WOA blessed the Brook

Peace and Blessings,

I know I'm late in reporting this, but better late than never, right? Sorry!

Well, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 8:22pm Wings of Art was asked to talk about WOA's mission by the lovely ladies of Pi Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The program was a tribute to one of their founding members Osceola MaCarthy Adams who was very much interested in the ARTs. The ladies of DST wanted to educate their peers about the ARTs in showing the appreaciation, as well as versatility.

I must say the program was well presented because there were various forms of art, such as:

This presenter played his trumpet while using 3 random people from the audience to help him make beautiful music. He had one stomp her feet, another clap, and one make sounds, while he played the trumpet. The purpose was show different sounds can come together to make music.

Next, presenter was Jordan 'JD' Crafton who calls himself a storyteller instead of a filmaker. He talked about how he made his transition from being a composer to a storyteller, as well as being a manager. He told us even though he works 40 or more a week he still makes time for his passion/talent. After his presentation he showed us a trailer of one his films. 

WOA approves!

As well as, a saxphone player who told us playing his sax is his LIFE for which he breathes, live, and help pay his bills. WOA this is what you call a DEDICATED artist.

Also, there were 2 young ladies who recited a poem for us.

Here is me with the lovely ladies and host of the program. 

Thank you for having WOA!

Some of the crowd

Laughing with my homie who I thank for coming out to support. Much love

Wileen has been helping with launching WOA and WOA thanks you!

Photographer of the night YvesMarie Vilain. WOA thanks you!

The lovely ladies of Pi Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc

Thank you

for 

having

Wings Of Art

Black ARTistory

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier (1927- ) is an actor, film director, diplomat, and author.
Mr. Poitier was breaking into the acting/film industry during a time of segregation and stereotype of African-Americans. During his time African Americans where portrayed as only singing or dancing and he did neither.
He wanted to be known for his acting skills and nothing else, which is when he got his break.

He joined the American Negro Theater, which lead to his leading role on broadway called "Lysistrata."

Mr. Poitier had a leading role on the film "No Way Out"(1950) as a doctor treating a white bigot, which was normally not a role African Americans played at the time. Mr. Poitier stood by his belief in breaking the stereotypes of African Americans on television.

His achievements:

- First black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor;

- Directed the Richard Pryor-Gene Wilder comedy "Comedy Stir", which was the highest grossing film directed by an African American;

- In 1959 he performed on the broadway play "A Raisin in the Sun", which was the first play by a black playwright to appear on Broadway;

- Directed the first dance battle movie "Fast Forward"(1985);

- In 2001, Poitier received an American Honorary Award for his contribution to American cinema;

- He was a member of the Board of Directors for The Walt Disney Company (1998-2003);

- Currently, he is the ambassador of Bahamas to Japan; and

- In 2009, he received the Medal of Freedom from President Obama.

WOA thanks Mr. Poitier for paving the way for the inspiring black actors. 

"I was the only Black person on the set. It was unusual for me to be in a circumstance in which every move I made was tantamount to representation of 18 million people."


"I had chosen to use my work as a reflection of my values."

Black ARTistory

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou (1928- ) is a REAL woman of ART. Maya Angelou is a woman who used her talent, passion, and especially her wisdom with others.
Some may know Dr. Angelou as only a poet, but she was also a dancer, singer, writer, civil activist and a woman who was intune with her artistic passion.

Dr. Angelou won a scholarship to attend a High School in San Francisco in studying dance and drama.

She was a dancer for the well-known dance company Alvin Ailey.

She recorded her first album Calypso lady in 1957.

She moved to New York in pursuing her writing passion, which is when she joined the Writers Guild (1950s).

She has mastered French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic and the West African language Fanti.

She had the opportunity to be around activists known as Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

She wrote her first novel "I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings", which was published in 1970.

Her screenplay "Georgia, Georgia" (19) was the first film to ever be filmed by an African American woman, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Award.

She read her poem On the Pulse of Morning at Bill Clinton's inauguration.

She has received numerous such as:

The  Langston Hughes Medal;
Grammy for "Best Spoken Word album", On the Pulse of Morning;
Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Association National Award;
Mother Teresa Award; and
Hope for Peace and Justice Voice of Peace award, to name a few

"All great achievements require time"

"I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it"

"I believe every person is born with talent"

"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness"

The Loom

Peace,

Saturday, Feb 6 WOA went out to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to check out The Loom and support Barrelhousenyc. 

This spot had a diverse crowd, as well as various forms of art. 

There were so many rooms with a variety of creativity such as:

Jewelry,

Apparel,

Painting,

Photography, 

Yawn selling, and a Rock band to entertain.

WOA is all about creativity, the arts, and seeing inspiring talents showcase their work, as well as seeing people giving them the opportunity to do so.

I spoke to the creator of the clothing design called Closet Envi, who told me the owner of the building is giving anyone who wants a room to showcase their work.

An opportunity to have a room for a month!

True love!

Love to see when people give young talents an opportunity to make their Dream a Reality.

Closet Envi

Design from Closet Envi

Black ARTistory

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday (1915-1959), is a well known singer and jazz vocalist. Growing up it was difficult for Holiday, but she found her sanction in singing. Holiday would sing at local clubs in New York City, which is when she renamed herself "Billie" after a film star Billie Dove. 

At the age of 18, Holiday was discovered by a producer named John Hammond while performing at a Harlem Jazz Club. From that moment on, Holiday's journey began:

- She was one of the first African American females to work with a white orchestra.

- She appeared in a New Orleans film with her idol Louis Armstrong.

-  She signed to the record label Columbia in the late 1930s.

- Holiday struggled with narcotics and drugs.

- She performed at a sold out concert at Carnegie Hall in 1948 and 1956. A major accomplishment for a black artist, especially during a time of segregation.

- Performed on CBS's program called The Sound of Jazz.

- Had her first tour in Europe in 1954.

- Some of her well-known songs are "God Bless the Child", "Lady Sings the Blues", & "Strange Fruit", to name a few. 

Billie Holiday was a woman who struggled in finding herself in a world that was segregated, even though it was a difficult task she overcame through her passion- Singing. Today, she has left a legacy for all the Black, female singers of today.

WOA thanks Mrs. Billie Holiday aka Lady Day for her voice. 

"I can't stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession, let alone two years or ten years. If you can, then it ain't music, it's close-order drill or exercise or yodeling or something, not music"

Black ARTistory

Peace and Blessings, 

This month (February) is known as "Black History Month." Black History Month is a month when people honor and recognize influential African Americans, who overcame the challenges they faced in a society that wanted to keep them unknown. They were judge because of the color of their skin! 

These influential African Amercians that we honor today knew in their hearts that their voices needed to be heard, no matter what bumps, beatings, threats, or scare came there way. 

They had a DREAM and VISION.

We thank and honor these INSPIRATIONAL, MOTIVATIONAL, & COURAGEOUS African- Americans.

 Here are some we thank:

Dr. Martin Luther King;

Rosa Parks ;

Harriet Tubman;

Federick Douglass;

Madame C. J. Walker;

Jackie Robinson;

W.E.B. DuBois;

Mae C. Jemison;

Barbara Jordan; and

Pres. Barack H. Obama.

Wings of Art recognizes these courageous beings, but WOA is about the ARTS. 

What about the ARTISTIC and TALENTED African-Americans who paved the way for the talents of  today and the future?

This month WOA is turning Black History into "Black ARTistory" in honoring and recognizing the many talented African-Americans who paved the way for so many Black artist of today, but go unrecognized.