It’s FINALLY here!!!! The National Black Arts Festival better known as NBAF is about to take over ATL. This is one of the few festivals that preserves and celebrates artists that are African and from the African Diaspora. July 14th - 18th, the festival is highlighting music, visual arts, theatre, dance, film, literary, education and this year they are highlighting BRAZIL!!!

Brazil may be out of the World Cup, but that’s not going to stop NBAF from celebrating another year of the festival with BrazilFest. For a complete list of all the happenings during the festival, make sure you check out their robust website http://www.nbaf.org This is one of my favorite websites right now. Not just because I know the team that designed it but the webisodes and audio clips keep me informed and entertained. I learn so much from this website.

For ticketed events, you can purchase tickets as early as today. Buy tickets in advance so you don't miss out!

Check out some of the events that I am excited about:

BODY AND SOUL
Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 8:00 p.m., $45-$25, Rialto Center for the Arts

Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon revives the lost art of live silent film accompaniment as he and a 16-piece big band performs his original score to Oscar Micheaux’s 1925 film, Body and Soul. Gordon provides a rich musical tapestry for the film which not only highlights his talent as a composer and performer but also contextualizes Micheaux’s genius and innovation as a filmmaker.  Gordon captures the spirit of the characters, the director and the film itself in the work songs, traditional jazz and hymns that are infused in the music.  Body and Soul was actor Paul Robeson’s debut film role as he portrayed Reverend Jenkins, a fugitive who charades as a preacher in rural Georgia, with a penchant for women, gambling, drinking and blackmail.

BRAZIL FEST CONCERT:THE BEST OF BRAZIL featuring IVAN LINS & CASSANDRA WILSON
July 15, 2010, 8:00 p.m., $65-$25, Atlanta Symphony Hall

Experience what the jazz legends already know as the incomparable Ivan Lins, in a rare Atlanta performance, headlines an evening of the Best of Brazilian music. The songbook of Brazilian composer/musician Ivan Lins contains some of the most re-recorded songs in musical history with jazz greats likes Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald recording his music.

Mr. Lins is joined by Bossa singer Marcia Bittencourt, Afro Brazilian percussion group Olodum and Bale de Cidade, a Brazilian modern ballet group. Then, as if the evening couldn’t get any better, special guest Cassandra Wilson takes the stage, collaborating with Lins to bring the Brazilian heat to a sultry Mississippi simmer as only Ms. Wilson can. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event. Get your tickets now!

LEGENDS CELEBRATION: TO CURTIS WITH LOVE
July 16, 2010, 8:00 p.m., $65-$25, Atlanta Symphony Hall

NBAF honors the music and legacy of Curtis Mayfield with To Curtis with Love, our 2010 Legends Celebration.  The Impressions, Eddie Levert, Van Hunt, Frank McComb, Dionne Farris and Joi Gilliam walk through the  Mayfield songbook reminding us of the genius of Curtis Mayfield.  Ten years after his death his music continues to inspire audiences, influence artists and serve as a mirror which reflects our humanity. The music Curtis Mayfield composed and performed is a soundtrack for time past and time yet to come.  He encouraged some to Keep On Pushin’ and took others on a Super Fly trip. The words prolific, veritable and provocative only scratch the surface when referencing this prophet from the South Side of Chicago who became a citizen of the world.  Music Director: Russell Gunn.  Stage Direction/Choreography: Jasmine Guy.

CENTENNIAL PARK MAIN STAGE
July 15-July 18, 2010 Thursday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 p.m.-9 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Centennial Olympic Park

The Music keeps on playing at NBAF with a four day line-up that promises to keep you on your feet and dancing into the night. The Main Stage is headlined by Brazilian based Olodum on Thursday, DJ Kemit and the very popular Spread Love on Friday, Roy Ayers and Common Ground Collective on Saturday and Lizz Wright on Sunday.

THURSDAY
5:00 BRAZIL FEST

The world famous Afro Brazilian percussion group Olodum and celebrated Brazilian composer Ivan Lins headline Brazil Fest on Thursday, July 15.  In partnership with the Consulate General of Brazil in Atlanta and the Brazilian Government we explore Brazil through its cultural contributions.  From don’t miss performances in Centennial Olympic Park and Atlanta Symphony Hall to panel discussions and film, immerse yourself in this cultural journey through Brazil.  NBAF’s got your passport!   Check the website for the full schedule of events!

FRIDAY
5:00 Spread Love with DJ Kemit (House Music, Oldies)
7:00 DJ Kayo’s Golden Age 101 (Hip Hop, House)

SATURDAY
12 :00 DJ Salah with Luis Carreras and Dashill SunNova
2 :30 Ghanaian National Center for Culture Drum and Dance Corps
4:00 Leon and The Peoples
5:45 Russell Gunn Album Release Party @ NBAF
7:30 Roy Ayers and Common Ground Collective

SUNDAY
12:00 Yo! Karaoke with Fahamu Pecou -- I'm making my singing debut this time!
3:00 Jodi Merriday
4:00 Dionne Farris
5:30 Kelsy Davis & Radical Soul
6:30 Lizz Wright

PHILADANCO

July 15 &17, 2009, Thursday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m., $35-$25, Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University   

PHILADANCO turns 40 this year and NBAF is pleased to be a part of the celebration! 40 years of dreams, triumph, skill, energy and determination come to bear on the Rialto stage for two performances only. The evening’s program consists of work by four exciting choreographers and promises to be explosive. A new work to be performed is set to the music of George Clinton, the funkiest man on the planet, so you know you’re in for an unforgettable moment. Get your tickets  early. You won’t want to miss this!

***This is a snippet of the festival. For a complete listing, please go to http://www.nbaf.org!

Recaps:

Day One

Yesterday was the kick off of the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, GA and it was off to a GREAT start! The first event I attended was Lunchtime with a Soap Opera Diva in the Auburn Avenue Research Library.  Soap opera veteran, Victoria Rowell was so INSPIRING. What I thought was going to be a continuation of her performance at the Southwest Arts Center ended up being a conversation of what seemed like two friends in my living room. Entertainment Editor Isoul Harris took the stage with Victoria and had a conversation. They not only covered the career of Victoria Rowell but her personal story as an orphan and her two best sellers, “The Women Who Raised Me” and her latest “Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva.”  During her conversation she shared the struggles of being a black actress, her motivation to write 2 books, how I can get involved in getting “us” represented on TV and so much more. She is the epitome of a diva; a full serving of grace mixed with honesty added with passion, blended with compassion, a cup of style, a dollop of activism with a dash of spice.

***Photo courtesy of NBAF

For the evening, I made my way to the Rialto Center for Body and Soul. Trombonist, Wycliffe Gordon accompanied with a 16-piece big band performed his original score to Oscar Micheaux’s 1925 film, Body and Soul. I felt like I stepped back in time when dressing up to go to a theatre and watching black and white films was the “in” thing to do. I didn’t know what to expect when I read the description of the event but once the band started to play and the movie started, I was overwhelmed. Feeling like I was channeling my great grandmother, it was such a full moment to sit there watching this silent film allowing the music from the live band to guide my emotions. No words from the starring actor, Paul Robeson just movement, some text to read and the sounds of what seemed like 100 horns. Before the show started the United States Postal Service unveiled a stamp dedicated to Oscar Micheaux. The feeling as they took the drape off the enlarged framed limited edition Oscar Micheaux stamp….Historical!

***Photo courtesy of NBAF

By the way, the stamps will be available at the International Marketplace in Centennial Olympic Park. How much are stamps again? I need a book.

Day Two

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