Thursday, September 9, 2010

Fun with Bully Busters Summer Program!



Artistik Xpressions Members who participated:
Ani Lopez, Dante Stewart, Sharece M. Sellem, and Byron Knox


This summer, we peformed for the Bully Busters Program in Norwich CT. It was alot of fun! The kids were great to work with and hope that thier program continues to grow :)


-S. Sellem


Bully Busters' Website



Bully Busters on Facebook





Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Check Us Out at FLECHAS...New Haven's Puerto Rican Festival!

SAVE THE DATE!

ON JULY 17th, ARTISTIK XPRESSIONS WILL BE PERFORMING I.M.A.G.E.S. Mime-to-Music PRESENTATIONS!

The festival will be held on July 16th, 17th, and 18th 2010.

FLECHAS



History
Fiestas de Loiza en Connecticut en Honor al Apostol Santiago (FLECHAS) was founded 33 years ago to promote and celebrate the richness and colorful customs, heritage, culture and traditions of Puerto Rico.
Started as a celebration of cultural pride by local leaders, the Annual Fiestas have come to garner wide visibility and recognition throughout New England.
FLECHAS is a year-round, full service not for profit cultural organization based in New Haven, Connecticut, that promotes Puerto Rico’s African legacy through traditional song, dance, cuisine and folklore.
In 1977, a group of people - many of whom were originally from Loiza, Puerto Rico - helped to organize the first Fiestas de Loiza of New England, which was held in New Haven, Connecticut. The vision that still leads this organization is a firm belief in the importance of teaching and passing down from generation to generation this unique cultural heritage, history, and tradition. FLECHAS places emphasis on the African experience in Puerto Rico and to date is the only organization of its kind, scope, and mission in Connecticut. The organization has developed and presented an annual Fiestas de Loiza celebrating our very own Feast of Saint James the Apostle, as well as an annual Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery in Puerto Rico (March 22, 1873). FLECHAS has been and is the only organization taking a leadership role in faithfully commemorating these historical events in Connecticut. For the past 32 years, FLECHAS has existed as a widely-supported volunteer organization. Almost all activities throughout the year are run by volunteers.






Monday, June 21, 2010

Juneteenth Re-cap!


OUR PHOTO IN THE DAY NEWSPAPER - New London




Karrissa Carrion, left, of New London, and D'Andrea Knox, of Groton, dance after performing at the 22nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park in Norwich on Saturday. The event was organized by the Norwich branch of the NAACP to celebrate the anniversary of the day in 1865 that Union soldiers, led by Major Gen. Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that slaves were free. Carrion and Knox are members of Artistik Xpressions, a drama group based in New Haven, that gave a mime performance.


MORE PHOTOS ON THE NORWICH BULLETIN WEBSITE!
CLICK HERE...
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/photos/x1808630657/Juneteenth-Day?photo=14&set=0&page=0#ph14



Thursday, June 3, 2010

Juneteenth...Here We Come!


SPONSORED BY THE NAACP
Juneteenth NAACP link: http://www.juneteenth.com/9connecticut_us.htm

Come check us out at the Juneteenth Festival in Norwich CT on JUNE 19, 2010!
We will be performing and providing other fun activities! Please visit our blog regularly for updates on the festival and future performances!
"A WALK IN THE PARK" I.M.A.G.E.S. Presentation
Mimes will be posed along side the water at Howard T. Brown Park in Norwich for you to pull you camera out and snap away!

"SOMETHING NEW...THE MASTER AND HIS CREATION" I.M.A.G.E.S. Presentation
Mime play presentation on "creation."

"LOVESICK" I.M.A.G.E.S. Presentation
Mime to music. The art of mime along with songs that reveal different aspects of love.


FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE CALL SHARECE @ 860.840.2877



JUNE 19TH 9:00am – 6:00pm
HOWARD T. BROWN PARKON WATERFRONT, NORWICH,CT

ARTS, CRAFTS, VENDORS FOOD provided by GIUSEPPE’S

MUSIC by D.J. CLARENCE

A VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT(Including Performance by Artistik Xpressions)

JOIN IN A DAY OF FUN!

Bring your Lawn Chairs and Blankets
For additional information contact 860-886-1686

HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH:
© JUNETEENTH.com


Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another, is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another, is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All or none of them could be true. For whatever the reason, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory.


For More Info, Please Visit: http://www.juneteenth.com

OTHER JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS AROUND CONNECTICUT:

http://www.juneteenth.com/9connecticut_us.htm

Stamford
The City of Stamford, CT Juneteenth Day Committee will sponsor a weekend of events that commemorates Juneteenth Day. On Saturday, June 12, 1999 "The Knowledge" by the Perry Players will be held at The Stamford Center for Arts. Tickets are now on sale. On Friday, June 18, 1999 "A Stitch In Time" Seven Quilts for Seven Sisters Tickets @ $30.00 each. Performance to be held at the Stamford Center for Arts. There will also be a gala on June 18, 1999 at the Stamford Center for Arts. Entertainment includes. . . *R & B Dance Band (main stage) *Wally Gaten & The Gater Tails *Blues Dance Band (Leonhardt Studio) *Lonnie Young Blood *The Serendipity Chorale (gospel) *Triumphant Ministries Fire Choir (gospel) *Bruce Walker (jazz) *Marla Waldrow (jazz) On Saturday, June 19, 1999 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. " Lathan Wilder Center Youth Day Celebration" 11:00 A.M. Community Basketball Game (outdoor); 1:00 P.M. Youth films to be shown in the library; 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. (outdoor event) will feature Multi-Ethnic Performances; 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Multi-Ethnic Art Showcase,Face painting, Red Soda Fish Fry & BBQ; On Sunday, June 20, 1999, the Juneteenth Day Committe Presents a day of Gospel @ Columbus Park!; 3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Lofton & Kirk Music Ministries (High Point, NC) Derrick L. James (Mt. Vernon, NY) Syreeta Thompson (Brooklyn, NY); 5:30 P.M. @ The Rich Forum "Jazz Concert" *WABS Sunday Jazz Buffet *Vocalist Alva Anderson Trio *New Britain High School Jazz Ensemble For Ticket Information call (203) 358-2305; Information was provided by Crystal Bowles, City of Stamford Juneteenth Committee Member; Contact Persons: Crystal Bowles (203) 323-0681, fax # (203)964-8399, Warren Hunter/ Stamford Center for Arts (203) 358-2305

Hartford
8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Hartford, Connecticut Friday, June 18 "The Juneteenth Gala" Black Tie 8 p.m. to midnight at the Wadsworth Atheneum 600 Main Street Hartford, CT RSVP by Friday, May 21 Tickets priced at various levels For Information: 800-923-0885 Saturday, June 20 Juneteenth Family Day 11 a.m to 4 p.m. This is a free event Red Soda Barbeque Saturday, June 20 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday June 20th Juneteenth Gospel Brunch 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets $35.00 All events take place at the Wadsworth Atheneum This is Hartford's premier social event and is always a sell out. Joyace Peoples and Connie Pouncy,Chairpersons Addt'l Information call toll free number or peoplesr@home.com - Poun1@aol.com
1999 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT http://www.keystrokesgraphics.com/JUNETEENTHINDEX.html Friday, June 18th Juneteenth Gala & Silent Auction Final Bids by 10 p.m. (Black Tie) Saturday, June 19th Juneteenth Family Day 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Red Soda Barbecue 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 20th Juneteenth Gospel Brunch 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. Send e-mail to CTHO856285@AOL.COM with questions or comments. Call us at 1-800-923-0885

Norwalk
The Christian Crusaders of Bethel AME Church in Norwalk, Connecticut will sponsor their Third Annual Juneteenth 4 day Carnival. The Carnival will begin On Thursday June 10, 1999 and continue through Sunday June 13, 1999. The event will feature carnival rides, arts & crafts, ethnic foods, and entertainment. For more information, please contact the church office at 203-866-1042. Information was provided by E. Shirell Rogers, Event Publicity Chairperson 203-845-0633 (Event Chairperson - Mark McElveen 203-846-3771, Pastor Dr. Rev. A. D. Tyson Jr.)


CLICK HERE!
I.M.A.G.E.S. Mime to Music Program Video: Sharece M. Sellem performing, "Lions, Tigers & Bears"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa52ROqh_k

Monday, May 10, 2010

Rehearsals for "SOMETHING NEW...The Master and His Creation" Coming Soon!



Our project for Spring/Summer is: SOMETHING NEW...The Master and His Creation.



It is a mix of mime and monologue. The current members who are participating in this project are:


Special Thanks to Byron Knox for his help and loving support of Artistik Xpressions. Byron ensures that members from New London are prepared and here in New Haven for rehearsals.










Neilsen Filipe

Damian Henderson


Takiesha Smith









We will be performing:


YOUTH IN ACTION

SPRING EXPLOSION!!!!


Saturday, MAY 15, 2010

OASIS OF RESTORATION

138 Garfield Ave. New London, CT 06320

6:00pm

18+ Donation

(under 17 free!)

Food

Hip-Hop, Tap, Jazz, Gospel, Choir, Drama, Mime & More!







Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The new "DIAMOND RUFF BOOK CLUB" starting in New Haven, CT!

A New Book Club @ Stetson Library!




Hosted By: Sharece M. Sellem, Director of Artistik Xpressions,
Amateur Youth Drama Group of New Haven, CT

“Diamond Ruff,” an urban novel,
Amazon National Best-Seller will be made into a film right here in Hartford, CT!
Diamond Ruff youth talent events are being organized to showcase YOU!

From more information on the Diamond Ruff movie project,
visit our website:
www.diamondruffmovie.com

DATES: THURSDAYS beginning MAY 6, 2010
TIME: 5:00pm-6:00pm
TOPICS: Chapters, thoughts on the book, and Diamond Ruff trivia game!
WHO: Young adults, ages 12+
WIN PRIZES AND EARN A CERTIFICATE FOR COMPLETING THE PROGRAM!



Meet the author, Joe Young
Stetson Library
Wednesday, MAY 26, 2010 @ 6:00 p.m.
For a discussion and book signing!

RESERVE AND PURCHASE A COPY OF
“DIAMOND RUFF” for $15 AT STETSON LIBRARY
BEFORE WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010.

Hollywood Actor, Michael Jai White will star as DIAMOND RUFF!http://www.wfsb.com/video/22464503/index.html

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Mothers & Daughters Tea V.I.P Party @ Dress Barn Sunday May 2, 2010...Sharece M. Sellem performs "Open Up My Heart" by Yolanda Adams

On Sunday May 2,2010, I performed a mime presentation to Yolanda Adams' "Open Up My Heart." I've performed this particular song as an opening act for Melba Moore at the Fort Hamilton Army base in New York, Dee Dee's Night of Contemporary Jazz & Gospel, and a 50th Birthday celebration in Groton, CT. Today's event was fun and cute. I never knew that Dress Barn had a "girl's night out" program where they host a fashion show with their latest line for the season. You put together everything else like finger foods, music, and vendors. I thought it was such a cute concept and a great way to network and promote. Some showed an interest in participating in my mime-to-music class, I.M.A.G.E.S., which I hold on Fridays. It is really open to all ages though it has been promoted to adults. Two of my students were there, Alison and Robin. Zelphia is also a new member and was the host of the V.I.P. party. She invited me to perform. It was a nice experience. Check out the photos from the evening!



ROBIN'S TESTIMONIAL