Wanda's Picks

Deepa Dhanraj is a writer, director, and producer living in Bangalore, South India. She has produced and directed numerous an award-winning documentaries such as her latest film, Invoking Justice, which is a part of CAAM Film Festival 2013. Other films are: Something Like a War (Channel 4); The Legacy of Malthus (BBC 2); Sudesha (Faust Film/ARD); Nari Adalat/Women's Courts; and What Has Happened to This City? Her films have been screened on BBC, ARTE, ZDF, CBC, and SBS. Her films have been invited to festivals such as IDFA, Berlinale, Leipzig, Oberhausen, Films deFemmes, Creteil France,Tampere, Vancouver, and Chicago. She has a special interest in education and has created video materials to address challenges faced by first generation learners. Bill Bell, jazz pianist, composer, arranger has earned the title "Jazz Professor" for completing over 30 years of successful University and College jazz teaching.  He joins us to talk about his Spring concert Sunday, March 17, 2013 in Oakland. Before retiring in 2001, he was chairman of the music department at the College of Alameda for the last twenty years of his tenure there.  He was widely known for directing award winning jazz bands and small ensembles at both the College of Alameda and at Stanford.  He also held an adjunct position in jazz improvisation at the University of California, Berkeley. He was awarded the Beacon Award from the San Francisco Jazz for outstanding contribution to jazz education and performance in 2005.  With a proven background in jazz education, he maintains a busy schedule of workshops and lecture demonstrations with his trio and quartet “The Jazz Connection”. We close with an interview with Albert Mazibuko of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, celebrating its 50th Anniversary year with a live CD "Singing for Peace Around the World."

Today we speak to Jennifer Phang about her futuristic thriller, Advantageous, which is screening with Mekong Hotel as a part of CAAM Festival Sat., March 16, 4 p.m. at PFA and Sun., Mar. 17, at 2:10 p.m.. at New People. In the film, Gwen is the spokesperson for a radical technology allowing people to overcome their natural disadvantages and begin life anew. But when her job and family are in crisis, will she undergo the procedure herself? Phang's presents an interesting premise. What will a mother sacrifice for her daughter’s future? Advantageous is an amazing playing out of the patriarchal system—and the look, a woman's look, "more universal" which means ethnic erasure. A true melting pot with benefits for the most visually assimilated. Gwen, a single mom, with school fees to pay, is suddenly too old to advance in her company and too Asian looking for that universal face caamedia.org Stephen Vittoria, director of "Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu Jamal," opens at the New Parkway today (3/8-14/2013) with screenings at 4 and 7:30 p.m.. thenewparkway.com We have a chance interview with Rachel West from "Global Women Strike" who tells about "The RISE out of Poverty Act" reintroduced last month by Congresswoman Gwen Moore (Wisconsin). There is an International Women's Day event planned in LA to stop the construction of a new women's prison http://www.globalwomenstrike.net/Emory Douglas, Revolutionary Artist and former Min. of Culture for the Black Panther Party speaks about his travels and work, women and civil action. He is giving an artist talk at the Harvey Milk Photo Center, 50 Dubose Street, in San Francisco, Sat., March 9, 2013, 1-4 p.m.. (415) 554-9522.

Rhodessa Jones joins us to talk about her latest work, The Resurrection of SHE opening at Brava Theatre where she is the current Artist in Residence March 28-April 7, 2013. Ms. Jones is Co-Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed San Francisco performance company Cultural Odyssey. An actress, teacher, singer, and writer, Jones is also the founder and director of the Medea Project: Theater for Incarcerated Women. On January 29, 2013 San Francisco Mayor Lee presented the 2013 Mayor's Art Award to Rhodessa Jones for her “lifetime of artistic achievement and enduring commitment to the role of the arts in civic life”. Rhodessa was selected as an "ARTS ENVOY" by the U.S. Department of State, Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau in June/July 2012. She received grant support to journey to South Africa to continue her work in collaboration with Urban Voices Festival inside the Naturena Women's Prison in Johannesburg, South Africa and then journey on to participate in the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. She has received many awards for her work including a United States Artist Fellowship to support her work in 2007, an Honorary Doctorate from California College of the Arts, a San Francisco Bay Guardian GOLDIE Lifetime Achievement Award, an Otto Rene Castillo Award for Political Theater, and a San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Award.  Visit www.brava.org Music: Meklit Hadero's Walls, Ruthie Foster's Truth; Rene Marie's Just My Imagination.

We open with a rebroadcast of an interview with Joanna Haigood re: Sailing Away Sept. 13-16, 2012 on Market Street in San Francisco. Out & Equal at Work edited by Selisse Berry contributor:Christie Hardwick has more than thirty years of experience with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations and grassroots organizing efforts. She is also past president of the National Board of Directors for GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network. She provides strategic thinking and personal guidance services to clients across the United States. Christie has facilitated the Out & Equal Executive Forum since 2008. Shirlene Holmes, playwright's work "A Lady and A Woman" is having its West coast debut next week, March 7-24 at the Eureka Theatre in SF. Dr. Holmes is an Associate Professor at Georgia State University presently. Her dramas are rooted in the African American experience and give voice to the marginalized in society and celebrate the profundity of the common person.

www.TheRhino.org  Dave Christensen, dir. The Harvey Milk Photo Center, a San Francisco Recreation and Park facility, and Jennifer McFarland, dir., The Pirkle Jones Foundation join us to speak about artists Pirkle Jones and Ruth-Marion Baruch's Black Power/Flower Power an exhibit currently up through March 23 at the Havey Milk Photo Center in San Francisco, 50 Scott Street at Duboce in San Francisco. Visit http://www.pirklejones.com/ and harveymilkphotocenter.org Music: Abraham Burton's Amina and Judith Sephuma's LeTshephile Mang.

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the writing, visual and performing arts of African people in the Diaspora. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work filled with raw unfettered passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! Remember to tune in on Wednesdays from 6 AM PST to 7 or 8 AM and on Fridays from 8 AM to 10 AM. We also host special broadcasts from time to time.

The continuing story of Jerri Lange, a former Chronicle reporter; SFSU professor and longtime television host whose groundbreaking broadcasting career spanned several decades.

Now in her late 80s, Jerri is still exploring, most recently becoming the student of a Master Zen Buddhist priest.  This exhibit follows not only her past work but focuses on her love for Japan and her ongoing spiritual journey.

Meet Ms. Lange, Sunday, February 24, 2013, 2 PM in the Koret Auditorium, Lower Level, Main Library. http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=1012883001

Belva Davis has been a fixture in Bay Area journalism for more than five decades. Since becoming the first black female television journalist in the West in 1964, she has covered events of local, national, and international scope. Her tribute, hosted by former SF Mayor Willie Brown is Feb. 23, 7 p.m. is at YBCA's Forum. Visit http://ybca.org/belvadavis

Teri Simmons pops into the studio to talk about the big free gospel concert this weekend, Sunday, Feb. 24, 4 p.m. at St. Paul's AME Church in Berkeley, CA http://www.stpaulberkeley.com  concert this weekend

Black Choreographers Festival Here and Now 9 concludes this weekend with Next Wave, new, seasoned and up and coming artists. We are joined by Serenity, Afia Thompson and Nafi Watson-Thompson, featured choreographers this weekend.

Visitwww.bcfhereandnow.com Music arranged by Teri Simmons, "His Eye is on the Sparrow/It is well with my Lord."

Ms. Aisha Brown who joins us to talk about African American Organizations Making Connections 2, this Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Laney College in Oakland, CA, works as a Senior Legislative Aide for Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson in the Fifth District. For over ten years, Aisha has worked for Supervisor Carson on policy in the areas of workforce and economic development, STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math), social services, early care and education, and housing. Ms. Brown is a native of Oakland, CA, graduating from Skyline High School. She attended San Francisco State University where she received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management. Ms. Brown is the President of Black Women Organized For Political Action (BWOPA), the Oakland/Berkeley Chapter, one of the oldest women’s political organizations in the state of California. To register visit: http://aamakingconnections2013.eventbrite.com/#Omitola Toluwalase Akinwunmi, MA, psychology, MS,  counseling, certificated/credentialed Professional counselor, Master Herbalist, student of life.  She says her purpose in this life is to each day "learn a lesson and to teach a lesson and love herself so that she knows how to love others as she participates fully in the life experience. Kajara Nia Yaa Nebthet, founder of RA SEKHI ARTS TEMPLE OF HEALING, is a Heal Thyself Ambassador of Wellness, Natural Healer, Priestess, Community Activist, Afrikan Holistic Health Consultant, Spiritual Warrior, Sacred Woman, Educator, Mother, Tree hugger and Nature lover who has dedicated her life to promote health, wellness and natural living to our community. They speak about the annual Whole Healing Arts, Feb. 22-24, 2013. Visit http://rasekhi.webs.com/aboutus.htm

We open with an interview with Mama Charlotte Hill O'Neal about her "Heal the Community Tour 2013"; We then shift into a conversation with Rev. Dr. Leslie White, senior pastor of St. Paul AME Church, 2420 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA, about the Second Annual Voices of Healing Concert, Feb. 24, 2013, 4 p.m. Admission is free. We close with a rebroadcast of an interview with Whitney Young's neice, Bonnie Boswell, about her film Power Broker:Whitney Young's Fight for Civl Rights, which airs Feb. 18, 2013 on ITVS.

This is a rebroadcast of the June 22, 2012 show: Gina Breedlove speaks about the community healing:One Billion Rising Bay Area, 6/24/12, at Civic Center Park (MLK At Allston Way, across from Berkeley High). http://www.bayarearising We close with an interview with San Francisco Silent Film Festival director, Anita Monga about "Silent Winter," a day long series of wonderful film classics with live musical performances this Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, 10 am until. The festival takes place at the Castro theatre in San Francisco. Visit www.silentfilm.org for all day passes and information on programming.

Bryant Bolling, speaks to us about TuBeNu Productions "Black Like Me in America: A Musical Journey through Slavery, at Joyce Gordon Gallery, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, 4-6 p.m. It is a free event. He was joined by Derek "Mac Quan," a wonderful poet who will share the program with Bryant. Next in the studio is Kim McMillon playwright who drops in to talk about her latest work, "Black Heaven" and a staged reading at The Frank Bette Center, 7-9 p.m., 1601 Paru Street (at Lincoln) in Alameda, CA, (510) 523-6957. This is another free event (smile). Victor Lawhorn was commissioned to write a play about aviator, Bessie Coleman, 12 years ago. "A Shadow in the Clouds: The Story of Bessie Coleman," which opens tonight at Black Rep in Berkeley. He is joined by actress Nathalie Autumn Bennett, who plays Queen Bessie. We close with our annual conversation with Laura Elaine Ellis with special guests, among them Latanya Tigner and Deborah Vaughn to talk about this years celebration of Dimensions Dance Theatre and "The 9th Anniversary of Black Choreographers Here and Now" opening at Laney College Theatre, Feb. 9, 2013, 8 p.m.