Oakland Public Library March 2019 Sign up for the OPL email newsletter to receive news, book recommendations, and free events directly to your inbox: oaklandlibrary.org/newsletter Your Library Film Screening: Yours in Sisterhood elebrate Women’s History! Between 2015 and 2017, Chundreds of strangers in communities all over the US were invited to read aloud and respond to letters from the 1970s sent to the editor of Ms. Magazine, the first mainstream feminist magazine in the country. The intimate, provocative, and sometimes heartbreaking conversations that emerge from these spontaneous performances make us think critically about the past, present, and future of feminism. Yours in Sisterhood (2018; directed by Irene Lusztig) is a collective portrait of feminism now and 40 years ago that is newly urgent—a project about time travel, embodied listening, César Chávez, Dolores empathy, public discourse, and the lost art of letter writing. Huerta, and a Great Golden Gate Branch, Saturday, March 9, 2pm Movement for Social Justice oin us in celebrating the birthday of César Chávez with a J screening of Viva La Causa. The film focuses on one of the seminal events in the march for human rights—the grape strike and boycott led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in the 1960s. Viva La Causa shows how thousands of people from across the nation joined in a struggle for justice for the most exploited people in our country—the workers who put food on our tables. In English with Spanish subtitles. Refreshments will be provided. César E. Chávez Branch, Saturday, March 30, 1pm Author Talk: Maxine Gordon on the Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon oin Maxine Gordon, widow of jazz icon Dexter Gordon, for a discussion about her new book, J Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon. Sophisticated Giant presents the life of tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon (1923–1990), one of the major innovators of modern jazz. In a context of biography, history, and memoir, Maxine Gordon has completed the book that her late husband began, weaving his “solo” turns with her voice and a chorus of voices from past and present. Reading like a jazz composition, the blend of research, anecdote, and a selection of Dexter’s personal letters reflects his colorful life and legendary times. It is clear why the celebrated trumpet genius Dizzy Gillespie said to Dexter, “Man, you ought to leave your karma to science.” Dexter Gordon, the icon, is the Dexter beloved and celebrated on albums, on film, and in jazz lore—even in a street named for him in Copenhagen. But this image of the cool jazzman fails to come to terms with the multidimensional man full of humor and wisdom, a figure who struggled to reconcile being both a creative outsider who broke the rules and a comforting insider who was a son, father, husband, and world citizen. This essential book is an attempt to fill in the gaps created by our misperceptions as well as the gaps left by Dexter himself. Brookfield Branch, Friday, March 1, 11am FRIENDS The library’s On Exhibit programs are O AKLAND PUBLIC generously LIBRARY Tuning In, with Michelle Champlin and Allyson Seal Discover the art of Michelle Champlin and Allyson Seal as they express OF THE supported by elements of their own journeys connecting with their souls and the souls of others. Lakeview Branch, March 1–April 30 the Friends of the Oakland Public Library, a nonprofit membership East Bay Landscape Painters Recent works are on exhibit by members of East Bay Landscape Painters, a group of artists of all organization. For more information media, styles, and levels of experience. Opening reception Saturday, March 2, 3–5pm. Rockridge Branch, March 1–April 30 or to join, visit www.FOPL.org. Celebrating the Power of Black Love Sonjhai Meggette’s photographs highlight and celebrate modern black love among families, parents, children, and community in Oakland. Eastmont Branch, through December 31 We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For The TeenZone Art Wall presents an installation by young women of color who envision how their voices and life experiences can be platforms for change. Main Library, through April 27 oaklandlibrary.org African American Oakland Photographs, documents, biographies, news clippings, and other ephemera from the Oakland History Room’s collection trace political, cultural, social, and economic contributions made by the African American community in Oakland (photo at left from the Transcontinental Railroad collection). Main Library, History Room, through March 31 FWD (One Hundred for One Hundred, Part 2) FWD is the second part of One Hundred for One @oaklibrary Hundred, a series of events and exhibitions to commemorate the first year of the second century of public service by the Temescal Branch Library. The wall art exhibition is installed in a salon style. Participating artists and writers will also be invited to match their work. This show will have a two-day run, beginning with an opening reception on Friday, March 15, and concluding the following day. Deco Arts, 5495 Claremont Avenue, Friday, March 15, 7–9pm, Saturday, March 16, 12–4pm Oakland Public Library : 1 Events for Adults 81st Avenue Film Festival Takes a Fresh Look at the Black Arts Movement in Oakland ith artist talks and film screenings, Resistance, Resilience, & Anticipation! reviews W the local social and political influences that helped fashion Black Art in the 1960s and 1970s. By asking “what path was left unexplored,” we set the stage today for tomorrow’s Black Arts in Oakland. Friday, March 1 Saturday, March 16 5:30pm Screening: Simple Justice, by Avon Kirkland*; Director Helaine Head 3:30pm Artist Talk: Dance, with Deborah Vaughan and Yvonne Daniel 7:30pm Screening: Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, by Melvin Van Peebles 4:30pm Screening: To Sleep with Anger, by Charles Burnett 6:30pm Screening: Fruitvale Station, by Ryan Coogler Saturday, March 2 8:30pm Screening: Sorry to Bother You, by Boots Riley 3:30pm Screening: Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, by Carol Munday Lawrence* 4:30pm Artist Talk: Visual Arts, with Mildred Howard, David Bradford, Saturday, March 23 and Larry Clark 3:30pm Artist Talk: Writers Daphne Muse, Judy Juanita, and Marvin 6:30pm Screening: Tongues Untied, by Marlon Riggs White; Moderator, Eric Arnold 8:30pm Screening: Passing Through, by Larry Clark 5:30pm Screening: Spirits of Rebellion, by Zeinabu Davis* 8:30pm Screening: Black Panther, by Ryan Coogler Saturday, March 9 *filmmaker in attendance 3:30pm Artist Talk: Folk Arts, with Leon Kennedy and Marvin White 81st Avenue Branch, March 1–23 4:30pm Screening: Blindspotting, by Daveed Diggs 6:30pm Screening: Daughters of the Dust, by Julie Dash 8:30pm Screening: The Mack, by Michael Campus Temescal Branch’s West Oakland Poetry Anthology Second Century he Temescal Branch Library turned 100 in the Works T last December and has been hosting an anda Sabir, host of the West Oakland Branch’s annual Celebration of African on-going series of programs and events W American Poets and Their Poetry, is looking for work from poets who have inspired by the start of a new century of participated in this event since it began in 1990. She is assembling material for a 30th community. Also see FWD, in the exhibits anniversary anthology with reflections, photos, and video. The children are grown, and section on page one, which is part of for those who are no longer with us—Lee Williams, Joy Holland, Kamau Seitu, and Temescal’s ongoing centennial celebration. Dennis Cutten, among others—we'd like their heirs to consider allowing us to publish some of these artists' work (smile). An anthology was started over 15 years ago; we Telling Temescal Stories would like the return of that manuscript. We would also like copies of any video footage Come and be the first group of neighborhood of poetry celebrations. Call (510) 255-5579 or email [email protected]. residents and community members to contribute a story related to the Temescal District that will become part of the legacy of the branch’s second century of service to the community. This project will contribute personal Medicinal Plant Walk stories, memoirs, and commentaries to the library’s Jeff Norman Archive documenting the in Dimond Park history of the Temescal District. Copies of any ver wonder what medicinal plants grow contributions will also be made for a time E around you? Join Carmen Cortez, capsule being assembled for discovery by permaculturist and clinical herbalist, for an future library users at the library’s bicentennial informative plant walk in Dimond Park. Ms. in 2118. Cortez will help you identify medicinal plants and Temescal Branch, Saturday, March 16, explain their uses. We’ll meet at the Dimond 11am Branch Library, then walk to the park together. Dimond Branch, Saturday, March 9, 10am Enter the Oakland Portal Come gather at the Temescal Branch Library to begin your entry into the Oakland Portal. 5th Annual Grandparents Day Participants will hear a brief introduction to the with Special Concert experience they will have after a short walk to the portal located at International High School re you a caregiving grandparent in need of some pampering? Come to the West Oakland (on Webster Street, between 45th and 48th Branch and let us thank you for everything you do for the grandbabies in your life. Bring your A streets.) Inside the portal, you will become part grandchildren, too! As you relax and get some well-deserved recognition, your grandbabies can of a conversation with people across the globe attend a special concert with Mariela from 2:30-3:30pm. Grandparents and children will be treated having a similar experience where they are.