public programs and events
Exhibit Programs and special events
Friday, May 9, 2008, 6:30pm - The Langston Hughes Project.
Refreshments & The African Presence in Mexico exhibit @ 6:30pm. Performance @ 8:00 pm. A brief post-show discussion immediately following the reading both days.
Watts Village Theater Company (WVTC) has parterned with the California African American Museum and Facing History and Ourselves to explore Afro-Latino relations throughout the greater Los Angeles community. Our objective is to highlight and build upon positive historic examples of collaborations between these two communities.
WVTC has commissioned Los Angeles playwright Lynn Manning to develop the script for The Langston Hughes Project, about a year Langston Hughes lived and worked in Mexico with his father between 1920-1921. The time Hughes spent immersed in Mexican culture influenced his writing and played a significant part in his outstanding contributions to the Harlem Renaissance.
Free admission. Parking at 39th & Figueroa $6.00.
The Performance will be repeated on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at the Robert Pitts Center, 1827 E. 103rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90002. Refreshments at 1pm and Performance @ 2pm. (Brief post-show discussion immediately following the reading.) Free admission - Free parkig available. For reservations call 323-397-7749.
Sunday, May 11, 2008, 1-3pm - African By Legacy, Mexican By Birth
Writer Marco Villalobos discusses his experiences of the Afro-Mexican communities of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Veracruz traveling with photographer Ayana V. Jackson. Both collaborated on an exhibit and book titles African By Legacy, Mexican By Birth. Following the Q & A, Mr. Villalobos will sign copies of the book.
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 11am - Ears are Burning, Children are Learning
The day of storytelling and workshops begins at 11:00 pm as children get hands-on experience making fancy paper with Museum Curator Mar Hollingsworth, have museum tours and engage in gallery games. At 1:00pm children will design collages of black baseball legends with fine artist Elliott Pinkney, make one-of-a-kind doll bookmarks with artist Teresa Tolliver, produce decorative book plates with Wanda Clarke and make pop-up books with Fernando Vargas.
Join storyteller Ina Buckner-Barnette, as she spins magical stories throughout the afternoon, Illustrator/author/fine artist Kadir Nelson, as he reads from his authorial debut, We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, a New York Times best-selling tribute to the Negro Baseball Leagues, Max Benavidez, a writer and independent scholar writing as Alex del Rio, Benavidez will read from his Teo series, Teo in Palo Verde which focuses on the communal area of Los Angeles, which is now home to Dodger Stadium and David G. Brown an artist, educator and publisher who will read from one of his cartoon books Tales from the Kids: Adventures in Jazz and will teach a workshop on cartooning.
Sisters Guitar Sallye and Tamah who created the Nu Family Band will perform music that will, in their words, “help make a better day for the children.” Comprised of family members and friends, the message from this performance group is very simple—to pass musical knowledge and experience on to today’s youth and to keep them in school.
Authors will be available to sign their books although guests may bring their own books from home or feel free to purchase from an array of children’s books that will be sold on site through EsoWon Books. This program is sponsored by the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, CVS/Pharmacy with assistance from the Friends, The Foundation of the California African American Museum.
Saturday, May 24, 2008, 1pm - Our Roots
Have you ever wondered where your great granddaddy came from or how your family ended up in California? Charlotte Bocage of the Southern California Genealogy Society discusses methods and resources which assist us in recovering some of our forgotten family roots. Ms. Bocage also provides websites for the attendees to continue their search as well as her e-mail address.
Sunday, May 25, 2008, 1pm - What Happened to the Voodoo Queens in Mexico?
Dr. Patrick Polk, lecturer/senior museum scientist in the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures explores the presence of African traditional religion and spiritual practice in Mexico while emphasizing the colonial period and how these ritual practices relate to the broader African Diaspora.
Saturday, June 7, 2008, 1-3pm - A Migration Storyboard
Join local artist Irina Contreras as she guides you on a visual journey to illustrate a story of your family's migration on a map, using collage, drawing, and painting. To reserve, call (213) 744-2024.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 2-4pm - Jacob's Odyssey
"I don't think about this series in terms of history...It was a portrait of myself, a portrait of my family, a portrait of my peers..." Discover how contemporary African American artist, Jacob Lawrence, uses memory to inspire his paintings as you, like Lawrence, paint your own migration stories. To reserve, call (213) 744-2024.
Saturday, June 28, 2008, 2pm - Curatorial Walk-through
Gain insight into the founding and development of Allensworth as you walk-through the exhibition with its curator Susan Anderson also Managing Director of LA As Subject, USC Libraries.
Sunday, June 29, 2008, 1pm - Tales of a Journey, Part 1: Traveling Shoes
The Sunshine Story Teller, Ina Buckner-Barnette, invites is to listen to the migration experiences of her own family as they forge a new life in Nicodemus, Kansas, takes us flying with Bessie Coleman, the famous African American aviatrix, and tells us the thrilling story of fantastic escape!
Sunday, July 13, 2008, 1pm - Tales of a Journey, Part 2: Biddy Mason and Others Go West
Biddy Mason, former slave and Los Angeles philanthropist, and a host of characters from the Black West are brought to life by the talented teller of tales, Ellaraino.
Saturday, August 16, 2008, 1pm - Kicking It Up for Families
Enter the world of popular Afro-Brazillian music, dance and martial arts. Mestre Amen Santo demonstrates the energetic and grtaceful art form of Capoiera. Join in, show off your skills and be sure to wear loose clothing.
Sunday, August 24, 2008, 12-1:30 and 2-3:30pm - Allensworth to Scale
In California history and daily life, water plays a crucial role. Allensworth, founded in 1908, is an example of a thriving black community that disappeared when water was diverted to large agricultural locales. Artist/instructor Angela Briggs guides you at CAAM in building housing models by a river using natural elements.
Sunday, September 14, 2008, 1-3pm - Living History
Mrs. Alice Royal, a descendent of Allensworth pioneers, engages in conversation with Susan Anderson, curator of the exhibition, Allensworth, 100 years of the California Dream, and signs her recently published book, Allensworth, the Freedom Colony.