Today we had a picnic on Governor's Island, which is located right across from Downtown Manhattan. The weather was perfect: finally sunny and warm after weeks of rain and cold. The short ride on the ferry gave us a glimpse of the splendid Manhattan skyline. After quite a search for Picnic Point that let us explore half of Governor's Island, we finally found it. The view was breathtaking: the bright blue sky, colorful sailboats, the Statue of Liberty in the background, all accompanied by a fresh breeze... Culinary delights prepared by Natalie Danford and Emily Royo made the picnic even more enjoyable. The most active among us played badminton and frisbee while others chatted and simply relaxed. You can see photos on our Photoblog. We all want to thank Paolo Pierleoni for his great idea and the wonderful time we had today!

Come to see the Anthropology of Tango Dance Show which will be presented at the beautiful Yonkers Riverfront Library auditorium.

The show created by Anton Gazenbeek & Sergio Segura, and featuring the presentation of the Traditional Argentine Tango Dance, demonstrates all the unique styles and forms of tango, tracking the evolution of tango from its birth in the late 1800’s to present day. The multimedia aspect of the show forms a smooth transition between stories and explanations told in lecture format by utilizing one-of-a kind video footage and show stopping dancing that has left audiences on their feet begging for more.

Show time is at 3pm and the show is two hours long with a twenty minute intermission and there will be a “milonga” 5:00pm in the lobby. There will be a VIP reception at 2:15 pm for donors.

The library is located at 1 Larkin Center in Yonkers New York, 10701. Just 20 minutes from Grand Central station on the Metro-North rail line, it is located across the street from the Yonkers train station and a few blocks from the Ferry station. Yonkers is a lovely city known for its scenic riverfront, top notch restaurants and lovely artist shops.

Cast: Anton Gazenbeek, Carolina Jaurena, Sergio Segura and Traditional Argentine Tango Dance Company with the special participation of Walter & MariLynne Kane
Choreography and Artistic direction: Anton Gazenbeek, assisted by Sergio Segura.
Production manager and graphic design: Sergio Segura
Produced by Strictly Traditional Argentine Tango
Sponsored by City of Yonkers.

Program:

2:15-2:50 pm VIP reception in the lobby
3:00-5:00 pm Show (With 20 min. intermission)
5:00-6:00 pm Milonga

Tickets:
$25 or $20 in Advance at www.sergioseguraproductions.com/statnyc/antrhopology_ypl_2009.html
Minimum donation for VIP reception $50 (ticket to the show included)
Discount for senior citizens (60+), students (with ID) and groups (10+)

For additional information, please contact Sergio Segura at 917-373-7446 or statnyc@yahoo.com or visit www.sergioseguraproductions.com/statnyc/antrhopology_ypl_2009.html

Strictly Traditional Argentine Tango
www.LEARNARGENTINETANGO.COM
917-373-7446 / 917-373-7444

"HEAVEN EARTH"
Directed by: Rudolf Pinto do Amaral
Documentary, 2008, 60 min
English/Spanish with English subtitles

"Heaven Earth" portrays in epic sequences an exploration into the amazonian urban- and suburban field of "curanderismo" (practice of latinamerican folkhealing), in and around the city of Iquitos. Personal approaches and backgrounds of persons, linked to the phenomenon of contemporary amazonian curanderismo are introduced. The protagonists reveal personal experiences, dreams, mental imagery, and annotate their understanding on the topic of "shamanism". Iquitos, fluctuating between 'tradition' and 'modernity', a locus of cultural transition facing the impact of globalization and its sequences. Tourist imagination, local myths and daily life sequences embedded in the city of Iquitos and its surrounding jungle intertwine during the dialogue of the cinematographic narration to an panoramical multitude of perspectives.

VENUE
New York Independent Film and Video Festival 2009
Village East (City Cinemas)
181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street
New York, NY 10003

Tickets for this event may be purchased at http://www.nyfilmvideo.com/

"FLIEGER"
Directed by Herbert Brödl
Documentary, 2008, 90 min
Portuguese with English subtitles

Flying as a dream and a passion, a job and a fate. That's the story of pilots Nilton and Fernando, hoboes of the air. They fly over Amazonia, the largest river region on the planet and its greatest forest, both a miracle of creation and a target of deforestation. Amazonia is portrayed in brilliant bird's-eye-view images, through authentic characters and their stories, actors, the pilots' voices, their thoughts concerning flying, fact and invention. A film that maintains a balance between realism and poetry, everyday life and dreams, combining them to pull the viewer into this world.

VENUE
Austrian Cultural Forum NY, 11 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022
Free. No reservations necessary.

A conversation among translators from Arabic to English and from English to Arabic, and Egyptian writers working in both Arabic and English, about the work of Egyptian novelist Naguib Mafhfouz.

Deutsches Haus at Columbia University - 420 West 116th Street. Free.