Wanda's Picks Friday, August 5, 2016

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!

Show link: http://tobtr.com/9157535

1. We are joined by Antoine Hunter, founder, Urban Jazz Dance Company, and presenter and producer of the Annual Bay Area Deaf Dance Festival International. In its 4th year this season, Aug. 12-14, 2016 at Dance Mission Theatre in San Francisco. He is joined in the studio by Zahna Simon, Assist. Dir. UJDC and BADDF. Fred Beam, Wild Zappers from Washington, DC, and Isolte Avila, Sign Dance Collective International Collaborations Director, to talk about this year's programming which includes an artist meet and greet (8/13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Dance Workshops, Wed., Aug. 10, 6-10 p.m. Both events are at the Deaf Community Center, 1550 San Leandro Blvd., San Leandro).

Tickets are available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2561054.

2. Patricia Milton joins us to talk about her play, "Hearts of Palm," extended through Aug. 21 at Central Works (Berkeley City Club on Durant Street). The satire looks at the politics of food production: trans fat, palm oil, Girl Scout cookies and orangutans. Visit ​http://centralworks.org/season/

Milton’s plays have been performed in New York, Boston, Istanbul, San Francisco, and places in between. Her values are: Laughter, candor, artistic excellence, determination, integrity, generosity, and feminism. She is a Resident Playwright at Central Works in Berkeley, CA.

Music: Zion Trinity's Opening Prayer for Elegba; KebMo's "What's Happening Brother"; Howard Wiley's "Amazing Grace"; Sweet Honey in the Rock's "Greed."