by Sandy | Jul 4, 2013 | Blogroll, Books, Culture, Exhibits, Learning
Its that time of year again. This annual event involves over 200 exhibit booths, music, panel discussions and children’s activities. It’s a great way to spend a Friday night / Saturday in the city.
“The vision of the Harlem Book Fair is to partner with local
and national leadership organizations under the banner of literacy
awareness, affirming HBF as the nation’s largest African American
literary event celebrating family literacy, community empowerment,
and community cooperation. “
2013 Harlem Book Fair
Friday July 19 / Saturday July 20, 2013
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
West 135th Street between Malcolm X Blvd and Fredrick Douglas Blvd
by Sandy | Jun 6, 2013 | Art, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits, Museums
This is just one of the many beautiful Benin bronze figures included in the Metropolitan Museum’s “Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas” exhibits.
“Oba” was the term used for King in Benin, West Africa (now part of Nigeria). I am so grateful that some of this former kingdom’s art has been preserved.
Art can be such a history lesson sometimes. So often it represents what is most important to a people during specific periods of their time.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
5th Ave and 86 Street, NYC
www.metmuseum.org
*Head of an Oba, 16th century (ca. 1550) Nigeria; Edo, Court of Benin (Brass)
by Sandy | May 9, 2013 | Art, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits
The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey
“Five centuries of African American history, culture and heritage… the exhibition celebrates Bernard and Shirley Kinsey’s passion for collecting objects of extraordinary significance over the 40 years of their marriage.
One of the largest private collections of African American artifacts, documents and artwork, the Kinsey collection of rare books and manuscripts, paintings, prints, sculpture, and photographs includes an early version of the Emancipation Proclamation, correspondence between Malcolm X and Alex Haley, slave shackles, a 1773 first-edition copy of poems by Phillis Wheatley”, and more.
The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey
Until May 19, 2013
MoAD – The Museum of the African Diaspora
685 Mission Street San Francisco, CA
by Sandy | Apr 7, 2013 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Culture
Jazz Icons, a series of 9 DVD box sets, contain a fabulous group of Jazz artists captured on film.Some pieces are from television shows of the 50’s/ 60’s, others are film clips from old Jazz festivals, etc.
I don’t know if Jazz is “In” or “Out” today? perhaps it depends on who is writing about this lasting art form, but, regardless – if you like this music or you’re curious, seeing/hearing these musicians at top form is priceless and fun:
John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon, Dave Brubeck, and more.
Jazz Icons on DVD!
by Sandy | Jan 7, 2013 | Art, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits, sculptures
The Schomburg celebrates Ms Catlett, painter, sculptor, printmaker, activist (1915 – 2012), with music and poetry on Saturday January 12, 2013 at 6 PM.
“Inspired by the Civil Rights era, the late Elizabeth Catlett became one of the world’s most treasured artists of the 20th century- defining the courage, hope and beauty of African-American life in America. Join notable scholars, poets and artists remembering her life and contributions!”
“Art must be realistic for me, whether sculpture or printmaking, I have always wanted my art to service my people—to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential…. I try to tell young artists, black artists, that there’s a great need for their work. Some are only interested in doing what they want to do, not what people need.—Elizabeth Catlett”
For My People: A Musical & Poetic Tribute to Elizabeth Catlett
Saturday, January 12, 2013 * 6PM – 9PM
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY
(Sculpture: “Mother & Child”, 1939 – recurring theme throughout career)
by Sandy | Dec 16, 2012 | Blogroll, Culture
There has been lots of talk regarding the Mayan Calendar and its apparent end of days date, 12.21.12. Last week, we celebrated 12.12.12 – a date thought by many cultures to be lucky, fortunate, blessed – best day to marry, to be born, etc. This week, we have the 21st of December, 2012. A date said to denote the end of the world because the Mayan calendar, prepared around 3000 BC ends, suddenly. Hmmmm.
I distance myself from “Dooms Day” scenarios and align myself with those in countries such as Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador or Honduras, where there will be joyous celebrations, with fireworks, on this date. They think of the following day, 12/22/12 as a beginning of the next phase – a “sequel”. Perhaps, an opportunity to create something different than what went before. Exciting, but certainly not an ending. As amazing as the Mayan civilization was with all its accomplishments, I just assume that at the time their calendar was prepared, 2012 seemed a very long time into the future and due to the size of the rock (tablet size constraints) on which it was carved, they may have just ran out of room. (Yes, I’m being facetious, but you follow my drift – don’t send me any nasty tweets.)
I don’t know about you, but I would prefer to celebrate 12/21/12, while acknowledging the Mayans for all they have given us, which includes the chance for the world to start over.
See ya on December 22!
Its that time of year again. This annual event involves over 200 exhibit booths, music, panel discussions and children’s activities. It’s a great way to spend a Friday night / Saturday in the city.
