NUBIAN KNIGHTS NETWORK: Film

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

Showing posts with label Film. Show all posts

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

www.artinfluxharlem.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

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Watch “Nhojj – MUSIC and the Word”

Nhojj – MUSIC and the Word chronicles homosexual indie singer-songwriter Nhojj in preparation for the landmark “Out & Proud” Brooklyn Museum First Saturday concert. Through interviews, rehearsal and performance footage, the 16 minute short elaborates on the power of music, and the positive messages behind the lyrics of his songs.