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! My Cancer Journey Part 1

As the series kickoff, I start with my own Motherline Story. Here is a brief bio:  Ms. Wanda Sabir, is a poet, essayist, arts editor and retired professor. Wanda’s Picks column, podcast and YouTube channel are a local and national staple. Her interest is in Art for Social Change. A depth psychologist, Ms. Sabir’s area of research is on trauma and its impact on memory. Ms. Sabir served as board member for Legal Services for Prisoners with Children.  An advocate of Diaspora Citizenship for descendants of formerly enslaved Africans, Ms. Sabir is also co-founder and CEO of the San Francisco Bay Area Maafa Commemoration in its 28th year this October 2023. Her recent initiative is Wombfulness Gatherings (March 2021-present). Summer 2022 she launched “Souljourning for Truth Project,” a wombful pilgrimage from California to New York, MA and MI, inspired by the life and work of Sojourner Truth, formerly enslaved Black woman, preacher, womanist, abolitionist, suffragette. Here is a link to the film and interview.  Presently, Ms. Sabir is at the beginning of her doctoral journey in the Women's Spirituality program at CIIS. We close with Nina Simone's "Take Me to the Water."

In these conversations over the next year, we will speak to Black women about their motherlines. Our guest today is Kathryn Waddell Takara, Ph.D., who taught and developed the first Black Studies in the Ethnic Studies Department beginning in 1971. She transferred to Interdisciplinary Studies where she continued to develop new courses including Africana Studies. Her primary research was African American history, politics and culture. A winner of the (BCF) 2010 American Book Award, Kathryn Waddell Takara, PhD, poet, has published over 300 poems, 11 books of poetry and numerous academic articles. She is currently a writer and traveling performance poet since retiring from the University of Hawai’i (2007) after 31 years of teaching. She is recognized as a widely traveled professor, public scholar of ethnic and Africana Studies. She has travelled, taught and performed her poetry within the USA as well as in W. Europe, West and South Africa, and Eastern China. She was born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama, educated at Quaker George School and Tufts University on the East Coast, and studied in France twice.  She earned a Fulbright scholarship, an M.A. in French from the University of California, Berkeley and moved to Hawai`i in 1968, where she earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Hawai’i at Ma̵noa. She has been of service to the community as a coordinator and producer of many socio-political and cultural events. We end with Nina Simone, "To Be Young Gifted and Black."

1. We are joined by the erudite playwright, musician, and scholar Ishmael Reed, Carla Blank, director, and an illustrious cast tospeak about The Shine Challenge online at The Nuyorican Poetry Cafe in New York. Reservations and further information can be found at www.nuyorican.org Reed says:  "In my grandmother’s brother’s house, the only painting on the wall was that of the Titanic. The sinking of the Titanic challenged the boasts of white supremacy. From the collective imagination of the Negro streets came the “toast” of “Shine,” who delivers a warning to the first- class passengers that the ship, thought to be invincible, was taking water. One might consider Shine to be the grassroots nomination for a member of the Black prophetic tradition." Ishmael Reed has lengthened the 40 or so lines of the typical Shine rap into a 100-page script in which he expands on the issues addressed in the original toast: race, class, immigration, engineering, and Edwardian morality by putting Shine on trial, in which he is both the accused and his own defense attorney.  One of the reasons Reed wrote the play was he found that members of three generations of Blacks had never heard the story of Shine. He calls the play, The Shine Challenge, 2024, because he expects that a future playwright will expand upon what he has accomplished. Directed by Carla Blank, The Shine Challenge, 2024 cast includes Jesse Bueno, Maurice Carlton, Caridad De La Luz, Emil Guillermo, Rome Neal, Ishmael Reed, Tennessee Reed, Laura Robards, Monisha Shiva, and Brian Simmons as Shine. 2. We close with an interview with Lola Hanif, womanist scholar, healer, activist, writer (3/8/2012).

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! Today we speak to Dr. Cathy "Iyabeji" Royal about the annual Ancestral Souls Rising, Dec. 21, 2023.  Visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/c4gar-asr  To learn more about the council, see the brochure. We end the program with the song: "Hum" by Ayla Nereo.

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 speak to Ms. Deborah Vaughn, Dimensions Dance Theater, co-founder, Artistic Director, and Ms. Latanya d.Tigner, Dimensions Extensions, co-director, about this celebratory conclusion to an amazing year, Sat., Oct. 21 at 7:30 PM PT and Sunday, Oct. 22 at 4 PM PT at the Malonga Casquelourd Center, 1428 Alice Street, in Oakland, CA. The internationally acclaimed company closes its 50th anniversary year with performances of select signature works that have earned it a place as one of the country’s longest-standing and popular African American performing arts organizations. The program features dances that have help Dimensions become widely recognized for its presentation of both traditional and contemporary choreography drawn from African, Jazz, and Modern dance idioms. The diversity and inclusiveness of DDT’s repertoire is unique to the company and has contributed greatly to its reputation for innovative dynamism. Works to be performed include choreography by Deborah Vaughan, Latanya d. Tigner, Andrea Vonny Lee, Colette Eloi, Erik K. Raymond Lee, Justin Sharlman, Makaya Kayos, Denice Simpson Braga, and Alseny Soumah. Tickets: general $35, Seniors $25, Students $20, Youth under 12yrs $15, 4 tickets for $100 and may be purchased at www.eventbrite.com or www.dimensionsdance.org

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!  Today we speak to Michael Gene Sullivan (he/him) (Head Writer, SFMT Collective), SF Mime Troupe about its current production, "Breakdown," July 1-Sept. 4. MGS has performed with all four of the Bay Area’s Tony award-winning theaters: American Conservatory Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, TheatreWorks, and the San Francisco Mime Troupe (where he is also a Collective Member, director, and as Resident Playwright has written or co-written over 25 plays). He has also worked with SF Playhouse, California Shakespeare Theater, Denver Center Theatre Company, Marin Theatre Co., Aurora Theatre Co., Magic Theatre, TheatreFirst, Lorraine Hansberry Theater, African American Shakespeare Co., and the SF Shakespeare Festival. Michael is the author of the internationally produced stage adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984, of the critically-acclaimed The Great Khan, and in 2022 Michael was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship as a Dramatist. www.michaelgenesullivan.com

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 speak to Ayodele Nzinga, Ph.D., Artistic Director, Lower Bottom Playaz about its 24th Season opening this weekend, with August Wilson's Radio Golf. August 10 is a preview. Say you are Dr. Nzinga's guest and you get in free. Performances August 11-27, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased at  https://our.show/radiogolf/66875. All performances are at BAM House (1540 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612).

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!  Today we speak to Charles Curtis Blackwell, playwright, artist, poet, about his new work, “When Struggle Gave Improvisation the Blues” in two locations, Sat., August 12, 3-5 PM at the Tenderloin Museum, 398 Eddy Street, SF and Sun., August 13, 3-5 PM at Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland.  Featuring Shavonne Allen, Howard Jennings Jr., Greg Pond, Sylvester Guard Jr., Sawyer Arkilic, Barbara Saunders, and Charles Curtis Blackwell. Made possible with support from Hospitality House. Free! All Welcome! Register via Eventbrite

Zaccho Dance Theatre and Bayview Opera House Inc. present:Flying to Freedom: Celebrating Juneteenth through Aerial Dance, Music, and Theater, a collective reflection on liberation created and performed by Bay Area music, theater, dance and aerial artists and curated by Joanna Haigood. Performances are at 8 pm on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17.  Tickets are $10-$35.  To purchase tickets, go https://flyingtofreedom.eventbrite.com We speak to Joanna Haigood, Veronica Blair and Steven Anthony Jones.   Juneteenth is a national holiday that celebrates the day (June 19, 1865) that the last enslaved people in Texas were informed of their emancipation, two years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.  It became a national holiday in 2021.   Each artists’ contribution is unique.  For example, theater artist Steven Anthony Jones’ work Flying to Freedom examines the accounts of African Americans who were told stories of Black People who literally flew away to freedom. He explains, “I'll look at accounts that were heard by children and adults and I will draw on prose and poetry writing about ‘negroes who flew away.’”  Aerialist Veronica Blair’s contribution is Thank You, Forgiveness!, an aerial silks performance exploring the unpacking of trauma created to heal people in a public space. “One of the most important components of liberation is healing,” she explains. “Having lived through generations of perpetual harm and rejection, we as Black people undoubtedly carry our stories and traumas in our bodies.”

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 this afternoon by Jovelyn Richards and Damu Sudi Alii to talk about Mz. Pat's House, a performance this Monday in Oakland at the New Parkway Theatre. Tickets are available at Eventbrite. Jovelyn Richards, writer/performance artist and community theater/film director. Damu Sudi Alii is a musician, composer, educator, scholar, activist. Recent work: Serenity (2023); with Kamau Seitu: Blessings, Umoja, Dance of the Kalahari.  Music: Blessings; Three Strikes ft. Willie G.

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!  Professor Ampim has taken educational tours to North Africa and Central America. In addition, he has conducted an extensive 13-country research tour to all of the major museums, institutes and libraries throughout America, Europe and Canada, which house ancient Egyptian and Nubian artifacts. Since the 1990s, he has completed several field research projects in Egypt, Nubia, and the Sudan to continue his primary research at dozens of field sites to study ancient African social organization and spiritual culture, document modern forgeries, and to record the vanishing evidence of classical African civilizations in the Nile Valley. After visiting the King Ramses II exhibit at the deYoung Museum, I had to speak to Professor Ampim to get the truth about King Ramses and clarity on what I saw at the museum. Visit wandaspicks.com (January-February 2023) for a review.

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 speak to Donna Chang, L.Ac. (MSOM), founder, Alameda Community Acupuncture. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, BodyIntuitive Practitioner, Holistic Nutrition & Lifestyle Counsellor, Transformational coach.  This is the third conversation in a series on wellness practices.

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!  Today we spoke with  Aurora Theatre Company’s Associate Artistic Director, Dawn Monique Williams about Dominique Morisseau's "PARADISE BLUE," her Detroit Trilogy: Paradise Blue, Detroit ʼ67, and Skeleton Crew. All have been produced off-Broadway and around the country. Aurora produced a successful run of Morisseau's Detroit ʼ67 in their 2018/2019 Season.  Tickets are pay what you can Januar 27-Feb. 1. The show opens Feb. 2. It streams online Feb. 21-26.  For single tickets ($20-$75) or subscriptions ($200-$385), the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit www.auroratheatre.org. There is an African Diaspora Affinity Night (though all are welcome) on Friday, February 10. Discussion host and director Dawn Monique Williams may be joined by the actors, community members, and local storytellers. Other post show discussions are:  Friday, February 3, Tuesday, February 7, Wednesday, February 15 Thursday, February 23   Dominique Morisseau's "Paradise Blue." is the perfect play for the Bay, the geographic resonance will echo in one's hearts long after the final curtain. Check back for the Wanda's Picks Discount code.

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! Today we speak to Thespians Nominated for AUDELCO @ 50 Celebration Awards Night - Monday, Nov 28th. We open with Jackie Jeffries, President of AUDELCO, followed by an interview with Rome Neal, Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. He is Artistic Theatre Director of the Nuyorican Poets Café theatre program. Following this conversation we are speaking to other nominees in this order:  Mandela James Garrett (supporting Actor) Malika NZinga  (Lead Actress) Robert Greene (Mandela)   Black Love & Oya Jade Mason (actor in both plays) Fulton Hodges (actor in both play) Aaron Watkins (actor in both)   Lambs To Slaughter Keith Johnston (Music director) Kahlil Kain (playwright) Adiagha Faizah (lead Actress)

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! Today we speak to ELIJAH AHMAD LEWIS (David Ruffin) in "Ain't Too Proud, The Life and Times of the Temptations" opening tonight at Broadway SF’s Golden Gate Theatre (1 Taylor Street) November 9 – December 4, 2022. Tickets, ranging in price from $56 to $256, can be purchased at broadwaysf.com. The multi-award-winning singer, actor, songwriter and arranger has appeared on Broadway: Motown, Tony Award®-winning Ain’t Too Proud. Tours: Motown (First and Second National), Mama, I Want To Sing(Japan). TV/Film: “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” B-Boy Blues, Mama, I Want to Sing!, America (starring Rosie O'Donnell), The Grammys. Music: SZA, Chance the Rapper, Ariana Grande, James “JT” Taylor, Cissy Houston, Madonna. He says: "Thanks to family & my team. To my mentor/friend Cicely Tyson, this is for you!" IG:@elijah.ahmad.lewis elijahahmadlewis.com

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! SF Mime Troupe's "Back to the Way Things Were" up on vemeo through November 6. The shows are free. donations accepted.  https://www.sfmt.org/ (Code "Power to the People") 1. Michael Gene Sullivan (he/him) (Head Writer, SFMT Collective) has performed with all four of the Bay Area’s Tony award-winning theaters: American Conservatory Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Theatreworks, and the San Francisco Mime Troupe (where he is also a Collective Member, director, and as Resident Playwright has written or co-written over 25 plays). He has also worked with SF Playhouse, California Shakespeare Theater, Denver Center Theatre Company, Marin Theatre Co., Aurora Theatre Co., Magic Theatre, TheatreFirst, Lorraine Hansberry Theater, African American Shakespeare Co., and the SF Shakespeare Festival. Michael is the author of the internationally produced stage adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984, of the critically-acclaimed The Great Khan, and in 2022 Michael was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship as a Dramatist. www.michaelgenesullivan.com

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! Congratulations to Dimensions Dance Theatre on its 50th Anniversary Celebration this weekend, Oct. 22-23, at Mills College, Lisser Hall, Oakland, CA. Tickets are available online and at the door: dimensionsdance.org  Today, we speak to Deborah Vaughn, co-founder and collaborators, laura elaine ellis and Nimely Napla. Music: Delfeayo Marsalis, Jazz Party.

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 continue our discussion with members of the cast in Ishmael Reed's latest play, "The Conductor," directed by Carla Blank, is a play in two acts. It has four (4) virtual live streamed readings this week, Thursday-Sunday, October 13-16 at Theater for the New City, https://theaterforthenewcity.net/shows/the-conductor/ When: Thursday Oct. 13, Friday Oct.14, Saturday  Oct.15 at 8:00 pm & Sunday Oct. 16 matinee at 3:00 pm; Tickets $18.00; Phone 212-254-1109 Cast for The Conductor readings includes Emil Guillermo, Imran Javaid, Tennessee Reed, Laura Robards, Monisha Shiva, Brian Simmons, and Kenya Wilson. Joining us today are: Imran Javaid, Laura Robards, Monisha Shiva, and Kenya Wilson. 2. Mildred Inez Lewis, playwright, joins us to talk about the world premiere of her homage to George C. Wolfe, "The Museum Annex," directed by Elizabeth Carter, at Central Works in Berkeley, Oct. 15-Nov. 13 Visit http://centralworks.org/the-womens-annex/

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 speak to Ishmael Reed, playwright, and Emil Guillermo, actor as (Gabriel Noitallde), and Carla Blank, director, about Reed's latest work "The Conductor", a play, in 2 acts, performed October 13-15, in 4 live streamed virtual readings. Visit https://theaterforthenewcity.net/shows/the-conductor/