Author's posts
Soundtrack to the Struggle: Lena Horn’s Sweet Voice for the People
Lena Horne left school at 16 to help support her family. She became a dancer at Harlem’s Cotton Club was soon a sought-after performer – a role she would maintain throughout her life. A long run at the Savoy-Plaza boosted Horne’s career even further. She was featured in Life magazine, and listed as the highest-paid …
Talking Pictures 2-21-24
El Conde (2023) and Twin Peaks (1990 and1991) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Rod Adkins.
News Digest 2-21-24
The US will impose new sanctions on Russia over the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny…Iowa has the fastest growing rate of new cancers in the US.
Soundtrack to the Struggle: Nichelle Nichols’ Stellar Career
It’s 1967, and singer and actress Nichelle Nichols attends a fund-raiser for the NAACP. A man approaches and says, “Ms. Nichols, I’m your greatest fan.” That fan was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During their chat, Nichols confides her plans to leave her current TV gig for a career on Broadway. King was mortified. “You …
News Digest 2-20-24
The International Court of Justice is hearing opening statements on Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories…the Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would allow state government departments to be audited by outside accounting firms rather than by the State Auditor.
Soundtrack to the Struggle: Gladys Bentley, “The Brown Bomber”
It’s Prohibition-era Harlem, and Gladys Bentley is at the piano at Harry Hansberry’s Clam House, one of the biggest gay speakeasies in New York. Dressed in her signature tuxedo and top hat, she sings bawdy lyrics to popular songs. Her voice is deep and growling, and she flirts with the women in the audience. Even …
News Digest 3-19-24
Two Minnesota police officers and a paramedic were killed Sunday while responding to a domestic dispute…the feds say Iowa needs to speed up its processing of food assistance applications.
Soundtrack to the Struggle: The Fearless Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt was never afraid to use her distinctive voice. Born on a South Carolina cotton plantation, Eartha Mae Keith grew to record the standards, “Let’s Do It,” and “C’est Si Bon.” She was fluent in French, spoke four other languages, and sang in 11. She recorded, sang in nightclubs, and appeared in films, television, …