Sunday, October 26, 2008

NOVEMBER 20 – AKIRA’S HIP HOP SHOP and ELI’S LIQUOR STORE



African American and Asian American interactions

NOVEMBER 20 AKIRA’S HIP HOP SHOP and ELI’S LIQUOR STORE
Time: 7PM
Location: Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine, 2000 South Jackson Street
Admission: Suggested donation of $5.00


AKIRA’S HIP-HOP SHOP 37 mins. (special public screening of the director’s cut!) 37 mins.
Written and directed by Joe Doughrity Akira’s Hip Hop Shop stars James Kyson Lee (”Heroes”) and Emayatzy Corinealdi (”The Young & the Restless”). An interracial love story about a Japanese immigrant in love with hip hop who meets a young Black woman with a passion for Asian cuisine and culture.
Winner - Best Director, Director's Guild of America Awards 2007


screened with


ELI’S LIQUOR STORE 16 mins.
Written and directed by Arnold Chun and Alonzo Jones . Co-produced by Yealee Song and Joseph H. Shim.

A poignant story set in Los Angeles’ Koreatown circa 1999. It’s the story of Elijah Gooden, a 43-year-old African-American man from Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Georgia Tech University and worked in corporate America before moving his family to Los Angeles to start his own business. He and his family experience culture shock and adversity as they struggle to build their livelihood in an area dominated by Asian-American business owners.

Post screening discussion featuring Julie Chang Schulman
Northwest Regional Coordinator for Hip Hop Congress

....
Film Makers Bio:

Joseph Doughrity (”Joe D.”) is a writer, producer, and director. The son of an educator, Joe grew up an avid reader and developed hobbies ranging from sports to comics, videogames, and a fascination with Japanese culture. His first job in Hollywood was as a Production Assistant on John Singleton’s debut film “Boyz N the Hood”. This was the start of a five-year collaboration with the Oscar nominated director including serving as his personal assistant on the films “Poetic Justice” and “Higher Learning”.

Joe recognized the significance of the Internet early and worked in the dotcom industry beginning in 1999 as a Content Provider for new media startup Psylum, Incorporated. When Psylum was purchased by USA Networks’ Sci-fi Channel, Joe was chosen to re-launch the Psycomic website and recruited iconic filmmaker Kevin Smith (”Clerks”) to write a weekly column that became the basis of his book Kevin Smith Speaks. Psycomic became a leading destination on the Internet for fans of comic books and graphic novels. He continues to work on the web serving as the Video Editor for PopCultureShock.com, a leading news, review, and interview site focusing on comics, movies and videogames.

Joe has written and edited for comic books (for Caliber Press, publishers of The Crow and U.N. Force), magazines (The Source, Rappages, Straight From the Lip), and motion pictures (see partial credits below). As a documentarian, he created electronic press kits for the urban romance “Jason’s Lyric” and Tony Bill’s “A Home of our Own”. Joe’s “Seven Days in Japan”, a documentary he wrote, produced and directed, won Best Documentary at the 2005 San Diego Comic-con Film Festival beating out films which cost ten times its modest budget. “Seven Days in Japan” went on to screen at the Pacific Media Expo and premiered on cable’s BET-Jazz channel in February of 2007.

As a screenwriter, Joe has written for studios and production companies such as HBO (”Wheels of Steel: The KRS One/Scott La Rock Story”), Mandalay Films (”Grandmaster Flash”) and New Line Cinema. His recent scripts include “Motown Miracle: Soul on Ice”, the true story of a Black hockey team from his native Detroit, “Cornerstore”, a day in the life look at a liquor store, and “Akira’s Hip hop Shop”, an interracial romantic dramedy about an Asian man and a Black woman.

Joseph received his BFA from Columbia College-Hollywood where he majored in Cinema Studies. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America.

Monday, October 20, 2008

VANCOUVER PAN-AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL KINSHIP DAY FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 24-26, 2008



2ND ANNUAL VANCOUVER PAN-AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL (VPAFF) KINSHIP DAY FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 24-26, 2008. FULL PROGRAM AND TICKETS WWW.VPAFF.ORG

Vancouver, B.C. October 20, 2008..Nanaimo native Ebony Johnson has combined her award-winning talent - and personal tragedies - to communicate with a passion for her African roots, and to produce the second annual Vancouver Pan-African Film and Arts Festival to be held October 24 to 26 in Vancouver. With cutting-edge films, a moving concert of African music, panel discussions, workshops and dance, Ms. Johnson plans to make this year’s Festival the best yet. Advance Tickets online at www.vpaff.org

“With the Province of British Columbia and both the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby declaring October 24 to 26 as “Kinship Day”, and the generous support of our sponsors, my goal of building bridges between cultures is closer than ever” said Ms. Johnson, who also speaks French and Japanese and hosts her own world beat music show on-line Afrobeat. “The purpose of the VPAFF is to promote Canada’s cultural diversity and to build community through the arts”.

Last year’s inaugural VPAFF (held October 26 & 27) was a great success - and an historic event. It was endorsed by all levels of government, including Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean. Moreover, the event attracted international attention to Vancouver, and included government delegates from Africa and the U.S., as well as distinguished guests, Ambassador Andrew Young and entourage, renowned American filmmaker Charles Burnett, and Government of Namibia officials.

The 2008 VPAFF runs from Friday October 24 (United Nations Day) through Sunday October 26. The program includes:

FRIDAY OCTOBER 24: Hosted by Jamaican-born and Canadian Raised Denis Simpson – award-winning actor

5:30 pm – to 10:30 pm – Gallery Gachet – 88 East Cordova Street, Vancouver

Star-Studded Opening Night & Fundraising Festivities: An exciting evening of fun, food, music, dance and film. Hollywood star and human rights activist Danny Glover is expected to introduce his new film, Poor Boy’s Game. Other entertainment includes Vancouver based DJ Diallo who will heat up the dance floor with the best of traditional, modern and everything between from across the African continent, and an invigorating Zulu dance inviting lively audience participation through call and response, led by famous African dancer/choreographer Bheki Ndlovu. Raffle items include, wine, gift baskets full of African products, pizza cooking stone and pizza wheel, and beautiful Zimbabwean sculpture donated by Stone Age Art and a two nights’ stay at the Tropicana Suite Hotel Vancouver and more. 5:30 PM to 10 pm, Gallery Gachet, 88 East Cordova St. Tickets $35 on-line: www.vpaff.com (Tix includes VIP Reception entry and Opening film)

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: Harbour Centre SFU Downtown, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

11 am to 7 pm – Fletcher Challenge Theatre

Films: The festival premieres the screening of Jason E. Sims The Obama Exeprience, a brilliant 3D-Short animation inspired by the ground breaking efforts of the Barack Obama campaign, Senator Obama Goes to Africa – Directed by Bob Hercules and produced by Keith Walker. Narrated by Barack Obama, the documentary, this film chronicles his return to his paternal family's roots on an emotional journey to Africa. It’s Time African Women Join Hands against Domestic Violence, Produced and Directed by Steven Hunt, and co-presented with the Law Courts Educational Society of BC. From Under the Bushy Trees, directed by Moira Simpson and Jan Padgett, this is a feature length documentary that explores how to deliver aid to Africa with justice and dignity. Bavubuka All Stars, by Canadian Aaron Elton, a documentary promoting Africa’s next generation young positive musicians, and Dan Balluff’s Children of Congo: From War to Witches a must see film, showing individuals and organizations that are implementing positive change for the children and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tickets on Sale: www.vpaff.org

SUNDAY OCTOBER 26: Harbour Centre SFU Downtown, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

11 am to 7 pm – Fletcher Challenge Theatre

  • Music & Dance – All Aboard the VPAFF Express on Sunday at 11 am – 12:30 pm

Exciting workshop will include a solo performance by acclaimed South African dancer/choreographer Bheki Ndlovu as a warm-up to the simultaneous broadcast with South Africa. "In South Africa we have a lot of dances, especially now with some from other parts of Africa, and the music, interestingly, we still have music that inspires us to sing along, clap hands and dance traditional styles, which is the way we have celebrated life since the beginning of time”, said Bheki whose productions include Sarafina! Bafana and The Lion King. This 90-minute workshop of African song and dance goes from 11 am to 12:30 pm.

Simultaneous Broadcast with South Africa 11 am to 3 pm

  • The Reel PanAfriCAN SoundsCAPE Videos: A ground-breaking inter-continental experience linking Vancouver audience members in ‘creative conversation’ with African film subjects in Africa! Stunning, Canada-South Africa co-production combining interactive film, music, dance and dialogue with participating audiences in both Canada and South Africa to explore issues of migration, multiculturalism and the role of the artist in promoting cross-cultural understanding. These films were made by artists who emigrated from other parts of Africa and who experienced severe animosity as they attempted to make a new home.

Using Internet video technology, this event links Vancouver audience members directly with people in Cape Town, South Africa in a creative conversation. This two-hour ground breaking event will be led on each side by a vibrant MC to create an interactive expression of African unity, understanding and international cooperation. Tickets on Sale now: www.vpaff.org

  • Panel Discussion – 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

“Say NO to Stigma”: A discussion pressing issues of immigration, xenophobia, multiculturalism promoting cross-cultural understanding of refugee rights, resilience and reconciliation with panel members that include Dr. Catherine Murray (SFU), Moussa Magassa (Uvic), Rudolf Richards (Community Elder), Heiko Decosas (SFU), Addy Kgomo (Umoja Compassion Society), Arthur Martins-Aginam (SFU)

  • 4:45 pm - Kinship Day Festival Closing Ceremony by Attorney General & Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Province of British Columbia

Closing Feature Film: God Grew Tired Of Us – 5:15 pm to 7:30 pm

The winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival – God Grew Tired of Us, the story features The Lost Boys of Sudan. This powerful documentary tells the story of four boys ages 3 to 13 orphaned by a civil war.

Fleeing their villages, they formed a surrogate family, protecting and providing for each other, traveling together for 5 years, over thousands of miles, against all odds reaching a UN refugee camp in Kenya. Eventually they were selected to settle in the United States by a humanitarian aid organization.

Tickets for the Vancouver Pan-African Arts, Culture & Film and Festival are on sale now at www.vpaff.org.

Sponsors include City Of Vancouver, Corus Entertainment TV Listings, Line One Computer Services, SFU Speaking of the World Series, International Development, Continuing Studies, Ethical Bean, the Law Courts Education Society of BC, CBC Radio and TV, Highlife World Records, Stone Age Art, Omni Television, Shaw Multicultural Television, Skytrain, Shea Butter Market, Coast Mountain Bus, The Beat 94.5 FM, Gallery Gachet, Jamaican Pizza Jerk, Tropicana Hotel and more. ($15)

Friday, October 10, 2008

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FILM SERIES: African Stone Carving Documentary, October 15

OCTOBER SAFE HOUSE SCREENING
SPIRITS IN STONE
Documentary - USA, ZIMBABWE
Date: Wednesday, October 15
Time: 7PM - FREE admission
Location: Langston Hughes PAC
104 17th Ave. S. (map)
www.langstonblackfilmfest.org

SPIRITS IN STONE traces the 1,000 year old culture of stone carving in Africa through the work of the legendary Shona stone carvers whose homeland is Zimbabwe and southeastern Africa. Through these artists, the spirit of the stone is revealed to the artist and expressed through its carving.
Come and share in the spirit and beauty of this fine art form and meet local stone carver Sabah Al-Dhaher for a post screening discussion on the art and legacy of stone carving.

This film p
rovides excellent context for Langston's world premiere fall play, Bobby and Jerome”, set in a stone yard operated by a cathedral near Harlem, NYC.

The LHAAFF is also pleased to present: a 35-minute video profile of the late Seattle-based sculptor, James Washington, Jr (pictured). The film will be introduced with commentary by Timothy J. Detweiler,
Executive Director, the James Washington Jr. Studio and Garden.




BOBBIE AND JEROME play opens!

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Presents World Premiere Play: Bobbie and Jerome

Performances: October 7-26, 2008
Opening/Press Night: October 10, 2008 7:30 pm
Live Theatre Week: Stonecarving Open Studio Tour 10/13 6-8pm
Free Night of Theater 10/16

Seattle WA, -- Much like stonecarvers themselves, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Artistic Director Jacqueline Moscou and local playwright Daniel W. Owens have been perfecting, sculpting, and shaping the play Bobbie and Jerome for over four years. They met in 1992 and planned for years to work together. In 2004 Owens asked Moscou to set up an early reading and work through some rewrites. Immediately Moscou said yes, and together they readied Bobbie and Jerome for the LHPAC stage.

Connecting with the Stonemason's Union and a seasoned stone carving professional to consult was crucial to the play's development and success. West Seattle stone carver Sabah Al-Dhaher joined the creative team and was tasked with leading a special intensive "Stonecarving Boot Camp" for the playwright, director, and actors. "I will never look at a rock the same way again! My hands are still recovering," says local actor G. To'mas Jones. who plays the role of Bobbie.

Bobbie and Jerome is the captivating story of two cousins fighting their addictions, their joined past, and each other. The complex art of stone carving is at the play's core and an authentic depiction of the craft is crucial to the play's success. Errol is the "Stone Yard's" master mason who admires both Bobbie and Jerome for their talent as stone carvers, but also fears for their futures. Set in the stone yard of a gothic Harlem cathedral in 1998, this world premiere drama opens a lens into the lives of two men struggling to save the Stone Yard and settle a past score.

"Bobbie and Jerome embodies everything LHPAC is about. We create a home for African American arts and its artists, and are dedicated to the development of new works," says Jacque Moscou. Throughout Bobbie and Jerome's development process LHPAC has pooled creative resources and connected with many different corners of the artistic community. Moscou continues, "Art transforms people's lives. This play drives that message home. Personally, connecting with art through stonecarving has been a blast!"

On October 13 the general public is invited to get a taste of "Stonecarving Boot Camp" and chat with the actors, director, playwright, and local stone carver Sabah Al-dhaher at his open studio tour. This free event will be held from 6-8 pm at 3838

Delridge Way SW and is part of Theatre Puget Sound's Live Theatre Week.

LHPAC always encourages new audiences to experience the thrill of Live Theatre. October 7 is a "Pay-What-You-Can-Preview" performance and LHPAC will participate in Live Theatre Week's FREE Night of theatre on October 16th.

Bobbie and Jerome, written by Daniel W. Owens and directed by Jacqueline Moscou, will have its world premiere at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center October 7-26, 2008. Marcel DavisG. To'mas Jones plays his cousin Bobbie. Ron Davids plays the master mason Errol. The Set Designer who brings a stone yard indoors is Tommer Peterson. Sound Designer Herbert Thompson will add jazz elements to the production. Doris Black will design the costumes and Stephen Deibert is the lighting designer.
plays Jerome and

Bobbie and Jerome is recommended for ages 12 and older. Performances will be held at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center at 17th & Yesler in Seattle. Previews are Oct.7-9 at 7:30 pm. Opening Night is October 10 at 7:30 w

ith a special "Taste of Harlem" reception afterwards. Shows run Thursdays - Sundays at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays (no 2 p.m. matinee on Oct 26).

Advance ticket prices are $20 for adults; $15 for youth and seniors; and $24 day of show at the door. A special discount is offered to groups of 10 or more. Ticket Line: 206-386-1177. Tickets are available at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center and through Brown Paper Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com or 1-800-838-3006.

Dan Owens'

play Mutambi and Lindstrom was read in 2006 at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, New Jersey. Stage/screen and television actor John Amos read the role of Mutambi. Owens' The Measuring Stick [aka The Chisler] was staged in 2003 as part of the 2nd Annual Seattle FringeACT Festival of New Original Works. He wrote the book for the musical Little Ham which received "rave" reviews in the New York Times and The New Yorker in December 2001. Little Ham was also produced Off-Broadway in the Fall of 2002. He also wrote the book for The MoreYou Get - The More You Want, which was produced Off-Broadway by the FDCAC. In 2002 his play Forever My Darlin' had an extended run at Chicago's ETA Theater. And in the summer of 1999 Mutambi and Lindstrom was produced at the 15th Annual National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

In 1997, Owenswas commissioned by Seattle's ACT Theatre, as part of their "FirstACT" play development project, to write Aunt Lou and Miss Sara. His 1992 play, The Gang on the Roofd his work produced by: The New Federal Theater, The Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center (FDCAC), The Negro Ensemble, The George Street Playhouse (New Brunswick, New Jersey), and The Westport Summer Playhouse (Westport, Conn.). He was twice a participant in the Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference (Waterford, Conn.) and was the recipient of a Rockefeller Grant for Playwriting. Mr. Owens graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Boston with a B.A. in English, attended Yale School of Drama, and receivedhis M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is a native of Malden, Massachusetts and currently lives in Seattle with his daughter Gabriela. was one of six grant recipients from the Fund for new American Plays - Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. That play was successfully produced by the Capital Theater Company in Albany, New York. While living in New York City Mr. Owens ha

Sabah Al-Dhaher was born in Nasriyah, Iraq. At the age of fifteen he was accepted to the Institute of Fine Arts in

Basra, Iraq, where he lived and received his training in classical art, graduating

first in his class in 1989. Al-Dhaher fled Iraq in 1991 due to his involvement in a failed uprising against the regime of Saddam Hussein at the end of the first Gulf war. After spending 2 ? years in a refugee camp in the desert of Saudi Arabia, he came to the U.S. as a political refugee in 1993. Al-Dhaher currently teaches stone carving at the Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. Visit www.aldhaher.net for more information.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Vancouver Pan African Film Festival (Canada), October 24-26!


http://www.vpaff.org

2nd ANNUAL VANCOUVER PAN-AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL (VPAFF)
OCTOBER 24 TO 26, 2008 PROGRAM ANNOUNCED


Vancouver, B.C. September 29, 2008 ... U. Ebony Johnson, a Nanaimo native has combined her award-winning talent - and personal tragedies - to communicate, with a passion for her African roots, and to produce the second annual Vancouver Pan-African Film and Arts Festival to be held October 24 to 26 in Vancouver. With cutting-edge films, a moving concert of African music, panel discussions, workshops and dance, Ms. Johnson plans to make this year's Festival the best yet. Actor and filmmaker Danny Glover will make a guest appearance.

"With the Province of British Columbia and both the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby declaring October 24 to 26 as "Kinship Day" and the generous support of our sponsors, my goal of breaking down barriers between cultures is closer than ever" said Ms. Johnson, who also speaks French and Japanese and hosts her own world beat music show on-line Afrobeat. "The purpose of the VPAFF is to promote Canada's cultural diversity and to build community through the arts".

Last year's inaugural VPAFF (held October 26 & 27) was a great success - and an historic event. It was endorsed by all levels of government, including Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean. Moreover, the event attracted international attention to Vancouver, and included government delegates from Africa and the U.S., as well as distinguished guests, Ambassador Andrew Young and entourage, renowned American filmmaker Charles Burnett, and Government of Namibia officials.

The 2008 VPAFF runs from Friday October 24 (United Nations Day) through Sunday October 26. The program includes:

FRIDAY OCTOBER 24:

Opening Night Festivities. An exciting evening of fun, food, music, dance and film. Hollywood star and human rights activist Danny Glover is expected to introduce his new film, Poor Boy's Game. Other entertainment includes famous African dancer/choreographer Bheki Ndlovu and DJ Diallo.

Raffle items include trips, Translink passes, Whistler/Blackcomb tickets, shopping gift cards, a beautiful Zimbabwean sculpture donated by Stone Age Art and more. 5:30 PM to 10 pm, Gallery Gachet, 88 East Cordova St. Tickets $25 on-line via www.vpaff.com

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: Harbour Centre Simon Fraser University, Downtown
11 am to 6 pm

* Films

- Senator Obama Goes to Africa – Directed by Bob Hercules and produced by Keith Walker.

- African Women Join Hands Against Domestic Violence, Produced and Directed by Steven Hunt

- Moving Pictures, Moving Lives

- The Reel PanAfriCAN SoundsCAPE Videos: Stunning, Canada-South Africa co-production combining interactive film, music, dance and dialogue with participating audiences in both Canada and South Africa to explore issues of migration, multiculturalism and the role of the artist in promoting cross-cultural understanding. Director Sarah Van Borek divides her time between Vancouver and Johannesburg on this unique project. Ebony Johnson is proud to present the Canadian premiere of these videos through the VPAFF platform she has founded.

* Paintings

- 7 intriguing new works on the topic of Kinship created specially for the festival by international artist Garett Campbell-Wilson.

* Music & Dance – All Aboard the VPAFF Express on Sunday at 11 am – 12:30 pm

SUNDAY OCTOBER 26

Simultaneous Broadcast With South Africa 11 am to 3 pm

o Using Internet video technology, this event links Vancouver audience members directly with people in Cape Town, South Africa in a creative conversation. First there is a two-hour workshop of African song and dance staged on both continents going from 11 am to 12:30 pm. At 1 pm five short films will be screened and seen by both Vancouver and Cape Town audiences. These films were made by artists who emigrated from other parts of Africa and who experienced severe animosity as they attempted to make a new home.
o This two-hour ground breaking event will be led on each side by a vibrant MC to create an interactive expression of African unity, understanding and international cooperation.

Panel Discussion 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Say NO To Stigma: a discussion of refugee rights, resilience and reconciliation with panel members that include academics, diplomats, educator, activist s and filmmakers.

Feature Film: God Grew Tired Of Us - 5 pm to 7 pm

The winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival – God Grew Tired of Us, the story features The Lost Boys of Sudan. This powerful documentary tells the story of four boys ages 3 to 13 orphaned by a civil war.

Fleeing their villages, they formed a surrogate family, protecting and providing for each other, traveling together for 5 years, over thousands of miles, against all odds reaching a UN refugee camp in Kenya. Eventually they were selected to settle in the United States by a humanitarian aid organization.

Tickets for the Vancouver Pan-African Film and Arts Festival are on sale now at www.vpaff.org.

Sponsors include: City Of Vancouver, Corus Entertainment TV Listings, Line One Computer Services, Simon Fraser University, Ethical Bean, the Law Courts Education Society of B.C.; Gallery Gachet, CBC Radio and TV, Omni Television, Shaw Multicultural Television, PublicityPlus and more.


FOR MORE INFORMATION: castyourself@vpaff.org, Festival Office 604-422-8438. www.vpaff.org