Wanda's Picks

Today we will interview singer, songwriter, Rhonda Benin who has a peformance tonight and later this month; talk to Adam Zucker about his latest film at the Jewish Film Festival screening of Greensboro: Closer to the Truth, in conjunction with the San Francisco Black Film Festival, at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts tonight, Jan. 28, 2009, 7:30 p.m., (415) 978-2787, http://www.ybca.org We close this mornings extended show with a conversation with Mahen Bonetti, the founder and Executive Director of African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF), a non-profit arts organization founded in 1990. AFF showcases works of African filmmakers and develops ways to share the vision and culture of African film with American and international audiences. Currently the African Film Festival is at UC Berkeley's Pacific Film Archive through Feb. 22. Visit http://bampfa.berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-1412. Also visit http://www.africanfilmny.org

This morning we will have a tribute to William B. Lawsha "Prince Lasha," September 10, 1929 to December 12, 2008. Prince Lasha was born in 1929 in Fort Worth, Texas and went to school with Ornette Coleman. In1947, the two of them started playing saxophone in a school band (which also produced great musicians like Charles Moffett and King Curtis). They worked with Harold Land and Red Connors before going their separate ways. He lived in New York, Oakland, Germany, Italy, and France where he had the honor, he says, of playing with many great musicians such as Sonny Simmons who worked with Prince for six years; Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins recorded together—in fact he wrote “Music Matador that Eric Dolphy made famous. Wanda’s Picks concludes with an excerpt of Matador (from …A True Story). When he made his transition last month, Prince was working on releasing a new CD on his label Birdseye Records, called “Baritone Madness.” I hope we’ll see this CD in the near future. It features Woody Shaw,

This morning we'll reflect on the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussain Obama. Don't forget the Prince Lasha Tribute this Friday, January 23, 8-9:30 AM PST. Listeners are invited to call in with their thoughts to share. Eddie Gale is guest host with Wanda Sabir, this morning.

This morning was quite challenging in a good way. I started at 6 AM with David Hardiman, whose Big Band is in its 34th Anniversary Season being celebrated Monday, Jan. 19, in concert, two shows, 8 & 10 PM at Yoshi's San Francisco, 1330 Fillmore. I wanted to have Melanie Demore on also, but I had technical difficulties so I included her in my regular, 8-10 AM show with Clifford Brown Jr., emcee for the “7th Annual Musical Tribute to Dr. MLK Jr.,” Sunday, January 18, at the Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, in Oakland. Visit www.mlktribute.com I opened the program this morning with Marcus Shelby, who is also participating in the MLK Music Tribute Sunday. He will be premiering an excerpt of a new work honoring Martin King. Ms. Faye Carol, featured in Marcus' new work, joined the musician/composer in the studio and then stayed on when Melanie joined us. We had a fun conversation, so much so, I could barely get a word in to welcome Clifford Brown Jr., into the studio. The three then had a great time c

Black Arts and Culture. Where art meets politics. David Hardiman is featured this morning in a conversation prerecorded January 15, Martin King's 80th birthday. Hardiman's Big Band is celebrating its 34th Anniversary in concert, Monday, January 19, 8 & 10 PM at Yoshi's in San Francisco. Visit www.yoshis.com I played music from the band's CD and also selections from Marcus Shelby's "Harriett Tubman" suite and Melanie Demore's rendition of "We Shall Not Be Moved," with Mary Watkins on piano. Both Melanie and Marcus are a part of the 7th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration in Music, Sunday, January 18, 7:30

We will feature artist John Barnes, Jr., one of the artists included in Prospect 1 New Orleans, the US Biennial closing Sunday, January 18, 2009. Barnes new body of work, shown for the first time in this exhibit, is he says, "a testament to survival and resilience." The work which is mixed media, and includes text, consists of wooden sculptures which looked like masks to me, however, to Barnes they are "canoe-home hybrid structures." These beached canoes stand verically, an unlikely position for a sea worthy structure, but then this adds to the absurdity of the sights one still sees almost four years after the Great Flood," or the day the levees broke. John and I will speak for most of the show. We will close with an update on Oscar Grant III, murdered two weeks ago by a BART policeman, still at large. There is a peace vigil at 4 p.m. January 14, 2009 in front of Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza. People are encouraged to wear white for peace. It is also the color of the ancestors. The Coalition Again

December 12, 2008, William B. Lawsha, "Prince Lasha," made his transition. Born in Wellington, Texas on September 10, 1929, to W.B. and Amy Roberson Lawsha, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas while Prince was young. Music was his passion, his last recording a tribute to Barack Obama, which fans can listen to at http://eddiegale.com/. Prince Lasha composed music and played the woodwinds, alto and baritone saxophones, flute, and clarinet. The last time I saw him was this summer after the San Jose Jazz Festival with Eddie Gale's ensemble at Yoshi's. He had nine children, all residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland his home for many years, Besides his children, he leaves behind: grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a sister and two brothers, nieces, nephews, and many fans and friends. This special show is an opportunity for all who knew and loved him to share stories and memories of a man who left us all too suddenly, even though his walk on this journey was as steep as it was long. The tribute's new da

Taped Thursday, January 8, this show features poet Jahi, who responds to the police shooting and murder of Oscar Grant III January 1, 2009 at the Frutivale BART Station in Oakland. He is joined by Tiyesha Meroe who was at the rally 1/7 and at the BART Hearing 1/8 and shares her perspective on each. The last interview is with Ida McCray and her daughter, Nia Sykes, both prison abolision activists who work with families with children, especially mothers. Ida McCray is founder of Families with a Future and Nia is employed by California Coalition for Women Prisoners, of which Ms. McCray and I are board members. Ms. MaCray works for the San Francisco County Sherriff's Dept. and is an adjunct professor at San Francisco City College. Nia was 2, and the youngest of 5, when her mother was incarcerated, and spent the next ten years visiting her mother behind bars. The two women share their story. Visit http://www.familieswithafuture.com/ and http://womenprisoners.org/ to find out how you can get involved. I am visiting

Happy New Year everyone, and welcome to Wanda’s Picks, the bi-weekly black arts and culture program, where art meets politics. We’re a proud member of the African Sisters Media network. Today I have a great show planned for you. Wednesday, December 31, I arrived in New Orleans just in time to attend Kuumba at Ashe Community Center in New Orleans’ 2nd or 3rd Ward depending on one’s politics. Saddi Khali was emcee and featured were poets and singers and other artists in honor of the 6th principle of the Nguzo Saba, Kuumba or Creativity. I invited poets on the air, the following day, January 1, 2009, to talk about Imani or Faith, the last principle and their thoughts on 2009, the year of Obama and the state of crisis the Gulf is still in, even though no one is talking about it anymore. Peaches spoke of how her poetry inventory, records and other writing, were lost in the storm, but she has another collection coming out this year. Her latest poem, which she said was becoming her favorite, is called: Life. I met

Habari Gani? What's the news? Kuumba! Creativity. Today, I am at the airport on my way to New Orleans. The regularly scheduled show is cancedled. Please stay tuned for the first show of the New Year. Until then have a safe and wondeful New Year Celebration!

Our discussion during the first half hour will be about Kwanzaa 12/16-1/1/2009: 8 AM Invited guests include, Dr. Oba T'Shaka, Ms. Pam Hurley, Destiny, Harpist from the Hood and others. 8:30 AM We speak with Darryl Obama Prevost about the Cheikh Anta Diop Golden Awards Charity Gala 12/30 at AAMLO with Eddie Hart and translator for Cheikh Diops’ work Darryl Obama Prevost, and Danny Glover who is presenter and recipient of an award. At 9 AM We talk about the American Book Awards 12/28, 4-6:30 PM at Anna's Jazz Island with honorees: Douglas A. Blackmon, author of "Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to WW II, and Frank B. Wilderson, III, author of Incognegro.  At 9:30 AM we speak with Richard Brown, SF8, Claude Marks, Freedom Archives, Sean Vaughn Scott, Black Rep's Music in the Community and Paul Mooney, comedian Dec. 28, 6 & 8 PM about the annual holiday show and the upcoming fundraiser for the SF8 at BRG

We're trying to get Claridee who is having her annual Christmas show this evening to come on the air, along with perhaps a capella ensemble, SoVoSo to give us a preview of their Singing for Our Lives concert, Dec. 31, 2008-Jan. 1, 2009. Check back for confirmation. Well, we didn't get Claridee of SoVoSo, but we do have Jonathan Smothers, director of the African American Shakespeare Company season favorite, "Cinderella." It is quite marvelous and continues through Dec. 28 at Zeum Theatre in San Francisco. Visit www.african-americanshakes.org This morning's show concludes with a conversation with Dr. Runoko Rashidi, African scholar who is visiting family in Southern California and sending out dispatches from his extensive archive. Two things that struck me were his references to the history of Christmas, pagan history, and the many African scholars like Chancellor Williams whose birthdays are towards the end of the year. Mr. Williams, whose seminal work includes: The Destruction of Black Civilization--Great Iss

The line-up for Friday, Dec. 19 is as follows: 8:00-8:25 AM: Ayanna Mashama, Chinese Medicine doctor, herbalist, community healer and activist, mother and grandmother, and Mestre Temba Mashama, Capoiera N'Gola, licensed family therapist, re: Winter Solstice 8:30-8:55 AM: Sistas Wit Style, A Caribbean Folk Performing Dance Company, Dance That Moves The World which is having its Seventh Annual Cultural and Holiday Show: “Back In De Dey”, a Caribbean Holiday Celebration featuring a Holiday Banquet & Cultural Show, Sunday, Dec. 21, the Lakeside Gardens, 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA, off Grand Avenue (across the street from Children’s Fairyland). The dinner is free for children 17 and under, and $20 donation for everyone else. Doors open at 3 p.m., the dinner starts at 4 p.m. Call (510) 952 –6287/ (510) 387-7771 or sistas_wit_style@yahoo.com/ www.sistas-wit-style.com 9:00-9:25 AM: Stanley E. Williams, co-founder and Artistic Director of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, which is celebrating its 28th cons

Mama Charlotte O'Neal is visiting her native Kansas City presently after living in Tanzania with her husband Pete O'Neal since 1970. She is author of the collection, "Warrior Woman of Peace." Prior to our conversation we'll be talking about Angola 3 and other political prisoners with Michael Mable, Albert Woodfox's brother, Gail Shaw, MD, Marina Drummer, LEF Foundation and Community Futures Collective, and Robert H. King, political activist and exonerated member of Angola 3 who are Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox, still behind bars at Angola State Prison in Louisiana. King is also author of "From the Bottom of the Heap: The Autobiography of Black Panther, Robert Hillary King."

This morning we feature Sarah Crowell, Program Development Director and Artistic Director, for Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company and a youth company member, MC “Vee”, who is completing his final credits at Emilano Zapata Street Academy. Visit www.myspace.com/vturf and www.destinyarts.org. Destiny is 20 years old this year and they are celebrating with a concert performance, 12/13, 7 PM at McClymonds High School in West Oakland. The program is called: Love in Action. In the 8:30-9 AM segment we have cast from Thick Description's revival of their 1994 hit, "The American Play," by Suzan Lori-Parks, directed by Tony Kelly. This is part of a celebration of the theatre's 20th Anniversary season. The play is up 12/12-12/14 8 p.m. Visit www.thickhouse.org Michael Morgan, artistic director and conductor of the Oakland East Bay Symphony and Cortez Mitchell, member of the 12-male voice, voice orchestra, The Chanticleers, which has performances throughout the San Francisco Bay Area beginning tonight in Berkeley, at

Today we have on the air poet and writer, Charles Curtis Blackwell, Marilyn Washington Harris, President, Khadafy Foundation for Non-Violence, Inc., and Christian Scott, musician and band leader. Christian's latest CD is Live at Newport. He's opening this weekend, at Catalina's in LA. Visit ChristianScott.net and www.myspace/christianscott

Today we started out with guests, devorah major, former poet laureate for San Francisco, and Kim McMillon, publicist for the Josephine Miles, Pen Oakland Awards, Dec. 6, 1-5, at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library. Other guests included John Handy, musician, scholar, and composer, Peter Fitzsimmons, Executive Director, Jazz Heritage Center, Raja Rahim, jazz vocalist, Lewis Watts, photographer and historian. They spoke about the opening of the Harlem West exhibit at the Heritage Center and the accompanying exhibit next door on the Plush Room Gallery, Dec. 6, 1-6 p.m. They were followed on the air by Professor Manu Ampim, who will deliver the keynote address at the Western Regional Conference for the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations. The theme this year is: "Fearlessly Forward As We Build for Eternity." An interview with Boots Riley of the Coup, closed out this mornings show. Like all great conversations, it got good after we went off the air and stopped streaming. Th

Today, if the Wu Tang interview doesn't happen, we might actually pull something from the archives, maybe my interview with Dr. Lonnie Smith or Donald Harrison. It didn't happen. Instead we spoke to Robert H. King, former political prisoner, Angola 3, and author of the new autobiography, "From the Bottom of the Heap" (PM Press). We also spoke to Gail Shaw, MD, co-founder of itsabouttimebpp.com, an archive and educational organization dedicated to the preservation of Black Pather Party history. They updated us on Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox's cases. Plus Herman's health. I was to speak to Christian Scott, musician currently in town at Yoshi's Jack London Square, and we'll have to reschedule during his California Tour. The New Orleans native, is on tour with a new CD/DVD "Live at Newport," wonderful product! We closed the show with a track dedicated to Scott's dear friend, who was killed on his wedding day, "Died in Love." Friday, Dec. 5 is still up in the air. What I know for sure is we'll be speaking to

Today's show was pretty phonomenal, the themes crisscrossing throughout as one guest touched on a theme resonating with previous guests such as place and home, what it means to be indigenous and why black people have to hold up their traditions and honor their heroes and each other via our culture: words, music, art and activism. In the studio we spoke to Joyce Hutton, niece of the late Bobby Hutton, the third person to join the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, and its youngest member at that time, Emory Douglas, former Min. of Culture for the BPP, Alan Laird and Terry Cotton, both members of the BPP and friends of Lil' Bobby Hutton, murdered by Oakland police just two days after the murder of Martin King, April 4, 1968 (Hutton shot and killed 4/6/1968). Also joining them is Damon Eaves, blackpantherblvd.com which has organized the Bobby Hutton Memorial Benefit, opening Nov. 29, 7-10 PM at the Luggage Store Gallery, 1007 Market Steet, in San Francisco, (415) 255-5971. Next we spoke to Afro-Polynesian sin

The day before what some call Thanksgiving and others call "a Great Day of Mourning and Commemoration," we had as guests: Rafael Jesus Gonzalez and Karla Brundage, sharing poetry of the indigenous community in the Americas. Rafael, scholar and visual artist began the show with reflections on what it means to grow up in a society where one's cultural heritage: language, music, art, dress, are systematically erased. Joined later on by Karla, high school teacher, world traveler and phonomenal writer in her own right, she shares work of 4 Native American poets, among them Joy Harjo. We end the program early to speak to Robert H. King, activist and author, who has good news regarding Albert Woodfox's case. Federal Court Judge Brady has ruled in favor of Woodfox, granting him bail provided housing is approved, this despite the prosecution's deliberate attempts to poison the public's perceptions of Woodfox and slander his good name with false accusations, accusations without evidence or proof, evidence found unsuita