Wanda's Picks

1. Mina Morita joins us to talk about Crowded Fire's Matchbox Play Reading Series: http://www.crowdedfire.org/2019-Matchbox-Reading-Series/

Ms. Morita is the Artistic Director of Crowded Fire Theater, a critically acclaimed, intrepid, female-led company dedicated to developing a fierce contemporary theater canon that reflects the plurality of our world. Previously, she served as the Artistic Associate at Berkeley Repertory Theatre—and a founding member of its Ground Floor program; as Board President of Shotgun Players; as a 2014 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab participant; as one of the founding members of Bay Area Children's Theatre; as Community Arts Panelist with the Zellerbach Family Foundation; Panelist for the Getty Leadership Summit; and Guest Artist at UC Berkeley and Stanford University. She is a recipient of Theatre Bay Area’s 2014 award for Best Director of a Musical: Tier II and TBA's 2016, 40@40 award for her impact on Bay Area Theater. In 2015, Mina was honored to share her story on TEDx, and in 2016, she was chosen as one of the YBCA100, for "asking questions and making provocations that will shape the future of culture." 

2. We speak to Tamika Baptiste and Paige Mayers, Single Black Female 1 & 2, in Lorrianne Hansberry Theatre's production of Lisa B. Thompson's play, directed by AeJay Mitchell. Runs Friday-Sunday, 8 p.m. Sat. (matinee at 3 p.m. too) and Sun. matinee only. Visit https://www.lhtsf.org/single-black-female

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

We open the show with conversations with directors, curators, and dancers featured in the 10th Annual San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Nov. 2-4 and Nov. 9-10 at Brava Theatre. 

Afia Thompson, dir. MAPENZI

Laura Ellis, moderator of a discussion about activism and the arts after the Raising Voices shorts program on Nov 9, 6pm at Brava (the program includes MAPENZI and the other If Cities Could Dance-- Oakland).https://www.sfdancefilmfest.org/festival-films/2019-program/raising-voices/

Kabreshiona Smith, dancer, in If Cities Could Dance: Richmond 

2. We speak to Dr. Rachel Carrico, an Assistant Professor of Dance Studies in the School of Theatre + Dance at the University of Florida. Her research explores the aesthetic, political, and social histories of second lining, an improvisational dance form rooted in New Orleans's African diaspora parading traditions. She will give a lecture Friday evening, Nov. 1, on the intersection of New Orleans and Oakland Dance traditions. Program starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit performingarts.mills.edu

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

1. SF Doc Stories this weekend! Nov. 1-4 sffilm.org  We speak to Rachel Rosen, Director of Programming for SFFILM since 2009. From 2001–2009, she was Director of Programming for Film Independent and the Los Angeles Film Festival. 

3. Top Shelf Classic's Royalty of Soul: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight at Boxcar Theatre Friday-Sat., Nov. 8-9, 8 p.m., 644 Broadway, San Francisco

Guests: LaDonna Trotman: Director of Top Shelf Classics, as well as Corporate Executive IT Project Manager, Assistant Vice President for PMO, recently retired and focusing 100% on Production Company as well as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly. With a genuine care for making a difference in one’s life by bringing joy, even if just for a moment, If Top Shelf’s performance can touch one person with positivity and take them to a place in time that brings them peace, then our job is complete. 

 

Brenda Knight, Collaborative partner for event concepts and production

 

Wanda Diamond, Top Shelf’s featured performer for next week’s performance

 

Visit https://www.boxcartheatre.org/top-shelf-classics.html

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

1. Cathleen Riddley (Mary Tyrone) in Ubuntu Theatre Project's Long Days Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill extended through Nov. 3 at The Flax Building in Oakland. ubuntutheaterproject.com

2. Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series will present something different, topical and engaging: Kenyan comedian and performance artist Anna Mwalagho’s one-woman show, Never Thought I Was Black Till I Came to America. Through comedy, storytelling, music and truth, Ms. Mwalagho looks at race and race relations in the US through the immigrant experience.

The performance will be given Thursday, October 24, at 7 pm in the James Moore Theater at the Oakland Museum of California, located at 1000 Oak Street. Popular Bay Area comedian and activist Don Lacy will introduce the evening.

Admission is free and due to the limited seating, reservations are required by calling the Freedom Center at 510-434-3988.

Check out the video of Anna Mwalagho, her work and what audiences have to say about her one-woman show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3i4duvKOYc

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

1. Always in Season director, producer, writer, Jacqueline Olive joins us to talk about this remarkable yet tragic story about Black lives that seems to always be in season. 

Roxie in SF, 10/23 (preview) and 11/1-7 screenings https://www.roxie.com

https://www.alwaysinseasonfilm.com/team

2. Adia Tamar Whitaker, Have K(no)w Fear: A Bluessical: is an undoing spell that wants to untie all the knots that choke the future at ODC Oct. 18-19 https://odc.dance/Bluessical

3. Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake shares information about Dr. Howard Thurman and The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples which is having its 75th Anniversary this weekend, Oct. 19-20 with a Forum and Convocation

http://fellowshipsf.org/2019/10/75th-anniversary-jubilee-weekend-celebration/

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

1. Adia Tamar Whitaker, Artistic Director of the 19-year old Brooklyn based dance theater ensemble Àse Dance Theatre Collective, joins us to talk about the West Coast premiere of "Have K(No!)W Fear: A Bluessical, Oct. 17-19, 2019, Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. at ODC Theater, 3153 17th Street, SF. odc.dance/Bluessical (415) 863-9834.

2. Jess Curtis/Gravity presents (in)Visible Oct. 10-13 at CounterPulse, 80 Turk Street, in SF. Jess joins us with Sherwood Chen and Gabriel Christian, dancers, choreographers, to talk about this new work. www.jesscurtisgravity.org/invisible or 415-626-2060.

3. Rebroadcast 9/25/2019 with Stella Heath: The Billie Holiday Project at Feinsteins at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, Oct. 10, 2019.

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks/2019/10/09/wandas-picks-radio-show

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

Rev. Dr. Dorsey Odell Blake joins us to talk about the 75th Jubilee of The Church for the Fellowship of All People this weekend, Sat.-Sun., Oct. 19-20. The free celebration includes the Dorsey O. Blake Forum for Social Transformation, 10/19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the 24th Annual Convocation, 10/20, 3 p.m. fellowshipsf.org

Dr. Blake has served as Presiding Minister of The Church for The Fellowship of All Peoples (San Francisco) since 1994. He also serves as Faculty Associate at Pacific School of Religion. Dr. Blake has extensive field ministry experience with interfaith groups addressing justice and peace issues. Dr. Blake has conducted seminars and workshops locally and nationally including one with Rajmahon Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. He is the recipient of numerous community service awards. In 2000, he traveled to Morocco with an interfaith delegation of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in a quest to promote interfaith respect and cooperation.  In October 2010 he met His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and served on an interfaith panel responding to his teachings

We close with another conversation, from the archives, Howard Thurman Special with Rev. Liza Rankow and Rev. Dr. Blake, recorded Nov. 8, 2010.  Howard Thurman interview with Landrum Bolling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGX4-Wv9UD0

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

1. Billy X Jennings, It's About Time Black Panther Party, joins us to talk about Black Panther Party History Month, October 2019 http://itsabouttimebpp.com/

 

2. Alan Clark Illustrator, Author, Coach, Supervillain, PhantomElectrik.com, DailyEarthPost.com joins us to talk about Rise of the Black Panther, Oct. 11, 7-9 pm at Alley Cat Book, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco 

 

3. Dr. Ayodele Nzinga joins us to talk about the run of Iya Iya's House of Burning Souls: "I will have what's mine. . ."  Visit lowerbottomplayaz.com

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

1. Adia Tamar Whitaker, Artistic Director of the 19-year old Brooklyn based dance theater ensemble Àse Dance Theatre Collective, joins us to talk about the West Coast premiere of "Have K(No!)W Fear: A Bluessical, Oct. 17-19, 2019, Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. at ODC Theater, 3153 17th Street, SF. odc.dance/Bluessical

(415) 863-9834.

2. Jess Curtis/Gravity presents (in)Visible Oct. 10-13 at CounterPulse, 80 Turk Street, in SF. Jess joins us with Sherwood Chen and Gabriel Christian, dancers, choreographers, to talk about this new work. 

www.jesscurtisgravity.org/invisible or 415-626-2060.

3. Rebroadcast 9/25/2019 with Stella Heath: The Billie Holiday Project at Feinsteins at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, Oct. 10, 2019.

http://tobtr.com/s/11530597