Events

Summer is Here

Published

5 years ago

June 21, 2019

Astronomically at least, the solstice is the first day of summer. It’s the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest elevation in the northern hemisphere. This year it’s on Friday, June 21.

The naturalists at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley will celebrate it with a sunset walk from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. It’s a chance to enjoy an evening exploration of the Delta, with lots of wildlife sightings possible.

Meet at the Big Break visitor center at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call 888-327-2757, ext. 3050.

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Summer’s wildflowers are the theme of a hike from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sat., June 22 at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, led by naturalist Kevin Dixon.

There aren’t as many wildflowers in summer, but they are hardy and beautiful. The hike is likely to be steep; it’s for ages 10 and older, and registration is required. Call 888-327-2757, select option 2, and refer to program 25070.

Black Diamond Mines is at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. Kevin’s hike is free; the park has a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended.

And if snakes are your thing, join naturalist Eddie Willis in a program from 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 23 at Black Diamond Mines. Eddie will show two live snakes, and talk about how to share the trails with snakes in the wild. Meet Eddie near the parking lot at the end of Somersville Road.

For general information about Black Diamond Mines, call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750.

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The Over-the-Hills Gang is an informal group of hikers ages 55 and older interested in nature study, history, fitness and fun. Everyone is welcome.

Naturalist “Trail Gail” Broesder will lead the gang on a hike from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25 at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.

Besides its unusual history, Point Pinole is a beautiful refuge from summer heat. Meet Gail in the parking lot at the end of Atlas Road in Richmond. For information, call 510-544-2233.

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Looking further ahead on the calendar, the Fourth of July falls on a Thursday this year. Two of the regional parks plan to celebrate it in style.

You can join the interpretive staff at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda and participate in the town’s Fourth of July parade, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Swim” along the parade route with the park’s Mobile Visitor Center, or just enjoy the show from the sidewalk.

Then from 2 to 5 p.m. on July Fourth, Crab Cove will host open house at the center, which is at the end of McKay Avenue off Alameda’s Central Avenue. There will be family friendly activities throughout the afternoon.

For information on the parade and open house, call 510-544-3187.

Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont always stages an elaborate Independence Day celebration, and this year is no exception.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July Fourth, the park plans a 1900s-style community festival with patriotic music on the lawn, fiddle music in the farmyard, and games, contests and races. Try your hand at nail driving, egg tossing, watermelon seed spitting, the bucket brigade, and tug-of-war. Bring a picnic and spend the day.

Ardenwood is located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just off Highway 84. Fee for the Independence Day event is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 62 and older, $5 for children 4 through 17, and free for kids 3 and under. Parking is free. For information, call 510-544-2797.

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Ned MacKay

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Arts and Culture

Promise Marks Performs Songs of Etta James in One-Woman Show, “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley

“The (show) is a fictional story about a character named Etta, aka Lady Peaches,” said Marks. “She falls in love with Johnny Rhythm, leader of the Rhythm Players Band and headliners of Madam G’s Glitta Lounge.” Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy Of Promise Marks.

Special to the Post

It was “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Group Theater in Berkeley on Saturday night, Dec. 7. The one-woman musical based on the music of Etta James featured the multi-talented singer Promise Marks

Marks, who wrote and directed the musical, also owns PM Productions.

Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

In between her soulful songs, Marks narrated impactful moments of the love story and journey of blues and forgiveness.

Marks sultry voice carried the audience back to an era that echoed with the power of Black music and a time of great change.

Marks said James shared love for the Black community by singing at gatherings during the Civil Rights Movement uplifting the people.

“She spoke to the movement, spoke to the people, and let her music speak for itself,” Marks said.

Backing the musical’s monologues, images and videos of Etta James are projected for the audience to view. While the production is fictional, Marks infused script with the unfairness and heartbreak James experienced while performing.

Marks performed gospel artist Donnie McClurkin’s “We Fall Down” as she narrated acts of reconciliation and forgiveness among the characters at Johnny Rhythm’s deathbed.

Marks, who regularly sings for the Miss America Pageant, was asked to perform as Etta James last year. “(At the event) a lady yelled out to me: ‘You’re Etta James!’ And then the audience went crazy. I said to myself, ‘I may have something here,’” she said.

Within 12 months, Marks created the musical production, which featured a dozen songs honoring “the great legacy of Etta James,” she said.

Marks says she was saddened to see how Etta James was often judged by the struggles in her life and wanted to offer attendees a more layered view.

“Etta’s life was so big. I want people to know that she was more than her drug addiction,” said Marks. “We can’t make that her legacy. Her catalog is too amazing. You can’t just be that and have the catalog that she (created). I don’t want the addiction to be the focus: I want her music, her element, her sassiness, and what she brought to be the focus – her woman-ness, that she was strong, and I wanted to honor that.”

Set Designer Nora Burnette says she created the set segments to mirror James’ life story. A set designer for BRG since 2016, she explained that her process of researching the scenario and the character serve as her inspiration for her design.

“I try to design a set as close to real life as possible so that the actress can deliver the performance sincerely,” said Burnette. “By creating the right setting, it helps the actors release the true essence of a character.”

The set brought the story to life and absolutely floored Marks. “Once Promise (Marks) saw the actual set, she understood my vision: ‘Wow, you get me. You get it,'” Marks told the designer.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, Etta James, began her career in 1954 and gained fame with hits such “At Last” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” She faced a number of personal problems, before making a musical comeback in the late 1980s with the album “Seven Year Itch.”

Co-producer and BRG Development Director, Sean Vaughn Scott, works with Overseer Production. According to producer Pamela Spikes, “Marks talent truly does Etta’s life story justice.”

Pam Jacobs of Hercules, a friend of Marks’ mom, Jackie Smith, said, Marks “was fabulous and sang all of those songs flawlessly.”

“I’m so proud of my daughter,” said Smith.

Marks, who has served as an instructor for BRG, will return on Feb. 21- 23 for an encore run of the musical.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the BRG (Black Repertory Group) family and continue our executive director Dr. Mona Vaughn Scott’s vision for the Black Repertory Group theater,” said Marks.

The Black Repertory Group Theatre is located at 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703. For information, visit: BlackRepertoryGroup.com

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”