Big City 101.3 FM’s Asia has rented out an entire hotel for Asia’s Ultimate Slumber Party August 21 weekend. Anytime “ultimate” is used, it better be one heck of an event. Featuring a pool party, BBQ, celebrity concert, after party, $500 spades tournament and special for men only and for women only shows this event certainly has the potential to live up to it. For more info and reservations  call 617.905.6685 or email ASIA@BIGCITYFM.COM.

Marvin Jones and Harold Austin cordially invite you to the next installment of their 30+ Professionals set on Friday July 23. Socialize, party, mingle, and network with a crowd of diverse, progressive professionals. Groove to the live music of “Elevation Theory” featuring Troy Durden followed by “Big Chicago” DJ Reggie Beas. Dress is chic and collared shirts/jackets for men. Limited free parking is available in the rear of Red Fez, located at 1222 Washington St. in the South End. $15 Admission.

The streets are buzzing with word of the Puerto Rican Festival returning July 23rd-25th to Franklin Park. Carnival rides, absent in years past, will return also. Friday is youth night with live music from 6pm-11pm. Saturday is international night with music and rides from 12pm-11pm. Sunday the parade departs from Malcolm X Boulevard and ends in Franklin Park with more music and rides.

(Pic via artdrum.com)

Tomorrow from sun up to sun down (9am-9pm) make your way down to City Hall Plaza for the 1st African Festival of Boston. This event is for all cultures to celebrate Africa. Event activities include music, performances and remarks by Governor Patrick and other politicians. For more info, visit the  Shalupe Foundation.

The much anticipated Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park returns July 13th to Franklin Park. Opening night kicks off with the Boston via Barbados Jazz sensation and New England Urban Music Award winner Elán Trotman. Bring the family, friends, and snacks to this free performance. For more information visit, http://www.franklinparkcoalition.org

(Pic via elantrotman.com)

UPDATE: This event is rescheduled to July 28th.

Join Entrepreneurs of Color Helping Others at their powerful learning and networking event on July 20th from 6pm-8pm. The July speaker will be Joselin Mane of BostonTweetUp (@BostonTweetUp) presenting on Social Media, What it is and How to Leverage It.  ECHO is held at United South End Settlements at 566 Columbus Ave. Free admission with RSVP but space is limited so register today at http://echojuly2010.eventbrite.com.

Catch the Barrouallie Whalers for one night only when they bring their Caribbean heritage to the stage at Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall from 8-10 p.m on June 17th. Discovered by Dan Lanier of Mystic Seaport’s Annual Sea Music Festival and Vincent Reid, the Barrouallie Whalers are made up of retired fishermen from the harbor town of Barrouallie located on the island of Saint Vincent. Shanties and other traditional songs including calypso lyrics are part of their repertoire. The Rum-Soaked Crooks from Buzzard’s Bay will open the evening. Tickets range from $5-$20 and may be purchased in advance at www.madison-park.org/node/128. This event was made possible by Madison Park Development Corporation to honor the Juneteenth homecoming reunion and Roxbury Cultural Week.

The MLK Summer Scholars program is looking for volunteer mentors for Friday morning workshops. The program provides summer jobs for more than 600 Boston teenagers, including weekly workshops that focus on youth success on the job, at school and in the community. Mentors will engage the youth in interactive exercises, conversation and reflection building on the weekly topic. For more info, click here (PDF).

The Color of Film & Haley House Bakery Cafe invite you a local dinner and a movie (or three) on Friday May 21. Sink your teeth into a local farm feast prepared by Kelly Dunn honoring John and Annette Lee of Brookline’s Allandale Farms. Cap that off with Sokly Hall’s rhubarb upside-down cake with whipped cream.
Now for the movie(s), Know your Roots: Eat Local by Sara DeForest & Scott Silverman, a selected excerpt from FRESH by Ana Sofia Joanes, and PLANTING FOR PEACE: Bury Seeds, Not Bodies by Michael Cermak will be shown with a discussion after each led by Nina LaNegra of The Roxbury Media Institute and Art is Life Itself). The event kicks off at 6pm and tickets are $25, including dinner. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/111784

Calling all entrepreneurs! Join us May 25th for the second installment of our new Entrepreneurs of Color Helping Others series. Our May speakers include Joel Mackall of ReIdren Business Group presenting Black Business/Organization Quality: What is in Us and Keesha O’Galdez of The Gourmet Diva performing a live taping for her “Kitchen Coaching” show. 6pm-8pm at United South End Settlements. Register here for free admission: http://echomay2010.eventbrite.com/.