Latest news with #Books&Books
New York Post
24-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Dem Rep. Eugene Vindman's campaign dropped nearly $39K at Florida bookstore where his bro held signing events for his bestseller
Rep. Eugene Vindman's campaign shelled out $38,783 in what it labeled a 'fundraising expense' last month at a Florida bookstore where his brother held signing events for his best-selling book criticizing Western policy toward Russia, financial disclosures reveal. Vindman's twin brother, Alexander — a retired Army lieutenant colonel who was a key figure in President Trump's first impeachment — bragged about signing hundreds of copies of his tome 'The Folly of Realism' at Books & Books around the time of his brother's mysterious campaign outlays. Books & Books has multiple stores around the Miami area, but an employee at the Coral Gables store confirmed to The Post Wednesday that Alexander Vindman had book signings at that location, which is where the campaign payments were directed. That individual also said that Eugene Vindman's team had asked earlier in the day what the store would do if a reporter came around asking questions. Freshman Rep. Eugene Vindman just won former Rep. Abigail Spanberger's old seat last November. Getty Images Federal Election Commission records do not specify what the purported 'fundraising expense' entailed, or whether those funds went to bulk purchases of Alexander Vindman's book, which briefly cracked the New York Times 'hardcover nonfiction' bestseller list for the week ending March 16. 'The Folly of Realism' was released Feb. 25 from Hachette Book Group at an initial cost of $30. Ten days later, on March 7, the Eugene Vindman campaign made a $7,809.55 payment to Books & Books. A second payment, for $30,972.97, was processed March 20. Over the past 15 years, there has been no FEC record of major political fundraisers at Books & Books, with only a few expenses for meals totaling no more than $54 listed by groups such as Emily's List and former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferré's unsuccessful 2010 campaign for the US Senate. Alexander Vindman provided key testimony in the first impeachment over President Trump's pressure campaign against Ukraine to dig up dirt on the Bidens. Patsy Lynch/REX FEC records show that Books & Books was the only Florida-based company that received payments from Vindman's campaign during the first quarter of 2025. On March 9, two days after the $7,810 payment to Books & Books, Alexander Vindman posted a photo of himself signing scores of copies of 'The Folly of Realism.' On March 21, a day after the second payment of $30,973 was made, Eugene Vindman posted photos on social media showing him at a Chili cookoff in Caroline County, Va. the prior day. On April 12, Alexander Vindman announced he had signed 800 more copies of his book at the Florida store. The Post reached out to reps for both Vindman brothers for comment. The Post also contacted Books & Books management to inquire about whether a political fundraiser took place at the store. Eugene Vindman narrowly won the race to represent Virginia's 7th District on a message of fighting against corruption, touting his efforts to aid his twin brother against Trump. 'Eugene Vindman's hypocrisy is rich,' National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Maureen O'Toole told The Post. 'Vindman is in Congress to advance his own out of touch agenda and, apparently, bail out his family's abysmal literary endeavors,' she added. 'Virginians will kick this lying loser to the curb next November.' The Post previously reported that the now-congressman declined to answer questions last year about whether his taxpayer-funded trips to Ukraine played a role in his business ventures of trying to sell weapons to Kyiv. Eugene Vindman had bragged to the Prince William Times in late 2023 about making 14 trips to the war-torn country, funded by the 'Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group' State Department program. During that timeframe, his company, Trident Support LLC worked to sell the Ukrainian government a weapons system. That company also used the same PO box as Vindman's congressional campaign. Vindman took in $125,000 from Trident in early 2024 despite reports that he did not earn a salary from the company, financial disclosures show.
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Miami Herald
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Haitian author Laferrière celebrates French language in Miami appearances this weekend
Before he became an offiicial guardian of the French language, the exiled Haitian journalist-turned novelist Dany Laferrière called Miami home. From the colorful vibes and vibrancy of the community, so close to his childhood home in Haiti, Laferrière wrote 10 novels. In fact of his 16 books on Haiti, a dozen were written in Miami, where he encountered people from his childhood in Petit-Goâve and Port-au-Prince. Among them was his mother's seamstress, an encounter he recalled in a piece last year as he reflected on the gang horror in his homeland. It was a rare insight for an author who admits to not taking the expected path and prefers to combat horror by opposing it 'with beauty and tenderness.' Laferrière, 71, is back in Miami this week, celebrating the French language with two public events as part of Francophonie month. Now a celebrated author and one of the so-called 'immortals' with his historic 2013 election into the French Academy — the main authority on the French language — Laferrière is claimed by both Haiti and Canada. Laferrière will mark International Day of La Francophone with a visit at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace, in Miami at 5 p.m. Saturday. While free, registration at eventbrite is required. If you miss him in Little Haiti, where he will be discussing some of his 38 books and celebrating French, which is spoken by more than 300 million people worldwide, you can catch him at 7 p.m. Monday at Books & Books in Coral Gables. An Evening with Dany Laferrière is free and open to the public. The tour is part of an effort to promote intercultural dialogue and is sponsored by the consulate generals of Canada, Haiti and France in Miami, the Office of the Government of Quebec in Miami and the Alliance Francaise. In a piece he wrote last year reflecting on the tragedy of Haiti, Laferrière, whose father was also forced to live in exile, recalled his mother's determination for him to receive an education and how she carried herself with grace despite the problems around her. 'Here we are once again on the edge of the precipice, and it seems that all we can think about is forms of power,' he wrote. He recalled meeting his mother's seamstress in Miami and how she informed him about how his mother, Marie, had made it 'a point of honor to ensure that the inside of her dress was as delicately made as the outside, even if it meant paying double the price.' 'And yet, she was a poor woman whose husband had lived in exile for decades, and who had to raise two children alone. Situations like this are common in this country,' he said. 'For all those who see no connection between this art of living I'm publishing today and who find me casual and carefree in the face of tragedy, I am a couturier trying to make a garment whose inside is as neat as the outside, to fulfill my mother's injunction about dignity,' Laferrière wrote. Laferrière has developed a large following of his works, which blend humor, reflection and poetry and keeps Haitian culture and French literature alive. He received the 2006 Governor General Literary Award winner for his book Je suis fou de Vava. His debut 1985 novel, 'How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired,' a satirical exploration of race and politics, was made into a film. Born in 1953 in Haiti, Laferrière grew up in coastal Petit-Goâve, south of Port-au-Prince. As a young journalist, he fled Haiti in 1978 for Montreal after a colleague was killed. He went on to become a leading voice in Francophone literature, winning numerous accolades. One of his biggest was his election on the first round into the elite Académie Française. He became only the second Black person and the youngest person to join the academy. Founded in 1635, the elite club is charged with safeguarding the French language, which includes updating a dictionary and advising on usage. Its members serve for life.
Axios
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Arts community rallies behind O Cinema before Miami Beach eviction vote
The arts community continued to rally to O Cinema's support ahead of what's bound to be one of the most watched actions taken by Miami Beach commissioners in recent years: voting whether to terminate the independent theater's lease. Why it matters: The conflict over O Cinema's screenings of "No Other Land" has sparked a global firestorm — a debate over freedom of speech that has inspired local artists and famous filmmakers to weigh in against what they see as government censorship. More than 600 filmmakers signed a letter urging Miami Beach commissioners to reject the proposed eviction. The latest: Resistance to Mayor Steven Meiner's proposal culminated Tuesday with local activists and civil rights leaders again condemning the mayor's move and a Miami Beach native hosting a free, online screening of the film for residents. Representatives from O Cinema met with Meiner Monday morning, but no agreement was reached, the Miami Herald reported. The intrigue: Meiner proposed alternative legislation Tuesday that would "encourage" O Cinema to show films that "highlight a fair and balanced viewpoint" of the war in Gaza. During a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday evening, Meiner said he was surprised by the level of outcry over his eviction proposal but said he did not regret his actions. Meiner reupped his criticism of "No Other Land" as "one-sided propaganda" and said Jewish people are "soldiers" in a "propaganda war." "Free speech is sacrosanct, but hate speech not so much, especially when it has the ability to cause significant damage." As of Tuesday evening, the eviction proposal remained on the commission agenda but Meiner encouraged commissioners to support his alternative resolution. "That's a win for everybody." Between the lines: Made by a directorial team of two Israelis and two Palestinians, the film documents the Israeli government's demolition of homes in Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank. What they're saying: During a news conference Tuesday morning, Books & Books founder Mitchell Kaplan cautioned against censorship and the chilling effect of a "Yes" vote. "When local officials attempt to silence a film, they cross a very dangerous line," he said. "If a city government can punish a theater for screening a film some politicians dislike, what stops it from banning books, censoring museum exhibits, not to mention theater, dance and music performances?" "This is an issue that starts at O Cinema, but it has a ripple effect if it goes unchecked," said Kareem Tabsch, the theater's co-founder.
Miami Herald
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Black History Month events
Here are South Florida events commemorating February's Black History Month Feb. 1: Movie in the Park: Screening of 'Wakanda Forever,' a tribute to the legacy of the Black Panther franchise. Free popcorn available while supplies last. Refreshments sold on-site. Bring a blanket and enjoy; 6 P.M., Altos Del Mar Park, 241 77th St., Miami Beach. Free. Feb. 1: Art & Soul: Celebrate the 12th anniversary of the social and fundraising event supporting the Fund for Black Art with an evening of art, cocktails, music and dancing under the stars; 6 p.m.-midnight; Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; tickets start at $200. Feb. 1: An Evening with Dr. Marvin Dunn: Explore the history and legacy of the Rosewood Massacre of 1923 through an insightful lecture and exhibit; 5:30-6:30 p.m., Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables. Free. Feb. 1: Stories of Resistance from Black Miami's Sip of History: Panel discussion focuses on the enduring struggle, resilience and resistance of Black communities in Miami in response to racial injustice. Features Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marleine Bastien; historian Lonnie Lawrence, and Dr. Adora Obi Nweze, president of the Florida State Conference NAACP, sharing their stories of the significant contributions of Black Miamians to social justice movements; 2-4 p.m., HistoryMiami Museum, South Building, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami. $5 members, $15 non-members. Feb. 5: Jazz Men: An Evening of Music and Conversation with author Larry Tyre and special performance by Young Musicians Unite Jazz Ensemble; 7:30-9 p.m., Miami Beach JCC, 4221 Pine Tree Dr., Miami Beach. Free. Feb. 5: Awkward Dinner: Exploring Caribbean Legacy and Identity: Through food and guided dialogue, participants explore topics relevant to MOCA's exhibition by Andrea Chung and themes specific to the South Florida environment. Limited-capacity event; 6-9 p.m., MOCA Paradise Courtyard, 770 NE 125th St., North Miami. $55-$91. Feb. 7: Black History Night Celebration: The Black Affairs Advisory Committee presents the 2025 Community Award to Olympian Twanisha 'TeeTee' Terry. Also features cultural performances by after-school participants, music, rides, food and crafts; 6-9 p.m., North Shore Park Youth Center, 501 72nd St., Miami Beach. Free. Feb. 7: Kilombo: Exhibition of large-scale documentary photographs, a tribute to the resilience and vitality of the African legacy in Brazil, represents the work of Maria Daniel Balcazar, a prize-winning documentary photographer and visual anthropologist; 7:15 p.m., Lummus Park, The Betsy South Beach, 1433 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Free. Feb. 8: Soul Vegan & Seafood Festival: The ninth annual event celebrates Black History Month through the lens of food, drink, health, sustainability and fun on the sands of Miami Beach; 1-6:30 p.m., Lummus Park, Ocean Drive between Sixth and Seventh streets. Free. Feb. 13: 'Never Drop the Ball:' Screening of the documentary that chronicles the remarkable journey of Black baseball players who helped transform the sport from a segregated pastime into a global phenomenon. A panel discussion follows with Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, baseball historian Abel Sanchez. Moderated by Tom Hudson of WLRN News; 6:30 p.m., SoundScape Park, 1670 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Free. Feb. 16: Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion: Presenting West African Beats: One Song, a musical journey through the African diaspora curated by violinist/vocalist Nicole Yarling; 4 p.m., Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. $37-$53. Feb. 18: Heritage Fest: Performances by local artists, sample delicious food from various vendors and jam to beats pumping onto the dance floor; 3 p.m., Adrienne Arsht Center, Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Free. 305-949-6722. Feb. 19: Time and Place: Multitudes of Black Experience in Miami: Panel discussion delves into the history and cultural significance of Black Miami, inspired by the work of artist Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo; 6:30-8 p.m., Miami-Dade College's Padrón Campus, 627 SW 27th Ave., Room 201, Miami. Free. 305-237-7700. Feb. 20: Hued Songs: Building belonging, empathy and community for all, Hued Songs weaves and performs a tapestry of song and spoken word by an all-women cast, centering on female resistance, freedom and liberation of self; 6-9 p.m., The Bass Museum, 2100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Free. Feb. 20: Shattered Structures: Looking Back 15 Years to the Earthquake in Haiti: The exhibition focuses on Haiti's architectural legacy and its fragility as documented in photographs of buildings taken following the 2010 earthquake; 6- 8 p.m., FIU-Miami Beach Urban Studios, 420 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Free. Feb. 22: Cuban Folk Dance Traditions - Exploring African Roots: Learn dance steps used in various music genres of Cuba such as Rumba, Salsa and Afro-Cuban folk, while exploring their African roots and cultural significance, with Marisol Blanco, master dancer and artist-in-residence; 2 p.m., HistoryMiami Museum, South Building, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami. Free. Feb. 27: Botanical Garden Groove: A night of music, art and culture, featuring live sets from PAPERWATER, DJ Duality, Pressure Point and DJ Dluxe, showcasing an eclectic mix of footwork, Baltimore house, jungle and juke. Also includes creative activities; 6-10 p.m., Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach. Free. Feb. 27: Portraits of the Blues: Celebrate the legacy of blues music through live performances and engaging stories that highlight its cultural significance; 12:40-1:55 p.m., Miami-Dade College West Campus, 3800 NW 115th Ave., Doral. Free. March 2: Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival: The 28th annual festival features a tribute to bassist and composer Jaco Pastorius; Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, 819 NW Second Ave., Miami. $20-$230.
