The Blind Leading the Blind!

The Blind Summit Theatre’s Low Life examines the interesting people and strange characters in a bar. There are alcoholics, depressed men and lusty ladies. There’s even a visit from the plumber to unclog a pipe. What makes this production different is that it’s done with puppets. Ok, a puppet show for adults? I had to see it. There were six scenes in the production: a three-foot-high Kevin Spacey look alike mistakes his wife for a dog; a cleaner gets lost in a romantic novel; Bud, the action hero plumber, tries to fix a leaking pipe; "Investigation into Murder!" — The Afternoon Movie, A Jack Belane Mystery; Mildred drinks to forget; and Kevin finds himself the last man at the bar. The show was great.

I left thinking how there are unlimited hustles. These folks took the skills they had, acting and puppet making and created a unique experience that people pay to see. That’s using what you got to get what you want. I mean, when was the last time you went to a puppet show, for adults? If someone can put on a puppet show and travel the world expressing themselves and being paid, I can do anything, and so can you.

-Zaccai Free

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www.onecommonunity.org

Z Free: Green is the New Black?

Green is everywhere. Caring for the environment, also known as “being green”, has become a lifestyle and an industry. The changing weather patterns, threatened animal and plant species are forcing us all to take a closer look at our life on this blue, green planet Earth. Are we responsible for our action here? If we all contribute to the polluting of the planet, will we all contribute to its healing? If so, does race matter? A glance through most yoga magazines or a visit to many health-oriented activities reveals a lack of color. No, not colorful clothes, but people of color, melanated blacks and browns. On Feb. 28, 2008, Uptown Magazine presented “People of Color Don’t care About the Environment”. The night provided a wonderful opportunity to hear from some on the leading edge of including new faces and voices into the work of re-connecting man and nature.

The panel discussion was led by Simran Sethi, host of Sundance Channel’s The Green, and included Jarid Manos, environmentalist author of “Ghetto Plainsman”, Ludovic Blain, Racial Justice Entrepreneur, Omar Freilla of Green Worker Cooperatives of the South Bronx, Audrey Peterman, founder –Earthwise Productions and Sharon Levine of Concrete Safaris.

Opening with music by Marques Tolier and Rex Detiger, the discussion covered a wide range of areas. Some Key thoughts were: “The environmental movement is about all people.” (Simran Sethi); “We get the benefits of technology while the burdens go to poor people of color”(Omar Freilla) who are more likely to live near dump sites, electrical plants, water treatment facilities and the like; “The violence people do to the Earth mirrors the violence people do to each other.” (Jarid Manos); “Educating people about the environment is actually educating people about themselves.” (Sharon “Mac” Levine).

Although the hall was far from packed those who did attend were invigorated and motivated by the wide range of programs and activities presented by the panelists. I left agreeing with Jarid Manos who said, “ In the midst of so much devastation we can still celebrate . . . we grow as a society if we work to take care of others.” Others includes nature and the people we see every day.

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