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. Laura Paglin, dir. Unseen, at Doc Fest SF, Roxie June  8, 8:30 p.m. and June 11, 7:15 p.m. 2. Berkeley World Music Festival: Patricio Angulo, President of Oyé Productions Patricio Angulo has been in the music and entertainment industry since 1999. As a musician and event producer, he knows first hand what it takes to make any event run smoothly. His close connection to the current musical scene ensures that all artists represented by

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 Black Infant Health Program Community Dance & Fundraiser, Sat., June 3, 7-11 p.m. at Westbay Community Center, 1290 Fillmore. Chauntil Bell, alum, & Jenee Johnson, Executive Director, join us this morning.  2. Honorees & Keynote speaker: Dana Curtis, Phoebe Vanderhorst, Darlene Weide re: Community Board's 7th Annual SF Peacemaker Awards, Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City Club.  3. Laura Elaine Ellis, executive dir

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. DJ Spooky joins us to talk about the SF Silent Film Festival's screening of Body and Soul, dir., Oscar Micheaux | USA, 1925 | 93 m., Friday, June 2, 7 p.m. at the Castro Theatre in SF 2. Gianna & Fely Tchaco,14th Annual Berkeley World Music Festival 6/10-6/11 (various locations) 3. Desiree Rogers (Deborah) & Jeunee Simon (Henrietta Lacks) join us to talk about Theatre First's production of HeLa at Live Oak Theatre through June

1. Graham Lustig, Artistic Director, Oakland Ballet, joins us to talk about "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Odell Johnson Theatre at the Laney College, June 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 4 p.m. at Laney as well. 2. Cherie Hill, Artistic Director, IrieDance, joins us to talk about her new work.Terrestrial Footprints Part 2, June 2 & 3 at Alena Museum, a West Oakland space for African Diaspora art, 2725 Magnolia Street, 8 p.m.  3. Laura Elaine Ellis , executive director of the African & African American Performing Arts Coalition and co-director of the Black Choreographers Festival curates: Soul to Soul: An Artistic Response to Baldwin and Coates, 6/3 and 6/10, a collaborative piece which draws on the writings of James Baldwin and Ta-Nehisi Coates to illuminate contemporary issues related to race and social justice at odc.dance/wddf and 415-863-9834.

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!   Guest: Danielle Wright, is a Visual Artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work investigates the language of materials and the delineation between artist and viewer/participant. In addition to her studio practice, she teaches art at Creativity Explored, a not-for-profit art gallery and studio in the Mission District of San Francisco. She joins us to talk about her work and the exhibit she is a part of honoring the life of Yuri Koch

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 forbearers. 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. Andrew Wood, SFIAF  He founded the Festival in 2002. Prior to that I had over 10 years experience as a presenter and an artist manager working at places such as ODC Theater, Life on the Water, the Ethnic Dance Festival and the San Francisco Mime Troupe. 2. Eugene Redmond, Annual Tribute to Miles Davis, Henry Dumas, and Katherine Dunham. Three artistic giants who greatly impacted this city and the world will be honored Friday, May 19, 2017,

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 Archive 1. Luisah Teish on Sacred Space (3/14/2012) Music: Zion Trinity's Opening Prayer Elegba, Victoria Theodore's "Grateful," Julia Steele Allen's "Words Are Seeds."  

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. Safiya Fredericks, a Richmond native, most known for her work in IndepenDeandre Evans, playwright and Safiya Fredericks, director, join us to talk about a new play opening this weekend, May 6-7, 6-8 p.m., Richmond Renaissance at El Cerrito High School. Evans acted in four theatrical productions over the last three years: “Te’s Harmony,” “Po’Boys Kitchen,” “The Adventure of Grief,” and “Bag Ladies’ Butterfly Blues.” His poetry and raps have been featured in The Bigger Picture Campaign and the Off/Page Project’s “This Is Home”—he is emerging as a well-respected voice in the important dialogue around food justice, low-income housing rights, mental health and other social justice issues in Richmond. Deandre teaches weekly spoken word workshops and helps to coordinate open mics at the RYSE Center, creating safe spaces for Richmond youth to express themselves. 2. Shifting Movement:Art Inspired by the Life &Work of Yuri Kochiyama (1921-2014) artists: Susan Almazol, Jocelyn Jackson, Lenore Chinn.  3. D

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. Mrs. Ethel Long Scott, Women's Economic Agenda Project joins us to talk about current issues.  2. Thomas Allen Harris, dir. Through a Lens Darkly, Black Photographers (Frameline 38, 2014). 3. D'Wayne Wiggins, philanthropist, Award-winning R&B artist, joins us to talk about Youth Aid, an organization he founded to expose, engage, and inspire youth from underserved communities through the creation, production and businessof music. T

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. Grace Lee, Korean American director, joins us to talk about her interactive media project and film, K-Town'92: Who Gets to Tell the Story.  Interactive Website  On Saturday, April 29th at 1P ET/10A PT, WORLD Channel will be Facebook Live streaming K-Town '92 Reporters. WORLD Channel’s Executive Producer Chris Hastings will be joined by director Grace Lee, and a special guest, to discuss the anniversary of the 1992 L.A. riots and the K-T

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. In the United States there are 2.2 million people in prison, up from only 300,000 forty years ago, yet for most Americans, prisons have never felt more distant or more out of sight. A cinematic journey through a series of seemingly ordinary American landscapes, The Prison in Twelve Landscapes excavates the hidden world of the modern prison system and explores lives outside the gates affected by prisons. Join us to talk to Brett Story, whos

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. Deborah Vaughn, Artistic Director, principal choreographer, co-founder of Dimensions Dance Theatre, joins us to speak about The Village Project, Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m. at Phillip Reeder Auditorium at Castlemont High School in Oakland. Visit eventbrite for tickets.                                                          2. People's Climate Movement Bay Area event, Sat., April 29, 2017.   

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. Rachel Caplan, Founder & CEO, SF Green Film Festival, April 20-26, 2017 2. Jenee Johnson, Director, SF Black Infant Program 3. Nefertina Abrams, Royal House of Makeda, Black Empowerment Summit II, Sat., April 22

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. Kathleen Dowdey, dir. "John Lewis: Get in the Way." http://www.pbs.org/show/john-lewis-get-in-the-way/ 2. Margaret Avery, "Shug," in Color Purple--2/14/2014. Music: Zion Trinity's "Opening Prayer for Esu Legba," Ethnic Heritage Ensemble's "Black is Back," Marcus Shelby's "I Am a Man from Soul of the Movement."      

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. Rebroadcast with African American Shakes actors: Edward Neville Ewell (Youngblood) and Jemier Jenkins (Rena) in August Wilson's Jitney. Closes this weekend at the Marine's Memorial Theatre in SF. 2. From the archives: JITNEY at Multi-Ethinic Theatre August 2014.   

1. Kelly Carlisle, a former member of the Navy who leads an urban farming program where at-risk children grow and sell fresh food to eat healthier and deposit the profits they earn into individual savings accounts to build toward a better future. Executive Director of Acta Non Verba, the US Navy veteran and has been the recipient of many awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. She is an avid gardener and is an Alameda County Master Gardener Trainee. She is an active member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Ms. Carlisle was selected as one of 200 U.S. Delegates to Slow Food International’s Terra Madre and Salone del Gusto in 2012 and 2014. Ms. Carlisle is the December 2011 Bon Appetit Good Food Fellow. She has worked with and mentored pre-teen and teenage youth since the age of 14. A native of East Oakland, California, she is committed to creating positive change in her childhood city. Most recently, Kelly’s work has been honored at the White House by President Barack Obama. 2. Pat M

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. Anita M. Samuels, author, Rants & Retorts: How Bigots Got a Monopoly on Commenting About News Online, a first book by a veteran journalist, who has written for New York Times, New York Daily News, Billboard, BET Weekend Magazine and other publications.  2. Encore interview with David Roach, cofounder, Oakland International Film Festival, April 4-8. Music: Zion Trinity's Opening Prayer for Esu Legba; Archie Shepp's Cousin Mary; Dav

1. Donna C. Roberts, dir. Yemanja: Wisdom from the African Heart of Brazil, a part of the Oakland International Film Festival, Wed., April 5, 6:30 p.m. at HNU Valley Performing Arts Center in Oakland. For tickets:http://oiff.org/yemanja 2. The Flight Deck's Overnight opens tonight, March 31. We speak to Anna Shneiderman, Executive Director and Founder: Ragged Wing Ensemble and Ayodele Nzinga, Artistic Director, Lower Bottom Playaz. Flight Deck. 3. OneLife Institute presents: Transformative Visions: Art, Music, Spoken Word: Sat., April 8, 2-5 p.m. at Oakstop. We are joined by Rev. Liza Rankow, presenter, and artists: Mar Stevens, Virginia Jourdan, and Nicole Dixon.