~ AN AFROCENTRIC GATEKEEPERS PALACE FOR INFORMATION ~


Otta Benga, Formerly Enslaved
The Epitome of a Nubian Knight

Otta Benga, Formerly Enslaved<br>The Epitome of a Nubian Knight

Followers of Nubian Knights Network
"Thanks For The Support Everybody!!!"

QUOTATIONS OF "BLACK"

"Whenever I use BLACK it relates to some history of Africans in that particular place. It’s the idea of the color BLACK as a metaphor, or as a representation of African-Americans. It’s the notion of BLACK- BLACKNESS - and all its other meanings in relation to the history of race..."

- Fred Wilson



"Most of my fortitude to continue doing the work comes from the moral outrage I feel about the injustices that Black people endure disproportionately daily."

- N. Abdul-Wakil



"In the end, what matters is not skin shade but pan-African consciousness. Loving your complexion, your nose, lips, hair length and texture, no matter what the politics or trends decide, and simply be. That's the problem with us (African folks). We're still learning how to love ourselves. So used to glorifying others and putting others first..."

- Dredlocks Tree

The REEL Black Same Gender Loving Filmography Resource (A 24/7 ONLINE FILM DATABASE)

The REEL Black Same Gender Loving Filmography Resource (A 24/7 ONLINE FILM DATABASE)
Click The Pic To Access The Film Library Database! (166 Films)
LAST UPDATE: Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Friday, December 7, 2012

The Outsider in Science Fiction:
African American and Latino Perspectives

A PANEL DISCUSSION
At The Museum of the Moving Image
Astoria, Queens (NYC) - Sunday, Dec. 9th, 2012

                                                         

Image by Credit: Gary K. Wolfe
 
Official Website: MovingImage.us



PANEL DISCUSSION
The Outsider in Science Fiction: African American and Latino Perspectives
Sunday, December 9, 2:00PM
 
Panel discussion with Walter Mosley, Sam Delany, Alex Rivera, Lawrence Oliver Cheery, and Lola Salvador
Part of the series Changing the Picture, sponsored by Time Warner
 
A group of prominent authors and filmmakers will discuss the theme of the outsider in science fiction literature and film, from African-American and Latino perspectives. This hour-long discussion will be moderated by filmmaker, producer, and curator Warrington Hudlin. The discussion was programmed by Dan Abella for the Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival, which takes place from December 7 through 9, 2012.

SPEAKERS

 
Walter Mosley is the author of more than 37 acclaimed books, including the major bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins. His work has been translated into 23 languages and includes literary fiction, science fiction, political monographs, and a young adult novel.





Samuel Delany is an author, professor, and literary critic best known for his science fiction novels, which include Babel-17, The Einstein Intersection, Nova, Dhalgren, and the Return to Nevèrÿon series.








Alex Rivera is a filmmaker best known for his feature film Sleep Dealer, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008, where he was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Prize for best film with a science theme, and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award.
Lawrence Oliver Cheery is a writer and producer for Haylies Films, an independent company that produces science fiction, dramas, and documentaries.




Lola Salvador and Carlos Molinero wrote, produced, and directed the acclaimed experimental feature film The Mist in the Palm Trees, a journey through space and time using footage shot throughout the 20th century.

Free with museum admission.


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Nutcracker Sunday Matinée!
Dance Theatre of Hatrlem
Sunday, December 9th, 2012 @ 5:00PM

                                                     

Sunday Matinees 2012-2013
Sunday, December 9th, 2012 @ 5PM
    Adults: $18.00 each
    Children and Seniors: $14.00 each



The second Sunday of each month we open up our studios to showcase our dancers and other artists in the community!

Since its inception, Dance Theatre of Harlem has welcomed neighbors near and far to high-quality performances by students from our school, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble and special guest artists.

Now called Sunday Matinées, the performances take place at 3:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month from November through April, and the first Sunday of May, and are followed by a Meet-the-Artist reception.

In years past special guests have included Councilman Robert Jackson, Daniel Beaty, Phyllis Stickney, the United Nations Children’s Choir; American Ballet Theatre Studio Company; Percussionist, Edwina Tyler, Sidra Bell Dance NY; Lotus Music and Dance; Tania Leon;  and Carmen deLavallade, to name a few.


  
 Dance Theatre of Harlem
Everett Center for the Performing Arts
466 West 152nd Street
Harlem, New York, 10031
212.690.2800
DanceTheatreofHarlem.org
                                                             

Monday, November 19, 2012

BLACK WALL STREET Theater Play
by Celeste Bedford Walker
Friday, Nov 30th & Saturday, Dec. 30th, 2012
At The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center (New York City)

                                             
Official Website: ShadesOfTruthTheatre.com


Shades of Truth Theatre
Presents
BLACK WALL STREET
by Celeste Bedford Walker
Directed by Aixa Kendrick



SYNOPSIS:
In 1921, in a small community in Tulsa, Oklahoma there was a Black paradise called Greenwood. This community consisted of Blacks, who fled the oppression of the South; to carve out for themselves their place in history. They formed a peculiar society of Blacks, Indians, and Jews, who respected and did business with each other. In time, some of the Blacks who happened to settle on oil rich land became incredibly wealthy. So wealthy, in fact, that the town was soon known as Black Wall Street. In a mere 36 block section of town, these African-Americans owned and operated up to 600 thriving businesses.


One of the most popular of these businesses was Old Lady Boleys’, an eating establishment which is where our play begins. One Sunday evening, the town’s more influential citizens gathered to have their pictures taken for the local newspaper; in honor of the community’s 20th anniversary. Before the play ends, the entire community of Greenwood is completely burned to the ground. In a 12 hour period, a major Black economic movement is halted.


PLACE:
The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center
3940 Broadway (@ 165th Street)
New York City
Ph: 212-568-1341
Train Travel: #1, "A" or "C" train to 168th Street

DATES:
Friday, November 30th, 2012 at 3PM and 7:30PM and
Saturday, December 1st, 2012 at 3PM and 7:30PM

INFORMATION:
General Admission is 25.00
Groups of 10 or more: Tickets - 20.00
Groups of 20 or more: Tickets - 15.00



About Shades of Truth Theatre Company...
 
We would like to extend a special "Thank You" to a valuable asset of Shades of Truth Theatre. You!!! The enthusiastic responses to "Whistle in Mississippi: The Lynching of Emmett Till", Zora Returns to Harlem, After Midnight! Kings Powerful Rebuke of the War in Vietnam and our longest running production The Meeting by Jeff Stetson compels us to persevere. Because of you, we have the passion to explore and develop relevant, provocative, and innovative new plays written by and about people of color and the Black experience.

Shades of Truth Theatre, Audelco Award Winner 2009, has been a welcoming presence in the theater community for the past 10 years because of its excellence in producing positive and affordable entertainment with high standards. At the core of Shades of Truth Theatre is our commitment to produce works that stimulate, agitate and activate. We are excited to bring to the stage as part of the 2013 season Celeste Bedford Walker’s new play "Black Wall Street" based on the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921.

Thank you so very much for your consideration in presenting one of our outstanding theatrical productions in your facility. Please review the details below on the shows that will be available for 2013. Booking fees are often modified based on circumstances…let's dialogue.


Monday, October 29, 2012

Art In FLUX Harlem presents
ECHOES: A Time to Keep & A Time to Let Go
Opening: Friday, November 9th, 2012 (6-9PM)
Harlem, New York City

                                                                              
Official Website: www.artinfluxharlem.com
    




ECHOES
Opens NOV. 9th, 2012 6-9pm

A dual-gallery exhibition in which artists reveal the importance of the spiritual power of Africa by retaining elements of the traditional world and yet creating a new contemporary vision. Through visual art, film, photography, dance, and spoken word, artists proclaim a cultural heritage while they explore, celebrate, play, question, challenge or protest diverse issues. The exhibition, spreading in two inter-connected spaces, illustrates the importance of past histories and conveys the vital significance of African traditions in the diaspora.


Opening Night Special Events

Spoken Word: Hisham Tawfiq, Ebbe Bassey, Tara Mhella, Gena Bardwell
Percussion Performance:  Mark Manczuk
Dance Interpretation:  Ntifafa Akoko Tete-Rosenthal
Instrumental music:  Hasan Bakr and Kevin Nathaniel Hylton
DJ Mix: Jeremiah Kpoh




EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Alberte Bernier, Beatrice Lebreton, Carlos DeMedeiros, Dougba Caranda-Martin, Gail Shaw-Clemons, Geraldine Gaines, Ibou Ndoye, J W Ford, Lance Johnson, Leonardo Benzant, Makeba Rainey, Nyugen Smith, Tara Mhella, Toni Thomas, and Trish Mayo. 


PRODUCTION TEAM
Beatrice Lebreton, Curator
Ibou Ndoye, Curator
Ebbe Bassey, Filmmaker
Belynda M'baye, Production Manager

This exhibit, reflective of the mission of Art In FLUX Harlem, was created through a collaborative effort among artists.  The idea of the exhibit was sparked by a curatorial proposal presented by Beatrice Lebreton, and Ibou Ndoye.  The two were introduced to filmmaker Ebbe Bassey whose film, Siri Oko Fo (Mending Fences), inspired the artworks presented in the “Time to Let Go” gallery.  Belynda M’baye came on board as the production manager for the opening night reception and coordinated dance, music and spoken word - all responses to the artworks and the film.



LOCATION:
Art In FLUX Harlem
1961 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (7th Ave) @ 118th Street
Harlem, New York City
GOOGLE MAPS


GALLERY HOURS:
Wed - Sat:  noon to 7pm
Sun:  noon to 5pm


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A (Black) Comic Book BOOK Party
in Brooklyn In Collaboration w/ Bronx Heroes
Saturday, October 27th, 2012 / 6PM - 8PM
Brooklyn, New York City

                                 
 Click To Enlarge

N.Steven Harris is coordinating an event which utilizes alternative space for comic events. Bronx Heroes is going to Crooklyn!!! There will be independent and mainstream comic artist displaying and selling their work, books and other items. Come check out another side of comics you may not be use to seeing.

Simeon and Cinningham Gallery:
A Comic Book BOOK Party
Featuring Some of the Most Talented
Comic Book Creators and Animators

Be Prepared To Buy Stuff
Saturday, October 27th, 2012
6PM - 8PM
1081 Fulton Street
(at the corner of Classon Avenue)
Brooklyn, New York City
"C" or "S" (Shuttle) Train To Franklin Avenue

ARTISTS
Jennifer Crute
Ray Felix
Robert Garrett
N. Steven Harris 
Regine Sawyer
Rob Taylor
Trevor Von Eeedon



UPDATE (Saturday, October 27th, 2012)


I just got back from the Comic Book BOOK Party and had a nice time. I saw one of my favorite artists (a qool, qool brutha) and the co-event organizer, N. Steven Harris.

I picked  up a few books from the grassroots Black artists that were there: so, from C.F. Godwell we have NUKLEUS: Born Into This and it's precursor The Boy From Planet (pictured above and signed -- of course!)

And from an artist named Da'Shen I picked up a science-fiction novella (short story) called The Atrophied Man. The small compact size and NICE cover caught my attention, plus the fact it was science-fiction themes opened my eyes more.

Da'Shen said The Atrophied Man is about a brutha who has these powers where he can communicate with inanimate objects. The downside is that when he uses theses powers he blacks out for lie 3 months and when he awakens there's drama at times because he hasn't conducted his life in 3 months. It sounds interesting so I'll give it a read.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

THPAC Presents A RAMP TO PARADISE 2
1 Performance ONLY!!!
November 8th, 2012 @ 7:30PM
The Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, New York

                 
Official Website: ThelmaHill.com




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Fatima Kafele
718-484-0022; fatima.kafele@liu.edu

Paradise Garage, New York City’s Legendary Underground Dance Club Celebrated in Major Multi-media Dance Project by Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center

"A Ramp to Paradise 2"
Dancers Recreate One Night at Paradise Garage Under the Choreography and Direction of Walter Rutledge

October 8, 2012 (Brooklyn, New York)
Renowned Brooklyn, New York arts organization, Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC), in association with Kumble Theater, presents A Ramp To Paradise 2, a groundbreaking chronicle of the legendary New York City underground dance club, Paradise Garage, choreographed by Walter Rutledge. The performance will take place on November 8, 2012 at the Kumble Theater on Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus located on Flatbush Avenue between DeKalb Avenue and Willoughby Street (Trains-2,3,4,5,B,Q,R).  Performance is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 until October 20, $25 thereafter and may be purchased at the Kumble Theater box office or website www.kumbletheater.org. Ticket prices include an after party.

The groundbreaking A Ramp To Paradise 2 is a multi-media dance narrative of one night during the 1980s at the edgy, predominantly Black and Latino lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT)/same gender loving (SGL) club, which featured the awe-inspiring DJ talent of the late Larry Levan, live performances by everyone from Luther Vandross to Jocelyn Brown, Patti Labelle to Grace Jones, Madonna to Sylvester, a host of house music superstars, and a mix of LGBT/SGL and straight patrons no other club has matched. 

“While all of our programming has its challenges, the magnitude of A Ramp To Paradise 2 required 5 years of planning,” states THPAC Executive Chair, Alex Smith, Jr., who conceived and developed the project. "Choreographer and dancer selection were critical as there is a huge Paradise Garage fan base we wanted to satisfy as well as the dance enthusiasts who support THPAC,” he stated. A Ramp To Paradise 2 exclusively uses period club music mixed by a DJ including mixes by Paradise Garage DJ phenom Larry Levan.

The work not only celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the closing of the iconic Paradise Garage, but also exalts the great strides made in the LGBT/SGL community. Over its ten years of operation (1977- 1987), the groundbreaking Paradise Garage shaped the club scene in New York City and set the standard worldwide. "We feel a responsibility to share this unique era in club culture and LGBT/SGL history," says director Rutledge. The cast will reflect the diversity of the LGBT/SGL community with old way vogue artists, couples who hustle, transsexuals who “walk runway and face” as well as traditionally trained dancers. 

About Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC)
THPAC, www.thelmahill.com, an independent non-profit organization, was formed in 1976 to forge and temper creative talent. Over 36 years, the organization has attracted both emerging and established artists of color who developed a perpetual evolutionary cycle in which hundreds of alumni have gone on to successful careers as dancers and choreographers in the U.S. and abroad. The mission of THPAC is to build bridges of understanding through the presentation and celebration of choreographic works by artists of color. From fostering grassroots involvement at home to expanding awareness of the arts abroad, THPAC facilitates artistic collaborations, such as performances, workshops, seminars and community projects. Alex Smith, Jr. has been at the helm of the organization for the past 15 years.

Choreographer, director, playwright, and author Walter Rutledge
studied at Harkness House for Ballet Arts where he was encouraged to develop his interest in choreography and direction. He danced with the Harkness Ballet of New York. His choreography was performed at the Paradise Garage in the late 80’s. Presently he is the Associate Artistic Director and resident choreographer of the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre and Senior Cultural Arts contributor for Harlem World Magazine.

About The Paradise Garage
Housed in a parking garage, now owned by Verizon, in lower Manhattan, the Paradise Garage was founded by Michael Brody and operated from 1977 to 1987.  The club was famed for its DJ Larry Levan and its award-winning sound system designed by Richard Long and Associates (RLA). It was also known for its highly diverse celebrity patrons and its all night parties, which often lasted until past noon the next day. The club was focused on dancing and was one of the first to put the DJ at the center of the action.

 


Ebony Soul 2013-2014 19-Month Wall Calendar;
Photographer Anthony Ragland PUSHES The Envelope, Yet Still Maintains A Sexy, Stylish and Succulent Multi-Hued Portrait of Black Men

                                               

Official Website: EbonySoul.net


FINALLY!!!! It's been a looooong minute since photographer Anthony Ragland has released a new calendar of sexy Black men. His last and previous calendar was the 2010-2011 edition!

Unlike most calendars, Anthony takes a different approach by creating calendars that typically overlap from one year and into the next - generally he creates TRUE 18th-month calendars. And by "TRUE" I mean you get to flip to a new model once a month for 18 months!! There's none of that bullshit where some calendars CHEAT by condensing the last 4 months of the current selling year onto 1 page and then turn around and call it a 16-month calendar when it is not, as an example.

I had met up with Anthony (for the first time) and we had lunch at Grand Central Station back in May 2012. He showed me the new calendar, and of course, it was off the chain!! And being a fan of Anthony's work you know I had him sign the cover to my copy of the calendar...

  
Now that we are in calendar season, and the NEW EbonySoul.net website is up and running, I wanted to do this blog entry on the calendar.

As usual, and as I have been saying for many, many years now, Ebony Soul is the PRE-EMINENT top of the line producer of Black male calendars. I like other calendars such as Spirit of Black Men (which is published by the Shades of Color company which, by the way, also produced the previously awesome and now defunct ONYX calendar), Black Men and City Gym Boys, but this time around he really pushed the envelope by having some of the models pose nude -- and no there's no private parts revealed -- yet Anthony's photography once again TASTEFULLY shows his VISION of Black men as sexy, stylish and very succulent! There are too many calendars out there that are really just boring and ordinary especially the nude ones -- NOT EBONY SOUL! Ebony Soul, in my mind,  continues to be the KING of Black male calendar for 10 YEARS NOW!

For the record, Anthony does not pay me to do this, nor do I endorse something that I don't like or not passionate about (especially to my Nubian Knights Network readers)... with that said, out of the 19 models this time around there are a few models with a photographic look by Anthony that exceptionally exude  sexy, stylish and succulence...


ROD's Top 7 Favorites Bruthaz Are: 

RONNIE (January 2013)
I Made This Image Garayscale (Black & White)
But It Is A Color Image In The Calendar



 ARTHUR (August 2013)
The Loose Belt, Shirt & Blue Sky
Really Make This Image Stand Out



 WALT (September 2013)
What Can I Say? - WALT Is Just Exuding Succulence...



 CROSS (October 2013) 
WOW! Can I Have a Pair Of Those Plum Colored Undies???




 WILSON (December 2013)
Wilson Is Tied With Dwight As My TOP, TOP Favorite.
AAAHHHHH!!! Book Reading...



 KENIKA (April 2014)
This Image Was More About The Photography For Me
Than The Model Because of The Sepia Tone Look
And The Water Streaming From The Showerhead
And The Streams & Beads Of Water On KENIKA's Body



DWIGHT (July 2014)
 IF I Had To Make A Hard Choice
DWIGHT Would Be The Top Winner Here
ULTRA SEXY & SUCCULENT



The Ebony Soul 2013-2014 19-Month Wall Calendar
is 12" x 12" in size and is available for $19.99 by clicking below at

 
OR



++++++++++++++++++++++



Other Black Male Calendar Considerations...

Spirit of Black Men 2013 Wall Calendar 
(12" x 12" - 12-Month) 
 
Click Image To Purchase
 


Black Men 2013 Wall Calender
(12" x 12" - 12-Month)

Click Image To Purchase



City Gym Boys 2013 Wall Calendar
(12" x 12" - 12-Month)
Click Image To Purchase
 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Joe Pressley's Community Vision For GMAD...
Renewal Into The Next 25 Years



Community Vision
 
 by Joey Bernard Pressley

(A Guest Nubian Knight's Perspective)


The recent resignation of Tokes Osubu from New York City’s Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) has prompted me to think very seriously about the future of the Black gay/same gender loving (SGL) community and the vision needed to confront and address our needs as we work to move forward.  It has also generated my interest in becoming GMAD’s next executive director.  A position for which I would consider applying the moment the organization’s Board of Directors elects to initiate its search process.  

I’ve read that GMAD founder, the Reverend Charles Angel, was a tireless, outspoken and fearless activist who stood in the forefront of several organizing efforts in the New York City gay and people with AIDS communities including, the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays, ACT-UP, and the People with AIDS Coalition. In those Silence = Death days, he understood the vital importance of advocacy, a clear vision and establishing a set of goals for addressing a community’s broader needs. It was a holistic approach to activism rooted in a proud African heritage, progressive Christian teachings and his belief in psycho-spiritual growth.  It was from this set of beliefs that GMAD grew, and continued to grow even after Charles Angel’s untimely death from AIDS complications in 1987, three years before I discovered GMAD via its Friday night forums.  These forums often brought a hundred or more Black gay men to The Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in Greenwich Village.

Organizations such as GMAD, many of which are more than two decades old, were founded as psycho-social-political entities designed to celebrate and empower Black gay/SGL men. GMAD employed its holistic approach to create a much needed safe space for its constituents to look at the intersecting issues in our lives.  In the 1990s, these well-intentioned organizations sought funding to combat HIV/AIDS. This shift transformed them into AIDS service organizations that, by necessity, narrowed their scope and vision.  As the unpaid director of GMAD in 1991, I was involved in securing one of the first grants for the organization thinking that it would create a pathway to growth and facilitate a greater response to the devastation levied by AIDS on our community.

Given this ongoing devastation, it stands to reason that our organizations must maintain a powerful response to the epidemic; however, being pigeonholed as only an AIDS service organization restricts the ability of Black gay/SGL institutions to effectively speak for and to the myriad needs of their constituents. Black gay/SGL men are as concerned about employment as they are about HIV prevention and treatment. We are concerned about the impacts of climate change and hate crimes, a woman’s right to choose as well as marriage equality and our presence in the military.  Black gay/SGL men are equally concerned and impacted by lack of access to healthcare, education, housing, criminal justice issues and income inequality.  Working with faith-based institutions, combating stigma, homophobia and addressing the social, economic and behavioral cofactors related to the rise in HIV/AIDS infections will be ongoing work for GMAD.  At the same time, I see GMAD standing shoulder to shoulder with other progressive organizations working in coalition to promote a fairer, more just society and world.

Our organizations need new funding streams that will enable us to become active participants and thought leaders in these arenas.  As an expert in community organizing and policy analysis, with years of experience in organizational management and fund raising, I would seek to diversify GMAD’s revenue supports so that its efforts would reflect the broader needs of its constituents. An initial first step moving forward is for GMAD to engage in a strategic planning exercise designed to assess strengths and weaknesses and to redefine its vision and related mission. Stakeholders engaged in this process would include past and current staff and funders, policymakers, community leaders and of course a diverse representation of New York’s Black gay/SGL men. The organization would work directly with Black gay/SGL men via ongoing participatory engagement to develop agendas and strategic plans reflective of the community’s priorities and work with legislators and public officials to shape policy and legislation responsive to identified needs.

I recognize that this vision is broad and ambitious, but it is also one of more personal concerns.  I think about my 9 year old nephew.  What if he shared with my husband and me that he is gay?  What world would he face?  Simply put, I would want our society to embrace and support him.  I would look to GMAD, and organizations like it, to stand without equivocation or shame in demanding that all of us, including my dear nephew, have the equal and unmitigated opportunity to celebrate our lives, and have the space to act as partners in bringing about transformative social, economic and political change.
    
Respectfully,

Joey Bernard Pressley
(October 16th, 2012)



Wednesday, October 3, 2012

My Quick Thoughts On Kal King and Tariq On...
The L.A. Complex 2nd Season Finale:
"Don't Say Goodbye"







Don't know if anyone saw the 2nd season finale ("Don't Say Goodbye") of The L.A. Complex, but it was quite a ride to see the Kaldrick King (aka Shawn Duggan) character (played by actor Andra Fuller) grow in his story arc. After his domestic abuse of if the Tariq character (played by Actor Benjamin Charles Watson) I didn't know if I could have compassion for Kal.

 Actors Benjamin Charles Watson and Andra Fuller

 
I was most struck by his admission of having a Black man -- his father -- re-enter his life and make him be a better person. You usually don't see that in series television for Black men.



Though deep down I would have liked some reconciliation -- no, a relationship with Tariq and Kal, it was probably for the better as a more realistic storyline and not cheapen the characters with a fairytale fake ending. I still FEEL for Tariq because he will STILL be left with those emotional scares for quite some time. And as bruthaz alluded to in a previous thread, the writers didn't get into a story arc of Tariq's struggles of get his life together from the traumatizing domestic abuse from Kal.

Actor Andra Fuller as Kal King


It's still painful to see one Black man die at the hands of another (the end of the episode), but Kal's boyhood buddy (Rook) was being a friend as best he could, and though I don't agree with the method of CANCELLING another bruthaz' LIFE I understood he felt like he had no other options. And the angry Black man syndrome is tired, too, by the way.

Actor Benjamin Charles Watson as Tariq


Not sure if the show will come back for a 3rd season, or even if it does, not sure it would be with these set of characters because it looks like the writers have done all they could with all of them -- but as superficial as most of these characters were in this tv series, it was satisfying to know the meat of integrity for this series was Kal King (and Tariq and later Kal's father) driving a relevant and good story arc.

LINK: http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video/the-la-complex/dont-say-goodbye/






Wednesday, September 26, 2012

CALLING ALL DANCERS & OTHERS----
Auditions for Ramp to Paradise 2
At The Kumble Theater (LIU Brooklyn Campus)
Tues, October 2nd & Wed, October 3rd, 2012

                             
Click To Enlarge


THELMA HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
PRESENTS
A RAMP TO PARADISE 2


HOLDING AUDITIONS AND CASTING
ALL ROLES FOR PRODUCTION OF
A RAMP TO PARADISE 2
In Tribute to THE PARADISE GARAGE

Walter Rutledge
choreographer/director
Alex Smith, Jr.
Executive Producer
 
OCTOBER 2nd & 3rd, 2012
5PM- 8PM

at the
KUMBLE THEATER
(Long Island University
Downtown Brooklyn Campus)
 
WE ARE CASTING ALL ROLES
FOR THIS NEW MULTI MEDIA DANCE/THEATRE PRODUCTION
OF THE LEGENDARY UNDERGROUND DANCE CLUB

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Trained dancers (ballet, modern, jazz, pointe and partnering)
"Old Way" Vogue Artists
Couples who Hustle
TS Girls who walk runway and face
Boyz with Bodies
And a Grace Jones impersonator

All are welcome to audition.
Dancers, please come ready to dance.
All others come prepared to show your talent.

For more info contact
Walter Rutledge at 917 744 2601 or
 walt_rutledge[at]yahoo.com


Monday, September 10, 2012

New Film On ADODI Filmed Partially in Philadelphia, PA (On Saturday, September 8th, 2012) As Filmmaker ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Visits... by Tracy Gibson



New Film On ADODI Filmed Partially
in Philadelphia, PA
As Filmmaker ROD PATRICK RISBROOK Visits...
 by Brother Tracy Gibson

(A Guest Nubian Knight's Perspective)


A dozen courageous Black Same Gender Loving men came together at the Songhai City Cultural Center at 3117 West Master Street {The heart of North Philadelphia}, to pay homage to Brother Rod Patrick Risbrook's new documentary: "ADODI - 25 Years And Beyond: Claiming the Legacy, Continuing the Legend...'' The film is set to be released in August of 2013.

The film tells the story of ADODI --a support group for Black men who are Same Gender Loving and who refuse to be stereotyped, categorized and put down, but who insist on being treated--and treat each other--with dignity, respect, LOVE, kindness and as men of Tomorrow today. Men who are and will lead our people in a positive direction and men who take responsibility for their sexual activities and actions, deciding to act as responsible adults--not immature children.

ADODI was founded in May of 1986 by Creative Arts Therapist Clifford Rawlins, also an artist, who opened his home to create a warm and loving atmosphere each week on Sundays, that helped nurture and educate literally hundreds of Brothers through the beginning stages of the AIDS / HIV Crisis. Clifford held us spell-bound during those heady early days as we were surrounded by his fantastically gifted art work, the art work of other Black artists and luscious jazz music as we learned survival tactics, and techniques to help us build vital self-esteem that would carry most of us on into another millennium and another generation. Many more of us would have perished if it had not been for ADODI.



A brief trailer of Brother Risbrook's film was shown at this recent gathering of men and the courageous attending Brothers took the time to talk about the up-coming National election and how they think President Barack Obama will fair; the history of the Black man and the Black woman in business; The history of the Black church movement in Philadelphia; the expectations of Blacks in the Arts and film; the potential of this particular film and how it was conceived; the vast potential for a new Black Renaissance that will not only lift Black people locally, but lift our hearts and spirits as a Black Diaspora internationally. There was also talk of the White Male's penis envy of Black men.


The event was sponsored by the Black Millionaires Network and offered a chance for the filmmaker, a good Brother from Brooklyn, New York, to discuss his film {which is still in production}, and meet with some of the people that are part of the heart of its' creation--The ADODI Brothers themselves. {Earlier in the day, three ADODI Brothers, including myself, were interviewed on film as part of the production}.... The Brothers who attended this event had the courage to not be defined by there own fears nor by their supposed oppression, nor by the exclusivity, marginalization, discrimination and homophobic attitudes we often face from our own Black community and even our own Black families and Black churches. We had the courage to move forward and attend an event in the heart of North Philadelphia which is stereotyped as a violent, miseducated and oppressed neighborhood when in fact while there may be some aspects of North Philadelphia that are like that, there are and always have been Brothers and Sisters in North Philadelphia who have struggled for decades to improve the schools, improve living standards and improve the lives of Black North Philadelphia residents.


There were 38 empty seats at this event, but they were filled by our Ancestor's strong forthright, forward-moving and supportive spirits as the night went on and everyone enjoyed each other's company and the delicious vegetarian food prepared by Sister Atiya Ola, who catered the event and who owns a vegetarian restaurant at 4505 Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia...

When the film is released, this writer plans to help the producers and director get it seen widely throughout the country because the story of ADODI is close to my heart and it is a story that needs to be told.



SPECIAL THANKS
To Ado Ernest Duncan
For Taking The Photos
& Shooting The Video Interview