by Bob Martin | Aug 28, 2010 | Art, Exhibits, Museums, Photograhy, Writers
The distinction we make about race must be some primal system that forgot to grow up. We’ve all heard ourselves at one time or another claim to be color blind and mean it and be both surprised and ashamed of our private thoughts about people who are not like us. In the last two years we’ve heard people say some of the most outrageous things about the President of the United States and his family and before taking a single proclaim “I am not a Racist”. I’ve wondered were our meanness comes from, what its purpose and when if ever will it end. It is painful to confront ourselves.
Progeny Two: Deborah Willis and Hank Willis Thomas
October 8, 2010 – January 9, 2011 an Exhibit at
The Harvey B. Gantt Center For African American Arts + Culture Charlotte, NC 28202
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by Sandy | Aug 5, 2010 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Books, Cable, Creativity, Events, Writers
Los Angeles will host its popular Black Book Expo again this year on Saturday 8/21 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. This one day event will offer “authors, storytellers, spoken word and poetry performances, musicians, exhibitors, children’s book authors, emerging writers, publishers, booksellers, panel discussions, editors, book reviewers…”
The Los Angeles Black Book Expo (LABBX) * August 21st * 11:00- 5:00
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by Bob Martin | Jul 28, 2010 | Art, Movies, Writers
(500) days of Summer
Two movies that I did not see when they first were released, “(500) days of Summer” and “Rachel Getting Married“,
Rachel Getting Married
I got to see them this past week. I can remember there being a buzz about both movies and I had no expectations. I enjoyed both because of how they were written. One a melodrama and the other a romantic comedy and both were mysteries.
Some movies are predictable, following a story template and depending on high production value to entertain us (How many cars are blown up). Both of these movie where story driven, well acted and lightly produced. I got the sense that this is were everyone, the actors, writers, producer and director wanted to end up. I am just a sap for stories.
by Bob Martin | Dec 15, 2009 | Actors, Art, Creativity, Live Performance, Movies, Theater, Writers
This quote, attributed to Tennessee Williams is said differently in the 2008 film Transsiberian (“Kill off my demons and My angels might die too”) can be said about all of us. The heroine Jessie, played by Emily Mortimer who’s beauty is hidden by the innocent gangling lumber of her walk and a face that says there should be freckles here and a cow nearby. For all its plainess, the visuals are spectacular, there is a sense of nowhere and dread in this thriller. If you have ever traveled somewhere not knowing the customs or language you will revisit your fears of that time in watching this movies. Good fun.
Cate Blanchette in Streetcar Named Desire
Keeping in touch with Tennessee Williams and quoting him through Blanche DuBois “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. I do misrepresent things. I don’t tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth.” Magic is where the Poetry is. The truth is never as much fun. Cate Blanchett who is starring in Liv Ullmann‘s “Streetcar Named Desire” is a magical actor and perfect fit for what I hear is a transformational point of view for this Tennessee Williams play.
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by Sandy | Oct 14, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Books, Writers
Blonde Faith, is the final book of the popular series, written by Walter Mosley.
We were introduced to Easy Rawlins in Devil in a Blue Dress, 1990. (This was also made into a great 1995 movie with Denzel as “Easy” and Don Cheadle as his explosively, lethal buddy “Mouse”.)
“Easy” becomes a reluctant private investigator in 50’s L.A. and the 10 books span a 20 year journey. What makes the perspective so interesting and different is that in addition to solving “who dunnits” (or, who didn’t) we get a chance to follow the black detective as he maneuvers gingerly thru life making a living, forming relationships, etc. in an often hostile environment. Very entertaining!
Easy Rawlins mysteries
Devil in a Blue Dress (1990)
A Red Death (1991)
White Butterfly (1992)
Black Betty (1994)
A Little Yellow Dog (1996)
Gone Fishin’ (1997)
Bad Boy Brawly Brown (2002)
Six Easy Pieces (2003)
Little Scarlet (2004)
Cinnamon Kiss (2005)
Blonde Faith (2007)
by Sandy | Sep 11, 2009 | Blogroll, Books, Culture, Poem
“There and Back…” is a book of lovely, powerful and very personal poems from Dr. Joel Martin, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, daughter, sister, mother, wife.
Although a slim volume, it is weighty in content. Yes, there are admissions of discomfort and pain that accompanies illness, but the poems are full of thanks and fond remembrances. You have to admire Joel’s desire to handle what has been dealt and to go on to “what’s next”.
Her poetry is a reaffirmation of the value of family, friends, life, love and dreams. All are important whether facing challenges or not. By including photographs in the book, along with the text, Joel shares with us some of the people who have shaped her, while also giving the reader insight into who we all are. We are the sum and part of good times, challenging times, old times, and new times.
We can all relate.
“Wondering how big a dream I can live
Before I’m there and back again”
“There and Back…” a book of poems by Joel Martin, PhD.
