At BAM: THE SUIT, a play based on a story by South African Can Themba
A fresh twist to the revenge of a betrayed husband during the days of Apartheid My focus on creativity in Africa and the positive reviews of the play The Suit based on the short story by South African writer, Can Themba, made me overcome my reluctance to see yet again a story about a wife’s [...]
Step by Step in Samburuland
A Fundraising Trek for MEAK by Jane H.Furse. One day Layla, a little girl in northern Kenya, will wonder how she got her name. Her mother can tell her that back in November 2012, a woman from very far away gave it to her while on a medical mission. Beverly Orthwein, a board member [...]
Eventful Walk in Northern Kenya
WE ARE BACK! EYE MISSION SUCCESSFUL , TREK AMAZING. We completed our trek by hook and by crook and were back for Thanksgiving so grateful for an amazing walk in Northern Kenya, which proved to be challenging but so rewarding and magical. We flew into South Horr, just south of Lake Turkana by midday and [...]
African choreographers speak up and out in art
The power of art to effect change. I stepped out of a plane coming from South Africa to a week of African contemporary dance and theater in New York. Nora Chipaumire (Zimbabwe) was performing her dance piece Miriam at BAM, Faustin Linyekula (Congo) danced Le Cargo at the FIAC and five female choreographers, Ketty [...]
British Nigerian Filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa embraces her naturally kinky hair. See video
Front page of the NYTtimes: Video of Zina Saro-Wiwa championing Self -Acceptance In the New York Times last Friday, filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa presented an op-Doc on black women’s decision to embrace their naturally kinky hair, rather then use chemical straighteners. I think non black women could all use a little return to naturalness in their [...]
Monica Wangu Wamwere: A mother fighting for her son’s freedom
Monica Wangu Wamwere: Unbroken Spirit Through determination, relentless perseverance, faith, and peaceful means Monica Wangu Wamwere prevailed and saw her son, Kenyan human rights activist and political prisoner Koigi wa Wamwere and many other imprisoned in the Kenyan jails released. She participated along with Noble Laureate Wangari Maathai in the 1992′s Mothers’ Hunger Strike. The [...]
Interview with Auma Obama (audio)
Auma Obama talks about her life in Africa and Europe, and her relationship with her brother, Barack Obama. Her memoir, And Then Life Happens, tells the story of her meeting Barack Obama for the first time in the 1980s, and how they built a lasting relationship, traveled together in Kenya, and researched their family history, [...]
Miriam Makeba: World-Famous South African Singer & Civil Rights Activist
Miriam Makeba — nicknamed Mama Africa On this journey that I have undertaken with the African continent, I find myself opening doors and encountering worlds heretofore unbeknownst to me. I discover histories, talents, personal journeys that move me profoundly and speak loudly and persistently of the limitless courage, rich talents, and absolute dedication of many [...]
New York Africa Film Festival at the Walter Reade theater
This weekend is a great opportunity to learn more about African film. The New York African Film Festival at at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater is screening contemporary and classic African film exploring notions of home and homeland. April 11 – 17, 2012.
Nigerian High Fashion Week in Lagos: African Designers are Stars
Writing this blog is taking me on my own personal journey of discovery. I found out this week that FASHION is thriving on the African continent. Last week was fashion week in Lagos, the host of the Arise Africa Fashion Show where seventy seven African designers were represented. Well established and internationally known African designers [...]
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