Thursday, April 20, 2006

THREE MUST ATTEND EVENTS!
Please read this entire blog for all info. (This blog is a HATE-FREE space. Needless to say, so are these events. Hope to see you there.)

ALLGO presents
“Ramble-Ations” : A One D’Lo Show

WHEN:
Friday, April 22, 2006
7:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Tillery Street Theater
701 Tillery Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Opening: Florinda Bryant

D’Lo has created characters based on different personalities from her life and from her imaginary world. These personality-flawed characters come to the stage to share stories with the world of what really matters to them; stories filled with contradictions of existing in America where one’s traditions and culture are constantly challenged; stories reflecting the intricate details of being of color or from immigrant communities; stories showing the battle against ignorance even in friendships and relationships; and finally, stories of love that reflect my belief that you can’t call yourself a revolutionary if you have a problem being nice.

AND

Floodlines
by Jaclyn Pryor
SOLD OUT (but it's worth knowing about because Jaclyn's a genius!)
For info:
http://www.refractionarts.org/pryor.shtml

Also, fyi, check out www.austinist.com if you are interested in reading an interview with Jaclyn about the show.

AND


MANGOS FOR ANA

WHY:
a community gathering to show our love for Ana Sisnett and to raise necessary funds as she undergoes treatment for ovarian cancer

WHEN:
Saturday, April 22, 2006
8 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

WHAT:
see your friends
witness the poetic offerings of Daniel Alexander Jones, Carole Metellus, Jen Margulies, Pamela Overynder, Deborah Paredez, and k.t. shorb
food and drink
dancing with D.J. Lenne Degeddingsize.


WHERE:
Tillery Street Theater
701 Tillery Street, Austin, Texas 78702
http://www.allgo.org/map.htm for directions
(Note that 7th Street flies over Tillery.)

DONATIONS: We are asking for a donation of $25.00 per person,or pay what you can. No one will be turned away.Donations will also be accepted, payable to
Ana Sisnett
c/o Austin Free-Net
PMB 226
PO Box 201
3Austin, TX 78768-2013

Donations are not tax-deductible. Donations to an organization can not and will not be redirected to Ana.


TO VOLUNTEER, or for more information, please contact
Virginia Raymond at virginiaraymond@austin.rr.com
748-0940


Tuesday, April 04, 2006


let's TAKE THE LEAD y'all!

the following email was forwarded to me this morning. i ABSOLUTELY pray that someday soon, i find myself in a position to be asking support for my first widely released film. (cuz we all know how these first-weekend-ratings-things work, right?)

so, in support of this sista who is obviously doing the dang thing--and, admittedly, in an effort to create good karma--i am going to venture to my favorite theater this weekend and actually pay full price (not matinee) to see this film (which i try to make a practice of for all Black films). one small way to exercise your politics/make a statement, right? anyway, here's the email i received. (i was also impressed that the sista sent it herself rather than having her people's people's people represent her.) go, diane, go!!!

"Ok- so I've never sent a BIG GROUP email before, but here goes: For the first time, I have a major movie opening nationwide on the 7th of April, and I'd welcome your support in going to see my film. The movie, called TAKE THE LEAD, stars Antonio Banderas and Alfre Woodard. I wrote it, and Liz Freidlander, directed. You can see the trailer at
http://www.taketheleadmovie.com . Please come and support us. You all know how important opening weekend can be.

Thank you,
Dianne Houston"

Monday, April 03, 2006

mark your calendars & spread the word!!!
dearest beautiful friends/family, who have wondered what i've been rehearsing for every night these last 2 weeks, every sunday these last 6 weeks or so... here's the payoff. the work we have done individually, and as a collective with the guidance of omi osun olomo (dr. joni jones), sharon bridgforth, and laurie carlos, is nothing short of amazing. I would be humbled and honored if you would make time to attend one of the performances.
the austin project
jam sessions in jazz aesthetic 2006
April 8th, 2006
2:00 pm
Winship Drama Building 2.180

April 9th, 2006
2:00 pm
The Off Center / 2211-A Hidalgo Street

featuring: florinda bryant, d'lo, dulani, bianca flores, kristen gerhard, erika gonzalez, virginia grise, alyssa harad, amanda johnston, ana lara, krissy mahan, rosalee martin, lisa moore, courtney morrisjaclyn pryor, shia shabazz

producer: joni l. jones/omi osun olomo
anchor artist: sharon bridgforth
guest artists: laurie carlos & daniel alexander jones
refreshments will be served

any ut garage parking will be validated upon request

recommended $2 donation to defray expenses

For more information please contact the Center for African & African American Studies at
512-471-1784 caaas@uts.cc.utexas.edu http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/caaas

This event is sponsored by the Center for African & African American Studies with support from: Department of English and Center for Women's and Gender Studies

is this a test?

so the week before performance, i am assured that all of this is a test. the return of the raccoon between the upper and lower floors of my townhouse apartment; the unavoidable family drama; and need i even mention daylight savings time, which, by the way, is kicking my ass!

today’s vocab word:

Entry Word: late

Function: adjective

Text 1: not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time

Synonyms: behind, behindhand, belated, delinquent, latish, overdue, tardy Related Words delayed, detained, postponed; dilatory, laggard, slow, sluggish

Example Sentence:
I ran as fast as I could, but was still late for class.

Also as in: Not only was I running late this morning but losing one hour of sleep because of Daylight Savings Time has turned me into a coffee gorging, sluggish laggard at work. (notice that I used 2 of the related words in one sentence. I give myself a bonus point for that.)

(A quick note: I have to give props to the brilliant cc poet, a. van jordan whose series of poems in this word/definition/example style is the impetus for the blog openings of late... hey! there's another use of the word!)

the alarm clocks this morning might as well have been lullabies. my kids were late to school. and this week, we are hard in rehearsals again so we are to treat ourselves impeccably. so, in that case, i will make no space for drama in my life this week and i am on a “be-good-to-shia” mission. as our fearless leader, producer/tap founder dr. joni jones (omi osun olomo) advises, i will tend to myself impeccably and:

--drink lots of water

--take naps

--talk often to one another

--eat chocolate/sorbet/carmel corn or anything that makes you feel good

--applaud [my] courage

--and dance [my] joy!!!


(thank you omi)

here’s to hard work and reward. here’s to TAP women and our allies. here’s to creating art for revolution and change!

fah-evah...

shia SHABAZZ