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!  Today we have a special recorded show featuring artists: Mai Lingani (Burkina Faso), Seth Sharp (Iceland), Johnny Turco (Puerto Rico), who are performing this Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, 3 p.m. ET at JAZZ: the International Connection, hosted by Rome Neal's Banana Puddin' Jazz. https://www.romeneal.com/banana-puddin-jazz Music: "Where Have You Been & Crazy Medley." Acoustic by Shinuh and Johnny Turco Ife: Submarine Seth Sharp and the Blac

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 begin with an archived interview (1/15/21) with Charles Curtis Blackwell, poet, playwright, artivist, subject of film: "God Given Talent" and Rev. Clarence Johnson, a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, join us to talk about the legacy of Dr. MLK Jr. who would have been 92 in 2021.    2. We conclude with an archived conversation with Dr. Clarence Jones, MLK Jr.'s speech writer and attorney (1/15/21).   

From the archives, MLK Jr. Special Programming 2009 and 2021. Visit wandaspicks.com for 2022 Dr. King events.    1. We begin this morning in conversation with Charles Curtis Blackwell, poet, playwright, artivist, subject of film: "God Given Talent" and Rev. Clarence Johnson, a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, join us to talk about the legacy of Dr. MLK Jr. who would have been 92 in 2021.    2. We speak to Marcus Shelby, who is participated in the MLK Music Tribute in 2009. He premiered an excerpt of a new work honoring Martin King. Ms. Faye Carol, featured in Marcus' new work, joined the musician/composer in the studio and then stayed on when Melanie DeMore joined us. We had a fun conversation, so much so, I could barely get a word in to welcome Clifford Brown Jr., into the studio. The three then had a great time conversing until Ms. Carol had to sign off. Okay, I am trying to let out my breath...whew!    3. Miko Marks and Kev Choice came into the studio after this segment, to talk about their wo

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 members of the cast for Ishmael Reed's The Slave Who Loved Caviar, up through Jan. 9 at The Theater for The New City in New York. It is also streaming live. Tickets are just $10+ small fee. For in person and virtual tickets  visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35441/production/1091241 Shows are Thurday, Friday, Sat. 8 PM ET (5 PT) and Sunday at 3 PM ET (12 noon PT). Closes Jan. 9.  Guests include: Jesse Bueno, Robert Turner,Ken

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. Tescia Evans & Mrs.Tiana Jones-Bey about Ross Dance Company's Second Annual Praise Dance Festival in Davis, July 7, 2012, 7 PM at the Veteran's Memorial Theatre. Visit www.rossdance.com  Mr. Jesse Brooks joins us to talk about the debut on PBS's Frontline World, award-winning filmmaker Renata Simone's End Game: AIDS in Black America, 10 p.m. PST, Tuesday, July 10 (check local listings). Visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgb

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 aArt on socAiety, 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.Today we have the first of several conversations with Donna Chang, L.Ac. (MSOM), Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist; BodyIntuitive Practitioner; Holistic Nutrition & Lifestyle Counsellor; Transformational coach and founder of Alameda Community Acupuncture.Visit http://www.alamedacommunityacu.com/who-we-are/ 2. In "LIFE I SWEAR" by Chloe Dulce Louvouezo, she brings together twenty-five of today’s most influential Black female voic

1. Akilah Jaramogi, Forester, Environmental Consultant, Social Entrepreneur and Cultural Activist. is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project in St. Ann's, Trinidad and Tobago. The jeweler is a proud Merikin descendant, and the Co-founder, past president and CEO of the Merikin Heritage Foundation. 2. Michael "Khubaka" Harris, Sasha Briscoe, Statewide President, Allensworth Friends; Carmen Setness, Community Outreach Coordinator, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) join us to talk about the Rededication, Sat., Oct. 9 @Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.  3. Michael Burdette, President of Hylife-Ocity Productions based in Oakland and artist Anessa Strings. 4. Andrea Chung, Artist joins us to talk about her exhibit at Tyler Park in LA: "We Was Girls Together," through Oct. 30.   

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. Lisa Ramirez, Associate Artistic Director, OTP, joins us to talk about her sAiNt jOaN (burn/burn/burn), a WORLD PREMIERE at Oakland Theater Project (OTP), directed by Michael Socrates Moran at Oakland Theater Project through Dec. 19, 2021 2. Claire Diao's Sudu Connexion presents: AfroFuturistik@ Roxie Cinema, Dec.14 and Smith San Rafael Film Center    

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 of Veterans Healing Veterans (VHV) @ the Veterans Transition Center in Monterey county and in CA State Prisons. We are joined by the founder, participants and facilitators: Sally McNeill, Craig Farrell, Randal Williams, Marcus Blevins-- participants VHV; Jenny Nesler, VHV; Ron Self, Founder, VHV; Bobby Emory, VHV; Alejandra Saldana, Caseworker, VTC/VHV 2. Deodoceo Habi, veteran, joins us to talk about his healing

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. MalongaFest2021: Casting Our Light (Grand Finale) We speak to Muisi-kongo Malonga 2. The First Wave, film, directed by Matthew Heineman, interview with Dr. Nathalie Douge.  2. SF IndieFest Presents: 18th Annual Another Hole in the Head Film Festival, December 1 to 15 at New People Cinema, Eventive and Zoom  https://www.ahith.com/ We speak with Romany Adams who was born in San Francisco in the late 1950s, grew up in East Side Daly Cit

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 start off the morning with a look at Black Theatre in NYC via the esteemed lens of Audelco Awards, coming up Monday, Nov. 29: https://www.audelco.org/ We are joined by Rome Neal, Ms. Vinie Burrows, Ishmael Reed and Ms. Bianca Lavern Jones.  We close the live program with SF Mime Troupe's "A Red Carol": Velina Brown, Michael Gene Sullivan, Mike McShane  https://www.sfmt.org/a-red-carol

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 start off the morning with a look at Black Theatre in NYC via the esteemed lens of Audelco Awards, coming up Monday, Nov. 29: https://www.audelco.org/ We are joined by Rome Neal, Ms. Vinie Burrows, Ishmael Reed and Ms. Bianca Lavern Jones.  We close the live program with SF Mime Troupe's "A Red Carol": Velina Brown, Michael Gene Sullivan, Mike McShane https://www.sfmt.org/a-red-carol

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 "LIFE I SWEAR" by Chloe Dulce Louvouezo, she brings together twenty-five of today’s most influential Black female voices in an exploration of self love and healing. Chloe will be in the SF Bay Area on November 19, 2021 for an event at Black Girls Greenhouse in Oakland.  ("Love After Love" by Derek Wilcox.) 2. nialla rose is an accredited T'ai Chi Chih teacher. She has been practicing t'ai chi/ qi gong for over a decade. 2 years ago,

1. For our first hour we speak to veterans about their return to civilian life, some of whom made detours into CA Correctional facilities. The Veteran's Transition Center, Veterans Healing Veteran's program, facilitates the reentry for these men and women at the former Ft. Ord military base in Marina, Monterey County, CA. http://veteranshealingveterans.com 2. El-Hajj Mauri [pronounced Moor-e] Saalakhan is a Metro-Washington, DC, based writer, poet, and human rights advocate, who currently serves as director of operations for The Aafia Foundation, a Muslim led human rights organization. He joins us to talk about Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and Imam Jalil Al Amin and the rally Nov. 13, in Washington, DC for political prisoners: www.aafia.org 3. Sam Jackson (Risa/Miranda), a San Francisco based actor, vocalist and teaching artist and William Thomas Hodgson (Baldwin/Louis), an acting company member at the Oregon Shakespeare Company; co-Artistic Director, Oakland Theater Project, join us to talk about the World Premier

We close our March celebration of women with a look at the legacy of Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman. We start with a conversation with Avery Sharpe, a visionary composer, educator and musician whose work “Ain’t I a Woman” consists of compositions based on formerly enslaved abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, Sojourner Truth’s life, the title of the project taking its title from a speech she made for woman suffrage in Seneca Falls, NY, in 1851. Later in the show we continue this conversation with Paula M. Kimper, composer of  “Truth, a New Folk Opera about Sojourner Truth, the ex-slave, fiery abolitionist and women’s rights pioneer, Linda McInerney, director/co-creator and co-conceiver, is also founder and Artistic Director of Old Deerfield Productions; and Mari-Yan Pringle, who sings the lead. Visit http://truthopera.com/  Between the two Truth conversations is a prerecorded interview with scholar and author, Dr. Jeanne Theoharis about her latest book: "The Rebellious Life of Mrs. R

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. Tharwat Abbas, Save Nubia Project field director, joins us from Germany to talk about his native land, Sudan which had a coup Oct. 25.   2. Adrianna Thompson, SOULSKIN Artistic Director, joins us to talk about her company performances and a film debut, Nov. 5-6 at Dance Mission in San Francisco. CLOSER is a dance film about relationships in a time of isolation, and THE AWAKENING is part disco celebration and part prayer. https://www.souls

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. Iya Osotunde Fasuyi aka Mama C joins us to talk about her recent film NYATITI MEDICINE, the BPP at 55, UAACC, the recent We Cry Genocide Tribunal and her Heal the Community 2021 Tour.  2. Destiny Muhammad, Harpist from the 'Hood, joins us to talk about The Destiny Muhammad Trio, three day digital residency next week, Nov. 3-5, 12-1 p.m. PT, Livestream to Facebook & YouTube 3. Jeanette Harrison, Producer, Founder, AlterTheater; Desde

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. CHARLOTTE HILL O’NEAL aka Mama C aka Iya Osotunde Fasuyi is an internationally known visual artist, musician, performance artist, ATR priestess, film maker, poet/writer of more than three decades experience. Visit UAACC 2. Destiny Muhammad Trio, joins us to talk about her Digital Residency Nov. 3-5, 12-1 PM PT on YouTube and FB. 3. Br'er Peach from archives, April 17. We speak to director, Andrew Saito and cast, Michael Gene Sullivan an

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 listen to presenters and the Artistic Director and Founder of the San Francisco International Arts Festival, Andrew Woods discuss the Autumn Season beginning this week with online and in person performances: October 20-24, 2021. Michael Gene Sullivan, playwright, joins us to talk about his latest work, The Great Khan, a collaboration between SF Mime Troupe and SF Playhouse opening Oct. 20 for an person and a recorded online production. 

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. Andrew Woods, founder and Artistic Director, San Francisco International Arts Festival, joins us to talk about the Autumn Program which began, Oct. 18 and contonues through Oct. 24 at Ft. Mason Center and online. We are also joined by Michelle Jacques, CHELLE & Friends and Nkechi Emeruwa-Neuberg. 2. Michael Gene Sullivan, SF Playhouse, The Great Khan. Opens tonight, Oct. 20, 2021. Visit www.michaelgenesullivan.com Music: Amikaela Gas