SistahCraft

Happy New Year! Springing Up, and Out towards the Sunlight––Row 1

My Vacation To Do List, For Art, Music, And Whatever!

(Up close, it's mind boggling! "Peace Meditation of the Third Eye." Quilt, by Robin Mahone-Lonesome; photo, D. James Dee; all pics enlarge).

Friends! I feel blessed to be on vacation in time to celebrate Easter, the beginning of the New Year, along with a number of other cultures on our planet. I long ago gave up on the Gregorian Calendar––looking out of my window at New Year's––I saw no newness.

Now as the daffodils are starting to push up from the ground in my building's courtyard, I'm feeling my own upward push toward renewal and creative growth. Which is exactly why––tomorrow––Mr. K and I are out the door for the opening reception, of new works by the intrepidly creative sistahs of The Harlem Girls Quilting Circle. My girl (and one of the artists exhibiting) Michelle Bishop, blessed me with this info.

Speak Out!––is a correspondence, using the quilt medium to represent the voices of a group of women fearlessly exploring the social issues impeding our progress at the present time. Taking place in collaboration with the Franklin H. Williams Caribbean Cultural Center (they have a most beautiful intro for their 30th anniversary), it's happening from 5 to 8 p.m. in the gallery. RSVP to Monthina Williams at 212 307 7420, ext. 3006. The suggested donation is $5.00US, C.C.C.A.D.I. members free.

Now, if you cannot make the opening, it's okay, the best is yet to come! Put this in your calendar. There will be a panel discussion with the artists next month, and an African-inspired quilt workshop, in June. And trust me, these sistahs rarely hold workshops, so ya' don't wanna miss it! (Ya' hear that Trina?). The show is up until June 27th.

Tie A Yellow Ribbon, In The Following Places!

The fantastic film of my ubiquitous co-worker, Joy Dietrich, is on the move! For those of ya'll who inquired, I know it's been a minute, but festival season is here, and with it––screenings! Check this link, then go and tell her Sahara said hi! And hey––holla' back with your thoughts on this movie.

Okay, I gotta go put some food in me, so I can come back and put up another post, about my arm's-length list of places to go and people to see!

Ailing In The Apple––I've Returned, And There's News!

There's No Place Like Their Home

(Check Della, enjoying the AC. As I have a bad cold, ya' think she'd be nice enough to post for me. Felix (the cat), was chagrined, so he hid––feh. All pics enlarge)

Hey there! (cough, sniff)

I've returned from London, with two souvenirs: an ashtray for my close friend and star mixologist, the über-cool Sharon "Boi" Jackson, and a nasty cold from the menopausal weather they call summer. And yes, I did buy some yarn––many thanks to all you enablers that  commented, particularly Chris, who got there first; thank the ancestors, a weak dollar, gave me the strength to say no (after the first purchase). I also took in a good part of the city, while Mr. K––who humorously now refers to himself as the low-rent mogul––was back to back in business meetings.

Back in the city that never slept, the announcements kept coming in, so my adventures will have to wait. Folks, here's the latest and the greatest…

Bringing Joy To The Big Screen

(Not yellow, but golden––like the color of honey; a photo of Joy D.––you GO, sistah).

After a coupla years of hard work, and a lot of support, my co-worker Joy Dietrich finally released her film––and it won a Jury Award for Best Director at  CineVegas! Tie A Yellow Ribbon parts the blinds for a glimpse into the world of young Asian-American women, in particular, a troubled Korean adoptee. 

Her movie, which she co-produced with Jed Films, will have its New York premier at the 10th annual Urbanworld/Vibe Film Festival, this Saturday June 23, and at the 30th annual Asian American International Film Festival, on Friday, July 27th. Do go to the Jed Film's site for a look at the slammin' trailer, and information about the production.

Now, I'm not gonna rant, but hey––put down your needles and hooks, and get out to either––or both––of these venues, so that your brain can get some real refreshment. You know why? Because there are stereotypes more important to counteract, than merely the perception of knitters––trust me.

Why You Should Go See Jindabyne…

… Because Actions, Sometimes Don't Speak At All

(Still photo by Ray Lawrence, for April Films)

A young Australian Aboriginal woman is murdered, her body tossed in a river. The discovery of her corpse by a group of white fisherman, and what they do––or don't do––brings to the surface either questions or answers, depending on who you identify with in the film. This in itself is not easy, because almost all of the main characters are suffering from submerged emotional baggage. And despite sincere, but misguided attempts at restitution to the family, by the emtionally invalidated wife of one of the men––the one question that links everybody to the victim––who killed her?––is never addressed. Is this because those directly involved, can't seem to rise above their inability to give voice to, or own their actions, in order to transfer humanity to the deceased? Then what is the effectiveness of apology, if it releases only the killer?

Over the weekend, Mr. K and I went to see the U.S. release of Jindabyne (April Films), a deftly written adaptation of the short story "So Much Water So Close to Home," by Raymond Carver. My creative and conscious-thinking friend and knitter, Phillipa Bateman, who co-executive produced this picture, did wise to get this film out. A beautifully shot, and intelligently directed (Ray Lawrence) psychological drama, this film illuminates the stifling effect ingrained belief systems have, in navigating issues involving race, gender and our emotional responsibility to each other. Moments of arm-rest squeezing suspense, make you even more upset at folk's self absorption. It's about the young woman. So why is everyone acting like they're the victims? Make sure you get out to this movie. Good on ya' Pippa!

An Imperative Post! Read This, And Don't Turn the Page!

Stop Whatever You're Doing; Change Your Plans and Get to This Festival! I'm Serious!

Mahen, please forgive me for borrowing these images; I'm hurrying to post, and will attribute credits shortly. Thank you, and thank you for your work, over the past decade! Hope to see you, as I'll be there throughout, with bells on!

Today is the opening of The 13th African Film Festival! (the April 20th date was the panel discussion at the Apollo Theater).

When I hear the name "Africa" or "African" mentioned anytime I am out, It is amazing–and–depressing, to see how much of folks knowledge of the continent and people–my people, your people, our people, as we're all human beings, remember?–is still formed by the media. This is your chance to see works that will educate you and counteract stereotypes, answer questions, enlighten and entertain. Trust me, my program is printed out, and the films circled. I'm postponing a meeting in order to see some films tomorrow (in fact, I'm attempting to take my clients with me and have the meeting afterward).

This Festival Has It All!

A few–I can't list them all–of the highlighted films on my program are:

All  About  Dafur (photo, above). It is imperative that the situation in Dafur is told from the perspective of those within Sudan, and not those from the outside of the country. The director, Tahgreed Elsnahouri, does just that, by speaking to the Sudanese in their environment. This film highlights an example of how deeply rooted prejudices could suddenly burst into a wildfire of ethnic violence. Americans take note. Elsanhouri says that she made this film "out of a passionate belief that I was uniquely qualified to tell a story of race because, as a northerner in Sudan, I know what it means to belong to a dominant group, and, as a black woman in Britain living with racism, I know what it is like to live marginalized as a minority. It is this double consciousness that informs my story."      

(This photo is from "The Golden Ball," an inspiration!)

Parents, take your kids and/or call their school, so they can go see Amal (U.S. Premiere). The importance of education is brought into high relief. Amal is a 12-year-old girl who lives in the countryside in Morocco. Everyday, she walks with her brother to school. A serious and passionate pupil, her dream is to become a doctor. Amal's dreams are suddenly interrupted the day her parents decide she will not be returning to school anymore.

Music lovers, check out Festival in the Desert: The Tent Sessions, and Fela! Fresh from Africa  (N.Y. Premiere). For those of you who are not familiar with Fela Kuti: This incredible documentary guides viewers through Fela Kuti's triumphant return to NYC after his release from prison in Nigeria, where he participated in Amnesty International's concert of hope and an anti-apartheid rally. The local Afrocentric community embraced this cultural icon and gave him a surprising view of his world impact, even after his 17-year absence from the city. This was a defining moment for the legendary Nigerian cultural warrior, as he headed into his final decade supported by the love, strength and power of those who remember -- and those who refused to forget.

Gosh, I have highlighted so much! Les Saignantes (N.Y. Premiere), from the acclaimed maverick director Jean-Pierre Bekolo (Quartier Mozart, Aristotle's Plot), this was one of the first science-fiction films coming out of Africa.

Little Senegal, dealing with a brother's inquiry into his heritage and the slave trade that takes him to America, and to Harlem. This film is particularly touching for me, as I lived in that area of Harlem when "Little Senegal" was first forming, back in '86'. To be honest, It was the Senegalese that brought the area back from abandonment. When they first started arriving, the resemblance of us to each other was outrageous, with mistaken "identities" causing laughter, pain and eventually friendship (a big shout out to my former neighbor Fatou, and to Toure´, who's now big time in Hotlanta!).

There's a program "Out in South Africa", Co-presented with NewFest: The New York LGBT Film Festival, of short films dealing with gay and lesbian rights in the southern end of the continent. From Enraged by a Picture (U.S. Premiere), where lesbian photographer Zanele Muholi challenges her community's taboos by showing her provocative work in the heart of Soweto township; Outlaw Culture (U.S. Premiere), a documentary accusing South Africa's media of repeatedly and consciously delivering gay issues and stories in a negative fashion, and finding answers behind the homophobia; to
Two Moms (U.S. Premiere), an intimate profile of the lesbian couple Suzanne du Toit and Anna-Marie de Vos, and their two adopted children, forever changing the rights of gay and lesbian adoptive parents in South Africa; and more.

Okay, I have given you enough. This festival is as large as the continent itself and just as diverse! I hope this announcement will encourage you to go to their link, print out the offerings and GO! Don't be afraid! It's okay to have some of your media-formatted erroneous belief systems shook up. It's for the better. That's why I go. Because having an informed and open mind, leads to open action.

WhereMySistahsandBrothersIsAt!?

Now, for those of you in other states who missed the festival when it was traveling earlier in the year, you can request these films to be shown in your area! Organize! Call your schools or your home-schooling group–Latoya, you hear me? Erica? Stephan? Franklin? Nakachi? 
 Njoya? Everybody in my sidebar? Spread the word. My sister Mahen would be happy to hear from you, I'm sure.

Knitting will be back later. Catch y'all at the movies!

New swatches. Kinda' seems boring, after this.

 

 

 

Row 2–Women's Big Up Month!

Another Knitting Icon...

(Dorothy Parker as a modern day Betsy Ross or Madame Defarge       
Oil on Canvas: 22 x 30").

I figured I start off the month with a bit of irony and sarcasm; dearest Dorothy was an avid knitter, and was rarely seen without her knitting bag. For me, she laid waste to the errant belief that knitters are, for the most part, nice people.

One of her more endearing opinions, was put forth in her first theater review for Vanity Fair in 1918; she recommended a lackluster Broadway musical as "'a great place to get some knitting done.'" In the past, having sat through a number of such performances on a smaller scale (Broadway tickets being too expensive to court failure), I took her advice and ordered a Beam N Read® hands free light.

I didn't have to bring it with me, this past Monday night at Joe's Pub.  My acquaintance, the copiously talented choreographer Ken Roberson, staged an energetic, and hilarious cabaret performance. His "Middle Age Passage Crisis", took me on an excursion through the hills and valleys of his life; from his current incarnation as a middle-aged gay brother, back through his past and forward again via song, narrative, and some whirlwind choreography (I know not to go out dancing with you, as you'll make me look way too slow.) Accompanied by a trio and two back up singers (one, the daughter of a Broadway diva), his rendition of Billy Holiday's "God Bless the Child"–"God bless the child who's got a phone…'" describing a dancer's difficulty paying the bills–had me on the floor. Even old Dorothy herself woulda' put her drink down, for that one. You Go, Ken!

It's Big Up Time!

In my first series of mentions for Women's Big Up Month, I am finally posting pictures of my "Student of the Month," Leonor M.'s first scarf (worn by her sweetie, the recipient). She taught him how to knit, and he now appreciates the process. She has since knitted another scarf, and informed me that she knits everywhere!

I hope that her next project when we meet up, will be a sweater for Stella, her "it" puppy. Stella's picture will be shown at the ASPCA's new state-of-the-art adoption facility, this spring.

The scarf is Brown Sheep Worsted, knitted on size 10 needles.

That's it for now, as I'm actually in bed somewhat early, for a change; coming furiously soon–Michelle's new classes for the season, and a showcasing for the Knitting Out of Africa book. New York knitters, the sweaters are here! Here's a hint–think Knitty City…

 

 

 

If You Want A Finished Object...Leave New York City

More Distraction!

I swear, it always happens when you are at the halfway point in your projects. Now, is when you need the time to finish, and suddenly there's a whole new wave of events to help you procrastinate. Here we go...

This is the addendum to Rugged Lace Shell (you can click on image for enlargement), so you won't think I haven't been getting any knitting done. This spec was generated by software from Cochenille Designs, Garment Designer®. It makes me happy, because It gives me a lot of liberty to tweak the fit details of  variety of styles.

I am almost finished with the back, and I thank the ancestors for 13's, in spite of the fact that I have to knit slowly on them because they make my hands hurt after a while.

It was during one of these frequent hand breaks, I found this article on gauge and proper swatching in the Men's issue of Knitty.

I found it telling that the designers in the men's issue,  contributed pieces developed primarily for the men in their lives. While I found it  romantic, what happened to everyone else? 

Despite the fact that Mr. K is the focus of my attention–and, in keeping with his ahead of season fashion tastes–has a pile of knits to attest to that–he is not the only man I look at, or talk to. Keep other men in mind, when designing for publication. Sometimes, your man isn't the standard. And if the sartorial gene pool around you is dry, then check some better men's fashion mags. I mean really.

Speaking of magazines, I thought Cast On had put out a very good issue this month. Only one or two bombs.  There's a men's fair isle that looks really chocolate-y and rich (Dale of Norway), and some on the money articles unmasking stitch and garment techniques. Folks can say what they like, and indeed, CO has had some bad issues, but for learning techniques, in order to raise your skill level so knitting becomes more enjoyable, you can't beat it. Hey, I renewed my membership.

But, it's gonna be hard to raise your skill levels with all this goin' on! Who-o-o-o-e-e! Check what's next!...