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! 

We open with an interview with Jeffrey Robinson, producer/writer, and directors, Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler in conversation about the remarkable film, "Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America." 

https://www.sonyclassics.com/film/whoweare/

2. We speak to Yoruba Richen and Brad Lichtenstein, directors of "American Reckoning" on Frontline

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/american-reckoning/

Both films aired earlier this year and are screening online and in theatres 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! 

1. Jesse Douglas Allen Taylor made his transition this past weekend. It was rather sudden for all of us, especially his family, Tarika Lewis and Geoffrey Pete. There was a memorial for him Sunday, March 6. 

I had a great conversation with Jesse, PEN Oakland honoree, about his first novel, "Sugaree Rising." This is a rebroadcast of that interview (4/5/2013).  

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks/2013/04/05/wandas-picks-radio-show

"We open with an interview with Bay Area author, journalist and political columnist J. Douglas Allen-Taylor about his  first novel, Sugaree Rising, set in the South Carolina coastal area Lowcountry in the late Depression years and discuss his well-crafted female characters like narrator Yally, Aunt Soo, Na'Risa, Nana'Timbi, Eshy. . . to hold the bridge between the past and the present as this community of Gullah people face an enemy threatening to end their collective lives. They resist while Yally feet in the middle of the path finds no rest, as her beloved community seems to be unraveling and withit her identity. Sugaree shows there are many ways to die, some more painful than others. And what do we do with the dead who refuse burial? http://www.sugareerising.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! 

Today we speak to Donna Chang, L.Ac. (MSOM), Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, BodyIntuitive Practitioner, Holistic Nutrition & Lifestyle Counsellor, Transformational coach.

Visit: http://www.alamedacommunityacu.com/who-we-are/

Amy Alanes serves as the Executive Director for the Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) in Berkeley.  Serving Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, WCRC provides comprehensive and coordinated services that include community-based cancer patient navigation, psychotherapy and affinity-based support groups, wellness programs, and emergency financial assistance.

Her work has spanned homeless services, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, rape and sexual assault, mental health, and cancer support services. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Summit Bank Foundation, the Development Director of Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area, Director of Administration for Community Violence Solutions, and in multiple positions with New Connections Behavioral Healthcare.

Dolores Moorehead is the Lead Client Navigator/Multicultural Client Support Clinician for the Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC). Dolores began her tenure with WCRC as a volunteer and board member and has been on staff for 19 years. Previously, Dolores was employed for almost 14 years at the American Cancer Society as a Patient Services Manager.  She received a Master's of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a B.S. in Psychology with honors from Walden University. She obtained training from The Center of Mind Body Medicine as a facilitator in Mind Body Relaxation Skills.  

For over 33 years, Dolores has passionately devoted her professional career to serving individuals with cancer in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2008, she received the American Cancer Society’s National Lane Adams Quality of Life Award in recognition of exemplary cancer care and ongoing support to cancer patients. 

3. L. Peter Callender & Leontyne Mbele-Mbong on Antony and Cleopatra (African American Shakespeare 2015-16). african-americanshakes.org/

We speak to Joanna Haigood, Artist Director, and Walter Kitundu collaborating multimedia artist, about Haigood's latest opus, "Love, A State of Grace," a performance ritual installation at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral.  Performing Artists bio: http://www.zaccho.org/?bios_love  https://vimeo.com/630195772 

Since 1980 Joanna Haigood has been creating work that uses natural, architectural, and cultural environments as points of departure for movement exploration and narrative. Her stages have included grain terminals, a clock tower, the pope’s palace, military forts, and a mile of urban neighborhood streets in the South Bronx. Her work has been commissioned by many arts institutions. She has been honored with the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts, the United States Artist Fellowship, and a New York Bessie Award.  Haigood is a recipient of the esteemed Doris Duke Artist Award and she has had the privilege to mentor many extraordinary young artists internationally at the National École des Arts du Cirque in France, Spelman College, the Institute for Diversity in the Arts at Stanford University, the San Francisco Circus Center, and at Zaccho Studio in San Francisco.

Walter Kitundu is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on kinetic sculpture and sound installation, composition, public art, and teaching. He builds (and performs on) extraordinary musical instruments, while researching and documenting the natural world. Kitundu has created hand-built record players driven by the wind, rain, fire, earthquakes, birds, light, and the force of ocean waves. In 2008 he received a MacArthur Fellowship in recognition of his art practice and his capacity to make important cultural contributions. He was a Bay Area resident for 15 years.

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 have a special recorded show featuring artists: Mai Lingani (Burkina Faso), Seth Sharp (Iceland), Johnny Turco (Puerto Rico), who are performing this Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, 3 p.m. ET at JAZZ: the International Connection, hosted by Rome Neal's Banana Puddin' Jazz. https://www.romeneal.com/banana-puddin-jazz

Music: "Where Have You Been & Crazy Medley." Acoustic by Shinuh and Johnny Turco

Ife: Submarine

Seth Sharp and the Black Clock perform "Georgia." He speaks about this song performance when he was on a US State Dept.Tour in South Africa, Namibia.

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 begin with an archived interview (1/15/21) with Charles Curtis Blackwell, poet, playwright, artivist, subject of film: "God Given Talent" and Rev. Clarence Johnson, a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, join us to talk about the legacy of Dr. MLK Jr. who would have been 92 in 2021. 

 

2. We conclude with an archived conversation with Dr. Clarence Jones, MLK Jr.'s speech writer and attorney (1/15/21).

From the archives, MLK Jr. Special Programming 2009 and 2021. Visit wandaspicks.com for 2022 Dr. King events. 

 

1. We begin this morning in conversation with Charles Curtis Blackwell, poet, playwright, artivist, subject of film: "God Given Talent" and Rev. Clarence Johnson, a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, join us to talk about the legacy of Dr. MLK Jr. who would have been 92 in 2021. 

 

2. We speak to Marcus Shelby, who is participated in the MLK Music Tribute in 2009. He premiered an excerpt of a new work honoring Martin King. Ms. Faye Carol, featured in Marcus' new work, joined the musician/composer in the studio and then stayed on when Melanie DeMore joined us. We had a fun conversation, so much so, I could barely get a word in to welcome Clifford Brown Jr., into the studio. The three then had a great time conversing until Ms. Carol had to sign off. Okay, I am trying to let out my breath...whew! 

 

3. Miko Marks and Kev Choice came into the studio after this segment, to talk about their work, Miko as a country western singer, and Kev as a rap artist whose work seeks to uplift the community, his listeners. They both performed, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, 8 PM, at the Oaktown Jazz Workshop fundraiser at Yoshi's in Jack London Square in Oakland. 

 

4. We close with a conversation with Hodari B. Davis and Mike Turner. Mike is a student at Encinal High School, and Hodari is director of National Initiatives for Youth Speaks.

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 members of the cast for Ishmael Reed's The Slave Who Loved Caviar, up through Jan. 9 at The Theater for The New City in New York. It is also streaming live. Tickets are just $10+ small fee. For in person and virtual tickets  visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35441/production/1091241

Shows are Thurday, Friday, Sat. 8 PM ET (5 PT) and Sunday at 3 PM ET (12 noon PT). Closes Jan. 9. 

Guests include: Jesse Bueno, Robert Turner,Kenya Wilson, Laura Robards, Roz Fox, Brian Anthony Simmons, Monisha Shiva (about 9:30 am pst), and possibly Ishmael Reed.

2. Wadada Leo Smith 10/21

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 Dr. Tescia Evans & Mrs.Tiana Jones-Bey about Ross Dance Company's Second Annual Praise Dance Festival in Davis, July 7, 2012, 7 PM at the Veteran's Memorial Theatre. Visit www.rossdance.com 

Mr. Jesse Brooks joins us to talk about the debut on PBS's Frontline World, award-winning filmmaker Renata Simone's End Game: AIDS in Black America, 10 p.m. PST, Tuesday, July 10 (check local listings). Visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/social-issues/endgame-aids-in-black-america/aids-in-black-america-the-worlds-16th-worst-epidemic/ 

We close with a rebroadcast of an interview last Nov. with Rachelle Ferrell, singer, composer, musician, who is in town this weekend, July 6-8, 2012 in San Francisco.