Wanda's Picks

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. We continue our discussion with members of the cast in Ishmael Reed's latest play, "The Conductor," directed by Carla Blank, is a play in two acts. It has four (4) virtual live streamed readings this week, Thursday-Sunday, October 13-16 at Theater for the New City, https://theaterforthenewcity.net/shows/the-conductor/

When: Thursday Oct. 13, Friday Oct.14, Saturday  Oct.15 at 8:00 pm & Sunday Oct. 16 matinee at 3:00 pm; Tickets $18.00; Phone 212-254-1109

Cast for The Conductor readings includes Emil Guillermo, Imran Javaid, Tennessee Reed, Laura Robards, Monisha Shiva, Brian Simmons, and Kenya Wilson. Joining us today are: Imran Javaid, Laura Robards, Monisha Shiva, and Kenya Wilson.

2. Mildred Inez Lewis, playwright, joins us to talk about the world premiere of her homage to George C. Wolfe, "The Museum Annex," directed by Elizabeth Carter, at Central Works in Berkeley, Oct. 15-Nov. 13 Visit http://centralworks.org/the-womens-annex/

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. We speak to Ishmael Reed, playwright, and Emil Guillermo, actor as (Gabriel Noitallde), and Carla Blank, director, about Reed's latest work "The Conductor", a play, in 2 acts, performed October 13-15, in 4 live streamed virtual readings. Visit https://theaterforthenewcity.net/shows/the-conductor/

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 speak to Malik Rahim, veteran, former Black Panther, environmentalist, community organizer on the 17th Anniversity of Hurrican Katrina (August 29, 2005-August 29, 2022).

https://www.southerncultures.org/article/malik-rahims-black-radical-environmentalism/

https://www.facebook.com/malik.rahim.330

Music and poetry: Phyllis Montana-Leblanc; Nana Sula; Baba Luther "Bamboula".

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! 

Today we speak to Brother Jalil Muntaquim, Political Prisoner, Activist, Author, Poet. His seminal text: "We Are Our Own Liberators" was just released this week and is in its 3rd edition now. He's in town this weekend, Friday, he's speaking at the People's Programs, Friday, August 26, 2022, 95 Linden Street, Ste. !, 6 PM, Oakland, CA.

https://www.peoplesprograms.com/

https://blackdragonmme.com/new-releases/

We conclude with an archived Marcus Garvey Special, Aug. 17, 2011.

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. We have a freewheeling conversation with award-winning playwright, Cleavon Smith. "The Incrementalist" is up at the Aurora Theatre for a few more weeks-- through May 15. Discount code for $10 off: "wandaspicks." Don't miss it. https://auroratheatre.org/

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 speak to Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Oakland's Inaugural Poet Laureate, about her vision for the City.

https://www.ayodelenzinga.com/about/

Upcoming Events:  

https://www.facebook.com/WordSlanger/

We spoke to Quincy Troupe, author, poet, about his latest work, "Duende." It is a collection that spans 50 years of a creative life fully embodied. Taped in Zoom, this audio only approximates the honor it is to speak to such a magnificent human being 3 months before his 83rd revolution around so(u)l. 

He has a few more appearances this month:

1. National Poetry Month: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, NY Public Library, Iris Project, Thursday, April 14 (free, in person and virtual)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/between-the-lines-duende-poems-1966-now-by-quincy-troupe-tickets-302280518167

2. With Mildred Howard and David Murray at the close of the "The House that Will not Pass for Any Color than Its Own." Friday, April 16, from 4 to 6pm at Belvedere Plaza (just north of the North Cove Marina) to mark the end of the artwork’s stay in Manhattan’s Battery Park City.

3. Poet, Quincy Troupe | DUENDE: Poems 1966- Now | Reading & Book Signing at the Carrie Chen Gallery on Saturday, April 23 from 4-5pm, 16 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

4. NY Society Library, Apr. 28, 6 PM ET Livestream (free)

https://www.nysoclib.org/events/livestream-quincy-troupe-duende-poems-1966-now

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 speak to Kathryn Seabron, curator, Bay Area Women's Theatre Festival BIWOC Play Reading Series, April featured Playwright: Alejandra Maria Rivas," La Paloma" has one more reading, Monday, April 18, at Aurora Theater Company, 2081 Addison Street , Berkeley.

May Featured Playwright, Tracy Baxter, "Kudzu 2012", goes up, Monday, May 2 @Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th Street, San Francisco and Monday, May 16, at the Aurora Theater Company, 2081 Addison Street, Berkeley. We have a wonderful and lively conversation which you can watch at FB.com/wandaspicks

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. We speak to Yeye Luisah Teish about the Olokun Rising Ritual, April 8-13, 2022. 

http://www.yeyeluisahteish.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!

Virtual Interview podcast version: Theatre Rhinoceros's presents: "How Black Mothers Say I Love You", directed Tanika Baptiste, written by Trey Anthony; and Carla Banudejesus, actor join us to talk about this play at Theatre Rhino in SF  https://therhino.org/

Dates: March 17 – April 3, 2022

Where: Spark Arts, 4229 18th Street, SF, in the Castro. West Coast Premiere.

 

Meet Claudette, now in her late thirties, who travels to visit her dying mother Daphne in Brooklyn, but that doesn’t stop her anger and abandonment issues from bubbling up. It doesn’t stop Daphne from voicing her opinions on how Claudette lives her life, either. With Daphne, Claudette, and another daughter Valerie all under one roof again, each family member is forced to confront her emotions while there’s still time.