CPP Hosts Heritage Events for Bahamian Teachers

Thursday, April 8, 2010 -- 10:00AM to 12:00 Noon at the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove MAP 10AM - Dr. John C. Nordt MD will discuss early Coconut Grove / Key Biscayne pioneer Sir Lancelot Jones. 11AM - Dr. David Jones PHD (in African-Caribbean Studies) will discuss his research and recent book about the early Bahamas. Amy Goodhart will have on display a presentation from the Woman's Club Archives about Coconut Grove's history. Friday, April 9, 2010 -- 12:30 PM to 2:15 PM at the Academy of Arts & Minds / Abanico Theatre, 3rd Floor MAP Jeffrey Poitier's cut (40 minutes) from his documentary film "Voices" will be screened, followed by "Full Circle: A Taino Story" a docu-drama about the lifeways of Lucayans in the Bahamas prior to the arrival of Columbus (40 minutes) by Travis Neff as well as his short documentary "Connections Unearthed" on the discovery of the Miami Circle (10 minutes). Saturday, April 10, 2010 -- 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Academy of Arts & Minds, Band Classroom MAP Laverne Lewis-Cuzzocrea will do a reading of Mariah Brown, the solo drama by Sandra Riley. We are all looking forward to sharing the history of Coconut Grove with our Bahamian colleagues and friends.  All events are FREE.       Woman's Club of Coconut Grove 2985 South Bayshore Drive   Academy of Arts & Minds 3138 Commodore Plaza

FULL CIRCLE: A Taino Story
a dramatic documentary film by Travis Neff
(U.S. - English, Some Spanish Subtitles)

VIEW FILM TRAILER

Full Circle: A Taino Story is an authentic portrayal of their lifeways interwoven with the Lucayan paintings of renowned Bahamian artist
ALTON LOWE as well as interviews from these leading scholars:

BOB CARR – Florida and Caribbean Archaeologist, President of Archaeological & Historical Conservancy, Davie FL
SANDRA RILEY – Researcher of the Bahamas and its History, 
Author of “The Lucayans”
DR. DON GERACE – Founder, Field Study Program (Finger Lakes College, NY) on San Salvador, Bahamas
LUIS RODRIGUEZ – Head Archaeologist, Tibes and Caguana sites,
Puerto Rico Institute of Culture; Sub-Chief, General Council of Tainos
JOCK MORGAN – President, Historical Society of North Eleuthera,
and Field Coordinator of Preacher’s Cave

Mariah Brown House Restoration

© Janus Research

Crystal Parrot Players has moved the Mariah Brown House Restoration Project one step closer to becoming an interactive Museum.  With a matching grant from The Grovenor Foundation, Crystal Parrot Players now holds over $6,600 in bank certificates for this important project.

It is with this spirit of community that our organization has become a part of the Historical and Community Assets Oversight Committee to frame a vision and provide a direction for the completion and stewardship of this project which was begun by the Coconut Grove Cemetery Association.

The combined support of the Coconut Grove Collaborative, Village West Homeowners & Tenants Assoc, University of Miami School of Architecture, Land Trust, Ecumenical Network, Villagers, and other organizations have advanced the ongoing preservation efforts of Charles Avenue and the Island District that grew from the seeds planted by Mariah Brown.

Once completed, the Mariah Brown House Museum will be an educational resource for Miami-Dade County Schools and a tourist attraction for visitors.  Small museums like this one (and the Bethel House in Perrine) remind residents of their heritage and cultural roots. They are wonderful teaching tools for our children and community visitors.

This important project has the support of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos A. Gimenez and City of Miami Commissioner Mark Sarnoff.

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