by Sandy | Jul 16, 2008 | Blogroll, Culture, Film, Movies
In this age of email and text messages, every once in awhile you need a stamp! Why not choose one that is pretty, historical and a celebration of black movies?
Ms Josephine Baker’s 1935 movie, “Princess Tam-Tam”, is one of only 4 films she made. It is included in 5 presented on a sheet of 42 cent U.S. postage stamps released on 7/16/08 to highlight black cinema of the 20’s and 30’s. The images are copies of the posters used in black only movie theaters back in the day to announce the coming attractions.
Other stamps in this 42-cent group are:
“The Sport of the Gods”, 1921, the poster proclaims, is based on a book by Paul Laurence Dunbar, “America‘s greatest race poet,” and it adds that the film has “an all-star cast of colored artists.”
“Black and Tan”, a 19-minute film released in 1929 featuring Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra.
“Caldonia”, is another short at 18 minutes, which was released in 1945. It showcased singer, saxophonist and bandleader Louis Jordan.
“Hallelujah”, a 1929 movie released by MGM. It was one of the first films from a major studio to feature an all-black cast.
http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/sr08_074.htm
by Sandy | Jun 15, 2008 | Artist, Blogroll, Exhibits, Film, Movies, Museums
“Chihuly at the de Young” * Thru 9/28/08
The de Young Museum in San Francisco, CA presents Dale Chihuly – American glass artist. You will see beautiful shapes, daring configurations, all in glorious color. Very dramatic.
His explanation of why people like his work, “People like to look at glass; it’s like looking at light”.
Born in Tacoma, WA, Chihuly’s pieces are prized and can be found in more than 200 museums across the world – and he will do a chandelier for someone’s mcMansion!
de Young Museum
Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara
Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA
Phone: 415.750.3600
http://www.chihulyatthedeyoung.org/
by Sandy | Jun 14, 2008 | Blogroll, Film, Movies
Turks & Caicos International Film Festival (TCIFF)
October 15 – October 18, 2008
Film watching in the Caribbean – a perfect mix. (I know, its probably hot where you are now, but come October, a bit of sun, a few tropical drinks will look pretty good!)
By using international, independent cinema, the festival’s mission is to present the beauty of diversity through film. This year’s theme is to honor filmmakers “who use their art to celebrate humanity while educating and entertaining”.
TCIFF * 10/15 – 10/18/08
www.turksandcaicosfilmfest.com
Sponsored by the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board and
produced by Film Life, Inc. According to its website, “the TCIFF is poised to
become a major international film festival, “ The Cannes of the Caribbean ”…excellence in independent cinema.”
by Sandy | Jun 5, 2008 | Blogroll, Exhibits, Movies, Museums, Photograhy
“Double Exposure: African
Americans Before & Behind the Camera”
Photographic works from the 19th and 20th century will be shown at MOAD in San Francisco starting June 18. “The exhibition will present two predominant subject threads—popular culture and historical images of African Americans and the reality of black life as depicted by African Americans themselves.”
MOAD – Museum of the African Diaspora
June 18, 2008 – September 28, 2008
685 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA,
415.358.7200
(Image: “Smokin Joe” Frazier, Hank Willis Thomas)
http://www.moadsf.org/exhibits/?mode=upcoming
by Sandy | May 29, 2008 | Blogroll, Books, Education, Events, Learning, Movies
Summer seems to be a time for books – it’s a good thing! 
*Los Angeles Black Book Expo – Sat., June 14, 2008
The Los Angeles Black Book Expo (LABBX) 2008 will feature authors, storytellers, spoken word and poetry performances, musicians, exhibitors, children’s book authors, emerging writers, publishers, booksellers, panel discussions, editors, book reviewers, and more!
Ahmanson Senior Center
3980 Menlo Ave
Los Angeles, CA
323-385-7103
E-mail: labbex@gmail.com
http://www.labbx.com
*Harlem Book Fair – Fri., July 18 – Sun., July 20, 2008
10th Annual Harlem Book Fair & Arts festival, 11AM – 6PM
Schomburg Center, West 135 Street, NYC
(From 5th Ave. to Adam Clayton Powell Blvd)
“BUILDING READERS, EMPOWERING COMMUNITY”
Complete list of events:
www.qbr.com
(212) 348 – 1681
by Sandy | May 24, 2008 | Art, Artist, Blogroll, Film, Movies, Museums
Reginald Marsh (1898-1954) * American artist who painted New York City life.
I love the “movement” of his paintings. You can feel the wind, hear the music…terrific.
Some of Marsh’s paintings are not quite so colorful as you see here, he gravitated toward regular people in the streets, at the burlesque, on the subway. His concentration for everyday scenes are reflective of his concerns for the common man and woman.
(Couple Dancing at the Savoy – 1934, Oil)
(The Normandie – 1953, water color on paper)
BTW : I never heard of Reginald Marsh until I saw the “Paint What You Know” post of 5/20/08. Great discovery. Thx Bob!
