"Hamilton's" Daniel J. Watts rocking it at Joe’s Pub with The Jam: Only Child

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Previews

Published on Thursday, 15 February 2018 12:13

Written by Lapacazo Sandoval

 Photo courtesy of Simply Greg

Daniel J. Watts is quick-witted, so very quick-witted reminding me of our conversation that no two shows of The Jam: Only Child are alike. Watts likes to “flow” and see where the material takes him.  To feel the audience and let that energy guide him through the process.

When he left Hamilton, a lot of people pondered and asked why followed by what’s next?  A man who stands on creative spontaneity, I can imagine how quickly the gears of Watts' brain were churning.  For the record, in addition to the February 19th performance of The Jam: Only Child, he will be seen in TBS’ upcoming “The Last O.G.,” and Signature Theatre’s The Death of The Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World.

But back to Joe’s Pub at the Public, under his production company—WattsWords Productions—his next venture is Watts' aforementioned The Jam: Only Child which is an evening of music, dance and spoken word ( Monday, February 19) at Joe’s Pub at The Public at New York’s famed Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street). The doors open at 9 pm and the show begins at 9.30pm.

The dynamic performer will be sharing the stage with DJ Duggz, aka Preston Dugger III (Motown the Musical, Memphis) who will keep the crowd hyped, spinning through the evening.

Watts is a sentimental man and although The Jam: Only Child is a play-on-words, this play pays homage to Watts’ great-grandmother who, after making jam from scratch, would share with others what she was unable to consume herself. A stunning memory and one, I suspect, that many of us share in our collective cultures. Brown, Black and Native people from a historical point-of-view have always shared their bounty.  That’s why, in part, the Native population got into trouble with trying to “share” with the starving pilgrims.

The Jam: Only Child is Watts’ continuation of that legacy featuring his original spoken word, often set to music and dance. This is Watts’ second installation of The Jam: Only Child after premiering it last summer as one of historic Webster Hall’s final acts before closing its doors forever in August.

In 2016, the stage blazed galvanizing cast members from Hamilton, On Your Feet, and Shuffle Along and there Watts played to a packed house in Webster Hall’s Marlin Room with The Jam: Love Terrorists - A Benefit for Orlando. The event raised $7500 for the LGBT community in Orlando after the horrific attack at Pulse Night Club.

Forever a curious artist Watts is all about shaking it up and his WattsWords Productions is dedicated to developing original programming including live performances, web content, and demonstrations written by Daniel J. Watts in an effort to urge communities to actively engage in focusing on their social similarities opposed to their differences.

“Each time I put together a new edition of The Jam, it is inspired by what is happening in the world, in my world, or in my life,” said the artist and activist. “This Jam has a coming of age feel. It involves journeying through the experiences that have shaped my perceptions and influenced my decision-making, allowing me to take stock of what I need to hold on to and what I can afford to let go.”

Sneak Peak into the March Issue of Essence on “Black Women in Hollywood” Featuring “Black Panther”

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Previews

Published on Thursday, 15 February 2018 10:22

Written by Lapacazo Sandoval & Art Shrian

According to a February 7, 2018, Indiewire article, “Black Panther” will break many box-office records. Stating that, “It will very likely join the top 5 among all Marvel openings, but that's only the beginning for Ryan Coogler's superhero.”

In the March issue of Essence, its cast offers a sneak peek into Black Panther’s incredible world of Wakanda — with three regal covers featuring stars Chadwick Boseman, Forest Whitaker, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright. In the accompanying article, “Watch the Throne,” cast and creatives expound on why this African fantasy feels very real. 

Playwright and actress Gurira plays Okoye, head of the Dora Milaje (Wakanda’s all-female special forces of who are T'Challa's bodyguards) and is a member of the Border tribe — said that the role was appealing because she responded to the idea of powerful women. “The idea of creating a scenario where you’re seeing very powerful empowered Africans is really thrilling to me, " "something my heart, soul, and spirit yearned to see…”

Oscar® winning actress Lupita Nyong'o is Nakia of the River Tribe, T'Challa's former lover and a Dora Milaje operative, expressed what she felt, as an African woman, when she walked on the set of Wakanda: “For me, as an African in this film, to walk on set and to see these incredible costumes and hairdos, these are the things I grew up seeing, but they’ve just been elevated to a fantastical place. We’re going to experience the richness of the continent because the continent is what has informed us of what Wakanda could be…”

In the role of the Queen Mother Ramonda, actress Angela Bassett shared that when she received the call from director Coogler, she had never heard of her character but was eager to play the stepmother of T’Challa — Black Panther.  

What most critics are calling a stand-out performance by newcomer Letitia Wright, who plays Princess Shuri, Black Panther’s super-smart 16 year old sister and second in line for  Wakanda's throne, the young actress made it clear that she understood what was being placed on her slender but capable shoulders. “We understand the responsibility. It can shift mindsets. I can be a Black superhero. I can be a scientist. I’m a queen. I’m a young prince. It’s not about me. It’s bigger than me. It’s bigger than all of us…”

Also in the March issue, is a feature created around their annual Black Women in Hollywood event where Essence onorees those who shine beyond the screen— Gurira, Tiffany Haddish, Lena Waithe and Tessa Thompson. 

Essence’s annual “Black Women in Hollywood” luncheon — its highly anticipated annual Oscar-week celebration — will take place on Thursday, March 1st, 2018, at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, CA. 

The following are comments from the honorees:

Haddish on Having Fun While Performing:
“'When you’re onstage, you need to be having fun.’ That’s the advice Richard Pryor gave me. No matter what I’m doing or where I am, I live by that philosophy…If I’m not having fun? Well, that’s when I end up getting arrested!…”

Gurira on Creating Opportunities for Women of Color:
“Creating opportunities for Black women, women of African descent and other women of color is a big part of my mandate because I want us to shine. I understand that being on TV as Michonne [in The Walking Dead] and in films like ‘Black Panther’ helps Black girls feel validated. I don’t take that lightly…”

Waithe on Winning an Emmy and Telling Our Stories:
“Being the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing was just amazing, but I don’t want to be the last. The award is bigger than me. It’s about our industry, our society, taking a big leap forward. It’s about my ancestors, the women comedy writers and queer communities of color. I shared that moment with them…”

Thompson on Breaking New Ground With Her Roles:
“I feel as if I’m breaking new ground and providing more representation for women of color around the globe. But even if it wasn’t me, I’d still look at those projects and if I saw a woman who looked like me, I’d think, Wow!…”

The 60's Come to Life at Carnegie Hall & NYC

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Previews

Published on Friday, 02 February 2018 23:52

Written by Brad Balfour

Carnegie Hall is orangizing a slate of films, dance, music, and talks looking at the violent, sexy, and spectacular decade that forever shaped America. The ’60s: The Years that Changed America has been running since January, but from February to March there will be several performances from musical giants.

Phylicia Rashad joins Ray Chew (Music Director of Dancing with the Stars), Anthony Hamilton, Otis Redding III, and Dionne Warwick, and more for Sounds of Change, celebrating music that brought on and was affected by social change on February 5. Icelandic experimental ensemble múm performs on February 10 featuring electronic effects, innovative sampling, delicate vocals, and traditional and unconventional instruments. The legendary Philip Glass Ensemble returns to Carnegie Hall for the first time in over a decade to perform Galss’ “Music with Changing Parts” on February 16.

Carnegie Hall will also feature a plethora of films, dance, panels, and music programs. ’60s Verité at the Film Forum is a slate of films including Robert Drew’s Primary and D. A. Pennebaker’s Dont Look Back  In the Intense Now, a documentary essay directed by João Moreira Salles that explores three pivotal events of the 1960s, “Black is Beautiful”: Fashion and Consciousness", a panel discussion by documentary photographer Kwame Brathwaite and his son Kwame S. Brathwaite with historian Tanisha Ford to reflect on the impact of Brathwaite’s pioneering “Black Is Beautiful” photographs.

To learn more, go to: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Events/Season-Highlights/The-60s

The ’60s: The Years that Changed America

February - March 24, 2018

Various Locations