An American in Paris-Mona R. Washington

My aunt, Mona R. Washington, is an amazing playwright. If any of you are in Paris this weekend, then you can catch a presentation of her one-act play- Woolite. Here’s the info:

Sunday-March 27th 2011
7:30 p.m.
Carr’s Pub and Restaurant
1 rue du Mont Thabor
75001 Paris
Metro: Tuileries

This past fall, Tantie Mona had a residency at the Jack Kerouac House in Florida. The above drawings are by Thomas Thorspecken who drew her while she was working and during one of her readings. Here’s an interview to learn more about my aunt. I am so proud!!

http://www.shewrites.com/profiles/blogs/five-questions-formona?xg_source=facebook

*Give the gift of history-Sages from the Past Greeting Cards. You can buy them online or just have a look at http://www.zazzle.com/28pokou4*


My Sages from the Past greeting cards are also available at

1. VIX Emporium
5009 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 - (215) 471-7700
Open Tue-Thu 12pm-7pm; Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 11am-6pm

2. National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-2800

Scholarships for College

As you know, last week I made my annual trek to Bright Hope Baptist Church to see and hear the amazing Morehouse College Glee Club. Not only were they fabulous, but they always provide a tangible example of successful young people in college. If you are a senior in high school and planning on attending college here are some local(Philadelphia)scholarships you can apply for. Make your dream happen!!!

http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/uploads/RR/jp/RRjpCBECyOpxfrppko5dtQ/Local-Scholarships-1.pdf

Vintage Photo: 1921 Graduating Class of Straight

College in New Orleans

Ikenna Azuike and What's Up Africa

I’m a fan now. Check out Ikenna Azuike and his weekly radio blog What’s Up Africa. He’s young, he’s tongue and cheek, he’s irreverent and you’re going to love his style of reporting. Click the link and have a great day. Spring break starts tomorrow. Hooray!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/IkennaAzuike

Sussan Deyhim Will Sing at the Kimmel Center

If you are a regular reader, you how much I enjoy learning about Iranian culture and history. After reading Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis, I was hooked and open to learning even more about Iran in particular and Middle Eastern cultures in general. I just learned that the Iranian singer Sussan Deyhim will be performing in one of the programs sponsored by the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, which runs from April 7-May 1, 2011.

Ms. Deyhim, who has lived in the States since 1980, is an activist, composer and vocalist whose voice belongs to the heavens. Billboard Magazine describes Deyhim as "an overpowering presence...[whose] wordless incantations are amplified in harmonized layers and recycled into sampled loops, beckoning you into this virtual desert ritual" and the New York Times said that her "thrilling music...sounds in the ear long after you've left the show." Just listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtiGPUFVqD8&NR=1

She will appear at the Kimmel Center on April 24, 2011. Here’s a link to more information about this event..
http://kimmelcenter.org/events/?id=3765

And here’s a link to the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts’ performance schedule.

http://kimmelcenter.org/events/pifa-kcp.php

Photos-Larry Barns

A Wish for Peace- Cote d'Ivoire

My father was driving in Abidjan very late one night and ran a red light. A policeman saw him go through the light and followed my father and indicated he should stop. My father apologized and asked the police officer to give him a break. This was during a politically charged time in Cote d’Ivoire. At this time, in 2000, Alassane Ouattara, a Muslim, was trying to get on the ballot to run for President of Cote d’Ivoire. Many people opposed this for a variety of reasons. My father, who was Christian and Baoule- the ethnic group that had dominated Ivorian politics since independence and many of its members had opposed Mr. Ouattara’ candidacy. My father gave the police officer his driver’s license and other requested paperwork.

This police officer, who was Muslim, and most likely a supporter of Mr. Ouattara, recognized immediately from my father’s name that he was Baoule and commented on this fact. The police officer said he would give my father a break and not give him a ticket if he answered this question correctly, “Who should be our next president?” My father said the person who should be our next president is one who would make him and the police officer remember that they were brothers. The police officer laughed and said, “ Brother go on.”

I wish Cote d’Ivoire peace as my father did. Give a listen to one of Cote d’Ivoire’s greatest musicians and my former neighbor -Alpha Blondy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lx4Wsw_VxU&feature=related

Morehouse College Glee Club Comes to Philly;Happy 100th Anniversary

Bottom Photo-Morehouse Glee Club/1911

I am so lucky or should I say blessed to have some many Morehouse men in my life. Their example continues to serve me well. If you want to be wowed , and I mean wowed, by the splendor, by the talent , by the awesome image of so many Black brothers singing their hearts out, them come tomorrow-Thursday, March 17th- for the Morehouse College Glee Club’s annual concert in Philadelphia. Plus, this year marks the 100th anniversary of this singing group. This is an event not to be missed. The Morehouse College Glee Club is Morehouse’s number one recruiting tool. You go and invite some other young people.

The glee club's musical repertoire includes Negro Spirituals, traditional hymns, classical pieces, but the song that always brings the house down is Betelemu which is a Nigerian song and the Morehouse Glee Club sings it in Yoruba, accompanied by drums. Below is a video of the choir singing this very song. Click on the link, but remember this video doesn’t compare to hearing and seeing them in person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOMPfb4uyX0&feature=related

This concert is sponsored by the Morehouse College Alumni Association/Philadelphia Chapter.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

7:00 P.M.
Morehouse College Glee Club
Bright Hope Baptist Church
1601 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

For more information, contact Sid Holmes at : sidholmes@hotmail.com
Tickets can be bought at the door. Adults-$20.00 Children-$10.00



Don’t forget to check out my greeting card line-Sages From the Past. Give the gift of history! You can buy them online at http://www.zazzle.com/28pokou4*

My Sages from the Past greeting cards are also available at :

1. VIX Emporium
5009 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 - (215) 471-7700
Open Tue-Thu 12pm-7pm; Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 11am-6pm

2. National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-2800

Fedy Massamba

You HAVE to check out Fredy Massamba. He’s originally from the Republic of Congo( Brazzaville) and resides now in Paris. I like his sound and love the visual story of his video for his song Ntoto. He makes me so homesick. You go Fredy, with one “d” !

Give a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsowLHE6f0Y

Don’t forget to check out my greeting card line-Sages From the Past. Give the gift of history! You can buy them online at http://www.zazzle.com/28pokou4*

My Sages from the Past greeting cards are also available at

1. VIX Emporium
5009 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 - (215) 471-7700
Open Tue-Thu 12pm-7pm; Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 11am-6pm

2. National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-2800