Brother/Sister Plays at the Joseph Papp Theater

It's rare when a new play moves your heart and mind in so many directions that relates to a believable story based in the Bayou of Louisana during modern day times. The Brother/Sister plays is a trilogy whose foundation is on the acts of love, betrayal and heartache. Tarell Alvin McCraney is the young writer of this trilogy titled,"In the Red and Brown Water" and parts two and three titled,"The Brothers Size" and "Marcus: or the Secret of Sweet". Mr. McCraney is a true wordsmith and collector of befitting songs in the rhythm and blues genre to carry his point across. The language was magical and extraordinary. You sensed that we use this vernacular everyday and just don't know how to put it together into complete sentences. Mr. McCraney has created a spectacular musings of life in the back waters of the Bayou and how words or wording can spin a delightful tale or two. He is also the writer of the acclaim, "Wig Out", which was presented off Broadway in New York City last year. Do run and see this great modern day play and tell your friends when it comes to your town.

Jacob Lawrence at the Museum of Modern Art

Jacob Lawrence was presented in the entryway of a gallery at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. I don't know if this startled me or just completely threw off my game. Inasmuch, I didn't expect to see the famed, "Migration Series" put into a small space and the curators and/or staff at MOMA assumed this presentation would be an afterthought of some kind. One of this countries best artists and best African American artist is just presented in such a disparging light. The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC showed this series in it's entirety and the layout was incredible. MOMA just stacked the paintings on top of one another with no rhyme or reason. How could this be? Did MOMA just acquire these paintings and said,"Let's just put them anywhere without press, media or engagement from the public." Shame on you!!!

Mr. Lawrence is a well respected artist of great stature and prominent standing in the community. Let's show MOMA that we care about our people and our artists. Write, call or visit and let the staff know this is wrong on so many levels!

Dreamgirls at the Apollo Theater

Dreamgirls, one of my favorite musicals is touring the United States for a short period of time. The musical landed in New York at the famed Apollo Theater located in the heart of Harlem. I know many people have seen the movie and saw Jennifer Hudson win a Oscar for best supporting actress in 2008 for her performance as Effie. But, did you know back in the early 80's this was the biggest musical on Broadway in New York, starring Jennifer Holiday in the titled role of Effie. Dreamgirls is a story loosely based on the Supremes and their rise to stardom in the early 1960's. The music,intrigue, drama, costumes and love lives of the three young women was somehow made into a sucessful Broadway production.
The new production stars Moya Angela in the role of Effie and Syesha Mercado in the role of Deena Jones along with Adrienne Warren as Lorrell. These talented women front a fantastic new production of the storied life in the music industry and African American performers trying to catch a break. The new production carries the Beyonce Knowles song, "Listen", which would astonish purist, but take a seat and just listen to the song and know that somehow it just fits the musical genre for today's audience. If you're ready for something old and something new, check out this production and you won't be disappointed.

Elizabeth Catlett--Artist

Elizabeth Catlett is an African American artist who is now a Mexican citizen. Her work spans many genres; from sculpture, lithograph and printmaker. One of my friends is in the process of buying a print of Frederick Douglass, one of several versions from Ms. Catlett. The piece symbolizes hope and despair of Mr. Douglass' face. I can wait to see this great piece of artwork on his wall. Proudly displayed and well worth the cost. My friend tells me now is the time to buy her work, since she is in her 90's and still producing great pieces. I will never forget being introduced to Ms. Catlett's work at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. It had a profound effect on me and my life. The sculpture was small but powerful. It exuded the nature of a mother and daughter brought together by their common and maternal bond. If by chance you come upon an Elizabeth Catlett drawing, lithograph or sculpture buy it. You will never regret the purchase.

Mark Bradford-Artist

Mark Bradford is a contemporary artist who scavenges material from the streets and transforms into mural size art. Mr. Bradford's art comes from underrated communities in the great state of California (where he is from) and lets the world know what belies a community in need of financial and economic resources. Mr. Bradford has received numerous grants and participated in a number of respected art shows around the world. Recently, in New York City, Mr. Bradford and Kara Walker put up a small scale show for the Sikkema Jenkins Gallery in Chelsea. The work presented by these two talented African American artists showcased the updated versions of what they are working on in their respective studios. The presentation was incredible. Mr. Bradford continues to explore themes in a collage format, which is informative as well as imaginative.

James Baldwin-Quotes

James Baldwin was one of my heroes growing up. I truly enjoyed each book or essay written by this prolific author. But, I was thinking thoughout his life, he has given us an inmeasurable amount of quotes from the life he led and the time or era during which he wrote. Here's a list of my favorites:

"Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war: love is growing up."

"Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?"

"The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose."

"People can cry much easier than they can change."

"Education is indoctrination if you're white - subjugation if you're black."

"Everybody's journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy. The fact that many Americans consider it a disease says more about them than it does about homosexuality."

"I want to be an honest man and a good writer."

"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpertually."

"I am what time, circumstance, history, have made of me, certainly, but I am also, much more than that. So are we all."

"To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time."

"The only thing that white people have that black people need, or should want, is power and no one holds power forever."

"People who treat people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters come floating back to them, poisoned."

Those are a few of my favorites, in his loving memory-Mr Baldwin has changed my life for the better and continues to inspire my very thoughts and actions

Chris Ofili-Artist

Chris Ofili's art is full of African vibrancy and throught provoking stances on the beauty of the Continent of Africa.  Born in Nigeria and living in London; he's also,the winner of the prestigious Turner Prize.Mr. Ofili's work once ignited a media frenzy at the Brooklyn Museum because the image of the Madonna has dried elephant dung attached to the canvas. His recent show at the David Zwirner Gallery in Chelsea is titled, "Afro Margin" runs until October 24, 2009. This show has eight pencil drawings of various states of objects influenced by the artist. Run don't walk to see this great show in a beautiful space.