The Year in Review, sort of ... Colored Christmas at Davies

Some friends think I've fallen off the planet, ‘cause my emails have been bouncing back lately with the message "mailbox full." It's finals week and as I slide into the home plate just under the deadline, I've finished one final examination, three more to go. This semester also concludes my tenure review process - yes, year four came kinda fast. I've been recommended for tenure; now whether that happens is up to Chancellor Elihu Harris and the Peralta Community College Trustee Board to decide early next year.

I'm still fatigued from the ambitious Maafa Commemoration this October-November and have been reading the "Harry Potter" series over the past month to rest my mind. I completed the final episode this Sunday. It was a great adventure - the righteous won, of course.

Kwanzaa is just a week away. So Habari Gani to everyone. Hope the news is freedom and justice for African people. Eid al Adha - the Eid of sacrifice - is today, Dec. 19. "Eid Mubarak!" or "Blessed Eid!" to everyone on the occasion of the big Eid, the one where a father and his son were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice - life - but the creator deemed it unnecessary. It just goes to show you that all the bloodletting is not the creator, rather man's error in judgment. The creator is about life, not death, a fitting thought considering the season. Merry Christmas, folks.

"The Colors of Christmas" at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco was even better than I imagined Monday evening. It was the first time since I've been attending that Peabo Bryson's guests were all Black. The addition of Ben Vereen, Oleta Adams, the return of Marilyn McCoo, this time with her husband, Billy Davis Jr., who brought the house down with "Wedding Bell Blues," made me want to return tonight. Hey folks, even the conductor, Herman Jackson, whom I've seen before, was Black and the seven kids they invited up for the "Beauty and the Beast" duet with Adams and Bryson.

Vereen was so on top of his game - his "12 Days of Christmas" was a reenactment of one of the season's most popular sing-a-long tunes with a soulful twist, especially when he got to the "maids a-milking" part. The audience chimed in on the first and fifth days. He had on his red K-Swiss, red shirt and white pants for a reason - I thought it was to look fly or cute - it was to fly up and down the stage.

The sisters were looking elegant, especially McCoo in these really beautiful pastel gowns with floral and abstract designs. Adams wore dresses which showed off her legs and tiny waist, her hair sweeping her shoulders. Of all the songs Adams sang, it was her interlude which introduced "Get Here" that touched all of our hearts. She began with a story of a friend who she'd been speaking to on a videophone whose child asked her to sing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." As she sang the song she said she reflected on the many soldiers who'd be talking to family across the miles using such technology - the families missing each other and wishing they were together. It was then that the diminutive singer-songwriter began to sing, "I don't care how you get here; get here when you can."

McCoo outdid herself when she sang what she said one of her favorite songs, "Oh Holy Night." Her range once the symphony orchestra grew silent was phenomenal - operatic in magnitude she really captured the intensity of the moment "Christ was born." Bryson was his charming self, dancing with a sister in the audience who said she'd waited eight years for that moment. The consummate gentleman, later on he serenaded an elder celebrating her 83rd birth year in the balcony above the stage. It reminded me of Romeo and Juliet.

Okay, so I'm not a Christian. I can still get into the moment. I wish Americans could hold onto such feelings of loving kindness, good will and good cheer after such concerts ended. I wonder if in Muslim countries, people get all warm and fuzzy when the country recalls moments when human beings have been able to transcend bitterness for what's sweet. Wonder if there is a pill? We should spike King George and his cabinet's drinks.

My younger daughter, TaSin, was injured in a collision a few weeks ago. A speeding car hit her as she was pulling off the bridge. She is doing better but still cannot bend over or stretch. My older daughter, Bilaliyah, is completing statistics so she can transfer to a university in the spring. Wish her luck on her final exam.

As I was walking Lake Merritt last week, I noticed felled friends. Yes, over Thanksgiving holidays up to now a 130-foot tall, blue gum eucalyptus and saplings and others targeted for execution. In total the number is 224. There are beautiful magnolia trees scheduled for cutting to make room for more parking over at the old Kaiser Auditorium, next to the Oakland Museum. For information call Friends of the Lake at (510) 452-2863, Mayor Dellums at (510) 238-3141 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Councilwoman Nadel at (510) 238-7003 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Councilwoman Kerrighan at (510) 238-7002 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and City Attorney John Russo at (510) 238-3814 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

As I walked by my leafy friends Monday morning before going to work, I gave them a friendly pat - I wanted to hug one but was kind of embarrassed. I think my Dodge used to sport a bumper sticker, "Have you hugged a tree today?"

Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir

“The Black Nativity: A Gospel Celebration of Christmas” is playing at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre through Dec. 30.

Count Basie Orchestra with special guest Ledisi

If you haven't gotten over to Yoshi's San Francisco, perhaps this is the line-up to tempt you? This wonderful orchestra will be at 1330 Fillmore, Tuesday, Dec. 26, through the New Year. Call (415) 655-5600 or visit www.yoshis.com. Tickets are $28-$32; the weekend rate is $32-$34. New Year's Eve is $100-$110.

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra open at Yoshi's in Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Dec. 26 and continues through the New Year. Tickets are $26, weekends $30 and New Year's Eve $100. Visit www.yoshis.com or call (510) 238-9200. Perhaps you recall the ensemble from the concert at Stern Grove this summer?

Black Nativity

Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir

The song the choir sang later on, expressing sorrow at the treatment they gave their lord, was no excuse. They said, "They didn't know who he was, otherwise they'd have treated him better." I thought about all the people who are denied basic human rights because someone doesn't recognize their worth. If nothing else, this story is one that shows how wrong it is to value one life over another. The setting of the gospel story of Christ's birth this year is framed by another story--a Christmas pageant at a local church. It's a great way to illustrate just this, why we should treat everyone the same. What if Mary had miscarried or lost her child?

Yvonne Cobbs-Bey's musical arrangements and the trio, headed by Ms. Faye Carol with Yolanda Caro Freeman, not to mention Cobbs-Bey are wonderful. Carol was even more on point than usual. This is one live recording I am looking forward to purchasing next year.

I wondered when Mary was left to wait for Joseph to return with lodging why he never returned and after she is surrounded by the choir --all women, she emerges with a baby, Joseph no where to be found. It felt like James Baldwin's "Amen Corner," not Langston Hughes retelling of the Christmas story with gospel music.

I mean, how stereotypical. In the ghetto, dads do this all too frequently. And when one thinks about the Black family and the damage enslavement still has on its development, to change the story, which is about family where one of the few men on stage is honorable, is unthinkable. Not only was Joseph not the kid's biological dad, he took care of him as his own. This is a story that shouldn't be altered. I hope Joseph is back at manger to witness and help Mary in "Black Nativity Take 10."

The "Three Shepherds" are now deacons and the "No Good Shepherd" is now a jazz musician who can't hold his liquor. His treatment reminds me of how jazz music was frowned on by the church. Thank goodness there are places where there are jazz masses in New York; and here, of course, we have the Church of St. John Coltrane. I obviously didn't like the reference, but perhaps the director is being historical in the expressed bias?

The great songs are too numerous to name them all, but my favorites were all of Faye Carol's: "No Room," "Silent Night," "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," "He's an On Time God" and "Get Away Jordan." Whether she was on or in front of the beat, the musicians were with her. The two person band - Roland Pollard on keyboards and Davon Vigay on drums - were a big difference from the larger bands in the past, though just as good, especially the young drummer, a high school senior at Emery High in Emeryville. He was playing electronic pads. The two musicians looked so cool on stage. When I saw Vigay later on as I was leaving, I was surprised he was so young.

The stage was blue sky, lit with stars - the landscape uncharted and open in Act 1. The church scene in Act 2 was its usual cacophony of laughter as the fast girl and fast boy were kept apart by church deacons and mothers situated between them in chairs. Mothers placing hankies on thighs a little too exposed. One husband put his coat on his wife's legs.

It was funny, the mood shifting between the reverent and the profane as the choir sang and the congregation testified - Rev. Andre Andree, leader of the flock guided the service. At one point early on, one of the ushers, Yehmanja Houff, sang this lovely song - rather she testified in song so convincingly - I almost expected people in the theatre to jump up and shout. At the end of the play we're on our feet also as the ensemble sang "Packing Up" and then "Giants."

The gospel celebration of Christmas continues through Dec. 30 at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, 620 Sutter, at Mason Street, in San Francisco. Call (415) 474-8800 or visit www.lhtsf,org.

MC Super Natural

Earlier this year, MC Super Natural was to perform at Slim's in San Francisco. For some reason the show was cancelled. Okay, tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 20, 9 p.m., it's on again. This time Zion hosts with music from HBO Def Poets George Watsky, Dahlak Brathwaite, Rafael Casal, 40 Love, DJ Dion and Decibles.

Are they singing or slinging words? Perhaps there's a score? I first saw Super Natural in the film "Hip Hop the Art of Rhyme." He was dueling linguistically with an opponent whom he left on the canvas defeated. It was amazing. The next time I saw him in action was in "Rock the Bells," a film about the last Wu Tang Clan concert. Super Natural and his son, another lyricist, were one of the opening acts. The concert is $20. See www.myspace.com/mcsupernatural. All ages are welcome at Slim's, 333 11th St., in San Francisco, (415) 255-0333. Visit www.SlimsTickets.com and www.AnkhMarketing.com.

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Ensemble

Next week at Slim's the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Ensemble performs at the annual Christmas concert. There are two shows, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Slim's is at 333 11th St. in San Francisco. For information, call (415) 255-0333. You might want to visit http://baybridgeinfo.org to see if there is construction occurring that might slow your drive back home.

Don Cheadle and Marcel Diallo

Black Dot Artists, Inc., celebrates 11 years of cultural arts programming with acclaimed actor Don Cheadle in Oakland at a fundraiser, "An Evening to Celebrate with Don Cheadle," benefiting the nonprofit's development of a cultural district in West Oakland. In his first public appearance in Oakland, Cheadle engages in a lively conversation with Black Dot Artists Chief Creative Officer Marcel Diallo.

Since the film "Hotel Rwanda," actor and humanitarian Don Cheadle is leading the call to stop the war in Darfur with a book, "Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide In Darfur and Beyond." Co-authored by John Prendergast, this book is a practical guide to ending the bloodshed in Africa's largest country. Cheadle was in San Francisco earlier this year to promote the book and engage his audience in a discussion on what we are doing individually and as a nation to stop the genocide and what we are capable of doing when we form coalitions.

The benefit gala, dinner, conversation and cocktail party at The Rotunda Building in Downtown Oakland at 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza will feature the eclectic sounds of DJ Afrikan Sciences, a live art auction featuring visual art by Eesuu Orundide, Keba Konte and Githinji Wa Mbire, a raffle and silent art auction and a live jazz lounge. There will be complimentary wine available all evening.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, and continue until 9 p.m. Ticket prices are $200 for individuals, $500 for individual Beacon sponsors, $2,500 for corporate Stellar sponsor tables seating 10 persons, and $5,000 for Luminary sponsor tables. Advance registration is required. Limited seating is available! For information, call Letitia Ntofon at (510) 763-4827.

The after party is 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at The Black New World Social Aid and Pleasure Club, 836 Pine St., Oakland.

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