Arts and Culture

The Black Repertory Group Cites Broken Promises from City of Berkeley

On March 22, the Berkeley City Council passed its first phase of reparations to descendants of slaves. According to City Council, the reparations bill was passed to address past economic inequities to descendants of enslaved Africans.

Published

8 months ago

October 10, 2023

Oakland Post

The 2017 Wiz production at the Black Rep was attended by youth from Camp Sweeney, a juvenile detention facility. After release some of the youth came back to the theater and joined as volunteer help. Photo by Elise Evan.

Part 1

By Tanya Dennis

Led by City Councilmember Ben Bartlett, the reparations legislation was co-sponsored by Mayor Jesse Arreguin who said, “The time for reparations is long overdue. By beginning this process, Berkeley can become a leader in righting the wrongs of our history.”

Another co-sponsor, City Councilmember Sophie Hahn said, “We are overdue to confront the many ways our city has been active and complicit in discrimination against African Americans and launch a new path forward for the equitable future we all yearn for.”

Black Repertory Group owners Dr. Mona Scott and her son, Sean Scott, question the politician’s words when those speakers have ignored their commitment to fund the theater $25,000 a year for “maintenance and upkeep.” For 23 years the city has failed to keep its promise to the oldest black-owned theater west of the Mississippi located at 3201 Adeline Ave.

Sean Scott, grandson of theater founders, Nora and Birel Vaughn, says that the theater has been under assault by the city of Berkeley for years, and cites gentrification as the engine trying to drive them out of their location.

“The City Council general fund budget allocated the Black Rep $25,000 a year for upkeep and maintenance almost 30 years ago,” Scott said. “They haven’t kept that promise for 23 years, and don’t even pick up the trash from our location. Now they want to do a safety walk through to assure we’re compliant.”

Scott says this is not the first time they have experienced issues with the city, from whom they lease the building for $1.00. “They broke into our building last year, prying the side door open to assure we are ADA compliant. My grandparents built this facility to be ADA compliant and the city knows this. We filed a police report but have heard nothing. They’re coming back on Sept. 15 looking for a reason to shut us down.”

In 1993, the Scotts were told to suspend all plays, then the city reneged on the Rep’s mortgage, set the news against them, and attempted to give the theater to the Shotgun Players.

Berkeley Rep Executive Director Mona Scott says that there were times the city supported them: during Gus Newport’s term as mayor of Berkeley from 1979 to 1986 and Mayor Shirley Dean from 1994 to 2002.

“Since then, there have been major disparities in funding between us and white theaters. Berkeley Repertory in 2001 received $4 million from the city to build their theater, which they sold back to the city and the city even help them build an artist-in-residence facility. In contrast our theater survives through sheer grit and sacrifice.”

Mona, who is Sean’s mother, frequently uses her Social Security check to pay theater expenses, and Sean works two jobs and says he contributes a portion of his wages toward theater operations.

After explaining the large scope of plans for reparations, Bartlett responded to questions about Black Rep. “There are plans that the theater will remain a Black theater, we’re just not sure about the current owners with whom we’re currently in litigation because they have not paid certain fees and maintained the building.”

When asked if he was aware the city had not paid $25,000 a year for 23 years for maintenance, Bartlett says he had heard that but was not fully aware of the situation and understood that to be an issue in the litigation.

American playwright, novelist and poet Ishmael Reed, a Black Rep board member says, “the city bends over backwards for white theater groups while we get nothing. They even cut our free lunch program.

“We were feeding kids lunch and snacks, a federal program that paid the city $25 for each lunch. They cut us saying we didn’t meet census requirements and that if our kids wanted food they’d have to go to Strawberry Canyon, miles away from us. If that isn’t systemic racism, I don’t know what is.”

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Art

Mayor Breed, Actor Morris Chestnut Attend S.F.’s Indie Night Film Festival

On June 1, the acclaimed Los Angeles-based Indie Night Film Festival arrived at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco. San Francisco native Dave Brown, Founder and CEO of the Indie Night Film Festival, has a vision for the film industry that is squarely focused on promoting the many talented producers, actors, and designers contributing to this billion-dollar industry. The festival has been running for 12 years and it’s only up from here, he says.

Published

3 days ago

June 13, 2024

Oakland Post

(Left to Right) Dave Brown, CEO, Indie Night Festival, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, and actor Morris Chestnut. Photo by Y’Anad Burrell

By Y’Anad Burrell

On June 1, the acclaimed Los Angeles-based Indie Night Film Festival arrived at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco.

San Francisco native Dave Brown, Founder and CEO of the Indie Night Film Festival, has a vision for the film industry that is squarely focused on promoting the many talented producers, actors, and designers contributing to this billion-dollar industry. The festival has been running for 12 years and it’s only up from here, he says.

A weekly celebration of cinematic artistry designed to elevate emerging talent while providing a platform for networking and collaboration, entrepreneur Dave Brown created Indie Night to bridge gaps within the filmmaking community by fostering connections between like-minded individuals worldwide. The Indie Film Festival currently has over 450 film submissions worldwide, and its cinematic vault only continues to grow.

The festival showcased over 10 short films and trailers, and featured Faces of the “City: Fighting for the Soul of America,” produced by veteran actor Tisha Campbell. This film is about the vibrancy and legacy of San Francisco. The festival also previewed “When It Reigns,” a trailer by Oakland’s burgeoning filmmaker Jamaica René.

Indie films have not just challenged traditional cinematic norms; they’ve shattered them. These films offer unique storytelling perspectives and push creative boundaries in truly inspiring ways. With their smaller budgets and independent spirit, they often tackle unconventional subjects and portray diverse characters, providing a refreshing alternative to mainstream cinema. As a result, indie films have resonated with audiences seeking an escape from formulaic blockbusters and are increasingly celebrated for their authenticity and originality.

Organizers say the mission of Indie Night is to elevate the craft of independent artists and creators. It also provides a venue for them to showcase their work, network, and exchange information with new and established creatives. It creates a community that values and supports independent art.

For more about the Indie Night Film Festival, visit www.indienightfilmfestival.com.

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Arts and Culture

Point Richmond Music Unveils Summer Concert Series Lineup

If the first performer set for Point Richmond’s Summer Music Festival is any indication, the concert series has some fantastic tunes in store for local concertgoers. The one and only Fantastic Negrito will kick off the concert series Friday, June 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.-ish with his unique blend of blues, R&B, soul and roots music.

Published

1 week ago

June 7, 2024

Oakland Post

Point Richmond Music Festival. Photo by Daud Abdullah.

By Kathy Chouteau

The Richmond Standard

If the first performer set for Point Richmond’s Summer Music Festival is any indication, the concert series has some fantastic tunes in store for local concertgoers.

The one and only Fantastic Negrito will kick off the concert series Friday, June 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.-ish with his unique blend of blues, R&B, soul and roots music.

The artist, who was born Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, had a serious early-career car crash that damaged his guitar playing hand. But he rose above it to reemerge as the rebranded “Fantastic Negrito” in 2014, earning multiple accolades — including multiple Grammys — upon his musical rebirth, according to his bio.

Negrito’s current album is “White Jesus Black Problems,” called by his website “an exhilarating ode to the power of family and the enduring resilience of our shared humanity.”

Point Richmond’s Summer Music Festival has two more concerts lined up as well, starting with the “swampy tonk” sounds of Miracle Mule on Friday, July 26 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Also performing that night will be Lorin Rowan + the Deep Blue Jam, featuring Americana, rock, roots, and reggae tunes from 6:45 to 8 p.m.-ish.

The concert series’ final performances occur Friday, Aug. 23, when Van Goat rocks out from 5:30-6:30 p.m., followed by the Latin, Venezuelan and Caribbean vibes of Bululú from 6:45 to 8 p.m.-ish.

In addition to dancing in the street to the music, Point Richmond’s many restaurants will be open during the concerts, along with face painting for the kids and art by The Arts of Point Richmond.

The concert series is organized by Point Richmond Music. Find the concert venue at the corner of Park Place and Washington Avenue in Point Richmond.

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Art

El Cerrito Calls for Artists to Transform Its Utility Boxes

The City of El Cerrito’s Arts & Culture Commission is seeking individual artists, teams of artists or community groups to apply for its “2024 Utility Box Public Art Program.” The project is a beautification initiative designed to add to the vibrancy of the San Pablo Avenue corridor by having community artists transform unsightly utility boxes into attractive works of art, according to the City.

Published

1 week ago

June 7, 2024

Oakland Post

An artist stands by their work that transformed the utility box from drab to fab. Photo courtesy of the City of El Cerrito.

By Kathy Chouteau

The Richmond Standard

Do you have an idea for beautifying urban public spaces with your art? If so, this initiative might be perfect for you.

This program’s theme is “Artwork that Celebrates El Cerrito’s Natural Beauty and Environment,” and any artist/team/community group residing in Contra Costa County can apply. The boxes, including one main utility box and a smaller traffic signal box adjacent to each other, are located at Ashbury and Fairmount Avenues, next to Harding Elementary School in El Cerrito.

A $2,500 stipend is offered for each utility box completed and the application is due Friday, June 14, at 4 p.m. Work on the boxes begins Aug. 5, with work to be completed by Sept. 6.

To date, eight utility boxes have been painted by local artists as part of the initiative throughout 2021 to 2023. Artists including Adaleyd DeLeon, Kristen Kong, Shanna Strauss, Martial Yapo, Jesse White and Ricardo Cerezo have been selected by the city to beautify utility boxes with their art since the program’s inception.

Questions? Contact Will Provost at 510-215-4318 or wprovost@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us. Applications can be submitted online https://el-cerrito.org/1522/Utility-Box-Public-Art-Program