The 4th Annual San Francisco Black History Month Celebration
The 4th Annual San Francisco Black History Month Celebration presents “Intimate Expressions”, a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the artists in this year’s festival.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2005
OPENING NIGHT GALA – $25
5:00PM-8:00PM Gala Opening Reception at Roe Restaurant and Lounge, presented in conjunction with a special VIPLineup Speakeasy, featuring live jazz with the Mark Wright Trio, (www.roerestaurant.com), 1 block from SONY Metreon
8:00PM-10:30PM Gala Opening Celebration,– Action Theater, SONY Metreon
Performances by:
The Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra with Emmy Award-winning actor Peter Macon, performing ‘Midtown Sunset’ based on the paintings of famed Harlem Renaissance painter Romare Bearden as told through the poetry of Langston Hughes.
The Irrationals, a journey through America’s music with the intimate, witty and award-winning The Irrationals. A soulful a cappella ensemble known for their rich, complex vocal style. The delicious blending of their voices has been described as “café _mocha for the ears”.
Ise Lyfe. With two national poetry slam competitions under his belt and opening for artists from Dead Prez to Ben Harper, we’ll experience why this Oakland native is one of the nations premier poets.
Presentation of the 2005 SF NOIR Kuumba Award for Excellence in the Arts, presented by Wells Fargo and a few surprises…
________________________________________
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2005
FAMILY AFTERNOON PROGRAM – FREE
(Reservations suggested to ensure seating. Register by email to info@sfnoir.org and
you’ll receive an email confirmation of seating)
3:00PM-5:30PM – Action Theater, SONY Metreon
Co-presented with Zeum and the San Francisco Black Film Festival, a fun-filled afternoon of programming for the family including creative learning activities taking place at Zeum, spoken word and film screenings at the Metreon.
Caille Millner, Harvard graduate and co-author of The Promise: How One Woman Made Good on Her Extraordinary Pact to Send a Classroom of 1st Graders to College. Caille Millner provides a short reading and offers a glimpse into this powerfully inspiring story of Oral Lee Brown who, in 1987, on a $45,000 salary, made a pact to a group of 1st graders to pay for their college education.
“With a selfless devotion that will inspire every reader, Mrs. Oral Lee Brown’s story has the power to change the way we feel about doing the work that needs to be done. After reading this book, you will be empowered to take on challenges in your own life and community. Oral Lee Brown is the kind of hero we need more of!”
— Tavis Smiley, author and host, Tavis Smiley on PBS
Gettin’ Grown
USA, 2004, 74 min
Aaron Greer
Twelve-year-old Eric (Isaiah Matthew) is sent by his mother to pick up his grandmother’s medication. With his granny’s prescription, insurance card and $22 stuffed in his sock, Eric starts on what appears to be a simple errand. Along the way, things become unexpectedly complicated as he finds himself contending with the thoughtless demands that adults make of children and his friends’ risky behavior. As night falls, Eric struggles with his sense of responsibility and takes actions that seem logical to a good kid on the threshold of adulthood, but will in fact bring him to the brink of danger. Meanwhile his mother waits, worrying and questioning her decision to send Eric alone into the city streets. This refreshingly realistic depiction of urban youth, from the very talented storyteller, Aaron Greer, neither talks down to its audience nor sensationalizes its subject. The situations and characters speak for themselves. Winner of numerous Independent Film Awards.
________________________________________
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2005
CLOSING NIGHT CELEBRATION – $20
(includes free access to AfterParty hosted by Sophies MetroSoul at Paradise Lounge 11th Street & Folsom)
8:00pm-10:30pm – Action Theater, SONY Metreon
Performance by:
SLAMMIN’ is a fresh mix of a cappella singing, beat boxing and body music. Always unplugged and unleashed, this ferociously talented ensemble skillfully reveals how the body can amaze us in the most musical of ways. SLAMMIN’ brings down the house with lightning-fast improvisation, electrifying harmonies, and raucous humor. Deeply rooted in the grooves of Jazz, Funk, R&B and World Music, SLAMMIN’ pushes a cappella music outside the box, and over the ledge.
Zoe Ellis. Her dramatic and colorful voice is well known to Bay Area and overseas music fans. Critics describe her as “a resourceful and inventive vocalist”, and praise her ability to “[keep] the crowd involved with her presence and between-song patter.” Audiences find her performances riveting. Experience her tonight as Zoe also pays a nod to Nina Simone.
Aya De Leon, from appearing on HBO’s Def Poetry, receiving a Goldie Award in Spoken Word from the SF Bay Guardian, being named the best theater discovery by the SF Chronicle to sharing the stage with Eve Ensler, the Roots, and co-authoring the book “How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office”, Aya is a gem in the Bay Area arts scene and thrills us tonight with her brand of spoken word.
Short Films, co-presented with the San Francisco Black Film Festival
Shooter
JJ Goldberger
Tasha is a vibrant, energetic 16 year old shooter in South Central LA who has WNBA star quality. Her coach, Mary, played ball in the same high school and has believed in and nurtured Tasha’s great potential. Monica, Tasha’s older sister has just gotten out of jail, and is in danger of destroying that potential. Coach and Monica are fighting for Tasha’s future, meanwhile Tasha is fighting for herself and for her dreams. Despite all of the violence around her, this is the shot Tasha can’t afford to miss. Winner of Best Short at the San Francisco Black Film Festival and subsequently picked up by HBO
and more…
Afterparty, hosted by Sophie’s MetroSoul, Paradise Lounge 11th Street & Folsom
SF NOIR
www.sfnoir.org
415.263.4874
