How Not to Write About Africa

It’s spring break and I am so HAPPY!!! I am equally happy to discover other Africans who are stepping up and inviting people to reconsider and examine their motives for viewing Africa and Africans as always needing to be rescued. Binyavanga Wainaina is a Kenyan writer, who used satire to address this very issue. Here is a video, narrated by Djimon Hounsou, of Wainaina’s How Not To Write About Africa.

http://kalamu.posterous.com/video-how-not-to-write-about-africa-binyavang

Habib Koite and Bamada Perform Tonight at the Annenberg Center

Live music was a big part of my life in Cote d’Ivoire. Birthday parties, confirmations, funerals, weddings, baptisms, naming ceremonies-you name the event-there was music. My brother and I had our own balafons and koras that Mr. Yao’s musician friends made for us. It is so hard to describe the beauty and intricacy of the music of West Africa and how when I listen to it, memories from home come alive and dance in my head.

This evening, as past of the Penn Presents series at Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, you can hear this gorgeous music and know what I cannot convey in words. Come out and hear the formidable Habib Koite, a giant star from Mali and his band Bamada.
We are so blessed to live in a city where the world comes to us.

Give a listen and look to his music. Click this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4VRGALZdBA

Here are the details about this evening’s concert at 7:00 p.m.
You are in for a special treat if come by 5:30. As a ticket holder, you can participate in a pre-show chat with Habib Koite and sample some food from Mali. See you there.

Habib Koite and Bamada
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Zellerbach Theatre
3680 Walnut StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104-6219
http://www.pennpresents.org/tickets/?id=59
Phone: 215.898.6701

Go and See the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Carmina Burana

Reviewed By Sojourner Ahebee

Last night I had my first, genuine WOW experience at the ballet. You know I have been attending ballet performances for a while now and for the most part I have enjoyed myself. But yesterday evening, and I know this sounds corny, I was transported to a level of excitement and non-stop engagement that I had never experienced before. The Pennsylvania Ballet performance of Carmina Burana was absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

Just imagine Carl Orff’s music played by the Orchestra of the Pennsylvania Ballet combined with a live choir-The Philadelphia Singers Chorale( with three amazing soloists)-combined with the choreography of Matthew Neenan combined with the awesome, very modern execution of the Pennsylvania Ballet dancers combined with costumes just as fluid and lithe as the dancers combined with a set design and lighting that created pure magic. Thursday’s evening performance, at the Academy of Music, was just that; magical.

It was great to see all the dancers performed as a true ensemble and, believe me, you will not forget one dancer in particular- Jermel Johnson. This brother is incredible. Cindy and I enjoyed his performance as the candy cane in the Nutcracker. He is definitely developing a following in my circle and getting young people excited about going to the ballet.

Also performed as part of last night’s program was George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, which I enjoyed but it was not the same experience as with Carmina Burana.

LISTEN TO ME. Tell your mom, dad, nanny or pop-pop to take you tomorrow to see the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Program II of which Carmina Burana is a part. It closes after tomorrow. I guarantee you will an ah ha moment, an epiphany and know that magic is still around and to be had.

Here is the link to the Pennsylvania Ballet’s website for you to learn about upcoming performances and to subscribe. After seeing this program,you will want to support our ballet company-The Pennsylvania Ballet.
http://www.paballet.org/

Photos-
*Carmina Burana - Jonathan Stiles and Laura Bowman in Carmina Burana. Photo: Paul Kolnik

*Pennsylvania Ballet Soloist Jermel Johnson in Matthew Neenan's Carmina Burana. Photo: Alexander Iziliaev.

* Pennsylvania Ballet Company Members Laura Bowman and Jonathan Stiles in Matthew Neenan's Carmina Burana. Photo: Alexander Iziliaev.

The Kiss of the Spider-Lady; Louise Bourgeois

March is Women’s History Month and I’ve decided to give a holla to women who are new to me. I’m also asking you guys to share with me some examples of cool women you think my readers should know.

I recently learned about an incredible sculptor named Louise Bourgeois. She was born in 1911 in France and immigrated to the States in 1938. She works in wood, rubber, bronze stone and other materials. She’s known for many things, especially her spider sculptures which I love. I would like to see her work in person. She has some work on exhibit at the Guggenheim in New York. I can start there.

Her work really speaks for itself. Here is a link to learn more about Louise Bourgeois.
http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/bourgeois/index.html#

The work above is Arch of Hysteria, Eyebenches, which are real benches you can sit on, and one of her many spider creations.

Independent Lens Film The Eyes of Me Will Be Screened at the Overbrook School for the Blind

Is there such a word as a documentary-phobe? What do you called someone who absolutely hates documentaries? A year or so ago, you could have called that someone me. But, I must say, I have seen some moving documentaries that have captured my attention and made me care about the theme or subject of the film.

I am a big fan of the PBS series Independent Lens, which showcases documentaries that explore incredibly interesting subject matters. I especially like seeing these films not on television , but as part of the Community Cinema project. This is a program that features Independent Lens films at a community venue. Every month between September and May, Community Cinema brings together organizations, community members and public television stations to learn, discuss and get involved in today’s social issues.

Tomorrow, Community Cinema comes to my neighborhood and will feature a documentary called The Eyes of Me by Keith Maitland. How do you see yourself when you can’t see at all? We all know how difficult it is to be a teenager, but how about if you are a blind teenager. The Eyes of Me follows
four blind teens from the Texas School for the Blind as they learn how to fit in and live independently. Forced to confront the world without sight, they share their inner-visions of the outer world.

A panel discussion will follow the film with students and alumni from Overbrook School for the Blind and advocates from Liberty Resources, Inc., and the Center for Independent Living in Philadelphia. The discussion will be moderated by Bill Chrisner, of the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) program at the Disability Rights Network of PA.

Come out and see this documentary with your parents and friends. Let’s hear your ideas and insights.

The screening of The Eyes of Me will be:
Wednesday February 24th, 2010

7:00PM - 9:00PM

Hosted by Overbrook School for the Blind

6333 Malvern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151

Free parking in school lot. Wheelchair accessible.

This film is closed-captioned and audio description is available.
To RSVP and to request audio description, go to whyy.org/memberexperienceor call (215) 877-0313 x405.

All That We Love Deeply Becomes A Part of Us; Celebrating Malcolm X

Today is the 45th anniversary of Malcolm X’s death; his assassination. I love this photo of him and his daughters with Muhammad Ali. I so identify with his girls and their lost of a great father. Here, also, is a painting of one of Malcolm's adult daughters next to him. (*Painting by Khaz Ra'el.)

Listen to the eulogy for Malcolm X as it was delivered by Ossie Davis. It is AWESOME ! Listen, too, to Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come. This weekend, Comcast has been showing Spike Lee’s movie Malcolm X, which is a must see.

Eulogy :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2PQ3XY_j2E

Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQU4torUz-Q&feature=related

The Art Sanctuary and The Philadelphia Daily News Present the Haikudelphia Poetry Contest

"Haiku is more than a form of poetry; it is a way of seeing the world. Each haiku captures a moment of experience; an instant when the ordinary suddenly reveals its inner nature and makes us take a second look at the event, at human nature, at life." A.C. Missias

The Art Sanctuary and the Philadelphia Daily News are sponsoring a haiku contest as part of the 26th Annual Celebration of Black Writing Festival, which happens May 26-29, 2010. This contest, which ends March 19, 2010, is open to high school students in grades 9-12, from Philadelphia and surrounding counties. Students are invited to write their best haiku focusing on this year’s writing festival theme, Movement: Paying it Forward, in honor of the many recent and upcoming civil rights anniversaries like the 45th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March and the passing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Contestants will write their best haiku highlighting this theme. Three finalists will be chosen and invited to the lifetime achievement award ceremony honoring Nikki Giovanni. At the close of the festival, a winner will be announced on Saturday, May 29, 2010.

Prizes For Three Finalists & Fan’s Choice:

1st Place Winner: $500 worth in prizes

$500 cash prize, plus additional prizes.

An autographed copy of Sonia Sanchez’s Book “Morning Haiku”

(Gift card: Barnes & Noble, Scrabble, Toys R Us)

Journal

2nd Place: $250 worth in prizes

An autographed copy of Sonia Sanchez’s book

(Gift card: Barnes & Noble, Scrabble, Toys R Us)

Journal

3rd place: $150 worth in prizes

An autographed copy of Sonia Sanchez’s book

Fan’s Choice: $50 worth in prizes

An autographed copy of Sonia Sanchez’s book

Journal

Gift Card (Barnes & Noble, Staples, Toys R US)

How to Enter:
• Submission must be original
and never published.
• No purchase or payment
necessary to enter or win.
• Online submission can be
submitted at http://contests.philly.com
• Mail entries to:
Haikudelphia Poetry Contest
Newspapers In Education Dept.
400 N Broad Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19130

What is a Haiku?

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that consists of three short lines containing only 17 syllables. The first line of a Haiku is only 5 syllables, the second line only seven 7 syllables, and the third line 5 syllables. The theme for your Haiku in this contest is Civil Rights. The great challenge in writing a Haiku is creating imagery and meaning in only 17 syllables over 3 lines of poetry, so pick your grammar wisely!In the late 1600’s, Basho Matsuo, who is known as the first great poet of Haiku, wrote this example:

An old silent pond...

A frog jumps into the pond,

splash! Silence again.

Good luck!

A Valentine For Lucille Clifton

I have the perfect Valentine for you-the poetry of Lucille Clifton. She died yesterday and I feel so honored and blessed to have met her and to have heard her say her own words. She is-I purposely use the present tense because she lives on through her poetry- a fierce woman who celebrates the complex journey of being a woman. Here are a few of my favorite poems by her and here is a link to more of her work.

Above is a painting by Kadir Nelson, who is one of the best book illustrators. ( Do check him out.) This painting is called Be Giving and that’s what Ms. Clifton’s poetry does for young girls like me. It gives us a sense of ourselves, of what’s to come and a rope to hold on to when we might loose our footing.

Lucille Clifton invites us to love ourselves. Happy Valentine’s Day.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=181377

won't you celebrate with me
by Lucille Clifton

won't you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon

both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between

starshine and clay,

my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.

wishes for sons
by Lucille Clifton

i wish them cramps.
i wish them a strange town
and the last tampon.
i wish them no 7-11.

i wish them one week early
and wearing a white skirt.
i wish them one week late.

later i wish them hot flashes
and clots like you
wouldn't believe. let the
flashes come when they
meet someone special.
let the clots come
when they want to.

let them think they have accepted
arrogance in the universe,
then bring them to gynecologists
not unlike themselves.

Telling Our Stories

By Lucille Clifton

The fox came every evening

to my door asking for nothing.

my fear trapped me inside,

hoping to dismiss her but

she sat till morning, waiting.

At dawn we would, each of us,

rise from our haunches,

look through the glass

then walk away.

Did she gather her village around

her and sing of the hairless moon face,

the trembling snout,

the ignorant eyes?

Child, i tell you now it was not

the animal blood i was hiding from,

it was the poet in her,

the poet and the terrible stories

she could tell.

Come Aboard the Love Train for Valentine's Day

Looking for a different take on Valentine’s Day in the form of public art? A phenomenal series of events by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program will highlight the renowned Love Letter project, by artist Stephen Powers. An exhibit, public tour, and special Love Train event will take place February 12-14, 2010.

A collaboration with internationally-renowned artist Stephen Powers, Love Letter is a series of over 50 rooftop murals and street-level signs in and around the Market Street corridor in West Philadelphia, spanning from 46th Street through 63rd Street – created during the summer of 2009. The complete work of art and corresponding film, collectively titled Love Letter, are unlike anything Philadelphia has ever seen from its public art in terms of size, scope, ambition, and universal appeal. The murals are artistically-designed text, mostly seen from the elevated train along the upper levels of row homes and businesses along Market Street in West Philadelphia. They read like love notes from a boy to his unrequited love, in non-sequential messages, like analog versions of modern-day text messages.

Events will begin on Friday, February 12, 2010, with the exhibit Opening of Love Letter. An exhibition of sketches, found objects associated with the project, and some personal work by artist Stephen Powers will be on display through February 28 at 1226 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The Opening Reception will take place on February 12 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm and is free and open to the public.

On Saturday, February 13, 2010, tickets are available for the Love Letter Public Tour, the weekly scheduled public tour of Love Letter at 10 am. The tours depart from the LOVE Park Visitor Center in JFK Park, 1600 JFK Blvd., for a ride on the El train accompanied by a Mural Arts Program tour guide. Tour passengers will learn intimate details about the project and specific murals along the way. Space is limited, and reservations are required. The cost is $17 per person, which includes the SEPTA train token. Reservations are required by calling 215-685-0754 as space is limited. The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is now offering these tours of Love Letter every Saturday from 10 – 11:30 am.

The Love Train will be the culminating event of the weekend, on Sunday, February 14, Valentine’s Day. Love Train is an exclusive 5 m.p.h. tour aboard a privately-chartered, festively-decorated, SEPTA El Train to view Love Letter, with commentary provided by a special guest. The tour will be followed by a private reception at SEPTA’s grand mezzanine to celebrate the spirit of love with hors d’oeuvres and champagne. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is sure to impress. Love Train departs at 3 pm from the LOVE Park Visitor Center in JFK Park, 1600 JFK Blvd., on February 14. Tickets are $40 per person, $75 per couple. Space is limited and reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased at 215-685-0754.

The Love Train event is a partnership between SEPTA and the Mural Arts Program. In conjunction with the event, SEPTA sponsored a love promotion-Did You Find Love on SEPTA? SEPTA ran a contest where riders submitted their SEPTA love stories about how they found new loves or re-connected with lost loves while riding on a train, bus, or trolley. The winners of this contest will be invited to ride the Love Train and attend the VIP reception on February 14.

The primary creative force behind the project, Stephen Powers, was born and raised in Philadelphia and spent several years as a youth painting graffiti on these rooftops. Powers opened his art studio in January of 1998. Since then, he has shown at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, Deitch Projects, the 49th Venice Biennale, and the Luggage Store in San Francisco. As a 2008 Fulbright Scholar, Powers painted a love story in the streets of Dublin and Belfast.

For this project, Powers returned to paint Love Letter across the very same rooftops under which he came of age in Philadelphia. The driving concept behind the project and film is the story of a boy writing on walls to win the heart of a girl who rides the el train through West Philadelphia each day. He leaves her a “love letter” along the roofs of the buildings that are visible from the train, in hopes that she will see them, and they can be together. The work functions both as a love story between two young adults and a beautiful proclamation of an artist’s love for his city, his neighborhood, and the trains that are a part of its core. In Powers’s own words, the project is a “love letter meant for one but with meaning for all.” The film will be directed by Joey Garfield, a long time Stephen Powers collaborator, and will be produced by New York City-based production company Ghost Robot.

As part of the project, the artist and the Mural Arts Program created a sign-painting enterprise as a jobs training program for young people in the neighborhood, while providing businesses with much-needed signage. In addition, the project employed community residents to paint signs and murals throughout the summer.

For more information about these events contact Mural Arts at 215-685-0754. http://www.muralarts.org/

Look for Sweet Honey in the Rock This Spring

Due to this gorgeous snowstorm, Sweet Honey in the Rock will not perform today at the Kimmel Center. Their concert has been rescheduled for Friday, May 7, 2010. I’ll keep you posted. Listen to Sweet Honey sing No Mirrors in My Nana’s House and watch this so cute animation of this song. Here’s the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD57KULeIgg&feature=related