Serene of the Oakland Serenes

[no local filter; sorry]

So there's this cool woman I met while I was volunteering (briefly) at the Women's Cancer Resource Center. Well, cool, hot, what's the diff? Anyway, she's got some art events coming up that sound right up my alley, so I'm going. Who wants to come with? I think especially my foodie friends will love this stuff.

Her name is Margo Mercedes Rivera-Weiss, and here are the two cool things. I will almost certainly be going to the film opening for sure on the 15th, good and early, and probably to the open studio, especially if someone wants to go with me. Not Saturday, though, because that's Temescal Street Fair, and we've never missed one.

Cool thing the first -- Open Studio

ProArts Open Studios - June 7th & 8th

I will be showing 11 new paintings that I made on the Big Island of Hawaii this past winter. Come see mangosteens, eggfruit,
noni, dragonfruit, guavas as well as familiar friends, mangos and papayas. Other past work on exhibit includes: peppers, cantaloupes, kiwis, pears, pineapple, bananas and, of course, platanos.

In addition to original watercolor paintings in a variety of sizes and price ranges I will also have cards, magnets and Hebrew Calligraphics.

Please visit my studio this coming weekend, June 7th and 8th from 11 AM to 6 PM at 2607 School Street in Oakland. I'm 5 blocks south of the Fruitvale exit off highway 580. You are also welcome to schedule an appointment for a studio visit.

Cool thing the second -- Her short film opens!

"Mashed, Boiled & Fried" Opens
A Film about Platanos & the People Who Love Them

Directed & Edited by Margo Rivera-Weiss

My new 16 minute short film will premiere at the Queer Women of Color (QWOC) Film Festival on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 6PM. The doors will open at 5 PM and there will be free food and live music. This film is part of the screening "Delectably Yours" - food-themed shorts. Plan on arriving early so that you will get a seat - almost all of the screenings last year played to packed crowds and many were not able to get in. The festival runs 6/13 - 6/15 at Brava Theater at 2789 24th St. in San Francisco.

Four cooks from St. Vincent to the Dominican Republic whip up their favorite version of platanos or plantains while they talk about the cultural significance of this fantastic food. We also hear from three judges who evaluate the dishes while they clue us in to their own platano history. Part cooking reality show, part culinary ethnographics, and all enjoyable.

Featuring: Amy Andre, Kebo Drew, Sandy Falby, Ana-Maurine Lara, Yosenio Lewis, Ajuan Mance & Michelle Matos,

For more information about QWOCMAP and the other films that are part of the QWOC Film Festival check out qwocmap.org