“If only one could be sure that every 50 years a voice and a soul like Odetta’s would come along, the centuries would pass so quickly and painlessly we would hardly recognize time.”
-Maya Angelou

Odetta had recently been hospitalized in New York City for kidney failure, and succumbed to heart failure on Tuesday at the age of 77.

Her blues and spirituals led directly to her work for the civil rights movement. They were two rivers running together, she said in her interview with The Times. The words and music captured “the fury and frustration that I had growing up.” She influenced such artists as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Joan Baez and countless others.

She was slated to perform at Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20, 2009.

Read the full obituary from her label M.C. Records HERE.

More Odetta after the jump…

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Yes, history has already been made, but that is no reason to quit displaying your support for our new President-elect. Show your pride and stock up on your favorite Obama gear. Digital Gravel’s got a gangload of fantastic designs from the artists in the Upper Playground stable, to brands like Hoodman, Ropeadope, Ludwig, Dopeboy, and Enstrumental. Men’s and women’s gear available, and flying out the door. Pride on with your bad self.

Never has there been an election in our lifetime where we’ve had so much at stake. We have the chance to make history and to give Barack Obama the chance to lead the U.S.A. to prosperity.  It’s been quite some time since the youth have found a political leader that they can relate to and believe in, and the mobilization has been amazing.  From t-shirts to prints, no other presidential candidate has had so many t-shirts made in his support.  Though I fully support wearing Obama tees, pins, hats, etc., anytime, PLEASE DO NOT WEAR THEM TO THE ELECTION POLLS ON TUESDAY, NOV 4TH.  Depending on the state you live in, this would be considered “campaigning” and campaigning within a certain distance of the polls is prohibited.  Wearing Obama gear will be grounds to have you turned away.  We know you are excited to show your support, but on Tuesday, Nov 4th, show your support where it counts - by voting, not by wearing an Obama tee.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD - TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.
For more info, visit TheGreatSchlep.

Last month, we suggested you mark you calendars for the Duality of Humanity exhibit by Shepard Fairey and the after party for the event, Party for Change San Francisco and now these events are just around the corner! Get the details below and do not miss these amazing events!

DUALITY OF HUMANITY
New Works by Shepard Fairey

Opening Reception - September 13th, 7-10pm
Exhibition Dates - September 13th - October 4th
White Walls Gallery
835 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 9410
415.931.1500

For Info please visit www.whitewallssf.com

Don’t forget to check out the afterparty at MILK featuring DJs Z-Trip, Shepard Fairey & Platurn.  Flyer and details after the jump!

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Here’s another amazing event to put in your calendars:

DUALITY OF HUMANITY
New Works by Shepard Fairey

Opening Reception - September 13th, 7-10pm
Exhibition Dates - September 13th - October 4th
White Walls Gallery
835 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 9410
415.931.1500

Over 100 pieces will go on display at White Walls in a timely new show called “Duality in Humanity.� The show marks a bit of a departure for the artist, whose unique form of reverse propaganda emerged from the spirit of the punk movement. With this show, Shepard takes a step back from the ‘calls to action’ against mindless consumerism and war evidenced in previous shows like 1984ia, E Pluribus Venom and Imperfect Union. “The difference between this show and the previous ones is that now Obama is in the mix,� Shepard said. His recent work reflects his own personal shift towards a new optimism, a direct result of his involvement with, and inspiration by, the powerful political ideals of Barack Obama.

The title of the show, “Duality of Humanity,� is inspired by the peace-sign wearing US soldier in Vietnam, ‘Joker,’ in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. A central piece is a child with a gun in his hand and a flower in his hat. That theme of soldiers and weapons bearing peace signs, or peace signs comprised of military effects, runs through many pieces in the show. Environmental themes also appear in some pieces, illustrating the tenuous balance between our dangerously uncontrolled consumption of non-renewable resources, and our well-intentioned eco-concerns. Suffering and hope are seamlessly merged in a visual mash-up that defies expectations and easy answers.

“Duality of Humanity� includes larger mixed media pieces on paper that has been covered with carefully collaged Ephemera, self-printed patterns and found clippings from printed media. The backgrounds provide a seductive painterly texture and visual subtext, often allowing apropos words and images to bleed through the iconic images printed over them. The multiple layers create a sense of depth, but also bring in temporal elements through preserved newsclippings, historic images and vintage printing effects. It is the images in the foreground, however, that give the work its power. They are crisp and provocative, communicating in a way that is direct and clear.

For Info please visit www.whitewallssf.com

PARTY FOR CHANGE SAN FRANCISCO & AFTERPARTY FOR DUALITY OF HUMANITY EXHIBITION

Z-TRIP x SHEPARD FAIREY x DJ PLATURN

SEPT 13TH @ MILK BAR

Starts at 9pm / 21+ / $20 - Proceeds go to the OBAMA Campaign

THE MILK BAR
1840 HAIGHT STREET
SAN FRANCISCO
415.387.MILK (6455)
www.MILKSF.com

Fox News never ceases to amaze me with their racist rants. I have no idea where they find their correspondents - I just want to stay far, far away from wherever that scary place is. I just found out about this petition from Around The Way Girls that calls for Fox “News” (can they even really call it that?) to stop injecting racism and prejudice into their programs. They’ve managed to bring up lynching, the “terrorist” fist jab, the “angry black woman” stereotype and calling her Obama’s Baby Mama. ENOUGH!! Sign it here!

If you’re not convinced, check this out: