Wanda's Picks

For the past 25 years, the second Saturday in June, this year, June 9, has been hailed as a day to remember the ancestors. Tomorrow throughout the African Diaspora in the Americas and beyond, Pan African people lift the names of ancestors who made the journey across the Atlantic and those who died aboard those slave ships. We are joined in the studio by: Sisters Deborah Wright (Charleston, SC), Chadra Pittman Walke (Hampton, Virginia), Afua N'Diaye (Seattle, WA), Kefentse Chike (Detroit, MI), and Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina (Virgin Islands);  Brothers Osei Terry Chandler (Charleston, SC) and Azikiwe Chandler (Charleston, SC), Wanda Sabir (Oakland, CA). Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina of the Per Ankh community organization is well known on St. Croix  as "Dr. Chen" for her years of tirelessly promoting the spiritual and cultural connections between Caribbean and African people, heritage, exposing youth to traditional art, dance, healing and an alternative spiritual path.  We conclude with conversations with choreograph

Guests: JC Montgomery was part of the original Broadway production of The Scottsboro Boys. He also appeared on Broadway in Bye Bye Birdie, The Little Mermaid, The Color Purple, Thou Shalt Not, Swing!, Parade, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and The Boys from Syracuse. Waights Taylor Jr., born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, lives in Santa Rosa, California. His latest book, Our Southern Home: Scottsboro to Montgomery to Birmingham—The Transformation of the South in the Twentieth century, was published in October 2011. The Scottsboro Boys opens at ACT-SF June 21-July 15, 2012. Visit www.act-sf.org Nicole Klaymoon and guest collaborator, Sean San Jose, join us to talk about Klaymoon’s Embodiment Project's latest installment of urban dance theater, House of Matter, this weekend at Dance Mission, 24th Street & Mission, Fri.-Sun., June 8-10, 2012. Through Klaymoon’s signature use of street and modern dance, poetry, personal narrative and live music, House of Matter examines the houses in which we belong – both the familie

CK Ladzekpo (Co-Artistic Director of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival), Emiko Susilo (Director of Gamelan Sekar Jaya), Nestor Ruiz (Artistic Director of El Tunante) and Kristina Ramsey (Dancer with Las Que Son Son) open the show's first hour. Our next guest is Arisa White, whose debut collection, Hurrah’s Nest, is this year’s winner of the San Francisco Book Festival Award for poetry. We close with  devorah major, former San Francisco Poet Laureate, who will speak about Incantations by the Bahia a free poetry reading tonight, June 1, 2012, 7:30 p.m., at the Luggage Gallery, 1007 Market Street, in San Francisco  featuring a stellar lineup of poets who will speak about the 1970s, a time of burgeoning voices from silenced communities of color: African American, Latino, Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islanders. Featured music: Rene Marie's "Just My Imagination," Sweet Honey in the Rock, Umoja Our "Problem to Solve" & "Yesterday's Lettuce," Wunmi "Oya-O."

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the writing, visual and performing arts of African people in the Diaspora. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work filled with raw unfettered passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! Today we feature artists from the 9th Annual Berkeley World Music Festival, Saturday, June 2, 2012. Gianna Ranuzzi joins us to talk about the festival she founded along with artists: Juliana Graffagna, Fely Tchaco, and Maria Muldaur. Visit http://www.berkeleyworldmusic.org/  We close with an exclusive from Baton Rouge, with Robert King, A3, who will update us on the court hearings with Albert Woodfox, a member of Angola 3. Today is also King's 70th birthday. What a great gift--freedom for his conrade. Herman Wallace the third member to go. Visit angola3.org

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the writing, visual and performing arts of African people in the Diaspora. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work filled with raw unfettered passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! Remember to tune in on Wednesdays from 6 AM PST to 7 or 8 AM and on Fridays from 8 AM to 10 AM. We also host special broadcasts from time to time.

Rebroadcast of Monday, May 21, 2012 show with Raissa Simpson, Artistic Director, PUSH who speaks about her upcoming show in Union Square San Francisco, Friday-Monday, May 25-28, 2012. Bitter Melon is latest collaborations between artistic director Raissa Simpson with Ben Wood and his partner David Mark. Co-commissioned by San Francisco Arts Commission, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Union Square Live, and San Francisco Recreations & Parks. Visit http://pushdance.org/events.php Sheila Head of Head Design Beauty shop in Oakland is a nominee for the Pillar Award for the Oakland Indie Awards, May 31, 2012 at the Kaiser Center, 5:30-8:30 PM www.oaklandindieawards.com We rebroadcast interviews with director, Robin Fryday, who speaks about Barber of Birmingham, the story of James Armstrong, a foot soldier for the Civil Rights Movement on the election of the first black President, Barack Obama. Music: "Free at Last, " a selection from Chinyakare,and another selection courtesy of Ebony Iman Dallas. Both are announc

Special Broadcast with Raissa Simpson, Artistic Director, PUSH who speaks about her upcoming show in Union Square San Francisco, Friday-Monday, May 25-28, 2012. Bitter Melon is latest collaborations between artistic director Raissa Simpson with Ben Wood and his partner David Mark. Co-commissioned by San Francisco Arts Commission, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Union Square Live, and San Francisco Recreations & Parks. Visit http://pushdance.org/events.php Sheila Head of Head Design Beauty shop in Oakland is a nominee for the Pillar Award for the Oakland Indie Awards, May 31, 2012 at the Kaiser Center, 5:30-8:30 PM.  http://www.oaklandunwrapped.org/indies/nominees12.html We rebroadcast interviews with director, Robin Fryday, who speaks about Barber of Birmingham, the story of James Armstrong, a foot soldier for the Civil Rights Movement on the election of the first black President, Barack Obama.  The film was nominated for an Academy Award this year. We also rebroadcast an interview with curator for the Nati

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the writing, visual and performing arts of African people in the Diaspora. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work filled with raw unfettered passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! Remember to tune in on Wednesdays from 6 AM PST to 7 or 8 AM and on Fridays from 8 AM to 10 AM. We also host special broadcasts from time to time.

Today we are celebrating the life of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, a man who epitomizes transformation and revolutionary thought born May 19, 2011, (1925-1965). We are joined by friends and family who knew and admired him. Confirmed are: A. Peter Bailey, author, journalist, friend of Brother Malcolm, and Yusufu Mosley, activist, and practitioner of African-Centered Restorative Justice. We are also joined by scholar, artist, writer, teacher, Amiri Baraka. We close with an interview with Abraham Burton, who is headlining the Tenth Annual Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival, Saturday, May 21, 2011 at San Antonio Park. The Abraham Burton Trio performs at Eastside Cultural Center 2277 International Blvd., Oakland, CA   94606, Sunday: May 22, 2011, 6PM-two sets. Admission is $15. For more information: 510/533-6629 We open with "Eleanor  Bumpurs" featuring Jon Jang Sextet (David Murray, tenor saxophone: James Newton, flute; Chen Jiebing, erhu; Jon Jang, piano; Santi Debriano, double bass; Billy Hart, multiple percussion.  The

We devote the first hour to a Shout out to the Black Mother. Guests are asked to tell us their mom's name. Question: Is she still alive? What do you love most about her? What lessons are you still living by? What is she most proud of that you have done? Moms you can give a shout out to yourselves too (smile). Count your blessings on the air. You have only a minute or two though, depending on the response (smile). We are then joined by Jennifer Baichwal, director, Payback, based on Margaret Atwood's visionary work, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth. The film opens May 18, 2012 at Landmark's Lumiere in San Francisco and Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley. We close with a conversation with Eleanor Jacobs, Lena in Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun, directed by L. Peter Callender, Artistic Director, African American Shakespeare Company in San Francisco at the Burial Clay Theater at the African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco. Visit www.african-americanshakes.o

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the writing, visual and performing arts of African people in the Diaspora. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work filled with raw unfettered passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! Remember to tune in on Wednesdays from 6 AM PST to 7 or 8 AM and on Fridays from 8 AM to 10 AM. We also host special broadcasts from time to time.

Today we speak to Ethel Long Scott, Executive Director of WEAP and Tamara Perine, Shop Stewart at UFCW about the four day public hearing, the first ever World Courts of Women on Poverty in the US, May 10-13, 2012 at Laney College in Oakland, CA. Visit www.weap.org We then speak to cast in the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre's season's production of Pearl Cleage's Blues for an Alabama Sky, directed by Michele Shay. It is at LHT through Saturday, May 12. We'll speak to actors Tobie Windham, Leilani Drakeford and Joshua L. Green. Visit www.lhtsf.org  Music: Somi's "When the Rains Come"; Liz Wright selection from Salt.

Today we feature a live interview with Rory O'Connor whose latest book, Friends, Followers and the Furture: How Social Media are Changing Politics, Threatening Big Brands and Killing Traditional Media, published this month by City Lights.   Rory O'Connor's broadcast, film and print career has been recognized with two Emmys, a George Orwell Award, a George Polk Award, a Writer's Guild Award among other honors.  His previous books include the recently released 2nd edition of Nukespeak and Shock Jocks: Hate Speech & Talk Radio (2008). We open with two interviews: the first with director Mark Wexler recorded June 29, 2011 and second with Martin Luther, broadcast live February 10, 2012

Rebroadcast of interview with healers who talk about: A Day at the Spy: Mind, Body and Spirit, Saturday, April 28, 2012, 1:30 to 8 p.m. at Wo'se Community House of Amen Ra, 8924 Holly Street in Oakland. For appointments call Yaya (386) 292-2916 or Linnett (805) 966-6333. We close with another interview from the archives: Wadada Leo Smith who speaks about the debut of his current opus: 10 Freedom Summers which premiered in October 2011.

We speak to four healers: Gary Brown, King Arthur Blake, Linnett Saunders-Peal and Queen Yaniba about the first in a series called: A Day at the Spa: Mind, Body ansd Spirit Renewal at Wo'se House of Amen Ra, 8924 Holly Street, Oakland, CA. Call (386) 292-2916 or (805) 966-6333 for an appointment between 1:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The admission includes a 3-course meal plus beverage and dessert. For appointments call: Linette at (805) 966-6333 or (386) 292-2916. Scholarships are available so ask. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Groups of 5 are $25 each. The entire circuit which includes Yoga, Reiki, Massage, Crystal Hand Bath, Facials, Sound Healing and Aroma Therapy, and other pleasant surprises -- is about 1 1/2 hour.  Music: Nawal "Hima," Khadja Nin "Sina Mali, Sine Dini," and Judith Sephume's "te Tshephile."  

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the writing, visual and performing arts of African people in the Diaspora. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work filled with raw unfettered passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! Remember to tune in on Wednesdays from 6 AM PST to 7 or 8 AM and on Fridays from 8 AM to 10 AM. We also host special broadcasts from time to time.

  8:00 AM: Rebroadcast of Alrick Brown, dir. Kinyarwanda (SFIFF 54). 8:30 AM: playwright Michael Kroll & Rev. Dorothy Streuther, speak about Requiem for the Death Penalty, on the 20th Anniversay of CA's resumption of the death penalty by lethal gas in Robert Alton Harris's case, April 21, 1992. There are a series of events: art reception with Malaquias Montoya, at 1111 Minna Gallery in SF. Apr. 21 there is a film screening, there are awards for death penalty advocates, panel discussions with victims and survivors, culminating with the staged reading of kroll's play: "Just Like a Dog" at Shogun theatre in Berkeley, Apr. 23-24, 7 p.m. Visit http://requiemforthedeathpenalty.eventbrite.com/ 9:00 AM: Tina Abram-Davis, Visual Anthropologist's first presentation will be on April 24 at the http://humanrights.sfsu.edu/summit9.html She is featured on a panel at 3:30, Modern Epidemics.  The second panel, on April 25th at 9:30 a.m. is called "Until Haiti Spoke: The Cholera Epidemic".  The second project is part of a

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the writing, visual and performing arts of African people in the Diaspora. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work filled with raw unfettered passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! Remember to tune in on Wednesdays from 6 AM PST to 7 or 8 AM and on Fridays from 8 AM to 10 AM. We also host special broadcasts from time to time.

8 AM: Nurse-midwife Mary Koroma from Sierra Leone has over the past 10 years dedicated her life to saving the lives of mothers and babies; Ayesha Feary, Director of Information and Education of AAPDEP. Xandréa Sanford-Treistman, psychologist and nutritionist/holistic health counselor,share the Africa's Future in African Hands Tour lands in Oakland APR 18-19, 20 with stops in two locations. APR 18, 6:30 PM at Niebyl Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave, OAK.; April 19, 6:30 PM, Uhuru House in Oakland--both events kick off the Bay Area Birth Justice Fair, Saturday, APR 21, 10 AM -5 PM at Uhuru House, 7911 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland. The events are all free to the public. The Bay Area Birth Justice Fair opens with a healing circle for mothers who have lost a child before its first birthday. Visit http://africasfuturetour.wordpress.com and http://www.bayareabirthjustice.wordpress.com or call 510-395-1780 8:30 AM:Michael Warr, awardwinning poet, speaks to us about his latest book, a poetic memoir: The Armageddon of F

We rebroadcast a special show featuring Rev. Liza Rankow and Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake on the sad occasion of Dr. Thurman's last surviving child, Olive Thurman Wong, passing from this life on Thursday, April 5th, at the age of 84. She was surrounded by loving family and friends. The West coast memorial service will be held on this Saturday, April 14th, at 11:00AM at the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples,  2041 Larkin St., San Francisco (www.fellowshipsf.org). An East coast memorial celebration will be held in New York City, sometime in May. We lost another wonderful woman, Christine Nyanda-Chacha this week as well. Mama Chacha, a mother, wife, sister, friend, philanthropist, innovator, pillar of strength passed while on a medical visit in South Africa and funds are needed to bring her body back to the USA for burial. She founded the organization African Immigrants Social and Cultural Services (AISCS), an organization that works to better the lives of African immigrants in the United States and of rural com