7165 Lounge: February 2011

Black arts on stage in McKees Rocks

It looked like a dreary winter day outside, but inside the Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks, it sounded like a West African celebration.

The sensation of four hands and two drum sticks hitting five drums pulsed through the theater, as three drummers, dressed in purple African garb, played traditional West African songs.

The audience members sat back in their chairs, listening quietly until, at the urging of one of the drummers, they accompanied the ensemble's rhythm with whooping and clapping and arm waving.

February is Black History Month, and Sunday evening's "Celebration of African American Arts" was the first held at the McKees Rocks arts center. The theme was "past, present, future," and the focus was paying tribute to the African-American arts and artists in the Pittsburgh area.

"We wanted to do something special during Black History Month to commemorate and to bring the community together for art and music," said Barbara Owens, the co-chair of the event.

Ms. Owens and her co-chair, Isaiah Dent, gathered a long program of performers eager to show off their musical talents to the audience. Wanda Jones Dixon, a McKees Rocks councilwoman, and Debbie Norrell, lifestyle editor for the New Pittsburgh Courier, emceed the event.

Members of the Langston Hughes Poetry Society recited published and original poetry, sang spirituals and performed musical numbers on topics that ranged from slavery to the Harlem renaissance to the 2008 election of Barack Obama.

Sto-Rox High School senior and aspiring architect Terrance Moses, also known as Sergeant Streetz, performed a rap song he wrote called "One Way Road," about the path he's taking in life, as pictures and drawings to illustrate his words flashed on the screen behind him.

Four women in the musical group "Chosen" performed an original song and choreography called "Step Up Ya Game," a message directed at absent black fathers. There were other singers, dancers and performers, and in the small room next to the theater, an art exhibit displayed work by African-American and African artists.

Black history, done eclectic

All across the Hudson Valley, Black History Month is being celebrated in the arts. From stage shows to art exhibits and jazz concerts, the legacy of African-American culture is out in full view this month in numerous venues. Here's a look at a few events you can enjoy this month focused on African-American culture.

'Made in Woodstock V: Artists of Color'

WOODSTOCK — There are no historical markers, and the sites have been destroyed over the years, but William Cordova's photographic exploration of Mid-Hudson Black Panther and Young Lords chapters overlays activist history over modern life as a black or Latino man in America.

The photos of Timothy Portlock capture the effect of urban planning on the black community. The photographic work of these and 16 other artists from across the country draw from three years of work and participation in the Center for Photography of Woodstock's Artist-in-Residency program.

"They've worked in traditional film capture, gelatin silver and computer techniques ... really the full range of photographic options to express their art," said Ariel Shanberg, CPW's executive director.

"Made in Woodstock V: Artists of Color" is on display from noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday this month at the Center for Photography, 59 Tinker St., Woodstock. Call 679-9957 or visit www.cpw.org.

'Sam Cooke: Where You Been Baby?'

BEACON — Passing the Torch Through the Arts lights up the Howland Cultural Center Saturday with a performance of "Sam Cooke: Where You Been Baby?" at 8 p.m., detailing the life of singer, composer and music entrepreneur Sam Cooke.

"Sam Cooke is a pop-American fable," said the show's producer Michael Monasterial. "It's not a documentary. It's the essence of the fall from grace of a genius. Given the same options, what would you do? Cooke had a sense of pride in his company and in himself as an African-American man."

The play will also be performed Feb. 24 at SUNY Sullivan's Seelig Theater and Feb. 26 at the Rosendale Theatre, Main St., Rosendale.

The evening also features a musical tribute to three generations of African-American musicians, including Cooke's songs from the 1960s, R&B classics of the 1970s performed by Wendell Anderson and songs of the 1980s by Maya Monasterial.

The performance begins at 8 p.m. at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon. Tickets are $20, free for students. Monasterial said the same pricing will be in place for the Loch Sheldrake and Rosendale shows. Visit www.passingthetorchthroughthearts.com.

Dance group brings culture, art of Brazil to Phila.

Brazil’s premiere professional folk dance company, Balé Folclórico da Bahia (BFB), was officially welcomed to the region on Thursday by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Chief Cultural Officer, Gary Steuer; Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Stanley L. Straughter, chairman of the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs.

The Brazilian state of Bahia is said to be the most African part of Brazil, a place where otherwise long forgotten gods are still remembered.

The 38-member troupe of dancers, musicians and singers performs a repertory based on “Bahian” folkloric dances of African origin, and includes slave dances, capoeira (a form of martial arts), samba and those that celebrate Carnival.

The company presents the region’s most important cultural manifestations under a contemporary theatrical vision that reflects its popular origins. Balé Folclórico has a well-earned, prestigious reputation performing internationally throughout Europe, Asia and North America.
Over the course of their weeklong visit, from Feb. 7-11, Balé Folclórico will seek to establish relationships with key stakeholders within the region’s artistic, cultural, academic and philanthropic communities.

“This week here, I am sure we are going to be able to show the African root left by the slaves in Bahia centuries ago,” said BFB co-founder Walson Botelho.

Balé Folclórico will present several unique opportunities for Greater Philadelphia to learn more about its work and the Afro-Brazilian cultural traditions that inform the company’s repertoire.

There will be various activities, including private Afro-Brazilian dance and drum master classes at both University of the Arts and Temple University, capoeira presentations at the International Capoeira Angola Foundation, lecture-demonstrations at Imhotep Institute Charter School, public workshops at the Performance Garage, meetings and other social gatherings. Balé Folclórico is keen to explore potential future collaborative opportunities with Philadelphia’s arts and cultural community and academic institutions.

“Our young people, and those who are young at heart, are going to enjoy the performances and the engagement of having you here for a little while,” Nutter said.

Destiny’s Child alum stars in ‘What My Husband Doesn’t Know’

Michelle Williams, formerly a member of Destiny’s Child, widely recognized as the best-selling female group of all time, stars in David E. Talbert’s “What My Husband Doesn’t Know,” coming to the Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., Feb. 8–13.

The talented cast also includes the multi-talented Clifton Davis, Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Ann Nesby (former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness) and Brian White, the son of NBA great Jojo White and one of the stars of the hit movie “Stomp the Yard.”
Williams stars as Lena Summer in “What My Husband Doesn’t Know,” and she recently spoke about her new role as she and Talbert were traveling together to promote the show’s upcoming national tour.

“Lena Summer [is] a wife and a mother,” Williams explained. “She [does] those things very well, but she married a man who had a very successful business, and he gets very busy — his job is very demanding, and he neglects some important things at home. People see women with rich husbands, big houses and cars and they think everything is peaches and cream, but they don’t realize that woman is longing just for her husband. She wants him.”

Clifton Davis stars in the role of Lena’s husband Franklin, while Brian White plays Paul, a top-notch plumber who is hired to lay some pipe — I mean, do some work on the couples’ home.
“Paul was highly recommended to my husband for this job, so my husband hired him as he was the best one — he got all these great referrals,” Williams says. “So [Paul] is just amazing at what he does, and then Lena finds out that he’s amazing at what he does!”

Talbert, a longtime friend to the Philadelphia Tribune, says that Williams, who made her theatrical debut in 2003 when she replaced Toni Braxton on Broadway in the title role of “Aida,” is perfect for the role of Lena.

“I’ve been trying to work with Michelle for a few years and her schedule
was all over the place, from ‘The Color Purple’ to ‘Chicago,’ said Talbert, as Williams sat nearby.

“So when it was time to cast this one, I sent her an email – you how sometimes big celebrities, they give you a fake email? I had to check and see if it was still working. She hit me back in about 30 seconds. She was in London finishing up ‘Chicago,’ and so we ended up getting on Skype and talking for two hours. I told her about the play and read her some of the scenes, and by the time it was over she said, ‘Okay. Let’s do it!’

“Not only do I think she’s elegant as a lady, but I love her voice, and what I did not know is that her comedy chops are like they are. The girl’s got crazy comedy chops! I mean, her comedy I.Q. is through the roof, so she’s just wearing the role out!”

Now a seasoned actress, Williams studies acting with Ivana Chubbuck, and is inspired by actors Halle Berry, Jack Nicholson, Angela Bassett, Nicole Kidman and Alfre Woodard.

She starred in the touring production of “The Color Purple,” and appeared in “Chicago” in London and on Broadway, but says that landing her first professional role in “Aida” was a defining moment.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM TO HOST 'AMERICA I AM: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN IMPRINT' EXHIBITION

America I AM: The African American Imprint," an award-winning touring exhibition conceived and presented by broadcaster Tavis Smiley, opens at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C., this week. With more than 200 artifacts, the exhibition celebrates nearly 500 years of African American contributions to the United States. The museum's presentation, opening Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, during Black History Month, and continuing through Sunday, May 1, 2011, is the fifth stop on the exhibition's 10-city, four-year tour.

"We are pleased to host this exhibition highlighting the contributions of African Americans and furthering a dialogue about our collective experience," said Susan Norton, director of the National Geographic Museum. "We look forward to sharing the stories — some familiar, some surprising — of the influential African Americans featured in the exhibition. Our hope is that visitors leave with a richer understanding of the diverse culture and history of the United States."

Through 12 galleries, this ticketed exhibition offers an in-depth look at the pivotal role African Americans have played and continue to play in the development of America.

"America I AM: The African American Imprint" is developed in partnership with Tavis Smiley and is organized by Cincinnati Museum Center and Arts and Exhibitions International, a division of AEG Live.

The exhibition is made possible by presenting sponsor Walmart Stores Inc. Educational partner Northern Trust has provided free tickets and transportation to underserved school groups in the D.C. area one day a week for the first month of the exhibition. Local sponsors include GEICO; The Madison, the museum's Official Hotel Partner; and Amtrak.

"Walmart is proud to sponsor the 'America I AM' exhibition as the nation embarks upon its annual celebration of black culture and contributions in the United States," said Alex Barron, regional general manager, Mid Atlantic States, Walmart U.S. "To help give all families access to this rich collection of history and culture, we are making tickets available for purchase in select Washington, D.C., area stores."

"Northern Trust is proud to be the educational partner of this inspiring exhibition portraying some of the many significant contributions African Americans have made to our society," said Northern Trust Chairman and CEO Frederick H. Waddell. "We are deeply committed to promoting cultural understanding and inclusion among our employees, clients and the communities we serve. We hope many people in the Washington, D.C., area and around the world will experience 'America I AM' and its celebration of African American history and culture."

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