long live the RITZ

The Ritz Theatre and Museum in Jacksonville, Florida has a long and rich history in the historic African-American community of La Villa. Built in 1929, Ritz Theatre movie house was renovated in 1999 where it was renamed and transformed into a community museum to celebrate and showcase African American artists from North Florida. Formally called the "Harlem of the South", The Ritz Theatre and Museum has served as a constant reminder and as an emblem of African-American contributions to the Arts and history of America.

THE ARTS
Events such as the Black History film series, Amateur Poetry Night,  and the Ritz Jazz Orchestra have infused Jacksonville with an eclectic mix of innovation and tradition. Natives and visitors alike can enjoy local and national artists in a theatre which intimately seats 426 art lovers. In addition, the rich and diverse legacy of music within the African-American community is constantly displayed with influential  programs such as Ritz Jazz Society, Ritz Voices, and Along This Way.

Along with it's permanent collection, Ritz Theatre and Museum also exhibits visiting collections, most notably, For Women and Men of Color: The Art of Relationships, Jacksonville's longest running exhibit featuring works by African-Americans. The gallery's current exhibit is entitled, More Than A Game African-American Sports in Jacksonville, 1900-1975, a collection of sports photographs and memorabilia which examines the contributions of African-Americans in the North Florida sports arena.

WHAT'S NEW
New to the venue this year is Ritz Youth Institute, a 4 week educational and historical workshop for teenagers between grades 9 and 12. The program infuses several forms of media, such as film, art, and museum collections to inspire and  inform future generations of artists, educators, historians, and art connoisseurs. Professionals in the fields of art, business, law, and other fields engage students with live performances, lectures, and hands on experience. The history and contributions of African-Americans is explored as students gain a better understanding of their identity and their place on a global scale.

THE FUTURE

The Ritz Theatre and Museum has a rich historical legacy that continually contributes to the evolution of Jacksonville. In June 2011, the city witnessed the inauguration of its first African-American mayor. Perhaps more community, corporate, and youth involvement programs would enable The Ritz Theatre and Museum to offer more platforms and create an environment where all members are equally recognized for their contributions and transformed for the better. As the history of the Ritz Theatre and Museum continues to inform and inspire us, it is also a reminder that nothing is impossible and every one of us has something to offer for the greater good of humanity. The future of the Ritz Theatre and Museum is dependent upon the residents of Jacksonville and if nothing else, these residents have proved that anything and any dream is possible.

Long live the Ritz.  

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Ritz Theatre and Museum
829 North Davis Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202
http://www.ritzjacksonville.com/

global ART

Today I was introduced to the art photography of Tseng Kwong Chi (1950-1990) while exploring identity in American life. Chi was an Asian photographer best known for his East Meets West self-portrait series in which he dressed in a Mao styled suit and sunglasses in front of iconic Western architecture and landscapes. Chi challenged the constucts of identity with his images and this critique also encouraged me to define who I have become through imagery and creative influences. In my eyes, Chi was an 80's trendsetter and an iconic artist whose visual imagery will forever stand the test of time.

finding my HEART

From the opening scene to the closing credits, the foreign film Biutiful (2010) grabbed my emotions (along with a box of Kleenex) and didn't let go. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Biutiful is an emotional rollercoaster and anything that can go wrong for Uxbal (Javier Bardem) does exactly that. Iñárritu also sheds a glaring light on a host of societal ills: poverty, slave labor, police corruption, child abuse, capitalism, and racism. Symbolism holds the film together and issues like mental illness and spirituality are more than explored, they are the ties that bind everything and everyone together. 

The effects of poverty cover every aspect of Uxbal's life. He has cancer because he did not seek medical intervention early enough. He makes a living from slave labor yet he sincerely cares for the people that he helps to imprison. He is raising his two kids because their Mother is bi-polar, a situation that he must put in order before his death. He questions which god to pray to as he sees and speaks with spirits who have yet to cross over into the afterlife. Everyone depends on Uxbal and it's because of this, one wants more for him than his painful attempts at survival. Although we know it will never happen, we want Uxbal to walk away off into the sunset, alive and well.

The beauty about Biutiful is that it is dreary and ugly and a mesh of crippling disappointments one after another. The soundtrack pushes the film along. It's brilliant in its ability to evoke emotions and stage some of the most important scenes in the film. The camerawork is simply amazing as well. Iñárritu places the viewer inside of Uxbal's head with plenty of close ups, jump cuts, and POV shots. Enough can't be said about the cinematography. It frames Uxbal's tragic world and creates cohesion between what's happening inside of him and around him.

There are so many scenes in Biutiful that tugged at my heart strings. My favorite is when he tells his daughter that he is dying. As they hold onto each other for dear life with tears and the fear of what lies ahead, the scene fades with a heartbeat. It could have easily been mistaken for mine. That is the power of a great film. That is the power of great art. Biutiful exemplifies the best of both.

holiday NYC style

So I'm heading to NYC next week and the anticipation is killing me! Well, literally. I love that place and I swear I'd build a tent in Times Square if I could. I need the energy, the culture, and the people of NYC to revive me. I've been in the South way too long because most days I am bored out of my mind! So yes, this trip is one that I am (almost) dying to take and the best part about it is that I'll be with some people that I actually like! People who look at the world from a visual angle. People who see beauty in architecture, art, and even  simple things like concrete. People who can stimulate me mentally. People like me! How could a girl ask for more? I always feel like a tourist when I visit NYC because I find something new and marvelous each and every single time. So as I click away with my camera and save everything I think is worth saving, I'll bask in the light of awareness and renewal. I've almost forgotten how that feels. Did I mention I need this trip like a girl needs cooked food? So ummm yes, THERAPY! New York style. I can live with that.

MANGA

One word: AWESOME. All images but they each say 1,000 words all at once. I have to thank my 7 year old for introducing me to a whole new world of imagery. It's proof that one is NEVER too old to learn something from anyone...but, only if you're open to the massive possibilities.

EMANCIPATE youself

Kelis had grown into an artist that I am admiring more and more day by day. Her growth is phenomenal. Her latest CD, Flesh Tone, is my current obsession. How this CD didn't blow up, I'll never know. This is Kelis at her best. She has her warrior marks and it shows. She's not only a Woman now, she's a Mother and the Creator of her own destiny. Music like this is rare. I, for one, am glad that she tapped inside of her soul to come back to the creative entity that she has always been. Bravo, Kelis. I bow down to your glory.

after the STORM

There's something about sadness that is so intrinsic to the nature of music. It transcends everything: race, borders, age, religion, and beliefs. When done right, it is one word: BEAUTIFUL. This is what Corinne Bailey Rae does for me. She makes me realize it's alright to be sad, hurt, disappointed, and most of all HUMAN. Instead of falling apart from what I can only assume to be a very painful era in her life, Rae uses her talent to pick apart her emotions and hang them out to dry where every single one of us can see them. It's a brave thing to do if you ask me. Aptly entitled The Sea, Rae reminds me that pain happens to the best of us and it's okay to be vulnerable. I am in love with the agony and the progression towards acceptance. Therapy. Remedies. Growth. I see, feel, and hear it all and I can't stop listening. Corinne Bailey Rae is on REWIND this week. Music never felt so good.