• By Mabel Pais

Featuring

Tribeca-Fest-Award-Winning Director NARDEEP KHURMI’S ‘Land of Gold’

Director ABHIJEET ACHAR’S ‘Mysore Magic’

 Co-Director ABIDA CHOWDHURY’S ‘The Reflection on My Screen’

And more

The 29th Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLO FILM FEST) takes place April 25-30, 2023 with a robust film lineup.

San Luis Obispo Film Festival Director Skye McLennan said, “This year, the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is focused on programming films and creating fun and exciting film events that are not available to our film fans every weekend at the multiplex. Seeing great films, meeting, and rubbing elbows with the filmmakers and actors responsible for them, and going to fun events built around all of it is what we promise to bring to SLO this year.”

SAN LUIS OBISPO 2023 FILM LINEUP

Opening Night Gala Selection

BlackBerry

Director: Matt Johnson l Country: USA l Running Time: 2h 2m

The story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone.

Closing Night Gala Selection

Imordecai

Director: Marvin Samel l Country: USA l Running Time: 1h 42m

Based on a true story, IMordecai is a comedy about a Holocaust survivor whose life changes when his son buys him an iPhone. Mordecai (Judd Hirsch) likes to fix things. Ultimately, through letting go, he begins to heal the things he cannot fix and turn the pain of his past into something beautiful.

Narrative Feature

Land Of Gold

Director: Nardeep Khurmi l Country: USA l Running Time: 1h 45m

First-generation Punjabi truck driver Kiran is a soon-to-be dad. When on the job he hears pounding inside his shipping container and finds a young Mexican American girl inside, his already tumultuous life takes a drastic turn as he seeks to reunite her with her family. What begins as a road trip to Boston becomes much more as they form a friendship and teach each other unforgettable lessons.

Narrative Short

Mysore Magic

Director: Abijeet Achar l Country: USA l Running Time: 14m

Filmmakers of Tomorrow

The Reflection on My Screen

Filmmakers: Abida Chowdhury, Leslie Gomez, Christell Pelico, Zaira OrtizCountry: USA; Running Time: 6 min

For a complete film lineup, visit slofilmfest.org.

TICKETS

More information, Tickets & Passes are available at slofilmfest.org.

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AILEY ARTS CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FREE DANCE & MOVEMENT CLASSES

By Mabel Pais

Do you know someone who wishes to participate in FREE classes, workshops and conversations to celebrate Alvin Ailey’s 15th Anniversary Ailey Day?

Dancers of all ages and levels of expertise are invited to join NJPAC and Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs (AIE) for free classes, workshops and conversations at the 15th annual Ailey Celebration at the Arts Center (njpac.org/event/15th-anniversary-ailey-day), beginning at 9 AM on Saturday, April 29.

Led by former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater members and Ailey Teaching Artists, dancers of all ages and skill levels will join in the fun with a variety of dance and movement classes, including learning steps from Ailey’s masterpiece “Revelations,” artist talks, art projects, and more.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (pressroom.alvinailey.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater), founded in 1958 by Alvin Ailey the famed dancer, choreographer and activist, has performed annually at NJPAC since the Arts Center’s opening in 1997.

For the past 15 years, in advance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s engagement at the Arts Center, Ailey Day has welcomed hundreds of dance enthusiasts from across Greater Newark to a day of Ailey-inspired dance classes and more, including a workshop with two former Ailey dancers, Nasha Thomas (pressroom.alvinailey.org/arts-in-education/directors/nasha-thomas) and Amos Machanic (pressroom.alvinailey.org/the-ailey-extension/faculty/amos-machanic), where attendees can learn the choreography of Alvin Ailey’s signature masterpiece, Revelations (pressroom.alvinailey.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/repertory/revelations).

“This is always a joyful day, a chance for our community to come together to celebrate the history and the legacy of an iconic African American dancer,” says Eyesha Marable, NJPAC’s Vice President, Community Engagement.

Initially held in churches throughout the city, the ‘Ailey Day’ program now fills the Arts Center’s downtown Newark campus with dance classes throughout the day, including specialized classes for children, and a limited-mobility dance workshop that utilizes chairs and props. Ailey’s Teaching Artists will lead classes in jazz and Horton dance styles. Other instructors will offer classes that explore West African dance styles.

In addition, visiting dance instructors will offer an insightful glimpse into their work through a panel conversation, and attendees will be invited to take part in arts and wellness activities including children’s book readings, health screenings, crafts and mosaic art making. The day concludes with a ‘Show and Share’ event, where participants will have a chance to perform what they’ve learned in class.

“It’s always a joy to share the legacy of Alvin Ailey and his signature ballet, Revelations, with the Newark community. I’m inspired by the connections made through the workshops on Ailey Day at NJPAC,” says Nasha Thomas, National AileyCamp Director and Master Teacher for Arts In Education.

REGISTRATION

While the day’s events are free, registration is required. Community members are invited to register at njpac.org/event/15th-anniversary-ailey-day.

Attendees will have access to discounted tickets to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s May 12 and 13 performances at NJPAC.

NJPAC

To learn more, visit njpac.org.

The Ailey Organization and Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs

For more information about Ailey’s performances and programs, visit alvinailey.org.

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NY NATIVE’S PHOTO EXHIBIT DISPLAYS 50 YEARS OF HIP HOP GREATS

By Mabel Pais

Native New Yorker, Celebrity photographer Michael Benabib proudly of Mexican-American heritage, exhibits some never before seen photos of the biggest Hip Hop stars of the ’80s and ’90s. The ‘In Your Grill Exhibit’ is Free to the general public, and many rare, never before seen photos are available for purchase. The ‘In Your Grill’ exhibit is open until Thursday, April 27th, at Legacy NYC, 98 Orchard Street. Michael Benabib has been a photographer his whole life. Born into a creative family and living downtown, Michael was exposed to the visual and cultural diversity of New York, which is evident in his body of work.

A foundational moment, circa 1986, Benabib walked past a gathering of aspiring MCs at the original 298 Elizabeth Street storefront office of Rush Management and the original home of Def Jam Recordings. Noticing crowds of people hanging around the offices, his curiosity led him to the doors that began his career as a celebrity hip-hop photographer. Benabib asked to shoot some of the artists; it was this pivotal moment that Benabib’s dream of becoming a photographer was his career path– he shot a series of photos over several days while walking to work at a nearby photo studio. Now, over 35 years later, a few of those shots are some of the earliest Hip Hop images presented at this exhibit.

Over the years, fanzine teen magazines hired Benabib on celebrity assignments. Publicists and record companies also hired him to shoot major album covers. He was essential, giving  Michael and these talented musicians the creative opportunities to develop their artistry together.

Some photographs are exhibited at the Smithsonian, MOMA, The Metropolitan, Museum of Art, and the International Center of Photography. It is Michael’s pleasure to share this extensive collection depicting the rise of Hip Hop at Legacy NYC.

Michael Benabib

Learn more at michaelbenebib.com.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality