Joséphine Baker: Black Diva in a White Man’s World (Germany, 2006; 45 min.)

Annette von Wangenheim, Director

A WDR (Westdeutschser Rundfunk) television production

The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, in cooperation with the Seattle Art Museum Community Partnership

Program presents the Seattle premiere of Annette von Wangenheim's documentary. An examination of Baker's life and performance, both as a mirror of European colonial fantasies and as a symbol of the 20^th century's Black consciousness movement.

Tuesday, January 26 at 7:30 PM at the Seattle Art Museum, downtown Seattle, 1300 First Avenue. Admission: suggested donation of $5 at the door. A panel discussion with visual and performing artists will follow the screening.

This documentary focuses on Joséphine Baker's life and work from a black perspective and presents the artist both as a mirror of European colonial fantasies and as a symbol of the worldwide black consciousness movement of the 20th century. Pioneers of black dance, such as Geoffrey Holder, Arthur Mitchell, Carmen de Lavallade, Maurice Hines and Elsa Wolliaston, recall their stage appearances and encounters with Baker; biographers and historians comment on well-known and unknown footage and photographs. Clichés that have persisted to this day are deconstructed and the underlying facts are set in a new historical context. Joséphine Baker was the first black diva who thought and acted in global dimensions. She became a star in Europe and a world-wide symbol of peace and a better understanding among nations and different cultures.

The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival (LHAAFF) is an annual event presented by the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in central Seattle. The LHAAFF presents films from independent filmmakers from around the world. The LHAAFF features panel discussions, screenplay readings, training workshops, matinée screenings for middle and high school youth and in-depth discussions with filmmakers, industry professionals and local community leaders.

The Underground Railroad, a project of the annual Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, is a fall - through -winter film and discussion series. Using the metaphor of a series of strategically located "Safe Houses" in Seattle neighborhoods, the Underground Railroad is a series of intimate screenings designed to build community across the aisle and across neighborhoods. Each Safe House along the trail brings forth a different provocative work about African American life, leading to 'freedom' at the annual Langston Hughes African American Film Festival in April. www.langstonblackfilmfest.org

2009 LHAAFF Dates...

We are still working on confirming the April 2009 LHAAFF dates, and as soon as we have that information confirmed we will post it here.

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News about current community events:

Cultural Conversations, Seattle: August 24th

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at the Kwik Cup Espresso, 3815 s. Othello Street, Ste 102 Seattle WA 98118

Some of the topics will be: how we can get more youth involved in our conversations and getting more youth of color involved in song, drum and dance as well as providing them the access to classes and events in our community. We are also asking that you bring your topics of interest to the meeting as well as ideas on how to keep these conversations going.

Shawna Hawk MA
Leadership, Education Social and Human Services
& Bi-cultural Development
Connecting and Healing Community through Education, Song and Dance - The Keys to Spiritual Awareness

Northwest African-American Fine Arts Association August 9 - September 4, 2008
Welcome to the 4th annual Northwest African American Group Art Exhibition. This year’s event will feature more than 40 works reflecting the ingenuity and brilliance of Northwest Artists of African descent.

http://pnaafa.com/

The Northwest African-American Fine Arts Association was organized in 2005 by Robert Horton and Annie Hudson-McKnight. Horton and Hudson-McKnight were intent on showcasing the work of contemporary African American artists in the Pacific Northwest. An important goal of the organization is to foster a sense of pride and develop an atmosphere of support and professionalism within the membership. The annual NAAFA exhibit displays works of vibrant creativity and style. NAAFA is committed to hosting events that demonstrate the range of artistic talent in Seattle's African American community.

Previous show viewers have commented:

"Beautiful, diverse collection of work and artists...a must see in my book."
"Powerful, a fabulous collection of artists...I look forward to more."
And, "Such a thrill to have seen the show."
Seattle PI art critic Regina Hackett has this to say, Art To Go::Exhibit A: Robert Horton