Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater



At least once a year I HAVE to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Last night I made the pilgrimage with my friend and Co-Worker Leda, along with the crazy and entertaining Alvis Ward. Alvis is a dancer and goes to see the Company on multiple nights. I also ran into a great guy and artist in his own right, Cedric Brown.

Leda of course was excited because she'd only seen the Company on television. We were seated in row D so had a close up view of everything on stage. Tuesday night's program included, "Anointing", "Cry", "The Hunt", and ended with the timeless classic, "Revelations". I spoken and written at length about how transformative, "Revelations" has been in my life. The highlight for me was a West Coast Premiere of a ballet by new creative director Robert Battle. It was one of the most exciting and intriguing dances I have seen in years. Here's a short sample but it is something that MUST be seen and experienced



Another highlight of course was the closing of the show but before the final dance there was a short film about Revelations turning 50. Short interviews with Mr. Ailey himself & outgoing Creative Director Judith Jamison along with clips of them dancing the piece themselves really touched me.



I'll be back again and again to see the Ailey Company. It's something that is just in my DNA!!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Yolo Akili's "Are We The Kinds Of Boys We Want?" & "Touch...." STILL Available....

I've been saying for a while now there needs to be a continuation of the groundbreaking work of Marlon Riggs', "Toungues Untied." Please take some time a view this great work by a wonderful artist Yolo Akili. This piece made me smile, think, and also reflect on the question asked. I know you will enjoy it. Yolo is raising money for his one man show. I'm sure he can use and will appreciate the support. Let's get behind self-produced work and keep community based art available at the grass roots level...



Go Here To Donate: http://yoloakili.chipin.com/purple-galaxy-a-poetic-experience-fundraiser



Also remember to get my new book, "Touch....Poems & Other Writings of Love, Erotica, & Sensuality" available on line: www.lulu.com/spotlight/tombombayboopublishing

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Call For Submissions:-Tapestries of Faith: Black SGLBT Stories of Triumph, Family, Love, & Healing



Deadline: 30 April 2011

Be included in the newest anthology, Tapestries of Faith: Black SGLBT Stories of Triumph, Family, Love & Healing. This project is a groundbreaking, inaugural collection of essays, commentary, poetry and spoken word edited by Ifalade Ta’Shia Asanti, Azaan Kamau & Jeffrey King.

Essays, prose and poetry/spoken word are sought from established and new writers. 1-3 pages of poetry, 1000 words or less prose, essay or social commentary in the following themes:

1. Stories of Triumph-How you or someone you know found victory in a difficult situation related to your identity;
2. Stories about how you as SGLBT person serve your family (biological, community or spiritual family);
3. Love stories about you and your mate—how you met, why you fell in love and why and how you’ve stayed together;
4. Challenges you’ve gone through as a result of your identity and methods you’ve used to heal (church, temple, meditation, support group).

Deadline for Submissions is April 30th, 2011, 5pm EST. Please forward your submission with full contact information (Name, address, phone number and email address) to tashia@tashiaasanti.com for immediate consideration. Payment is in copies. Also use the book to promote your work, business or organization!

Tapestries of Faith: Black SGLBT Stories of Triumph, Family, Love & Healing is an anthology about the lives and stories of Black same gender loving bisexual and trans people to be published in June 2011.

Publisher Azaan Kamau says, “This book is an important contribution to African-American history. Glover Lane Press is honored to be the publishing house to bring these stories to the world.”

Tapestries of Faith will speak to the often invisible contributions of African-American same gender loving bisexual and trans people to the Black power movement and the Black community at large and the richness of their cultural experiences and presence as a whole. A transformative tool for academic study and educational presentations, Tapestries of Faith will have four sections rarely explored in mainstream “gay” life. Also forthcoming is the DVD with interviews with key figures in Black SGLBT history.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Mississippi Damned Women's History Month Special & Chance to Win Tickets to the Essence Music Festival




Women's History Month Special & Chance to Win Tickets to the

Essence Music Festival in New Orleans


In celebration of Women's History Month, we are spotlighting the women of Mississippi Damned on a special site, www.thewomenofmississippidamned.com. Further, we are offering $5.00 off the DVD's regular price when you watch the trailer and buy the DVD from this Women of Mississippi Damned site.

When you make your purchase of the Collector's Edition DVD you will be entered into a daily drawing for a limited-edition signed poster from Writer/Director Tina Mabry and will also be entered into a grand-prize drawing to win two 3-day passes to the 2011 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity! Get your copy of Mississippi Damned today! Please note you will get a chance to participate in the special deal only after you have viewed the trailer from the site.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Limited Time Offer!! Get "Touch...." For $12.00....





Get My New Book "Touch...Poems & Other Writings of Love, Erotica, & Sensuality" Is Available For A Special Discounted Rate Of $12.00 (Regularly $16.50). You Must Order Directly From lulu.com To Get The Lower Rate. It Will Not Be Available On Other Websites.

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/touchpoems-others-writings-of-love-erotica-sensuality/14933474?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Good Gumbo Radio & Bay Area Literary Roundtable-Poet & Writers, Inc



Get a taste of some Good Gumbo with my Girl lily(liketheflower)....

Episode: EPISODE44 - 'Good Gumbo' Radio: From Within I Rise
Author T. F. Hodge
talks about his inspired work "From Within I Rise". Good Gumbo' Radio covers an eclectic blend of relevant topics. Hosted by author/poet lily (like the flower) and co-host Vernon Johnson, 'Good Gumbo' Radio combines straightforward talk and witty flavor to create hearty conversation! Join us every Saturday at 10a PT/ 1p ET. Contact lily@lilyliketheflower.com for details on FREE advertising opportunities.
Call ID: 80315

Personal Message from the Host:
Visit www.lilyliketheflower.com to listen to past episodes of 'Good Gumbo Radio'. Follow lilyliketheflower on twitter @mamaincense


Scheduled Time:

Date: Sat, March 12, 2011
Time: 01:00 PM EST

How to participate:

Call in:

1. Dial: (724) 444-7444
2. Enter: 80315 # (Call ID)
3. Enter: 1 # or your PIN

Facebook Users Can Join By Using The TalkShoe Facebook Application.





This is a reminder that the next Bay Area Literary Roundtable Meeting convened by Poets & Writers, Inc., will occur on Monday, March 21, from 10am until 12:30pm, at the San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch (100 Larkin St., San Francisco, CA 94102).

A representative from WritersCorps will join us to talk about bringing creative writing workshops to youth. Cheryl Klein, P&W Director of the California Office and Readings/Workshops (West), will moderate the discussion. As always, the meeting provides a forum for dialogue and exchange of ideas between a diverse group of presenters, presses, and writers.

Please RSVP to jfitzgerald@pw.org by Monday, March 14.

A final reminder e-mail will be sent the week prior to the meeting.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Good Gumbo Radio With My Girl Lily (LikeTheFlower) & "Touch..." Available For Purchase On Line


A dear friend and colleague of mine hosts a great hour of discussion on Good Gumbo Radio. Tune in and join the discussion.

How to participate:

Call in:

1. Dial: (724) 444-7444
2. Enter: 80315 # (Call ID)
3. Enter: 1 # or your PIN

Join from your computer:

1. Go To: www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=80315&cmd=tc
2. (Optional) Become a TalkShoe member
www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/userCreate1.jsp

Facebook user? You can join this Call directly through the TalkShoe Community Calling Facebook application.


Episode: EPISODE43 - 'Good Gumbo' Radio: Growing Pains ft. Travon Williams

Special Guest Travon Williams
, founder of One Way Outreach (onewayoutreach.com) and son of the late Stanley "Tookie" Williams will be joining Good Gumbo to discuss the issues that our youth are facing and what we can do to help.

Good Gumbo' Radio covers an eclectic blend of relevant topics. Hosted by author/poet lily (like the flower), 'Good Gumbo' Radio combines straightforward talk and witty flavor to create hearty conversation!

Join us every Saturday at 10a PT/ 1p ET.

Contact lily@lilyliketheflower.com for details on FREE advertising opportunities.

Also a reminder that my book, "Touch...Poems & Other Writings of Love, Erotica, & Sensuality" is available on line:
www.lulu.com/spotlight/tombombayboopublishing