Wanda's Picks Radio Feb. 18, 2011

Daniel Biram, director/producer, speaks about his film: "Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story," which will have an ITVS Community Screening, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, 5:45 PM at the San Francisco Library, Main Branch, on Larkin Street. Powell Street BART stops just across the street. Visit http://www.itvs.org/screenings There will be an East Bay Community Screening in March, 2011.

In 2004, Cyntoia Brown was arrested for murder. There was no question that a 43-year-old man is dead and that she killed him. What mystified filmmaker Daniel Birman was just how common violence among youth is, and just how rarely we stop to question our assumptions about it. He wondered in this case what led a girl — who grew-up in a reasonable home environment — to this tragic end? "Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story" explores Cyntoia’s life.

The camera first glimpses her the week of her arrest at age 16 and follows her for nearly six years.

Our next guests are artists: Nancy Cato and Refa One, who have exhibits up currently in Oakland, CA. Nancy is a part of Oakland Local at Gallery 416, 416 27th Street. The closing reception is Feb. 23, 2011 at 5 PM to 9 PM. Refa One's AeroSoul 2 at Joyce Gordon Gallery has a program tonight, Friday, Feb. 18, 6 PM. Educators will speak about how they use hip hop visual art in the classroom. Visit www.catocreations.com and http://www.aerosoulart.com/YOUTH_EXHIBIT.html to find out about the companion youth exhibit and reception Feb. 25, 6 PM at Posh Pieces Studio.

S. Pearl Sharp drops by for a quick interview about her classic film, The Healing Passage/Voices from the Water (2004), which will have its Documentary Channel debut as a part of a 3rd Tuesday series of African Diaspora cinema, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, 8 PM both PT/ET, www.documentarychannel.com

We close with guests: scholars and arts activists CK Ladzekpo, director of the African Music Program at UC Berkeley and a cultural icon here in California, especially the SF Bay and Anthony Brown, Ph.D., ethonomusiciologist, drummer, composer and groundbreaking artist who brings together the Asian and African aesthetics through his body, literally body and figurative body of work. Cynthia Taylor, Adult Program Manager with the Oakland Museum shares with is O Zone: Soundtrack--The Drum, which is a public program Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, 5 PM to 12 midnight.

Visit www.museumca.org The event is family friendly and free for members & children 8 and under, 9-17 years $6; seniors/college students $9, general $12.