7/10 Single Mama Drama

If there’s anywhere in the country that can appreciate a good ol’ alternative family, better believe the Bay’s the spot. Two moms, two dads, shared parenting, single parenting, interracial relationships, poly relationships and just about any permutation and identification of “family” you can think of probably has a home here, and more than likely a thriving support network.

So taken in that context, Mary F. Pols’ story isn’t that out of the ordinary. But on a purely practical doody, diapers and baby formula level, it’s understandably daunting: Single, childless film critic knocking on 40’s door, looking forward to a family but not interested in going the baby momma route, meets young hot guy, screws young hot guy, then finds out she’s on her way to becoming a not quite young, but still pretty hot single mom (insert appropriately timed “Aw fuck” here). In her book “Accidentally on Purpose: A One-Night Stand, My Unplanned Parenthood, and Loving the Best Mistake I Ever Made” the Contra Costa Times writer details the ups and downs of shared parenting, generational differences (the father’s 10 years her junior) and juggling an out of the ordinary family life. She’s reading at a Great Good Place For Books tonight, and I’m sure she’d be willing to listen to any parenting tips you might want to toss her way.-kwan

7/8 Boring Boring Boring Boring Boring Boring Boring

Or not so boring. By all descriptions Zach Plague’s debut novel is a rollicking good skewer of hipsters, the art scene and most commonly held notions of book layout and typography.

“When the mysterious gray book that drives their twisted relationship goes missing, Ollister and Adelaide lose their post-modern marbles. He plots revenge against art patriarch The Platypus, while she obsesses over their anti-love affair. Meanwhile, the art school set experiments with bad drugs, bad sex, and bad ideas. But none of these desperate young minds has counted on the intrusion of a punk named Punk and his potent sex drug. This wild slew of characters get caught up in the gravitational pull of The Platypus’ giant art ball, where a confused art terrorism cell threatens a ludicrous and hilarious implosion.”

See? That doesn’t sound dull at all. Plague calls the project a” hybrid typo/graphic novel” which also doubles a series of folded posters. So even if you aren’t feeling the words, you can always bliss out on the pretty pictures. Check him out tonight at Pegasus.-kwan

6/11: Richard Wright lives at Native Son(Remixed)

When author Richard Wright died of mysterious circumstances in Paris in 1960, he was one of the most celebrated and controversial writers of his day.  Even now, his novels-including Native Son and Uncle Tom’s Children-and nonfiction work like 1945’s Black Boy are still required reading for anyone looking for insight into African American culture and intellectual life.

Wright would have been 100 years old this year, and to honor the man and his art the Oakland Public Theater is hosting a yearlong celebration of his work and the artistry it has inspired.  The project will culminate on September 4th-Wright’s birthday-with a play examining his life and influences as well as the rumors surrounding his death.

But for tonight, get a preliminary taste of what the OCT is cooking by heading down to the Oakland Main Library for Native Son (Remixed)-a reading series featuring reworks of the classic novel along with writing by his contemporaries, biographers and critics in addition to previews of the upcoming show.

For those unfamiliar with Wright’s work, this is should be a great intro.  For those already well versed, come remember why he’s considered one of our countries greatest literary figures.-kwan

6/4 Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage

Got a boyfriend/girlfriend/otherfriend and another piece on the side? Do you want one? Do you feel bad about it and want to put it all out there, but are scared to get all polygamist on your main squeeze? Well open relationship and polyamory curious types take note-”Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage”, the new book by Jenny Block, is for you.

“Jenny Block was the average girl-next-door, a suburban wife and mother for whom married life never felt quite right. Deeply in love with her husband but unsatisfied with their sex life, Block didn’t believe her marriage was working - but also didn’t believe in cheating. “Open” tracks the rocky road from husband and wife to husband, wife, and others, and is an intimate look at one woman’s experiences in finding happiness for herself and her family with honesty, love, and commitment.  Block brings an eye-opening perspective on polyamorous relationships.”

A great companion to the 1997’s open love bible “The Ethical Slut,” “Open” offers an intimate first person’s account of having your relationship cake and eating it too.-Kwan

5/14 Michael Chabon at Diesel Books

Berkeley author Michael Chabon (that’s “shea as in Shea Stadium, bon as in Bon Jovi”), has had pretty much the ideal writer’s life right from the word go: First novel published while still in an MFA program, second novel turned into a film starring Kirk Douglas, critical acclaim all over the place, international bestsellers up the wazoo, Pulitzer Prize firmly in his back pocket, etc. etc. etc.

But the man has earned his praise. His writing is expansive and metaphorical, wordy without being pretentious. and just damned good reading. In his newest novel, The Yiddish Policemen’s Union, the fledgling state of Israel has collapsed in 1948 and the Jewish refugees settled in The Federal District of Sitka. For sixty years the refugees and their descendants have lived in this temporary Federal haven but Sitka is soon going to revert back to Alaskan control. The novel’s hero, Homicide Detective Meyer Landsman, has too much on his plate to worry about the upcoming Reversion; his neighbor has just been found murdered and he’s in love with his new supervisor.

Chabon reads tonight just as the Policeman’s Union is released in paperback and the Coen Brothers start working on the film version.

4/11/08 Novoscene Weekend

Friday, April 11

Femi, Photo by Andreas Branch

R & B Fridays w/MoeSoul and Femi

Maybe it’s something in the Bay Area water that’s made the region such fertile soil for sultry soul, R&B and funk singers over the years, but whatever it is-from the Pointer Sisters to Sugar Pie DeSanto to the current crop of soul, hip hop and rock influenced musicians-there’s no denying that the Bay’s soul.

MoeSoul and Femi are two of the shining stars in a galaxy of talented but largely underground singers hitting up spoken word spots and jazz joints around the area. The Oakland divas to be have been putting in work for years, gigging from Jack London to Lagos and playing gigs with everyone from Les Nubian to Nelson Mandela.

MoeSoul is more of the straight ahead R&B singer. With sweet songs of lost loves, found loves and all the holdovers in between, she adds a moving soundtrack to the art getting busy. Femi’s music is a bit harder and belies her African and Puerto Rican heritage as she blends soul and hip hop with hints of salsa and rock-a little bit Mary J Blige rolled in with a little Tribe Called Quest and Celia Cruz.

Catch both singers performing with a live band tonight as part of Maxwell’s R&B Friday’s series. Proof that the funky legacy continues.

R & B Fridays w/MoeSoul and Femi
$10 presale, $15 at the door
9pm
Maxwell’s Restaurant & Lounge
341 13th Street, Oakland
(510)839-6169
www.maxwellslounge.com

4/2 Chi and Creativity: Vital Energy and Your Inner Artist

As far back as we can remember there’s been a mystical aura around art and the people who create it. Artists and creative types have alway held a special place in our hearts for their free spirits, addictions to creativity and willingness to live so close to the poverty line in pursuit of their passions.

But Chi Kung practitioners Kaleo and Elise Ching have a different idea. They believe that we all possess that creative spark and use it all the time, from skipping down the street to singing our favorite song, however off key. In their book Chi and Creativity: Vital Energy and Your Inner Artist, the two draw on everything from acupressure and breathing techniques to Chi Kung movement and meditation to show how we can all harness our creative selves and be more artistic in our everyday lives-whether painting the next Mona Lisa or painting the garage. They’ll demonstrate exorcises from the book and sign copies tonight at Pegasus Books.

3-28-08 Novoscene Weekend

Friday, March 28

Julie Dexter

When Atlanta based soul singer Julie Dexter brings her honey dipped voice to Maxwell’s tonight, lovers of laid back crooning and summery beats are in for a show. Fans of broken beat, house and left field soul have known Dexter’s sound for a minute and with any luck the Birmingham born soul singer will catch a little mainstream love this year.
Although she’s been singing, writing and running her own label - Ketch-A-Vibe Records- for nearly 15 years, the Atlanta based singer’s original music fits in closely with the Goapele, Jill Scott, India.Arie school of earthy, “concious” artists that have gained wider attention in the last few years. Over the years she’s released 9 albums and provided vocals for everyone from
Courtney Pine to the BBC’s Giles Peterson. Dexter’s newest album, 2007’s Moon Bossa is, as the name suggests, dripping with smooth bossa nova rhythms courtesy of bassist Khari Simmons and brings instant thoughts of afternoons on the beach with the breeze blowing through the palm trees.
Dexter’s sound is airy and measured and she her simple scats and easy voice float over most music without overpowering it. This talent has made her a favorite with broken beat, house and bossa nova producers and since her 1997 album with jazz duo J-Life, her collaborations have included dance floor and lounge hits with big names including Fertile Ground, IG Culture and Naim Thomas, who produced 2002’s classic Like Ours.
If you’re in the mood for some sweet sounds with a helping of feel good soul tonight, this show’s the place to be. Bring someone to snuggle with and your beach blanket.
Julie Dexter
$15
8pm
Maxwell’s Lounge
341 13th St., Oakland
http://www.maxwellslounge.com

2/22 Novoscene Weekend

From wine tasting to booty shaking, art tours to praise songs, this weekend’s events combine the sacred and spiritual with the secular and the satirical, kind of like the novometro gang. With only slight leanings towards the secular. Just slightly.-kwan

By the way, look out for Oakbook vol. 2 at these fine locations. You’ll be glad you did!

Friday, Feb. 22

Planetary Alignment
Planetary Alignment is a new live arts performance talk show dedicated to artistic empowerment, ecology, education, health, enterprise, and global awareness presented by Laney College and Peralta TV. This opening show will feature performances and conversations with community arts and artists including musicians Hairdoo, dance companies Starchild Dance and Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet and live painting by Oakland muralist Khufu. The show will be hosted by the husband/wife hip hop/soul raggae duo Fiyawatah.

Planetary Alignment live taping
Free
8pm
Laney College Theater
900 Fallon St in Oakland
415.608.3207
www.peralta.TV

2-15-08 Novoscene Weekend

This weekend there are events all over the map from “American Soul” to boogie, lindy hops to art talk.  We’re starting the weekend on a  somber night with a candlelight Vigil tonight for those we’ve lost this year.  It’s necessary to remember those we’ve lost to help remember how much we’ve got to live for.  Go show some love tonight then show some life by checking out some of these other events.-kwan