Wanda's Picks Radio Show, Friday, May 1, 2020

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!

In the first conversation Michael J. Satchell and his editor, Marvin X, share the story of Tariq, a great Moorish General. Satchell has published his screenplay to raise funds to make the movie. 

Then in our next half we speak to Dameion Brown, whom I met on stage in his role as the fictional Moorish General, Othello. Hadn't planned it this way, but . . . . Tariq meet Othello (smile).

Dameion, whom I saw last night at the Marsh, agreed to join me this morning to talk about solitude (or isolation) and its benefits and how he learned to manage such called by other names like Administrative Segregation (Ad-Seg), a long name for "the hole" or solitary confinement. Eloquent and soft-spoken, I knew he'd drop a few jewels on us and he left the floor covers in salt.
The music was Archie Shepp's Revolution and Duke Ellington & his Orchestra's "La plus belle africaine", Tivoli Garden Copenhagen 1969, Harry Carney baritone solo.  

1. Marvin X and Michael Satchell join us to talk about a new release, Tarik, a filmscript (2020).

Black Bird Press says, "It is proud to announce the release of Tarik, a filmscript by Michael Satchell. It is historical fiction on the life of General Tarik Ibn Ziyad who led his army of Moorish and Arab warriors into Spain, 711 A.D. It chronicles his childhood and adulthood as a warrior. Gibraltar is named in honor of him (Arabic: Gebal=Mountain, Tarik). Because of racism, Tarik returned to Africa after two years, although the Moors remained in Spain 700 years. The script depicts Tarik's relationship with his childhood friend and later wife, Umm-Hakim, who accompanied his march into Spain with her own army."

Michael Satchell worked on the script twenty years. Marvin X edited the script as a book. This limited edition is for possible backers. The estimated film budget is $150 million. Your support and donation of any amount will be appreciated. A donation of $99.95 is requested for the book. A script reading is planned ASAP. For more information, please contact Michael Satchell@ 415-756-2146, email satchellmichaelj@gmail.com

2. Dameion Brown had his first ever public performance as the title role in Othello at Marin Shakespeare Company in 2016, achieving what has never been done before by a first-time actor: the honor of “Best Lead Actor” from the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle. Since then, he has appeared in The Seagull at Utopia Theatre Project, Waafrika and The Farm at TheatreFirst (winning another BATCC award), Dance of the Holy Ghost with Ubuntu, and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing last summer at Marin Shakespeare. He formally taught parenting classes at the San Francisco Sheriff's Department for at-risk-youth. Now he is a teaching artist and mentor at the Alameda Juvenile Facility and Youth Prison at O.H. Close and Chad facilities in Stockton.

Show link:  https://www.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks/2020/05/01/wandas-picks-radio-show