Wandas Picks Rebroadcast Original Air Date February 04, 2011

I had a wonderful interview with Farryn Johnson, Princess Tiana (The Frog Princess)about "Let's Celebrate," Disney on Ice at the Oakland Coliseum this weekend through Sunday, March 6, 2011. I went to opening night with my granddaughter and daughters opening night and we were impressed with the level of skill by skaters and the fun party had by all on ice. There is something about Walt Disney productions and characters that makes one smile and feel warm inside. I was looking to see Princess Tiana's two solos numbers, both after intermission, and I was not disappointed. My granddaughter sat on the edge of her seat in lit mouse ears and a wand. Other children were in fairy wings and princess gowns and slippers. At one point a skater danced through a ring of fire. Opening night in both Oakland and San Jose all seats were $15 and the seats were for the most part full. I loved seeing fathers and mothers, boys and girls out for an evening of fun entertainment. The finale while pretty made me wonder what the snow was made from when it didn't melt. Other guests: Civil Rights Movement Veterans: Chude Allen, Carol Ruth Silver, and Jean Wiley are participating in the Museum of the African Diaspora's "One Vision, One Struggle, Many Battlefields," Sat., Feb. 5, 2-5 PM. MoAD is located on Mission at Third Street in San Francisco. Zahra Noorbakhsh's "All Atheists Are Muslim," which opened Feb. 3, 2011, and continues, 8 PM, Thursdays: Feb. 10, 17, and 24, at the Stagewerx Theater. Visit www.stagewerx.org We close with a freewheeling conversation with artist/educator, Andrée Singer Thompson who has an Eco Art Matters Class at Laney College. She says there is still space in the three unit class which meets Wednesdays, 9 AM to 3 PM in the new Art Bldg., Rm. 130, Sculpture Studio. Former student and exhibiting artist, Sophie Lan Hou, also joins us. We play music from The Frog Prince, Anika Noni Rose, "Almost There," and three by Tony Williams: "Fred," "Wildlife" and "Lady Jane."