Fountainhead e-Letter, December 10 / January 11, Berlin/Germany

FOUNTAINHEAD® TANZ THEATRE
e - LETTER . Berlin/Germany
December 2010 / January 2011

www.fountainhead-tanz-theatre.de
www.blackinternationalcinema.de
www.black-international-cinema.com

Please send replies to / Bitte senden Sie Antworten an
bicdance@aol.com
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CrossKultur 2010
Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin/Germany

Fountainhead Tanz Theatre /
XXVI. Black International Cinema Berlin 2011 -
"An International Media Project" (UNESCO), May 4-8 /
THE COLLEGIUM - Forum & Television Program Berlin /
"Footprints in the Sand?" -
Photographic Exhibition - Visual Documentation, July 1-August 31, 2011

present

A COMPLEXION CHANGE -
Transnational & Intercultural Diplomacy
A collage of film and text interpretations interspersed with music

December 14 , 2010
7 p.m.
Rathaus Schneberg (Kinosaal)

Admission is without charge

in association with
CrossKultur 2010
A series of productions from the district office of Tempelhof-Schneberg

"....We Have A Dream and Still We Rise...."

 

PROGRAM

Music
Djembe Accompaniment
Sonja Prinz

Oral Presentation
"Ain't I A Woman?"
Isabel Allende
Reading: Marion Kramer

Excerpts from "Ain't I A Women?", an original performance utilizing readings in English and German, dance and music to portray an international and intercultural group of women, who created and made a vivid impression upon the world, from the 18th century to the present and beyond. The women are Sojourner Truth, Anas Nin, Hannah Arendt, Simone de Beauvoir, Ella Fitzgerald, Valerie Solanas, Isabel Allende and Toni Morrison.
Conceptualization, Direction and Choreography: Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith,
Artist: Marion Kramer
Rehearsal Assistance: Angela Kramer, Costume Design: Prof. Gayle McKinney Griffith and Gladys Denk
The production was originally performed during the XV. Black International Cinema Berlin 2000.

Oral Presentation
"Jesus was a Homeless Child" - Oscar Brown Jr.
Reading: Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith

Contributed by Oscar Brown Jr., Prose/Poems by Oscar Brown Jr., XII. Black International Cinema Anthology / Fountainhead presents XII. Black International Cinema 1993-1997, published by Fountainhead Tanz Theatre 1997

Film
"A Conversation with Oscar Brown Jr."
November 8, 1998,
Berlin, Germany
"Whats wrong with this picture?"
Production, Direction, Interview: Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith/Fountainhead Tanz Theatre
Documentary, Color, 60 min. Germany 1998
English

PEOPLE, POLITICS AND ART

"If it looks like bullshit and smells like bullshit, its probably bullshit!" - Oscar Brown Jr.

Oscar Brown Jr., the man in the film, on and off screen

Oscar was a combination of personalities that often amazed and bewildered. He was a habitu of Bronzville, also known as the Black Southside of Chicago, Illinois, which graciously provided him with a direction for life.
The young Oscar was blessed with circumstances many persons would wish for their existence. Indulgent, educated, loving and disciplining parents, bestowed a comfortable and resource filled life upon their son and family members, through substantial real estate interests.
Oscar was a special kind of man, one who "existed" in the dominant group and lived in the culture from which he'd sprung.
Oscar Brown Jr. lived a life of enlightened schizophrenia, acquiring the social-psychological skills necessary to deal with the dominant group, who were often times not especially appreciative of his talents or existence, but on the other hand fortunately lived among sun kissed people, through whom he was acculturated and remained a source of inspiration, information and support throughout his life.
Oscar was a handsome man, tall, articulate and very charming, as attested to by the ladies who swooned in his trajectory.
He was also a source of possibilities and enlightenment for males, young and old, especially sun kissed males, seeking to breath fresh air in the oppressive atmosphere of a country conditioned to cultivate and perpetuate a permanent underclass.
Oscar Brown Jr. for example, had the ability to request and receive funding from persons such as the mayor of Chicago, boss Richard J. Daley and then travel to the bowels of Bronzville on Chicago's Southside and distribute the largesse, among groups and individuals as diverse as the Black Muslims to the Black Stone Rangers, a notorious and powerful street gang at the time, in Chicago.
Oscar's financial support, talent and personality, enabled him to create theatre and artistic creations with persons ordinarily recognized for their anti and asocial behavior. He also provided the financial and artistic inspiration and creations for work with many young people in Chicago and nationwide.
In addition, Oscar was also a friend and co-creator with many established and talented musicians on the jazz scene, U.S.A.
He often spoke of his affiliation with the Communist Party and his efforts to combat racism through Scientific Socialism. His experience with this methodology eventually led to disappointment, as he again found himself enmeshed in a hierarchy with "other folks" on top of the glass ceiling. Oscar was gifted with his ability to analyze personal and political situations and from these insights, create plays, poetry and songs which possess amazing humor, understanding and musicianmanship and which enabled him to enter the annals of gifted artists by virtue of his talents.
The documentary film "A Conversation With Oscar Brown Jr." occurs in Oscar's hotel room, after the completion of his invitational concert at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin/Germany. He is in an expansive mood and speaks at length about music, the relationship between politics and sleaze in the U.S.A., the state of affairs of Black America and the underclass, crack cocaine, racial prejudice as a mental illness, Affirmative Action and the evil spirit in human society, versus the godly side in humanity.
Oscar also reminisces about his childhood in Chicago, attending the University of Wisconsin, acting, Dick Durham, the cold war, W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, the Communist Party, Jim Crow, his army experiences, the collapse of Communism-Socialism, Black people in the Communist Party and his hopes for the future.
After witnessing his intelligent, experienced and artistic thoughtfulness for an hour, you may not agree with Oscar on all points, but the viewer will certainly be enthralled and entertained by the overview of and personal history provided on film, by the remarkable Oscar Brown Jr..

Author: Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith

"I may not make it if I try, but I damn sure wont if I dont..." - Oscar Brown Jr.

Oscar Brown Jr.
October 10, 1926 - May 29, 2005

Intermission

 

Music
Djembe Accompaniment
Sonja Prinz

Project Presentation
alpha-aid - Nakuru/Kenia & Berlin/Germany
Presenter: Andreas Frahn

Oral Presentation
"How to Educate my Sons in a World with Emancipated Women"
Reading: Sonja Prinz

Oral Presentation
Speech of the American Scientist, Professor Dr. Dr. W.E.B. DuBois on the 28th of October 1958 at the Auditorium Maximum, Humboldt University of Berlin
The award ceremony of a presentation of an honorary doctorate to Prof. Dr. Dr. W.E.B. DuBois for his accomplishments in the field of economic science
Reading: Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith
Courtesy of the Humboldt-University of Berlin archive,
Research & Publishing: Fountainhead Tanz Theatre,
XIV. Black International Cinema Berlin Anthology 1998-1999

Film
"ON AIRE" - A Moment in "Time"
Multimedia Presentation: Film, Music and Performance
Production & Direction: Fountainhead Tanz Theatre

Credits
Production & Direction
Fountainhead Tanz Theatre
XXVI. Black International Cinema Berlin 2011
THE COLLEGIUM - Forum & Television Program Berlin
Wolfsburg, Magdeburg, Dessau and additional cities
in association with
Cultural Zephyr e.V.

Concept & Direction: Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith
Production Co-ordination: Angela Kramer
Public Relations Co-ordination: Marion Kramer
Production Assistance: Gesine Roberson

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CALL FOR ENTRIES
http://www.black-international-cinema.com/bic_intro/BIC_entryform_2011.pdf

Production & Direction
FOUNTAINHEAD® TANZ THEATRE
THE COLLEGIUM - FORUM & TELEVISION PROGRAM BERLIN
in association with
CULTURAL ZEPHYR e.V.

present

XXVI. Black International Cinema Berlin 2011
http://www.black-international-cinema.com/BIC11/bic_11.htm

A COMPLEXION CHANGE - Transnational & Intercultural Diplomacy

in cooperation with / in Kooperation mit der
Commissioner for Integration, District Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin
Integrationsbeauftragten des Bezirks Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin

"I extend my congratulations to the organizers of Black International Cinema Berlin, a cultural highlight which is unique Germany-wide."
Gabriele Gn Tank, Commissioner for Integration of the district Tempelhof-Schneberg, Berlin/Germany

"Mein Dank geht an die Organisatorinnen und Organisatoren von Black International Cinema Berlin, ein kulturelles Highlight, welches deutschlandweit einmalig ist."
Gabriele Gn Tank, Integrationsbeauftragte des Bezirks Tempelhof-Schneberg, Berlin/Deutschland

May 4-8, 2011

RATHAUS SCHÖNEBERG (City Hall)
Kinosaal (cinema) & Bibliothek (library)
John-F.-Kennedy-Platz 1
10825 Berlin, Germany

Admission is without charge / Der Eintritt ist frei

"....We Have A Dream and Still We Rise...."

German Commission for UNESCO, Bonn
"A COMPLEXION CHANGE 2009-2011 is an International Media Project with a very contemporary and innovative approach. It aims at contributing to the strengthening of international understanding, peace and friendship among peoples. It promotes intercultural dialogue in the spirit of the ideals and aims of UNESCO..."

Christine M. Merkel,
Head of the Division for Culture and Memory of the World at the German Commission for UNESCO, Bonn

Deutsche UNESCO Kommission, Bonn
"A COMPLEXION CHANGE 2009-2011 ist ein internationales Medienprojekt mit einer sehr zeitgenössischen und innovativen Herangehensweise. Es strebt danach, einen Beitrag zur Stärkung des internationalen Verständnisses, des Friedens und der Freundschaft zwischen den Völkern zu leisten. Es fördert den interkulturellen Dialog im Sinne der Ideale und Bestrebungen der UNESCO..."

Christine M. Merkel,
Referentin für Kultur und Kommunikation der Deutschen UNESCO-Kommission in Bonn

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Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre presented by euromight
http://www.euromight.com/fountainheadtanz.php

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Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre at fest21.com
http://www.fest21.com/blog/fountainhead

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THE COLLEGIUM TELEVISION PROGRAM BERLIN
produced & directed by/produziert und geleitet von
Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre/Black International Cinema Berlin/Cultural Zephyr e.V.

Sunday 7-8 pm / 19-20 Uhr
Wednesday 3.45-4.45 pm / 15.45-16.45 Uhr
Thursday 10-11 pm / 22-23 Uhr
Saturday 10-11 am / 10-11 Uhr

ALEX - Offener Kanal Berlin (Open Channel Berlin)

Upcoming LIVE Editions:
December 19, 2010
7-8 pm / 19-20 Uhr

CINEMA
A Conversation with Mathilde Jansen/Photographer
XXV. Black International Cinema Berlin 2010

T'was The Night Before Christmas
Recitation: Khadija Tarjan McKinney Griffith

STATE OF AFFAIRS
A Conversation with Netra Nambiar Veetil
& fellow students from the John-F.-Kennedy Schule, Berlin/Germany

January 16, 2011
7-8 pm / 19-20 Uhr

CINEMA
XXVI. Black International Cinema Berlin 2011
FILM PREVIEWS

ARTS CALENDAR
Butoh Dance
"For me the authentic expression and infinite exploration of the mind and body has grown through butoh dance, allowing me to observe beauty in shadows and the discovery of my own unique dance..."
Adrian Shephard / Artist

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THE COLLEGIUM on YOUTUBE
http://www.youtube.com/user/thecollegium

THE COLLEGIUM Television Program is televised in Berlin, Magdeburg, Wolfsburg, Dessau and additional cities.
THE COLLEGIUM Fernsehmagazin wird in Berlin, Magdeburg, Wolfsburg, Dessau und weiteren Städten ausgestrahlt.

ALEX - OFFENER KANAL BERLIN / OPEN CHANNEL BERLIN
For further information & visual impressions,
please visit THE COLLEGIUM website.
http://www.fountainhead-tanz-theatre.de/col-e.html

BERLIN
Every Sunday/jeden Sonntag
7.00-8.00 pm
19.00-20.00 Uhr
Every Wednesday/jeden Mittwoch
3.45-4.45 pm
15.45-16.45 Uhr
Every Thursday/jeden Donnerstag
10.00-11.00 pm
22.00-23.00 Uhr
Every Saturday/jeden Samstag
10.00-11.00 am
10.00-11.00 Uhr

ALEX - Offener Kanal Berlin
Voltastr. 5
13355 Berlin-Wedding

presenting / präsentiert werden

Cinema / State of Affairs / Arts Calendar
Filme / Diskussionen / künstlerische Darbietungen

for program information, please contact:
Programminformationen bitte unter:
0049 (0)30-782 16 21
0049 (0)30-75 46 09 46

THE COLLEGIUM MAGDEBURG
Offener Kanal Magdeburg (http://www.ok-magdeburg.de)
First Thursday in every month
Jeden ersten Donnerstag im Monat
6.00 - 7.00 pm
18.00 - 19.00 Uhr

THE COLLEGIUM WOLFSBURG
TV 38 (http://www.tv38.de)
30.12.10 - 18.00h/6.00pm
31.12.10 - 9.00h/9.00am & 15.00h/3.00pm
27.01.11 - 18.00h/6.00pm
28.01.11 - 9.00h/9.00am & 15.00h/3.00pm

THE COLLEGIUM DESSAU
Offener Kanal Dessau (http://www.ok-dessau.de)

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FOUNTAINHEAD® TANZ THEATRE
BLACK INTERNATIONAL CINEMA BERLIN
THE COLLEGIUM - FORUM & TELEVISION PROGRAM BERLIN
CULTURAL ZEPHYR e.V.

MISSION STATEMENT
We are an international, intercultural community of persons engaged in achieving increasing understanding and cooperation between individuals and groups in support of democratic procedures and the elimination of violence, religious, ethnic and gender persecution, youth exploitation, homophobia and racial hatred through the process of art, education, culture and dialogue.

Wir sind eine internationale, interkulturelle Gemeinschaft von Menschen mit dem Engagement für ein besseres Verständnis und wachsende Kooperation zwischen Individuen und Gruppen, mit Unterstützung des demokratischen Prozesses und der Beseitigung von Gewalt, Verfolgung aufgrund religiöser, ethnischer und geschlechtlicher Zugehörigkeit, Kindes- und Jugendmissbrauch, Homosexuellen-Feindlichkeit und von Rassenhass, durch die Mittel der Kunst, der Bildung, der Kultur und des Dialogs.

Nous sommes une communauté internationale et interculturelle de personnes engagées à promouvoir la compréhension et la coopération croissantes entre les individus et les groupes, à l'appui des outils démocratiques et à travers l'élimination de la violence, de la persécution religieuse, ethnique et sexuelle, de l'exploitation de la jeunesse, de l'homophobie et de la haine raciale par le processus de l'art, de l'éducation, de la culture et du dialogue.

MOTTOS
"I may not make it if I try, but I damn sure won't if I don't..." - Oscar Brown Jr.
"Mankind will either find a way or make one." - C.P. Snow
"Whatever you do..., be cool!" - Joseph Louis Turner
"Yes, I can...! - Sammy Davis Jr.
"Yes, We can...!" - Barack Obama

 

Copyright: Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre/Cultural Zephyr e.V., December 2010/January 2011