A TRIBUTE TO BELVA DAVIS - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2013

THE BAY AREA BLACK JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION
and the Honorary Committee Present:

"A Tribute to Belva Davis"

Saturday, February 23, 2013

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts - The Forum
701 Mission Street (at 3rd Street)
San Francisco

Purchase tickets at:

www.ybca.org/belvadavis

Telephone:  415-987-ARTS (2787)

"Broken City" directed by Allen Hughes

Allen Hughes' directs "Broken City" starring Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe.  

You may know Allen Hughes from his joint efforts with twin brother, Albert Hughes, whose credits include "Menace to Society."

There has been much debate about to whom the quote, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely,' can be attributed, but there is no debate that it's true.  This movie underscores that quote.

Set in New York City, the story follows Mark Wahlberg as an ex-rogue New York City detective who takes on an "undercover gig" of sorts for Mayor Hostetler played by Russell Crowe.  

Catherine Zeta Jones does a great job as the Mayor's wife, and the cast of characters which includes, one of my favorite actors, Jeffrey Wright, holds your attention.

It starts out a little slow, but stick with it - you're in for quite a few surprises and an unpredictable ending.

In theaters now and remember the opening weekend is important.  

It's a three-day holiday for most of us, so what better way to celebrate Dr. King's legacy and the second term of President Obama than by supporting Hughes' latest project.

Museum of the African Diaspora - Monday, January 21, 2013 - FREE ADMINISSION

Serving over 60,000 local and greater Bay Area subscribers weekly [ABOUT CONTENT LIABILITY]

New from Kimberla Lawson Roby: "The Perfect Marriage"

Just like the saying goes, "if it sounds too good to be true. . .it probably is."

New York Times' bestselling author, Kimberla Lawson Roby comes at us from a completely different angle this time.  And I love it.  I finished the book in two evenings.

"The Perfect Marriage," is far from perfect.  But nothing ever is, is it?

I will never tire of the "Reverend Curtis Black" series, but her latest work really touches on some issues that need to be taken more seriously.  Especially the issue of addiction.  

Sometimes African Americans don't like to talk about things that aren't pretty.  

Or maybe we don't want to accept that bad things can happen to good people.  

Or maybe we just don't get that addiction is an illness.  

What I love about her work is that Lawson Roby clearly "gets it."  She is a real sister, from a real family, who lives in the real world.  

Denise and Derrek Shaw may look like "The Huxtables" from the outside, but behind closed doors, they are both battling some serious demons and keeping family secrets. 

Never one to disappoint, Lawson Roby does it again.

In bookstores and online now.

If you're one of the few people who hasn't read her work, you've got a lot of catching up to do!

Visit her website at www.kimroby.com

"The Perfect Marriage" by Kimberla Lawson Roby, a Hachette Book Group novel

"What Is Your Spiritual Evolution" - A Solo Exhibit by San Francisco Artist, William Rhodes

San Francisco Artist, William Rhodes' Solo Exhibit, "What Is Your Spiritual Evolution," now until February 7, 2013.


Check out the video of the exhibit's opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUV2R8xtSAE&feature=share&list=UUqf6_Fkf7nMf80X2VeCFI7Q

African American Art and Culture Complex (AAACC)
762 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA  94102

(415) 922-2049

Sculptural furniture artist William Rhodes began his creative journey at the Baltimore School for the Arts.  He then earned a BA in Furniture Building and Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.  Rhodes’ creative works are in the collections of various galleries and museums and featured in several major publications. 

Rhodes’ travels to Africa, Asia and Central and South America strongly influences his work.  The people, art and cultures of these societies inspire Rhodes to consider non-Western approaches to furniture and art, such as creating utilitarian objects that are works of art.  Additionally, Rhodes’ studies of karmic astrology and astrocartography encourage him to produce art that promotes healing.

Rhodes takes a decidedly Eastern view in his choice of materials, colors and method of building and design.  For example, he believes the spirit and characteristics of materials lend themselves to a particular piece of art.  Recycled materials are an important component of Rhodes’ work.

Rhodes is the owner of St. Paul Art and Design Studio, which was created in 2000 as an art venue for community-based artists who are often overlooked by mainstream galleries. Additionally, the artistic gallery space has hosted many other events, such as yoga and meditation programs as well as art and music shows. St. Paul Art and Design Studio is located in Baltimore's historic Charles Village.

New Year's Eve Benefit Ball With Con Funk Shun (featuring Michael Cooper)

Oakland Masonic Center, 3903 Broadway, Oakland, CA

Click below for ticket information

"Party of the Year" - 12/31/12

Rest In Peace, Ben Williams

A friend emailed me the other day to let me know that Ben Williams passed away.  I paused when I heard the news, thanked her for letting me know, and then I put it in a “compartment.”  That’s what I do when I hear something that I don’t really want to hear.  I put it away to deal with at another time when I’m better emotionally equipped to handle it.  Okay, I’m a coward.  

But this morning on my train ride to work, I opened the newspaper, and saw the obituary.  It forced me to deal with it.  After reading about Ben’s life, some things I knew, many I did not, I thought, “Isn’t it funny how the ones who contribute the most, talk about it the least?"  

I was misty-eyed when I departed the train and thought about Ben all the way on my walk to work.  He was "the real deal."

Ben Williams could differentiate the real from the fake.  You could see it in his eyes.  Beautiful, light-colored eyes to complement his fair smooth skin.  Eyes that let you know he knew ‘what time it was.’  For, Ben Williams was not only a talented journalist and a wonderful reporter, he was also a very handsome man.  And a really nice guy.

Ben didn't have to "toot his own horn."  It wasn't who he was.  He knew where he'd been, how he'd gotten there and what he'd achieved.

They say the empty wagon rattles the loudest.  I think we can safely say Ben Williams’ wagon was full.

Remember our legends.  Without them, we wouldn’t be enjoying all the fruits of their labor.

Ben Williams was the first black television news reporter in the Bay Area, passed away of cardiac arrest at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward on Monday, December 17, 2012 at the age of 85.  Mr. Williams had appeared on the daily newscasts of KPIX Channel 5 for more than 25 years, covering events that included the Robert Kennedy assassination, the UC Free Speech Movement, the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford, and the Patty Hearst kidnapping. He had served nine years as the station's East Bay Bureau Chief.

In lieu of flowers the Family asks that donations be made in the name of Ben Williams to The Next Step Learning Center 2222 Curtis Street, Oakland, CA 94607, or the Oakland Boys Club 920 24th st. Oakland Ca. 94607 (*from legacy.com)