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. Interview with David Roach, co-founder, Oakland International Film Festival about Festival 15, April 4-8.

2. The Legend of Pink with playwright Kheven LaGrone and Daryl Jones, director. The staged reading is this evening at the GLBT Museum in San Francisco at 7 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. Roger Guenveur Smith's Rodney King (April 2, 1965, Sacramento, CA June 17, 2012, Colton, CA). Rodney King, dir. Spike Lee, airs on Netflicks April 28. 

Music: Meklit & Quinn: Saving Up; Bring It Home to Me

Clips: Rodney King's Final Interview | Where Are They Now | Oprah Winfrey ... and Roger Guenveur Smith excerpt from Rodney King.

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. Today is blues singer, Alberta Hunter's birthday (April 1, 1895 – October 17, 1984) and closing weekend for Jewelle Gomez's Leaving the Blues at New Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, Saturday, April 1, 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 2, 2 p.m.

We rebroadcast two shows featuring an interview with Jewelle (3/29) and actors: Desiree Rogers and Leontyne Mbong-Mbele, from Leaving the Blues and Jitney (3/22).

August Wilson's Jitney also opens this weekend at African American Shakespeare Company at the Marine's Memorial theatre. 

Playwright, Kheven LaGrone's The Legend of Pink, directed by Darryl Jones, is being read Monday, April 3 at the GLBT Museum in San Francisco. 

Music: Alberta Hunter (3), Alice Coltrane, Barbara Bolton, and Ben Vereen

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. Angelique Kidjo (from the Archives 6/18/2014). 

2. Donna C. Roberts, dir. Yemanja: Wisdom from the African Heart of Brazil, a part of the Oakland International Film Festival, Wed., April 5, 6:30 p.m. at HNU Valley Performing Arts Center in Oakland. For tickets:http://oiff.org/yemanja

3. The Flight Deck's Overnight opens tonight, March 31. We speak to Anna Shneiderman, Execustive Director and Founder: Ragged Wing Ensemble and Ayodele Nzinga, Artistic Director, Lower Bottom Playaz. 

4. OneLife Institute presents: Transformative Visions: Art, Music, Spoken Word: Sat., April 8, 2-5 p.m. at Oakstop. We are joined by Rev. Liza Rankow, presenter, and artists: Mar Stevens, Virginia Jourdan, and Nicole Dixon.

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. Kheven LaGrone; playwright & Darryl Jones; director, join us to talk about The Legend of Pink at Theatre Rhinoceros in cooperation with the GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street in San Francisco.

Kheven is an artist/writer from the Bay Area. His writings have appeared in such academic journals as Journal of Human and Civil Rights, Media Ethics and Transitions.He has curated many shows that have gone to New York and Atlanta, include BABA Black Artists Expressions of Father and I Am San Francisco.

Darryl V. Jones is Full Professor of Theatre at Cal State East Bay where he teaches in the Musical Theatre, Acting and Directing concentrations. 

2. Jewelle Gomez, playwright, joins us to speak about the New Conservatory Theatre Center's world premiere of Leaving the Blues: A Play with Music about Blues Legend Alberta Hunter through April 2. Visit nctcsf.org

T'Ain't Nobody's Bizness (2011), dir. Robert Philipson's film, which Jewelle narrates, features as one of the protagonists: Alberta Hunter T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness

Music: Zion Trinity; Sweet Honey in the Rock

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. Rebroadcast of Jenee Johnson, Executive Director, SF Black Infant Health Program, speaks about Black Infant Health Family Life Conference: Black Women Lead: Redefining Community; Empowerment & Leadership today, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westbay Community Center, 1290 Fillmore Street, San Francisco. 

2. Paticia Milton, playwright, Without Mercy, at Off Broadway West Theatre, directed by Richard Harder Friday-Sunday, March 24-26. (510) 835-4205 offbroadwaywest.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!

1. Professor S. Omowale Fowles, Ed.M. and Ms. Ethel Long Scott, director and founder: Women's Economic Agenda Project (WEAP) speak about current political issues among them the end of the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care). The Senate votes tomorrow, 3/23. Call 202-224-3121 to express your views. 

2. Kheven LaGrone, playwright & Darryl Jones, director, joins us to talk about staged reading, "The Legend of Pink" at Theatre Rhinoceros, April 3 @ 7 p.m., in cooperation with the GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street, San Francisco.

3. Leaving the Blues (Jewelle Gomez, playwright) actors: Desiree Rogers (Alberta Hunter) and Leontyne Mbele-Mbong (Lettie) currently up at New Conservatory Theatre Center through April 2. Wed.-Sat, 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm

4. Edward Neville Ewell (Youngblood) and Jemier Jenkins (Rena), AAShakes production of August Wilson's "Jitney," 4/1-16 at Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco. african-americanshakes.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! 

1. Jenee Johnson, Director, SF Black Infant Health Project (rebroadcast from 3/15).

2. Eclipsed cast: Joniece Abbott-Pratt (Wife 3) and Stacey Sargeant (Wife 1) join us to talk about the awardwinning play closing at the Curran Theatre in SF this 3/19

3. Port Chicago 50: Anika McFall (Betty Reid Soskin) & Oren Williams (Spencer) opens at Black Rep in Berkeley tonight, March 17, 8 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. JENEE JOHNSON, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, SF BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM, www.sfblackinfanthealth.org

2. Christine Yoo The San Quentin Prison Marathon film.

3. Actors from "Port Chicago 50" opening this weekend at Black Rep, March 17-19

Oren Williams, actor, portrays "Spencer" in Port Chicago & Anika McFall who portrays "Betty Reid Soskin." Visit http://www.portchicago50play.com/Clients.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! 

1. Genny Lim, San Francisco Jazz Poet Laureate (rebroadcast), speaks about Don't Shoot: A Requiem in Black

2. Sonja D. Williams, author, Word Warrior: Richard Durham, Radio and Freedom. She will be at the African American Museum and Library, Sat., March 11, 2-4 p.m.