As we head into summer, more and more arts presentations are popping up all over Dorchester offering more venues for local talent to be displayed.
Congrats! You’ve Been Rejected!
Last Friday, May 18, Dorchester’s newest gallery and studio space held a reception for its latest show, “Congratulations, You’ve Been Rejected.”
The Howard Art Project, which occupies the entire top floor of the Howard Building at 1486 Dorchester Ave, Fields Corner, has 11 solo and group studios and three exhibition spaces.
The whimsically conceived group show spotlights often playfully kinky work that has been rejected from other shows a minimum of three times. The rejection letters posted on various walls document that the artists got plenty of polite thumbs down.
Curated by Melissa Boyajian and Faith Johnson, the show, which features mostly works in new media like video, runs through next Thursday, May 31. It includes pieces by Sarah Hill, Faith Johnson, Cathleen Faubert, Melissa Boyajian, Fred Ata, and Arpi Adamyan. Find out more at howardartproject.wordpress.com.
More on this promising community in a future column.
Haitian Youth Arts Festival
Following last week’s back-to-back youth vocal performances, this Sunday at 5p.m. the Strand Theatre hosts Youth and Family Enrichment Services’ (YOFES) Yo Festival, its “Best of Ourselves” Youth Award and Talent Showcase.
This annual talent contest for 6- to 18-year olds and a celebration of the Haitian flag is presented by the non-profit in collaboration with the Haitian Consulate of Boston and other institutions. Scholarships and prizes will be awarded in categories including singing, poetry recitation, painting and drawing, and traditional Haitian fashions. Adult guest artists include recording artist Beethova Obas.
Since 2003, the focus of YOFES has been to assure Haitian children have access to education, health care and a safe environment. Yo Festival continues the mission to help build strong families that can raise healthy children, even in the face of poverty and social inequity. Get further information at 617 364-0370 or yofest.org
Dot Day WUMB Concert Marathon
In recent years WUMB-FM, the UMass Boston folk and world music public radio station has been scheduling a Music Fest fundraiser on the first Sunday in June, the same day as Dorchester Day.
This year’s Music Fest (formerly known as the Boston Folk Festival) was canceled, and a much smaller WUMB Concert Marathon featuring Guy Davis, Tracy Grammer, and Tish Hinojosa pulled together for Sunday, June 3, from 1-5p.m. The event will be held in the Lipke Auditorium, 2nd Floor of the Science Building.
Festival fans were concerned that the scale back was related to the impending retirement of Pat Monteith, founding General Manager of WUMB and Executive Director of the Festival.
Marathon organizers issued a brief statement, “We hope to have the festival back soon, and we thank you very much for your support over the last 14 years.” Tickets are available for $20 each (for WUMB members) or for $25 (general public) Call during business hours 617-287-6900.
