This event has inspired the video of the week…enjoy!

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Sistah Swap-N-Meet Nov. 22nd 6pm…. This is such a fun event, the last one was such a blast we decided to do this quarterly, now its that time…so do your winter cleaning and get rid of things to small, too big, shoes you’ll never wear, a bag that goes with nothing, old software, cd’s, appliances, jewlery ect. Bring a bag of stuff you want to part with and we’ll set everything up in a store like fashion. Then we will all get to shop, talk, eat and meet. Please bring a friend. Its open to everyone. We especially want to encourage people who are size 14 and above to show up and share…we want your stuff too! 

****Anything thats not swapped will go to shelters to benefit women who are suffering from domestic violence***** email for event address

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“Suga Cane”  a play dedicate to ancestors in love is in pre production. I’m still searching for two poets who want to become a part of this historic expression of love and affection. All you have to do is be able to write poetry and then perform it. Yes its that easy! the subject matter is focused on passionate love between two slaves. Thoes interested in these last spots should contact me asap. This play will run during black history month. email your request to participate. More info to come.

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There will be black people making love in the white house

Hair grease in the white house

Corn bread and fried chicken

Cornrows and braids

A black family lounging in the white house

Black music being played in the white house

but most importantly….a black woman is helping her black man run the country…I’m dancing the rest of the week away in tribute to our victory.

I ask you the readers…what are you now inspired to do?

(((((((((Spiritual Workshops))))))))

Offered at: First Congregational Church, 27th and Harrison St.., Oakland, CA

October 18:  Who Am I: Naming Ourselves through our Ancestor Lineage 9AM -Noon

In this workshop we will look at the various ways that naming occurs

in indigeneous traditions and explore the various names each of the

participants has walked with. Each person will create a praise poem or prayer for your

ancestral lineage through the process of naming. Wear comfortable clothing;

bring a notebook, pen and information you have about your ancestors (the names

they went by, what they were known for, their occupations, their triumphs and

their challenges.) $30.00  Presented by Iya Fakayode, a faculty member of the School of Ancient Mysteries/Sacred Arts Center in Oakland, California.

October 18:  Cultivating Kinship – Finding Your Ancestral Allies  1-4PM

From the crossroads to the river, the mountaintop to the ocean’s depths, your Ancestors are waiting to support you in your life.  Come engage in an inner dialogue to discover who travels with you.  Transform whispers into potent words as you allow the voice of an Ancestor to come forth and be heard by you.  Come and cultivate kinship with your Ancestral Allies as What is Remembered Lives!  $30.00 

 

 Please:  Bring something to represent you on the Altar during the workshop.

 Bring things to help you be comfortable (a pillow, favorite doll, water, etc.)

 Bring paper and pencil/pen

 Dress comfortably.

 

 

 

Another Special worshop not to be missed……..I’m going to do this workshop!!! 

October 25th and 26th, What is Remembered Lives!, Ancestor 101 & 102 will be taught by Uzuri Amini at 2115 Myrtle Street, Oakland, CA from 10 am until 4 pm on Saturday and 9am until 4pm on Sunday.  This weekend intensive provides basic information for beginners interested in Yoruba Ancestor practices.  
Workshop participants will learn how to: make an Ancestor shrine, connect with their Ancestors, find and decorate a staff to represent their Ancestors, share stories, sing, plus much, much more.  On Sunday participants will participate in Ile Orunmila Oshun’s annual visit to the ceremony to honor our Ancestors.

Both workshops presented by Uzuri Amini who is an initiated priest of Oshun, the Yoruba deity of love, art, sensuality, sexuality, fertility and creativity.  She was initiated in 1989 in Oshogbo, Nigeria. She is also a ceremonialist, creative artist, and word warrior published in the anthologies The Goddess Celebrates, Earthwalking Skydancers & A Waist is a Terrible Thing to Mind.   She is also a faculty member of the School of Ancient Mysteries/Sacred Arts Center in Oakland, California.

Ms. Amini travels around the country and the world presenting her workshops about the Ifa tradition of West Africa, sacred sexuality, and how to put “power” in your writing.  She is also a faculty member of the School of Ancient Mysteries/Sacred Arts Center in Oakland, California.

 Take advantage of the 2 for 1 Workshop fee.  Register now as spaces are limited.  For more information and workshop fee please call 510.467-7295.

 

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The Thirteenth Annual Festival of the Bones

Presented by Ile Orunmila Oshun

 

 

Saturday, November 1st at 7PM Ile Orunmila Oshun presents its 13th Annual Festival of the Bones celebrating the Ancestral season at the The Oakland Center for Spiritual Living, 5000 Clarewood Drive, Oakland, CA 94618

Festival of the Bones honors the contributions of our collective ancestors and celebrates the beauty of life.  We share in the gifts of the world’s spiritual traditions including African, Native American, Hawaiian, and Middle Eastern.

Representatives from these traditions will share their stories, songs, and dances. This Festival is interactive village theatre.  Participants will experience transformative acts such as invoking the spirits of their ancestors, telling their stories, and placing them on the Tree of Life.

In the month of October Ile Orunmila Oshun offers a series of workshops in various aspects of ancestor reverence such as altar building, trance dance, ceremonial clothing and creating sacred objects. Attendance at these workshops will enhance understanding of ancestral traditions and provide participants with personal rituals that can be incorporated into their lives everyday.

Kindred spirits, women, men and children of all ages and spiritual paths are welcomed.

This is a drug, alcohol and hate free zone.

Suggested donation: Adults $18 or multiples of 9 Children 12 & under 99 cents – $$9

No one turned away for lack of money. Come to the Festival and become a part of a growing Bay Area Tradition. I will be performing at this event….don’t miss a chance to see me in action 

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The Oyin (honey) Artist Salon starts officially Oct. 22nd at 8pm and will continue every 4th Weds from now on. Bring your poetry, art, songs and stories to tell. Potluck stylee. 2115 Myrtle St Oakland. email interest at bushmag1@juno.com

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  ((((((Performances and Plays))))))

  PRISONS
Four Shows Only! Friday 8pm, Saturday 2:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday 5:00pm, October 17th, 18th and 19th 2008. $15 adv / $18 door.

At The Black Repertory Theater 3201 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA 94703.

OAKLAND, Calif. – 30 September 2008 – Shanique S. Scott is pleased to announce her one-woman drama/comedic theatrical piece entitled “PRISONS”.  “PRISONS” is an autobiographical story about Scott’s life growing up in the Bronx, New York City.  The story focuses on three main influences in her childhood life.  The first influence is home, where there was violence, poverty and substance abuse. The second is the New York City public school system where she was passed along from grade to grade having never passed a city-wide reading or math test.  And lastly, religion, where there were major contradictions between teachings of love, compassion, fear and punishment.

“PRISONS” is the story of a young girl holding on to her hopes and dreams of a better life in contrast to her experience of chaos, despair and loss that surrounds her world. When she is finally successful in manifesting a different experience, she is faced with a decision of whether to let her past become a “PRISON” or taking a risk for something new.

“PRISONS” will be performed at The Black Repertory Theater 3201 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA 94703.  Four Shows Only! Friday 8pm, Saturday 2:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday 5:00pm, October 17th, 18th and 19th 2008. $15 adv / $18 door.  This project is supported by Theater Bay Area CA$H and The Zellerbach Family Foundation.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Shanique S. Scott has performed in several venues and festivals, including AFRO SOLO theater festival (2004 and 2005), the San Francisco theater festival (2006), and the Hip Hop Theater Festival (2007) in Berkeley.  She has also performed in upscale comedy clubs such as New York Comedy Club, Stand Up New York Comedy Club, and The Punch Line in San Francisco.  She has also performed in high schools, prisons, group homes and halfway houses.  “PRISONS” was premiered at The Jon Sims Center for the Performing Arts in San Francisco and The La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley (2006).  Her most recent successful performance was as Pecola Breedlove in Toni Morrison‘s “THE BLUEST EYE” AT THE Lorraine Hannsberry Theater in SanFrancisco, CA.  Shanique has a Masters Degree in Theater and Women’s Studies.

 

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Mangos With Chili Queer Borderlands Tour 2008 Kicks off in SF !
Mangos with Chili, the floating cabaret of queer and trans people of color bliss, dreams, sweat, sweets & nightmares, is pleased to announce the Bay Area kick off of our 2008 Queer Borderlands Tour.

Launching on Columbus Day weekend in resistance to the legacy of imperialism and colonization reflected by the commemoration of the holiday, Mangos with Chili will present two evenings of unforgettable and history-making performance in both San Francisco and Oakland. The show will feature new work in the genres of dance, vaudeville, poetry, spoken word, theater, burlesque, performance memoir, and hip hop addressing the themes of border transgressions, migrations, deportations, relocation, displacement, legacy and the struggle to create new worlds, and in celebration of queer lives, stories, and the legacies we are creating for future generations of queer and trans people of color.

Hosted by history making burlesque sensation SIMONE DE LA GETTO! with an all star hottie lineup featuring:
VIXEN NOIR presenting her multi-media mix of erotic performance art
CHICA BOOM the notorious Chicana burlesque starlet
QWO-LI DRISKILL the celebrated first nations two spirit poet
NAR boy-girl Arab hip hop duo
NICO DACUMOS mixed Chicano/Filipino performance memoir maker
TRE VASQUEZ two spirit rappero from the borderlands of arizonaztlan
ZULEIKHA MAHMOOD Afghan writer and zine maker 
MS. CHERRY GALLETE and her showgurlesque cabaret dance fusions
LEAH LAKSHMI PIEPZNA-SAMARASINHA the femme powerhouse spoken word wonder
(Oakland show was this past Monday)
SF SHOW INFO:
Friday, October 10, 2008, 8:00pm
Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory Theater
1519 Mission St. (at Van Ness) , San Francisco, CA
$10-$15 sliding, no one turned away for lack of funds. I’m going to this…anyone wanna carpool over and have thai food afterwards????
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2008 MAAFA celebration happens Oct. 12th @ Ocean Beach ((((sunrise))) This amazing event happens every year to pay our respects to our ancestors who came here during the slave trade. There is ritual, song, prayer, tears, laughter, opening, awakening and healing. You come dressed in whites (warmest) bring white flowers and food for yourself. I can’t explain how moving this event is, just come and experience this for yourself. learn more: http://maafasfbayarea.com. I will be camping out the night before so If you wanna hang bring your mats, sleeping bags and small instruments for a midnight jam session.
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Screening at The Grand Lake Theater 6pm Oct. 12th ‘Bay Area Cypher is a performance documentary that blends live freestyle presentations with short interviews to showcase the uniqueness of Hip Hop in the San Francisco Bay Area.’
Idris Hassan, producer, director, writer, media activist
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Where My Girls At?  its not just a song by 702, its also a one-woman play that takes a comedic looks at Black Lesbians life. No you don’t have to be black or a lesbian to enjoy this one. I took my 11year old straight daughter to see this and she loved it! I told a white college professor and his wife to go see and they laughed so hard they got stomach aches. When it ran in Oakland  and SF it sold out everynight to mixed crowds who couldn’t get enough. Then Micia Mosley (the creator and star) took the play on the road. We’re happy to see her come back to the bay with her artistry and talent. On October 16th there will be a fundraiser held to help her produce the play again here in the Bay Area. Come and support, meet the artist and experience some samples of this dynamic and hillarious play.
http://wmga.eventbrite.com for more information and ticket purchase
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 The Mighty Mos Def is having a concert in SF Oct. 19th get free tix http://megsf.com
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Oyin Artist Salon : open to all artist who want to share. Bring your poetry, your songs and your portable visual work. We’ll offer feedback and suggestions in a warm and friendly environment. We are open to spectators but they must come bearing gifts of food to share. Invite only…to be included email your Artist Salon Request. Include the following: Name, Artistic medium or say Spectator. Its getting cold out so lets share our sexy sides to get warmed up. Next weeks theme is Romance…whatchoo got on it!
Wednesdays at 7pm  2115 Myrtle St (takin $$ donations or cowrie shells)Since its dinner time bring something to share. Drinks and a pot of something will be provided. Veggie and vegan friendly of course…meat eaters bring some meat! email at bushmag1@juno.com
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Omolandia,(an Omo is a non-intitiate person that practices an African Religion)  This group will come together to discuss spiritual work, findings, and issues. Each time we meet we’ll have a group topic, we’ll go through it and then open it up for random topics. We’ll aslo discuss group outings, spiritual trips and a book share/book club. 7pm every 2nd Starting next month friday potluck stylee. Thoes interested relpy with “Omolandia” in the title. Include your name and the religion you practice.
Ifa,Lucumi, Santeria,Umbanda,Condomble,Vodun, Voodoo or any others  have failed to mention. email me at bushmag1@juno.com

#1 Haven’t we been bombarded with all the media coverage centered around people who are getting married now. Notice how none of them are people of color. What does that say about our relationship to that particular institution. Bush Mag believes there should be equal rights for everyone. What every straight couples can do gay couples should be able to do. So my pulse is reaching out directly to couples in our community..what does the ability to marry mean to you?

#2 Is this marriage decision based on economics…if you crunch the numbers I think so. Last night most of the coverage was on city hall and the volunteers who are helping the couples get hitched and the commentators who spent a lot of time breaking down just how much California will make on marriage license fees. Companies related to marriage are celebrating like its Christmas due to the orders for cakes, photos, invitations and so on. I think people care less what our goal for equal rights are when there is money to be made……to make a point and an economic impact don’t fall for the hype and don’t buy into all the crap surrounding a traditional marriage and see how quick all this celebration goes right back to hate mongering and protesting trying to change the law back…stay tuned this discussion has just started!!!!

Its that special time when we all get together to show our love to the world. For thoes of us who live a very closeted life this is that one time of year when they come out into the light to celebrate. I praise your courage. We know how difficult it can be to suppress who you are and we know why its easier to just leave that part of yourself out of the mix at work, with family, with your church community, amongst straight friends and around anyone else who considers how and who we love as something other than natural. I encourage you all at this time to say a few word to those who are shut in, locked out, locked up, and not yet free to be. They need to know there is a good life out in the open…even if you just use this time to be out. Do it for yourself…its a life changing experience to just see all the beautiful women, couples and families in solidarity.

The entire Bay Area is all a buzz at this time of year…there is a pleathora of event to enjoy. Here are our pics not to be missed.

The National Queer Arts Festival which has a different event happening almost every single day in June has some spectacular performances that represents every group of queer people living in the Bay. (http://www.thequeerculturalcenter.org) Check out their full schedule and make a point to see at least 3 of the 30 or more listed. Bush Mag will be at “Insurgency: Mixed Queer Bodies” on June 18th, “Sweet Deliverance” on June 20th and The Public meeting on June 30th around Creating Community/Grants for the Arts at the Voice Factory.

The Trans March (http://transmarch.com) is a new event, only two years old is happening on June 28th at 3pm at Delores Park SF. Go and support your local tranny or your inner tranny. This event is special because your are highly encouraged to dress up. Boys get to be girls, girls get to be boys and everything in between is allowed to shine on this day. Its full of performances so be present and take it all in.

SF Dyke March (http://www.thedykemarch.org) June 28th from 3pm-10pm at Delores Park

The day starts off with you coming to the park with your picnic basket and good cheer. You find a great place to sit and watch all the perfomances of the day. Then you might enjoy walking around to see all the people you’ve never saw before in the club (avoiding ex’s of course). And then you march with a cazillion other women through the streets of San Francisco. Families and business owners clutter into their windows and doorways just to cheer us on, gawk at all the breast exposed to the wind and the magic that only a group of happy women could bring to the world. Be smart about partying during pride. Here are my tips to staying safe and having fun by being prepared in advance.

1. Wear layers…Sf can go from hot to cold in seconds

2. Wear comfy shoes. nothing makes a good march go sour like crunched toe or blistering soles.

3. Get cash before you get there. Atm’s run out, there is a line everywhere you go so just get it before you need it. leave cards and other important stuff you can loose at home

4. Wear a backpack or nap sack to carry your personal effects and all the crap you’ll collect during this event. You’ll want your arms free from all the hugs you give when you run into long lost friends (trust me on this one)

5. Going alone vs. Going with friends. either way you win. I say its always fun to have at least one friend along if you are not partnered up. But us butterflies also see the advantage of going alone, being on your own schedule and trust me once you get there you won’t be alone for long

6. Stay hydrated but don’t over do it. This is a safety measure, not to mention that a clean bathroom without a 50 person line is hard to come across and trust me after a few hours out there a port-au-potty is out of the question

7. Don’t Drive take public transit. It gets you to the seat of the action quicker and you won’t have a three mile trek back to the car when the festivities are over (invaluable lesson)

8. Have an after March plan. You will be scammed into thinking that the after march parties are all the rage but they usually suck. Most promoters use this time just to take your money, the energy is always off and its not worth it in the end. I suggest you go to parties where you already know the promoter or go to a private party with your own friends or the new friends you met that day…those are sure to be a better time spent.

*Instant Karma: if you see someone alone ask them to join you and your friends…they will be so happy you did. Brown Girls Unite!!!

We’ll try to move all our archives over her in our new home at some point but until then fill free to go there. See who are supporters are, read Dirty Diary and see who what types of events and people we’ve covered so far