Kuma2.net Blog

Well, we have a lot of new things this quarter:

Want to be our friend? Kuma finally has ventured into MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/kuma2dotnet

Skye is back from the National Black Lesbian Conference.

You do know that there are new product reviews in the Kuma Adult Education Center? (I hear the Eroscillator is a worthy investment . . . )

Remember Kuma Project #2? The Coming Out To Myself essays are up.

OtherWords also has a couple of new poems.

The Lit section has 25 New Poems and 7 New Stories.

Sept. 15th will be Kuma’s 10 Year Anniversary–well wishes, testimonials,  and your love are appreciated . . . and if the spirit moves you . . .

Corporate Cannibal - Grace Jones - 2008 (from the upcoming album Hurricane)

In addition to the chance to see, browse, and buy hundred (thousands?) of books written by black folks, the HBF always has interesting panels and discussions: nonfiction, fiction (1 & 2), authors/publishing, financial pavillion, etc

Some highlights:
COUNTEE CULLEN LIBRARY AUDITORIUM
132 West 136th Street, corner of Malcolm X Boulevard

SATURDAY, JULY 19
12:00 – 1:30p  GAY AND LESBIAN FICTION: Resistance in the Marketplace?  
Moderator: Troy Johnson (Founder AALBC.com)
Panelists: Terrance Dean (Hiding in Hip Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry–From Music to Hollywood); Hixon (Ghettoheat); Linda Villarosa (Passing for Black)

Are publishers out of step with consumer demand? Gay and Lesbian fiction continues to sell in record numbers, yet Zane’s current title, Purple Panties, has been refused bookstore signings, an online magazine has declined support, and a major online book club service has “passed” on offering it to their members. Is it because it is a collection of lesbian erotica? Many believe so. These authors share their viewpoints and tell their stories.
~
SCHOMBURG/LANGSTON HUGHES AUDITORIUM
515 Malcolm X Blvd., corner of West 135th Street

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM JAMES BALDWIN: PERSPECTIVES and LITERARY LEGACY

Moderator: Herb Boyd (Baldwin’s Harlem)
Panelists: Quincy Troupe (Miles and Me), Amiri Baraka (Tales of the Out and Gone); S. Pearl Sharp (Black Women for Beginners), Cora Daniels (Ghetto Nation: A Journey into the Land of Bling and Home of the Shameless)

Some of the panels will be shown on C-span/book tv,
This panel gives understanding and recognition to James Baldwin’s place within the American literary canon. Quincy Troupe conducted the last significant interview with Baldwin; Baldwin and Amiri Baraka, his literary heir, had a mixed and contentious relationship; Pearl Sharp will discuss Baldwin’s experience in Hollywood; Cora Daniels will connect Baldwin’s impact on the Hip-Hop generation.
~
COUNTEE CULLEN (MEZZANINE)
SATURDAY, JULY 19

1:00 – 2:15pm FROM INSPIRATION TO PUBLICATION: A WRITING WORKSHOP with AUTHOR GRACE EDWARDS

Grace F. Edwards teaches creative writing, and has been a member of the Harlem Writer’s Guild since 1970. Her first novel, In the Shadow of the Peacock, was originally released in 1988, and will be reprinted by Harlem Writers Guild Press. Do or Die is the fourth novel in the Harlem-based mystery series featuring former cop Mali Anderson. The first book, If I Should Die, was released in 1997 and earned an Anthony Award nomination for Best First Novel. The second book, A Toast Before Dying, won the 1999 Fiction Honor Book award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. No Time to Die, the third novel, was released in 1999. Film and TV rights to the series have been sold. This seminar is sponsored by HBF Publishing.
~
2:30 – 4:30pm DIY MANUSCRIPT REVIEW/EDITOR INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

Are you ready to publish? Do you have a manuscript but are unsure of the next steps? Would you like a professional opinion of your work? If you are considering self-publishing, meet with our editors for a one-to-one consultation and assessment of your manuscript.There is a reader for every book. This interview may help you find your audience. Bring a prepared one-page synopsis of your story. All interviews are twenty minutes. All genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s) accepted. This workshop is sponsored by HBF Publishing.

Some panel discussions will be shown on C-span/Book TV

Our very own Skye will be facilitating a workshop on Wellness and Renewal through International Travel.

If you are attending the conference, I’m jealous!

If you are in the Las Vegas area yet and haven’t registered–there’s still time. You can register for the entire conference or buy tickets for specific events.

Walk Like A Man - The Stage Play
by
Laurinda D. Brown
Is coming to a town near you . . .

July 11, 2008 - 8pm
Red Rock Casino Resort Spa
11011 W. Charleston
Las Vegas, NV 89135

July 19, 2008 - 7pm
Yuca Restaurant
501 Lincoln Rd
Miami Beach, FL 33139

July 25, 2008 - 7pm
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
General Motors Theater
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

For more dates (this is only part of the schedule) and to buy tickets, visit walklikeaman.net/

PANDORA’S
Ten Monologues Open the Box of Queer Latin@ Identities

Written by
Sandra Alvares, Janis Astor del Valle, Tina Bartolome, Julia Carias,
Jasmine Colon, Fernanda Coppel, Deyanira Garcia, Aurora Guerrero,
Elisha Miranda, Desi Moreno-Penson, Lissette J. Norman & Sofia Quintero

Produced by
Julia Carias, Elisha Miranda, Sofia Quintero & Alexander Ramirez

Featuring
Claudia Acosta, Dominique Andriese, Janis Astor del Valle, Desiree
Cobb, Sherette Gregg, Carina Gregorio, Julia Ahumada Grob, Daphne
Lopez, Desi Moreno-Penson & Karen J. Robles

Dramaturged by
Sofia Quintero

Short Films Directed by
Aurora Guerrero

Artistic Director/Directed by
Elisha Miranda

WHO: SISTER OUTSIDER, www.sisteroutsider.biz. ; SISTER OUTSIDER
aims to create commercially viable, and culturally relevant content
across a range of media platforms including print, internet, theater,
film and television that appeals to a multi cultural audience

WHAT: Pandora’s ten diverse monologues, seven short films woven
together with music to represent different queer identities from
diverse ethnic and identity backgrounds (bisexual, transgender,
lesbian, questioning, homeless, immigrant, etc.) Its debut marks a
breakthrough in visibility and expression in the Latin@ queer community.

WHEN: July 2nd- July 6th, 2008

Evening Shows
Wednesday, July 2nd - Friday, July 5th at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 6th at 8pm

Matinee Shows
Saturday, July 5th at 2pm
Sunday, July 6th at 2pm

WHERE: Theatre Row
410 West 42ndStreet
New York City
www.theatrerow.org

HOW DO I PURCHASE TICKETS?

To BUY tickets please visit www.pandorashow.com or
www.ticketcentral.com. Use code: POST to receive a 10% discount.

WHY: During the show, an Ending Homo-Hatred Outreach Toolkit will
be distributed to audience members. The Toolkit will contain
strategies and resources for combating internal and external
homophobia, such as a directory of organizations that conduct outreach
and education on issues of sexuality.

HOW: The commissioned writers and diverse cast use music, videos
and theater to narrate the experience of the Latino/a queer community.

Release Day Signing Tuesday, June 24 at 8 PM

Outwrite Books and Coffeehouse

991 Piedmont Ave NE

Atlanta, GA 30309

(404) 607-0082

***

PRIDE Weekend Book Release Party Saturday, July 5 at 8 PM

Charis Books and More

1189 Euclid Ave, NE

Atlanta, GA 30307

(404) 524-0304

 Find out more at fionazedde.com

According to D. Alexandria’s review in our Adult Education Center, this:

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can make you and your girlfriend extremely happy–at the same time.

Then again, you can have fun all by yourself.

Thursday, June 12th is a busy, busy day.

Fire & Ink Presents!
8 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008
Hilton Newark Gateway Hotel
1 Gateway Center, Newark, NJ

Featured authors include Kimberly Q (Orchids 1 and 2), James Earl Hardy (B Boy Blues series), Lisa C. Moore (editor of Spirited), and many more.

Visit Fire & Ink in Newark for more detailed info about the event and the authors.