes or to reserve your space and pay at the door.
The Lens Spring Salon - Focus on Juvenile Justice
March 22, 2012 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
Join The Lens for a panel & open discussion about the status of the juvenile criminal justice system in New Orleans. With special guests Alison McCrary (Safe Streets/Strong Communities), Derwyn Bunton (Orleans Public Defenders Office), Wesley Ware (BreakOUT!), Dana Kaplan (Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana), and Jon Wool (Vera Institute). Food and refreshments will be served. For more information call (504) 483-1811 or Email mcalmes@thelensnola.org.
The Vagina Monologues
A V-Day 2012 Campaign Event to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls
Benefiting Crescent House and YWCA of Greater New Orleans
March 23 and 24, 2012 | 7:00 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
General Admission $15 - Students and Senior Citizens $10.
V-Day and Ash� Cultural Arts Center once again present The Vagina Monologues, written by Eve Ensler, directed by Kesha McKey, executive producer Carol Bebelle. The production features local artists along with celebrities Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, Adella Gautier, Janet Shea, Carol Sutton and others. This is the sixth year that Ash� has brought this play to its stage. The Vagina Monologues has been performed in cities across America and deals with issues from love to sexual assault. The award-winning play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women. With humor and grace the piece celebrates women's sexuality and strength. Through this play and the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. For more than twelve years, The Vagina Monologues has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public. The show endeavors to bring about awareness in hopes of wiping out domestic violence against women. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE. Tickets are also available at Ash�. Call (504) 569-9070 .
Institute of Cultural Education Shadow Theater Workshop
March 24, 2012 | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
The Institute of Cultural Education (ICE) presents a workshop where participants will learn to make a Shadow Theater. Those participating should bring poems, books, a story or songs to use as inspiration in creating shadow puppets. Choose a simple African folktale or any other folktale, but it should have plenty of action in it. Certificated ICE participants will receive a stipend for the day. Space is very limited, so RSVP to violatjohnson@gmail.comor call (504) 569-9070 to receive a list of materials needed to make your Shadow Theater. For more information, call Dollie at (504) 239-0126 .
DOVIA Meeting
March 28, 2012 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
This is the regular monthly meeting of DOVIA (Directors of Volunteers in Agencies).
Workplace Wellness Luncheon
March 29, 2012 | Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Ash� Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans
Free and open to the public
Join us for our monthly Workplace Wellness Luncheon where each month we address a topic aimed at keeping you informed about issues pertinent to your good health and well being. This month, Diana Panara addresses the topic "Motion and Emotion: Our Dynamic Bodymind." RSVP to (504) 569-9070 .
