Man, oh man! Is it really November already? Where does the time go? Well, even with the flurry of holiday activities that have already begun to surface, be sure to find some time to slow down and enjoy the many wonderful annual and special events, festivals and other celebratory activities going on this month. Enjoy!
Ongoing Events
Through Dec. 18
- 29th annual San Francisco Jazz Festival (San Francisco, Calif.): Join venerable artists including Ahmad Jamal, Dorado Schmitt & the Django All-Stars, Pamela Rose, Aaron Neville, Erik Jekabson and others at the 29th annual San Francisco Jazz Festival. Held at premier venues throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area, the festival is “a celebration of today’s best music via a phenomenal array of jazz concerts, from the classic to the avant-garde, gathering the legends of today and the rising stars of tomorrow.” The festivities also encompass jazz workshops, seminars, listening parties and more. (866) 920-5299, (415) 788-7353, www.sfjazz.org
Through Dec. 31
- “Charles Smith: Homecoming” (Chicago, Ill.): Presented by the DuSable Museum of African-American History, “Homecoming” highlights the rich legacy of folk art in the Midwest through expressive sculptures by Dr. Charles Smith. Smith is founder and director of the African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archive in Aurora, Ill. The museum is an apt backdrop for this exhibit, as it was originally developed to preserve and interpret the experiences and achievements of people of African descent through preservation, documentation, collection and study of the history and culture of Africans and African-Americans. (773) 947-0600, www.dusablemuseum.org
Through Jan. 7, 2012
- “August Sander and Seydou Keita: Portraiture and Social Identity” (New York, N.Y.): This exhibition contrasts the portraiture of iconic German photographer August Sander and prominent West African photographer Seydou Keita, capturing their individual experiences of shifting identities in Europe and West Africa. Through 60 black-and-white photographs encompassing select works from the artists’ portfolios, the exhibition explores “how the vivid portraits of these prolific photographers provide viewers with an unmistakable mirror into an age through the faces of everyday people [and]…considers the construction of visual histories at pivotal moments of social transformation.” (212) 352-0683, www.walthercollection.com
Through May 9, 2012
- “Journey of Hope in America: Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama” (Chicago, IL): Incorporating folk art, traditional and other quilting styles, “Journey of Hope in America: Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama,” also showing at the DuSable Museum of African-American History in Chicago, provides a unique look at the historic significance of the presidential election of 2008. Designed to bring the art of quilting to a broader American audience, the exhibit will include almost 100 works by of some of America’s best-known fiber artists, including Adrienne Yorinks, Sandra German, Burley Leak and Jim Smoote, just to name a few.(773) 947-0600, www.dusablemuseum.org
Upcoming Events
- UniverSoul Circus (various cities): Celebrating its 18th season this year, the UniverSoul Circus delights audiences from coast to coast with their soulful circus show featuring flying Chinese bicycle daredevils, trapeze performers, gravity-defying aerial gymnasts, mind-bending contortionists and much more, woven into an urban-rich family entertainment spectacle for audiences of all ages. (800) 316-7439, www.universoulcircus.com. The remaining dates and cities for this year are: Nov. 9-13 Greensboro, N.C., Nov. 15-20 Charlotte, N.C., Nov. 22-25 Savannah, Ga., Nov. 10-12
- Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz (Kiawah Island, S.C.): This November marks the second annual Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz. Held at the beautiful Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Earl Klugh, a seven-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist, is bringing together some of the best-of-the-best jazz artists for a fantastic weekend of incredible music. Joining Klugh are Chaka Khan, Spencer Day, the East Coast Party Band, Brian Culbertson, Eric Darius, Mindi Abair and John Mahaffey. www.weekendofjazz.com/kiawah
Nov. 17-19
- 28th annual Mobile International Festival (Mobile, Ala.): The theme of this year’s annual three-day festival is “Homecoming” and will include cultural exhibits, gastronomic fare, colorful dancers, family activities, live entertainment and a great deal more-all designed to celebrate the cultures of the globe. (251) 470-7730, www.mobileinternationalfestival.org
Nov. 18-20
- Best of the Northwest Art and Fine Craft Show (Seattle, Wash.): Held on the waterfront at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal on Pier 91 next to the Magnolia Bridge, the show features over 250 northwestern artists. Here you will find everything from sculpture to handcrafted jewelry, metal works, designer clothing, wood creations, photography, paintings and other creative items; a wine tasting featuring premium wines from 15 boutique Washington wineries; and live entertainment. (206) 525-5926, www.nwartalliance.com/bestnw
Nov. 25-Dec. 13
- 19th annual African Diaspora Film Festival (New York, N.Y.): Presenting “an eclectic mix of urban, classic, independent and foreign films that depict the richness and diversity of the life experience of people of African descent and indigenous people all over the world,” this annual festival draws folks from all over the country to films made all over the world. (212) 864-1760, www.nyadiff.org
Lysa Allman-Baldwin writes for numerous online and print publications, including as the cultural travel writer for www.Examiner.com and as a senior travel writer for SoulOfAmerica.com, an Afrocentric travel website. Lysa can be reached at lallmanbaldwin@kc.rr.com.