by Bob Martin | Aug 10, 2008 | Art, Art Travel, Creativity, Directors, Live Performance, Theater
We’ve been used to hearing that China has the largest population in the world, 1.3 billion people. However it is still difficult to get your mind wrapped around that number. It sounds like the national debt, mind boggling.
Olympics Opening Ceremony-Jeff Gross/Getty Images
To actually see 15,000 performers begins to put things into perspective. Lets face it “Cats” is a big production by our standards.
Through out the day, radio and T.V. commentators were bubbling about this spectacle (meant in the most positive of terms) almost to the point that I was willing to let it pass by, a little pissed off that NBC would not show it live.
I’m glad I abandoned my attitude and watched. 😀
by Bob Martin | May 9, 2008 | Dance, Events, Theater
A performance by the Arizona Magic of Music & Dance
This is a great event which is transformational for both the young actors and their audience.
Title: The Jungle Book
Location: Christ Church, Fountain Hills:
Description: Young people with any physical or mental disability are invited to explore in a barrier-free environment the world of creative movement, self-expression, musical creation and spontaneous listening.
Date: 2008-06-06
More information click here
by Joel | Apr 3, 2008 | Actors, Creativity, Culture, Film, Movies, Theater
All of the many ways one can shape the public perception of a culture through film were alive and well this month. From a visionary film maker and producer, marketing professional, events producer, to actors. If you weren’t in AZ for the Black Film Showcase, you should have been.
I interviewed Director Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer, Monster’s Ball, The Woodsman) who gave us the guerrilla film production background for his brilliant films and what it took to really get them produced. I found him to be upfront and candid, humorous and human. He’s a spiritual man. And spirited! The audience and I loved his verbatim’s. He directed the superstar Helen Mirren with grace, style and expletives deleted when needed he said. He shared his process for production and came prepared with audition tapes of a exceptionally gifted new actor starring in his upcoming film “Push” and out takes of her with Mo’nique. It was so real and raw, I asked (choked up) how it would end…but I won’t tell you here, you’ll have to see it for yourself in the theater. He also brought footage from “Tennessee” featuring Mariah Carey. Lee is amazing in how he casts his films and this songbird’s role is no exception. I’ll be there for anything attached to his name in the movies, you be there too. He deserves the Academy Award recognition and Cannes Film Festival wins.
Some distressing news though for Lee Daniels fans – he said only two more films, one of these would be a musical, and then he wants to teach. No more than two more films? Youch! He’s already involved with the Ghetto Film School.
When I interviewed Award winning actor Lynn Whitfield (Thin Line Between Love And Hate, Tyler Perry’s Madea, The Josephine Baker Story), she showed a humorous side that I have never seen before. She’s always a great and beautiful actress displaying a fine edge of intensity but this side of Lynn was fun. We saw her on the big screen in the video highlights of her career to date (check out “Kings of the Evening“!). Lynn shared some ‘for real’ remarks on the competition for roles, how she almost gave up in those early days before she became a star, and her love and appreciation of her beautiful daughter.
Lynn once again made history. She won Showcase Oscar Micheaux Award. This is the first time a woman actor has won the coveted honor in the seven years of its existence. Going back a bit, both Lynn and Lee have created successful productions that people in general want to see. Oscar would be pleased.
Oscar Micheaux, the first African-American to produce a feature-length film (The Homesteader (1919) in 1920) and a sound feature-length film (The Exile (1931) in 1931), is not a major figure in American film just for these milestones, but because his oeuvre is a window onto the American psyche as regards race and its deleterious effects on individuals and society. He also is a pioneer of independent cinema. Though the end products of his labors often were technically crude due to budgetary constraints, Micheaux the filmmaker is a symbol of the artist triumphing over long odds to bring his vision to the public at large while serving in the socially important role of critical spirit.
I also moderated a panel discussion with Hollywood insiders Felicia Bell, Jenean Glover, and actor Linara Washington. Felicia is a marketing and film distribution phenom. Jenean is a talent manager and consultant with her own company Screen Partners, Inc. and Linara, an actor in the film “Kings of the Evening” which had its Arizona premiere at the Showcase. What did the audience hear about what it takes to make it behind the camera where the office is and in front of the camera? Here are a few highlights: Never give up, learn how the money is made in films, and give yourself a time line. From a big money, big money perspective as Tyler Perry and others are proving, never underestimate the power of a cultural group’s desire to see a relevant, revealing, and reliable portrayal. Felicia and Jenean are making decisions for their organizations that are as green as dollars bills.
There was a dynamic Q and A with everyone. I asked tough questions and the audience did too. And like I said, “you should have been there!”
The mission of the Arizona Black Film Showcase is to become the premier, national media arts event dedicated to supporting Black film professionals through educational and networking opportunities. Founder Joanna De’Shay believes that “Black Film is American Film” and that Black Films have a significant impact on the broader Film and Television Industry and I share this vision with her. Her annual, competitive film showcase has supported, celebrated, and promoted the dynamic works of Black filmmakers locally and nationally for the past seven years.
My time and my company’s production efforts will be focused on women in May. Specifically, Scottsdale AZ, Chaparral Suites Resorts, the Positively Powerful Women Celebrate dinner, awards, and personal development workshop May 16 and 17. Another not to be missed event. And yes, we will be filming it for educational purposes. If you would like to become a sponsor, purchase the film, attend, register your Mom, receive a scholarship (we have a limited amount, first come first served) call Joel Martin, President Triad West Inc. Positively Powerful Events. For information call (480) 563-5585 or click here.
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by Bob Martin | Mar 27, 2008 | Creativity, Dance, Live Performance, Theater
Last Summer I attended a performance of “Snow White” produced by Arizona Magic of Music and Dance a program for children and young adults with physical or mental disabilities — that prepares them in one week to stage a wonderful theater production that is written and choreographed just for them. This was an inspirational event. This weekend in Scottsdale they have partnered with Barnes & Noble to help raise funds for this year’s production of the Jungle Book.
SHOW UP ~ SHOP ~ SUPPORT
Saturday March 29th at 11:00am
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
(10500 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale Tel. 480-391-0048)
“Magical Possibilities for Youths with Disabilities”
SHOW UP: Free performance by the Arizona Magic of Music & Dance – please bring the entire family
SHOP: Barnes & Noble will give each person in attendance a charitable voucher.
This voucher will be valid at any valley location for the following 30 days.
SUPPORT: The proceeds from your purchasing from Barnes and Noble fund the barrier
free week-long camps
June 2 – 6 in Fountain Hills & June 9 – 13 in Phoenix
for children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities. In just one
week, they will stage The Jungle Book with the help of teen and adult volunteers.
We need your help. Please visit www.AZMagic.org to enroll a special needs
“actor” or to volunteer – but most of all, we need your donations. 100% of all
proceeds support these two fabulous productions.
Call 602-653-8702 or 602-326-4619 for more information.
Tax Deductible 501 – C-(3)
Just shop at Barnes & Noble for any books or gifts you
want in the next 30 days. Present the voucher at checkout
and Barnes & Noble will donate a portion of the
profits to the Arizona Magic of Music & Dance!
by Bob Martin | Oct 22, 2007 | Dance, Dancers, Theater
October 20th, The Kawambe-Omowale African Drum & Dance Theatre, a Phoenix, Arizona-based performing arts company, celebrating more than 20 years in the Valley of the Sun!