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! From the archives:  https://wandasabir.blogspot.com/2019/12/wandas-picks-radio-show-wednesday_11.html http://tobtr.com/s/11626633

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. Ann Chinn, Middle Passage Ceremonies and Portmarker Project 2019Update 2. Rozz Nash & RyanNicole Austin, founders, People's Conservatory's KOLA: Diasporic Remix of the Nutcracker, Nov. 19-21, 7 p.m., Nov. 22, 2 p.m. at Castlemont High School. Cancelled. Review:  http://wandaspicks.com/wandas-picks-december-2019/

1. Rozz Nash, People's Conservatory joins us to talk about KOLA: An Afro Diasporic Remix of the Nutcracker  https://www.thepeoplesconservatory.org/events 2 Cinderella @ African American Shakes guests: Funmi Lola who is playing Cinderella and Jan Hunter who is playing the Grandmother https://www.african-americanshakes.org/productions/cinderella/ 3. Geronimo Whitaker joins his sons Joshua Bicaso Whitaker, SpirithausGallery owner and Justice Whitaker, filmmaker to talk about the closing reception, 12/15,  for Trauma Cycle: the Art of Geronimo Whitaker 4. Soulful Christmas Dec. 13-22 at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco, with Yvonne Cobbs, musical director; Bertram Watson, Rhonda: https://www.lhtsf.org/  

1. Oakland Ballet Company Presents Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker with the Oakland Symphony, Dec. 21-22, 1 and 5 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. The Artistic Director and Paunika Jones (Marie)  join us to talk about this year's production. http://oaklandballet.org/wp/performances/graham-lustigs-the-nutcracker/ 2. Ben Vereen excerpt (2012) 3.  Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, co-founder, The Poor People’s Campaign joins us to talk about: A National Call for Moral Revival organized a 25-state “We Must Do MORE: Mobilizing, Organizing, Registering, and Educating” national tour from September 2019 to May 2020. This tour stops in SF today. https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/more/ 4. Gabriel Christian and Chibueze Crouch join us to talk about Performing Disapora at CounterPulse this weekend, Dec. 11-14, 80 Turk, 7:45 p.m. with Cherie Hill's SheVerse.http://counterpulse.org/event/performingdiaspora2019/

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! Rebroadcast of Dec. 4, 2019 show with Ben Vereen, Mbongui Square Festival with Byb Bibene, Nell Myhand re "Poor People's Campaign National Call for Moral Revival: We Must Do More Campaign Tour" (12/11); Dancing Diaspora with Cherie Hill, IrieDance at CounterPulse, 2019 Annual African American Conference: The Souls of Black Folks: Reclaiming Our Humanity from Racialized Trauma, Dec. 10 with Dr. Tony Jackson and Pastor Horacio S. Jones.  

1. Ben Vereen @ Rrazz Room 6/12/12 excerpt 2. Byb Bibene, joins us to talk about 7th Mbongui Square Festival 2019 Dec.15-22 mbonguifest.org Venues include: Temescal Arts Center (12/19& 12/20). Shawl Anderson and The Flight Deck (12/21-22). 3. Nell Myhand is a long time Oakland resident who has been working for justice since the 1970's who is also a member of the Poor People's Campaign:A National Call for Moral Revival Bay Area Steering Committee.  Join her with artist David Solnit in Richmond at the We Must Do M.O.R.E. Tour’s Art-Build, Thursday, December 5th, 2019, 6PM - 9 PM at Bridge Storage and ArtSpace, 23 Maine Ave, Richmond. Visit www.poorpeoplescampaign.org to learn more and get involved. 4. Cherie Hill, IrieDance and Chibueze Crouch join us to talk about their work this year at Performing Diaspora at CounterPulseThu-Sat, Dec 5-7 & 12-14, 7:45pm-9pmPay-what-you-can Thursdays: counterpulse.org/performingdiaspora2019/ 5. African American Steering Committee for Health and Wellness members

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 rebroadcast the third installation of the 3-part conversation with Slave Rebellion Reenactor Veterans. We start with sountrack from the 26 miles march over two days, Nov. 8-9, 2019 in Southeast Louisiana into New Orleans.  

This is the third conversation in a series, Nov. 20 & Nov. 21, which looks at the historic Slave Rebellion Reenactment Nov. 8-9, 2019 in the places the German Coast Uprising January 1811 took place in Southeast Lousiana. The brainchild of artist provocateur Dread Scott, these conversations are an opportunity for the Army to reflect on the experience and where we go from here.  We are joined by: Jardyn Lake, aka Sweetboi, is a black/queer cultural activist, youth worker, and artist living in New Orleans; Kelsey Robinson is a Pittsburgh and Brooklyn-based actor-singer with an interest in global folk music and theater with a focus on racial/multiracial identity and empathy elevating immersion; Victoria Netanus Grubbs is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Media, Culture, and Communication and New York University. Nicole Eugene is an Assistant Professor at the University of Houston-Victoria. Camellia Moses Okpodu is Professor of Biology and Dean of Arts and Sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA),

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 rebroadcast of the Slave Rebellion Reenactment: Conversations for the Army Part 2, hosted Nov. 21, 2019

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 Ralph Abdul Aleem; Camellia Moses Okpodu, Ph.D.; Malik Hassan; Aretha Campbell, BA, MA.

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 so excited to speak to participants in the historic Slave Rebellion Reenactment, Nov. 8-9, 2019. Visit https://www.slave-revolt.com/ We speak to Fred T. McWilliams, Baba Luther S. Gray and Camellia Moses Okpodu.  This is part 1 of  series of conversations. The next: Thurs., Nov. 21, 12:30 PM PT and Wed., Nov. 27, 8 AM PT 2. We close with a pre-SRR conversation with Dread Scott.   

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! Rebroadcast: 1. Today we speak about Col. Charles Young and the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers (https://www.nps.gov/prsf/learn/historyculture/buffalo-soldiers-in-the-national-cemetery.htm) with two veterans: Michael Khubaka Harris and Akinsanya Kabon who has an exhibit opening at the Crocker Museum Feb. 2020 in Sac: https://www.crockerart.org/press/kambon 2. Adia Tamar Whitaker, Have K(no)w Fear: A Blussical at ODA 10/17-20/2019

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 we speak about Col. Charles Young and the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers (https://www.nps.gov/prsf/learn/historyculture/buffalo-soldiers-in-the-national-cemetery.htm) with two veterans: Michael Khubaka Harris and Akinsanya Kabon who has an exhibit opening at the Crocker Museum Feb. 2020 in Sacramento:  https://www.crockerart.org/press/kambon Rebroadcast 2. Adia Tamar Whitaker, Have K(no)w Fear: A Blussical at ODA 10/17-20/2019

Rebroadcast of Oct. 18, 2019 show.

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! Dread Scott, artist speaks to us about the January 1811 Slave Rebellion in New Orleans, La, and its reenactment this weekend, Friday-Sat., Nov. 8-9, 2019.  https://www.dreadscott.net/about/ https://www.slave-revolt.com/   2. Rebroadcast of Fugitive Slave Act by Michael Gene Sullivan https://newplayexchange.org/users/159/michael-gene-sullivan

1. Mina Morita joins us to talk about Crowded Fire's Matchbox Play Reading Series: http://www.crowdedfire.org/2019-Matchbox-Reading-Series/ Ms. Morita is the Artistic Director of Crowded Fire Theater, a critically acclaimed, intrepid, female-led company dedicated to developing a fierce contemporary theater canon that reflects the plurality of our world. Previously, she served as the Artistic Associate at Berkeley Repertory Theatre—and a founding member of its Ground Floor program; as Board President of Shotgun Players; as a 2014 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab participant; as one of the founding members of Bay Area Children's Theatre; as Community Arts Panelist with the Zellerbach Family Foundation; Panelist for the Getty Leadership Summit; and Guest Artist at UC Berkeley and Stanford University. She is a recipient of Theatre Bay Area’s 2014 award for Best Director of a Musical: Tier II and TBA's 2016, 40@40 award for her impact on Bay Area Theater. In 2015, Mina was honored to share her story on TEDx, and in

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 the show with conversations with directors, curators, and dancers featured in the 10th Annual San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Nov. 2-4 and Nov. 9-10 at Brava Theatre.  Afia Thompson, dir. MAPENZI Laura Ellis, moderator of a discussion about activism and the arts after the Raising Voices shorts program on Nov 9, 6pm at Brava (the program includes MAPENZI and the other If Cities Could Dance-- Oakland).https://www.sfdancefilmfest

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 Doc Stories this weekend! Nov. 1-4 sffilm.org  We speak to Rachel Rosen, Director of Programming for SFFILM since 2009. From 2001–2009, she was Director of Programming for Film Independent and the Los Angeles Film Festival.  3. Top Shelf Classic's Royalty of Soul: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight at Boxcar Theatre Friday-Sat., Nov. 8-9, 8 p.m., 644 Broadway, San Francisco Guests: LaDonna Trotman: Director of Top Shelf Clas

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! 1. Cathleen Riddley (Mary Tyrone) in Ubuntu Theatre Project's Long Days Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill extended through Nov. 3 at The Flax Building in Oakland. ubuntutheaterproject.com 2. Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series will present something different, topical and engaging: Kenyan comedian and performance artist Anna Mwalagho’s one-woman show, Never Thought I Was Black Till I Came to America. Through comedy, storytelling, m