Wanda's Picks

Timothy Hull, an A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program grad who has been deployed to Iraq, speaks about Theatre of War Productions in Collaboration with A.C.T., USF this weekend: Sunday, Nov.13-14, 2011, 7 PM both days at University of San Francisco's Presentation Theater, 2350 Turk Blvd., San Francisco, CA. Reservations are recommended: 415.749.2228 or act-sf.org KALAKUTA @ Oasis Restaurant & Bar, Sat., Nov. 12, 2011 at 135 12th Street Oakland, CA from 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM, $10 before 11pm $15 after features: Wunmi World! afro-funk : afro-beat : house : soul : afro-couture: In the world of dance music, Wunmi is a one-off, an artist that effortlessly joins the dots between Nigeria’s Afrobeat heritage, New York’s house pedigree and London’s jazz, broken beat and classic street soul sounds. After ten years of classic collaborations working with production heavyweights like Masters At Work, Osunlade, Seiji and Truby Trio; Wunmi is finally flying solo with her acclaimed debut album, entitled A.L.A Born in London, Wunmi aka Ibiwunmi Omotayo Olufunke Felicity Olaiya lived in Nigeria for 10 years, returning to the UK at age 14. http://www.wunmi.com/ Robey Theatre Director, Ben Guillory & Playwright, Kurt Dana Maxey whose Pity the Proud Ones continues Friday-Sunday, Nov. 11-13 at LA Theatre Center www.thelatc.org  We close with cast from FELA! Adesola Osakalumi (Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Alternate), Nicole Chantal de Weever(Ensemble) & Oneika Phillips(Sandra U/S, Ensemble) who open at the Curran Theatre Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, 8 PM, continuing through Dec. 11, 2011, in San Francisco.

For many enthusiasts, David Murray Cuban Ensemble "Plays Nat King Cole" is in town this week with this new ensemble, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 11-13, 2011 at Yoshi's San Francisco, CA. He is already a jazz legend, if we look at the number of albums he has recorded, of concerts he has performed and at the number of awards with which his career to date has already been crowned (Grammy Award, Guggenheim Fellowship,  Bird Award, Danish Jazz Bar Prize, musician of the 80’s by the Village Voice…). However, just over a quarter of a century into his career, his music still expresses the verve and inspiration of youth, throughout a career which is prolific as much in terms of output as in terms of musical orientation (from the World Saxophone Quartet, of which he is one of the founders, to his octet, not forgetting his big band and the encounter with the Gwo Ka Masters of Guadeloupe, amongst many other groups and creations), all of it with the greatest musicians.  David Murray goes down as a worthy successor for some of the biggest names in jazz, and he is now contributing to the rise of young talents such as Lafayette Gilchrist, a young pianist who has already been widely acclaimed by the critics. Music: "Cachito," "A Media Luz," "Black Nat" from En español!

During her second year as a member of the resident artist company, Jouvanca Jean-Baptiste performs the roles of Nedda (Pagliacci), Violetta (La traviata) and Marguerite (Faust.) The Haitian-born soprano joined OSJ’s resident company during the 2010 – 2011 season, debuting in the title roles of Anna Karenina and Tosca and as Mimì in La bohème.Ms. Jean-Baptiste recently made her mainstage debut with Florida Grand Opera in the role of The Abbess in Suor Angelica. Previously, she sang with West Bay Opera, understudying the role of Cio-cio-san in Madama Butterfly. Other roles in the soprano’s repertoire include Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors) and Miss Rose (Lakmé). Oneika Phillips (Sandra U/S, Ensemble) From Grenada, West Indies, Oneika holds dual degrees in Dance Performance and Business Management from Shenandoah University, Virginia. Formerly a featured member of Abdel Salaama’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Oneika's theatre credits include the workshop, FELA! A New Musical, “Anita” in the 50th Anniversary International Tour of Jerome Robbins’s West Side Story, directed by Joey McKneely and nominated for The West End's Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, winning the Theatergoer’s Choice Award in the same category. Oneika is thrilled to return home to the shrine with the FELA! family for her Broadway debut. Oneika couldn't join us this morning. We'll speak with her on Friday morning. We play an encore interview with Susan Heyward, ACT SF's production of David Mamet's RACE through Nov. 13, 2011.

On Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, I was unable to broadcast these two interviews, with Banker White, director or WeOwnTV, debuting at Cinema by the Bay, 2 PM, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 or the interview with Naima and Fanta, who speak about the fundraiser, HAITI RISING, A benefit for Ayiti Resurrect, Sunday November 6, 2011, 4-9:00 p.m. @ The NeXus @ United Earth Networks, 1414 Harbour Way South, Suite #1010, Marina Bay, Richmond, CA 94804. WeOwnTV: Freetown in the Bay, Dir. Banker White, Black Nature, Saturday, November 5, 2:00 pm, SF Film Society | New People Cinema on Post Street in SF.  When San Francisco-based filmmaker Banker White made Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars (2005), a documentary about six musicians who form a band while living in a refugee camp in Guinea, he made the extraordinary decision to try to help others in Freetown by developing a collaborative media project with other Sierra Leoneans. This program will present a series of the considerable array of styles, such as newscasts, art films and traditional tales now being produced by WeOwnTV in Sierra Leone. On Fete Gede, the night of Festival of the Ancestors (Haitian Day of the Dead), we will gather to honor those who passed in the earthquake and all celebrate the resilience, survival and self-determination of our Haitian family. An inspiring array of artists from coast to coast with bloodlines in the Haitian Diaspora across the globe are coming together to being a powerful offering to Spirit, and to support the collaborative healing work Ayiti Ressurect is engaged in Leogane, Comier, Haiti. Get over any hesitation about going to Richmond on Sunday night, to this post-industrial temple filled with magical sculptures and creative sanctuary. We will be drunk on the synergy of poetry choreographed to movement, medicine distilled from song, music carved from the hollow spaces transformation creates in our lives.

As a singer, RACHELLE FERRELL is a quintuple threat: Besides having success as a jazz singer, she is also well respected in the R&B, pop, gospel, and classical music genres as well. Known for her six octave range, Ferrell is also an accomplished pianist who has worked with Lou Rawls, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams, and George Duke. For tickets call (800) 380-3095 or www.TheRrazzRoom.com David Mamet's RACE at ACT-SF through Nov. 13, 2011 features SUSAN HEYWARD as "Susan," whose credits include: in New York: Ruined (Manhattan Theatre Club), Nathan the Wise and The Oedipus Cycle (The Pearl Theatre Company), I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady from Rwanda (The Phoenix Ensemble), and The Snow Queen (Urban Stages), as well as readings at The Public Theater and Red Bull Theater. Regional credits include Sabrina Fair (Ford’s Theatre), The Master Builder (Yale Repertory Theatre), You Can’t Take It with You (Peterborough Players), and numerous plays with the American Shakespeare Center, including, Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest, Othello, Hamlet, Pericles, and As You Like It. Film and television credits include Ma’George, The Big Date, Oedipus, Revelations, 30 Rock, Law & Order, and Michael and Michael Have Issues. She received her training at Carnegie Mellon University and the Moscow Art Theatre School of Acting.

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. Periodically, we will rebroadcast shows, what we call, "From the Archives."

In 1997, Patricia Wright was sentenced to life without parole for a crime she didn’t commit. Now, she’s facing another sentence, one no judge or jury can overturn: Patricia has stage IV breast cancer, and all she wants is to spend the remainder of her days at home, with her family by her side. We are joined by Patricia's younger sister, Arletta Vanessa Wright, daughter Mistey Ramdhan and son, Alfey Ramdhan. For information visit http://sfbayview.com/2011/three-strikes-holds-dying-innocent-woman-behind-bars-justice-for-patricia-wright-and-her-family/ Next we have high school teacher Karla Brundage joining us to talk about a poetry reading organized by one of her senior students, Sabrina for the MAAFA Commemoration POETRY reading Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, 1:30-2:30 PM at the Oakland Public Library, Brad Walters Community Room, 125 14th Street, on the Madison Street side. This event is being sponsored by the OPL Teen Center. Director Sam Burbank and a programmer from the San Francisco Film Society join us to talk about Cinema by the Bay, Nov. 3-6, 2011 at New People in Japantown in SF, 1746 Post Street. Sam's film, Where's My Stuff, screens Sat., Oct. 5. Go for the entire day beginning at 2 PM with WeOwnTV: Freetown in the Bay with dir. Banker White. We close with TheLady Sunrise who has a concert this evening, 7:30 PM (doors open) at The 57th Street Gallery, 5701 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. For reservations visit: www.57thStreetGallery.com  Music: Destiny Muhammad, Rev. Liza Rankow, Lady Sunrise (live).

Today we will talk to Alicia Jrapko about Cuba’s Youngest Cultural Ambassadors Make Rare U.S. Appearance LA COLMENITA, this week in the San Francisco Bay Area for final performances of: Abracadabra, written by Children, touches on the U.S.-Cuba relationship, Fri. October 28, 7:30pm: Fort Mason Center, Cowell Theater and Sat. October 29, 2:00pm: Fort Mason Center, Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, Cowell Theater, Marina Blvd and Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA. For tickets visit: (510) 219-0092 or www.lacolmenitacuba.com Since its formation in 1990, La Colmenita, which translates to “The Little Beehive,” has charmed audiences in more than 25 countries.  During its two-week visit, the cast of La Colmenita hopes to begin forging friendships with young Americans whose knowledge of Cuba has been limited to U.S. history books. Their visit comes at an important moment in U.S.-Cuba relations, with leaders in both countries acknowledging the important role that cultural diplomacy can play in reducing conflicts and improving understanding.  We close with a prerecored interview with director, Jeff Warrick about his film, Programming The Nation which opens Oct. 28, 2011 at the Balboa Theater in San Francisco.

Live interview with Robert Jones re: Lympedema Fundraiser. For a coupon email him at [email protected] for a coupon for the fundraiser for the Lymphedema Society at Fresh Choice in San Leandro, 15555 E. 14th Street, Suite 105, San Leandro, CA 94578, (510) 278-5404. Each Saturday in November and December,9AM to 9 PM. This Sat., Oct. 29, 2011. Other prerecorded interviews:  Rev. Liza Rankow and Destiny Muhammad about Spirit Sound Silence Retreat and Farryn Johnson, Disney On Ice's Princess Tiana, on H. elp One Child Disney on Ice Costume Giveaway

"Inner Oasis" with Liza and Destiny opens the program. The two women join us to talk about the final OneLife Insitute for Spirituality & Social Transformation Spirit, Sound & Silence Retreat this weekend, Saturday, October 29, 2011, 10 AM to 4 PM, at the Holy Redeemer Center, 8945 Golf Links Rd., in Oakland. Call (510) 595-5598 or [email protected]

Liza J. Rankow(Board Chair for One Life Institute)is an interfaith minister and the founding director of OneLife Institute. She holds a B.A. in Human Development from Hampshire College, Bachelors and Masters degrees in Health Sciences from Duke University School of Medicine, and a Ph.D. in Religion and Social Transformation from Union Institute & University. Destiny, Sound Sculptress, mesmerizes her audience with the her musical imagery. She writes classical/ crossover eclectic jazz for for vocals and harp. Destiny is expanding her musical ideals with her project(s) S.O.N.G/ Strings of a Nubian Groove Nubian string ensemble,The Destiny Muhammad Jazz Trio, & The Richard Howell Quintet (RHQ) and venturing into the world of Pedal Harps on her Salvi Daphne 46- string Concert Harp. Destiny is Governor Emeritus and Educational Chair Emeritus of the Recording Academy, San Francisco Chapter and the Principle Harpist for the Oakland Public Conservatory Orchestra.