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 are joined by Antoine Hunter, founder, Urban Jazz Dance Company, and presenter and producer of the Annual Bay Area Deaf Dance Festival International. In its 4th year this season, Aug. 12-14, 2016 at Dance Mission Theatre in San Francisco. He is joined in the studio by Zahna Simon, Assist. Dir. UJDC and BADDF. Fred Beam, Wild Zappers from Washington, DC, and Isolte Avila, Sign Dance Collective, to talk about this year's programming which includes an artist meet and greet (8/13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Dance Workshops, Wed., Aug. 10, 6-10 p.m. Both events are at the Deaf Community Center, 1550 San Leandro Blvd., San Leandro). Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets (event/2561054). 

2. Patricia Milton joins us to talk about her play, "Hearts of Palm," extended through Aug. 21 at Central Works (Berkeley City Club on Durant Street). The satire looks at the politics of food production: transfat, palm oil, Girl Scout cookies and orangutans. Visit http://centralworks.org/season/

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. Aundrea Lacy, born and raised in San Francisco, has been a model, a television journalist, and a marketing executive for Fortune 500 companies. She earned her MBA from Golden State University. In 1996, she went from baking brownies for friends to building her own online bakery business, Luv Brownies. In addition, she gives career presentations for girls and women from around the country. Ms. Lacy, who is author of "Luv Story: From Homemade Brownies to My Own Internet Bakery" "Brownie Points: Lessons for Woman Entrepreneurs from One Who Made It," joins us to talk about her 20th Anniversary Clothing Drive tomorrow, Aug. 4, at the San Jose Municipal Stadium. Donors will be sweetly rewarded for their generousity. Visit luvsbrownies.com

2. We close with an interview with Thomas Simpson, AfroSolo founder, who will speak about the August 2016 season which opens with a free concert at Yerba Buena Gardens, in San Francisco,

Ms. Tammy Hall and Dr. Linda Ricketts, both featured at the AfroSolo 2016 Concert at YBCA Mission @ Third Streets, this Sat., August 6, 1-3 p.m. Featured are two artists and their ensembles, Ms. Tammy Hall and Dr. Linda Ricketts. Dr. Ricketts will join us this morning. Visit afrosolo.org

Our first guests look at soiltary confinement through the lens of Sarah Shourd's play The Box, at Z-Space through July 30. Sarah is joined by Jerry Elster, consultant:

Jerry Elster is the Healing Justice Coordinator for American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). He is also a formerly incarcerated person. He has a in forensic psychology. He is pursuing a doctorate in forensic psychology. He has worked in the field of Mentoring, Substance Abuse Counseling, Restorative Justice, and Advocacy. He serves on the advisory board for Oakland & the World, a venture to aid formerly incarcerated people and those facing employment challenges to gain cooperative economic advancement by becoming owners of their own businesses. He is a member of All of Us or None, a movement-led organization that advocates for the rights of prisoners and their families. Jerry's trials have taught him how essential it is for people to speak and be heard in their own voices. He believes that, people without a voice are a people without hope. His goal is for human and civil rights for everyone regardless of origin or prior arrest history: http://www.afsc.org/content/jerry-elster

Sarah Shourd is an author, prisoner rights advocate, Contributing Editor at Solitary Watch, and a Visiting Scholar at UC Berkeley—currently based in Oakland, California. Sarah was held as a political hostage by the Iranian government from 2009-2010. Sarah was held incommunicado in solitary confinement for 410 days before being released, without a trial or any evidence shown against her, by President Ahmadinejad on “compassionate grounds,” a move designed to ease international pressure against the Iranian government:

We close with a conversation with Chaz Shermil & Kimba Daniels, cast in Katori Hall's Hurt Village, up through Sunday at Ubuntu Theatre Project 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!

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!

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 Archives:

1. Interview with Sayan Bapa, member of Huun Huur Tu (10/3/2012). Music: "Prayer" & "Ancestors" from Ancestor's Call. Watch a concert filmed in Berkeley (2008): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0djHJBAP3U

There is a concert in Oregon this Sept. 24, at the Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St.97211Portland, OR, US.

2. Tim Wise (March 21, 2012).

Music: Sankofa Groove: "Praise Him." Zion Trinity: "Prayer -- Omi Tutu"

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. From the archives: "Grateful" -- Victoria Theodore (4/26/2013)

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. From the archives: "Grateful" -- Victoria Theodore (4/26/2013)

2. From the archives: Rhodessa Jones speaks about her solo performance: "SHE" (2013 at Brava).

3. Velina Brown joins us to talk about "Schooled," SF Mime Troupe's 2016 Summer Season opening July 2-3, 1:30 p.m. in Berkeley at Cedar Rose Park and 7/4 Dolores Park in San Francisco.

Music: Zion Trinity's Elegba Opening Prayer; Victoria Theodore's "Grateful," Rene Marie's Star Spangled Banner/Lift Every Voice

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. L. Peter Callender and Leontyne Mbele Mbong join us to speak about the African American Shakespeare Company's production of Antony and Cleopatra, closing this weekend at the Burial Clay Theatre in the AAACC, 762 Fulton Street in San Francisco. http://www.african-americanshakes.org/

2. We close with an interview with Jennifer Madden, Assistant District Attorney, Alameda County, who is running for Alameda County Superior Court: https://maddenforjudge2016.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! 

1. L. Peter Callender and Leontyne Mbele-Mbong join us to talk about the work, Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The interview was first broadcast 4/29. The production at African American Shakespeare Company closes this weekend, Saturday (8 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.), May 28-29, 2016 at the AAACC 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco. 

2. Also from the achives (first broadcast 5/6) is an interview with Lynn Morrow, Director, Oakland Symphony Chorus, and Nicole Joseph, soprano, soloist in Knoxville: Summer of 1914, Op. 24 performance May 20, 2016.