newletter from Calabar imports

		Home Furnishings, Fashion, Jewelry & Cosmetics

In This Issue:

African, Asian, & South American Items: 3/1/06

	• 1. WHAT'S NEW AT CALABAR? NEW DOMAIN, PERKSCARD, EGYPTIAN SILVER JEWELRY AND GIFTS		• 4. Calabar Imports Travels: Egypt and Nigeria
	• 2. Designing Sundays @ Calabar Imports, Brooklyn, NY		• 5. Calabar Imports: Our Global Giving Project and About Us
	• 3. Calabar Imports EXHIBITION: BLACK AND TAN FANTASY: Photography by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn		• 6. Out and About with Calabar Imports: CALABAR IMPORTS Area, Prospect Heights and Crown Heights area EVENTS

1. WHAT'S NEW AT CALABAR? NEW DOMAIN, PERKSCARD, EGYPTIAN SILVER JEWELRY AND GIFTS

Every two weeks, this newsletter will feature any new services, products and events we have at Calabar Imports. To participate - please email or call us. In the month of March, Calabar Imports spotlights women artists, writers, designers, entrepreneurs and businesses in the New York City area. This is our way of recognizing the passage of Women's History Month. Please send us an email if you would like us to spotlight you. Please write Spotlight in the subject line: info@calabar-imports.com Three cheers for Kissa Thompson's Buttafly Unlimited at http://www.buttaflyunltd.com for 5 years in business. Support a growing Urban Wear that calls you to B. U. From the creative mind of Deirdre Scott, just stop by to check out her latest project, The Existentialist-LCD at http://existentialist-lcd.blogspot.com/. Totally insane and we just love her new idea: the Free from Scandal - Postage Stamp. Finally, explore the world of Trudi Miller's Clinchdesign, a multidisciplinary studio devoted to the study and design of habitable environments for the body, ranging from apparel and accessories to furniture and architecture, http://www.clinchdesign.com 1. NEW DOMAIN: Calabar Imports can now be found at 2 places: http://www.calabarimports.com and we are also still at http://www.calabar-imports.com. What's the difference? We are now have 2 url's or 2 domains and we love it if you share both with your friends and colleagues. 2. PERKS CARD: We joined the PerksCard Program which gives 15,000 healthcare professionals in the Greater New York area discounts to shopping with us. If you have a PerksCard, then come into our shop or shop with us online. The PerksCard program can be found at http://www.perkscard.com 3. EGYPTIAN SILVER JEWELRY AND GIFTS: We have begun to expand our costume jewelry collection with Silver pendants and necklaces. Let Egyptian hieroglyphic and Nefertiti symbols accent your body with great pendants like the "Key of Life" sign or Ankh. The Ancient Egyptians consider it a symbol of eternal life. From brass pyramids to stone sculpture, we help you decorate your home with unique Egyptian cultural artifacts. 4. NIGERIAN FABRICS: As part of our tribute to the end of Black History, we continue to expand our collection of Nigerian fabrics. With a cost of $5 per yard, and colors that are both intense and vibrant, Calabar Imports provides a great price and product. Nigerian fabric prints ,according to historian Philip Shea, have tremendous variety, beauty, flamboyance, colors, textures, elegance and style that are all immediately striking. These fabrics are a result of many centuries of development and of considerable investment in time, energy, enterprise, ingenuity and capital. Besides oil, cloth-making is one of Nigeria's most important technical activity. 5. CHANGE IS A GOOD THING: Starting March 16, Atim Annette Oton, one of our partners will be transitioning from her role as the Associate Chair of Product Design at Parsons School of Design (now called Parsons The New School for Design) to concentrate on Calabar Imports. Big Change? Yes, and it's a great thing; so expect More Events, More Travel and More Workshops from us. See you online, offline, at our blog and on the streets. Calabar Imports would like to remind you that we open on Wednesday and Saturday from 11am. Remember, we open at 1pm on the other days. THIS IS CALABAR IMPORTS' NEWSLETTER - PASS THIS ON - and please send a friend this issue today: http://www.topica.com/f/v.html?500001162.500001358 VISIT OUR BLOG and BLOG IN

2. Designing Sundays @ Calabar Imports, Brooklyn, NY

Last month, our event and workshop series: Designing Sundays @ Calabar Imports, Brooklyn, NY took shape and we are seeking to expand it to event day - either on Thursday or Friday evening. We are seeking ideas and people to collaborate with us on this. Just send us an email at info@calabar-imports.com and we love to hear from you. We end February with one event - which will go down on Saturday, so there is still time to see this. ********************************************** Event: BLACK AND TAN FANTASY: Photography by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn ********************************************** Coming down this Saturday. Black and Tan Fantasy is an intimate exhibition of subtle moments from Laylah Amatullah Barrayn travels. From Brooklyn to Kuala Lumpur, the images are visual stations along her continuous journey to document the world through letters and lenses. *View flier and leave message: http://blackandtanfantasy.blogspot.com/ About the Artist: A native New Yorker residing in Brooklyn, she has studied Letters and Journalism at New York University and Universitie Cheikh Anta Diop and Senegal, West Africa. As a journalist she has visited South Africa, Dubai, Morocco, Malaysia, Singapore, and many other nations on writing assignments. Her photography has been exhibited at several New York City galleries, most recently part of the MX80 Exhibit on view at the Brecht Forum Gallery. Also, her images have been included in the Smithsonian's photography anthology BLACK: A Celebration of a Culture and the upcoming photo essay book entitled Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, both edited by Dr. Deborah Willis. Where: Calabar Imports is at 820 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn, between Lincoln Place and St John's Place. Contact: 718-638-4288 or info@calabar-imports.com March starts with a look at business entrepreneurship, art and culture. We present women exposing their processes and ways of thinking about how commerce, design and art intertwine. ********************************************** FIRST SATURDAY at Calabar Imports ********************************************** When: March 4, 2006 at 4pm -12 midnight We remain open until midnight to serve all the museum goers and our neighborhood. We encourage you to come on out with lots of friends and we would love it if you stop by and say hello. ********************************************** Opening a Retail Store: The Do's and Don't of Retail Design and Business by Atim Annette Oton, co-Owner, Calabar Imports. ********************************************** When: March 5, 2006 at 4pm This workshop is about opening and running a retail store. Using Calabar Imports as a prototype, it will discuss the process of developing and growing a brand and the costs involved. A CD that documents the seminar will be available for purchase at $50. To participate, please register at 718-638-4288 or at info@calabar-imports.com Where: Calabar Imports, 820 Washington Avenue (between Lincoln Pl. and St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Contact Info: 718-638-4288 and/or email: info@calabar-imports.com RSVP required: info@calabar-imports.com Cost: $10 per person We would like to thank Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for listing this event in their calendar at http://www.ibrooklyn.com and also, a wonderful surprise for us, the Fulton Street Mall Association listed this event at http://www.fultonstreet.org/ ********************************************** Florine Demosthene: Paradise ********************************************** Florine Demosthene b.1971, raised in Haiti and New York Florine Demosthene's work deals with issues of race and representation and how visual signs commodify and fetishize a specific aspect of a culture. Her Paradise series tackles this theme explicitly, examining how stereotypical images, under the guise of tourism, has been internalize by both black and white cultures. Through drawings and installations, Demosthene investigates the commodification of Caribbean culture, land and people and the re-invigoration of racial and gender divides. When: March 12- April 15, 2006 Where: Calabar Imports, 820 Washington Avenue (between Lincoln Pl. and St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Contact Info: 718-638-4288 and/or email: info@calabar-imports.com RSVP required: info@calabar-imports.com ********************************************** CALABAR STORIES: African Story Telling by Dr. Arit Essien READING AND PERFORMANCE: A series of four Efik Stories from Calabar, Nigeria and fables are read and performed by Dr. Essien. ********************************************** We are now able to present this event again as it was rescheduled due to the snow storm of 2' snow last month. When: March 19, 2006, 4pm About Artist: Dr. Arit Essien is a theater artist and producer of African plays and dramas. She has received her PhD in Theater from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her study of Efik folk drama: two plays by E.A. Edyang in 1985 which was submitted to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Old Residency, at the International Seminar the Story of Old Calabar in Calabar, Nigeria in 1986. More details: Light refreshments will be served Where: Calabar Imports, 820 Washington Avenue (between Lincoln Pl. and St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Contact Info: 718-638-4288 and/or email: info@calabar-imports.com Cost: FREE ********************************************** Headwraps by Osun Designs ********************************************** Come learn how to tie a head wrap with Osun Design. There will be demonstrations and a short workshop. Be the first one to take home a head wrapping video, the HeadWraps book and some fabric with us. Where: Calabar Imports, 820 Washington Avenue (between Lincoln Pl. and St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Contact Info: 718-638-4288 and/or email: info@calabar-imports.com RSVP required: info@calabar-imports.com Cost: $10 per person A Video is available for Headwrapping at $20 Designing Sundays

3. Calabar Imports EXHIBITION: BLACK AND TAN FANTASY: Photography by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn

Our fifth exhibition entitled BLACK AND TAN FANTASY: Photography by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn opened Sunday, February 5, 2006 and closes March 5, 2006. Black and Tan Fantasy is an intimate exhibition of subtle moments from Laylah Amatullah Barrayn travels. From Brooklyn to Kuala Lumpur, the images are visual stations along her continuous journey to document the world through letters and lenses. *View flier and leave message: http://blackandtanfantasy.blogspot.com/ About the Artist: A native New Yorker residing in Brooklyn, she has studied Letters and Journalism at New York University and Universitie Cheikh Anta Diop and Senegal, West Africa. As a journalist she has visited South Africa, Dubai, Morocco, Malaysia, Singapore, and many other nations on writing assignments. Her photography has been exhibited at several New York City galleries, most recently part of the MX80 Exhibit on view at the Brecht Forum Gallery. Also, her images have been included in the Smithsonian's photography anthology BLACK: A Celebration of a Culture and the upcoming photo essay book entitled Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, both edited by Dr. Deborah Willis. (see photos on the right, photos provided courtesy and copyrights of Laylah Amatullah Barrayn). Where: Calabar Imports is at 820 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn, between Lincoln Place and St John's Place. Contact: 718-638-4288 or info@calabar-imports.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EXHIBITING AT CALABAR IMPORTS? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Interested in exhibiting in our space. Art and Commerce is the big idea. The goal: getting artists to show in their community and getting some of their work sold. How can you participate? Simple: we have a few rules. African, African-American, Asian and Latino heritage. Why? Calabar Imports gets its work from these continents and focuses its business sales in these four ethnic groups. Please send an email with 3 images of work - 72 dpi only and a short bio to info@calabar-imports.com and you will hear from us. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GIFT CERTIFICATES: NOW AVAILABLE. We have them in $5, $10, 20, $50, 75 and $100 increments. Email us at info@calabar-imports.com to purchase them today. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Calabar Imports: EXHIBITIONS: Photography by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn

4. Calabar Imports Travels: Egypt and Nigeria

Heloise, our travel buyer just returned from a trip to Cairo, Egypt; Kano, Nigeria; Lagos, Nigeria and Calabar, Nigeria with musical instruments, table-top accessories and fabric. These items are now on our shelves in our store and are seeking good homes. Her travels spurred ideas from a series of our customers. They asked if we could organize a tour to these 2 countries this summer. We are thinking about it and here's what we are exploring: Cairo and Kano Travel Shopping with Calabar Imports We will look to leave from New York in mid August for about 10 days and this will include: 6 days in Cairo with 2 day shopping in the largets market and 2 day tour of the city and 2 days in NUBIA - just added 4 days in Kano with 2 day shopping in the largets market and 2 day tour of the city About Cairo: Khan el-Khalili Market is the largest North African market and was once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period. Now it is usually just called the 'Khan'. The tour of Cairo includes seeing the Egyptian Museum, Pyramids in Giza, Old Cairo, the nile, pyramids and of course the market. About Kano: Kano is popular for its traditional arts and cracts, including leather work, weaving, pottery and wood carving. They can be found at the largest market in West Africa - Kurmi Market. Sites to see include the Emir's Palace, Baturiya Birds Estuary, the ancient city walls and gates, first build about 900 years ago, Gidan Makaman Museum, Kofar Mata Dyeing pits (believed to be the oldest in Africa), Kano Zoological Garden at Gankum Albaba, Kazaure Rock Ranges and the famous Tiga Dam (and Bagauda Lake Hotel) Estimated cost: $4500 - $5000, will include hotel, some meals, bus and entry fees to some sites. Is this enticing enough? What do you think? Is this something you would be interested in participating in? If you are, please drop us an email and include your name, telephone and address so we can contact you as soon as the trip details are finalized. Please indicate TRIP in the subject line of your email to us at info@calabar-imports.com ********************************************** Calabar Imports is a member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, NYC and Co, NYC's tourism agency. As a retail store, we encourage others to join this 2 organizations: Please visit the chamber at http://www.ibrooklyn.com/ and NYC and co. at http://www.nycvisit.com/home/index.cfm Get connected and Get involved. ********************************************** Calabar Imports

5. Calabar Imports: Our Global Giving Project and About Us

GLOBAL GIVING in AFRICA: Join us for GLOBAL GIVING in AFRICA- Starting this month, Calabar Imports is initiating social entrepreneurship by becoming a conduit for Africans who need help. Through Global Giving (they locate groups that need assistance, see http://www.globalgiving.com , we will feature them in our newsletter and ask you to help. This week, this headline about women in the Timara Tama Rural Women's Group in Ghana sparked our attention and curiosity: Ghana: Accused "witches" upgrade vocational tools Women accused of being witches are permanently banned from village life. Until this practice can be addressed, processing shea butter and "dawa-dawa" spice produces just enough income for survival. See http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/500/proj478a.html They need only $8,000 - Yes, just $8,000 and since there are 72,000 people on this list, we are asking: Can you help with just $10 as we stated the ball rolling today? Not sure: please visit Global Giving’s website- they are a great organization and a conduit for this initiative. They are a tax-deductible donation. And thank you for participating. Please send an email to us if you have donated and also to Global Giving saying we sent you. ABOUT US: Calabar Imports is a specialty retail and gift store for discerning, quality-conscious buyers of home furnishings, unique crafted jewelry, fashion and brand cosmetics sold at moderate prices. We are a destination place that customers come back to repeatedly. We specialize in distinct hand-made and imported home decor, table top accessories, and furnishings from across the global especially the intriguing continents of Africa, Asia and South America. Calabar Imports is at 820 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn, between Lincoln Place and St John's Place. Calabar Imports is open from 1pm - 9pm daily and can be reached at 718-638-4288. Our website is http://www.calabar-imports.com. We are members of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. and NYC and Co, New York’s Tourism agency. FOR THE MONTHS OF MARCH- JUNE 30, 2006, WE ARE OFFERING AD SPACES IN THIS NEWSLETTER FOR $37.50, THAT'S HALF PRICE. JUST CLICK BELOW PLACE AD HERE -IT GOES OUT TO 72,000 PEOPLE NOW- 60% African Amer. (AA) Women, 15% Latinas, 15% AA Men, 10% others. REACH THEM AT Just $37.50 TODAY.

6. Out and About with Calabar Imports: CALABAR IMPORTS Area, Prospect Heights and Crown Heights area EVENTS

CALABAR IMPORTS Area, Prospect Heights and Crown Heights area EVENTS: ********************************************** REEL SISTERS OFFERS ALL CALABAR IMPORTS NEWSLETTER READERS A DISCOUNT, SEE BELOW: The 9th Annual Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series will take place March 10-12, 2006 at the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University's newly renovated Kumble Theater. This year's festival theme, "Jump at de Sun: Exploring Zora Neale Hurston's Reel Life" will celebrate Hurston as an inspiration for women filmmakers. Award-winning filmmaker Julie Dash, director of Daughters of the Dust, will be honored with the Reel Sisters Pioneer Award and Zora's niece, biographer Lucy Anne Hurston, will receive the Trailblazer Award at the opening night gala on Friday, March 10 at 6:30 pm The gala will feature performances by actress Kim Brockington, dancer Marlies Yearby and poet Liza Jesse Petersen as well as an excerpt from writer/producer Kristy Andersen's new documentary, Black South: The Life Journey of Zora Neale Hurston. WBLS Radio host Ann Tripp will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. Reel Sisters Film Festival is pleased to offer Calabar Imports e-newsletter subscribers a limited time discount of $10 off the ticket price for the March 10th gala event. The Reel Sisters Film Festival gala ticket offer is good only through March 6th. This offer is only applicable to the March 10th gala event. Ticket sales must be transacted via phone 718-488-1052 or 718-865-2982 or in-person at the Kumble Theatre box office on the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University (Flatbush & DeKalb Avenues). When ordering gala tickets, please refer to Code: reelsisters20. Advance ticket sales requests for groups and organizations are welcomed. Regards, Reel Sisters Film Festival Advisory Board Committee ********************************************** Do you have an event you would like us to participate in? Calabar Imports does vendors tables, street fairs, auctions and fund-raisers, so feel free to email us at info@calabar-imports.com or call us at 718-638-4288 REEL SISTERS FESTIVAL: Jump at de Sun

This email newsletter is from Calabar Imports, a Brooklyn-based specialty retail and gift store. This newsletter goes to about 70,000 people. Please address all contact to the store at 820 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238 and at 718-638-4288 or to info@calabar-imports.com Calabar Imports