The Trove: djassi daCosta johnson May 26, 2011

Mrs. Verini: djassi daCosta johnson, 2 months pregnant. djassi daCosta johnson adores her “ridiculously amazing family.”  It is in the haven of their embrace and the freedom of their trust that she’s been able to move fearlessly through her life. Her educator parents Awolowo and Orundun, of whom she speaks reverentially, anointed their eldest daughter [...]

The Trove: Craig Wallace May 11, 2011

Craig Wallace before his performance in Jennifer L. Nelson’s “24,7, 365″ at The Atlas Performing Arts Center. Though I met Craig Stephen Wallace, he of the resounding voice and commanding presence, about twenty years ago, I’ve seen him more in the past year than in all the years before, owing to seeing the respected thespian [...]

The Trove: Abby Dobson December 19, 2010

  Mama’s Girl: “I am ever aware that I am standing on her shoulders and those of all the women in the house I was raised.” I was sitting in my mama’s living room in post-Thanksgiving satiety flipping through the Washington Post when I came across a listing about Abby Dobson’s performance at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium [...]

The Trove: Aashumi Shah October 7, 2010

Aashumi, at home. On a blazing early summer Saturday I, in my infinite wisdom set up temporary shop at Silver Spring, Maryland’s answer to Brooklyn Flea, the Fenton Street Market, without benefit of a tent.  In this “babies and fools” moment I had the good fortune to be placed next to Aashumi Shah. I was selling [...]

The Trove: Monte Croft July 30, 2010

When I first met Monte Croft, Apartheid reigned in South Africa, and he had just written and recorded a musical homage to the still-jailed Nelson Mandela. Mandela, Mandela, when you said ‘freedom now’ they disagreed. You have come to symbolize what it means for all men to be free…Mandela, Mandela, despite imprisoned minds ironically you have come to symbolize [...]

Africa in the Picture VII May 26, 2010

Considering our ravaged earth… Vintage travel posters make for wonderful home decor.  Salvaging discarded materials, London-based textile/jewelry designer Anita Quansah creates showstopping, earth-friendly pieces such as the “Nava” …  A fabulous trench of vintage fabric, pattern play and bold accessories from Duro Olowu for Spring. (photo from Elle.com) Taking its name from the Swahili “shed [...]

Africa in the Picture III May 17, 2010

In This is My Africa, the first production of Zina Saro-Wiwa’s AfricaLab, the filmmaker set out to use “the memories and perceptions of 21 Africans and Africaphiles to weave a very different view of the continent.”  The widely screened dcoumentary showed at the Brooklyn Museum last year and aired on HBO in February. Chef/Restaurateur Pierre [...]

Toshi Rocks the White House in a Baracklyn Tee! February 16, 2010

In the continuing music series, In Performance at the White House, the Obamas welcomed a stellar group of musical talent (from Joan Baez to the Blind Boys of Alabama) to “the People’s House” on February 9 for A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement. In one of the most rousing performances of the [...]

The Gentry Lands in Brooklyn October 23, 2009

Years ago before marriage added motherhood and the Adams to her name, I met Nichole R. Thompson Adams on an indie film project.  In recent years I’ve come to live in the same nabe as the Clinton Hill homeowner/real estate broker/performer.  Just the other day as she walked her palm-sized pup we bumped into one [...]

And She’s Gone September 22, 2009

And she’s gone. And she’s gone. Summer’s gone. Taking with her Summer’s play… Stevie Wonder, “Summer Soft” The season somewhat incorrectly bracketed by Memorial and Labor Days, is for 2009 officially over. It seems to have gone by in a whir. No time to compile my annual list of the best of Summer freebies; my [...]