Class. On thursday, you guys are going to look at tbone and weasel. I really hope you all read that and prepare to do that. Im going to give you your very quick pop quiz. The pop quiz for fences should be easy, as we will be done discussing it, but were going to take it so that you guys can get a grade for it, and you will also have the pop quiz for tbone and weasel. Lets start with August Wilson. August wilson was born Frederick August kittel on april 27th of 1945. His mothers name was daisy wilson. She was a cleaning lady. His fathers name was Frederick August kittel. He was a german baker. I want you guys to pay attention. Race matters in a very specific way. Race asuis always one of the ths were discussing as we look at these plays. His father, Frederick August kittle, was a german baker, so hes white, or hes european. And then his mother is a black woman named daisy, right . And shes a cleaning lady. I want you to understand, were already talking about a mixed relationship. So, hi
Distance learning can’t defeat Berkeley High Jazz
Not being able to play music together this year has proved tough, but lockdown has also left BHS’s young musicians more deeply versed in jazz than perhaps any previous class.
In a year like no other, Berkeley High Jazz meets together on Zoom to study jazz harmony and history, and plays “together” via BandLab. Image: Courtesy BHS Jazz
In a semester like no other, Berkeley High’s vaunted jazz program is ending the year transformed. Some of the changes have been painful nothing can replace sharing the same physical space and making music together but distance learning has also provided new opportunities that will leave the young musicians more deeply versed in jazz than perhaps any previous class.
Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis star in Ma Rainey s Black Bottom on Netflix. | Netflix
Every now and then, a film emerges that equally entertains, disturbs, and evokes powerful emotions. This year, that film is indisputably “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
Based on August Wilson’s 1984 play of the same name, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is directed by George C. Wolfe and stars Viola Davis, Coleman Domingo, and Chadwick Boseman in his final, riveting performance.
It’s a boiling hot day in 1927, and legendary blues singer Gertrude “Ma” Rainey is gearing up to record an album at a white-owned Chicago studio. Decked out in fur, heavy makeup, and elaborate dresses, the headstrong Ma is fully aware of her star power and she’s not afraid to make life difficult for her manager, Mr. Irvine (Jeremy Shamos), and the studio s owner, Mr. Sturdyvant (Jonny Coyne).