by Sandy | Aug 4, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Books, Culture, Fashion
In 1968 she was on the cover of Ladies Home Journal. Amazing enough that an African- American woman was on the cover, but this woman was my color – Mahogany!
She was a first and paved the way, beginning in the 70’s, for the influx of models, in an assortment of colors, that started to parade the runway and appear on magazine covers in both Europe and the U.S. The mind set determining who was pretty and who wasn’t started to change.
Naomi Sims was smart, beautiful, elegant and black – thank you. 1948 – 2009 *R.I.P.
by Sandy | Jul 31, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Culture, music
Salif Keita, a native Mali, (the home of Timbuktu) blends the music and songs of his homeland with those of Cuba, Spain and the West coast of Africa (Senegal, Ivory Coast)
An exciting performer, Keita’s CDs capture all of the passion and emotion of his live performances.
Salif Keita’s recent releases:
Soro
M’Bemba
The Mansa of Mali…A Retrospective
by Sandy | Jul 25, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Events, Live Performance, music, Poem, Theater
“for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf” at Southwest Arts Center until August 9.
Long title for a great play – saw it on Broadway in the late 70’s and recently saw a 1982 televised version on DVD. Perhaps not as shocking or controversial as it was when first seen, the collection of Ntozake Shange’s poems woven into a statement on love and relationships is still powerful.
The current “For Colored Girls…” revival has been updated with new music and choreography and is directed by Jasmine Guy. (Remember “Whitley” from the TV show “A Different World”?). Robin Givens and Nicole Ari Parker are featured in the 9 women ensemble that brings the play to life.
Southwest Arts Center – until 8/9/09
915 New Hope Rd SW, Atlanta, GA
by Sandy | Jul 19, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, music
Maxwell – the singer, who some call the heir apparent to Marvin Gaye and other R&B balladeers with beautifully soaring voices – is back.
Released in July 2009, his first album after 8 years is called “BLACKsummers’night”. The Brooklyn born Maxwell may have cut his hair, but he hasn’t lost his vocal strength. He is still terrific, still soulful, still smooth, and still lovely. Great stuff!
BTW: If you can’t place his name, just listen to the local “Easy Listenin” or R&B “classic” radio station. Songs from his 1996 album “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite” – “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” and “Sumthin’ Sumthin'” – are still being played. (Great for old school dancers – that old rock from side to side move, with hunched shoulders and finger snaps…)
by Sandy | Jul 14, 2009 | Art, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Culture, Events, Exhibits, Museums, Photograhy
“Richard Avedon: Photographs 1946 – 2004”
More than 200 photographs are included in this retrospective of Avedon’s work at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Born in NYC 1923, he began work in 1944 at a department store, but quickly became the go-to photographer for magazines like Vogue, Look, Harper’s Bazaar, etc. Richard Avedon may be best known for his pictures of movie celebrities, rock stars and fashion magazine covers, but he was also involved with film and published several books.
“Richard Avedon: Photographs 1946 – 2004” – Until November, 2009
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA
by Sandy | Jul 9, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Books, Culture, Events, Exhibits
East:
11th Annual Harlem Book Fair & Arts Festival
This is the largest annual African American book fair and it’s free!
On Saturday 7/18/09, there will be 250 exhibit booths, 4 stages with music, story telling and activities for children.
Harlem Book Fair, July 18, 2009 – 11am to 6pm
Schomburg Center, West 135 Street, NYC
West:
The Los Angeles Black Book Expo 2009
This event celebrates its 5th year on 8/15/09. The day long program will feature authors, storytellers, spoken word contests and poetry performances. There will also be musicians, children’s events, panel discussions, editors, publishers, and more!
LABBX 2009
Saturday August 15, 2009 – 10 AM to 6 PM
Expo Center, 3980 Menlo Ave, Los Angeles, CA
