Some of us needed another reason to vote for Barack Obama…Brother E (Ethelbert Miller author of E-Notes), sent me a note today about the Presidential Candidates Policies on the Arts.
Although i don’t necessary look to leaders on this scale to really be advocates for the arts, i do think it is significant when an elected official (stolen, presumptive or otherwise) takes a position , even if it is just in rhetoric. I think just hearing it said can on that kind of platform can reinvigorate local arts communities, and give us (artists and culture workers) the leverage we need to lean on our local governments….
Anyway enough, blahblah from me read this, and forward
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RIP Dr. Barbara Ann Teer: 1937-2008 – Founder of National Black Theatre
Rest In Peace Dr. Barbara Ann Teer 1937 -2008
courtesy of UPTOWNflavor
Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, Founder and visionary of the National Black Theatre Inc, made her transition peacefully at home Monday, July 21, 2008 .
Dr. Teer was an icon in the healing art of Black Theatre. Leaving behind a lucrative show business career in 1967, she came to Harlem in 1968 and founded the National Black Theatre (NBT). This began a 40-year passion that changed the cultural landscape of the theatrical world. She created a new cultural art form by blending cultural appreciation, performing arts and community advocacy.
In 1983, she expanded that vision with the purchase of a 64,000 sq ft building located at 125 Street & Fifth Avenue. There she created a thriving cultural and business complex housing the largest New Sacred Yoruba Art collection in the western hemisphere. Through a commitment to her vision and purpose, the National Black Theatre is a world-class institution that inspires cultural transformation, social change, human re-development, historic relevance, and futuristic innovation. Throughout her life, she was always on the cutting edge as the world paced one step behind her trail blazing vision and provocative stage productions.
As a former dancer, actress, producer, director, writer, cultural entrepreneur, and more recently officially an African Chieftain, she has won countless awards and received numerous Honorary Doctorate Degrees. However, what mattered most to her was spiritual, self-empowerment. She was known for providing a cultural incubator and training forum for artists in all walks of life. Her commitment through the National Black Theater was to offer an alternative learning environment where she attracted people from around the world whose work she impacted and showcased.
Dr. Barbara Ann Teer loved Harlem and took a stand for it against the odds. As much as she loved Harlem, she loved her birth home, East St. Louis , Illinois . Dr. Teer leaves in spirit and love two children: Sade and Michael Lythcott and a host of long-term staff, friends and family.
Owens Funeral Home will host her transition in New York . She will be released in perpetuity when returned to her home town for her interment with her family who preceded her.
In her own words: “The only thing you can take to the bank is love.”
Love is the currency, the vibratory frequency that Dr. Teer’s spirit leaves for us to continue. She’s given the world her legacy as a treasure chest of authentic, unprecedented achievements that will stand forever as a tribute to her vision and tireless work. Now and forever more, her legacy and love will live on to impact generations to come.
For More information: http://www.nationalblacktheatre.org/
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Tomorrow Friday July 18th I will hosting HOME poetry Series at the HIllyer Artspace (9 Hillyer Court NW) featuring Jason Reynolds. I will be filling in for the regular host Simone Jacobson for tomorrow’s reading.
weekend starts in T-Minus….
I am looking forward to this weekend perhaps I will get some writing and reading done….i have been a little preoccupied lately…”that’s all i have to say about that” (in my best best Forrest Gump voice)…
Being that I have book buying problem that mean that I have a ton of goodies to get in too this weekend, here’s a sample:
Don’t Deny My Name : Words and Music and the Black Intellectual Tradition By Lorenzo Thomas
Alpha Zulu by Gary Copeland Lilley
and I want to start chipping away at Hoodoo Voodoo by D.S. Marriott. 
I know you are not supposed to judge books by their covers, but the Jacob Lawrence (Television) on Lilley’s collection and the Wangechi Mutu (Uterine Catarrh) on Marriott’s collection definitely caught my attention.
On a non-literary note, i hope to check out the Martin Puryear joint at the NGA…and check out some good cook outs and partying…I love long weekends in the summer
readings + 7.2.08 INTERSECTIONS @ Anacostia Community Museum w/Miriam Kotzin
I went to a really great reading yesterday, one of my favorite people, did an awesome reading with John O’ Dell in Rock Creek Park at the Miller Cabin Series. This series happens every Tuesday at 7:30pm
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*Please take note this event will take place at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum, which is located at:
1901 Fort Place, SE,
Washington, D.C. 20020
For more information call either
202-889-5000 x 141
or 202-633-4820
INTERSECTIONS presents
Miriam Kotzin
Dr. Miriam Kotzin teachs literature and creative writing at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she is the Director of the Certificate Program in Writing and Publishing. She also serves as advisor to Maya, the student literary magazine.
Dr. Kotzin’s poetry has been published in a number of print magazines, among them: The Iron Horse Literary Review, The Painted Bride Quarterly, Boulevard (where she is a contributing editor), The Mid-American Review, The Southern Humanities Review, Pulpsmith, and Confrontation.
Online her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in the Small Spiral Notebook, Drexel Online Journal, the Vocabula Review, Three Candles, the Poetry Super Highway, For Poetry.com., Word Riot, The Front Street Review, Open Wide, Segue, edificeWRECKED!, Shampoo, Eclectica, FRiGG, Flashquake, Circle Magazine, Branches, Plum Ruby Review, Gator Springs Gazette, Blaze, The Green Tricycle, Riverbabble, MAG: Muse Apprentice Guild, Mini Mag,
Snow Monkey, Maverick Magazine, Poetry Niederngasse, Carnelian and Valparaiso Poetry Review.
*Please take note this event will take place at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum, which is located at:
1901 Fort Place, SE,
Washington, D.C. 20020
For more information call either
202-889-5000 x 141
or 202-633-4820
Why: Artwork, poetry, community, refreshments, and live music by the Rados!
When: Doors open at 7:30 pm. Reading begins at 8:00 pm.
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Writers Rooms and Houses
I guess it is fascinating to see how writers live… The Guardian has series going about Writers’ Rooms and The Beltway Poetry Quarterly just published a piece on writers’ houses here in Washington DC
Y’all don’t even want to see the chaos in my room…..
Late Pass….
I don’t know how I missed this…but maybe I should take more late night walks down by the monuments and galleries…
The National Gallery of Art is showing Martin Puryear from June 22–September 28, 2008
Although I am ashamed to admit it I was not familiar with his work until seeing it on the latest issue of Callaloo…so i guess i get a double late pass.
It is exciting to see as you look around the city and see African American artists at some of the major venues here in DC: Jacob Lawrence at the Phillips Collection, Aaron Douglass at The Smithsonian American Art Museum and Martin Puryear and The National Gallery of Art. However, a little gender balance would be nice, i think Henry Thaggert’s she’s so articulate is an awesome start, but it would be nice to see alarge show of say ….Elizabeth Catlett. Who else is missing?
RIP Aime Cesaire
for the record
I did write a poem yesterday you can find it here at one of my other blogs. enjoy!