2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008
Courtesy Nathalie, Galerie Bellattitude. MERCI
(Sunday May 4 Note:To people who visit this site, please excuse the many typographical errors I make. As of last week I am 3/4 blind, I have a slight hope that treatment will arrest the diseaee at this point.)
Saturday, December 19,2008
Dubai,2d Dubai International Film Festival (DFFI) December 11-18 2009
The DFFI AnFAR famous panelists raised 1 million 800 American dollars during the first 2 days of he festival. Panelist Harry Belafonte urged people to " shed their stereotypes".
Numerous beautiful pictures of him and his wife Pamela Belafonte appeared in my mailbox. Unfortunately I am not able to enter them.without help.
Two weeks earlier the first photos of Pamela in the USA were on The RFK Bridge Gala in NYC site. (where I ws not able to accept my invitation unfortunately...)
To help raise money for The RFK Memorial,among many auctions, " dinner with Harry Belafonte" ....
Now that " Harry Belafonte and his wife Pamela" have appeared in the USA, I feel free to start 2009 with a picture.
Monday, December 8, 2008
After a quiet, private summer, Harry Beladonte had a very busy public fall, but I have not been able to write about it.
So, for a quick update:
On November 5, he was interviewed by Tavis Smiley about what he thought of the amazing historical election of Barack Obama. whom he supported but did not believe would happen.
Durin the interview he said he had kust come back from a visit to Nelson Mandela.
On Saturday 18, he was schedu;ed to be the closing speaker at The Caribbean International Convention in St Martin/ St Maarten. Hurricane Pamela was in full force in Cuba and Haiti again, and he did not go. I did not find out why.
On November 17, he was speaker and presenter of The Marion Anderson Awads at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
During his speech about Maya Angelou, he quipped: " Her only mistake was not to say yes, 60 years ago, when I asked to marry me." ...
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday Celebration
To-night ,October 29, the Nelson Mandela Chilldren Fund (NMCF) USA, will celebrate its founder's 90th birthday in an intimate dinner at the Rainbow Rom in New York City..
The historic event will be co-hosted by Danny Glover and Lynn Whitfield, with honorary co-chairs, Harry Belafonte and Vincent Mai.. Mandela's daughte,Zinzi Mandela will be representimg her father..and tha South Africa's Ambassador will also attend.
There willl le special performances by several musical groups..
The Columbus Dispatch
Sun. Sept 7, 2008
Community Events
Singer Harry Belafonte, actor Danny Glover and Smithsonian Institute's James Early will be homored as " Legends and Legacies "at THE king ARTS CAMPUS, on October 15. The event inckudes a luncheon and an evebing ceremony.
The San Marin Independant
August 20,2008
Jose Nato worked for 20 years for Harry Belafonte The 61 year old guitarist is working on his last album with the 81 year old icon.
New York City, Wednesday October 8, 2008
The New York City Council, Mayor to Honor Activists
Next Monday, October 13, Ruby Dee, Harry Belafonte,Melvin Van Peebles will receive Honors at the Awrds Ceremony at the HarlemAMC Theater.
Dee wiil receive a Lifetime Achiement Award for her work in films and theater, Belafonte The Outstanding Humanitarian Award and Van eebles The Independent Cinema Pioneer Award.
The same week, on Wednesday, Harry Belafonte is to be honored in Columbus at The King Legend And Legacies event.
THE GATHERING FOR JUSTICE has a new website.
There is a very interesting article " Mr.B's BLOG"
explaning why he started his newest cause, which many of us knew about frominterviews
Friday, July 19, 2008
NELSON MANDELA IS 90 YEARS OLD TO-DAY
San Francisco Bay View Wednesday, July 16,2008
The Longest Walk ii reaches DC on Friday, July 11
Very long article starts with a picture in DC: " Harry Belafonte raises his fist in a power salute to Denniis Banks and all the walkers at the DC rally celebrating the completion on Friday, July 11, of The Longest Walk ii.
( I will try to enter the picture if I can get help...)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Jamaica Gleaner News
Harry Belafonte loves Devon House icecream !
".....the internationally acclaimed and globally celebrated...Harry Belafonte and his equally celebrated wife of two months, the absolutely charming Pamela .jetted into Kingston late Minday night...and jetted out early on Wednesday morning."
Le Soleil lundi 16 juin 2008
A student of mine brought me back this newspape because of 2 articles on Harry Belafonte, one on the front page of" arts et spectacles "et page 5 " L'homme de tous tes combats" with 2 large and beautiful photos, whiich I cannot enter.
We, Harry's fans know everything N.Houle writes about. But it is very gratifying to know that " the documentary on my career , that we are in the process of finishing..." but sad that " when my children saw it, I saw them crying. They said: 'We only knew that you were away from home, singing, but we did not know that all those things were also happening.' "(My tranlation from the French, itself translated from interview in English,,,may not be exact words of Harry)
Friday, June 20,2008
Jamaica Gleaner News.
Jamaican Diaspora Convention
Guest Speaker, the dynamic Harry Belafonte,told the gathering that it was time for " We Are The World 2" He said the first one was to fight hunger, but this one should be to save the world's children from war and violence.He encouraged the gathering to stop waiting for their governents to fix things; "We've got to help our leaders handle it," he said; He also admonished parents to be responsible for what their children learn and know.
The Jamaica Observer
Thursday, June 19,2008
Belafonte calls for greater civic involvement in policy decisions
Belafonte was adressing guests at a ball Tuesday night at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel to mark the close of the biennal Jamaica Diaspora
...The 81 -year-old Belafonte directed many of his remarks towards the US but warned that a lack of civic responsability was damaging the future of young people the world over.
...Belafonte also criticised adults for blaming youths for their behaviour without doing enough to guide them.
...Turning to Obama, Belafonte said:" It is interesting to me, not only intellectually but poitically, that that idea of change remains very much abstract....he has said much that is reqiired, but nobody still has a handle on what does he mean by change.....' He added that it was pointless to expect Obama to bring change without any civic assistance.
Following his address he accepted a gift of art from deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs Ken Baugh.(very nice picture, which you can see on
Last week, during the UNICEF events in Quebec-ville, Harry Belafonte's presence raised more than $100,0000 for UNICEF Canada.
Michel Bell was awarded the UNICEF volunteer award (by whom? )
You'll find details of the events as well as links to press aticles and lots of pictures on Judy's site:
http://www.belafonte-asiteofsites.com
AUGUST 8, 2008
I added picture of Harry at Galerie Bellattitude, courtesy of Nathale
( I had to exchange Toronto picture which I'lll try to place on 2007 page another day).
UNICEF Canada Press release
Wed. 04 June, 2008
Harry Belafonte in Quebec City
During his visit to Quebec City, internationally renowned artist Harry Belafonte, UNICEF's International Ambassador, will address journalists at a press .meeting this Thursday ,June 5.
The fitan of Canada Broadcating company(?) celebrated his birthday with Harry Belafonte,Harry Connick Jr. and Paul Anka. Paul Anka sang "My Way" his way and Harry Belafonte "did the Happy Birthday Honours."
He will be in Toronto again on June 09,for the annual conference on the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which last year's Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dr Muhammed Yunus will address.
(CNW Group May 14, 2008 :Attention News Editors)
Thursday, May 22, 08
Just for Variety by Army Archerd
1958: Harry Belafonte eyes Ebony
Ok'd picture showing him shortly after his eye operation, wearing dark glasses and an eye patch and wondering if he would stay that way...
Update 2008
In an interview this morning, Harry belafonte said he is not interested in performing any more. He is devoting his life to the young and culture. Asked if he will sing again, he said,speaking of his last tour in 2003: " I left silently and graciously," with a laugh at other artists years-long farewell tours..
(On May 16, 2008, The Guardian, UK, had a long article about Miriam Makeba's Long good-bye, mentioning Harry Belafonte's guidance...)
...
Monday, May 18, 2008
Honorary degree to Belafonte
The California Institute of the Arts confered honorary degrees to three artists this evening.
'''Belafonte, who received a standing ovation as he walked on stage to speak, explained the purpose of artists is not about winning awards, but about inspiring others.
May 17, 2008
Celebrities bring Star power to non-profit boards
....Elizabeth Taylor was founding international chair of The American Foundation for AIDS Research, where Harry Belafonte and Natasha Richardson are also trustees.
HUMAN BONDAGE PROJECT LAUNCHED
FRIDAY,May 09,2008
The Human Bondage Project was lauched on May 8 ,during Input, the global screening conference held in Johannesburg. American actor, civil rights activist and UN Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte was the keynote speaker. One of the goals of this project is to inspire global interest in slavery and human bondage.
It is done in collaboretion with UNESCO Slavery Project....
Jamaica information service,
Kingston, May 3, 2008
The third Biennal Jamaican Diaspora Conference will be held on June 16 and 17 on the Mona Campus of the University of The West Indies..
The conference boasts a high level presentation team including Harry Belafonte.
April 22, 2008
(From several South African newspapers)
National Honours Day: honours presented by President Mbeki;
Presenting the awards Mbeki told the recipients that they had contributed towards nation-building..
Among foreigners, Belafonte won the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in silver. He is regarded as a firend of South Africa for his contribution to the Liberation struggle."
"It's not that this country doesn't have problems but who said the struggle would be easy? It's time for the generation to take the struggle forward," said the 81-year old who was recognized for his humanitarian work and contribution to the arts and cnematography.
The award, named for the late African National Congress hero Oliver Tambo, haa previously been granted to fomer UN Secretary General Koffi Annan and posthumously , to India's independence leader Mohatma Gandhi.
Wednesday, March 26,2008
A special ceremony at UN Headquarters yesterday marked March 25, 2008 as the first International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the International Slave Trade;
The Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said " Past injustices should spur battle against modern forms of slavery "
Keynote speaker, artist and human rights activist, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte stated that :" slavery is still with us and it has been codified and it has been driven underground because the symbols that once identified slavery have long since gone.'
At a press briefing following the ceremony Mr. Belafonte said that much has been accomplished and much has been promised, but what should be central was " how to inform our young" and teach them so the horrors of the past never happened again,
PRN Newswire 3/26/2008
Tavis Smiley in Memphis for week-long commemoration of 40th anniversary of King Assassination
Tavis Smiley will broadcasted his late night PBS show from The National Civil ights Museum in Memphis March 31 through April 4th. He will interviewed guests ...including actor and King's colleague Harry Belafonte.
For his PRI boroadcast , Thursday April 3, at 9 to 11 am, he will lead a discussion including Martin Luther King III, Harry Belafonte,..
http:''www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley
THURSDAY, MARCH 13,2008
The History Channel Orders Martin Luther King Jr. special
The documentary, King, will be hosted by Tom Brokaw,who interviewed confidants, friends and family of King. Among those interviewed are Martin King lll, Harry Belafonte, Bill Clinton, Andrew Young.
KING will air on Sunday, April 6, at 8 pm, on History Channel
( June 7, 2008: it is now on DVD )
Tuesday, March 11,2008
April 4th Foundation 40th anniversary banquet and awards, April 4, (2008) the Cook Convention Center ( Memphis ) at 6:30pm,: Harry Belafonte and Rep. John Lewis will be honored with the I AM MAN Award..
Saturday, March 8, 2008
PLAYBILL ON OPENING NIGHT
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ,5th return on Broadway,Thursday, March,6,2009
...There was an Afican-American parade into the Boadhurst.. Harry Belafonte arrived limping a little,using a cane and disguising all infirmities with his million-dollar Star-Smile.
Wednesday, March 5,3008
commercialappeal.com
Belafonte to Bring Gathering to Memphis
Civil Rights activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte returns to Memphis for the 40th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther king Jr,assassination with The Gathering for Justice, the group he founded to help a younger generation set a civil rights agenda for the 21st century.
Belafonte said he returns to Memphis " with great trepidation and mixed feelings, " But he said "picking up the mantle in Memphis, where King died , after 40 years, is almost Biblical,"
SATURDAY, MARCH 1st, 2008
To-day Harry Belafonte became 81 years...young! HAPPY BIRTHDAY and best wishes for a continued active and healthy life..
The Boston Globe Thursday, February 28,2008
BEAFONTE AT WELLESLEY
Performer Harry Belafonte will present a lecture at Wellesley College next month. His topic willl be "Social Justice: Within and Beyond Our Borders" .
The lecture wil take place at 7 p.m..on March 11.
Harry Belafonte did not attend the AALDEF gala becaise of his briken foot.
asianconctoscom
Harry Belafonte,Art Chong and Seymour Hersh ro Receive 2008 Justice in Action Awarrds at AALDEF' s Annual Lunar Neew Year Gala on Thursday, February 21 at PIER SIXTY, Chelsea Piers in New York City..
AALDEF is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans.
From press all over the world in the past week.
Hearing loss awareness campaign very keen participant, who has been affected by hearing loss for several years, Harry Belafonte said: " Good hearing is extremely important. It has a lot of impact on personality. I noticed ( when my hearing got worse ) that my voice changed and I had to speak more loudly. People thought that I was speaking more aggressively, and I didn't mean to be aggressive at all. I just think people should be very, very conscious and protective of their hearing."
Sunday, January 27,2008
Activist,singer reflects on civil rights in Austin
"I'm here because somewhere Martin sits in judgement and expectations,and he was a big part of my soul,"Belafonte said. Belafonte was the keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King Jr.Celebration."
Remembering his first visit to Austin in the late fifties when he was not allowed to stay in any hotels because his act had black and white performers together on the stage,, and how things have changed,Belafonte said:"It is with no casual flirtation that I refer to miracles."
As in all his previous speeches in the past 2 weeks, he sang the first lines of "DAY O" and concluded :" You have seen nothing until you've seen 50,000 Japanese singing that song,!"
American UWI Gala ( Jamaican Gleaner News Frisay, February 1,2008 )
Harry Belafonte,activist/actor/singer/actor, who won the AFUWI special award, was absent because he broke his foot (again?) but Essence magazine's Susan Taylor accepted the award on his behalf.
The UWI tribute to Belafonte described him as " the phenomenal Jamaican among the millions of the Caribbean diaspora. Harry Belafonte came back first to the music of his people and, more recently, to the UWI, which he has served gallantly for a decade as faithful servant, wise, trusty guide and devoted friend."
The lavish gala was held at New York's prestgious Waldorf Astoria hotel on Monday night .( Jan 28 ).
Burlington Free Press
January 23, 2008
BELAFONTE REGALES UVM
As UVM keynote speaker during a week of events commemorating Dr Martin Luther King, Belafonte lived up to his reputation as a passionately outspoken social activist..He challenged his young listeners to carry the struggle on for the good of humanity, pointing out that the civil rights movement' energy came from youths--even teen-agers..
Free Press
January21,2008
Harry Belafonte marks King holiday at Oakland University
In Auuburn Hills at Oakland University, Harry Belafonte told a crowd of 600 that King;s message continues to inspire him.
"As often as I heard his sermons, when I need it...I tap in and listen again,"said Belafonte, King's longtime friend and financial suppoirter.
" There are times I wsh I hadn' t met him. It's too much conscience to carry around," he said.( Note: That is the first time I heard or read that remark from Harry Belafonte,)
SundayJanuary 20,2008
Tennessean.com Januaey,17,2998
Harry Belafonte told of " King family snub , Obama appeal " to more than 800 people at Vanderbilt University Monday afternoon to kick off the ceremonies honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Belafonte chose to have a Q &A session rather than.a formal speech.
He was available to the media before the event.
Asked what he thought of Obama win in Iowa,
Belafonte replied "...as far as color I'm a pig let loose from its pen!"
A speech by artist and humanitarian Harry Belafonte.
Belafonte, the first recipient of the Nelson Mandela Courage Award will be the keynote speaker at the University of Vermont celebration of Dr Martin Luther King holi