Traveling from Haiti as part of the U.S. State Department's program, Center Stage, the Haitian dance Company, Compagnie de Danse Jean-René Delsoin, will perform a one-evening public engagement at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) on Saturday, October 20 at 8 p.m.

The acclaimed dance company under the direction of Jean Rene Delsoin will be in Miami in advance of the show to conduct free community outreach and open dance classes for the public on Thursday, October 18, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Little Haiti Cultural Center and on Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at SMDCAC.

The company will also engage in additional outreach including a special dance class for Homestead Senior High Students and a Random Act of Culture event at Southland Mall. In addition, SMDCAC has arranged a master class for the company with acclaimed choreographer and dancer Peter London in the Martha Graham style of modern dance.

It is important to know your rights if you are stopped by the police. We’ve all heard the “Miranda Warning” read to that bad guy being arrested on cops shows from Hill Street Blues in the 1970s to Law and Order in 2009.  In Miranda v. Arizona, the United States Supreme Court held that prior to any questioning of a person in custody, the police must advise the person of certain rights as follows:

You have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say may be used against you.

You have a right to have a lawyer present while you are questioned.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you.

What else should you know in a police encounter? The NAACP has provided a reference that is detailed below:

On Wednesday, September 29^th, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced S.B. 3932, The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010. The new proposal includes broad reforms of  the immigration system to provide legalization for the millions of immigrants. The Democrats are attempting to push the immigration issue to the forefront of the national debate, just in time for the November elections. Most experts do not believe that a Bill can be passed into law before 2011, but do see this as a very positive sign! Stay tuned…

USCIS FILING FEES WILL INCREASE BEGINNING NOVEMBER 23, 2010

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that a final rule will be implemented on November 23, 2010 increasing  fees filing fees for immigration applications and petitions. Applicants are advised to file immigration petitions now, rather than waiting until the last moment  just prior to  the scheduled increase.  Petitions filed now will process in the normal manner, however, those filed near the deadline will likely experience processing delays due to the high volume of cases filed with the USCIS just before the fees increase.  So the best advice is - don't wait - FILE NOW!

The business of music is not as simple as many operators tend to believe. Unfortunately, the very simplistic view of the business of music taken by many Caribbean show promoters, artists and agents has lead to the making of some poor decisions that have set back not just these individuals, but the entire regional industry. The tendency of our artists and producers to seek advice and guidance from family, friends, and other uninformed artists and producers about the intricacies of the music industry should be discouraged, and more emphasis placed on seeking professional advice and guidance.