Thursday, November 19, 2009

A Promising Book Weekend... and Next

If you're in L.A., there are a couple of book/reading events coming up that interest me. So they also might interest you! :-)

Friday, November 20. The Promising Series, curated by Noel Alumit, features the best of established and emerging lesbian/gay/bi/trans poets and writers. Takes place this Friday at 7:30 pm at Skylight Books in Los Feliz. Always a great time.

Saturday, November 21. Pamela Samuels Young reads and signs her new novel, Buying Time. I mentioned the novel a few weeks ago on the blog. Event takes place 3 - 4:30 on Saturday afternoon at Esowon Books in Leimert Park.

Monday, November 23. Dr. Richard T. Rodriguez reads and discusses his research that went into writing Next of Kin: The Family in Chicano/a Cultural Politics. Event takes place at 3:30 on Monday afternoon at the Cal State L.A. Student Union, Los Angeles Room.

Something going on in your part of the world? Tell us here...
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1 comment:

Jerel Lee said...

Black Producers Turn To Web For 'TV' Shows
By Holly Wood

Filmmakers, producers and writers are looking to the Web to make black shows on their own terms. Sites that focus on publishing black independent Web shows are cropping up as well, including Rowdy Orbit and BBTV (Better Black TV).

This month, BET.com will premiere its first original Web series, Buppies, starring Tatyana Ali, directed by up-and-coming director Julian Breece and produced by Ali and newcomer Aaliyah Williams. Buppies dramatizes the story of Quinci, a young socialite who is having a very bad day. She and two girlfriends, all black professionals in industries like law and journalism, deal with relationship issues, sexuality, pregnancy and career identity.

There are hundreds of original, scripted shows on the Web, and many of them have black characters, sometimes in lead roles, such as Jaleel White in "Road to the Altar" and Nichelle Nichols in "The Cabonauts."

Here’s a sampling of original Web shows that are trying to fill the black drama void online:

"The New 20s" is the brainchild of filmmaker Tracy Taylor and premiered recently at the New York Television Festival. The series explores the lives of a number of black professionals transitioning from the 20s to their 30s. The show tells its story in a semi-realistic way, forgoing one-liners and slapstick bits and focusing on intimate conversations.

"Johnny B Homeless" explores the comic adventures of a young man who migrates from couch to couch in New York City. It took the People’s Choice award at the New York TV festival, and Kenan Thompson, of Saturday Night Live, has joined the cast. Al Thompson, the series creator and star, also has another series, "Lenox Avenue." (the Root, 10/14/09)