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!

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. Darren Canady (playwright) and Lauren Spencer (director) join us to talk about the new work: Black Butterflies, July 25-August 5 at ACT Strand Theatre and Destiny Arts. 

2. Nilan Johnson, Endangered Species at Bay Area Playwrights Festival this week

3. Bennett Fisher, Damscus at Bay Area Playwrights Festival this week

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. Darren Canady (playwright) & Lauren Spencer (director) join us to speak about Black Butterflies, A Collaborative Youth Arts Project presented by A.C.T.’s Education & Community Programs and Young Conservatory, and Destiny Arts Center in Oakland

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. Imani Mitchell, President of Black Women United, joins us to speak about the first Black Women's March, Ain't I A Woman in Sacramento, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.,  Sat., July 15, 2017.  

2. SF Ethnic Dance Festival, July 15-16:  Mahealani Uchiyama (Zimbabwean Mbira) Zena Carlota (West African Kora). Arnaud Loubayi, Bitezo Bia Kongo (Congolese Traditional) 

3. Rose Lyles, 26th Annual Black Expo, July 22-23 at Oakland Arena, Eastside Club. bayareablackexpo.com

4. Jay Rosenblatt (Program Director), 27th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, July 20-Aug. 6.

Robert Philipson, dir. Body & Soul: An American Bridge, Sun., 7/23, 6:45 p.m,, at Castro in SF, Cinearts, Monday, July 24, 6:10 p.m., Friday, July 28, Albany Twin, 3:55 p.m.

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. Imani Mitchell, President of Black Women United, joins us to speak about the first Black Women's March, Ain't I A Woman in Sacramento, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.,  Sat., July 15, 2017.  

2. SF Ethnic Dance Festival, July 15-16:  Mahealani Uchiyama (Zimbabwean Mbira) Zena Carlota (West African Kora). Arnaud Loubayi, Bitezo Bia Kongo (Congolese Traditional) 

3. Rose Lyles, 26th Annual Black Expo, July 22-23 at Oakland Arena, Eastside Club. bayareablackexpo.com

4. Jay Rosenblatt (Program Director), 27th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, July 20-Aug. 6.

Robert Philipson, dir. Body & Soul: An American Bridge, Sun., 7/23, 6:45 p.m,, at Castro in SF, Cinearts, Monday, July 24, 6:10 p.m., Friday, July 28, Albany Twin, 3:55 p.m.

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!

San Francisco's own bluesy, soulful singer and guitarist Quinn DeVeaux blends New Orleans soul and early blues with contagious dance rhythms. DeVeaux has been thrilling lovers of rollicking early R&B, and a good time, for years.

Quinn DeVeaux, who opens the 80th Annual Stern Grove Concert season with Kool and the Gang, on Sunday, June 25, has according to one reviewer, "the smoothest yet dirty spank you voice we've heard in decades. With all the style and subtlety of the great soul/blues singers of the earth bound golden days. His honest and telling delivery grabs you and paints a story on the wall of your mind where you’ll long to stay and admire the view" (artist website).

2. Rene Marie archived interview, June 29, 2011. 

Music: Meklit & Quinn; Mark Lomax; Rene Marie

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. Million Prisoners March Laila Halima Aziz, I Am We Ubuntu, on Washington Organizers and Robert King and Albert Woodfox, Angola 3, Malik Rahim--all three Human Rights Activists and Prison Abolishionists. 

2. Carl Lumbly (Gil Scott Heron) & Rafael Jordan (Steve Barron), cast, from Han Ong's Grandeur, currently at The Magic Theatre, join us to talk about the work which centers on Gil Scott Heron.

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. Tammy Robinson, Ed.D., Dean, Global Learning Programs and Services at Skyline College joins us to talk about the Mandela Scholars arriving June 16. 

2. Rotimi, musican, joins us to talk about his band GBADUNN's upcoming concert, "Africa in Style," tomorrow, June 15, 7-10 p.m. at Kingston 11 in downtown Oakland.

We play music by: Meklit & Quinn, Meklit Hadero, Sowethu Gospel Choir and close with Michael White: "The Land of Spirit and Light" parts 1-3.

Juneteenth in Oakland, CA: 562 Bellevue Ave., 11-1, 6/10; Friends of the Negro Spirituals, 1-4 p.m., 1801 Adeline Street, Oakland.

1. Wanda Ravernell, Executive Director is the visionary of Omnira Institute and promoter and manager for Awon Ohun Omnira, (Voices of Freedom) and serves as the narrator for its performances.June 10 is Omnira Institute's 10th annual Ritual of Remembrance commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation that includes acknowledging several of the faiths of the captives who would become slaves during the Slave Trade Era. 

Bisola Marignay, Ph.D., educator, performing artist, writer, and therapeutic facilitator and board member of Friends of the Negro Spirituals. FNS Juneteenth program is 6/17, 1 p.m. at the West Oakland Library Complex. 

2.  Micky Duxbury, Berkeley resident, is a freelance writer and an advocate for change in the criminal justice system conceived and developed the Welcome Home Project book project at John O’Lague Galleria, 777 B Street @ Hayward City Hall through 7/28. 

Reception:5:30-7:30 p.m. 6/9.

3. Laura Elaine Ellis joins us to talk about Soul to Soul, a part of ODC's Walking Distance Dance Festival, in San Francisco. The free program is at 12:30 p.m. in collaboration with Joanna Haigood's Zaccho Dance Theatre at Joe Goode Annex in SF. 

4. Jose Alfredo Ramirez Fuentes, professor and researcher at the University of El Salvador joins us to talk about Libations for the Ancestors this summer, the 4th Annual Celebration August 26.

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. Karla M. Wynn Diouf has served as ADACI’s Director of Public Relations since 1994; Francisco J. Tovar B.,Venezuelan scholar and activist, also director and Founder of the Institute of Afro-Diasporic Studies (IEA); Luther Gray, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, with Danys “LaMora” Perez-Prades, dir. Oyu Oro Experimental Dance Ensemble from Cuba and Francisco Mores (musician). 

2. Trevor R. Getz & Soumyaa Behrens join us to talk about Abina and the Important Men: A Graphic History, the film having its world premiere as a part of the SF Black Film Festival, free screening at the deYoung Museum, 6 p.m., Fri., June 16. 

3. L. Peter Callender, Artistic Director, African American Shakespeare Company joins us to talk about The Winter's Tale opening, June 9 and continuing through June 17.