Community events calendar Jan. 10-24

Saturday, Jan. 10
Hip Hop for Human Rights: Who says Hip Hop has lost its way? Not Amnesty International, which is sponsoring this Hip Hop for Human Rights Concert. Some of Miami's finest b-boys, backpack rappers, jazz fusionists, and outspoken intellects from Art Official, ¡Mayday!, LaGuardia, Brimstone127, The Brass King, LMS and even the break-dancin' Heartbreakerz Crew are channeling their artistry to shed light on the plight of the prisoners still detained at Guantanamo Bay, and call on President-elect Barack Obama to end torture and shut down Guantanamo entirely. The concert will begin at 9 p.m. at PS 14 at 28 NE 14th St. in Miami.

Rib Fest: Ah, ribs. A nearly forgotten delicacy. To help remind the general public of this great dish, Coral Reef Senior High School is sponsoring its own Rib Fest, complete with a rib-cooking contest, music, carnival rides and a motorcycle and classic car show. The Rib Fest takes place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $5. Coral Reef Senior High School is located at 10101 SW 152nd St. in South Miami-Dade. For more information, please call 305-232-2044, extension 2107.

Sunday, Jan. 11
Kulcha Shok Reggae Night: While some people consider Saturday to be the designated party night, many others are too wiped out from stressful jobs to do much other than sleep. But once you awake fully revived on Sunday with the urge to party, what exactly is there to do? Plenty. For one, check out Kulcha Shok Reggae Nights at Jazid, 1342 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Every Sunday, enjoy live music provided by the Visions band downstairs, or DJ Lance-O upstairs, who spins and screens reggae films. Reggae Night begins at 9 p.m. and admission is free during happy hour, which lasts until 11 p.m. For more information, please call 305-673-9372 or visit www.jazid.net.

Tuesday, Jan. 13
Grown and Sexy Tuesdays at the Improv Comedy Club: Feeling a little blue after this holiday season? Well, time and time again, the best remedy to ward off the blues is to laugh, laugh and laugh. So, check out the Improv Comedy Club's Grown and Sexy Tuesdays! The show, hosted by Miami's own Razor, starts at 8:30 p.m. and features some of the best-known comedic acts from BET's Comic View, HBO's Def Comedy Jam, and Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy. The club also offers you the chance to indulge in your favorite comfort foods with its very own soul food buffet! Admission is $10 and the buffet is $15. The club is located at 3390 Mary St. in Coconut Grove. For more information, please call 305-441-8200.

Shameless Self-Promotion Seminar: No one can toot your own horn better than you can, and in the business world, this saying is truer than ever. Using that logic, the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a free seminar about how to best promote your business no matter what the business climate is. The seminar starts at 12 p.m. until 2 a.m., but spacing is limited so RSVP immediately. Come early, bring lots of business cards and be ready to network! The seminar will take place at Imperial Point Medical Center, 6401 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. To RSVP, contact Joe Melton atjmelton@pompanobeachchamber.com or call 954-941-2940.

Thursday, Jan. 15
Ballet Bricka Children's Art Classes: Do you just know that your child has a hidden artistic talent just dying to burst out? If you're certain there is a talent, but uncertain what it is sign your child up for a dance, keyboarding or even drumming class at Willie Webb Sr. Park. These free classes are taught by instructors from Ballet Brika, South Florida's West African Dance Theatre. The classes start at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. For more information, please call Ms. House at 954-535-2835.

Author Keith Wyche: The South Florida chapter of the National Black MBA Association and the Urban League of Broward County invite the public to attend a general membership meeting to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The meeting features a lecture and autographed book signing by Keith Wyche, the author of Good is Not Enough. The meeting will take place at Nova Southeastern University's Knight Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Nova Southeastern University is located at 3301 College Avenue in Davie. For more information, log onto www.keithwyche.com.

Friday, Jan. 16
Sixth Annual Haitian Independence Festival: Don't wait till February to start celebrating your heritage. Start right now! One of the best ways to celebrate would be to attend the Sixth Annual Haitian Independence Festival. This year's festival lineup includes some of Haiti's most popular artists such as CaRiMi, T-Vice, Nu Look, Krezi Mizik, Zenglen, Hangout, and Kassav. These artists will provide in a variety of venues throughout the four day festival. The festival is the perfect setting to tempt your palette with delightful dishes, and connect with others who share the same passion for music, tradition and heritage. For exact locations and show times, visit http://events.sakapfetstore.com

Sunday, Jan. 18
Eat Well, Live Well Seminar: Habits are hard to break, especially habits concerning how you take care of your health. Muzart Kidz Konnection believes the best way to maintain health is to never let yourself learn unhealthy habits. So from 1 p.m. til 5 p.m., the center is offering an interactive seminar for children ages 5 to 10, that includes a cooking class, cardio class and even Pilates. Admission is $40 for the first child and $15 for each additional sibling, while parents are allowed in for free. For more information, please call 954-924-1133.

Tuesday, Jan. 20
Presidential Inauguration Luncheon: Are you unable to get your hands on tickets to an inauguration ball in Washington? Don't know how you can afford transportation to our nation's capital if you did have tickets? Have you even thought about where you'll be staying once you get into town? Save yourself the money and headaches, and stay in town to celebrate the inauguration. First Baptist Church of Piney Grove in Lauderdale Lakes invites the entire community to their Inauguration Day Luncheon. Doors open at the Hilton Deerfield Beach (100 Fairway Dr. Deerfield Beach) at 11 a.m. as the inauguration is televised live. Afterwards, rejoice with others over an elaborate luncheon. Tickets are $50. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.pineygroveevents.com or call the church office at 954-735-1500.

Saturday, Jan. 24
Zora Neale Hurston Festival Caravan: It's January again, which means its time for the 20th Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival! This year, instead of journeying to Eatonville by car, take the bus. The Beta Tau Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. sorority is providing round trip transportation to Eatonville, admission to festival grounds, reserved seating for main stage performances, and light refreshments! There will be three pick-up locations – the Joseph Caleb Center, 5400 NW 22nd Ave., Miami; North Dade Park and Ride at U.S. 441 and the Golden Glades interchange, 16000 North State Road 9 in Miami-Dade County; and the Broward Blvd. Tri-Rail Station near Interstate 95 and Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. The bus departs at an estimated 5 a.m. and returns at 10 p.m. Tickets for this package are $65, but reservations and money must be received by Jan. 12. For more information, please contact Anita McGruder at 305-310-3701or email at anitamcgruder@earthlink.net.