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. Charles Curtis Blackwell & Arthur Norcome re: Invisible Men: Black Male Artists in Art @ Warehouse 416 in Oakland, Jan. 9-Feb. 28.

2. Artists from Dance in Dangerous Times (DIRT) at Dance Mission Rainy Demerson, choreographer, Program A; Latanya Tigner, choreographer, Program A; Kristy Keefer, choreographer, Program C. dancemission.com

3. Glen Pearson (scholar, professor, composer, musician) speaks about In The Name of Love, the 14th Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sunday, Jan. 17, Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. mlktribute.com (cancelled)

4. From the Archives: Ben Vereen (2012)

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. Charles Curtis Blackwell & Arthur Norcome re: Invisible Men: Black Male Artists in Art @ Warehouse 416 in Oakland, Jan. 9-Feb. 28.

2. Artists from Dance in Dangerous Times (DIRT) at Dance Mission Rainy Demerson, choreographer, Program A; Latanya Tigner, choreographer, Program A; Kristy Keefer, choreographer, Program C. dancemission.com

3. Glen Pearson (scholar, professor, composer, musician) speaks about In The Name of Love, the 14th Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sunday, Jan. 17, Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. mlktribute.com (cancelled)

4. From the Archives: Ben Vereen (2012)

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. Cat Brooks, Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) speaks about the 96 hours of direct action across the Bay Area this weekend: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/96hours and https://www.facebook.com/Anti-Police-Terror-Project-513658562107268/

2. Canaan Kennedy (18), author, Struggles to Victory over Racism in America (2015). 

3. Amikaeyla Gaston, director, Living Jazz Children's Project for "In the Name of Love, the 14th Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. MLK, Jr.," Sun., Jan. 17, 7 p.m. Visit mlktribute.com or call (510) 858-5313.

4. Co-Artistic Director William Hodgson and actors Rolanda Dene & William Hartfield speak about Ubuntu Project's season opening work: Marcus Gardley's Gospel of Loving Kindness, Jan. 13-31 at Oakland City Church, 2735 MacAthur Blvd., Oakland, (510) 646-1126 & ubuntutheaterproject.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. Cat Brooks, Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) speaks about the 96 hours of direct action across the Bay Area this weekend: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/96hours and https://www.facebook.com/Anti-Police-Terror-Project-513658562107268/

2. Canaan Kennedy (18), author, Struggles to Victory over Racism in America (2015). 

3. Amikaeyla Gaston, director, Living Jazz Children's Project for "In the Name of Love, the 14th Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. MLK, Jr.," Sun., Jan. 17, 7 p.m. Visit mlktribute.com or call (510) 858-5313.

4. Co-Artistic Director William Hodgson and actors Rolanda Dene & William Hartfield speak about Ubuntu Project's season opening work: Marcus Gardley's Gospel of Loving Kindness, Jan. 13-31 at Oakland City Church, 2735 MacAthur Blvd., Oakland, (510) 646-1126 & ubuntutheaterproject.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. We open with a conversation with Ramona Africa, MOVE Minister of Communication, Political Prisoner (7 yrs.), and the only adult survivor (11 killed, 5 children) of the bombing of the house on 62nd and Osage Avenue in West Philadelphia 30 years ago, May 13, 1985. We are speaking about the earlier incarceration of nine MOVE members who have served their sentences. Why are they still behind bars? See http://www.freemumia.com/2011/08/help-free-the-move-9/ and https://www.facebook.com/Free-the-MOVE-9-435412386474163/ and http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2015/05/13/406243272/im-from-philly-30-years-later-im-still-trying-to-make-sense-of-the-move-bombing 

2. We are joined by Sister Yaya & Brother Kwalin, to talk about Warrior Queen, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing who made her transition Monday, Jan. 4. She was 80. 

3. Sharon Scott as "Mahalia Jackson:Just As I Am." http://www.cinnabartheater.org/mahaliajackson/

4. We close with Nina Causey, singer, songwriter, actress re: National Human Trafficking Month @ Black Rep 1/10 @ 3 p.m. & 1/11 @ 7 p.m. (510) 652-2120 www.ninacausey.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. We open with a conversation with Ramona Africa, MOVE Minister of Communication, Political Prisoner (7 yrs.), and the only adult survivor (11 killed, 5 children) of the bombing of the house on 62nd and Osage Avenue in West Philadelphia 30 years ago, May 13, 1985. We are speaking about the earlier incarceration of nine MOVE members who have served their sentences. Why are they still behind bars? See http://www.freemumia.com/2011/08/help-free-the-move-9/ and https://www.facebook.com/Free-the-MOVE-9-435412386474163/ and http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2015/05/13/406243272/im-from-philly-30-years-later-im-still-trying-to-make-sense-of-the-move-bombing 

2. We are joined by Sister Yaya & Brother Kwalin, to talk about Warrior Queen, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing who made her transition Monday, Jan. 4. She was 80. 

3. Sharon Scott as "Mahalia Jackson:Just As I Am." http://www.cinnabartheater.org/mahaliajackson/

4. We close with Nina Causey, singer, songwriter, actress re: National Human Trafficking Month @ Black Rep 1/10 @ 3 p.m. & 1/11 @ 7 p.m. (510) 652-2120 www.ninacausey.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!

We are joined by Regina Y. Evans and Zorina London to talk about National Human Trafficking Awrareness Month and a special evening of theatre, Jan. 10-11, 2 p.m. at Berkeley Black Repretory Group Theatre. Monday, Jan. 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Visit http://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/human-trafficking

Ms. Evans's play, "52 Letters" is a one-woman poetic stage play, written, performed and directed by this Oakland native. Through the use of poetry and Negro Spirituals, "52 Letters" brings awareness to the tragedy of sex trafficking and its effects upon American youth and women. "52 Letters" was honored to win a 2013 Best Of The San Francisco Fringe Festival Award.

Ms. London's play is One Night of Day, an evening at the club with Billie Holiday when her friends Lena Horne and Bessie Smith drop by. Ms. Holiday has a lot on her mind that evening, but the music has a way of helping her transcend her troubles, literally leave them behind as her soul soars. The Black Rep is located at 3201 Adeline St, Berkeley. For information and tickets call: (510) 652-2120.

Awareness Events: http://www.baatc.org/ Music: Novalima, Robert Glasper, Jahahara Alkebulan.

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 are joined by Regina Y. Evans and Zorina London to talk about National Human Trafficking Awrareness Month and a special evening of theatre, Jan. 10-11, 2 p.m. at Berkeley Black Repretory Group Theatre. Monday, Jan. 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Visit http://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/human-trafficking

Ms. Evans's play, "52 Letters" is a one-woman poetic stage play, written, performed and directed by this Oakland native. Through the use of poetry and Negro Spirituals, "52 Letters" brings awareness to the tragedy of sex trafficking and its effects upon American youth and women. "52 Letters" was honored to win a 2013 Best Of The San Francisco Fringe Festival Award.

Ms. London's play is One Night of Day, an evening at the club with Billie Holiday when her friends Lena Horne and Bessie Smith drop by. Ms. Holiday has a lot on her mind that evening, but the music has a way of helping her transcend her troubles, literally leave them behind as her soul soars. The Black Rep is located at 3201 Adeline St, Berkeley. For information and tickets call: (510) 652-2120.

Awareness Events: http://www.baatc.org/ Music: Novalima, Robert Glasper, Jahahara Alkebulan.

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 open with an interview with cast from Multi-Ethnic's production of Jitney (August 2014).

2. Directed by Ayodele Nzinga, Ph.D., we are joined by the cast for Radio Golf: Venus Morris (Mame Wilks); Koran Streets (Roosevelt Hicks); Pierre Scott (Sterling Johnson); Adimu Madyun (Elder Joseph Barlow); the final play in the ten-play, Centennial Cycle.

Radio Golf is up at the Flight Deck, 1540 Broadway, in Oakland, Shows at 8:00pm Fridays and Saturdays with matinees at 2:00pm Saturday, Jan. 2 and Sunday, Jan. 3. Tickets are on sale on the web at www.lowerbottomplayaz.com

The Flight Deck is easy to reach by Bart and Bus and is completely accessible. On street parking is available and the area has a number of lots within walking distance of the theater. Box Office: 510-332-1319 or email [email protected].

Music: Joe Driscoll & Sekjou Kouyate ZION

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 open with an interview with cast from Multi-Ethnic's production of Jitney (August 2014).

2. Directed by Ayodele Nzinga, Ph.D., we are joined by the cast for Radio Golf: Venus Morris (Mame Wilks); Koran Streets (Roosevelt Hicks); Pierre Scott (Sterling Johnson); Adimu Madyun (Elder Joseph Barlow); the final play in the ten-play, Centennial Cycle.

Radio Golf is up at the Flight Deck, 1540 Broadway, in Oakland, Shows at 8:00pm Fridays and Saturdays with matinees at 2:00pm Saturday, Jan. 2 and Sunday, Jan. 3. Tickets are on sale on the web at www.lowerbottomplayaz.com

The Flight Deck is easy to reach by Bart and Bus and is completely accessible. On street parking is available and the area has a number of lots within walking distance of the theater. Box Office: 510-332-1319 or email [email protected].

Music: Joe Driscoll & Sekjou Kouyate ZION