*Still looking for an artist to do design a logo for my blog. For more information, click here.
*Remapping the Black Atlantic: (Re)Writings of Race and Space Conference is taking place at DePaul University in Chicago from April 12-14. The theme centers on expanding and remapping Paul Gilroy’s work on the Black Atlantic.
*In New York City, The Clements Theater is presenting Futurology the Musical. The production, written by Anthony J. Dixon and Sandra J. Barnes and directed by Charles Weldon, stars Sheryl Lee Ralph (Moesha), Khalil Kain (Girlfriends, Living Single) and Hillary Hawkins (Seussical, Nickelodeon). The story is about three intergalactic women travelers in the “The Saturn Majestic” ship from 2413 who go back in time to 2013 to help a woman named Darima Lorraine Spencer who will give a speech that will change the world, but at the moment in 2013, she is undecided as to what her future should be and how to use her gifts. The show is running till May 5th and look out for my review of it.
*Black Radical Imagination is premiering their film program about black images in media. Here are the places and dates as well as the trailer:
*Black Tribbles will be presenting the radio broadcast on GTown Radio of OCTAVIA CITY: Original Tales of Afrofuturism w/ Guest Host Gabriel Bryant and Special Guest R.Phillips of The AfroFuturist Affair on April 25th from 8pm-11pm. If you have stories and want to participate, email them at blacktribbles@gmail.com.
* Artistic Freedom Ltd. is producing Roxie15, a short film about a “virtual reality programmer working on the project she hopes will change her life. Things are good, until the software she has created is infected with a virus. Things go from bad to worse when the virus comes after her.” The film takes place in New York in 2051 and will start shooting in April. Read more about it here and donate.
*Another film, Afronauts, is also in the works. Frances Bodomo, who also did Boneshaker, is heading the project and here is the synopsis: “Afronauts tells the alternative history of the 1960s Space Race. It’s the night of July 16th, 1969 and, as America prepares to send Apollo 11 to the moon, a group of exiles in the Zambian desert are rushing to launch their rocket first. There’s only one problem: their spacegirl, Matha, is five months pregnant. Afronauts follows characters that have not been able to find a home on earth and are therefore attracted to the promise of the space race.” So far, model Diandra Forrest and actress Yolanda Ross are in the film. Donate at the indiegogo page.
* I want to thank Ian Burzynski for his recent donation. If you want to donate to my blog, the button is on the right side of my page. Any amount is appreciated! >>>>>>>>>
*This Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum will be free performances and presentations including Adia Whitaker and neo-folkloric dance ensemble Ase Dance Theater Collective and Bernice McFadden discussing her novel, Gathering of Waters.
*Don’t forget to continue support for the Oya: Rise of the Orisha film centering on the West African orisha being turned into modern day superheroes. They are posting concept art for the orisha Oya on their facebook page. and watch the latest interview with actress Luiana Bonfim playng Tanit.
* I haven’t posted this in a while (mostly because I put it on the backburner while doing other things), but I am still looking for people interested in creating a logo for my blog. If interested, click here for more info.
*Metropolarity announced a workshop in Philadelphia about incorporating race, gender, and sexuality in sci-fi writing with Alex Smith, founder of the Laser Life sci-fi reading series and founding member of the Metropolarity arts collective. There will three workshops on April 8, 15 and 22.
* Kickstarter campaign for animated series, Spider Stories, pilot. Here is the synopsis:
Spider Stories follows the tale of Princess Zahara who is thrown into hiding after the royal family is overthrown by a corrupt neighboring kingdom. While traveling with a misfit caravan of merchants she meets a wandering drummer griot who introduces her to the spirit world. Armed with a mystical staff, the fearless princess embarks on quest to reconnect with the spirits, reunite her homeland, and reclaim the throne.
*Tonight illustrator and animator Tim Fielder will be sharing his work Matty’s Rocket– an episodic-animated series & web comic. The event will have guest appearances and readings from writers Liza Jessie Peterson and Melanie Maria Goodreaux. They will read Afrofuturistic pieces aloud while Fielder will illustrate their work on the spot!
*Accra Dot Alt will be returning tonight with their Talk Party Series in Ghana celebrating singer Tawiah’s mixtape Freedom Drop.
*Today, the filmmakers for the upcoming film, Oya: Rise of the Orisha, opened their Indiegogo page. The film “focuses on a young woman named Adesuwa who has the unique ability to transform into the fearsome warrior goddess, Oya, the Orisha of change. When she changes, she gains amazing abilities. We follow Adesuwa as she goes on a head-stomping mission to keep the doorway between the Orisha and humanity closed. Be prepared for an action packed , mystical adventure as we explore the world of the Orisha.”
*Hey everyone! I am just letting you know that I am taking the rest of the week off and maybe early next week, too. In the meantime, you can look at my previous posts!
*At the sidebar (–>), you can send donations for my blog and also shop for winter scarves in the Mawusi etsy shop. Mawusi is having a Black Friday sale!
*Also, don’t forget about my Sankofa Journal giveaway, which will close next week and if any of you are artists or designers out there, you can submit a logo design for my blog!
*Hey everyone! I just want to let you know that if you enjoy my blog and want to see it continue, please consider supporting it by donating at the side (–>). Any amount is welcomed. Thanks!
* I was thinking about creating an official logo for my blog. I have a basic design based on the initials of my full name S.V.F., the drawing for Aker and the chnoubis. I am not an artist, so I don’t have any way of fleshing it out. If anyone is an artist and interested in creating a better version based on the logo and images below, contact me at svfreebird87@gmail.com. Any chosen will have a post dedicated to them (and maybe I’ll write a poem for you, too)!
*My blog is on Kindle. If you have a Kindle or anyone you know has one, you can access my blog for $0.99 each month.
Here is some places and upcoming events to head to in New York City:
*ImageNation, who is one of the major supporters of Middle of Nowhere film, opened a gallery in Harlem, Raw Space for art and events. Currently they have the Middle of Nowhere exhibit, which features artwork inspired by the film; the exhibition closes on the 21st, so if you have time, go see it.
*On the 24th, CCCADI will be presenting the return of their Roots and Stars series with the event, Oya and Anyanwu. Roots and Stars’ purpose is “illuminating Black spiritual genius and exploring the soul of the Black world.” Oya priest Isoke Nia, artist Sabine Blaizin, and writer Ibi Zoboi will explore the Oya characteristics in Octavia Butler’s works. The event will take place at the Schomburg Center. For more information, click here.
* Last week, I was invited to this event, A Is For Anansi: Literature for Children of African Descent Conference, at NYU. This year’s theme is “Africa, the Future, and the Urban Landscape.” It will take place November 9th and 10th, which will be a nice event to go to after the election. For more information and to RSVP, click here.
*If you have not heard of it already, K. Tempest Bradford hosts the Kindred Reading Series in New York City, which presents literary events and readings for speculative writers of color. The next reading will be November 28th, featuring writers Linda Addison and Alaya Dawn Johnson.
*This Saturday, Muthawit Orchestra will be performing with legend Leon Ware at the 7th annual URB ALT Festival at BAMCafe in Brooklyn, New York City. The show starts at 8:00 pm.
*Also, this Saturday, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute will be presenting a dance event, Moving with MUV in Brooklyn, New York. The event will be a workshop and a previewing of their new work, Calling Names. “Calling Names explores issues of identity, lineage, the journey from personhood to spirithood and the role of ancestors in our personal evolution through life.” To rsvp, click here.
*If you are in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 26th, Balogun Ojetade will be hosting the Mahogany Masquerade, featuring films, a bazaar for shopping, a panel discussion on the Steamfunk Movement and costume prizes. For more information, click on the link above.
*I am officially opening up my blog for guest posts. If you want to submit news, music, art, film, literature, essays, etc. that include afrofuturist and/or afrosurrealist themes, feel free to email me at svfreebird87@gmail.com.
*Flying Lotus will be releasing his album, Until the Quiet Comes, on October 1st and 2nd. You can pre-order it here.
*Voting for semifinalists begins today for the Black Weblog Awards and ends October 1. Please vote for my blog in the Best New Blog category here!
*Update: On November 20th, Andy Allo will be releasing her new album Superconductor, which was executive produced by Prince and features a few songs written by him, including the title track. Allo describes it in an interview as a bit of “old school, funk, and a lot of soul.” “The first single, People Pleaser, featuring Maceo Parker and Trombone Shorty is almost confrontational it’s so funky,” she said.
*Don’t forget to continue 
Octavia Butler’s works. The event will take place at the Schomburg Center. For more information, click 
*This Saturday, 
