Ancient Futures Show

Last night the Sophie's Parlor collective was thrilled to cover Willard Jenkins' spot at 10 PM - Midnight, Helen's view of Tim! Ancient Futures. In keeping with his format, we had music from the past, and current voices who are our classics of the future. Helen and Tim were the Divas of the Night, and Kim, Lakeisha and Deb kept us on task at the engineering board. It was a night of laughter, of good music and of fun! Here is the playlist: Sophie's Theme, Pam Parker, Imagine Spring Is Here, Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook Feelin' Good, Carmen McRae, Women Talk (Remastered) A Woman's Place Is In the Groove, Ginger Smock, Ginger Smock 1946-1958 Los Angeles Studio and Demo Recordings Ain't Nobody's Biz-ness...

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Until The End of Time

The year is 2013. The month is February. Although we have advanced in many ways as a species, it would appear that since the beginning of recorded herstory, women worldwide have been discriminated against, faced harassment and endured unbelievable forms of violence against them. It is evident in the bible and other holy books, laws established and cultures of all societies that violence against women is a part of the fabric of life. Understand that such violence extends to girls as well and it is gender specific. This violence at times has not been questioned. As a matter of fact, in some cases, females are expected to submit or participate in their own violation. The movement to end violence against women and define this gender violence...

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Sing the Truth - Powerhouse Performance

Just a few weeks ago, three of the Sophie's Parlor Divas experienced the controlled power, elegant grace, and pure joy that is bottled in a concoction called "Sing the Truth:" just over two hours of listening to Dianne Reeves, Angelique Kidjo, and Lizz Wright. They were backed by two more stars of the jazz world, Geri Allen and Teri Lyne Carrington, as well as James Genus, Munyungo Jackson, and Romero Lubambo.  The song list included these and a few more surprises: Bold Soul Sister, Both Sides Now, Heart and Soul, Talkin' about a Revolution, Endangered Species, Easy Rider, Afrika There are really no words to express the brilliance of the evening, except perhaps "yowza!" From the beginning, as they commanded, strode and wafted onto...

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Rene Marie, not to be missed!

credit: renemarie.com For a long time I didn't know who Rene Marie was. I didn't know that she'd been singing all her life. Nor did I know that her career didn't really begin until she left her marriage at the urging of her son. She was 40. What I did know was that every time I heard a song by her, I liked her more. Learning that she was going to be at the Hamilton last week was a no brainer. The show couldn't have been better. It was a mixture of old and new material, standards and originals. It exemplified the risk taking that has marked her career. She began the set with raunchy version of the title tune of her latest release, Black Lace Freudian Slip. It got everyone clapping and displayed the talents of her rhythm section Kevin Bale,...

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Art in Motion: Mickalene Thomas

Visual Art is my home. I enjoy looking at bright colors, the evidence of texture and the visual story of an artist through their work. Mickalene Thomas is an artist whose color and texture takes you on a resplendent journey and an intricate and intimate view of African American womanhood.  In the exhibition 30 Americans at the Corcoran Gallery of Art; I discovered a number of pieces from Ms. Thomas, who happens to share my hometown, Camden, New Jersey. The city of Camden is not in peak condition currently but it can lay claim to a many a creative soul and Mickalene Thomas is one of them. Thomas' work is informed by the study of art history, landscapes, portraiture and such classic artists as Manet, Matisse and Bearden. She incorporates acrylic, rhinestones, enamel and Swarkofski...

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Winter, Women & Wellness

Karen Culpepper, Herbalist As a woman who is always on her own journey for wholistic health, Diva of the Day, Andrea Thompson (AT) recently sat down with Herbalist and Massage Therapist Karen Culpepper (KC) for a chat on Women's Health and how to treat ourselves during this time of winter. What you see below is a result of it, please enjoy, comment, post and retweet it.   Do you feel more women are moving away from traditionally allopathic medicine? If so why? (AT) (KC)-As an herbalist with a concentration in women’s health, my answer is a biased yes...slowly but surely.  The awareness that the our current medical system is falling apart is becoming more apparent. I chose a field (or did the field choose me) that...

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In the Parlor with Literature, Poetry & Prose: Adrienne Rich

Over the years, I had the privilege of meeting and hearing the poet Adrienne Rich. Her work was and is very important to me. So when she died last year, like many others, I felt that her death was a personal loss. She was a writer of tremendous integrity. For those of you who don’t know Rich’s work, she was an outspoken artist who championed the equality for all people. More than that, she was equal in her opposition to the ways in which American political culture devalued the citizens of this country while carrying on policies that imperiled people around the globe. In turning down the National Medal of the Arts from President Bill Clinton, she said that art was “incompatible with the cynical politics of this Administration.” She went...

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Forty Years Later - Are We Taking Care of Ourselves?

Chris Williamson - pioneer in women's music In 1972 when Sophie's Parlor launched its groundbreaking presence in radio, the second wave of feminism was in full flower. Women were working towards the goals of equal pay, equal roles and fair rights in family life, and reproductive rights, to name a few. Nearly half of all mothers were stay-at-home moms and didn't have the educational experience to obtain professional occupations.  Today, many of the goals of the feminist movement have been achieved (although their defense still continues!). However, it's no secret that stress has become a factor in the lives of everyone, and as the above studies show, especially in the lives of women. A recent study shows that stress about balancing...

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New Year: Under Construction

Happy New Year, welcome to 2013! We trust you had a safe and exciting opening to yet another beautiful year to exist on this planet! In this New Year Sophie's Parlor is undergoing renovations. Please bear with us while we rearrange, paint, polish and expand. There is much more to come and we are looking forward to having you over soon to see our new digs. The current look is just a curtain to what is moving and shaking on the insi...

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