Cody Chesnutt, Sun Ra Arkestra, Jason Trachtenburg, and more

anonymous

Hey Fort Greene!

Come join us at the Paul Robeson Music Series we are hosting later this week (December 19th-22nd). We are really excited to announce performances by musicians such as Cody Chesnutt, Sun Ra Arkestra, and Jason Trachtenburg, among others.

The Paul Robeson theater is tucked right in the heart of Fort Greene. Named after the man who was both a courageous civil rights activist and a barrier-breaking artist, this beautiful venue really is a local gem. Unfortunately, it is also one that often goes unnoticed, as it tends to blend in inconspicuously with the sleepy brownstones and tree-lined streets. But for a few days next week, the theater doors will be wide open, and the Paul Robeson will be bursting with talent, art and spectacle! If you happen to be in the area, we would love to see you there.

for more info, visit www.meanredproductions.com

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The Paul Robeson Theater
56 Greene St, Brooklyn

The Paul Robeson Theater is a tiny little gem of a venue, tucked in the heart of Fort Greene, Once an old church, the theater was converted to a community arts space by the infamous Dr. Josephine English. Dr. English is a legend in her own right. An ardent health care activist and local health care provider, she has been serving the community of Fort Greene for decades. Loved and revered by those she served (Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz insisted that she deliver all of their children!), Dr. English is a veritable Brooklyn hero. She decided to develop the Paul Robeson theater as a tribute to its namesake: an arts facility devoted to preserving and presenting black theatre and cultural arts enrichment for local youth.

The building, within walking distance of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is, however, “outside” of the BAM Cultural District and the potential financial and other assistance represented by this development initiative. So join us as we come together this month to appreciate a venue as rich in history as it is in acoustics, and pay homage to the vibrant community of local arts.

*ALL AGES
**Advance tickets available on ticketweb.com

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Wednesday, December 19th
Bjorkestra and Sun Ra Arkestra
8pm, $15 door

On Wednesday, the Paul Robeson Theater will be taken over by two bands of outlandish musical proportions:

BJORKESTRA Blending Bjork's visionary techno pop with the harmonic and improvisational elements of modern jazz, Travis Sullivan has created a truly unique ensemble that transcends genre and style. Comprised of New York City's finest jazz musicians, this eighteen-piece ensemble features full horn and rhythm sections as well as talented vocalist Becca Stevens, performing Sullivan's arrangements that span Bjork's entire catalogue. With visuals by Forward Motion Theater http://www.forwardmotiontheater.org/

SUN RA ARKESTRA From its inception, Sun Ra Arkestra's music was infused with Sun Ra's unique philosophy, an unexpected hybrid of space-age science fiction and ancient Egyptian cosmo religious trappings. This philosophy gained a visual manifestation in the colorful robes, mock-metallic capes, and space headgear worn by the band (it's the only jazz orchestra that brings a tailor on tour), and in a stage presentation that usually features several dancers, a number of group chants ("We travel the spaceways/From planet to planet") and at least one instance of the entire band juking its way, single-file, through the audience.

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Thursday, December 20th
American Babies and I Am A BISON
8pm, $10 door
www.americanbabies.net www.apollosunshine.com

I am the BISON is a glimpse into the mind of Apollo Sunshine guitarist, Sam Cohen. After moving out to Brooklyn in 2006, Cohen has been stepping out with various Brooklyn musicians, including recent, ex-pat, Dawn Landes among others. I am the BISON showcases the guitarist's songwriting skills outside of the madcap psychedelia of his day job with Apollo Sunshine. With a new album in the works, it is possible that you may hear some of the upcoming Apollo Sunshine tracks in their early stages, in addition to a number of Cohen originals that have their place outside of the band.

Tom Hamilton is only in his mid-'20s, but the guitarist/singer commands his nursery of American Babies with all the seasoned know-how of someone twice his age. The band is filled out by some heavy hitting Brooklyn based musicians; guitarist Scott Metzger, bassist Jim Hamilton, vibraphone virtuoso Kevin Kendrick, and the highly praised drummer Joe Russo. Such a lineup could easily create a large, boisterous sound, but the American Babies apply a "less is more" mentality to these rootsy, country-infused tunes. When Hamilton strums his guitar, casually wails into his harmonica, and leads the American Babies in another one of their wistful numbers, he channels a young Gram Parsons (or perhaps a more sober Ryan Adams). And when the American Babies wrap their three-part harmonies around Hamilton's twangy baritone, it's not hard to see this group - and their young leader - enjoying a career as lengthy as those aforementioned luminaries.
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Friday, December 21st
The Jason Trachtenberg Pop Conception, Christina Courtin and Jigsaw Soul
8pm, $10 door

www.slideshowplayers.com
www.christinacourtin.com
www.myspace.com/jigsawsoul

Jason Trachtenberg is the lead singer/co-conspirator of the famed Trachtenberg Family Slideshow players. He plays Casio and sings, while his thirteen-year-old daughter Rachel plays drums, and his wife Tina works the slide projector. You can also find him as the star in the festive off-Broadway show A Christmas Carol. Tonight, Jason performs poetry, comedy, and infotainment all within the confines of a rock n roll outfit.

Christina Courtin is they type of artist that lunges into music with a spasmodic fearlessness that recalls the likes of Janis Joplin, Norah Jones and Ani DiFranco. A talented singer and violinist, Courtin’s musical prowess is as mesmerizing as her bluesy delivery. Having collaborated with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Michale Ward-Bergman, Ryan Scott, Paul Robinson, Mark O’Conner and more, the upcoming artist is currently preparing a solo album to be released in the Spring of 2008.

Since their formation little over a year ago, the members of Brooklyn's Jigsaw Soul have been hard at work, orchestrating a live show that combines their unique brand of moody psych-rock with live video manipulation and modern dance. Miraculously, they also found time to write and record their first album and cultivate a community of like minded individuals including visual artists, dancers and filmmakers who have contributed to the making of two international award winning music videos and several inspired live performances.
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Saturday, December 22nd
Cody ChesnuTT
7pm and 10pm, $15 door

www.emilyking.com

http://myspace.com/codychesnuttmusic

Unable to be contained by any one category, EMILY KING represents the best of what our musical future might look like. Rather than concentrate on the differences between hip-hop and rock, party music and protest music, black and white, she's committing herself to finding common ground. Her last album, East Side Story, has received a grammy nomination for best contemporary R&B Album. She will be opening for the 7pm show with a special acoustic set.

CODY CHESNUTT first blew us a way with The Headphone Masterpiece -- A sprawling work of genre defying nuggets, spanning from sweet 60s soul to first wave British invasion to dirty south hip hop and post-modern dream pop. Since then, he has been back at work in his studio space (which he calls The Sonic Promiseland), cooking up a multimedia video and soundtrack entitled The Last Adam and a new collection of songs entitled The Live Release. He joins us at the Paul Robeson Theater later this month, to unfurl his long-awaited creations.