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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2002)
December 25. 200 2 ®l|c Jlartlanò ©bsœruer Page A 7 Focus The delightful photograph o f an African- Am erican child is th e work o f Portland photographer Kelly Johnson. din The music of apartheid Amandala! (Power to the people!) documents the history of freedom songs during the near half-century that South Africa suffered under apartheid. Most songs featured in the film became so popular that the government banned them along with the artists who sang them. Still, the freedom songs created an effective under ground form o f communication within prison boundaries and united a nation of oppressed citizens. Director Lee Hirsch combines an engaging mix of interviews with previously exiled activists and musicians. Friday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. at The Guild Theatre. ‘Champion Blues’ follows life of legend Champion Blues follows a Los Angeles’ singing legend, Mickey Champion, from her roots in Lake Charles, La., to Los Angeles Central Avenue where she performed with Billie Holiday, Dinah W ashington and doubled for Esther Phillips. Champion Blues tells the story o f a woman who has been o f service to the community she loves. Sunday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at The Guild Theatre. Morgan Freeman narrates juke joint film These southern, mostly rural clubs provided the showcase for black artists and the social center for many communities. Focusing on the Subway Lounge in Jackson, one of the last juke joints still operating, Actor Morgan Freeman provides LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER RELEASES NEW BOOK K elly Johnson, a Portland native and photojoum alist best know n for her striking photographs o f A frican- A m erican children, has finished a new book entitled ‘Look at the B aby’ which is on shelves now at Barnes and Nobles and P ow ell’s Books. F ille d w ith J o h n s o n ’s s tu d io p o r tr a its an d d e ta il s h o ts o f e a c h p a rt o f th e b a b y w ith c h ild lik e te x t id e n tify in g th e m , p a re n ts can te a c h th e ir c h ild re n a n a to m y an d photography since she first picked up a cam era at age four. a rt at th e sa m e tim e . “O nce you fall in love w ith som e Johnson started w orking for The O regonian as a photo assistant in thing you get addicted,” she said. 1987. In 1991 she becam e a resident “N ow I ju st can ’t stop.” A nyone interested in Johnson’s staff photographer and left in 1993 to book, greeting cards with her photo w ork on her portraits and books. She has also done w ork for E bony M aga graphs o r scheduling a portrait ses zine and is currently w orking on her sion can contact her by calling 503- 282-2440 or sending an em ail to second book. Johnson has had a passion for brukel4 @ m sn.com . Kelly Johnson the narration. Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at The Guild Theatre. ‘Breath Control’ explores history of hip-hop Director Joey Garfield uses interviews, live performances, archival footage and animation to ' bring to light this important ingredient of Hip- Hop’s identity. W ith the help o f Beat Box pioneers Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie and The Fat Boys, the documentary traces the art form from its basic beat happenings in the 1980’s to its present day multi-layered, polyrhythmic figureheads. Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at The Guild Theatre. Music for pre-civil rights era Deep South Scott Taradash’s atmospheric and music-laden biography of 87-year-old Mississippi Delta blues legend David “Honeyboy” Edwards' life in the pre-civil rights era Deep South. Interwo ven among his colorful storytelling and raw vocal performances are appearances by B.B. Kind, W illie Foster and W aymon Meeks, who all . lend their own insights about the blues. 7 p.m. at The Guild Theatre. Abstract and Representational Group Show Artists Robert Shepard, Gail Jordan, Miriam Badyrka, Roger Friedel, Dean Shapiro, David Coddington, Juergen Eckstein, Raina Imig, John McAnulty, Pattie Palmer-Baker and Julie Ann Smith will show a diverse body o f work through Dec. 31 at theTalism an Gallery, 1476 NE Alberta. When Crocodiles Ruled What was life on Earth like in the years between the dinosaur extinction and the rise of humans? Visitors can find out from now until Jan. 5, as the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry presents “When Crocodiles Ruled,” a fascinat ing exhibit that chronicles some of the 60 million years of time between dinosaurs and humans. OMSI is open Tuesdays through Sundays, from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. through Jan. 5. The museum is located at 1945 S.E. Water. Call 503-797-4000. IFCC Kwanza Celebration Show Over twenty local African American artists will exhibit textiles, paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, mixed media works and sculptures to reflect on one or more of the seven principles of Kwanza. The IFCC is located at 5340 N. Interstate Ave. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. through Jan. For more information, call 503-823-2070. Transitional youth showcase artwork This month the non-profit gallery for homeless and transitional youth will showcase glass works by Erika Kohr and Mel George. Kohrs pieces of mother’s dresses, fathers shoes, beating hearts and fragility pair well with G eorge’s finely crafted miniature versions of ordinary things like bathtubs, folded paper airplanes and tiny polo shirts. P:ear youth will exhibit work in various mediums, from chain mail to oil paints, graphite and plaster through January. A G ood Year for Black Actors 2002 proved a year of gains for African Americans in the film industry (AP) — Halle Berry’s tearful accep tance speech and Denzel W ashington’s nod to Sidney Poitier were just the be ginning. Nine months after their twin Oscars - the first time black actors swept the lead- role Academy Awards - 2002 has proved a year o f gains for black actors in an industry perpetually rebuked for its lack of racial diversity. Although one year does not neces sarily signify long-term change - and the surge in better roles and breakout mov ies did not extend to many black ac tresses - critics and performers say 2002 was a clear improvement. Afterthe awards and commercial suc cess of W ashington’s “Training Day” and Berry’s “M onster’s Ball,” the year saw high-profile films starring Ice Cube, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Wesley Snipes and Will Smith, who along with W ashington had earned a best- actor nomination, for “Ali.” Smaller films with black themes also clicked with audiences, among them the smart rom ance “Brown Sugar,” the “blaxploitation” spoof “ U ndercover Brother” and “Drumline,” the tale of a Harlem drummer competing in a South ern marching band, which opened to solid receipts last weekend. “It’s a huge sign that diversity is here,” Berry said in an interview to promote her latest film, “Die Another Day,” in which Cuba Gooding Jr., one of only six through the trauma he experienced as black actors to win an Oscar before Wash- an abused child. Newcomer Derek Luke gives a memo ington and Berry, scored a crossover rable performance in the title role, and success early this year with the family W ashington co-stars as his Navy psy flick “Snow Dogs.” Ice Cube did the same with “Barber chiatrist. “It’s a universal story. It doesn’t shop,” and had two other films, “All About the Benjamins” and “Friday After Next,” the third in his series of “Friday” comedies. All three movies were devel oped through Ice Cube’s production company, which the rapper-tumed-ac- tor started to broaden his roles. Except for “Barbershop,” Ice Cube’s films mainly have drawn black audiences. But more black actors, such as “Ali” star Sm ith, E ddie M urphy and M artin - Actress Halle Berry Lawrence, have developed mainstream followings. “It’s still a pretty select group. But have to be about a black family. This could be about anybody. Pick your having this select group getting more race, it doesn’t matter. Abuse is color exposure now, it’ll be interesting to see blind,” W ashington said. “I think we what happens in the next couple of years,” need to give audiences a little more said Matt Alvarez, IceC ube's producing credit. That they ’ re not looking for black partner. “Could the next Brad Pitt be or not looking for white, but they’re somebody who’s black? Will Hollywood be willing to accept that?” looking for good movies.” I t’s a huge sign that diversity is here. The cynical ones will say it hasn’t arrived fast enough, but it is here. Halle Berry and D enzel W ashington c eleb ra te their 2 0 0 2 O scars for b e s t acting. she plays an ally to super-spy James Bond. “The cynical ones will say it hasn’t arrived fast enough, but it is here. Real evolution and real change is slow. If it were to happen quickly, I don’t think I’d feel that sure of it, because we could lose it as fast as we got it.” W ashington began the year by fol lowing “Training Day” with another success, “John Q.” And he’s finishing it with his directing debut, “Antwone Fischer,” based on the true story of a violent black sailor trying to work K O G N IT O 'S meezus U P C O M IN G E V E N T S @ 1 1 :O O P M Customize Your Jeans Levis new store features an ‘Original Spin’ o m s mum @ HïOOPM UNUS HORNBUCKLE The quest for the perfect pair o f pants is over. If your bum ’s too big, your legs are too short or your favorite pair o f pants are falling apart, don’t worry. Now you can walk in to the new Levi's store at 2307 NW W estover Road and customize a pair to fit. At the new store staff has already introduced to Portland the option to modify an existing pair of Levi’s and by the summer, jeans lovers will be able to build their own pair from scratch. “So lets say you like your pants baggier in the seat - we can do that," said Jen A C A D IA N » A L L R O O M Crook, Manager of Mass Customizations for Levi ’ s. “Or if you like your pants skin f t U N N E A lh r r ti tight or the flood look - we can customize pants that are perfectly sized for you.” c o v e r »«.O O In order to modify an existing pair of Levi’s, all you do is come in and pick a F O R M O R E IN F O LO G O N T O W W W . s e s R T E F F E R S .C O M current style, or one of several Levi’s Archive styles from 1996, select and inseam, waist size and fabric, make an order and your custom fit jeans will be delivered Fed Ex to your home in a few weeks. “What this does is add 11 more inseams and five additional sizes for women,” Crook said. “And for men w e’ve added 13 to 14 more waste sizes and eight more inseams. We find a great value in offering these additions.” After choosing a size, the options continue to expand. Through the Original Spin program, you can choose between 12 different options, including Au thentic Stonewash, Iggy, Raven, Stainless, Burgandy, Ticket» Light Indigo. Indigo, Black Magic, Dark Rinse, Indigo in advance $30 @ G eneva's Hair Salon. Stretch, Black Out and Medium Stonewash Stretch. This is a benefit for the ReflaCttons Book S tore and SEI Then pick button fly or zipper, pay your bi 11 and your also Available at all national award winning ’.4 jeans will be on their way. Self inhancpwiut inc full Bar and Buffet In June of 2003, Levi's will introduce the option of Center 1er Sell Enhancement 392D N Kerhy Ave Portland Oh ceetect 603 5H4M1 building your own jeans from scratch. STREET MUSIC BUTO 3rd Annual Exclusive New Years Groove 25 and older/9:00 pm thru 2:00 am Featuring dj: Featurtno the live di and Live performance from the World Reknowned. Jazz Ensemble... Tuesday. ’Tuesday. December 31st 2002
