Jak Burke: an artist who cares

Hell’s Kitchen/ Clinton, at one time was well known for the bohemian artists that made up the culture and fought for a better way of life. Today there is a scattering of artists mostly because of the high rents and lack of workspaces. The Hell’s Kitchen artist tours, Art for Healing and a splattering of galleries still exist but it is residents like Jak Burke who are the heart and soul of city.

Born in London, Jak is a pure New Yorker with a soft spot for Coney Island. Recently, she displayed her work at an anti-violence art show entitled, “Circus of the Soul,” sponsored by the Coney Island Coalition Against Violence and hosted by the New York Aquarium. Her show drew attention to the increasing deadly amount of gang activities in Coney Island. Mathylde Frontus (Founder of Urban Neighborhood Services and Co-chair of Coney Island Coalition Against Violence) recently stated, “As a long-time Coney Island resident who has personally witnessed the damaging effects of violence on the youth and families of our historically significant community, I applaud Circus of the Soul’s attempt to highlight the plight of every day urban youth who struggle to make the right decisions. Since our community coalition meeting on July 30th, a 13- year old boy in a wheelchair was shot. On Saturday July 31st, a 24 year old man was shot point blank at 3:15 in the afternoon, with residents ducking for cover. On the same day as our community peace walk, there was as shooting in front of Urban Neighborhood Services offices at 2am. Coney Island has officially become a war zone.”

Circus of the Soul, originally debuted in September at The Soho Gallery of Digital Art, 138 Sullivan Street. JAK commented, “I find my solo show series, Circus of the Soul, speaks not only to the gang crisis in Coney Island but also to the young children in South Los Angeles who have been experiencing greater levels of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder than children living in Baghdad, Iraq. What is happening inside of our country? Urban violence does not go away. Without resolution, gang activities will spread until every NYC neighborhood is affected. Art and awareness can bring about change.”

The actual show is about, Buck Wabbit, a gangster who gets seduced into a life of crime. Jak has made it possible to interact with Buck on Twitter, Blogger and Facebook.

Jak has always been a community artist. As an activist, Jak is passionate about all forms of public art especially community art work. “I am inspired by everything I see. I have been politically aware since I was a teenager in Thatcher’s 1980’s Britain. I experienced urban decay and social unrest. London suburbs were wastelands during the 80’s.”

Jak’s art involves collecting stickers, graffiti, street art, and billboards on cheap digital cameras and then creating collages onto photographic landscapes with an overlay of cartoons. "I use poetry, headlines, menus, sound bites – anything – as my narrative", says Jak. "My protagonists are heroic and often tragic".

Jak's work has also been showcased at Headquarters’ Gallery, in Tribeca.

Jak is an example of why Hell’s Kitchen/ Clinton is alive and vibrant and why artists have always been the voice in the wilderness. Thankfully our wilderness has Jak.

A Miracle is starting

I know I said more tomorrow, but I got the flu, needed to get a paper out and had to work, so tomorrow has turned out to be five days. Life happens and we handle it the best we can. Onto the starting of a miracle.

Merrie, runs another publication that is highly successful. After hearing my story she met Jack who just happened to work for All Access Dental. He in turn agreed to meet with me. I met with Jack and David the brains behind All Access Dental and they agreed to help. This company is amazing. They started a dental practice that excepts medicare, medicaid and all forms of insurance. They help those who need care. They care.

My journey will be completely documented here. You can see what I go through so that you can see this is possible and in turn if you need help maybe you too can find it.

My miracle is starting, I wish the same for all of you.

The beginning of a miracle

It has been awhile since I have posted here. I apologize for that, but with running a newspaper and writing for other venues it has been difficult.

I am back to inform and to document a miracle. Years ago, I had a tooth problem. I saw a dentist in NYC. He told me I needed a root canal. At the time, I was on break from one show and about to go into another, so my insurance was not in place. He told me not to worry and put me out. When I woke up, my head was the size of a basketball and I was sick as a dog. My friends came and rescued me. I stayed that way for over a week, until I could no longer take the pain and saw another dentist. It turned out, I had a severe infection most likely from unclean instruments. I lost the show, as it took two months for my face to completely return to normaI. I became like a deer in headlights and was fearful of dentists. I later learned, the dentist who started this mess, David Beldengreen was arrested.

As if that was not enough, I was in a car crash. I was coming off the off ramp and another car was coming up the off ramp. It was snowing and my choice was to hit the car head on or go off a cliff. I hit my head on the steering wheel. From the incident before my mouth was weakened. Slowly, I have lost several teeth and others have been wearing away due to my bite being completely off. You see the girl who ht me was illegal, from Columbia and sleeping with the chief of police. My insurance would not cover it because she technically did not exist and my paper work suddenly disappeared from the police station. It wasn't until later that I learned why.

To fix my mouth was estimated at over $80,000.00. I was an actress, singer and writer, where was I ever going to get that kind of money? After the 2nd incident, I was told by three separate agents the reason I was not booking the commercials was because of my mouth. You see nobody wants an actress with missing teeth. I stopped singing professionally after I saw a tape of a show I did. I looked homeless. I started smiling less. My face started falling and I see differences every day. For the past two weeks I have started to have intense pain and clicking, which means TMJ is starting. There is not a day that goes by that I am not made aware of what has happened to me, yet most people do not know. I have kept silent. One of the reasons I started the paper was because of all this.

I have spent countless hours researching the cheapest place to have dental work. When the lottery is high I play it in hopes of regaining back my smile. In a strange way I had lost hope, but was trying to stay present. Then I attended a luncheon and met Merrie and told her some of my story. We were to get together on another matter, when I called, she surprised me by telling me she had found a dentist that might be able to help.

More tomorrow...........but I promise it is worth it! There are miracles waiting to happen.

T: Is for trouble losing power

I am an Aquarian, which is why I think it irks me so much that Sarah Palin is too. This women is a menace to society. Today is her birthday, but finally a new national poll indicates that 7 out of 10 Americans feel that she is not qualified to be president.
71 percent of the public say the former Alaska governor is not qualified to serve in the White House, with 26 percent saying she is qualified. The 26 percent is down 12 points from November. The survey also indicates that 37 percent of Americans have a favorable view of her, with 55 percent holding an unfavorable view. Just last month, 43 percent of the public had a favorable opinion and 46 percent had an unfavorable view of Palin. Could it be more American's are waking up to how dangerous this women is? I hope so. Being a women and knowing what women can do, there is no way I want this particular one anywhere near laws, a position of power or making any kind of decision that could effect my life. Maybe within the next couple of months the other 3 out of 10 Americans will open up their eyes and Ms. Palin will no longer be a threat to humanity.

C: Is for Career's on the Rise

Careers come out of Juilliard. Katori Hall a recent graduate of the Julliard playwriting program will make her Broadway debut with the play “The Mountaintop,” a two-character play that imagines a surprising turn of events for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on the night before his assassination. Ms. Hall was the 2009-10 recipient of the Playwrights of New York Fellowship, an annual prize administered by the Lark Play Development Center, worth an estimated $80,000. Her 2007 play, "Hoodoo Love," had an Off Broadway run at the Cherry Lane Theater. “The Mountaintop,” received critically praise when it was preformed in London last summer, earning a 2010 Olivier Award nominations for best new play and lead actress Lorraine Burroughs. The production also received Evening Standard Award nomination for most promising playwright and lead actor David Harewood. Producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman said in a statement they were eager to capitalize on its success by moving ahead on Broadway. They said they were in negotiations with Kenny Leon to direct. He will be represented on Broadway later this year directing the revival of August Wilson’s “Fences.” Ms. Hall states her inspiration for the play came partly from her mother, who grew up near the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. King was assassinated, and regretted not going to hear him speak on the day before he was killed. The play’s characters are Dr. King and a woman who at first seems to be a hotel maid. Casting, performance dates and a theater are yet to be announced.

A: Is for Art on a budget

On a budget, many Broadway shows have rush, lottery, and standing room. All it takes is patience, a photo ID and time.

Billy Elliot
Student Rush: $41.50 (for tickets are normally $80) - available at the box office two hours prior to performance. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurday performances only. Limit 2 per valid ID. Tickets in Rear Mezzanine rows G-J and side sections rows D-F $41.50 for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances.

Bye Bye Birdie
General Rush: $26.50 - limited number sold on the day of as soon as the box office opens. Limit 2 per person.
Student Rush: Limited half-price tickets are sold a half hour before curtain. 1 per valid ID.
Hiptix: $21.50 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration but it is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance. All IDs are checked.

Chicago
General Rush: $36.50. Limit 2. Not available Saturday evenings.
Standing Room: $26.50 - available when the performance is sold out.

Fela!
Student Rush: $27.00, May be partial or obstructed view. Limit 1 ticket per current and valid student ID.

God of Carnage
Standing Room: $26.50 around 20 tickets sold at the box office beginning two hours prior to curtain. Only available when sold out.

Hair
The "Be-In Box" Ticket Lottery: $25 is the best place to be. Entries are done at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office beginning two and half hours prior to each performance. Names are drawn at random two hours prior to curtain time. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per winner.
Standing Room: $25 - available at the box office only on the day of the performance when the performance is sold out.

In the Heights
Lottery Rush: $26.50 - a set number of front-row seats for each performance, sold via a lottery system. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Only one card per person. Cards are checked for duplication prior to the performance. For Tues 7pm performances, cards are available at 4:30pm for a 5:00pm drawing. For Wed-Sat 8:00pm performances, cards are available at 5:30pm for a 6:00pm drawing. For Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances, cards are available at 11:30am for a 12:00pm drawing. For Sunday matinee performances, cards are available at 12:00pm for a 12:30pm drawing. For Sunday 7:00pm performances, cards are available at 5:00pm for a 5:30pm drawing.
Standing Room: $21.50 - available when the performance is sold out.
Tickets in the last three rows of the Rear Mezzanine (Rows F-H) are regularly priced at $41.50 for all performances. These tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the box office.

Jersey Boys
Student Rush: $27 - a limited number of student tickets to select Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances are available when the box office opens at 10 AM, but there are exceptions. Two kinds of photo ID must be shown: A non-expired full time student ID as well as a government issued photo ID, drivers license or passport. Limit 2 tickets per person per 30 day period.
Standing Room: $27 - available at the box office two hours prior to the performance. Limit 1 ticket per person. Only available when the performance is sold out.

A Little Night Music
Standing Room Student Rush: $27 sold on the day of performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Limit 1 ticket per valid ID.

Mamma Mia!
Student Rush: $31.50 - may be available on day of performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Limit 2 tickets per valid ID.
Standing Room: $21.25 - available at the box office on the day of the performance if the performance is sold out. Two hours prior to curtain. Limit is 2 per person.

Mary Poppins
Student Rush: $30 - sold on the day of performance when the box office opens. Only available to college/university students. Limit 1 ticket per valid ID.

Memphis
Student Rush: $26.50 - limited number of tickets available day of performance when the box office opens. Limit 2 tickets per valid ID.

Next to Normal
Lottery Rush: Beginning 2 hours before each performance, patrons may enter a lottery drawing to purchase a limited number of $25.00 tickets to that day's performance. Names are drawn at random and 90 minutes prior to the performance. Limit of two tickets per person and winners must be present with valid identification at the time of the drawing.
Tickets in the last row of the Mezzanine are regularly priced at $36.50. These tickets may be purchased through Telecharge or at the box office.

The Phantom of the Opera
Standing Room: There are $26.25 tickets available at the box office only, only when the performance is sold out. There are only 28 standing room chances.
Tickets in the last two rows of the Rear Mezzanine are priced at $26.25 for Monday through Thursday performances. These tickets may be purchased through Telecharge or at the box office. Note: These are the best tickets for this show

Present Laughter
General Rush: $26.50 - limited number of tickets sold on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per person.
Student Rush: Half-price seats sold at half hour before curtain. Limit 1 per valid ID.
Hiptix: $21.50 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance as availability dictates. Info at: http://hiptix.com/

Race
Student Rush: $26.50 - sold on the day of performance beginning two hours prior to show. Limit 2 tickets per valid ID.

Rock of Ages
Lottery Rush: $26.50 A limited number of tickets will be available via lottery. For 8 PM shows: signup at 6 PM, lottery held at 6:30, ticket pickup at 6:45. For 7 PM shows: signup at 5 PM, lottery held at 5:30, ticket pickup at 5:45. For 2 PM matinees: signup at 12 noon, lottery held at 12:30, ticket pickup at 12:45.
Student Rush: $36.50 - sold on day of performance two hours prior to curtain, immediately after lottery tickets are distributed. Limit 2 per valid student ID. Not available Friday or Saturday evening.

South Pacific
Student Rush: $20.00 - available at the box office beginning two hours prior to a performance. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances only. Only available to college/university students. Limit 1 per valid ID. Subject to availability.

Time Stands Still
Student Rush: $26.50 - available on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Must show photo ID verifying current enrollment in a degree or diploma program. Limit 2 per valid ID.

A View From the Bridge
General Rush: $26.50 - may be available on day of performance when the box office opens. Limit 2 per customer. Subject to availability.
Standing Room: $26.50 - available at the box office, day of performance, when the performance is sold out.

West Side Story
Lottery Rush: $26.50 - limited number of front-row seats sold via lottery system. Entries accepted at box office beginning two and half hours prior to each performance. Names will be drawn at random two hours prior to curtain time. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per winner.

Wicked
Lottery Rush: Each day, two hours prior to show time (11:30 AM for 2 PM matinees; 12:30 PM for 3 PM matinees; 4:30 PM for 7 PM performances; 5:30 PM for 8 PM performances), people who present themselves at the Gershwin Theatre box office will have their names placed in a hat. Thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for 28 front-row seats at $26.50 each. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of 2 tickets per person, cash only. Photo-ID.

Remember everything is subject to availability. Most only except cash with the rare excepted credit card. Just be prepared and these are the F.A.C.T.S

F: Is for "FEARLESS MORAL INVENTORY”

When we last left Frank Blocker he was at the Stage Left Studio Theatre where he was starring in his sold-out, critically-acclaimed, three-times-extended and award-nominated (Drama Desk & Audience Awards) “Southern Gothic Novel” which has since been published in paperback by CreateSpace and is available on Amazon.com. The spoken word CD will be released by the publisher on February 15th. Thank-Gog! Mr. Blocker is back. Unplugged. And fearless. His new show “FEARLESS MORAL INVENTORY” will open at the Stage Left Studio Theatre (438 West 37th Street – between 9th & 10th Avenues) on Monday, March 8th and play through, May 31st with the option to extend through July 26th. Preview performances begin Monday, February 15th. “FEARLESS MORAL INVENTORY” is 62 characters, challenging to tell the truth come from many and varied walks of life. Marvin, is a blind guy who dates only redheads. The Very Right Reverend Doctor Raymond B. Smythe loathes pervs. Richard, is a serial banker. Anna Mae, a reluctant widow. Jon-Paul R. Georges, an ingrate son. Watch out for the mother on a mission to ruin a honeymoon. Joe Tennent, is a murderous landlord. Sister Aloysius and Sister Theresa, have much to say. Iona Winchester, is mad as a hatter. Franklin Ian Brown, is a performer of sorts. Henrik, Jr., is a clairvoyant cab driver and Sue-Sue Daniels is the addicted everywoman from the deep South. Laughter and revelations are sure to be had as we discover what this genius performer has in store. For $20 this is a bargain. Life is tough but then you change and Frank Blocker's extreme wit is sure to do the trick and that is a F.A.C.T.