Wanda's Picks

We speak to Ben Gilbarg, Creative Catalyst, Founder, Big Picture Anthems (2016). Gilbarg was at the helm of New Bedford-based non-profit 3rd EyE Unlimited from 1998-2011. “Taking Back the Power: The New Women’s Rights Anthem,” is debuting at Impact HUB Oakland, Friday, March 8, 7:00pm – 10 pm, 2323 Broadway, 510-858-2323. Iva Brito - spoken word artist who finishes the film, also joins us. The premiere of “Taking Back the Power” will headline a night filled with artistic inspiration, valuable discussion, and great music. The launch event will feature performances from some of the anthem’s featured artists: Iva Brito, spoken word poet and talented rapper and Dakota Lopes, both traveling from the east coast (New Bedford, MA). There will be a panel discussion with topics including the role of the arts and how it can help enhance the women’s movement. Panelists include creators of the anthem and film, as well as activists on the front line. The event will be mc’ed by Angel Diaz. Doors open at 7 pm, 7:30 pm pan

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 Nov. 4, 2011, Rochelle Ferrell. We open with "I can explain" live au theatre antique de Vienne le 12 juillet 2001.       

TheatreWorks has selected two dynamic Bay Area actors to play the titular duo: Sister Rosetta & Marie Knight—Michelle E. Jordan and Marissa Rudd. Ms. Jordan, our guest this morning, is a musical icon and 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Sister Rosetta Tharpe in TheatreWorks: Rosetta and Marie (with Marissa Rudd as Marie). Rosetta and Marie is up March 6-31 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd., in Palo Alto. Jordan, a TheatreWorks veteran, received a Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for her performance in TheatreWorks’ Dreamgirls. She has also been seen at TheatreWorks in It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues, Crowns, Go Down Garvey, Hi-Hat Hattie!, Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery, and Ain’t Misbehavin’. She also performed in Blues in the Night with Maurice Hines and Freda Payne at the Post Street Theatre and Bricktop at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, and serves as the choir director of East Bay Church of Religious Science. For tickets and information visit: theatreworks.org or call (650

1. Ricki Stevenson, founder of Black Paris Tours, has served as its creative thinker and CEO since its inception in 1998.  She dreamed of life in Paris at three years old, when her mother, a former professional dancer, took her to see Josephine Baker perform in Los Angeles and later, at ten years old when her Mom took her to hear James Baldwin speak on Stanford Campus. Ricki says the idea for Black Paris Tours grew out of traveling the world as a television travel reporter...becoming a person of the WORLD...always looking and finding more Black history outside than at home!! http://www.blackparistour.com/ 2. Bryant B. Bolling holds a M.A. degree in African-Centric Musicology and a B.S. degree in Music Education. He joins us along with Mr. Jones, accompanist, and Zakiyyah Capehart Bolling, poet, to talk about TuBeNu Productions' "I Too Sing America – A Musical Journey through Slavery" for Black History Month 2019 at the Altenheim, 1720 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.  It is a free event.  3.  Jacqu

1. Ricki Stevenson, founder of Black Paris Tours, has served as its creative thinker and CEO since its inception in 1998.  She dreamed of life in Paris at three years old, when her mother, a former professional dancer, took her to see Josephine Baker perform in Los Angeles and later, at ten years old when her Mom took her to hear James Baldwin speak on Stanford Campus. Ricki says the idea for Black Paris Tours grew out of traveling the world as a television travel reporter...becoming a person of the WORLD...always looking and finding more Black history outside than at home!! http://www.blackparistour.com/ 2. Bryant B. Bolling holds a M.A. degree in African-Centric Musicology and a B.S. degree in Music Education. He joins us along with Mr. Jones, accompanist, and Zakiyyah Capehart Bolling, poet, to talk about TuBeNu Productions' "I Too Sing America – A Musical Journey through Slavery" for Black History Month 2019 at the Altenheim, 1720 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.  It is a free event.  3.  Jacqu

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. Mark Lomax II, Ph.D. joins us to talk about 400: An Afrikan Epic 2. Ifasina TaMeicka L. Clear is a Spiritual Coach and Elizabeth Jerde, community organizer and Events Coordinator at UUC Berkeley, join us to talk about the Soul Line-Dance Potluck Party, Sat., Feb. 23, 6-7 dinner, 7-10 dance, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington, uucbsoullinedance.eventbrite.com 3. Watani Stiner is joined by his children, Larry

Swingin’ At The Savoy is an event to celebrate Lindy Hop & Jazz, the joy of the dance and the music, their heritage and history. It takes place every year in February to follow on in the foot steps of the tradition established by the Northern California Lindy Society (NCLS) with the Frankie Manning weekends. The event is open to dancers of all ages and promotes Lindy Hop & Jazz dance and music education, open-mindedness, playfulness, and creativity. Its goal is to help build and strengthen the Lindy Hop community. https://swinginatthesavoy.com/ Feb. 22-24 in Oakland Norma Miller (Dec. 1919) If Frankie Manning was the king of Lindy Hop, Norma Miller is no doubt the reigning queen. Her position today is at an elevated throne, her background and career is without comparison. She’s the last of the classic Savoy Lindy Hoppers of the swing era, she’s a dynamite story-teller and lecturer. Chazz Young A spectacular dancer with a long and successful stage career, son of Lindy Hop master Frankie M

1.Black Choreographers Festival Here and Now at 15. Today we speak to co-founder Laura Elaine Ellis, Executive Director of the African & African American Performing Arts Coalition (AAAPAC) and to presenting choreographer:  Dazaun Soleyn, artistic director of dazaun.dance, graduated from the University of South Florida with a BFA in Modern Dance Performance and Choreography. Soleyn is currently a freelance artist and an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco. For BCF 2019, Soleyn will show a work titled love me naked, which he describes as "a declaration of love of self through an exploration of vulnerability." 2.Kali Tambree is a PhD student in the department of sociology at UCLA. She received her BA in Sociology and Africana Studies from Vassar College in 2017. She reads and writes the Black Atlantic. Kali is a prison abolitionist and seeks to provide opportunities for inside education. She is from Baltimore. thinkinggender@women.ucla.edu 3. V-Day 2019: Archival Interview rebroadca

1. Jo Kreiter, Flyaway Productions, Laura Elaine Ellis, Executive Director of the African & African American Performing Arts Coalition (AAAPAC), Catalina "Caty" Palacios and Tanea Lunsford Lynx who are both members of Essie Justice to talk about The Wait Room, a site specific dance honoring women with incarcerated loved ones, April 19-20, April 24-25, April 26-27 at 1125 Market Street, a vacant lot opposite UN Plaza at Civic Center. 2. Howard Thurman Special with Rev. Liza Rankow & Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake, Nov. 8, 2010. Upcoming programs at OneLife 2/17 & 3/7, both at East Bay Church of Religious Science, 4130 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, California 94609. Don't forget to watch: Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story, dir. Martin Doblmeier, (http://journeyfilms.com/batw/) on Public Television's WORLD Channel this afternoon/evening, 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. PT, Feb. 8. There are also local screenings on Feb. 9 and Feb. 12.    

1. Martin Doblmeier joins us to talk about his latest film, Backs Against the Wall:The Howard Thurman Story, airing nationally on PBS World Channel, Fri., Feb. 8, 9 PM PT. Since 1984 he has produced and directed more than 30 films focused on religion, faith and spirituality. Martin combines a lifelong interest in religion with a passion for storytelling. His films explore how belief can lead individuals to extraordinary acts, how spirituality creates and sustains communities and how faith is lived in extraordinary ways. Visit http://journeyfilms.com/media/ 2. Lisa Riley, One Degree of Separation Events and Travel, joins us to talk about Women of Color Entrpreneur Conference, at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, March 16, 10 am-4 pm. Visit https://www.odostravel.com/events/entrepreneur-conference/ 3. Shola Adisa-Farrar, a  Jamaican American Artist currently based in Paris, France is back for a three day residency, Feb. 14-16, the Black Cat in San Francisco for a three day residency. Her music is Jazz

1. Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi is a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist who recently made his transition Sept. 22, 1952-Jan. 23, 2019.  We share a March 23, 2011 interview. Zimbabwe Music Festival in the Bay Feb. 1-2, 2019, at http://www.ashkenaz.com/ 2. Josh Folan, producer, Ask for Jane at SF Indie Fest 2019 3. CHRISTOPHER GREENSLATE's film, SAVIOR, is at SF Indie Feb. 2 (9:30 PM) and 2/6 (9:15 PM) at the Roxie. 4. Ellen Sebastian Chang is the Creative Director (11 plus years) for The World As It Could Be Human Rights Education Program, where we use the arts to teach the historical and current understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  This event, Feb. 14, 21, 23, is in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the drafting of this important document that only 7% of our population is aware of. Sandy Sohcot is the director and originator of The World As It Could Be Human Rights Education Program. Sandy Sohcot holds a California Lifetime Teaching Creden

1. Emily Kulhmann, director of exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs at the Museum of the African Diaspora in SF joins us to speak about Black Refractions: Highlights from the Studio Museum in Harlem 2. CHRIS METZLER, programmer, joins us to talk about the 21st Annual SF Indie, Jan. 30-Feb. 14, 2019 http://sfindie.com/festivals/sf-indiefest/ 3. Sampson McCormick and Francesca Fiorentini join us to speak about Not My F--ing President's Day https://www.brava.org/all-events/2019/2/17/not-my-fing-presidents-day-2019 4. Pam S, (dir.) & Wendell Watkins, (subj.), join us to talk about the wonderful AmericaReframed film "Detroit 48202: conversations Along a Postal Route." https://worldchannel.org/episode/arf-detroit-48202/      

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!  8 to 9 AM Jo Kreiter, Flyaway Productions' The Wait Room, the first episode in her Decareration Trilogy 9 AM Vanguard Revisited: Poetic Politics & Black Futures at SF Art Institute Jan 21-Apr. 7. We speak to Jeff Gunderson who was the professor that led the class that developed the Vanguard exhibit which opens tomorrow evening: 5-8 p.m. SFAI’s Walter and McBean Galleries are open to the public Tuesday 11 AM – 7 PM and Wednesday – Saturday

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 Julia Chigamba, founder and director of the Chinyakare Ensemble and Johnonoh Nyamuzuwe, board member, about the Mitambo Festival of Shona Music featuring Mafaro eZimbabwe and Chinyakare Ensemble at Ashkenaz Music and Dance Center, Friday, February 1, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.  This show is dedicated to Oliver Mtukudzi (Sept. 22, 1952-Jan. 23, 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. OUSD Kehinde Salter, Oakland Unified  School Teacher, LPAA Artistic Director / Co-founding member and Artistic Director of Lyric Dance and Vocal Ensemble, joins us to talk about the sick out today in Oakland Public Schools District. www.prlog.org/12748968-fremont-high-teachers-call-another-ousd-sick-out.html Call Labor Director's Office: 510-879-4048 Superintendent Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell: 510-879-8200 (https://www.ousd.org/domain/48

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. Daurus Cyprian, Senior Organizer, All of Us Or None. Expertise, Ban the Box, Reentry, Community Organizing, Policy Advocacy, PublicSpeaking. https://www.prisonerswithchildren.org/about/staff-directory/dauras-cyprian/ Norris Henderson, Voice of the Experienced https://www.vote-nola.org/norris-henderson.html Mr. Cyrian and Henderson join us to talk about the free community forum tomorrow at Booth Hall, UC Berkeley School of Law, 7-9 PM

Guests: John Silverstein is a former public art gallery curator and director, university art history instructor, produced screenwriter, owner of a vintage props rental business called Hot Property, and life-long collector whose interests have ranged from Underground comix, to Bauhaus applied arts, to historic and modern photography, to his present and ongoing involvement with African American objects and art. He lives and works in Toronto. Sandra Palomino, Director, Historical Manuscripts, has more than twenty years of experience working with historical manuscripts, autographs, and rare books both via private treaty sales and auction. She joined Heritage in 2006 and during her tenure has brought to market such important collectibles as the last paragraph of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address and Francis Crick’s Nobel Medal and diploma. She has also had the honor of working with the papers of Benjamin Harrison (a large archive that descended through the family of his second wife that was placed with a

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. Regina Louise. Someone Has Led this Child to Believe (2nd bk. Lifetime film based on Somebody's Someone). www.iamreginalouise.com 2. Donte Clark with Dr. Khalid Akil White re: "Know Freedom" book event at Richmond Pulse, Bridge Art Space, 23 Maine Ave., Richmond, CA, 3-6 pm 3. Martin Luther, McCoy Actor, guitarist, singer/songwriter, producer joins us to talk about the Oakland Symphony's Swing and Soul – Let Us Break Bread Together, Sunday

FRESH is an ARTLAB (a rising tide lifts all boats) production of ALTERNATIVA. FRESH 2019 is curated by Kathleen Hermesdorf and José Navarrete, along with substantial community input, and sponsored by Joe Goode Annex. https://freshfestival.org Fresh Festival 2019, Jan. 4-27:24 days of embodied art, action+ interaction with 85+ risk-taking artists from the Bay Area + beyond, featuring:https://joegoode.org/event/fresh-fest-performances-2019/ 1. Byb Chanel Bibene, born and raised in the Republic of Congo, choreographer and artistic director of Kiandanda Dance Theater is featured the first weekend of Fresh Festival. His own technical and aesthetic sensibility is rooted in the culture and traditional dances of his country.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/kiandanda/ 2. Daiane Lopes da Silva is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and artistic director of Kinetech Arts. Her work has been performed in Brazil, France, Belgium, Greece and the U.S. She was a resident artist at SAFEhouse arts, CounterPulse and Headlands Ce