| The Charlie Parker Festival Soars Over the Lower East Side |
Tribes 14th Annual Charlie Parker FestivalAugust 2-31, 2007FREE! A Gathering of the Tribes 285 East 3rd St. (btwn Ave. C and Ave. D) (212) 674–3778 tribes.org  The spirit of Charlie Parker will be revived at the 14th Tribes Charlie Parker Festival this August  Two legends of bop: Charlie Parker and Miles Davis After moving to NYC from Kansas City in 1939, Parker began congregating at uptown clubs (such as Minton's Playhouse) with the afore-mentioned jazz legends--and created a reputation for Harlem as the jazz center of New York. His groundbreaking music also captured the vibrant energy of the Lower East side in the 40s, laying the groundwork for the beat generation to come. It is no surprise, then, that the yearly Tribes Charlie Parker Festival celebrates his legacy with a month-long series of events on the Lower East Side, on or around East 3rd St. in between Avenues C and D. With a plethora of Bird-inspired events such as poetry readings and concerts, the festival culminates with the daylong Charlie Parker Birthday Block Party on August 29th, featuring a street fair, poetry performances, open mic, and musical performance by the Hungry March Band, hosted by Tribes. Check out our schedule of events below, and then head to tribes.org for more information. Bird's the word! August 2nd, 6-9 pm Bird’s the Word Exhibition Tribes Gallery hosts a group art exhibition centered around the theme of Charlie “Bird" Parker, featuring the works of local and international emerging artists, many of whom received high honors in Tribes art contest judged by Robert Storr (MOMA). Artists include: Rrina Bodea, Brandon Herman, Nathan Wasserbauer, and Stephen Pauley. This event also features a small Jazz ensemble. August 11th, 3 pm Bird Flew in the Garden Poetry reading featuring readings of poetry from Charlie Parker’s era, as well as the original works of: Bob Holman, Yuko Otomo, Steve Dalachensky, Danny Shot, Amy Ouzoonian, Merry Fortune, Chavisa Woods, Marc Straus, Tom Savage and Papaletto Mendez. August 11th, 6 pm One Butch Bird (featuring Butch Morris)  Butch Morris pioneered the use of "Conduction" Morris was originally a free jazz player. In California in the early '70s, Morris played with such notables as his brother, the bassist Wilber Morris, pianist/composer Horace Tapscott, trumpeter Bobby Bradford, and tenor saxophonist Frank Lowe. In the mid-'70s, Morris worked around New York City with the likes of baritone saxophonists Charles Tyler and Hamiet Bluiett and tenor saxophonist David Murray. Morris lived in Paris from 1976-1977, where he began recording under the leadership of others. He made his debut on disc on a record by Lowe; he also recorded with French musicians, as well as the American expatriate soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy. August 11th, 8 pm Harpin’ in the Garden  Billy Harper, a NYC-based saxophonist and composer After graduating from North Texas State in 1965, Harper moved to New York, where he began touring and performing with such giants as Blakey, Morgan and Donald Byrd. In 1970, Harper joined legendary drummer Max Roach and stayed with his quintet for eight years. During his time with Roach, Harper began leading his own quintet, and since 1976 it has been the principal vehicle for his powerfully intriguing, spiritual compositions. These works - like the bulk of his output - pulsate with Harper's signature rhythmic and metric conception. August 26th, 6-8 pm Shadows and Sound Live musical performance by pianist and composer Sabrinna Chap, accompanying the jazz-scored 1959 John Cassavettes film "Shadows."   The Hungry March Band August 29th, 11 am - 9pm Charlie Parker Birthday Block Party This day long street festival includes a, street fair, poetry performances, open Mic’ and musical performance by the Hungry March Band, hosted by Tribes. The Hungry March Band is a 25-piece community based, award-winning Brass March Band. Saving the Fire Houses, playing for the dogs, freeing the gardens, making room for bikes, the freaks, the wild and the meek; on Coney Island, the subways, Brighton Beach Boardwalks, the steps of the NYC Post Office and fine institutions of culture including Lincoln Center, MOMA and MSG. Roaring out of Brooklyn NYC, the Hungry March Band is the greatest brass march band of all time. {mos_ri}
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