The 2009 Charlie Parker Festival

A Gathering of the Tribes (AGOTT) proudly presents its annual Charlie “Bird” Parker Birthday Festival entitled “Bird Lives…” Come join us as we are celebrate Parker’s 89th birthday with an art exhibition, parties, live music and poetry…

Schedule of Events

Month long group art exhibition

Screening of a 1950’s film- Singin’ in the Rain is a 1952 comedy musical film starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds and directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen, with Kelly also providing the choreography. Miles Davis Story- The definitive look at the man and his music. A film by Mike Dibb for Channel 4 Television. *View Upon Request*

Sunday, August 2, 2009 POETRY READING and Bird Lives show opening party 5:30-7:30pm
Local poets read their own original works, along side the poetry of Charlie Parker’s era. Poets include: Amy Ouzoonian, Chavisa Woods, Steve Dalachinsky, Yuko Otomo, John Farris, Papoletto Melendez

Sunday, August 2, 2009 JASON KOA HWANG QUINTET first set 8pm

Sunday, August 2, 2009 Cecil Taylor trio second set 9pm

Saturday, August 8, 2009 Present Personic 7-9pm
Patrick Brennan-saxophone, Bern Nix-Guitar, Hilliard Greene-Bass: a dense intersection of divergent trajectories in split-second close interaction

Saturday, August 15, 2009 Robert Abate Band 7pm To Perform In The East VillageThe band Robert is bringing to the Festival consists of 2 vocalists, 2 guitars, 3 trombones, bass trombone, bass, percussionist, and trap drummer.

Sunday, August 16, 2009 Susan Kramer quintet 7- 9pm

Sunday, August 16, 2009 Nth Trio 9-11pm On Ka’a Davis- Guitar, Magama Skosana- Bass & Piano, David ‘Riddim-Aton’- Drums

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Celebration of Tribes #12 7pm at 5C Cultural Center and Cafe

Friday, August 21, 2009 Juini Booth -Solo Bass 7- 9pm

Sunday, August 23, 2009 Elyse Finkel - Solo Piano 7- 9pm

Friday, August 28, 2009 Squiggletone Music Company 8pm (garden show) - Strange, weird, and beautiful flexing from Chris Fedosky’s twisted mind and ensemble.

Friday, August 28, 2009 Tom Chess and the Lovedogs 10pm (gallery) - Oud and ney virtuoso Tom Chess pushes traditional rep. by improvising and composing as has never been done on traditional instruments. Accompanied by Tribes’ own Will McEvoy and others.

Saturday, August 29, 2009 BIRD LIVES FESTIVAL and Bird Lives show closing party.

The “BIRD LIVES” Festival and Street Fair

Day-long street festival featuring an artist flea market, open mic, raffles, street vendors, and closing street concert by the Hungry March Band.

Including poetry readings from:

• Ahmed Abdullah
• E. J. antonio
• Maria Chisolm
• Steve Dalachinksi
• John Farris
• Dorothy Friedman August
• Vivian Grell
• Allan Goldschmidt
• Joy Leftow & Dubble X
• David M.
• Monique Ngozi Nri
• Mirella Perez
• Howard Planzer
• Yuko Otomo

An Homage to Charlie Parker: Improvisation in Images and Word

Come to A Gathering of the Tribes Gallery to pay homage to the late great Charlie Parker!Throughout the month of August, the large wall in the front room will be painted half black and half white– a nod to Charlie Parker’s interest in Eastern philosophy, Taoism, Yin Yang. A basket of white chalk and black chalk will be placed on the floor. You are invited to choose a piece of chalk to draw, write, or compose something on either or both sides of the wall. Come by on any day in August. The last day is Saturday the 29th, at which point the wall will be photographed and will appear on the website and newsletter.

Come by and leave your mark!

Sponsors for the 16th Annual Charlie Parker Festival

A special thanks to all of the organizations, businesses and individuals who helped make the Charlie Parker Festival a possibility, especially:

Capitol One Bank, Lower East Side Credit Union, Brooklyn Brewery, Two Boots Pizza, Salon 94, Bluestockings Radical Books, Sunshine Cinemas

Please help a Lower East Side tradition stay afloat: any donation to Tribes of any amount would be greatly appreciated.
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ABOUT THE CHARLIE PARKER FESTIVAL

Throughout the forties, Charlie Parker revolutionized jazz and immortalized the Lower East Side by capturing its combustive atmosphere and translating it into music. It is no wonder that every year the Lower East Side returns a little bit of the favor by celebrating Charlie Parker, his life and his legacy, as well as his deep rooted relationship with this neighborhood, through A Gathering of the Tribes’ Charlie Parker Festival.

The Charlie Parker Festival has been a A Gathering of the Tribes staple since its inception in the early 90s. Among the events planned throughout the month are musical performances, art shows, and reading; it all culminates in a street festival with street vendors, open mic, live music and more.
This year, A Gathering of the Tribes is please to present the 16th Annual Charlie Parker Festival, entitled “BIRD LIVES,” from August 2 - August 29.