There’s been a lot of uproar over the film “Selma,” which depicts Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic march from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery to secure equal voting rights for black Americans. The internet’s cup floweth over with think pieces, comments and interviews with people involved in the film and other industry folk.
Most recently, actor David Oyelowo, who got lots of critical buzz but who wasn’t nominated in the Best Actor category, slammed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for only rewarding subservient black roles. The film was snubbed in other big Academy Award categories too.
That backdrop makes Moxie Theatre’s new production of “Trouble in Mind” especially relevant. The play, written in the 1950s, revolves around a black actress who has spent her career playing stereotypical roles. When given the opportunity for a leading role, she and her fellow black castmates must deal with a white director who treats women poorly and portrays black people negatively.
The play saw some success when it premiered, but never made it to Broadway because the writer refused to pen an ending that appeased the masses. Actors currently performing in “Trouble in Mind” discussed the play, its history and its themes in depth on KPBS’s “Midday Edition.”
You’re reading the Culture Report, Voice of San Diego’s weekly collection of the region’s cultural news.
Our Silences, Art for Mr. Padre and More Visual Art News
• The California Center for the Arts, Escondido is bringing some serious visual art heat with two new exhibitions. (CityBeat)
• A large-scale collection of 10 bronze busts will temporarily reside in Ruocco Park. The busts are part of Mexican artist Rivelino’s public-art piece “Nuestros Silencios.” That’s “Our Silences” for you non-Español speakers. (U-T)
• Artist Michael Rosenblatt gifted SDSU with his painting honoring the late Tony Gwynn. (CBS Sports)
• Homeless youth are getting artistic opportunities to help change their lives, thanks to one charity. (U-T)
Lunchtime Opera, Topshelf Moves to San Diego and More Music and Performance Goods
• Looks like the San Diego Opera is keeping its word about making opera more accessible. It recently held a free lunchtime performance on the Downtown Community Concourse, and expects similar performances to become a regular thing. (KPBS)
• The San Diego Museum of Art’s Art of Music concert series launched, bringing great classical music performances throughout the year. Might as well put the September exhibition on your social calendar now. (U-T)
• Indie-rock label Topshelf Records has moved from Beantown to San Diego, giving rad local bands another reason to stay. (CityBeat)
Death Cafés, Horror Business and More Culture Crumbs
• For those obsessed with the idea of death, there are now cafés where you can eat, drink and discuss in detail your thoughts on the great hereafter. (CityBeat)
• Swing by Con Pane in Liberty Station on Wednesday to check out art created by prisoners of San Diego’s Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. They’ve been taking part in a farm-to-table educational program that teaches them about sustainable agriculture.
• CityBeat columnist Ryan Bradford’s debut Young Adult novel “Horror Business” is out this month.
• San Diego Magazine found 27 things to love about this city, including drone prodigy Jordi Muñoz, the all-female Mariachi Divinas, our urban parks and much more. It’s too bad that Realtor.com released a list of the least affordable cities in America and, depressingly, we came in at no. 1. All that awesomeness comes at a price, looks like.
• A Redbox-style library-book-and-movie-rental kiosk will set up shop in Encinitas this summer. But will it have all the “Step Up” movies? (U-T)
• Pro surfer Josh Kerr and his 7-year-old daughter Sierra prove that shredding the gnar is totally genetic. (San Diego Magazine)