Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 41

SFJAZZ Collective: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

'The SFJAZZ Collective is a talented cohort of artists who perform arrangements of works by modern composers and also newly commissioned pieces by each member of the band. The ensemble released New Works Reflecting the Moment (Live from the SFJAZZ Center 2021), an album addressing racial injustices, the ongoing pandemic and political polarization. In this concert, the musicians perform three songs from that project. "Ay Bendito" was written by tenor saxophonist David Sánchez, and its title is slang for "oh my God'' or "aw man"; it's also subtitled "The Struggle Continues".'

Looking for Justice and Accountability After Police Killed Breonna Taylor

'Former Louisville metro police department detective, Kelly Goodlett, pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy in association with the murder of Breonna Taylor in March of 2020. Goodlett admitted to helping falsify information in order to obtain a search warrant. Taylor was asleep when police officers barged into her apartment and killed her in her bed, allegedly searching for Taylor’s former boyfriend whom they suspected of dealing drugs. Joining The Takeaway to talk about Goodlett’s plea and police accountability in the aftermath of Breonna’s death is Treva Lindsey,  Professor in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department at Ohio State University.'

Graphic Novel 'Squire' Uses Fantasy to Explore Themes of Racism and Oppression

'Celeste Headlee's conversation with Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas co-authors of the fantasy graphic novel Squire about a young girl who dreams of becoming a knight.'

The Limits with Jay Williams: Tracy Oliver on Navigating Hollywood by Embracing the Unexpected

'Hollywood powerhouse Tracy Oliver sums up her career simply. "When people go right, I always tend to go left." She wrote the hit 2017 film Girls Trip, becoming the first Black woman to pen a movie that grossed over $100 million at the box office. On this episode of The Limits, Tracy tells host Jay Williams how she has navigated her biggest Hollywood successes, from an eight-figure deal with Apple, to creating and executive producing the Amazon series, Harlem.'

Jerrod Carmichael is Ready for the Truth

'In the spring of 2022, comedian Jerrod Carmichael released his latest Emmy-nominated stand-up special, Rothaniel on HBO Max. In the new act, Carmichael comes out as gay, but the special is an exploration both of his own secrets as well as the ones held by previous generations of men in his family. It’s part of an exciting new chapter in Carmichael’s career that also includes his directorial debut “On the Count of Three,” and his Emmy-nominated performance guest hosting SNL earlier this year. The Takeaway speaks with Carmichael about embracing honesty in his work.'

Remembering Anne Brown, Gershwin's Original Bess

'Composer George Gershwin heard only one Bess sing in Porgy and Bess. Soprano Anne Brown had written him a letter when she read that he was writing a folk opera about African Americans in South Carolina. She was a native of Baltimore, the great-granddaughter of slaves on her father's side, and the first Black vocalist ever accepted at Juilliard. Might he consider her for a part, she wondered. For audiences in 1935, Brown must have seemed to own the role of Bess. At a time when there were precious few classically trained Black singers, this newcomer was a revelation.'

Richard J. Powell on Colorstruck! Painting, Pigment, Affect

'Richard J. Powell of Duke University traces the visual and conceptual synergies of colors in the works of selected painters. Color does more than serve artistic goals and capture the attention of viewers; it assaults one’s equilibrium. In the case of painters—for whom hue and pigmentation carry surplus associations—color performs extra duties, especially when prismatic interactions and the sociocultural dynamics of race collide in unanticipated ways. This is the first talk of the six-part series “Colorstruck! Painting, Pigment, Affect,” for the 71st A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts.'

Sidik Fofana on Gentrification and Teaching in Public Schools

'Sidik Fofana, author of the author of Stories from the Tenants Downstairs joins Greenlight Bookstore in Fort Greene for a reading and conversation with author Chantal V. Johnson.'

Running While Black: Latinas Run

'In this episode of VICE TV's Running While Black, in partnership with #adidas, Maria Solis Belizaire, the Afro-Latinx founder of Latinas Run.' 

Why Tracking White Supremacy Is Crucial to Combating It

'Even though they're relatively smaller numbers, they can cause a tremendous amount of misery for a lot of people' — This org tracks white supremacy across the U.S. Here's why that data is crucial in combating hate and extremism. (warning: distressing themes)' -- NowThis News