Wanda's Picks

During her second year as a member of the resident artist company, Jouvanca Jean-Baptiste performs the roles of Nedda (Pagliacci), Violetta (La traviata) and Marguerite (Faust.) The Haitian-born soprano joined OSJ’s resident company during the 2010 – 2011 season, debuting in the title roles of Anna Karenina and Tosca and as Mimì in La bohème.Ms. Jean-Baptiste recently made her mainstage debut with Florida Grand Opera in the role of The Abbess in Suor Angelica. Previously, she sang with West Bay Opera, understudying the role of Cio-cio-san in Madama Butterfly. Other roles in the soprano’s repertoire include Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors) and Miss Rose (Lakmé). Oneika Phillips (Sandra U/S, Ensemble) From Grenada, West Indies, Oneika holds dual degrees in Dance Performance and Business Management from Shenandoah University, Virginia. Formerly a featured member of Abdel Salaama’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Oneika's theatre credits include the workshop, FELA! A New Musica

On Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, I was unable to broadcast these two interviews, with Banker White, director or WeOwnTV, debuting at Cinema by the Bay, 2 PM, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 or the interview with Naima and Fanta, who speak about the fundraiser, HAITI RISING, A benefit for Ayiti Resurrect, Sunday November 6, 2011, 4-9:00 p.m. @ The NeXus @ United Earth Networks, 1414 Harbour Way South, Suite #1010, Marina Bay, Richmond, CA 94804. WeOwnTV: Freetown in the Bay, Dir. Banker White, Black Nature, Saturday, November 5, 2:00 pm, SF Film Society | New People Cinema on Post Street in SF.  When San Francisco-based filmmaker Banker White made Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars (2005), a documentary about six musicians who form a band while living in a refugee camp in Guinea, he made the extraordinary decision to try to help others in Freetown by developing a collaborative media project with other Sierra Leoneans. This program will present a series of the considerable array of styles, such as newscasts, art films and traditi

As a singer, RACHELLE FERRELL is a quintuple threat: Besides having success as a jazz singer, she is also well respected in the R&B, pop, gospel, and classical music genres as well. Known for her six octave range, Ferrell is also an accomplished pianist who has worked with Lou Rawls, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams, and George Duke. For tickets call (800) 380-3095 or www.TheRrazzRoom.com David Mamet's RACE at ACT-SF through Nov. 13, 2011 features SUSAN HEYWARD as "Susan," whose credits include: in New York: Ruined (Manhattan Theatre Club), Nathan the Wise and The Oedipus Cycle (The Pearl Theatre Company), I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady from Rwanda (The Phoenix Ensemble), and The Snow Queen (Urban Stages), as well as readings at The Public Theater and Red Bull Theater. Regional credits include Sabrina Fair (Ford’s Theatre), The Master Builder (Yale Repertory Theatre), You Can’t Take It with You (Peterborough Players), and numerous plays with the American Shakespeare Cent

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. Periodically, we will rebroadcast shows, what we call, "From the Archives."

In 1997, Patricia Wright was sentenced to life without parole for a crime she didn’t commit. Now, she’s facing another sentence, one no judge or jury can overturn: Patricia has stage IV breast cancer, and all she wants is to spend the remainder of her days at home, with her family by her side. We are joined by Patricia's younger sister, Arletta Vanessa Wright, daughter Mistey Ramdhan and son, Alfey Ramdhan. For information visit http://sfbayview.com/2011/three-strikes-holds-dying-innocent-woman-behind-bars-justice-for-patricia-wright-and-her-family/ Next we have high school teacher Karla Brundage joining us to talk about a poetry reading organized by one of her senior students, Sabrina for the MAAFA Commemoration POETRY reading Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, 1:30-2:30 PM at the Oakland Public Library, Brad Walters Community Room, 125 14th Street, on the Madison Street side. This event is being sponsored by the OPL Teen Center. Director Sam Burbank and a programmer from the San Francisco Film Society join us to talk a

   Today we will talk to Alicia Jrapko about Cuba’s Youngest Cultural Ambassadors Make Rare U.S. Appearance LA COLMENITA, this week in the San Francisco Bay Area for final performances of: Abracadabra, written by Children, touches on the U.S.-Cuba relationship, Fri. October 28, 7:30pm: Fort Mason Center, Cowell Theater and Sat. October 29, 2:00pm: Fort Mason Center, Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, Cowell Theater, Marina Blvd and Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA. For tickets visit: (510) 219-0092 or www.lacolmenitacuba.com Since its formation in 1990, La Colmenita, which translates to “The Little Beehive,” has charmed audiences in more than 25 countries.  During its two-week visit, the cast of La Colmenita hopes to begin forging friendships with young Americans whose knowledge of Cuba has been limited to U.S. history books. Their visit comes at an important moment in U.S.-Cuba relations, with leaders in both countries acknowledging the important role that cultural diplomacy can play in reducing conflicts and

Live interview with Robert Jones re: Lympedema Fundraiser. For a coupon email him at healthyone23@gmail.com for a coupon for the fundraiser for the Lymphedema Society at Fresh Choice in San Leandro, 15555 E. 14th Street, Suite 105, San Leandro, CA 94578, (510) 278-5404. Each Saturday in November and December,9AM to 9 PM. This Sat., Oct. 29, 2011. Other prerecorded interviews:  Rev. Liza Rankow and Destiny Muhammad about Spirit Sound Silence Retreat and Farryn Johnson, Disney On Ice's Princess Tiana, on H. elp One Child Disney on Ice Costume Giveaway

"Inner Oasis" with Liza and Destiny opens the program. The two women join us to talk about the final OneLife Insitute for Spirituality & Social Transformation Spirit, Sound & Silence Retreat this weekend, Saturday, October 29, 2011, 10 AM to 4 PM, at the Holy Redeemer Center, 8945 Golf Links Rd., in Oakland. Call (510) 595-5598 or onelife@onelifeinstitute.org Liza J. Rankow(Board Chair for One Life Institute)is an interfaith minister and the founding director of OneLife Institute. She holds a B.A. in Human Development from Hampshire College, Bachelors and Masters degrees in Health Sciences from Duke University School of Medicine, and a Ph.D. in Religion and Social Transformation from Union Institute & University. Destiny, Sound Sculptress, mesmerizes her audience with the her musical imagery. She writes classical/ crossover eclectic jazz for for vocals and harp. Destiny is expanding her musical ideals with her project(s) S.O.N.G/ Strings of a Nubian Groove Nubian string ensemble,The Destiny Muhamm

We honor the memory of Mamakye or Dolores Mae Dixon, who is making her ascension (Jan. 20, 1937-Oct. 16, 2011); Wadada Leo Smith blesses the show with a fabulous interview and conversation about his latest opus: 10 Freedom Summers debuting Oct. 28-30, 2011 at the REDCAT Theatre in the Walt Disney Concert Hall Complex. Visit www.redcat.org or call (213) 237-2800. We feature music from his CD: The Blue Mountain's Sun Drummer which features Smith on trumpet, vocals, flugel horn, mbira, and Ed Blackwell on drums and percussion. For those in the area support the fundraiser for Robert Jones and the Lyphedema Foundation by having a meal at Fresh Choice, Sat., Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 2011, 11 AM to 9 PM. For a coupon and information about Robert call: (510) 253-8120 or email Marcus Gary, qigong4life@gmail.com Oh, and don't forget Maafa Commemoration Month activities continue. Tonight is Post-Afric Highways' play at the Sargent Johnson Gallery, 762 Fulton Street. Friday, Oct. 21, reception at 6 PM, reading at 7 PM. Sat.,

1. We open with director Lavinia Currier speaking about OKA!  2. Women & Girls Lead: A Public Media Iniatative to Focus, Educate, and Connect Audiences Worldwide: Shannon Farley, founding Executive Director of Spark, Deborah Holmes, Vice President of Communications for the Global Fund for Women, and  Gini Reticker, an executive producer of Women, War & Peace and directed both Pray the Devil Back to Hell and the third film in the series about Afghanistan, Peace Unveiled. 3. Beverly Lee: The Shirelles featuring Legendary Original Member & Co-founder Beverly Lee, The Originators Of The Girl Group Sound Celebrate Over 50 Years Of Making Music Together, perform, Tue-Sat, 10/18-22, 8 pm, Sun, 10/23, 7pm, $40-47.50. The Shirelles were an American girl group in the early 1960s, and the first to have a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. Formed in New Jersey in 1958, the quartet went on to release a string of hits. The Shirelles were the first major female vocal group of the rock and roll era, preceding

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.

The Power of Myth: Finding Joe with director, Patrick Takaya Solomon; Denise Michelle Harris, author and playwright speaks about Sweet Bye Bye at Black Rep; Christine Lee, director speaks about daKah Hip Hop Orchestra @ MVFF.  She is joined by Dakonductor Geoff “Double G” Gallegos.

This weekend I had the opportunity to visit with two of Africa’s more important artists, filmmakers, Gaston Kabore and Sidi Fassara Diabate. Kabore, honored at the 34th Annual Mill Valley Film Festival which continues through Sunday, October 16, 2011, graciously offered to translate from the French Diabate’s answers to me. Today's broadcast is a unique opportunity to hear from two directors from the African continent who agree that Africans need to continue to tell their own stories especially now. Today many African youth, mesmerized with the West, have forgotten the glory that is their own heritage. African greatness is not limited to European government hostility, in this case, French invasions nor is post-colonial independence (1960) an accurate view of the greatness limited to the recent history that is Burkino Faso (Mossi kingdom) in the case of Gaston or Mali in the case of director, Diabate, a country which was once “part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade: the Ghana Emp

Robert Henry Johnson is a dancer and playwright who mixes movement style and literary influences with equal fluidity. The son of jazz singer Lady Mem'fis and guitarist Robert Gonzales, he was one of the first students to graduate from San Francisco's School of the Performing Arts. He attended the San Francisco Ballet School on full scholarship. His performances are an arresting mix of muscular virtuosity, manic energy and naked emotion. The founder of the Self Care Reform movement, Marcus Lorenzo Penn, M.D. is a native of San Francisco, CA and currently lives in Oakland, CA.  Harnessing his many talents as a yoga teacher, photographic artist, public and community health physician, author, and speaker, Dr. Penn is passionate about living, seeing and moving through life fully.  He focuses much of his attention on providing health education and promoting good health and wellness through yoga and other preventive health practices. Juanita Capri Brown is a societal equity consultant specializing in racial equity a

Today we speak to Sascha Rice, director of the film, California State of Mind screening at the 34th Annual Mill Valley Film Festival opening tonight. We open with a conversation with Katie Selma about her monthly Amorpour The LoveBar. And we might speak to one of the winners of this year's Friend's of the Negro Spiritual's Heritage Awards. We close with Jeremiah Kpoh speaking about the monthly Kalakuta Music Series this weekend at Oasis Bar and Restraunt, and Johnny, leader of Lagos Roots speaks about a concert celebrating Fela Kuti's birthday.

We feature 3 directors from the 34th Annual Mill Valley Film Festival: Joshua Dylan Mellars, dir. Play Like a Lion; Nick Polizzi, dir. Sacred Science; Paige Bierma, dir. A Brush with the Tenderloin." Artists Carla Oden & Sue Matthews speak about this year's contributions: "Illuminations: Día de los Muertos 2011" at SOMArts Cultural Center Bay Gallery, 934 Brannan Street (between 8th and 9th Streets), San Francisco, CA  94103?, October 8 – November 5.

Abigail E. Disney joins us to talk about the initiative: Women, War & Peace and her films, "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" and "Peace Unveiled" (2nd & 3rd films in the series). Women, War & Peace, a bold new five-part PBS mini-series, is the most comprehensive global media initiative ever mounted on the roles of women in peace and conflict. Women, War & Peace will broadcast on five consecutive Tuesday evenings: October 11, 18, and 25 and November 1 and 8, 2011 (check local listings). "Peace Unveiled, Disney," Gini Reticker, & Claudia Rizzi: When the U.S. troop surge was announced in late 2009, women in Afghanistan knew that the ground was being laid for peace talks with the Taliban. Peace Unveiled follows three women in Afghanistan who are risking their lives to make sure that women have a seat at the negotiating table. Visit http://www.itvs.org/films/women-war-and-peace Wonderful Bay Area singer Clairdee and I have a fabulous conversation, full of laughter and joy about her career and her e

María Fernanda Acuña, vocals, percussion & Venezuelan cuatro, was born and raised in Venezuela. She specializes in a variety of drums and Latin American percussion instruments. For her work with Quijeremá she has developed a unique drum-set incorporating folk instruments from around the world combined with traditional cymbals, snare and kick drum. Michael Warr, Poet Michael Warr’s books of poetry include The Armageddon of Funk (October 2011). His literary awards include the Gwendolyn Brooks Significant Illinois Poets Award. A frequent collaborator with musicians, visual and performing artists, Michael’s poems have been dramatized on stage, depicted on canvas, and set to original music compositions. Sheila E, drummer, became a solo artist in 1984, played with Azteca, the Latin jazz-fusion band led by her father, percussionist Pete Escovedo; she also played on two of his solo albums recorded for Fantasy Records. Prince discovered Sheila E. around 1983 and had her sing on "Erotic City," the B-side to his num

Farmageddon director, Kristin Canty joins us to talk about Americans' right to access fresh, healthy foods of their choice is under attack presently, especially those small family farms who make such choices available. Farmageddon highlights the urgency of food freedom, encouraging farmers and consumers to take action to preserve our quickly vanishing right to produce these foods safely free from unreasonably burdensome regulations.The recent cantelop recall is testiment to the danger of commercial farm practices, dangers not inherent to the smaller agri-businesses. We see how these regulations and practices which favor, overwhelmingly the corporate structure of agri-production is tied to political support from these multibillion dollar industires which look less at healthy choices for the consumer, not to mention the animals and the land or soil, and more to profit--a shortsighted and limited way of thinking. If one is dead or sick, how useful is a huge bank account? Visit farmaggeddonmovie.com Mill Valley F

Alpha Oumar “Bongo” Sidibe is a traditional drummer from Conakry, Guinea in West Africa and lead vocalist and founder for Wontanara band. He is Musical Director of Duniya Dance and Drum Company. Bongo studied with Master Drummer Mamady Keita at his school, Tam Tam Mandigue, Guinea, and participated in his workshops in Conakry and Balandougou, Mamady’s village. Since arriving in the U.S., Bongo has performed with Rhythm Village, Joan Baez, Bolokada Conde, Mickey Hart, the Grateful Dead, and Black Nature from the Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars. Joti Singh is a choreographer, performer, and instructor of Bhangra and Bollywood dances from India and dance from Guinea, West Africa. She is the Artistic Director and founder of Duniya Dance and Drum Company: www.duniyadance.com Intisar Sharif, RN speaks about the Prevention Well Project in Somalia, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, 6-9 PM at Eden Palm Apartments Hall, 53 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 94511 Steven Anthony Jones, Artistic Director, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, has