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Jeanne Powell's Blog

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Jul.31.2011
Spunk:  Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurstona stage reviewby Jeanne Powell   The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in San Francisco concludes its 26th season with Spunk: Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurston, adapted for the stage by George C. Wolfe.  Spunk is a collection of Hurston stories first...
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Jul.11.2011
A friend and mentor, Janice Dirden-Cook, recalls her father's experience in World War II.“It was the only time I almost killed a man.” This is the salient statement I remember my father saying about WWII. He didn’t say it often, and he didn’t go into the details of what led to that moment. What I...
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May.05.2011
(c)2011 Jeanne Powell"Writing for Free"all rights reserved   Writing for free was what we all did when exchanging letters was the primary communication between citizens who were not living next door to each other.  Until the last 100 years or so, with a few exceptions, just...
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Apr.15.2011
The Conspirator a film review by Jeanne Powell Robert Redford has produced a spectacular historical film, sure to garner multiple Academy Award nominations. The conspirator in the film title is a noncombatant and a woman, the first woman to be executed by the federal government.  More than 500...
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Mar.28.2011
My review of the film, "Kill The Irishman," also appears at http://sidewalkstv.com/web. Screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh continues to develop as a director with his intriguing new film, "Kill the Irishman,"  an exploration of a true crime story which had national  ramifications. ...
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Mar.14.2011
Lynn Nottage's play, "Fabulation or the Re-education of Undine,"  is featured at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre during March 2011.   My review appears at http://sidewalkstv.com/blog. “Fabulation or The Re-education of Undine” is the latest production to grace the stage of the Lorraine...
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Feb.20.2011
My prose poem, "About That Woman" was selected to be part of the annual USF-EJS Creative Justice Art Show, held at the USF School of Law last Friday evening.  This year's theme was the plight of foster children, and featured the nonprofit SFCASA.  The first half of this poem may be read ...
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Jan.11.2011
Recently Benicia First Tuesday Poets published their third anthology (Outskirts Press).   I am happy to report that three of my poems are included in Windows & Skylights.  A book release party was held at Benicia Public Library the other evening.  Fires burned brightly in both of the library's...
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Dec.23.2010
When someone took me to visit  Sacred Grounds Cafe more than a decade ago, I met Jehanah Wedgwood.  She  hosted  a weekly spoken word series there for nearly 20 years.  Jehanah was as serene and welcoming then as she was the week she died (1941...
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Dec.20.2010
  SAN FRANCISCO, CA — We know the holiday season has arrived when the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre (LHT) presents its annual gospel celebration of Christmas. Renamed “Joyful Noise” this year, it represents twelve years of Black Nativity production and is dedicated to the memory of the company...
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Sep.04.2010
  "Dreamgirls" is featured at the Curran Theatre during September 2010.  My review appears at http://sidewalkstv.com/blog. 
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Aug.26.2010
(c) 2010 Jeanne Powell"Am I Famous Yet?"all rights reserved Writing is a lonely profession, which is why Ivory Madison founded Red Room.  In a virtual mansion dedicated to writers, we are bound to connect with at least one kindred spirit who appreciates what we have to say.  And we are...
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Jul.17.2010
(c) 2010 Jeanne Powell"My Worst Vacation ... Ever"all rights reserved   Come to my lovely home in the Sierra foothills and be transformed in four days of pampering and meditation, Emelda whispered, weaving through the guests at a crowded art reception. She distributed homemade brochures and...
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Jun.01.2010
ROBIN HOOD a film review by Jeanne Powell   Who knew there was anything new to say about the legendary English outlaw Robin Hood?  Apparently there is, and director Ridley Scott recasts the popular tale with a high degree of skill in this robust prequel.   What?  ...
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Jun.01.2010
I still encounter people who were puzzled by Rev. Jackson's  tears after the 2008 presidential election in the United States.  He was standing in the audience when president-elect Obama spoke to a large enthusiastic crowd.  For those who may not know why there were tears running down the face of...
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