Painting Ethiopia: The Life and Work of Qes Adamu Tesfaw

Thru March 5

At the age of 70, Ethiopian artist Qes Adamu Tesfaw is regarded by many as Ethiopia’s finest living artist, whose striking narrative depictions offer vignettes of the richness and variety of religious and secular life in Ethiopia, as well as scenes of important historical events that have given the country its identity. [more]

Slavery: InHuman History

Thru April 30

The exhibition will include Slavery in New York, the most ambitious exhibition ever assembled on slavery in New York, organized by the New-York Historical Society. Also included are documents, in some cases the first public viewing, on the impact of slavery in the Bay Area. Based on the original Slavery in New York exhibition, the traveling exhibition features nine heavily illustrated panels highlighting the history of slavery in New York and the story of the fight for freedom.    [more]

Slavery: InHuman History is sponsored by Wells Fargo.      

Bitter Fruit: A staged reading

Directed by Peter Coyote. Written by Imani Harrington.

Saturday, February 24
Bitter Fruit is a dramatic and contemporary play that addresses the relationship a family has to the spirit world as governed by the memory of slavery. Bitter Fruit depicts a family in crises that has long depended on following the wishes of their ancestors. When an extended family member returns from a mental institution discovers she can't shake the memories of the past, the play leaves us witnessing how she must fight in order to stay sane and spiritually alive. [more]

A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Soldier Boy

Book Reading and Signing by Ishmael Beah

Saturday, February 24
In partnership with Starbucks Coffee Company, MoAD introduces first time author Ishmael Beah and his book, A Long Way Gone. This powerful story of hope and redemption is a former child soldier’s rare first-hand account of fighting as a boy in the war-torn country of Sierra Leone. Ishmael Beah’s story of childhood lost and adulthood found is an inspiring journey from heartbreaking tragedy to salvation. Location: Starbucks, 2727 Mariposa St @Bryant. 415-552-2649  [more]

Artist's Talk with Wosene Worke Kosrof

Words: From Spoken to Seen – Paintings and the Painting Process

Sunday, February 25

Wosene Worke Kosrof, a leading Ethiopian-born painter and internationally recognized contemporary artist, is best known for his rendering of the symbols of Amharic calligraphy, a major modern language of Ethiopia.  In his presentation, Wosene will show and discuss slides from his current series Words: From Spoken to Seen.  He will explain his painting process, influenced by jazz rhythms, counterpoints, and improvisations, and through which Wosene reworks his culturally specific vocabulary to become “international in its outlook, reflecting the complex realities of contemporary artistic practice in a global society.”  (Christa Clarke, Curator, Newark Museum, NJ). [more]

Painting Ethiopia: Closing Reception and Celebration of the 111th Anniversary of the Battle of Adwa

Saturday, March 3

Closing Reception 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Entertainment – Elias Negash Ethio Jazz Quartet

Hors d'oeuvres provided by Finfine Ethiopian Restaurant, Berkeley. www.finfine.com

Following the closing reception guests of MoAD are invited to Rasselas Jazz Club, no cover charge! Music by Robert Stewart featuring Darlene Coleman, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 4

2:00pm - 3:30pm Lecture by Leah Niederstadt. Leah will lecture on the work of Qes Adamu Tesfaw and his recent commissioned work on the Battle of Adwa, Ethiopian Emperor Menelik's victory over the Italian invaders on March 2, 1886.
Entertainment – traditional Ethiopian music (recorded)

Refreshments provided by Rasselas Jazz Club & Ethiopian Cuisine. www.rasselasjazzclub.com

Thanks to the following individuals for their support, Dosho Shifferaw, Charlie Zawde,  Elias Negash;  Agonafer Shiferaw, Elias Wondimu; Leah Niederstadt and Asqual Teferi. Special thanks to Alitash Kebede for all her efforts in organizing and planning this event. The closing reception and events sponsored by Dosho Design, Inc.  www.dosho.com

Ishmael Beah: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

Wednesday, April 4

There may be as many as 300,000 child soldiers, high on drugs and wielding AK-47s, in more than 50 conflicts around the world. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them. This former child soldier, who was swept up in Sierra Leone's civil war, gives us one of the only first-person accounts of a child abducted into the horrors of warfare. Free. In collaboration with the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.  [more]

The Boondocks Creator Aaron McGruder

Thursday, April 19

For many readers, the exploits of Huey and Riley, African-American inner-city youths exiled to the suburbs in The Boondocks comic strip, are the best reason for opening the morning paper. Aaron McGruder has tackled race relations, interracial marriage, bi-racial identity and juvenile delinquency - in addition to political happenings and current events - in the groundbreaking strip. And now Huey, Riley and their beleaguered grandpa are TV stars with their own series that bears McGruder's characteristic "nothing sacred" stamp. Prepare to be outraged! MoAD Members - $15. Non-members - $18.  In collaboration with the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.  [more]

MoAD Auxiliary Group

Remember Global Groove, one of MoAD's exciting Grand Opening events? Join others who are interested in Global Groove II and MoAD's new auxiliary group, The MoAD Vanguard! More information  |  Join email list