remembering the radiant child

greetings,

This should have been written weeks ago. Actually it should have been written over 20something years ago. Let me explain. As strange and weird as this must sound, I remember the day that Andy Warhol died (Feb 27 1987...who the hell is Andy Warhol right?) I remember the strange white haired dude, he looked like my Adv. English Teacher, I can quite vividly recall the imagery of his strange body of work, that blended perfectly with the culture of the pastel 80's. The Multi-colored Marilyn Monroe with six images, oozing with pinks, turquoise, yellows, purple and whites, with the oval fire-truck red lips puckered up and ready to kiss the young black teenager. A recent suburban transplant from North Side St.Louis, I was dizzy being amongst all the young white girls 1 out of 4 looking like a young Elizabeth Shue from the original Karate Kid. It was a trip. I remember his painting of the Campbell Soup Can, his films, as well as his social networking with many celebrities, a successful career spanning nearly three decades . His eccentricity was perfect for my introduction into to the world of the suburbs, white girls, alternative and classic rock. It was the year of discovering Hendrix. (Indeed I had met the father of Prince!!! )
Watching the news reports of the passing of an obvious cultural/artistic icon, I did not know that in a quiet loft in New York, filled with future, present and past artistic masterpieces, an estranged friend of the late Warhol deeply mourned the death. The two were not on speaking terms when Warhol suddenly passed, so the news hit him devastatingly hard. His name was Jean-Michel Basquiat, who in five years had shot to stardom in the Art World. He and Warhol had developed a familial relationship, which culminated in several collaborative works between the artists. While Warhol was well renowned the world over, the young Basquiat (Haitian and Puerto Rican descent) faced the obvious racial and cultural attitudes within a stiff and euro-centric art world. He had received a great deal of world-wide recognition in a very short time , however, Basquiat was looking for greater artistic clout that collaborations with Warhol was sure to offer him. Unfortunately, the collaborations were met with negative reviews, which in turn alienated the young, immensely talented, confused, "exceptional black man" (look up Dyson's definition). Basquiat struggled with Heroin, identity and the haunting duppy's that celebrity status methodically brings, to torment and entice the fragile artist. Jean Michel tried numerous times to kick, but ultimately lost his fight a year and some moths later August 12, 1988....on that day I can't recall hearing anything on the news about his career nor his death....remembering the radiant child...to be continued.

Peace and Blessings All,
It is with great excitement that I write this blog. I am here in Dimona, Israel with the Black Hebrew Israelite community and I must say that I am overwhelmed with what I have witnessed thus far. I arrived here Sunday at 5:30pm Israeli time, which was roughly 11:30 am our time. I took a two hour drive from the Tel-Aviv airport to the southern, small town of Dimona. Upon my arrival, I entered into what we would consider to be a modern day African village.

The story of this particular group is so unique. The leaders of this group came to Israel from Liberia by way of Chicago in 1969. They were unwanted by the Israeli government, who refused to believe what the leaders confessed to them, which is they, according to the bible, are the original people of this land. Opposed to their truth, the Israeli government gave them the worst plot of land they had in an effort to discourage them from staying. Unfamiliar with the plight of the Black man, the Israeli government was in for a rude awakening.

The leaders and their followers of roughly 120 people began to build and build until they created, what they refer to as the "Place of Peace". In this place of peace, the people of the community have built homes for their families and they live in a communal living environment. No one has locks on their doors. They also built their own school system, however they now go to school with other Hebrews in a public school right across the street from their community. They have a health spa, a community store, where they sell community produced, from their organic or divine garden as they call it, vegetables and fruits. They also sell rice , bakery goods and other items. They also have a factory where they make, package and sell tofu, vegan deli slices and vegan burgers. These products are sold to local grocery stores. They have a hair salon and factory where the sisters sew the clothes for the Saints of their community and others in the Israeli community.

The children are bilingual speaking Hebrew and English. They play without the fears that most American children in the same economic conditions play in. They have a freedom and a peace that is rare in these times of confusion and destruction. They are 100% healthier that most African American. Their lifestyles call that they exercise three times a week, maintain a vegan diet, enjoy a trip to the spa once a month for it's health benefits, drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. Their skin is flawless, the elders are more active than most American teenagers and they are still striving to find the key ingredient to everlasting life.

Some things that may be interesting to you is that the Hebrew Israelite community lives by the Old Testament. This is why they have chosen a flesh free, live diet. This is also why they are allowed to have more than one wife. All of the clothes that they wear are 100% cotton or 100% silk, no synthetic fabrics are allowed. They have a system in place that consists of leaderships roles such as Minister of Information, which is in essence their historian and public relations person, Crown Sisters and Crown Brothers, are the ones the sisters for the Crown Sisters and the brothers for the Crown Brothers, go to for clarity about something in the community, help with relationships or help with the drama that can arise. They system also has disciplinary consequences for those who disobey the structure that is in place.

They are making history and under the leadership of Ben Ammi, the Hebrew Israelite community has accomplished their goal. Though resistant to their presence, the Israeli government granted permanent residency to many of the Saints in the community and some have their green card. They are adamant about creating a heaven on Earth and they are slowly but surely manifesting a world, in their small community, of peace and life.

As my journey continues, I will keep you informed and please stay tuned for the live footage that I have of this journey.

Shalom.

Shante

S.H.E.R.A.H. TV

S.H.E.R.A.H. (SISTERS HELPING EACH OTHER REACH A HIGHER HEIGHT) is a women's organization created to empower ourselves as women so that we can assist in the rebuilding of our communities.

She was founded March 6, 2004 in St. Louis, MO and has served more than 200 sisters through sister circles, healing tea parties, pampering parties, sister showcases, youth programs and more. Her passion has always been to empower the sisters by presenting them with practical steps to begin their journey of self-love and self-discovery.

As we all know this is not an easy journey for any of us, but it is an important journey nonetheless. We can only be to others, what we are for ourselves. I can not be a good sister, friend, wife or mother, if I am not good to myself. It is imperative that we take time to learn ourselves and manifest our uniqueness and greatness in this lifetime.

S.H.E.R.A.H. believes so firmly in the progression of the sisters, that she created a visual platform for the sisters to obtain information needed for this journey. We present to you S.H.E.R.A.H. TV.... a place where a sister can be her best self, with no compromise, and share it with the world.

We invite you to check out the first episode of the show and please visit us at www.sherah.webs.com. and please let us know what you think.

S.H.E.R.A.H. TV
http://www.blip.tv/search?q=sherah+tv

Love and Empowerment,
LIFE

Esperanza Spalding: Winner of Best New Artist and Most Slept-on

The first time I heard of Esperanza Spalding was in February 2009 as she graced the White House during a ceremony to honor Stevie Wonder. Her rendition of Stevie’s classic, “Overjoyed,” blew me away. I have been a fan ever since. Well, maybe fan isn’t the best word for my level of support for the young jazz singer and musician. I mean, I’m not Justin Bieber-deface Esperanza’s Wikipedia page mere minutes after the award announcement-fanatical but I think it is important that someone who has bought three of her albums and keep each in his regular rotation to lend a voice to her budding brilliance. 

I sometimes think about what it must have been like for fans of jazz to experience an up and coming Miles Davis or Nina Simone. I know when I first heard hip hop at a young age, and I performed my first freestyle at seven years old, I was mesmerized. I still hear LL Cool J’s “I’m Bad” in my head at the mention of my first contact with the musical art. Years later, I could hear hip hop on a late night radio program over my pop’s house or I could see it on the Arsenio Hall show. At that time, I had BET to introduce me to LL and hip hop.  But there’s no BET for Spalding, only YouTube clips of her performing on Dave Letterman or Jimmy Kimmel Live and, of course, the White House. 

The excitement I feel for Spalding or Roy Hargrove and others is what I felt for A Tribe Called Quest or Eric B and Rakim. Being exposed to various members of the Native Tongue family or the Digging in the Crates crew made me want to become a DJ, which never happened but it did foster my love of music. I would dig in my parent’s music collection to find beats to sample and would come across Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Stevie Wonder. Those finds expanded and deepened my appreciation for music created or performed by black artists.  Stevie’s album Talking Book grabbed me in a profound way. It made go on a quest to buy every album of his. I would cringe when artists would cover his classics or deep cuts. Ironically, it was because of my love for Stevie Wonder’s music that I stumbled across Spalding.  

It started with hearing about the White House honor bestowed upon Wonder. Then I looked up the musical ceremony in hopes that it was online at PBS or YouTube. When I found it on PBS, Esperanza was called to the stage with her beautiful afro and then she got behind an upright bass as though she was about to play it. I thought that she was only going to sing but then she played it to the melody of “Overjoyed.” I was astounded, particularly when she sang and played. I can do neither so I’m easily amazed by such acts of artistry. I wondered who she was and how come I never heard of her.  

Like I imagine Bieber fans to act, I was all over the internet trying to get more information about the 26 year old and learned that she released her second album, Esperanza, in May of 2008. It is considered her first major but it is also a minor repackaging of songs from an earlier album titled Junjo, released in 2006. I soon bought each of those works and followed her career ever since.  Her latest album, Chamber Music Society, has a different vibe than Esperanza but it’s worth checking out.  

Last night, I didn’t get a chance to watch the Grammy Award show but I knew that Spalding was up for best new artist. When I got a text saying that she won, my responded with three letters: wow.   For a woman who could have stepped out Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues as character competing against Wesley Snipes’ Shadow and Denzel Washington’s Bleak Gilliam, she beat out some popular music icons with huge followings.  That makes her slept-on. Although I still love hip hop, I don’t own any music by Drake or Usher’s protégé, Bieber.  Esperanza is a jazz artist who is just as hip hop to me as A Tribe Called Quest. The only difference is that Esperanza Spalding won a Grammy for best new artist when few of my favorites have. Hopefully, this is a sign that music lovers are beginning to wake up to her talent.

Welcome to Skyy's FLY FREE FRIDAY

Today's post is about women embracing each other without defacing each other!

Are you a friend or a FRENEMY?

Too many times we fault the woman over a man and let him ride without so much as a time out.

Here are a few questions I raise at the Ladies Night Out Events that I host, all of these answers are viable answers...mull these over sista's

1. #1 definition of a frenemy?
a. Someone you call a friend, but in truth they drive you crazy.
b. Fair weather friends that only want to hang out with you when their single
c. Friends that would rather hear about how miserable you are than about success in your life

2. What are the top three reasons why women hate on each other?
a. Low-Self Esteem, Stress & Misery
b. Mis-education, Other friends & Different personalities
c. Because of a man, Ignorance & Jealousy

3. #1 way sistas have learned to be their own worst enemy?
a. We grasp at whatever we can at each other’s expense.
b. We gang up on each other and bully each other.
c. We’re so protective of our own turf that we become a hindrance to other sistas

4. Top two traits possessed by woman that maintain positive female relationships
a. Put their needs 1st & knows how to have a good time
b. Defend them against gossip & respecting their point of view
c. Approachable & tell them what you honestly think

5. Top definition of a female PlayaHata?
a. They will look at another woman and say, 'I can't stand her, she thinks she's all that.'
b. All they do is sit around gossip and scheme.
c. They purposely like and go after men that are already taken.

Here is a piece I have posted on facebook as well ;-)

Sister My Sister

Sister my Sister, can I speak with you for a minute?

No, I don't want to hear your business,

cause I ain't trying to be in it.

I'd just like to talk with you if I could

and share my views on the lack of “real” sisterhood.

You see I'm guilty and maybe you are the same,

of judging my sisters without even knowing their name.

I look at their shape, comment on their hair

and talk about what they really should or shouldn't wear.

I roll my big eyes, I put my hands on my hips,

and not a kind word comes out of my “got the nerve“ lips.

Why can't I just smile, wave and say “hey,

I'm down with you sister, have a nice day“

We need to stick together, it would be great if we could,

To promote unity, understanding and “real“ sisterhood.

Without it we have nothing, why not go for it all,

for sisters united we stand, divided we fall.

So let's seize the moment, before the moment is gone.

Grasp this message Sister My Sister and PASS IT ON

Join me next Friday

Peace & Infinite Blessings

Skyy

Lauryn Hill circa 2000

Urban Murals....

Please take some time out of your busy life to check out 13 crazy, dope urban mural projects. In my opinion, this is indeed art on a totally different scale. This is a true representation of street art!

http://weburbanist.com/2010/12/13/incredible-urban-mural-projects-and-street-art/#respond

Films I Wish I Could Watch Right Now

 I want to see Pariah right now. Not in six months where I have to skim through the pages of an annual film festival brochure just for it not to be there.  I don’t want to find out some Monday that Pariah screened quietly the past weekend and the Tivoli Theater is no longer running it.  With that said, Urbalist will post information about films showing in any city but St. Louis as a heads up to flicks that might be of interest to you.  

Pariah is a film showcased at the Sundance Film Festival that tells the story of a teen woman who comes out to her parents as a lesbian.  The protagonist must then negotiate identity development in a culture that can be as binary with its typology of stud and femme as that of heterosexuals with femininity and masculinity.  What else does this film get into? I can't say but check out the trailer embedded in the post

Perhaps director Dee Rees will attract some financiers as the filmmakers of Precious were able to do. Let’s hope so.

Check this out!

Okay, in my attempt to keep you informed about the latest in the world of Urban Art, I came across a website that is filled with artwork, articles and interesting artists. What makes it even more interesting is that is deals with "Black Art in America". It proclims to be the leading global network focused on African American Visual Arts. I encourage you to check it out and let me know what you think.

http://blackartinamerica.com

Slam This Friday

I’ve seen some impressive spoken word poets over the last 12 years.  When you are a part of a weekly poetry open mic, it’s not surprising when powerful performances happen but such occurrences tend to be by chance. Yet, I’ve found that poets that slam are usually remarkable in their work because they tend to be in tuned with the audience.  Being able to recite or spit from memory is good but having it resonate with the audience is better.  Given that there is no shortage of slam venues in the city, why aren’t more St. Louis based poets slamming?

There are many reasons why slam has yet to take hold in St. Louis as in other cities, which I’ll explore at a later time. So that will have to remain an open question for now.  This Friday at Legacy Books and Café Urb Poetry will host its first slam of the year. The will receive $100. Also featured this Friday is the art of Billy Williams. Doors open at 8:30 and its free until 9:30.  Hopefully, we’ll see some poets perform in a game that requires multiple skill sets.  Perhaps it will be the start of something.  For now, check out the short video I found on the rules for slamming.

Artist Spotlight: Dail Chambers

St. Louis is full of women on the move. Writers are writing, singers are singing, artists are painting and Dail Chambers is in alignment with the movement and is coming into her greatness as an artist and activist.

Almost 4 years ago in Memphis, she started the Aids project, where she served as founder and co-curator. The Aids project is an annual exhibition and fundraiser to raise awareness of the needs of those infected with HIV /AIDS. A percentage of the proceeds goes to Hope House, an organization that gives free meds to their low income community members.

Last year (2010), Dail was the exhibitions chair for the Women's Caucus of Art local chapter and the Vice President of Development on the National board. She was also juried into an exhibition at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago by Lucy Lippard, a world known feminist art critic. She is one of the collaborators who organized a new structure of Bread & Roses, where they lead youth through the arts on the topic of family, home and work. The program serves Riverview Gardens High School and was funded by Rac, Mac and the Kreskge Foundation.

Dail founded GYA and Yeyo Arts Collective. She collaborated with another artist, Chinyere Oteh, in starting the Girls Create program and Sixpence Cinema. Dail is a member of the Organization for Black Struggle, Women's Caucus of Art, Justice Institute and in the leadership team for Literacy for Social Justice... and a CAT Fellow.

She has her own art studio is in the middle of North St. Louis less than a block from the former Blewett Middle School, now the alternative school, Innovative Concept Academy. She serves as a mentor and arts instructor out of her personal art studio to neighborhood youth.

She is one of the inaugural artists for Earthdance F.A.r.M.s Artist in Residence, & an organic farms apprentice for the 2011 season. Lastly,she is the volunteer art teacher for City Garden School.

Dail Chambers' current exhibition is with Memphis artist Carl Moore and will be held at Urban League, called the The Great Migration Back, dealing with the topics of being two or three generations removed from the great migration and recounting our experiences while revisiting the south.

Dail feels her goal as an artist is to promote creative, socially just, healthy living practices to youth and families who reside in underserved communities.

Concert Review: Lauryn Hill at the Pageant (STL)

Pic by Santiago Felipe (VillageVoice.com)

Fresh.   

This is the word I would use to describe the Lauryn Hill concert in St. Louis over the MLK Day weekend.  Although she broke no new material, Hill created new arrangements for classic songs.  Not everyone in my section of the Pageant appreciated her musical choices but I did.

I overheard one concert-goer say, “I’m confused.”  Confusion may be a sentiment that everyone not standing at Hill’s concert felt as she infused rock and removed R&B in a set dominated by reggae riddims and hip hop percussion. But after releasing the classic album, Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and without new material available what else could she do? 

Sure, she could have gone the has-been route of leading the audience in a sing-along version of her signature songs.  Songs that I prefer to remember than replay because I played them so often back in 1998 and ’99.  Perhaps she could have performed some unreleased tracks that floated online or music from her unplugged album but why? Those works are largely untested, unknown or uncelebrated; leaving Hill to wade into familiar territory, lyrically, while breaking new ground sonically.

Much of the audience stared at the stage as Hill launched into the second song of the 90 minute set, Lost Ones.  Gone was the sparse, drum-centered familiarity with well-time guitar riffs. It was guitar-gone-wild with upbeat riddims that reminded me of the third wave of ska minus the lightness (and horns).  The songs that followed were increasingly rock oriented as the guitar cut the neo soul memories of Hill’s audience into indiscernible pieces. Still, the remixes had an undeniable hip hop edge that rendered the music harder and more energetic than the songs featured on her album.

It was Hill’s third song, Ex-Factor that engaged the audience. She encouraged concert-goers to sing along and they did. At this point, I glanced at my phone to look at the set list published by Village Voice’s Rob Harvilla.  She did not deviate much except for cutting “To Zion” from her set.  I looked forward to hear what she’d do with Final Hour, since it was my least favorite track from her album.  She rocked it. It was a fuller sonic experience and quicker tempo than the original laid-back vibe of the original.

Not all of Hill’s material was rock-reggae re-imaginings.  As the set drew to a close, Hill stayed true to the original arrangements; particularly, her Fugee work.  From “Fu-Gee-La” on, the audience found a comfort zone with her set.   The only moments that seemed jarring was Hill’s constant admonishment of her band. It was as though she was checking her kids on that stage but there was no mutiny from the players. They followed her lead, which prompted a thought.  Perhaps all the recent reviews about Hill missed something her: she’s an artist who has been roughed up by the industry.

In 2001, Hill settled a $5 million dollar lawsuit with four musicians with whom she collaborated on Miseducation.  They claimed to have more input on the album and were not properly recognized for their contribution.   For good or bad, Hill made clear at the concert that she controls her music.  That’s a very different experience than in 1999 when Hill graced the Fox Theater.  She was not the hard-driving band leader that dominated the stage at the Pageant. She was the full articulation of neo-soul in 1999. But that was a different Hill and era of music. Artists like L-Boogie hardly stand still for that long.

THE DEADLINE

Greetings,
I was mandated by the chief to post by Thursday so here it goes:
I watched Sydney Lumet's classic, "Network", the other night and was mesmerized, as I am every time I watch it. However, I noticed within myself a distance from it, could it be that time had watered the impact of such an cinematic opus? For the first time the seemingly archaic technology and and the biting wit of the leads such as, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall and of course Peter Finch, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!!", seemed....wow...corny and dated. The memorable scene where the citizens of New York fly open their windows and scream that infamous line gave me a feeling of such hopelessness and a sense of dread and social impotence so intense that I turned it off and started watching 50 cent's "Before I Self Destruct." oh oh. The pervading sadness of Curtis Jackson's directorial debut matched my mood as I pondered the cinematic silence of the day...In this age of a technological deluge-the camera warriors of our time seem to re-hash the common themes of self-reality pontificating, bathroom mirror shots that scream of me...me....me! It's not Network's fault that the culture of 1976- 34years ago, does not hold the attention of this aging filmmaker....You know where this is going....peace...falaq

What role does art play in your life

I have heard many people say that life is what you make it. I agree. The events of your life impact you based upon the way in which you perceive them. Art is the same way. Art is sometimes not about the definitive work that went into each piece, it is about the excitment that comes from people's perception of it and because art has the ability to be interpreted at such a level, it plays a very pertinent role in our lives, our communties and in the development of our children.
The critically important role of art has been said to enable us to see the world and the human condition differently, and in seeing the world through a particular work of art, is to see a truth that we might not have understood before.
Artists have the ability to lay before us a truth that invites us to think. That thought process can create a charge that sparks movements. Take for instance, hip-hop. The unapologetic lyrics that the emcees spit into their mics sparked a desire for the common man to either “Stop the Violence” or “Get his Swag On”. Nonetheless, it provoked movement and a desire to be or become.
The power of art is limitless. Most art has some sort of reason or purpose behind it. It might be religious, symbolic, literal, traditional, customary, or just a preference by the artist.
Use African art as an example. Most African art has a symbolic reason. Masks, pottery, figures, portraits, jewelry, baskets and clothing reflect the religious belief of the different tribes. Africans believed that everything in nature is alive such as rocks, grass, plants, trees, rivers and mountains.
Expert Advisor Alec Colchico expressed that Art is important because it encompasses all the developmental domains in child development. Art lends itself to physical development and the enhancement of fine and gross motor skills. I include that it helps to develop their critical thinking skills as well.
Art brings beauty into our world. It brings a sense of enjoyment and pleasure. It is an important tool in causing us to examine our beliefs in light of an artists' rendition or perception of truth. Art has the ability to transport us to a different time and place and it serves as healer, educator, lover and friend.
Art has many roles in this world, what role does it play in your life?

The Art of Billy Williams

In early December of 2010, Billy Williams set up his table with prints of his original art work at the Missouri History Museum. On easels, Williams displayed paintings of African Americans with green tones and letters scrawled in the background that almost spell out beatiful. One piece caught the eye of the assistant director of community education and events, Alex Detrick. It was a portrait of Coretta Scott King with her husband’s image faintly present. She quickly approached Williams about showcasing his piece at a Martin Luther King celebration at the Museum on January 16th.

On Williams’ work, Detrick said that “it’s colorful, with energy that reflects spirit and an understanding of people.”

Williams describes his work as contemporary figurative. “I like to play with contour lines” Williams says. He prefers making images flat and using “shading to give it depth”

Raised in Kansas, Williams refined his skills at Kansas State University before moving to St. Louis and developing into the artist he is today. His first delved into contemporary figurative work around 2001.

“It started with sketches of faces that I morphed to together then grew into paintings” Williams said before adding “It’s been a nice journey.”

Admittedly, the journey began long before settling down in St. Louis. His first grade teacher nurtured his interest in art by giving him extra paper with which to draw. Teachers played a critical role with Williams’ development. They supported his interest and bought him extra materials for art class. In ninth grade, Williams experienced painting for the first time, and had been committed ever since.

Williams finds inspiration for his art in everyday people. “I may see someone with nice lips or an afro” he said when explaining his creative process. At times, Williams surprises himself with art that he thinks is conceived in his mind before its born out on canvass. Yet, like his inspiration, his art might walk past him on the street.

“I think that I made these images up but then I’m out at a store and see that person. I’ve never met them before but I painted them,” he said.

Another inspiration of Williams is C’Babi Bayoc. He recounts his first encounter with the artist.

“I went to an exhibition where C’Babi work was featured and I saw these pieces. They were images of African Americans but they were blue. I had been doing similar work and I hadn’t met him before then. I found it refreshing,” Williams said.

In addition to his work at the Missouri History Museum at their Martin Luther King Celebration at 2 pm, Williams is featuring his work at Legacy Books and Café at “Slam + Art,” an exhibition and poetry slam on Friday, January 28th from 8:30pm to 11:30pm.

New year of Friday Night Poetry Starts Tonight.

After a two week hiatus, Friday night poetry is back with a new name... Urb Poetry. Proceeds still go to UAACD. Check us out.

Welcome