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Books by Marvin X
Love and War: Poems /
In the Crazy House Called America /
Woman: Man's Best Friend /
Beyond Religion Toward Spirituality
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* * * * The
Tenderloin Book Fair
and University of Poetry, 2004
Celebrating the Radical Black Arts Movement
Purpose
Recovery Theatre and Black Bird Press is proud to host the
San Francisco Tenderloin Book Fair and University of Poetry,
2004, celebrating the radical black arts movement, the most
significant literary movement in African American history. But
as we celebrate, we face the sober reality of a crisis in our
community and the world. Author Sam Anderson tells us,
"Never before in the history of African humanity has there
been such a huge disconnect between revolutionary consciousness
and our youth. This book fair should help face this crisis head
on."
Indeed, if we look from Africa to America, we see youth in
either reactionary drug gangs or diamond seeking child armies,
with the ultimate beneficiary American and/or European
imperialism, African middle men serve as traditional colonial
servants and running dogs, from Charles Taylor to Colin Powell,
Lord have mercy!
As revolutionaries, we must ask ourselves
why the diamond merchant and the dope dealer is the number one
employer of our youth? In the final analysis, we must give youth
a viable economic alternative to the drug culture, pimping life
and employment as murderous child soldiers. As elders, we must
teach alternatives to street and domestic violence, and we must
teach by example.
We will address critical issues of this nature in a series of
presentations, panels, workshops and spoken word performances,
hopefully igniting the final stage of our cultural revolution,
exposing and resolving contradictions that have derailed our
recovery and liberation. "By cultural revolution we mean to
raise the level of the people's education, eliminate illiteracy,
and narrow mindedness," says Amiri Baraka.
One of the founders of the Black Arts Movement (BAM), Baraka
will facilitate a workshop for radical writers sincere about
going beyond rhetoric. "Projects for Radical Writers
Workshop will discuss how writers can unite, inspire, educate,
mobilize, organize the great majority of all nationalities to
become part of a mass force needed to oppose the current fascist
trend in America; this workshop will discuss how to create,
publish, produce and distribute writings for the cultural
revolution."
From the Black Arts Movement to Hip Hop is a panel discussion
designed to address generational problems in African American
culture. Poet Askia M. Toure cries, "Most of the hip
hop generation has lost its national consciousness, in its rush
to assimilate materialism, bling bling, capitalism and
misogyny. With the exception of Common, India Iree, Jill Scott,
Dead Prez and a few others, most hip hop leaders don't appear to
see that Africans in America have a cultural tradition and a
legacy to defend. How did we go from 60s Black Queens and sista
freedom fighters to skeezers, chicken-heads, bitches and hos?
Why don't hip hop people seek out black revolutionaries?"
Amina Baraka answers Toure, "How can the hip hop
generation learn from our mistakes if we are still making
them?" And poetess Sonia Sanchez notes, "We
cannot condemn the hip hop generation for doing on stage what
the Black Arts Movement was doing behind closed doors."
Without a doubt, this panel will be hot and spirited, especially
with the participation of the legendary Fillmore Slim.
"My message is the same to all youth, male and female.
Think about the consequences. There's a price. Are you willing
to pay the price for being in the game. If you're willing
to pay the price, what can I say to you? I paid my dues, I went
to prison. I'm not proud of what I did, so I tell people to
think about the consequences of your actions, think about how
you end up in the game."
The Tenderloin Book Fair will expose people to writers not seen
in the commercial media and market place, especially self
published authors. We want Tenderloin residents and others
to meet these authors who may offer an alternative to a
lifestyle of drugs, crime and homelessness. After all, great
literature is known to originate from such oppressed conditions,
once the oppressed persons regain sobriety, sanity and radical
consciousness. My play ONE DAY IN THE LIFE based on my
days as a drug addict in the Tenderloin has become a recovery
classic. If I changed my self-destructive behavior to
creativity, so can you.
Marvin X
Book Fair Producer,
Recovery Theatre Director
REGISTRATION
Book fair is free, but Registration is $20.00 for
admission to the University of Poetry, including the Rewards
dinner, workshops, panels and concerts ( both nights).
Seating is limited, pre-registration advised. Tickets available
at Reggae Runnins, 505 Divasadero, SF, Da Corner, 3rd and
LaSalle, Hunters Point, Da Corner, Fillmore and Hayes, San
Francisco, Aquarius Rising, 60th and Telegraph, Oakland.
Or send check to Recovery Theatre,
133 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, 94102. Vendors call Leona
Lee at 415-986-8186. For More information call Marvin X @
510-798-9155 or Geoffrey Grier at 415-241-6506. Special thanks
to Joe Halaiko of Theatre St. Boniface.
AUTHORS AND PARTICIPANTS
Dr. Julia Hare, How To Find A BMW (Black Man Working)
The wit and wisdom of this Queen Bee is nationally known. She stole the show
at Marvin X's Kings and Queens of Black Consciousness Concert.
Dr. Nathan Hare, Black Anglo-Saxons
Father of Black Studies, sociologist and clinical psychologist,
facilitates Recovery Theatre's mental health group session
called Black Reconstruction.
Sonia Sanchez, Shake Loose My Skin
Poet, playwright, professor, undisputed queen of the Black
Arts Movement.
Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones), Somebody Blew Up America
Poet, playwright, essayist, activist, godfather of the Black Arts Movement,
pioneer of modern American literature.
Amina Baraka, poet, singer, dancer, cofounder of Spirit
House.
Ishmael
Reed, Another Day At the Front
Poet, playwright, essayist, novelist, publisher, MacArthur genius award
winner.
Fillmore Slim, subject of legend and a movie Gospel of the Game.
His day job is singing and playing the blues throughout the
world.
Reginald Lockett, The Party Crashers of Paradise
Poet, professor. One of the original members of the West Coast
black arts movement. Performed at Black House, San Francisco.
Devorah Major, An Open Weave
Poet, novelist, first African American poet laureate of San
Francisco.
James Robinson, Gospel of the Game
Played the game and lived to tell the consequences in his
novel Gospel of the Game.
Askia Toure, Dawnsong
Poet, essayist, activist, one of the godfather's of the Black
Arts Movement.
Marvin X, In the Crazy House Called America
Poet, playwright, essayist, activist, producer of Tenderloin
Book Fair and University of Poetry. One of the founders of
the BAM.
Opal Palmer Adisa, It Begins With Tears
Poet, professor, photographer. Opal and Devorah Major
comprise the Daughters of Yam.
Jamie Walker, 101 Ways Black Women Can Learn To Love
poet, author, journalist, editor of Sonia Sanchez Anthology
Andriette Earl, Embracing Wholeness
Spiritual practitioner at the East Bay Church of Religious
Science. She is a coach, speaker and facilitator.
Dingane (Joe Goncalves), founder of the Journal of
Black Poetry, bible of the 60s radical poetry.
Luisa Teish, Carnival of the Spirit
Yoruba priestess, healer and spiritual worker.
Roxanne Ware, conscious hip hop poet. Her poem
"Federal Offense" should be national anthem of the
prison movement.
David Hilliard, This Side of Glory
Black Panther Party chief of staff, facilitates the Huey P.
Newton Foundation.
Destiny,
harpist from the hood, with a voice from heaven.
Elliott Bey,
keyboard master, director of Recovery Theatre East,
Philadelphia.
Tarika Lewis
Violinist, first female member of the Black Panther Party.
Performs with John Handy and Destiny's band of Angels.
Al Young, Drowning In the Sea of Love
Poet, novelist, one of the members of the West Coast Black
Arts Movement.
Lonnie Dewitt, In the Car
His book addresses issues affecting the California Department of Corrections
and other agencies.
Ayodele Nzinga, Walden House Suite
Actress, director, poet, associate director of Recovery Theatre.
Everett Hoagland, Here: New and Selected Poems
Teaches at UMASS, Dartmouth. This volume offers thirty years
of his best published poems plus new work.
Dr. Kwasi Harris, Readings in Black Political Economy
Dr. Harris is professor in political science at San Jose
State University.
Spencer Moon, Reel Black Talk
Spencer's book discusses blacks in the movie industry.
Sam Hamod, Islam in the World Today
Sam is an internationally known poet and scholar on Islam.
Rudolph Lewis, founder of NathanielTurner.Com
One of best websites on the Internet for Black literature.
Sam Anderson, Black Holocaust for Beginners
Founding member of the Black Panther Party in New York, Sam
co-edited the award winning anthology In Defense of Mumia.
Charlie Walker, America Is Still the Place
"In January I was broke. In February I made five million
dollars." Charlie tells us how to do for self and be free.
Kalamu Ya Salaam, The Magic of Juju
Kalamu is one of the founders of Black Arts South.
Tacuma King, Master drummer, multi-instrumentalist, member
of Destiny's band of Angels.
Davey D, legend of hip hop culture, DJ and MC. Listen to him
on
Hard Knock radio, KPFA Berkeley.
Greg Bridges, host of spoken word at Oakland's Jahva House, DJ on KPFA
and KCSM radio.
Suzzette Celeste, MSW, MPA, chair, Recovery Theatre, dancer,
practitioner at East Bay Church of Religious Science.
Geoffrey Grier, associate director Recovery Theatre San Francisco,
actor, Treatment on Demand Council.
Dr. Salat Townsend, actor, associate director Recovery
Theatre Sacramento.
Raynetta Rayzetta, dancer, chief choreographer of Marvin X's poetry.
Keith Crawford, promoter, associate of Recovery Theatre.
Leah Thomas, writer, Mentor Project, planning advisor to
Marvin X.
Ptah Allah-El (Tracy Mitchell), writer, Journal of Black
Studies at San Francisco State University. Videographer for
Recovery Theatre, filmed video version of One Day In the Life,
coordinator of filming for the video Kings and Queens of Black
Consciousness by Marvin X.
Duncan Barber (Rafiq), cofounder of Black Arts West Theatre, SF
Hillary Broadus (Abdullah), cofounder of Black Arts West Theatre, SF
Emory Douglas, Black Panther Minister of Culture. Emory was
part of the Black Arts Movement
(came to Black House) and still is today.
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update 1 August 2008
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