
"AN EVENING WITH DON CHEADLE" GALA BENEFIT
BLACKDOT'S ELEVEN!
You Won't Want To Miss This Dynamic Event
Celebrating 11 years of outstanding cultural arts programming in the Bay Area, we invite you to join us in a benefit gala, light dinner, cocktail party, and conversation with our special guest, acclaimed actor Don Cheadle.

Black Dot Artists, Inc. fundraiser, “An Evening To Celebrate with Don Cheadle,” benefiting the nonprofit’s development of a cultural district in West Oakland, celebrates eleven years of outstanding arts and educational programming in the Bay Area. In his first public appearance in Oakland, Don Cheadle engages in a lively conversation with Black Dot Artists, Inc. Chief Creative Officer Marcel Diallo. “An Evening To Celebrate with Don Cheadle”, a benefit gala dinner, conversation, and cocktail party at The Rotunda Building in Downtown Oakland, will feature the eclectic sounds of DJ Afrikan Sciences, a live art auction featuring visual art by Eesuu Orundide, Keba Konte, and Githinje Wa Mbire, a raffle and silent art auction, and a live jazz lounge. Complimentary wine available all evening.
The festivities begin at 6 p.m., Saturday, December 22nd, 2007, and continue until 9 p.m.
Ticket prices are $200 for individual tickets, $500 for individual Beacon sponsors, $2500 for corporate Stellar sponsor tables seating ten persons, and $5000 for Luminary sponsor tables seating ten persons. Advance registration is required. Tickets are non-refundable. A receipt will be emailed to you after your purchase. Tickets will be mailed within 5-7 days of purchase, along with event program. You can also request a R.S.V.P. Card by email. Please print and send it in with your ticket payment by mail. Please make checks payable to "Black Dot Artists, Inc." and mail R.S.V.P. card with payment to: Black Dot Artists, Inc. 924 Pine Street; Oakland, CA 94607. If you can't attend, but would still like to make a donation in another amount, please select "Other" Thank you!
Register NOW for LUCY and GAIL's Party for Black Women at Dinah Shore

Mention that you heard about it from Griot Soul Films and She Wasn't Last Night when you register to attend Lucy and Gail's popular party for African American and women of color during the Dinah Shore weekend 2008. It's fun in the sun and the best desert party you'll ever attend. Lucy and Gail provide music, cultural events, and vendors!!! Check out their lovely website at http://www.lucyandgail.com

LUXURIATE at the LUCY AND GAIL party during the Dinah Shore Weekend April 4-6, 2008.

Susan Gilbert, host of The Inappropriate Show, welcomed She Wasn't Last Night Writer/Director Darice Jones and Actress Jianda into the studio 11/27. The show airs December 26th, 2007 at 7PM on Cable Channel 26. Be sure to watch!
She Wasn't Last Night Family at NIA 20th Anniversary Celebration

Griot Soul Films Promotions Director, actress and singer Jianda connected directly with Nobel Prize winning author Alice Walker at NIA's 20th Anniversary Celebration November 17th, 2007. Jianda opened a dialogue with Ms. Walker about the unity of all living things.

Griot Soul Films Executive Director, Darice Jones had the honor of connecting with legendary Lucy & Gail at the NIA gathering. The dynamic duo invited the whole She Wasn't Last Night crew to come down for their party at the Dinah Shore event 2008.

Sistas, young and old, shook it deep into the night after the Gala the final evening of NIA's fabulous annual event.
GET INVOLVED WITH THE NIA COMMUNITY BY CONTACTING THEM ONLINE AT <"http://www.niacollective.org">
Get aquainted with the storytelling and artistry of Pippa Fleming. Check out her website for details on her upcoming shows. sponsored by the Museum of the African Diaspora, the GLBT Historical Society, and the Endangered Species project.
The website is: http://www.pippafleming.com

ALSO...
GO SEE JIANDA ON WEDNESDAY AT EL RIO

The Det's:
November, 14 2007 at El Rio
3158 Mission Street, San Francisco, California 94110
Cost : $4
Wed, Nov. 14, Jianda shares the bill with the marvelous Margrit Eichler and Bhi Bhiman. Only 4 bones! More info:
Margrit Eichler-www. truemargrit. com "Eichler's songs have their own sexy, anxious take on interpersonal politics.... the language and Eichler's delivery have a surreal edge...that bridges the gap between what you hear on the radio and what sticks in your head."
Bhi Bhiman-www.myspace. com/bhibhiman "The first thing you notice about Bhiman is his voice; it's instantly striking and unique, a slapdash mixture of Bill Withers, Richie Havens, and Little Richard." -The Guardian
Jianda: If you don't know, you betta ask somebody!
A health-conscious artist, musician, vocalist and widely-published writer, Jianda's also a poet, guitarist, actress and singer-songwriter with singles/albums that are both self-released and available on several international independent labels including: Om Records, Merck, Ghostly, Kinkysweet Records, Jam Music Australia and Gammaphone.
A regular Pride, Open Mic and Feature performer, Jianda's many genres include electronica, conscious soul, jazz and acoustic folk. In various venues, she primarily performs as a solo acoustic act. Jianda also improvs and jams with DJs, rap artists and other artists, performs her poetry or that of others and collaborates in staged readings live and in-studio.
- www.jianda.net - myspace.com/ jianda
More info at www.elriosf. com

Progressive Research and Training for Action, a non-profit that serves Oakland's diverse Same Gender Loving BT community with innovative programs needs our help. After 12 years of contracting with the State to provide cultural competency training to alcohol and drug treatment programs, PRTA is being shut out of the contract even though it is the lowest bidder. The agency contracted has no experience and the decision appears to be politically motivated.
Please take a moment and send an e-mail to the politicians below:US Congresswoman: Barbara Lee lee.house.gov
State Senator: Don Perata, Senate President pro Tem, Senator.Perata@sen.ca.gov
State Assembly member: Sandre Swanson, veronica.williams@asm.ca.gov
HERE'S Text you can send in your e-mail:
Dear Elected Official,
I am emailing you to express my support of Progressive Research & Training for Action’s (PRTA) Protest of the Department of Alcohol and Drugs Programs intent to award RFP-07-7 to another organization who does not have direct alcohol and drug experience and who lacks PRTA’s vast experience in the field. This decision by the State Department of Alcohol and Drugs Programs to denied this contract to PRTA after a twelve year unblemished record of providing stellar consulting, training and technical assistance services for alcohol treatment, prevention and education providers in the State of California, which is designed to increase improve their abilities to accommodate the complex needs of the LGBT substance abusing population in California, makes no logical sense to me and smacks of “politics.”
As one of your constituents, I am requesting that your office look into this issue and support PRTA’s in its efforts to get this decision reversed so that the agency may continue to provide top quality cultural competency training.
I am also requesting that Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s office get involved since these contracts are 100% funded through Federal Block grants.
Sincerely,
Name
Address Zip code

We hAd a great wEEKEND!!! Eating, playing games and connecting at our BBQ sponsored by Thighbones Catering at Middle Harbor Shorline Park in Oakland, CA!!!! SATURDAY OCTOBER 6th.
WE HAD AGREAT TIME AT EL RIO!!!

IF THAT'S YOUR GIRLFRIEND" FUNDRAISING PARTY
FOR
SHE WASN'T LAST NIGHT....
FEATURING LIVE MUSIC BY *JIANDA*

HELP US RAISE THE NEEDED FUNDS TO PRODUCE THIS FILM!
NEWS: LaShanda Armstrong Re-Cast As Reyna!!!

Griot Soul Films is excited to announce that LaShanda Armstrong has been re-cast in a lead role as Reyna in She Wasn't Last Night. LaShanda brings a complexity and depth to the role and we are grateful for her big talent and subtle charms!
Griot Soul Films maintains a good relationship with Tosin Otitoju, who formerly played Reyna, and we wish her great success in all she does!!!