Category Archives: African American Arts & Theatre

TMD Hot Ticket: “Mark My Words” on March 23rd

Posted by Giant on

RSVPs are flowing in for this one-of-a-kind event which highlights Milwaukee and the spoken word art form.

The Milwaukee Chapter of the Black Public Relations Society and the Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN) present “Mark My Words,” — a movie produced by local Emmy-award winning director and producer Brad Pruitt. Come see it on Friday, March 23, 6:30 pm, at the prestigious Milwaukee Art Museum.

RSVP by e-mailing BPRS at bprsmke@gmail.com

This documentary chronicles a day in the life of Milwaukee spoken word artists from various backgrounds. The film explores the power of the spoken word and its ability to transform people and community. The Mark My Words showing costs only $3!

Mark My Words poets include: Autumn Blaze, Shelly Davis, Muhibb Dyer, Dasha Kelly, K-Love, Kwabena Antoine Nixon, Tina “Ms Jazzy” Nixon and Dan Vaughn. Artists will be available for a talk-back session following the movie.

A brief reception with food and cash bar will precede the movie, so please be on time. Come and network with local artists, enjoy a great movie developed in your city featuring this national art form. Parking is available at MAM or at the O’Donnell parking structure.

MARN is an open forum for Milwaukee artists. The organization seeks to create a community that pools knowledge and fosters advocacy for individual artists of all media. Log onto www.artsinmilwaukee.org.

The Black Public Relations Society recognizes the importance of spoken word in today’s shorthand social media communications society. The art form of spoken work forces artists to put their words together, enunciate and typically to address pressing societal issues.

Spread the word by forwarding the attached flyer to your social media networks.

RSVP today at bprsmke@gmail.com

The Black Public Relations Society of Milwaukee

Attention Friends of TMD: Support UPROOTED Theatre’s South Bridge & Get 1/2 off Tickets At Door

Posted by Giant on

Beloved,

During our journey you’ve heard us talk about our family at UPROOTED Theatre. Well, they are back and doing the damn thing one mo’ gin. Their latest production is titled SOUTH BRIDGE, a world premier by African American playwright, Reginald Edmund, directed by UPROOTED’s Producing Artistic Director, Marti Gobel.  SOUTH BRIDGE is a thriller about a man named Stranger who has been accused of a crime he may or may not have committed.  It’s a suspenseful night of theatre.  The show runs for 8 performances at The Broadway Theatre Center, March 12-18.  $15 tickets are available at the UPROOTED Website: www.uprootedmke.com.

That’s not all beloved, they are showing love to all the TMD friends and supporters by offering 1/2 off ticket prices at the door. All you have to do is know and then say the following word…APPROPRIATION! That’s right TMD family, you will be given access to a fantastic performance at 1/2 the price. So please, supporter our family at UPROOTED Theatre.

UPROOTED's Producing Artistic Director, Marti Gobel

UPROOTED's Producing Artistic Director, Marti Gobel

“We Are The Drum – A Rhythm In Wisconsin” 2012

Posted by Wonder Woman on

CAPITA (City At Peace In The Arts)

Productions Presents…

“We Are The Drum – A Rhythm In Wisconsin” 2012


Inspired by a distinctive movement for racial justice in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

http://capitaproductions.org/

Since 1990, CAPITA Productions (City At Peace In The Arts) has been presenting a Black History Program yearly for thousands in the Greater Milwaukee Area.

This year we are adding a very special and overdue segment which will celebrate those brave marchers and demonstrators, from all backgrounds, who risked their lives for the cause of civil rights, especially in Milwaukee. It will be a dramatic reenactment of the Underground Railroad, prominent in the Waukesha area; the escaped slave Joshua Grover, and Fr. Jim Groppi’s “March on Milwaukee”.

 

For 200 consecutive nights hundreds marched for open housing through rain, snow and fear of physical attacks. These heroes have not been properly honored until now. Their stories should be known by our youth as well as everyone in Milwaukee and across the nation.

 

We will celebrate those who lived this experience, sharing the stories of those who participated in the demonstrations, served on the NAACP Youth Council, Commandos, and all organizations that led or joined in some way, the historic Milwaukee’s Civil Rights Movement.

Public Shows:

Tickets are $10 (balcony) $15 (floor)per person

• Friday, February 24, 2012 @ 7:30pm

• Saturday, February 25, 2012 @ 7:30pm

• Friday, March 2, 2012 @ 7:30pm

• Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 7:30pm

PUBLIC SHOW TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

Buy Now Online http://www.capitaproductions.org/tickets.html

Student Shows:

Tickets are $4 per child.

For more info on the student shows,

Call Liz Coleman- 414-807-7322

• Tuesday, February, 21, 2012 @ 10:00am & 12:00pm

• Wednesday, February, 22, 2012 @ 10:00am & 12:00pm

• Monday, February, 27, 2012 @ 10:00am & 12:00pm

• Wednesday, February. 29, 2012 @ 10:00am & 12:00pm

All shows will once again take place at:

North Division High School Campus

Auditorium

1011 West Center Street

Milwaukee, WI 53206

Calling All Civil Rights Leaders Past & Present in Milwaukee

Posted by Wonder Woman on

Between 1958 and 1970, a distinctive movement for racial justice emerged from unique circumstances in Milwaukee. A series of local leaders inspired growing numbers of people to participate in campaigns….

Calling All Civil Rights Leaders in Milwaukee

“We Are The Drum – A Rhythm In Wisconsin” – 2012

Since 1990, CAPITA Productions (City At Peace In The Arts) founded by Brother Booker Ashe and others has been presenting a Black History Program yearly for thousands in the Greater Milwaukee Area. 

This year we are adding a very special and overdue segment which will celebrate those brave marchers and demonstrators, from all backgrounds, who risked their lives for the cause of civil rights, especially in Milwaukee. It will be a dramatic reenactment of the Underground Railroad, prominent in the Waukesha area; the escaped slave Joshua Grover, and Fr. Jim Groppi’s “March on Milwaukee”.

For 200 consecutive nights hundreds marched for open housing through rain, snow and fear of physical attacks. These heroes have not been properly honored until now. Their stories should be known by our youth as well as everyone in Milwaukee and across the nation.

We are calling on those who lived this experience to share their stories with us in special listening sessions on Tuesday, November 15th and Wednesday November 16th from 5 pm to 8 pm and again November 19th from 10 am to 1 pm. We will meet at North Division Room #102, 1011 West Center Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

We are looking for all those who participated in the demonstrations, served on the NAACP Youth Council, Commandos, and all organizations that led or joined in some way, the historic Milwaukee’s Civil Rights Movement.

If you are interested in attending and would like more information please call 414-397-8661 or email arsmusic00@aol.com. (zero, zero). Otherwise we would love to see you at the meetings. Please share this announcement with everyone. We want to make sure we honor and thank you for your courage and brave acts that moved Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the nation so powerfully.

Thank you,

CAPITA Productions

An excerpt taken from

The Selma of the North:

Civil Rights Insurgency in Milwaukee

Patrick D Jones

Between 1958 and 1970, a distinctive movement for racial justice emerged from unique circumstances in Milwaukee. A series of local leaders inspired growing numbers of people to participate in campaigns against employment and housing discrimination, segregated public schools, the membership of public officials in discriminatory organizations, welfare cuts, and police brutality.

The Milwaukee movement culminated in the dramatic—and sometimes violent—1967 open housing campaign. A white Catholic priest, James Groppi, led the NAACP Youth Council and Commandos in a militant struggle that lasted for 200 consecutive nights and provoked the ire of thousands of white residents. After working-class mobs attacked demonstrators, some called Milwaukee “the Selma of the North.” Others believed the housing campaign represented the last stand for a nonviolent, interracial, church-based movement.

“We Are The Drum – A Rhythm In Wisconsin” – 2012 Show Dates:

 

Public Shows:

Fri, Feb. 24th, Sat., Feb. 25th, Fri. Mar. 3rd & Sat., Mar. 4th at 7:30 pm-

Tickets will go on sale on Dec. 1st

Student Shows:

The dates are: Tues. Feb.21st, Wed, Feb. 22nd, Mon., Feb.27th

 & Wed. Feb. 29th at 10am & 12 pm. tickets are $4 per child.

For more info on the student shows, call Liz Coleman- 414-807-7322

You can find more about CAPITA by visiting us on our Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/pages/Capita-Productions

or Twitter @CAPITAProd

MLK Memorial Still Brews in Controversy for Building with Chinese Workers

Posted by Wonder Woman on

While WW is busy fighting crime, I thought you would like to revisit this topic  the”Your Black World” July 2011 article since it is soon in coming. I think it is an outrage that the MLK Memorial looks Asian, appears angry, and is minus African American workers or artists!!

Peace Family,

WW

MLK Memorial Still Brews in Controversy for Building with Chinese Workers

July 5, 2011 By Staff of Your Black World

http://yourblackworld.com/2011/07/05/mlk-memorial-still-brews-in-controversy-for-building-with-chinese-workers/

 

Your Black World reports.

We have just two months before the August 28 celebration of a new memorial in Washington DC dedicated to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The site will be four acres, and cost $120 million to construct.   The memorial continues on in spite of controversy about the builders choosing a sculptor from China.

The King family is in support of the use of a Chinese sculptor, leaving many American and African American artists disappointed that their talents were not used by the family.  There are also some who believe that the 30-foot likeness of Dr. King appears too confrontational, contrasting with King’s non-violent approach to Civil Rights.

Ed Jackson, executive architect of the Martin Luther King National Memorial, said that the King family approved the likeness created by Lei Yixin.

“I’ve seen probably 50 sculptures of my dad, and I would say 47 of them are not good reflections — that’s not to disparage an artist,” said Martin Luther King III. “This particular artist — he’s done a good job.”

The critics of this decision include a sculptor who was on an earlier team.  Also, academics, union members and others were angered by the decision to bring a group of Chinese workers to Washington to put the statue together.  Those who support the monument are working to deal with the criticism as they seek ways to raise the last $6 million needed to finish the project.

“He had already created … three additional sculptures of Dr. King’s head,” Jackson said, referring to past work that had been done by Lei.

Jackson then brought pictures of four different heads to two of King’s children, who chose Lei’s as the best of the group.

“The response was the first one,” King III said. “I informed them that this was the one that had generated all that controversy about their father looking confrontational. Martin said, ‘Well if my father was not confrontational, given what he was facing at the time, what else could he be?’”

Ed Dwight, a sculptor who’d been on the project earlier, said that he thought that Lei Yixin would help him, but not that he would be doing the job by himself.   Dwight claims that King would be insulted to hear that a sculptor from a Communist country would be working on his likeness.

“Dr. King would be turning over in his grave if he knew,” Dwight said. “He would rise up from his grave and walk into their offices and go, ‘How dare you?’”

There are also some who would argue that Dr. King, a man who fought for the rights of American workers, might be concerned about the exclusion of black and white American workers on the project.  Bringing Chinese workers across the world to work on a King memorial is an interesting reminder of corporate globalization that is taking place in America today.  Throughout the economic recovery, American workers have been the least to benefit, while the wealthy and corporations have done quite well.  Part of the reason for this division is due to the fact that wages are kept low by using workers overseas.