A few weeks ago I made the journey from BK to Mt. Vernon to break bread with my long-time sista friend, Nomsa (aka Clydeloris Herring), a talented Baha'i vocalist, collage artist, and community contributor. Besides being spiritually oriented artists, we share a Southern-bred heritage (Nomsa--North Carolina; yours truly--Tennessee); and we were introduced many moons ago by the late Florida-bred culturalist, Rich ("D Train Poet") Bartee.
Having enjoyed the home-styled delicacies and artful decor of Nomsa's abode, I promised to host her in Brooklyn for some Tennessee-style fare and another stimulating sista chat on this side of the metropolis. Since she was engaged in the exciting work of preparing for the Brooklyn '63 Production at the Kumble Theatre in downtown BK this Memorial Day weekend, she decided that an apropos time to take me up on the invitation was one of the rehearsal days when she'd already be in the area.
We had a great time and I expect to have an even greater time as I join a diverse range of other theatergoers to experience the "living history" sharings of the Brooklyn 63 cast. Featuring true stories from African-American, Puerto Rican, and Jewish community contributors revolving around the historic year 1963, the production will reveal life moments of these activists who have dedicated their lives to promoting positive social change. Written and directed by Ping Chong and Talvin Wilks (www.pingchong.org), Brooklyn '63 promises to be a highly interesting cultural and historical theatrical adventure. For directions and ticket info, visit www.kumbletheater.org or call 718-488-1624.
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P.s. in the collage photo on the bottom left is Nomsa depicted at the Baha'i Center in Manhattan near the photo of Dizzy Gillespie who was also a long-time member of the Baha'i faith. In the gifts shared on the bottom right are the wisdom-laden Divine Art of Living book (a Baha'i publication which I've often enjoyed and Paramahansa Yogananda's Law of Abundance which I gave to Nomsa to also enjoy. (Yogananda is the founder of Self Realization Fellowship.) Atop the books are a package of rose buds tea--(yes, actual rose buds for tea)-- from Little India which I gave to this sacred artist for a tasty relaxation after the triumph of Brooklyn '63 this Memorial Day weekend. Looking forward to the varied Brooklyn memories shared by these icons of living history.
