April 2009
It Was All of Us: Dr. Shirley Kennedy, The Life of an Activist
Tue, April 7, 4 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
For more than 30 years, Dr. Shirley Kennedy worked tirelessly to support Santa Barbara’s
African-American community, increase diversity in the arts, and create closer connections
between UCSB and the community. This documentary tells the story of an extraordinary
life of dedicated service and great impact, as a way of honoring the struggles of
the past and inspiring the activism of the future. Anita David and Frederick Backman,
60 min, English, 2009, USA.
The Laramie Project
Wed, April 8, 6 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
Based on a theater play by Moisés Kaufman, The Laramie Project illustrates the aftermath
of the 1998 murder of gay youth Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. It follows
the chronology of Shepherd's visit to a local bar, his kidnap and beating, the discovery
of him tied to a fence, the vigil at the hospital, his death and funeral, and the
trial of his killers. Moisés Kaufman, 97 min, English, 2002, USA.
I AM: The Story of Us
Thu, April 9, 5 PM
Opening Reception / Exhibition / MCC Lounge
This quarter’s student art exhibit, I AM, asks students to answer the question,
How do you identify? Combining elements of photography, prose, and poetry, MCC student
users tell stories of there personal and collective identity.
Fri, April 10, 7 PM
Performance Art / MCC Theater
SOARS is an inspiring performance about one woman’s journey to reclaim her body,
sexuality, spirituality, and self esteem after being sexual assaulted in college.
Performed by a diverse cast of women, and featuring photographs taken by her sister
during the recovery process, SOARS uses modern dance, spoken-word, and music to
educate the public about sexual violence, and to ease the shame, guilt, and self
blame that rape survivors too often feel.
The Gift of Diabetes
Wed, April 15, 6 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
After Brion Whitford was diagnosed with diabetes, he felt that Western medicine
wasn't helping with his symptoms, and was reinforcing his feelings of inadequacy,
hopelessness, and despair. By going back to his Native American healing traditions,
Brion regained his health, and, in the process, rediscovered his cultural identity.
This moving documentary explores how cultural identity shapes and reshapes us, and
how we can redefine medicine by taking control of our own healing process. Brion
Whitford, 58 minutes, English, 2005, Canada.
Justus- Communicating More With Less: Addressing Today's Social Issues Through Comic
Art
Thurs, April 16, 6:30
PM Discussion / MCC Lounge
Reginald Butler will introduce and analyze his comic strip- Justus. Justus is a
comic that views the unjust world in a comical and subtle, yet in your face, way.
This workshop delves into how to communicate racial and social concerns with the
artful tool of "less is more". There will be open and in-depth discussions as well
as a "Make Your Own Comic" segment.
Richárd Bernard's OY!Stars
Sat, April 18, 8 PM
Music Performance / MCC Theater
It's Eastern but Western- It laughs while it weeps. It's KLEZMER, the lively Yiddish
jazz with an upbeat tempo and inherent humor. One of the nation's premiere Klezmer
bands, Richárd Bernard's OY!Stars perform authentic Yiddish turn-of-the-century
dance music and hits from the Golden Era of New York's Second Avenue Yiddish Theatre.
Tickets $5 students / $15 general. Contact the A.S. Ticket Office at 805-893-2064.
Hijos de la Guerra
Wed, April 22, 6 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
Hijos de la Guerra ("Children of War") is a multi-award feature-length documentary
film about the world’s largest street gang: the Mara Salvatrucha, also known as
MS-13. It addresses the circumstances (i.e. civil war, transnational migration,
social exclusion) that have fueled the rise of this street gang as well as individual
motivations behind gang membership. Alexandre Fuchs, Samantha Belmont, 90 min, Spanish/English,
2007, USA.
MCC in I.V. - Poetronigirl Performs Live
Thu, April 23, 8 PM
Performance and Open Mic / Giovanni’s Isla Vista
Roni Walter aka poetronigirl has been a trailblazer in the spoken word industry
for the past twelve years. She is the founder of "poetronigirl Gear" and "roni'z
Bakstreeet Poetri." She has performed in countless venues to standing room only
crowds. Join us in I.V. for a live performance and open mic hosted by poetronigirl.
Giovanni’s Isla Vista is located at 6583 Pardall Road.
EPCA Workshop: Gender, Race, and Sexuality
Mon, April 27, 5 PM
Diversity Workshop / MCC Lounge
This workshop focuses on the influence of culture on gender, race, and sexuality.
Participants are invited to participate in interactive discussions and exercises
to explore their own understanding of identity, social roles, and use of labels.
Through this process, participants will be challenged to better understand how their
language and behavior impacts the creation of an inclusive safe space for the campus
community
Films on Foreclosure
Wed, April 29, 6 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
Join us for an enlightening evening of film shorts on housing foreclosure. The first
film, Primetime: Fighting Back Against Foreclosure, weaves together the stories
of two NYC women who have been pummeled by the foreclosure tsunami. The film brings
to light the disproportionate impact of the foreclosure crisis on communities of
color. The second film of the evening, Here to Stay, Illustrates the effects of
gentrification in Manhattan’s Chinatown as an elderly man and fellow tenants in
endangered single-room occupancy building await the results of an anti-eviction
lawsuit.
Queer Hip Hop Event
Thu, April 30, 8 PM
Music Performance / MCC Theater
The Queer Hip Hop scene in Los Angeles is becoming a thriving force. Last Offence
and Julie Potter are two emcees that are blazing paths in Los Angeles. Last Offence
is a gay male rapper that has received significant critical acclaim since his 2008
debut. Julie Potter is the Bay to LA transplant who has been blessing the mic with
her lyrical and comedic skills since 2004. After their performances, join Last and
JFP for a conversation about the Homohop movement, their careers, and the state
of the Hip Hop generation. Part of QSU Pride celebration.
May 2009
Children’s Mural Day
Sat, May 2, 1 PM
Family Event / MCC Lounge
Murals are huge color paintings on walls or ceilings. They are a very important
part of history and often tell stories about our families and culture. Join us for
a quick lesson on the history of murals and help us make one of our own. Wear comfy
clothes and be ready to have lots of fun!
Race Matters Series
Domestic Abuse and Communities of Color
Tue, May 5, 6:30 PM
Discussion / MCC Lounge
Recent disputes between young Hollywood power couple Chris Brown and Rihanna have
pushed the issue of domestic abuse into front page news. Join us for a discussion
on what role domestic violence plays in communities of color.
Nollywood Lady
Wed, May 6, 6 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
Peace Anyiam-Fibresima of Lagos, Nigeria is an impresario of showbiz and an impassioned
spokeswoman for the thriving and innovative African film industry. She is "Nollywood
Lady," an ex-lawyer, producer, filmmaker, and the founder and CEO of the influential
African Academy of Motion Pictures. Sharing her vision for transforming preconceptions
about Africa and African images, Anyiam-Fibresima takes viewers on an all-access
tour to film locations, markets, and sit-downs with Nollywood professionals in the
vibrant production hub of Lagos. Dorothee Wenner, 52 min, English, 2008, Germany/Nigera.
Flavors of the Trade Winds by Gérard Georges Pigeon
Thu, May 7, 4 PM
Reading / MCC Lounge
The story of Doux Papa is a meditation on the Pigeon family's travels along the
arms of a twentieth century triangular route between the Caribbean, Africa, and
Europe. This account of his childhood incorporates not only personal memories, but
also important elements of social history. It forms part of a strong new current
in Caribbean writing striving to convey to the reader different and overlooked facets
of Caribbean identity. Gérard Georges Pigeon will read passages from this book and
participate in a Q & A.
SambaDá
Fri, May 8, 8 PM
Music Performance / MCC Theater
Performing a mix of samba, capoeira music, funk, reggae, and hip hop, SambaDá
is one of the hottest emerging groups on the West Coast music scene. With one foot
firmly rooted in California, and another in the deep cultural traditions of Brazil,
SambaDá serves up non-stop percussion driven dance music that leaves people
dripping with sweat and calling for more. Tickets $5 students / $15 general. Contact
the A.S. Ticket Office at 805-893-2064.
Guest Lecture: Keta Miranda
Tue, May 12, 4 PM
Lecture with Q & A / MCC Theater
Dr. Marie "Keta" Miranda is assistant professor of Mexican-American Studies at the
University of Texas, San Antonio in the Bilingual/Bicultural Studies. In this lecture
Kita Miranda will be speaking about community building among people of color within
the academic setting, and the development of identity, as well as how to develop
a transdisciplinary research agenda.
Vincent Who?
Wed, May 13, 6 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
In 1982, Vincent Chin was brutally murdered in Detroit at the height of anti-Japanese
sentiment. In a travesty of justice, the judge ruled it a case of manslaughter and
the two killers, both autoworkers, never served a day in jail. In this new documentary,
VINCENT WHO?, we take a quick look back at the case and examine the effects the
case had on the leading community activists of today and the future leaders of tomorrow.
Discussion with co-director Curtis Chin following film screening. Tony Lam, 45 min,
English, 2008, USA.
Diversity Lecture - Rethinking the Meaning of Afro-Asian Solidarities and Liberation
in the Age of Obama- Diane Fujino
Thu, May 14, 4 PM
Lecture / MCC Theater
What does Obama's victory tell us about the meaning of race and cross-cultural alliances?
Is today's multiculturalism the fulfillment of the 1960s struggles for justice and
liberation, or a departure from that vision? Diane Fujino's study of the Asian American
Movement and Afro-Asian solidarities in the 1960s-70s adds a new dimension to the
thinking about today's multicultural politics and the multiracial body.
Race Matters Series - Brooklyn Beats to Beirut Streets
Fri, May 15, 6 PM
Performance and Discussion / MCC Lounge
Poet and Educator Mark Gonzales (an Alaskan-born Mexican-American) and hip hop artists
Nizar Wattad and Omar Chakaki (hailing from Palestine and Syria, respectively),
offer a unique examination of identity, pop culture, and growing up an ‘other’ in
the United States. Brooklyn Beats to Beruit Streets Traces the artists development
alongside the birth and growth of hip-hop, then invites audience members to participate
in a discussion.
"What are you… Deaf?" Performed by CJ Jones
Sat, May 16, 7 PM
Performance Art / MCC Theater
In WHAT ARE YOU…DEAF?, CJ Jones blends his unique style of visual imagery and storytelling.
Combining voice, American Sign Language (ASL) and mime, along with recorded music
and multi-media projections, Jones paints colorful, riveting pictures of his life
experiences, revealing what it was like to grow up in a tough St. Louis neighborhood,
in the shadow of his deaf Golden Gloves champion boxer dad and on through the challenges
faced during his quest to make it as a comedian and actor in Hollywood. Language
interpreter will be available for hearing audience.
The Cooking Show con Karimi & Comrades: A Live Cooking Performance for Your Heart,
Mind, Stomach & Funny Bone
Tue, May 19, 8 PM
Performance Art / MCC Theater
Savor a tasty theatrical experience with revolutionary chef Mero Cocinero Karimi
and his culinary comrades as they dish up Iranian-Guatemalan-Filipino food, cultural
consciousness, and humor. Chef Mero creates revolutionary recipes live onstage,
serving up stories, healthy political discussion combined with delicious culinary
samples, guaranteeing every audience member their own satisfying taste. Admission
at the door: Students Free / $5 General
The Sari Soldiers
Wed, May 20, 6 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
Filmed over three years during the most historic and pivotal time in Nepal’s modern
history, The Sari Soldiers is an extraordinary story of six women’s courageous efforts
to shape Nepal’s future in the midst of an escalating civil war against Maoist insurgents,
and the King’s crackdown on civil liberties. When Devi, mother of a 15-year-old
girl, witnesses her niece being tortured and murdered by the Royal Nepal Army, she
speaks publicly about the atrocity. The army abducts her daughter in retaliation,
and Devi embarks on a three-year struggle to uncover her daughter’s fate and see
justice done. Julie Bridgham, 90 min, Nepali/English, 2008, US/Nepal.
An Evening of Classical Indian Music and Dance
Sat, May 23, 8 PM
Music Performance / MCC Theater
Raagmala and the MCC set out yet again to enthrall audiences this May.
This time, we have a classical Indian music-dance combo with exciting heights of
caliber. On the Mohan Veena (a highly modified archtop guitar) we have Grammy Award
Winner Pt.Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, the prime disciple of Pt.Ravi Shankar. Accompanying
him on the Tabla will be Pt.Samir Chatterjee. Samarpita Bajpai, an accomplished
dancer in the 'Kuchipudi' style will be matching the duo's tunes and rhythm. Tickets
$5 students / $15 general. Contact the A.S. Ticket Office at 805-893-2064.
Birthright: Mothering Across Difference
Wed, May 27, 6 PM
Film Screening / MCC Theater
BIRTHRIGHT represents one of the most underrepresented phenomena in contemporary
gendered experiences: the transformation of womanhood through the experience of
mothering. The film shows that while motherhood is differently experienced across
social, racial and classed locations, women share gender constraints in their lives.
The audience is anyone interested in mothers and mothering. The film will especially
address the needs of multicultural, women and mothers, including nontraditional
mothers. Celine Parreñas Shimizu, 75 min, English, 2009, USA.