Archive for February, 2009
St. Louis Black Rep’s Rendition of: “A Song for Coretta” by Pearl Cleage at Grandel Theatre through March 15, 2009
“A Song for Coretta” by Pearl Cleage was inspired by the long line of mourners who came by Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay their respects to Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The play introduces five fictional African-American women, aged 17 to 57, waiting in the rain to say their good-byes. The play premiered at Spelman College [...]
Village Wisdom: Anchors: “Melville Neighbors,”by Erwin A. Thompson
In our family collection of books I found an old Bible, with the inscription: “Frank Riehl, Superintendent of the Melville Sunday School.”
One time my Uncle Ed Riehl and Aunt Amelia (Mim) Riehl were to play a violin duet for the church program. Aunt Mim was very shy, and not used to playing in public. [...]
“Sensuousness of a Senior,” a new poem by an admirer
The sensuousness of a senior
mocks the confidence of a 20 year old body
When you believe the skin your are in
Is the skin that brought you here
And your mind gives you confidence of who you are
You know that wisdom gives real pleasure
The wisdom that knows chocolate dipped strawberries
Are way better than crackers and cheese
In bed.
His Holiness Dalai Lama’s message for Losar, the Tibetan New Year
According to the International Campaign for Tibet the Tibetan community is treating this Losar differently:
Losar, the Tibetan New Year, begins on Wednesday, February 25. Usually, Losar is a joyous time for Tibetans in Tibet and those in exile around the world.
This year’s celebration will be very different.
ICT will stand with our Tibetan friends in Tibet [...]
Village Wisdom: Anchors, E. A. Riehl…by Erwin A. Thompson
Evergreen Heights, the place founded by E. A. Riehl and our homeplace still…where he communed with nature and forged paths to become one of the 8 premiere horticulturalist in the world at that time. E. A. Riehl was a pillar of the community, though known not to suffer fools gladly. The lane which ends in [...]
Osars: Are you ready?
The U.S. and the internet are abuzz with Osar news, predictions, and at-home parties.
Wherever you are tonight: on the Red Carpet, or at home…if you are a movie lover and have any cultural curiosity, I know you’re ready!
Of the movies nominated for best picture, I’ve seen at commented on Riehlife on:
The Reader: No need [...]
The Reader: No need for controversy!
The Reader is a quiet, thoughtful film that begins with a tension of sexual awakening and coming into manhood…and a feeling of tumult to come.
It’s a slow reveal delivered to us intelligently, and requiring the intelligence of the viewer as we discover, for instance Hanna Schmitz’ (played beautifully by Kate Winslet through all her ages) [...]
Grand Torino (Clint Eastwood) and Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle): In the Same Neighborhood of themes
Grand Torino and Slumdog Millionaire share certain themes and characteristics.
1) Both are love stories–though “Grand Torino” is a bit of a sneaky one, and “Slumdog Millionaire” is more along a classic fable line.
2) Both reveal depths of an exploration of cultural difference with deft sensitivity…though, again, “Grand Torino” sneaks up on you with out of [...]
Black Valentine’s Series #7: Cuddled Prayers Couples Linda Jones Hawkins & Charles Hawkins
Our Black Valentine’s Series concluded with the love story of Linda Jones Hawkins and Charles Hawkins. I met the couple at the 2007 Kwanzaa celebration in St. Louis. Linda showed me her beautiful poems and paintings, while Charles stood by, beaming. You’ve been reading three of Linda’s love poems in the last few days. Linda [...]
Frost/Nixon and Milk: Same Neighborhood
In my St. Louis neighborhood movie theater inside the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, I viewed two Oscar nominated Best Picture candidates: Frost/Nixon and Milk. By this time, I’m sure you know their stories, so I’ll use this space to note how similar they are.
1) They are both about political figures. Duh.
2) They both define political [...]
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