African Film Festival: Dear Mandela and Mother of George

I've said before that this is one event that I wish I could attend. One day it's going to happen. But for now, here are some clips to whet your appetite and mine -- from The Cascade Festival of African Films in Portland, Oregon, from Friday, Jan. 31 through March 1.

Dear Mandela, directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Rizza
(South Africa, USA)
Screening time and location: Thursday, Feb. 20 2014, 7:00 pm at the Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building, Room 104



Mother of George, directed by Andrew Dosunmu (Nigeria, USA)
Screening time and location: Thursday, February 6th 2014, 12:00 pm at the Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building, Room 104



Check out the entire schedule of films scheduled to be shown at this cinematic treasure that happens every year in Oregon.

"for black boys....." staged readings January 25, April 2014 in Charlotte

If you're in Charlotte, come out to witness the staged reading of "for black boys who have considered homicide when the streets were too much" written by Keith Antar Mason, directed by Alicia Benjamin, and featuring: Que'Orris Brion, Vincent Freeman, and Arthur Miller.

When and Where:

Saturday, January 25, 2:30 p.m.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library (Main Branch) – Francis Auditorium
310 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, FREE!

April 2014 (date to be announced soon), 7 p.m. – The Arts Factory, Black Box Theater, 1545 W. Trade St., Charlotte, FREE!

Friday, March 28, 7 p.m. (CANCELLED)

LATIBAH Collard Green Museum, 720 Tuckaseegee Rd., Charlotte 

who is my god

who is my mother

who is my father

do you care for me

do you love me

do you love me

                                                                                         (from for black boys.....)

Thank you Josias Kue for the magnificent flyer. You are very talented and we appreciate you! We also owe a big THANK YOU to Jonita Edmonds and Shelley Book of the Public Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg County (Main Branch), and T'Afo Feimster, Founder and Director of the LATIBAH Collard Green Museum.

The Rain Song

I never thought I'd go gaga over a Led Zeppelin song, but I fell in love with this tune tonight. Here's "The Rain Song" -- a masterpiece in my opinion.

Staged Readings in Charlotte: "for black boys....."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alicia Benjamin / aliciamichelebenjamin@gmail.com

Presenting

for black boys who have considered homicide

when the streets were too much

(Staged Readings)

Charlotte, N.C. — Come experience young Black men reveal how they see themselves, in contrast to how many others see them – as violent, angry men who are not to be trusted, and in some cases – destroyed — in the staged reading of the play, for black boys who have considered homicide when the streets were too much by Keith Antar Mason.

The readings, scheduled to be held in Charlotte on Saturday, January 25, 2:30 p.m. at the Francis Auditorium, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library (Main Branch), April 2014 (date to be announced soon) at The Arts Factory, Black Box Theater, Johnson C. Smith University, will feature actors Que'Orris Brion, Octavius Boozier, and Arthur Miller. The readings are directed by Alicia Benjamin.

for black boys who have considered homicide when the streets were too much reveals how many people in our society see African American boys and men – as violent, angry people to be afraid of. The play goes on the show how African American boys and men see themselves – as fully realized and complex people who hurt, love, and feel – just like everybody else.

“We are dedicating these performances to young African American men like Trayvon Martin (17), Oscar Grant (22), Sean Bell (23), and Jonathan Ferrell (24), who were all killed either by police officers or someone in authority,” Benjamin said.

“This is the perfect time for people to hear the words that Mr. Mason has so eloquently written about the complex and sometimes fragile lives of many of our young black men.”

The play is comprised of some realistic and some stylized poetic sections that offer a gripping and emotional portrait of the many facets of young black male life in America.

“for black boys….” is a cathartic journey through the box of anger, fear, injustice, hyper masculinity and aggression that many black men find themselves in,” Benjamin said.  “But there’s a ray of love and a sense of perseverance that peaks through the play also. This is a powerful work with fully realized characters that shine a light on the psychology of many of our young black men.”

 Mason writes in the piece:

“The male gender, cursed and colored black, and too damn aggressive just by bein’ born.”

 “Somehow i know, i wuz' born to die, to die too soon.”

This powerful play is as relevant today as it was when Mr. Mason wrote the piece more than 20 years ago.

Venue Locations:

The Arts Factory, Black Box Theater, Johnson C. Smith University, 1515 West Trade St.., Charlotte 28216

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library (Main Branch) – Francis Auditorium, 310 N. Tryon St., Charlotte 28202

Admission:

The Francis Auditorium (PLCMC – Main Branch) performance is FREE and open to the public.  

For more information contact:

Alicia Benjamin at aliciamichelebenjamin@gmail.com

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The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is not a sponsor, nor does it endorse any practices or points of view of this production.

Remembering James Avery: Father Figure

Not only is this a great memory of James Avery (may he Rest in Peace), but this is also some fine acting by all three actors shown here in the final episode of Season 4 of “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”: Will Smith, Ben Vereen, and Avery. “How come he don’t want me?” …..Wow.

Seeking Art, Photos of Black Boys and Men

Seeking visual art (photographs, drawings, paintings, etc.) representing African American boys and/or men to display during the staged reading of the play “for black boys who have considered homicide when the streets were too much.”

Performances are scheduled to be held Saturday, January 25, and Friday, February 14 in Charlotte. Artists’ names and contact information will be publicized, along with the publicity for the performances. Please contact Alicia at aliciamichelebenjamin@gmail.com for more information.