On Stage

Rhapsodic blackness/

Entertaining the masses/

Onstage in Harlem.

 

Lafayette Theatre, by Van Vechten, 1940.

Pearlie Mae

Art of Africa/

Artist in America/

I idolize both.

Pearl Bailey (1918-1990), by Van Vechten, 1946.

Red Hot

The cabaret queen/

Legendary woman, this/

Redbone in Paris.

 

“Bricktop,” Ada Smith DuConge (1894-1984), by Van Vechten, 1939.

Grace and Form

Oblate of black dance/

And prima ballerina/

Artistry distilled.

 

Janet Collins (1917-2003), by Van Vechten, 1949.

Justice for Trayvon Martin

Sometimes, we just have to look at the country as it is.

All best,

Rebecca

Illustrious Blackness

Distinguished career/

Othello, Douglass, and more/

But loved “Blacula.”

 William Marshall (1924-2003), by Van Vechten, 1951.

Below is a YouTube link to 1972's Blacula. Colonialism and slavery play a part in this film, as African prince Maamuwalde is turned into a vampire by Count Dracula. This film also starred Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala (1939-1991), and the luminous Vonetta McGee (1945-2010).

Salt Peanuts

Brilliant dizziness/

With syncopated coolness/

Makes me tap my foot.

 John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie (1917-1993), by Van Vechten, 1955.