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Drop by our virtual home any time or if in South Jersey/Greater Atlantic City visit us in person.
The future of South Jersey Arts Is Here!
The beautiful actress that played the one and only "Madam Zenobia" in the film Uptown Saturday has passed away at the age of 76.
She was born and raised in NYC.
Ms. Chamberlin was also well known by many young people (such as myself) from her appearances on the PBS show The Electric Company.
Though she was only a regular cast member during the 1971 and 72 seasons, The Electric Company continued to teach generation after generation reading and phonics until 1985.
The Electric Company used sketches comedy and cartoons to teach kids reading as they may have aged out of Sesame Street.
Lee Chamberlin also had a starring role in Let's Do It Again , the follow up to Uptown Saturday Night.
Ms. Chamberlin was also a regular guest star in many of the great shows on the 1970's like Diff'rent trokes and What's Happening. As well as playing love interest to "Alex Haley" in the tv mini series Roots 2 The Next Generation.
HEY EVERYONE ATTENDING THE 2014 Arts & Authors Extravaganza! This is the time to get your family and friends to come out and support you at the event! Let them see you in action, on stage talking about YOUR BOOK! How exciting is that! For ONE WEEK ONLY- get your ADMISSION ticket 1/2 OFF! Come out to support Authors and Artist from across the nation. Booksignings, indoor.art show, spoken word, performances, music, appetizers, cash bar and much, much, more. Learn how they did it! Save your seat at www.bit.ly/artsandauthors For more info text: 856 343-8830.
I have just now heard of the passing of Dr. Maya Angelou.
Yes! My Heart Is Sad!
However, when I think of that warm smile....and the words she gave that always played like music....
it is so hard for me to remain sad.
There are few artists that I felt "BROKE CHAINS" in almost everything they did with their craft. Maya Angelou was one such artist.
Her body is gone from us.....and the world is now not as bright as it was just yesterday.
However, that leave even more work for those of us here....
Leaves us with more of a responsibility to create art that is about LIFE, PURPOUSE, BREAKING CHAINS...
I do think it's okay for us to happy on this sad day.
I think it's okay to remember the ground she broke for Black writers with the success of I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS!
I think it's okay for us to happy and recall every church service, youth gathering, or other public event where someone or a group of young ladies performed STILL I RISE!
I can't be sad when I recall her discussing with joy playing the matriarch of The Kinte Family in Roots.
When I think about the hundreds of young people I taught poetry by having them read in a group "LIFE DOESN'T FRIGHTEN ME AT ALL." I smile.
When I recall her poetry and acting on The Richard Pryor Special....my heart swells with pride and my face smiles.
Today is one of the saddest days I have ever known.....but I hope it's okay to smile.
I pray that she would have wanted to be missed and she is dearly....but I pray that she would not want people to feel sad or defeated....because I don't. I feel happy that God lent her to us. That she thought it not a crime to a good person. I feel happy for all that she gave to this world and hope that one day....I can give half as much back.
The late writer Lorraine Hansbery shares a birthday with the late activist Malcolm X.
The Little Wellness Arts Center celebrates her life as her play A Raisin In The Sun is a work of art that directly inspires what we do each day here at www.LittleWAC.com and at our art center.
Today on Ms. Hansbery's birthday we would like to make our un official announce of Studio 21 coming to The Little WAC.
Inspired by great theater such as "Raisin" and drama such as Twilight Zone and Play House 90; Studio 21 will be a gathering for dramatic presentations by actors, student, writers of all kind.
The Little WAC is made possible by the support of our sponsors
Today people define themselves for themselves more than ever.
Or at least they can if they choose too.
Many of my friends complain about the state of mainstream art, whether it be hip hop, tv or films.
The truth is that great and powerful art is being created but most people would rather watch the modern day minstrel shows that are pro sports, mainstream hip hop and reality shows.
Today we have an opportunity to help film maker Mya Baker help us all and by supporting an important film that will help generations to come.
The project is called Afraid Of The Dark. I am impressed that this will be the film that defines Black Manhood in the 21st century. Not the gangster/rap fantasy garbage that Hollywood has been feeding us. Not the parade of men in dresses that Hollyweird has been selling as Black Male Sexuality.
Baker's lens allows intelligent, diverse black men to explain and express themselves.
Just the trailer was thrilling for me because it revealed Black Men discussing many of the things that unfortunately people I know are scared to talk about even when the camera isn't rolling. You have men discussing their frustration with the images being sold of us such as Le Bron posing as King Kong on a national magazine complete with white woman. The film allows men to speak back to the white and black people that expect your educated black man to live up to these moronic images.
For Afraid The Dark to have the impact it should have, Mya Baker can not do this alone. Nor should she have to. I am proud to offer my donation to the completion on this film and hope to interview her very soon.
For all that believe their fathers, sons, and uncles are more than cartoon images of poorly trained savages...I ask you to throw whatever support you can to this film. Please make a $5 donation or at the very least spread the word to people who can and will.
