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Women, Youth Celebrated during African Film Festival

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MARCH 7, 2012 -- Washington University's annual African Film Festival will pay tribute to independent women and focus on the power of youth. The free festival, held March 23-25 will present eight film showings and features the work of award-winning director, writer and animator Cilia Sawadogo. Showings begin nightly at 7 p.m. at Washington University's Danforth Campus, Brown Hall, room 100.

"The aim of the film festival is really to showcase talent of African filmmakers but more importantly to eliminate stereotypes," said Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, assistant dean of Washington University's College of Arts and Sciences and coordinator of African Studies. "We are excited about offering the animation because they entertain as well as educate. In the subconscious, this also helps break down cultural barriers amongst our youth globally. Youth can see that others living in a big city in Nigeria or somewhere in Burkina Faso, have values very similar to them."

A special youth matinee is being offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 24. The matinee begins with the short "Bino and Fino — Nigeria's Birthday Party & Mama Mama's Soup" by Adama Waziri. Bino and Fino is a cartoon series about a brother and sister who live with their grandparents in a modern-day city in Africa.

AFF_TreeSpirits A showing of "L'Arbre aux Esprits" or "Tree of Spirits" a feature film by Sawadogo follows the short. The film is for all ages and integrates West African and North American storytelling. In the film, Kodou and Tano meet Ayoka, the spirit of a tree that is soon to be cut by an entrepreneur. The children seek help from the ancestors in order to save the tree. The film is in French with subtitles. "We will not have a dubbed version of the film but I love that you can follow the story because the images tell a convincing story so that those under 5 can also follow," Toliver-Diallo said.

Immediately following the two films, Sawadogo will talk about the film and animation. She has received numerous awards for films she directed at the National Film Board of Canada or independently, including "L'Arbre aux Esprits." Sawadogo also has produced animated clips for "Sesame Street." She is director of animation at the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, Concordia University, in Montreal.

AFF_sawadogo St. Louis Art Museum is supplying take-home craft bags for children who attend the matinee.

For the complete schedule, visit the Washington University website or call 314-935-7879.

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Top: "Bino and Fino" by Adama Waziri
Middle: "L'Arber aux Esprits" by Cilia Sawadogo
Bottom: Sawadogo
Pictures courtesy of Washington University.

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Foundry Art Centre Announces 2012 Concert Lineup

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MARCH 2, 2012 -- The Foundry Art Centre located in historic St. Charles has announced its 2012 concert schedule. All concerts are family friendly.

The St. Charles Symphony offers a free performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 3.
Javier Mendoza, pop-rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and storyteller performs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9. General admission tickets are $15.
Ronstadt Generations, a family band that represents America's multicultural roots, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13. General admission tickets are $20.
Vocalist and percussionist Charles Glenn will perform at 7:30 on Friday, May 18. General admission tickets are $20.
St. Louis Wind Symphony will perform patriotic music at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 29. General admission tickets are $5.
"Mr. Boogie Woogie" and Arthur Migliazza, dueling pianists, will perform "Booginator 2" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 6. General admission tickets are $25.
Hudson and the Hood Doo Cats will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5. General admission tickets are $15.
Erin Bode will be accompanied by string arrangements composed exclusively for this concert by the St. Louis Symphony Concertmaster, David Halen. The performance is at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14. General admission tickets are $35.

Tickets for all of these performances are available by calling 636-255-0270 or online at www.foundryartcentre.org. The Foundry Art Centre is a fine arts gallery overlooking the Missouri River at 520 North Main Center, in the Frenchtown district of Historic St. Charles. The Foundry features a Smithsonian-caliber art gallery hosting national juried exhibitions plus 20 working artist studios where visitors can watch the creative process and buy art directly from the artists.

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Javier Mendoza performs March 9 at the Foundry. Photo courtesy of Foundry Art Centre.

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Maccabeats Kick Off Jewish Life Festival

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FEB. 28, 2012 -- The week-long Festival of Jewish Life will start with a song and offer numerous and diverse ways to experience and celebrate Jewish culture.

A capella singing sensation the Maccabeats will kick off the festival on Sunday, March 18, at 2 p.m. at the JCC Staenberg Family Complex gymnasium. These amazing Yeshiva University students gained international exposure via Youtube, and have already attracted ticket-buyers from across the Midwest.

The festival is open to all, and includes films and discussions, cooking and yoga, mezuzah making, brown bag lunch and learns with rabbis emeritus, field trips to cultural institutions, food and wine sessions, and the Safrai Art Gallery from Israel, displaying art for perusal and for purchase.

"Jewish culture, art and heritage can have a powerful and positive impact on one's life," said Rabbi Brad Horwitz of the JCC. "The Festival of Jewish Life is an amazing opportunity for people from all walks of life to participate in engaging activities and walk away enriched, connected and energized. It is accessible to all people, no matter interest or background and should be a wonderful way for our community to come together."

The complete festival schedule is available online at stlouisfestivalofjewishlife.com.

Advance tickets for the Maccabeats are strongly recommended, and may be purchased at brownpapertickets.com or by calling Diane Maier at 314-442-3190.

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Sichuan Takin Born at Saint Louis Zoo

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FEB. 27, 2012 -- It's another new baby for the Saint Louis Zoo. A baby Sichuan takin was born recently at the zoo and could be seen this weekend grazing with an adult takin in the antelope yards.

The takin, an antelope-like goat, is a threatened species that lives in the bamboo forests of Western China, according to the zoo's website.

The baby takin joins a long list of new babies born at the zoo this winter, including a mountain bongo named Tundra.

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A baby Sichuan takin could be seen romping and feeding with an adult takin on Sunday, Feb. 26. Photos by St. Louis Sprout.

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Slide Recall Impacts Area Playgrounds

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FEB. 27, 2012 -- Area playgrounds are impacted by a recent recall of Slalom Glider slides, manufactured by Landscape Structures.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, children can fall when moving from the ladder to the slide and when descending the chute. CPSC and the manufacturer have received 16 reports of injuries to children under 8 years old, including one bruised arm, 14 fractures to arms and legs, one fractured collar bone and one bruised spleen.

Only 900 slides impacted by the recall were sold to schools and playgrounds, according to the CPSC. St. Louis Sprout has confirmed at least three of these slides are located at area parks: Wildwood's Glencoe Park, and two St. Louis County Parks, Ohlendorf and Tilles parks. Park officials plan to remove the slides and will be getting replacement equipment or refunds from Landscape Structures.

The CPSC recommends consumers immediately stop children from using the recalled gliders. For more information about the recall and additional photos of the slide, visit the CPSC website.

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One of the recalled slides is located at Glencoe Park. Photo by Jessica Pupillo.