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Celebrating Black History Month in San Francisco
San Francisco, California -- Feb 8, 2007 -- Celebrating Black History Month In San Francisco - Thursday, February 08, 2007 - Celebrating Black History Month In San Francisco This February catch a live performance from Emmy-award winning choreographer Jason Samuel Smith or meet renowned poet Quincy Troupe at the Museum of the African Diaspora. Take a tour on the USS Hornet to learn about the triumphs and challenges of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. It’s all part of Black History month in San Francisco. Times and locations may be subject to change, please telephone or visit Web sites listed for complete details. MUSEUM OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA (MOAD) 685 Mission St. For more information, call (415) 358-7200 or visit www.moadsf.org. Media contact: Marlow Daniel, (415) 394-6500, marlow@glodownead.com In addition to its ongoing exhibits program and permanent installations celebrating the global influence of the African Diaspora on art and culture, MoAD is collaborating this month with a number of organizations to produce a series of events. Feb. 10 FRANCIS BOK PUBLIC LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING Francis Bok is a Dinka tribesman, former Sudanese slave turned abolitionist who will present a public lecture and book signing featuring his autobiography, titled Escape from Slavery: The True Story of My Ten Years in Captivity and my Journey to Freedom in America. Feb. 11 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH BAY AREA VETERANS OF THE SOUTHERN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT An interactive discussion that illustrates the power of ordinary people working together to effect social justice. The veterans will address some of the issues they confronted in the South during the 1960s as young volunteers and organizers working with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Feb. 17 TARGET COMMUNITY DAY AT MOAD A day full of hands-on activities and performances for children of all ages that highlights the Diaspora tradition of Carnival and Mardi Gras. Local artists and musicians will lead activities in which children and adults can make Mardi Gras masks, listen to storytellers and musical performances, as well as get their face painted and eat Carnival treats. Feb. 18, 2:30 pm-4 pm QUINCY TROUPE, THE ARCHITECTURE OF LANGUAGE Quincy Troupe reads from his recent book of poetry, The Architecture of Language. Admission: $7-$10. Feb. 24, 2 pm-5 pm BITTER FRUIT: A STAGE READING Bitter Fruit is a dramatic and contemporary play that addresses the relationship a family has to the spirit world as governed by the memory of slavery. Bitter Fruit depicts a family in crises that has long depended on following the wishes of their ancestors. A heroic feat guides the audience into understanding what a family must go through in order to survive the denial of death, love and disease. Followed by a reception and open dialogue with the director and writer. Directed by Peter Coyote and written by Imani Harrington. Admission is free. Feb. 25, 2:30 pm-4 pm ARTIST’S TALK WITH WOSENE KOSROF A leading Ethiopian-born painter and internationally recognized contemporary artist, Kosrof is best known for his rendering of the symbols of Amharic calligraphy, a major modern language of Ethiopia. Admission: $7-$10. CARTOON MUSEUM 655 Mission St., Call (415) 227-8666 or visit www.cartoonart.org, Media contact: Andrew Farago, (415) 227-8666 ext. 314. Feb. 22, 7 pm-9 pm STAGGER LEE: GRAPHIC NOVEL PRESENTATION AND BOOK SIGNING Local authors Derek McCulloch and Shepherd Hendrix explore the life, times and mythology of one of America’s most legendary outlaws in a special multimedia presentation featuring their critically acclaimed novel, Stagger Lee. Based on the murder of Billy Lyons by "Stag" Lee Shelton on Christmas Night, 1895, McCullogh weaves an intricate fictional narrative using available historical record, a twist or two when facts are missing, and a rare social perspective on 19th century culture, language, politics and race. Admission: $5. Admission is free for Cartoon Museum members. To reserve tickets call (415) 227-8666 ext. 314. PALACE OF FINE ARTS 3301 Lyon St. 94123, Call (415) 567-6642, www.palaceoffinearts.org March 1-3, 8 pm LEVEL 9 ENTERPRISES PRESENTS: BUFFALO SOLDIERS, A TALE LOST… Bay Area premiere of an original stage play triangles the lives, struggles, and conflicts of the Negro Cavalry, Army officials and Indian warriors. To purchase tickets: (800) 838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com, www.buffalosoldiersplay.com. MAIN LIBRARY 100 Larkin St. For information call (415) 557-4277 or visit www.sfpl.org. Media contact: Sherri Eng, (415) 557-4282, seng@sfpl.org March 1, 2 pm-4 pm FOLLOWING THE NORTH STAR Talk and demonstration on African American quilt-making history. Feb. 10, 1 pm LAUREATE AL YOUNG Poet, novelist, professor and current California Poet Laureate Al Young will read from his large body of work and discuss his career; Koret Auditorium, Main Library 100 Larkin St. This will be Young’s first San Francisco appearance since being named California’s poet laureate on May 12, 2005. Feb. 21, 6 pm WAYNE WALLACE Local jazz musician Wayne Wallace will discuss the history of jazz in the Americas. His lecture is a precursor to this year’s fourth annual San Francisco International Arts Festival, which will be celebrating the African Diaspora. The event will take place in the Koret Auditorium. SAN FRANCISCO LIBRARY BRANCHES YOLANDA RHODES Storyteller Yolanda Rhodes performs Under the Nkula Tree. Feb. 8, Excelsior Branch, 3:30 pm Feb. 21, Golden Gate Valley Branch, 3:30 pm Feb. 21, Ingleside Branch, 6 pm TUREEDA MIKELL Storyteller Tureeda Mikell shares African folktales, rhythm, rap and rhymes. Feb. 13, (Noe Valley program) Bethany United Methodist Church, 1268 Sanchez, 10:30 am Feb. 15, Main Library, Fisher Children’s Center, 10:30 am, Space is limited; for reservations, call (415)557-4554. Feb. 20, Eureka Valley Branch, 10:30 am Feb. 27, North Beach Branch, 11 am ZEUM CONEWALK GALLERY 221 Fourth St., (415) 820-3320; www.zeum.org. Media contact: Tiffany Rosenberg, (415) 820-3350, trosenberg@zeum.org. Jan. 31-April 8 ZEUM’S 5TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBIT The exhibit is a juried art show of work from Bay Area youths in honor of Black History Month. The show features a diverse collection of collages, prints and drawings created by elementary, middle school and high school students. Feb. 23, 1-2:30 pm SAN FRANCISCO’S 6TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH SF NOIR SF Noir joins Zeum to celebrate Black History Month to showcase videos and spoken word performances by students. Space is limited and reservations are required at www.zeum.org/specialGuests.html. LORRAINE HANSBERRY THEATRE 620 Sutter St. For ticket information, call (415) 474-8800 or visit: www.lorrainehansberrytheatre.com. Media contact: Marc Paquette, (415) 345-3980. Through March 4 JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE Set in a black boardinghouse in Pittsburgh in 1911, this drama by the author of The Piano Lesson, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Fences and other extraordinary plays, is an installment in the author’s series chronicling the African-American experience in each decade of the 20th Century. Each denizen of the boardinghouse has a different relationship to a past of slavery as well as to the urban present. BLACK COALITION ON AIDS 2800 Third St., 94107, Media Contact: Francis Broome, (415) 615-9945 ext. 114, 3mvmanager@bcoa.org, and Jonathan Batiste, ev_coordinator@bcoa.org Feb.16-18, 6 pm FIFTH ANNUAL BLACK LGBT FILM FESTIVAL Hosted by the LGBT Council of the Black Coalition on AIDS, the film festival features more than 10 groundbreaking LGBT films. The opening night gala will take place at Yerba Buena, the second day will be film screenings at the African American Arts Culture Complex. The last day ends on a note of "giving back" with a Charity Basketball Game and Community Brunch held at the Everett Middle School in San Francisco, from 1pm-4 pm. DANCING INTO THE FUTURE: ANNUAL BLACK CHOREOGRAPHERS FESTIVAL Tickets can be purchased by calling the ODC Theater Box Office,(415) 863-9834, or www.odctheater.org and www.ticketweb.com. For more information, visit: www.bcfhereandnow.com. Media Contact: Elizabeth Stone (415) 863-6606 ext. 107 and David Perry, (415) 693-0583, news@davidperry.com. Feb. 9-11 Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland The dates will feature Chloe Arnold (Rhythm Tap); Paco Gomes (Traditional/ Modern); and a local performance by the Savage Jazz Dance Company and founder Reginald Ray (Fri & Sat only). Other performances will include Emmy-award winner Jason Samuels Smith (Rhythm Tap); and Mahea Uchiyama (Polynesian). AFRICAN AMERICAN ART & CULTURE COMPLEX 762 Fulton St. Suite 300. For information, call (415) 922-2049, www.aaacc.org. Media contact: Imelda DeVoine, (415) 830-0214, devoine@prodigy.net. Feb. 7-Feb. 28 IN THEIR OWN WORDS: CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH HISTORICAL FIGURES Fillmore Live and the African American Historical and Cultural Society present Wednesday lectures and panel discussions designed for school-age children. For more information, contact John Templeton at (415) 931-2729. Feb. 23 6 pm-8 pm THE ART OF LIVING BLACK 2007 An annual exhibition showcasing the work of six African Americans in the Bay Area. For more information, contact Tamika Chenier at (415) 921-8382. OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA 10th and Oak Streets, Oakland. Call (888) 625-6873 or (510) 238-2200, or visit: www.museumca.org. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 12pm - 5 pm, and the first Friday of the month open until 9 pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and $5 for students with ID, free for children ages five and under. Media contact: Elizabeth Whipple, (510) 238-3402 or ewhipple@museumca.org. Feb. 13, 10:30 am -12 pm HISTORY OF SAN FRANCISCO’S BAYVIEW/ HUNTERS POINT The African American Genealogical Society looks at the history of Bayview/Hunters Point. Before, during, and after World War II the shipping industry shaped the area’s identity, people, churches, schools, and the businesses that thrived there. The family history of Sam Jordan, AKA “Mayor of Butchertown,” one of most celebrated African American citizens of the area, will also be examined. KANBAR HALL, JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF SAN FRANCISCO 3200 California St. Call (415) 292-1233, or visit www.jccsf.com or www.robertmoseskin.org. Media contacts: Jon Finck and Brenda Hughes, (415) 438-9933 or mail@encore-sf.com. Feb. 8-18 ROBERT MOSES’ KIN Celebrating Black History Month and Featuring World Premiere New Works. The performances are comprised of three world premieres: two new works by Robert Moses—one featuring Aleta Hayes, one new piece by guest choreographer Amy Seiwert; plus a fourth piece that premiered here in the Bay Area last year. The upcoming program marks the company’s fourth season at the JCCSF. Admission is $26 for the public, $23 for members, and $18 for students. USS HORNET 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. For more information, call (510) 521-8448 ext. 237, or visit www.uss-hornet.org. Media contact: Madeline McEntyre, (510) 521-8448 ext. 282 or Denise Howe, (925) 484-4214, denisehowe2@comcast.net. Feb.17 LIVING SHIP DEMONSTRATION Veterans of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen will be speaking at 1 pm about the triumphs and challenges of the first all-black fighter squadron. Visitors can also participate in pilot mission briefings, witness aircraft being lifted to the flight deck, and even sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet. The featured speakers will be three former Tuskegee Airmen, the first black pilots and support crew in the U.S. military. Simulations are scheduled from 11 am to 3 pm. Museum admission is $14 for adults and $6 for youth ages 5-17. A special price of $20 for a family (up to four people) is being offered on this day. For those who want a more in-depth look at an aircraft carrier, a Flashlight Tour begins at 8:30 am. The tour includes areas not open to the public, such as Captain’s and Admiral’s Quarters, Message Center, Brig, and Catapult Machinery Room. Cost is $35 per person and includes all-day admission. For more information on the Tuskegee Airmen, visit www.tuskegeeairmen.org. YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS 701 Mission St. For information, call (415) 978-ARTS (2787) or visit www.ybca.org. Media contact: Adriane Lee, (415) 978-2700 ext. 207 or alee@ybca.org. Feb. 9-10, 8 pm REGGIE WILSON Award-winning choreographer Wilson uses elements of blues, slave and worship cultures to create what he sometimes calls "post-African neo–hoodoo modern dance.” His New York-based company makes its San Francisco debut with a mixed program of intimate solos and duets about meeting, coupling and breaking up. Tickets: $25 for adult, $21 for senior/student/ teacher, $19 for YBCA member. Feb. 14, 7:30 pm FRANTZ FANON: BLACK SKIN, WHITE MASK A unique mixture of documentary and visually lush reenactments, Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask is filmmaker Isaac Julien’s unique "reading" of the pre-eminent theorist of the anti-colonial movements of this century. Fanon’s two major works, Black Skin, White Masks and The Wretched of the Earth, were pioneering studies of the psychological impact of racism on both colonized and colonizer. This innovative film biography restores Fanon to his rightful place at the center of contemporary discussions around post-colonial identity. # # # For general information on hotel packages and reservations; events; activities and transportation in San Francisco, visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com. For lodging reservations, call 800-637-5196 within North America or 415-391-2000 elsewhere. The San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide is available at the Visitor Information Center, 900 Market St., at the corner of Powell and Market streets, lower level, Hallidie Plaza. To receive a copy by mail, order online at www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com, call 415-391-2000, write to the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, 900 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94102 or send an email to vic1@sfcvb.org; international shipping charges will apply for requests from outside the United States.