Marvin X and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf
(FYI, that's spilled coffee on MX's shirt, aka Messy Marv)
Mayor Schaaf said she will
use her power as Mayor to support the BAM 27 City Tour by contacting
mayors in other American cities. We urge her to do so ASAP. Even better,
Madam Mayor please give BAM 27 City Tour a benefit concert at the
Paramount Theatre with the Oakland Symphony joining the BAM Poets Choir and
Arkestra. We think Symphony Conductor Michael Morgan is ready to do the
BAM Thang!
Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra Producer/Director Marvin
X and Oakland Symphony Conductor Michael Morgan agreed to join their
talents in a concert. Let it be the Straight Outta Oakland, BAM 27 City
Tour, benefit concert. We'll invite some of the BAM icons like Danny
Glover, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Askia Toure, Last Poets. For sure, the Bay Area Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra will do the BAM Thang!
photo collage Adam Turner
The Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra
Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival,
2014
Straight Outta Oakland
Straight Outta Oakland,
the Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour, has been invited to perform at
Oakland's Flight Deck Theatre on Broadway, downtown Oakland. Executive
Director Anna Shneiderman emailed BAM Tour producer Marvin X: Hi Marvin.
I'd
love to see this concert happen at The Flight Deck. Please let me know
if you think that makes sense and if so, what time of year you're
thinking about.
Bests,
Anna
Anna Shneiderman
Executive Director
Ragged Wing Ensemble & The Flight Deck
510-858-7383
www.raggedwing.org
www.theflightdeck.org
CUBA first stop on 27 City Tour?
Members
of the Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra informed producer
Marvin X they would like to initiate the tour in Cuba rather than end in
Cuba as Marvin had planned. BAM artists from coast to coast have
suggested Cuba first, so we shall see. Since the BAM icons are elders,
their schedules and health will determine how many will be able to do
the 27 city tour. Poet Sonia Sanchez, 80 years old, told the producer,
"Marvin, the very idea of a 27 city tour makes me tired."
BAM poet Sonia Sanchez
Straight Outta Oakland,
BAM 27 City Tour is estimated to cost about 3 million dollars @
$100,000.00 per city, plus the Cuba Concert. We are seeking donations
to make this tour a reality. What is the purpose? Ancestor Amiri Baraka
would say, "It's about beauty and truth! It's about advancing the
cultural revolution. It's about a United Front of all progressive
people." For information or booking, email jmarvinx@yahoo.com.
510-200-4164.
Amiri Baraka, BAM Chief architect (RIP)
Straight Outta Oakland
The Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour
Amiri Baraka and Maya Angelou doing the BAM BAM (RIP)
Graphic design by Adam Turner
Now
that the Oakland City Council has approved the Black Arts Movement
Business District, the time has come for the Black Arts Movement Poets
Choir and Arkestra to hit the road and complete the 27 City Tour
envisioned by ancestor Amiri Baraka. AB told BAM artists to tour the 27
cities with large populations of North American Africans and spread
radical cultural consciousness. He said we should at least establish a
fifty seat theatre in each city based on the BAM concept of the artistic
freedom fighter. Long live the spirit of AB!
Amiri Baraka (RIP) and Marvin X enjoyed a 47 year friendship as movers and shakers of the Black Arts Movement
The
Black Arts Movement was/is the most radical artistic and literary
movement in American history, sister of the Black Power Movement. Our
mission is to spread radical cultural consciousness throughout the land.
We thank the citizens of Oakland for establishing the first Black Arts
Movement Business District in America.
The defining work of the Black Arts Movement, Black Fire
is at once a rich anthology and an extraordinary source document.
Nearly 200 selections, including poetry, essays, short stories, and
plays, from over 75 cultural critics, writers, and political leaders,
capture the social and cultural turmoil of the 1960s. In his new
introduction, Amiri Baraka reflects — nearly four decades later — on
both the movement and the book.
BAM co-founder Marvin X and Lynette McElhaney, President of the
Oakland City Council
photo Adam Turner
Marvin X speaking at Oakland City Hall's Black History Celebration, Feb. 24, 2016
Marvin X referred to Madam President as African Queen!
We
especially thank Oakland City Council President, Lynette McElhaney, for
pushing through legislation establishing the Black Arts Movement
Business District. Also, thanks to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Laney
College President Elnora T. Webb for celebrating the 50th Anniversary of
the Black Arts Movement at Laney College.
Mayor Schaaf said she will
use her power as Mayor to support the BAM 27 City Tour by contacting
mayors in other American cities. We urge her to do so ASAP. Even better,
Madam Mayor please give BAM 27 City Tour a benefit concert at the
Paramount with the Oakland Symphony joining the BAM Poets Choir and
Arkestra.
We think Symphony Conductor Michael Morgan is ready to do the
BAM Thang! Let Oakland be the model for other cities. We ain't goin' into no town half stepin', we first class, that's the only way we travel. We represent Oaktown fada git down! You gotta git in town and outta town. We Straight Outta Oaktown!
Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra Producer/Director Marvin X and Oakland Symphony Conductor Michael Morgan agreed to join their talents in a concert. Let it be the Straight Outta Oakland, BAM 27 City Tour, benefit concert. We'll invite some of the BAM icons like Danny Glover, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Askia Toure, Last Poets, et al.
Left
to Right: Mrs. Gay Plair Cobb, Marvin X, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf,
Laney College President, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, Paul Cobb,
Publisher of the Oakland Post News Group
We
would like the BAM 27 City Tour to end in Cuba with a grand concert
featuring the BAM Poets Choir and Arkestra, Francisco Mora's Afro Horn,
Sun Ra Arkestra and David Murray. We need sponsors, promoters, booking
agents to make this happen. If you or your city has a venue for the 27
City US tour, please contact Marvin X: 510-200-4164 ASAP.
Sincerely,
Marvin X,
Producer
BAM 27 City Tour
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Straight Outta Oakland
The Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour
Amiri Baraka and Maya Angelou doing the BAM BAM (RIP)
Graphic design by Adam Turner
Now
that the Oakland City Council has approved the Black Arts Movement
Business District, the time has come for the Black Arts Movement Poets
Choir and Arkestra to hit the road and complete the 27 City Tour
envisioned by ancestor Amiri Baraka. AB told BAM artists to tour the 27
cities with large populations of North American Africans and spread
radical cultural consciousness. He said we should at least establish a
fifty seat theatre in each city based on the BAM concept of the artistic
freedom fighter. Long live the spirit of AB!
Amiri Baraka (RIP) and Marvin X enjoyed a 47 year friendship as movers and shakers of the Black Arts Movement
The
Black Arts Movement was/is the most radical artistic and literary
movement in American history, sister of the Black Power Movement. Our
mission is to spread radical cultural consciousness throughout the land.
We thank the citizens of Oakland for establishing the first Black Arts
Movement Business District in America.
BAM co-founder Marvin X and Lynette McElhaney, President of the
Oakland City Council
photo Adam Turner
Marvin X speaking at Oakland City Hall's Black History Celebration, Feb. 24, 2016
He referred to City Council President Lynette McElhaney as African Queen!
We
especially thank Oakland City Council President, Lynette McElhaney, for
pushing through legislation establishing the Black Arts Movement
Business District. Also, thanks to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Laney
College President Elnora T. Webb for celebrating the 50th Anniversary of
the Black Arts Movement at Laney College. Mayor Schaaf said she will
use her power as Mayor to support the BAM 27 City Tour by contacting
mayors in other American cities. We urge her to do so ASAP. Even better,
Madam Mayor can give BAM 27 City Tour a benefit concert at the
Paramount with the Oakland Symphony joining the BAM Poets Choir and
Arkestra. We think Symphony Conductor Michael Morgan is ready to do the
BAM Thang!
Left
to Right: Mrs. Gay Plair Cobb, Marvin X, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf,
Laney College President, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, Paul Cobb,
Publisher of the Oakland Post News Group
We
would like the BAM 27 City Tour to end in Cuba with a grand concert
featuring the BAM Poets Choir and Arkestra, Francisco Mora's Afro Horn,
Sun Ra Arkestra and David Murray. We need sponsors, promoters, booking
agents to make this happen. If you or your city has a venue for the 27
City US tour, please contact Marvin X: 510-200-4164 ASAP.
Sincerely,
Marvin X,
Producer
BAM 27 City Tour
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
Icons of the Black Arts Movement
invited to join the
BAM 27 City Tour
Askia Toure
Sonia Sanchez
Marvin X and Danny Glover
Nikki Giovanni
l
The Last Poets
Felipe Luciano, Last Poets
Haki Madhubuti
Mrs. Amina Baraka
Marshall Allen, Sun Ra Arkestra
Danny Thompson, Sun Ra Arkestra
Francisco Mora Catlett, Afro Horn
David Murray
FYI,
David Murray, Berkeley native, now living in Paris, France, invites
the Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra to a European tour
ASAP! Thank you, David! We be dare directly!
The Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra
The Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra
University of California, Merced
BAM 50th Celebration, 2014
Marvin X, David Murray, Earle Davis
Marvin X reading DOPE by Amiri Baraka (RIP)
Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra
Malcolm X Jazz/Arts Festival
Oakland, CA.
2014
Featured artists of the Bay Area
BAM Poets Choir and Arkestra
Tureada Mikell, Michelle LaChaux, Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Tarika Lewis
Tacuma King
Kujichagulia
Paradise Jah Love
f
Choreographer Linda Johnson, Val Serrant, Raynetta Rayzetta
Destiny Muhammad
Earle Davis
Zena Allen
Aries Jordan
Marvin X
TOWARD THE BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT 27 CITY TOUR
University of Chicago
presents
Sun Ra Conference, May 21-22, 2015
l
Sun Ra
Marshall
Allen, 91 years old, now leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra (He said,
"Marvin I'm not 91, I'm 19." Marvin X says, "And he plays like he's 19!"
Danny Thompson and Marvin X at University of Chicago, Sun Ra
Conference, 2015. They performed and discussed the teachings of BAM
Master Sun Ra and their relationship with him as fellow artists. All
three are dedicated to the teachings of Sun Ra. FYI, all of us BAM
artists were/are students of Sun Ra, students and/or associates of Sun
Ra, the POPE of BAM, AB the High Priest. David Murray and Francisco Mora
Catlett performed and were infected with the Ra doctrine. RA RA RA!
The
Gemini twins: Marvin X and Sun Ra. These "Latter Day Egyptian
Revisionists" (Sun Ra term) worked together coast to coast. Marvin X
worked with the Arkestra in New York, Philly and the Bay Area. Both men
taught in the Black Studies Department at University of California,
Berkeley, 1971-72. The above pic is outside Marvin's Black Educational
Theatre, San Francisco, 1972. Sun Ra arranged the music for Marvin's
play Take Care of Business, aka Flowers for the Trashman. They produced a
five hour concert (without intermission) at San Francisco's Harding
Theatre on Divisadero. The production had a cast of fifty, including
Marvin's actors, Sun Ra's Arkestra and the dancers of choreographers
Ellendar Barnes and Raymond Sawyer, living legends of Bay Area BAM
dance. See SF Sun Reporter archives for review. See Youtube for Sun Ra lectures at University of California, Berkeley, 1971-72.
Juan
Felipe Herrera, currently, US Poet Laureate, performed with the Black
Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra at the University of California,
Merced, 50th Anniversary Conference, produced by Kim McMillon and Marvin
X.
h
Poet Ginny Lim, member of The Black Arts Movement Poets Choir and Arkestra
Left to Right: Zena Allen, Kora player, poet Marvin X, Tarika Lewis, violinist
Linda Johnson, choreographer/dancer
Many of the movement’s leading artists, including Ed Bullins, Nikki
Giovanni, Woodie King, Haki Madhubuti, Sonia Sanchez, Askia Touré,
Marvin X and Val Gray Ward, remain artistically productive today. Its
influence can also be seen in the work of later artists, from the
writers Toni Morrison, John Edgar Wideman, and August Wilson to actors
Avery Brooks, Danny Glover, and Samuel L. Jackson, to hip-hop artists
Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Chuck D. SOS—Calling All Black People includes
works of fiction, poetry, and drama in addition to critical writings on
issues of politics, aesthetics, and gender. It covers topics ranging
from the legacy of Malcolm X and the impact of John Coltrane’s jazz to
the tenets of the Black Panther Party and the music of Motown. The
editors have provided a substantial introduction outlining the nature,
history, and legacy of the Black Arts Movement as well as the principles
by which the anthology was assembled.
Dr. Cornel West and Marvin X
Cornel supports and will participate in the
Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour
"Marvelous Marvin X!"--Cornel West