This was one I missed when it came out. Before “freedom fries,” the last great butting of heads between the U.S. and the French was about [mais qui] wine: “Judgement of Paris.” Bottle Shock (2008) dramatizes how California wines from Napa and Sonoma earned their props in 1976–around the same time Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse [...]
For Filmmakers… NEH FUNDING INITIATIVE – BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH FILM: INTERNATIONAL TOPICS – CALL FOR ENTRIES Deadline: July 28, 2010 (receipt deadline); Notification of awards will be in December 2010. Bridging Cultures films will spark Americans’ engagement with the wider world through the exploration of countries and cultures outside of the United States, and/or across [...]
From Reginald Dwayne Betts: Please check out the news of the first reading for my newly released poetry book, Shahid Reads His Own Palm. It’s a special mother’s day edition reading, and I’d love to have some friends come out. The paperback of A Question of Freedom will also be available. WHAT: The Nine On [...]
The Washington Post’s Peeps Show/Contest has become one of my favorite spring traditions. And this year is no exception in terms of creativity and talent. I never thought Peeps were food in the first place. Always left them in my Easter basket. My favorites were the chocolate anything and the colored eggs. This year the [...]
This music special was recorded last night (24 hours before the original date – Feb. 10 and the DC blizzard). “In Performance at the White House” will broadcast tomorrow (Thursday) February 11 on PBS stations (check local listings). It is heartening to see Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, a member of the original Freedom Singers and [...]
I’m still baking chocolate chip cookies from the Christmas batch. Great idea to scoop the cookie dough, plop the balls into a plastic bag, then toss them in the freezer. I bake as the craving hits me. This year I hope I can indulge in the National Museum of the American Indian’s annual “Power of [...]
This is one year I wish I was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. The city’s already pumped about the Saints being in the Super Bowl. And as UndercoverBlackman told me “The city really needs this.” But I’m working Fat Tuesday on another Mardi Gras celebration at Eatonville Restaurant for Food and Folklore. I asked [...]
Anyone who keeps up with the artifact and art market or have seen at least one “Indiana Jones” movie, is familiar with the underground and sophisticated ring of curatorial thieves waiting for an opportunity (natural or man-made) to pounce on valuable artifacts for very wealthy clients. Oh, let me not forget – to feature on [...]
UPDATE: There will be a tribute to Howard Zinn, Monday, February 15 from 6 – 11 PM at Busboys and Poets (2021 14th Street, NW) with Amy Goodman and other special guests; musical performance by Bernice Johnson Reagon (Sweet Honey in the Rock), David Zirin and other friends of Howard Zinn HOWARD ZINN, historian (1922 [...]
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. Had he lived, he would’ve been 81 years old. This was King’s last speech given in the wake of a garbage workers strike in Memphis, Tennessee in April 1968. The next day he was assassinated while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. I’m feeling this speech [...]
