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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 24, 2004)
Page B2 November 24. 2004 Æln’JJortlanò © h s e ru e r________ Focus Where I’m From Jeanette Henderson African dance, American debut F a t a l P r o m is e s Novel Touches on Southern Ills Fatal Prom ises by A frican- A m eric an a u th o r Je a n e tte Henderson is a fictitious story with real-life overtones that allude to the ills o f society in the historical South. An 18-year-old black male be comes despondent with the lack o f opportunities in a small South Georgia town, so he migrates to New York, hoping for a better life. A six-year-old black boy is em o tionally wounded when his father abandons his m other with no means of support. He vows al ways to care for his family, if he ever has one. A young, rich southern belle becomes intimate with her em ployee, whom she vows to love forever, but fate intervenes. Jeanette H enderson w as born in M adison C ounty, Fla. She is the 12th o f 15 siblings. She is m arried to T hom as H enderson III, is a m other o f five, and is presently em ployed as a psy chiatric nurse. Zim babw ean artist Loveness W esa will make her American de but with her new dance production “Langivela Khona (Where I Come From)” which is based on stories of young African immi grants and refu gees living in Portland. The performance is Friday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday, Dec. 5 matinee at 4 p.m. at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center in north Portland. The evening performances are $ 10 and the matinee is $6, with dis counts available for seniors and students. Before moving to the United States from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe two years ago, W esa was well known in her country as a musician, dancer, actress, choreographer and theater producer. In 1998, Wesa founded the Kgotso African Dance Theatre as a vehicle for bringing w o rk s by w om en a rtis ts to Zim babw e’s stage and became her country's first female theatrical pro ducer when she produced her dance play “Brooms.” When the popular Zimbabwean singer and dancer moved to Port land in 2002 and began teaching African dance classes at the Immi grant and Refugee Community O r ganization, she became aware that many young immigrants were at risk o f losing their traditions as they were exposed to Western cul ture and peer pressure. “ ‘Where I Come From' is activi ties that I used to do in everyday life. . .cleaning, farming, harvest African dancer Loveness Wesa shares the culture of her native country. Loveness Wesa ing, sw eeping.. .I’m looking at the way we used to do things back home and immigrant kids are losing those things. Other kids are asking them where they’re coming from and they’re shy to talk about it” W esa said. Although many refugee kids have suffered in their native, war- tom land, Wesa says there are posi- ti ve memories and traditions as well, from before the wars began. With this in mind, she began working with young immigrants from Africa, as well as African Americans, to create her original d an ce p ro d u ctio n , "L a n g iv ela Khona.” In African dance tradition, she incorporates movements from ev- eryday life activities into dramatic gaps between parents and children dance that tells stories and enliv by sparking discussion about family ens memories about African life. life in Africa. In this process of learning African These stories will be told through dancing, these young people are groundbreaking dance and music, sharing the stories from their pasts introducing American audiences to and journey to Portland and their W esa as a ch o reo g rap h er and conflicts and adjustments to living dance producer. here. Thestorymayalsobridgecom- For reservations, call 503-823- munication and intergenerational 4322. MMMM Audition Notice PassinArt: A Theater Com pany is holding open auditions for it upcoming spring production of “Flyin’ W est” by Pearl Cleage in March 2005. Open audi tions are Saturday, Nov. 20 between 10- 12 and 12-2pm at Interstate Fire House Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate, Port land, Oregon. Please come prepared with two contrasting monologues and be avail able for 1.5 - 2 hours. Call back is sched uled for Monday, Nov. 22. The group is seeking African-American and other art ists of color (males 20-40 and females 20- 60 years o f age). If you are interested in auditioning, please call and leave you name and phone number or email address at 5 0 3 -2 3 1 -5 1 6 3 or em ail passinart@ yahoo.com . VICTORY Tears o f Joy presents: There’s a Nightmare in My Closet The Tears o f Joy Theatre pre sents “T here’s a Nightmare in My Closet,” a play for kids ages four and up, opening this weekend and continuing through Dec. 12. The puppet theater adaptation of a story by Mercer Mayer is about a little boy who is frightened of the dark and reads stories to his teddy bear underneath the covers of his bed. As the boy reads, a large shadow screen illuminates the action as “The Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carol com es to li fe with animated kitchen utensils. A jazzy rendition o f “The Fat Cat” by Jack Kent follows. Each story builds the suspense until the hysterical, heart-stopping conclu sion. Individual tickets are $ 12 for chil dren and $ 15 for adults, plus service charges. For information call 503- 248-0557 or visit www.tojt.com. Puppeteer Lance Woolen and puppet Mr. Nightmare from Tears of Joy Theatre presents ‘There's a Nightmare in My Closet' at the Winningstad The ater, downtown. M iddle S chool At the Blazers Boys & Girls Club 5250 NE MLK (Near Killingsworth) (503) 789-9099 6th & 7th Grade Come Join Us Today Adding 8th Grade Next Year (2005-06) Great Academics! We showed 8 months of gin In just over 4 months last spring! Parents bring Families to Victory for a Great Learning Experience We educate children from “Where they arc now!” We address strengths to meet every child’s needs, KMHD’S VALENTINE’S DAY FUNDRAISER EXTRAVAGANZA Featuring Valerie Day & The Knights of Swing w/special guests... M onday F ebruary 14, 2 0 0 5 7 pm —1 1 pm D oors open at 6 pm T he M arriott H otel 1401SW N aito P kwy Build Credit with Easy Payment Arrangements Upon Approval Call: 1-866-308-0532 Mortgages • Consolidation Loans • Bad Credit Low Income • Bankruptcy Countrywide Financial wSf FREMONT CHILD CARE • 617 N.E. Fremont M-F 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children 18 months to 8 years (3,d grade) 15:1 Student to Teacher Ratio! Certified teachers team with registered teachers liven one classroom teacher has a doctorate degree! Tuition is FREE! 89; Full and Part Time Care • Drop-In Rates kmhd • • • • • Excellent Behavior! Come see for yourself Come in anytime: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM V A IU IIF DAY AND THF KNIGHTS OF SWING D ance per couple : $50 D inner B uffet & D ance per couple : $115 D inner , D ance & R oom per couple : $230 VIP LEVEL ROOM INCLUDES ROSE BUDS AND Special arrangements for Holiday, Weekend and Night care (all ages) CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES For Regular Students! Most special needs students are also accepted An Luual Opportunity for A ll Victory Middle School admits students o f any race, color, nationality ami ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. T ickets A vailable at M illennium E ast or W est or CALL 503.491.7271 Call 503-249-5594 NOW for appointments and applications Owner: Hattie M. Porter Manager: Makeba Grisby I
