Skyeview

Edwidge Danticat
In conversation

Monday, October 15, 2007  |  Herbst Theatre, 8pm  San Francisco

Edwidge Danticat is the author of Krik? Krak!, The Dew Breaker, the American Book Award-winning The Farming of the Bones, and Breath, Eyes, Memory,. Born in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Price, Danticat moved to Brooklyn when she was twelve years old. At the time, she spoke both Creole and French, but not English. Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, inspires Danticat’s fiction and informs her non-fiction. Her new memoir Brother, I’m Dying tells a deeply affecting story of Danticat’s father Mira and his older brother Joseph, who attempted to flee Haiti for Miami in 2004 and was detained by US Customs, held by the Department of Homeland Security, brutally imprisoned, and dead within days. Danticat served as editor for The Butterfly’s Way: Voices from the Haitian Dyaspora in the United States. She lives in Miami and frequently visits Haiti.

Time: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 7:00 PM
Location: Books Inc. in Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, SF, 415-776-1111

Meet Poet, Activist and Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Color Purple, Alice Walker when she reads and discusses her new picture book for children of all ages Why War is Never a Good Idea, a poem about the power and wanton devastation of war. A portion of proceeds from this event will benefit San Francisco School Volunteers.

Upcoming in September – Trondheim, Norway

Visitors
http://www.trondheim.com/engelsk/
http://www2.trondheim.com/engelsk/
The Sagas tell us how King Olav Tryggvason of Viking fame founded the city by the mouth of the River Nidelva in 997.Trondheim holds a special place in Norwegian history and culture. It was the first capital of Norway, and is still the city where new kings receive their ceremonial blessing. Situated by the Trondheim fjord, it is surrounded by lovely forested hills, with the Nidelva river winding through the town. It has been and still is a popular pilgrimage site, an ecclesiastical centre, a regional capital and a centre for commerce and administration.

In the news
Investigation into the death of Norwegian-Nigerian Eugene Obiora
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/06/26/

Trondheim Death Squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcolQ9zqArA

I recently traveled to San Diego for a 2-day business trip. In spite of my daylong meetings I did manage to get out and about for a bit of sightseeing. San Diego is known for it’s warm clear weather and picturesque beaches; all was in effect during my visit.

It really is a joy being in that city for a few days just to wander about and relax, but after 3 days or so I find myself anxious to leave. I do not recommend it as a travel destination for out-of-state visitors. I will share my biases and perceptions in a moment and perhaps readers will understand why I say head for the highway after a few days.

San Diego offers the perfect get-away particularly if one is already in Southern California. Amtrak has a regular schedule from Los Angeles to San Diego and it is a scenic ride. The beaches in the nearby city of La Jolla particularly La Jolla cove can be downright seductive at sunset and hiking in San Diego County a fun adventure.

The city centre is well laid out on a grid, has excellent public art installations, and several blocks of restaurants with alfresco dining in the Gaslamp Quarter. Baseball fans have easy access to Petco Park also located in the Gaslamp Quarter. My favorite area is on the waterfront where the Maritime Museum is located.

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I knew today was going to be a good day. I slept in late and I awoke from the most lucid wet dream I’ve had in years. I attempted to linger in bed hoping the dream muses would favor me with a sequel. (Rewind selector, rewind selector!)Juicy dream and languid day aside, I was intent on venturing out of my hut in support of the organizers and participants of Sistahs Stepping in Pride. I reasoned I could resume slumber and fantasizing later in the day but duty and devotion called.

Big up to Peggy Moore and the SSIP organizing goddesses for
conjuring another east bay love fest. What a perfect day to be at the lake enjoying mild weather and warm sistah vibrations. I hella love Oakland! Yeah, I said it. Love me some Oaktown.

This year’s scaled down festival felt like a big backyard family
gathering. You know, the type of gathering where you can reunite with distant relatives and extended family. Shoot the breeze, savor the eye candy and just be with da folks in a safe and loving environment.

As usual the festival was well organized and included activities for children, community information booths and performers. Given the lack of funding, competing demands and personal commitments of the core volunteers the SSIP organizers deserve maximum respect for pulling this event off yet again.

I highly recommend Oakland as a travel destination for regional and out-of-state visitors alike.

Oaktown home of funky sistahs, powerful spirits and roots women.

Chant peace.

Photo Album

FULL COLOR
How often does one find a comic or graphic novel character depicted as an Afriles, cornrow coiffured, visual artist, action hero? The promotional poster displayed in my local comic shop piqued my curiosity and was enough for me to purchase the book. I was not disappointed it was definitely a fun read.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter when the main character Boom broke up with her sharp witted and smart girlfriend; the author hit all the right notes. So much so, I was inspired to send Mark Britt an email commenting on the sensitivity and witty repartee exchanged between Boom and her g/f. He replied that it was the most agonizing chapter for him, but I tell you he nailed it. He informed me that his next graphic novel will be set in Oakland, CA. I can’t wait!

Synopsis
A lifetime marked with Napoleonic bosses has generated a rage in Boom that she can’t contain anymore – only aim. Her target? Her boss.

The same day she decides to go after her boss, Boom comes home to find an old friend standing on her fire escape. David’s double-crossed a drug dealer and he’s looking for help. Boom tells him, “I can’t. I’ve given myself one day to make it all right or I’m just going to kill myself. What do you think of that?” David smiles, “Chaos it is then. We’ll need coffee.”

FULL COLOR is an action-packed odyssey through New York. Fast-paced and thoughtful, compelling and funny, FULL COLOR is a revenge-fueled morality tale.

http://www.markhavenbritt.com/#5

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The Color Purple
social opportunity for Zuna Institute supporters

The COLOR PURPLE IS COMING TO SAN FRANCISCO
 Click for Details and Registration Information

Hello My Sistahs,

Hope life is treating you well. Take advantage of these discounted group tickets to see “THE COLOR PURPLE” in San Francisco and spend an evening with sistahs. Come out and support this exceptional event! LIMITED SEATING!

When
Wednesday – October 17, 2007 at 8:00 pm PT

Location
Orpheum Theatre
1192 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 95835

Organizer Contact: Francine Ramsey
Email: framsey@zunainstitute.org

http://zunainstitute.eventbrite.com
Click for Details and Registration Information

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
6TH ANNUAL SISTAHS STEPPIN’ IN PRIDE
EAST BAY DYKE MARCH & CELEBRATION (**NEW LOCATION!!!)
11am – 4pm
Lake Merritt in Oakland

MARCH: We’ll gather at the Lake Merritt pillars at 11am. With motorcycles, drums, banners, and the voices of hundreds & hundreds of women, our lesbian and bisexual women’s community will proudly let Oakland know how MAGNIFICENT & PROUD we are!
Be a part of our SSIP DrumCore!
Ride with MotoSistahs! Contact Amanda at amanda@sistahssteppin.org.

CELEBRATION: We’ll march to ASTRO PARK, near the Lakeview Library between Lakeshore and Grand Avenue @ MacArthur. Bring a bag lunch and a blanket and enjoy the afternoon with us! We’ll have performers, drummers, and fun
for the whole family.

SSIP event calender
http://www.sistahssteppin.org/celebration.html

Upcoming in August – San Diego, CA, USA

Visitors
http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors
Welcome to San Diego, California’s second largest city. Where blue skies keep watch on 70 miles of beaches and a gentle Mediterranean climate begs for a day of everything and nothing. Bordered by Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains, San Diego county’s 4,200 square miles offer immense options for business and pleasure.

Where the gurls are in San Diego
http://www.girl-spot.com/sandiego/

HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO 1860 – 1960
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/projects.history

The Afro Joint . A Fatsouls Production.
An Excursion Into Afrobeat And All Music Of The African Diaspora

Saturday, August 18, 2007
222 Club – 222 Hyde Street (between Turk & Hyde)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
9pm – 2am / $5 before 11pm / $7 after / 21+ With ID

Featuring :- Gregory Del Piero

Gregory’s deep and soulful signature sound is considered the best pieces of house music produced during the last five years. In 2006, he produced over 20 singles including 4 songs with the gospel legend Kenny Bobien. To celebrate the first leg West coast tour of “I love you more,” his new release on Raisani Records, Dubai, we bring you an exclusive deep house installment at the Afro Joint.

Resident DJ Said (Fatsouls, Atmosfere, SF)