» Prescott-Joseph Center – Programs … Art & Culture … Past Arts Programs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Past Arts Programs …December Art Show 2005Our 6th annual art show, "Signatures of Intent," featured the work and honored artists who have contributed their art for worthy causes. The artists represented were Anne Shulenberger, Rae Louise Hayward, Casper Banjo, Marion Coleman, Marin Fischer, Suzy Fischer, Suzan Harvest, Dean Hunsaker, Michelle Mansour, Genesse McGaugh, Lori Pino, Trina Thompson Stanley, and TheArthur Wright. This program was partially funded by a grant from the San Francisco Foundation. Lower Bottom Playaz Presented Amen Corner
Scene from James Baldwin's Amen Corner presented in the Backyard Theatre at Prescott-Joseph The Lower Bottom Playaz, resident theatre company, presented James Baldwin's play, Amen Corner, June 2005 in the Center's backyard theatre. The play was directed by Ayodele Nzinga and was well received. Shakespeare in the Yard October, 2005: MacbethOur 2005 production of Shakespeare in the Yard was Macbeth. Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, Artistic director, of the Lower Bottom Playaz and the Sister Thea Theatre directed the production, which featured an original jazz score and dancers. A classic version was done for evening shows and a hip-hop version for matinees. Adaptations that include current events and the inclusion of issues confronting the neighborhood are a part of our evolving artistic signature. History of Shakespeare in the yard: In October, 2001, we initiated ”Shakespeare in the Yard”, producing Romeo and Juliet in response to a desire for local performances by local people. 60 percent of the multi-cultural cast came from West Oakland, all of whom had a strong interest in cultural participation, but had never before seen a Shakespearean play. From this troupe we have formed our own company, The Lower Bottom Playaz. Shakespeare in the Yard is offered annually in October. In the last three years we did Notes from William, monologues and soliloquies from Shakespeare. Music Workshop for ChildrenThe music group ESP, led by India Cooke, violinist and consisting of Kele Nitoto, percussionist and Kimura Dixon, electric piano and Bass, conducted 4 workshops for students 6-12 years old. The workshops were held Saturday afternoons at the Center. There were short talks, demonstrations on the origins and masters of the genre of music, hands on instruction and of course music. The opening concert introduced the children to a variety of music. This session was followed by 3 workshops: West African Roots; Blues, Spirituals and Gospel; and Jazz Improvisations and Words.
Kele Nitoto and kids, music workshop Mechelle LaChaux, chantreuse, and Rodney Bell, pianist, were guest artists. Mechelle was the coordinator of this successful program. This program was partially funded by a grant from the City of Oakland Cultural Arts Department.
|
Tales of Lost Glories:
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
