Welcome back from Labor Day, everyone! I trust you had some fun in the beautiful weather. Like you, it’s back to work for us here at Harlem Stage this week, as we begin our fall programming tonight (Sept. 9) with the screening of “La Onda Chicana” (“The Chicano Wave”), part of our long-established Harlem Stage on Screen series. Can you believe we’ve shown more than 500 films over the past 20 years as part of that series?
“La Onda Chicana” traces the evolution of Chicano music, such as Chicano Rock,Tejano, conjunto, country, norteño, by examining how talented performers of Mexican descent like Freddy Fender, Los Lobos, Linda Ronstadt, and Selena, survived discrimination to achieve well-deserved acclaim. “La Onda Chicana” will be screened in the upcoming PBS series, “Latin Music USA,” so this is your chance to get a sneak peek. A discussion with filmmaker John Valadez and co-producer Laurens Grant and reception will follow. This screening is free, but you must RSVP by email at boxoffice@harlemstage.org or by calling 212-281-9240.
With this screening we are thrilled to be launching an ongoing partnership with the Black Documentary Collective (BDC), an organization we have presented films with in the past, including a tribute to its founder St. Clair Bourne, shortly after his passing. BDC provides people of African descent, who work in the documentary film and video field, a chance to network professionally, promote each others’ work, exchange ideas to generate productions, and advocate about issues that affect black documentarians. As a Harlem Stage partner organization, BDC members will hold its monthly membership meetings and screen films for the public here throughout the year. With their experience, BDC will help us dig deep into these important works and hear from the filmmakers themselves. Four films are scheduled this fall and you can read about all of them on our website by clicking here. Also check out their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/bdcny
Speaking of HarlemStage collaborators, I was thrilled this weekend to open The New York Times and read a wonderful piece about Bill T. Jones and his new work about Abraham Lincoln for the Ravinia Festival in Illinois. (You can read the story here.) Bill has worked at HarlemStage for many years and debuted his work “Chapel/Chapter” here in 2006, a work he created for the Harlem Stage Gatehouse. The Lincoln piece, titled “Fondly Do We Hope … Fervently Do We Pray,” is expected to tour, so I trust we’ll be able to see it in New York before too long. I plan to attend the world premiere in Ravinia next week and greatly anticipate this new work. Not to mention that Bill’s acclaimed musical “Fela!” about the Nigerian composer and musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti, finally opens on Broadway Nov. 23. Congratulations Bill!
Until next week, see you at the Gatehouse!
- Pat
I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and coverage! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.