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. Laura Paglin, dir. Unseen, at Doc Fest SF, Roxie June  8, 8:30 p.m. and June 11, 7:15 p.m.

2. Berkeley World Music Festival: Patricio Angulo, President of Oyé Productions

Patricio Angulo has been in the music and entertainment industry since 1999. As a musician and event producer, he knows first hand what it takes to make any event run smoothly. His close connection to the current musical scene ensures that all artists represented by Oyé Productions are exciting, fresh, and professional.

3. Lloyd Meadows, Zydeco Flames, performing at the Berkeley World Music Festival 2017

4. Cherie Hill Irie Dance with new work premiering tonight and tomorrow in Oakland (Rebroadcast)

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 Black Infant Health Program Community Dance & Fundraiser, Sat., June 3, 7-11 p.m. at Westbay Community Center, 1290 Fillmore. Chauntil Bell, alum, & Jenee Johnson, Executive Director, join us this morning. 

2. Honorees & Keynote speaker: Dana Curtis, Phoebe Vanderhorst, Darlene Weide re: Community Board's 7th Annual SF Peacemaker Awards, Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City Club. 

3. Laura Elaine Ellis, executive director of the African & African American Performing Arts Coalition and co-director of the Black Choreographers Festival, speaks about Soul to Soul: An Artistic Response to Baldwin and Coates at ODC, June 3 & 10, 12:30 and 3 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. DJ Spooky joins us to talk about the SF Silent Film Festival's screening of Body and Soul, dir., Oscar Micheaux | USA, 1925 | 93 m., Friday, June 2, 7 p.m. at the Castro Theatre in SF

2. Gianna & Fely Tchaco,14th Annual Berkeley World Music Festival 6/10-6/11 (various locations)

3. Desiree Rogers (Deborah) & Jeunee Simon (Henrietta Lacks) join us to talk about Theatre First's production of HeLa at Live Oak Theatre through June 17. 

4. Pricilla: Queen of the Desert, at Theatre Rhinoceros: May 27-July 1, joining us are: Charles Peoples III (; John Fisher (Director), AeJayMitchell (Choreographer). Shows are at Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St., (at Battery St.) SF. Previews which begin 3/27-3/31 are pay what you wish.

1. Graham Lustig, Artistic Director, Oakland Ballet, joins us to talk about "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Odell Johnson Theatre at the Laney College, June 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 4 p.m. at Laney as well.

2. Cherie Hill, Artistic Director, IrieDance, joins us to talk about her new work.Terrestrial Footprints Part 2, June 2 & 3 at Alena Museum, a West Oakland space for African Diaspora art, 2725 Magnolia Street, 8 p.m. 

3. Laura Elaine Ellis , executive director of the African & African American Performing Arts Coalition and co-director of the Black Choreographers Festival curates: Soul to Soul: An Artistic Response to Baldwin and Coates, 6/3 and 6/10, a collaborative piece which draws on the writings of James Baldwin and Ta-Nehisi Coates to illuminate contemporary issues related to race and social justice at odc.dance/wddf and 415-863-9834.

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!

 

Guest: Danielle Wright, is a Visual Artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work investigates the language of materials and the delineation between artist and viewer/participant. In addition to her studio practice, she teaches art at Creativity Explored, a not-for-profit art gallery and studio in the Mission District of San Francisco.

She joins us to talk about her work and the exhibit she is a part of honoring the life of Yuri Kochiyama at SOMarts through next Thursday, May 25. 

2. Cherilyn Parsons, Founder & Executive Director, Bay Area Book Festival,June 3-4, 2017.

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 forbearers. 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. Andrew Wood, SFIAF  He founded the Festival in 2002. Prior to that I had over 10 years experience as a presenter and an artist manager working at places such as ODC Theater, Life on the Water, the Ethnic Dance Festival and the San Francisco Mime Troupe.

2. Eugene Redmond, Annual Tribute to Miles Davis, Henry Dumas, and Katherine Dunham. Three artistic giants who greatly impacted this city and the world will be honored Friday, May 19, 2017, at 6:30 pm in the Multipurpose Room of Building “D” on the Higher Education Campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), 601 J.R. Thompson Dr., East St. Louis (62201).Three artistic giants who greatly impacted this city and the world will be honored Friday, May 19, 2017, at 6:30 pm in the Multipurpose Room of Building “D” on the Higher Education Campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), 601 J.R. Thompson Dr., East St. Louis (62201).

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!

From the Archive

1. Luisah Teish on Sacred Space (3/14/2012)

Music: Zion Trinity's Opening Prayer Elegba, Victoria Theodore's "Grateful," Julia Steele Allen's "Words Are Seeds."

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. Safiya Fredericks, a Richmond native, most known for her work in IndepenDeandre Evans, playwright and Safiya Fredericks, director, join us to talk about a new play opening this weekend, May 6-7, 6-8 p.m., Richmond Renaissance at El Cerrito High School.

Evans acted in four theatrical productions over the last three years: “Te’s Harmony,” “Po’Boys Kitchen,” “The Adventure of Grief,” and “Bag Ladies’ Butterfly Blues.” His poetry and raps have been featured in The Bigger Picture Campaign and the Off/Page Project’s “This Is Home”—he is emerging as a well-respected voice in the important dialogue around food justice, low-income housing rights, mental health and other social justice issues in Richmond. Deandre teaches weekly spoken word workshops and helps to coordinate open mics at the RYSE Center, creating safe spaces for Richmond youth to express themselves.

2. Shifting Movement:Art Inspired by the Life &Work of Yuri Kochiyama (1921-2014) artists: Susan Almazol, Jocelyn Jackson, Lenore Chinn. 

3. Dorsey Nunn, Executive Director, LSPWC, joins us to speak about Quest for Democracy Advocacy Day at the state capital,  Monday May 8.

4. George Spencer, Musician & Composer, Piano & Trumpet is being featured at City College of San Francisco Advanced Band Workshop, Tuesday, May 9, 8 p.m.-10 p.m. with Professor David Hardiman Jr. at Diego Rivera Auditorium, City College Ocean Campus, 50 Phelan Avenue, SF.