Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Looking for Javacia?

Head to www.GeorgiaMae.com or 
visit my writing blog 
The Writeous Babe Project

Friday, March 13, 2009

Crusading troupe sees trouble in 'Ameriville'

They've been called vocal DJs.

The New York-based ensemble Universes mixes poetry, storytelling, original songs and adaptations of popular tunes to create a unique theater experience that the group hopes will not only capture the attention of audiences, but will also drive folks to make a difference in the world around them.

In "Ameriville," part of this year's Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Universes uses the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the city of New Orleans to shed light on issues of race, poverty and politics in America.

As you listen to Mildred Ruiz, a founding member of Universes, sing, "The Lord told Noah to build him an arky, arky," you may get lost in the power of her voice or in nostalgia, remembering how you sang that song in church as a child.

But as soon as you've let your guard down, Ruiz hits you with the line, "But where was Noah when the levees started breaking." In an instant, Ruiz has morphed a playful children's song into a heartbreaking hymn about an American tragedy.

Click here to read the rest of the story, published in the Courier-Journal March 3, 2009.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!

What's the perfect Valentine gift?
(Published February 9, 2009 in The Courier-Journal)

For Victoria Russell, a great Valentine's Day would include a romantic dinner and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. But if you're trying to impress Keta Redd, you'd better take her bowling or rock wall climbing and buy her a new game for her PlayStation Portable.

Feb. 14 is just days away, which means Hallmark stores and flower shops will soon be swarming with harried men desperately seeking last-minute Valentine's Day gifts for the special ladies in their lives. But as Russell and Redd show, and as most men should already know, no two women are the same.

Candy and flowers may wow some women, but other ladies will look at those red roses and be unfazed.

Several Louisville ladies agree that when planning a date and buying gifts for Valentine's Day, it's not about spending a lot of money. It's about showing your girl you know who she really is.

Click here to read more.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Hope Is Not Enough

They're young, black and talented, some of the city's future leaders. Amid the backslapping and self-congratulation, they have a message for Louisville: Obama's election doesn't mean the struggle is over. Far from it. Here is what they talk about when they talk about race.

Many see the election of Barack Obama as a sign that race relations in our country are truly changing. But are they really? And what is the racial climate like in Louisville these days?

The idea that Obama's election means black people can achieve anything has quickly become cliche. But it offers hope to some, and confirms a belief by which others have always lived.

We asked a panel young black Louisvillians who are deeply involved with their communities to discuss their own experiences, and to share their thoughts on what needs to happen to make this city a better place for all races to live.

Click here for complete story.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

A busy bee

Sorry I haven't been keeping this blog updated with my journalistic pursuits. But I've been so busy with stuff I haven't even had time to tell folks what I'm working on.

Click here to check out a profile of a Louisville area teacher who recently had her first book published. The book, titled Handcuffs, is a young adult novel written specifically for teen girls, but it has such great character development that I believe it should be on the reading lists of grown-up girls too.

And don't forget to stop by my new website GeorgiaMae.com.