Demand Human Rights Every Day

Today the international community observes Human Rights Day. This year's theme is human rights defenders who act to end discrimination. Today, Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo sits in a prison cell in China. After more than twenty years of championing human rights, in 2008 he was sentenced to 11 years in prison and two years of deprivation of political rights. While bureaucrats agreed to international agreements with their fingers crossed behind their backs, Liu was protesting at Tianamen Square. He was also a co-author of Charter 08; outlining the rights to which all Chinese citizens are entitled.

Join the chorus of people demanding basic human rights all over the world. Speak up and make every day Human Rights day!

Brown Girls Burlesque Presents Culture Classics!

Burlesque is a hot topic right now especially with the unimaginative and sensational "Burlesque" movie starring Cher and Christina Aguilera set to hit theaters later this year. But burlesque is hardly a new phenomenon. Just ask the ladies of Brown Girls Burlesque (BGB), a women of color theatrical troupe, founded in 2007 to create a space for women of color to express their individual stories from a cultural perspective that is often left out of the mainstream burlesque scene. They are proudly presenting their 3rd annual spectacular, Culture Classics (A United Nations of Burlesque), this Friday and Saturday, October 22 and 23 at the Kumble Theater at Long Island University in Brooklyn.
I had the transformational opportunity to study with these ladies this summer, and in the spirit of self-disclosure, I am doing some stage managing for this event. Let me honestly say how I am in awe of their ability to storytell using sass, sex, and satire. This is not just about women stripping and strutting but they are making statements and exploring issues such as colonization and the otherness of the immigrant, the Brown Paper bag boundaries of Blackness, the Filipina mail order bride, and a Creole woman’s knack for enterprise, among others. The production also includes capoeira, poetry and aerial silks performances from some of the finest artists in NYC. For the grand finale, the ladies of BGB perform a Congolese Can-Can dance with ornate costumes designed by BGB core member Dame Cuchifrita and made by "The Ladies of the Room Bali," a cooperative group of talented Balinese seamstresses. This is truly an international production honoring women and our myriad of experiences.
Today is the final day to get discounted tickets for $20 before they go up to $25. It is well worth it, you will certainly be wowed, entertained and aroused. Be sure to support these brilliant and beautiful ladies as they pay homage to brown women around the world! Check out this video for more information about Brown Girls Burlesque and Culture Classics.

Les Sans Culottes Sur Le Souterrain

What started out as a humble little prank has grown into an international phenomena. Today is the 8th annual No Pants Subway Ride. Thousands of pant-less men and women across the globe will descend on the metro, subway, etc., in this mass exercise in punking the public. If you'd like to join in -- next year I'll be there; with no pants on -- check out the events we located in chapter cities.

It's a prank but it's pretty serious; read the instructions carefully. Also, keep the thong and crotchless panties/briefs at home; this event is supposed to entertain -- not to get anyone arrested.

New York
Meeting time: 3 pm
Meeting location: Foley Square at the black sculpture/fountain. It’s near the Brooklyn Bridge 6 train stop, between Centre and Lafayette, just north of Duane.

Los Angeles
Meeting time: 2 pm
Meeting location: 7th Street/Metro Center station

Seattle
Meeting time: 2 pm
Meeting location: Hooters, 901 Fairview Ave N

San Francisco
Meeting time: 2 pm
Meeting location: Dalva Bar, 3121 16th St (in the Mission)


Sorry Chi-town, your train already took off.