‘Arts’ Archives
40 Years Of Mayday in 3 Short Films (A Fundraiser For Mayday)
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre is proud to host a premiere showing of three short films by filmmakers Mike Rivard, Will Hommeyer and Daniel Polsfuss exploring the first 40+ years of our MayDay Parade, Ceremony and Festival. Each film represents the unique artistic perspective of one of these filmmakers. The event will raise funds to support MayDay 2016. Digging deep into the archives, these films use music, interviews, location video, archived photography and graphics to bring to life the astounding history and impact of 40 years of MayDay. With support from the McKnight Foundation, the films tell the MayDay story from three points of view: The artistry and artists as they develop the spectacle through the unique visual language that is HOBT, the content as a social/political response to the times, and the community created when hundreds of artists, children, families and production volunteers work together to create the event that [...]
Oscar “White Out”
BY HOWARD McQUITTER II There should not be any surprise African American thespians, directors or screenwriters are facing whiteout for two consecutive years. Still I”'m surprised that many Blacks are surprised that they are roundly left out of every category for the Oscars this year. Last year, the only piece by an African American nominated for an Oscar was “Selma”; the director Ava DuVernay and actor David Oyelowo, both Black,are snubbed. It”'s obvious the white Hollywood club has unceremoniously ruled again the work by Black artists isn”'t “worth “their time. By the way, the Academy decided to have a token African American, yes, the host Chris Rock. To bring political correctness to the farce at the glitterati many whites both in the audience and at home may be looking for a minstrel show by Rock. Here”'s the deal. African Americans must stop the usual whining and begging White folks do not do them right. What Blacks must [...]
“Chi Raq”: Fails! Should have succeeded
BY HOWARD MCQUITTER II On the one hand, Spike Lee puts a spotlight on the serious problem in Black America: staggering murders among African Americans, particularly the young, mainly with young black males being both perpetrator and victim the bulk of the time. On the other hand, “Chi Raq,” the title of his most recent film, too often swings wildly into farce. Lee”'s film is too schizophrenic to be a good movie which obscures what could have been good maybe if he had stuck to keeping “Chi Raq” a drama. Samuel L. Jackson”'s role as Dolmedes, the “comic” relief, is wasted in farce appearing periodically in the movie at times when the movie should have taken its seriousness in those areas that desperately requires it. Jackson, impeccably dressed in various colored three-piece suits, near the beginning of the movie, in rather sardonic tone, tells the audience: “Welcome to ”˜Chi Raq”', land of pain, misery, and [...]
