Posts by Heather Caines

In February of each year, we all wait with bated breath to discover the winners of the Academy Awards. But February isn’t the only time to turn our thoughts to all things movies.

Movies take us away from the day to day, run of the mill activities, the humdrum and the ordinary and transport us to other worlds, other places and expose us to characters both ordinary and extraordinary, real and imagined.

Now you don’t have to wait to go to the theatre for that escape or sit at home and view your DVDs all by yourself. Come out to the

Calypso, the traditional carnival music of Trinidad, is so infectious with its driving beat, upbeat rhythms and colorful lyrics, that it defies you not to get up and dance or sing or both.

NBPC (National Black Programming Consortium) and The Harlem Library Cinema Series return to the George Bruce Branch this Spring with a sparkling documentary, Calypso Rose: Lioness of the Jungle, about the queen of this music: Calypso Rose. Born McArtha Sandy Lewis on the tiny 

What’s all the BUZZ about? Come and see for yourself.

George Bruce Library is buzzing with activities for adults, children, and teens this Spring. Come join the activities — learn, have fun, interact with other members of the community, get in shape, show off your gaming skills, sharpen your computer knowledge, and much more. Here is our roster of events:

Adults Wii Fit for Adults — Mondays at 2 p.m. Movie Night — Every first, second, and third 

photo via athrasher on flickrGet Your Financial House in Order

The economic crisis of 2008 sent all of us reeling. The financial security that we thought we had became a thing of the past — and those of us not financially savvy to begin with — were now out in the cold, naked, alone and confused.

What does it take to recover from this stunning blow? Well, knowledge is power! So the more we know about financial matters, the better able we are to navigate the waters be they rough or smooth.

The freedoms that we take for granted today across the spectrum of American society were not easily achieved. They were hard won—through struggle, self-sacrifice and even death.

The Civil Rights Movement is a case in point. The gains that this movement afforded African-Americans were won through blood, sweat, tears and yes death. One of the seminal events in this movement were the Freedom Rides, and the violent reactions they provoked.

"Freedom Riders," the June film screening from The National Black 

Have you found your calling? The May film screening from The National Black Programming Consortium, The Calling, explores this topic as it follows seven people who feel that they have found theirs.

From the NBPC website you find the following description:

It takes a true calling to make faith a way of life. The Calling is a four hour documentary series that follows seven Muslims, Catholics, Evangelical Christians and Jews on a dramatic journey—training to become professional clergy. Embarking on life 

Spring is here! (Finally.) All around us nature is awakening from winter's slumber and pushing forth new life and new growth. Why not reawaken yor mind and spirit each month with the stimulating, thought provoking and engaging films from the National Black Programming Consortium. Join us for our Spring season of films. As usual the screenings will take place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm.

  April's screening (scheduled for April 13th) is entitled Colored Frames and it highlights 

The New York Public Library, George Bruce Library and the National Black Programming Consortium are proud to bring you these free film screenings.

Scene from "Uprooted"

Join us! The screenings will take place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM.

The third screening of the Fall (scheduled for December 8th) is entitled Uprooted. Here is a brief description from the NBPC site:

Uprooted is an intimate 

“A picture is worth a thousand words."  This expression captures the essence of why visual media is so enduring. While the aforementioned expression was aimed at still pictures—the meaning nevertheless translates to film as well.

Documentary filmmakers know the power of this interaction and so lock onto it to convey the message that they want us to understand, consider and contemplate. Afro-Pop, a series of documentary films from the NBPC (National Black Programming Consortium) is a perfect example.

“A picture is worth a thousand words."  This expression captures the essence of why visual media is so enduring. While the aforementioned expression was aimed at still pictures—the meaning nevertheless translates to film as well.

Scene from "125 Franco's Boulevard" (Harlem Library Cinema Series)Documentary filmmakers know the power of this interaction and so lock onto it to convey the message that they want us to understand, consider and contemplate. Afro-Pop, a series of documentary films from the NBPC 

Reading is very often a solitary pursuit and pleasure, but you can expand your literary horizons by joining a library book discussion group.

Why not consider joining the George Bruce Branch Book Discussion Group. The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm. Come share your ideas with other readers, hear their ideas and share in lively, stimulating discussions about each month's title.

Our books for September, October and November follow.

Click on the underlined title 

Lenore Browne, Morning Stroll, 2009 Harlem is an iconic place, a fabled community, a vibrant hub of African-American culture and pride known the world over. Its essence has been captured in music—"Take the A Train" by Duke Ellington, in literature—The Street by Ann Petry The Street and photography—Art Kane's 1958—"Great Day in Harlem" and in many photos by famed photographer

Inspire, Discover, Connect. These three words—writ large across the library's homepage—encapsulate NYPL's mission statement and embody the synergistic relationship that NYPL has with its communities and the patrons who reside there.

Self taught artist Harriet Bailer, is one such patron who exemplifies this relationship. An exhibit of her artwork entitled Fiber & Photographs will be on display at the George Bruce Branch through August 21, 

"The arts must be considered an essential element of education... They are tools for living life reflectively, joyfully and with the ability to shape the future."

—Shirley Trusty Corey (President/CEO of the Arts Council of New Orleans)

Can schools achieve the vision stated in the quote above, in today's technologically driven age? Harlem Village Academy is striving to do just this... and succeeding.

Harlem Village Academy middle and high school students have worked with their art teachers to create a stunning collection of art work