TANTRA-ZAWADI AT AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY SATURDAY, APRIL 28
CONTACTS:
Ellen Evaristo, Department of Communications
American Museum of Natural History
212-769-5973
FOR TANTRA-ZAWADI
Debra Williams
Diamond & Company Public Relations
917-216-8445
debra@diamondandcompany.com
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CELEBRATES GLOBAL WEEKENDS: NEW ORLEANS: CULTURE REMIXED SATURDAY, APRIL 28, FROM 1 TO 6 PM
Featuring Jazz Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis and His Party Like It’s Mardi! Band, Cajun Bluegrass Ensemble The Hoppin’ John String Band, Tantra-zawadi with Aleijuan Afuraka and Sarah Dupuy.
Spoken word performance poet Tantra-zawadi to perform at the American Museum of Natural History during its Global Weekends-New Orleans Culture Remixed as part of Jazz Appreciation Month, Saturday, April 28, from 1 to 6 pm.
Hosted by WBGO radio personality Sheila Anderson, the day’s activities will include:
- Let’s Talk Creole: Discover Creole connections from Louisiana to Haiti and beyond with Tom Klingler, Louisiana Creole language expert of Tulane University; Gregory Guy, linguistics scholar from New York University; and Suzanne Dikker, Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology researcher. Tantra-Zawadi will provide a Haitian Creole reading with musical accompaniment by Aleijuan Afuraka.
- Secret Societies: Costumes and Masks: Curatorial associate Jacklyn Lacey from the Museum’s Division of Anthropology will lead a tour through the Hall of African Peoples highlighting initiation costumes throughout Africa and the vibrant history of secret societies in African and African-American traditions; and
The day concludes with a Conversation and Concert with Delfeayo Marsalis. The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master shares his reflections on growing up in New Orleans in a family of musical masters, including father Ellis and brothers Branford, Wynton, and Jason, and speaks about his ongoing efforts to keep New Orleans culture alive and thriving. Following the question-and-answer session, Marsalis and his Party Like It’s Mardi! band will perform complete with a Big Chief Mardi Gras Indian and traditional “second line” dancer. Marsalis will be available for a special CD signing after the performance. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Uptown Music Theatre, a nonprofit arts organization founded by Marsalis that empowers the children and greater community of New Orleans.
Throughout the day, traditional Southern-style culinary favorites will be sold in the Museum Food Court, located on the lower level. Take a bite of the Big Easy’s history and sample some delicious traditional bread pudding. In the Grand Gallery, visitors can also create a Mardi-Gras mask, pick up a free Smithsonian Jazz Appreciation Month poster, and learn how to help the New Orleans-area Habitat for Humanity post-Katrina rebuilding effort.
The Presenting Sponsor of the Museum’s cultural public programming is MetLife Foundation.
Support for Global Weekends is made possible, in part, by the Ford Foundation, the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt.
The Media Partner of New Orleans: Culture Remixed is WBGO Jazz 88.3FM / WBGO.org.
American Museum of Natural History (amnh.org)
The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses 45 permanent exhibition halls and galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space with the Hayden Planetarium, state-of-the-art research laboratories and five active research divisions that support more than 200 scientists in addition to one of the largest natural history libraries in the Western Hemisphere and a permanent collection of more than 32 million specimens and cultural artifacts. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, it is the first American museum authorized to grant the Ph.D. degree. In 2012, the Museum will begin offering a pilot Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in earth science. Approximately 5 million visitors from around the world came to the Museum last year, and its exhibitions and Space Shows can be seen in venues on five continents. The Museum’s website and growing collection of apps for mobile devices extend its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs to millions more beyond its walls. Visit amnh.org for more information.
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Moments in Time by Tantra “Aminata” Zawadi: The Senegal-America Project December 2011-January 2012
Reflections of Africa
Take me, take me home!
Across the wailing great blue
To the land of soul
I am home! The Motherland has received me and it is magnificent! The music, the family, the celebration, the fellowship is divine! Great concert last night. Much love and gratitude to Bideew Bou Bess, Tony Vacca, Baaba Maal and Massamba Diop! The drummers are calling. Let’s go – ‘yewoul bok’ (stop sleeping in Wolof). Peace, Love and Light.
Nanga def?
Moctar, Tony, Tantra, Beydi, Ibrahima and Anne – Bideew Bou Bess)
The day after we arrived in Senegal, Tony Vacca and I prepared for a concert with Senegalese singers/musicians Bideew Bou Bess featuring esteemed guest Baaba Maal at the Daniel Sorano National Theater in Dakar. The show was absolutely breath-taking. The theater was filled to capacity and the audience was on their feet most of the night. Bideew Bou Bess are brothers Moctar, Beydi and Ibrahima – international double gold disc artists with a captivating flow. They opened their dressing room to us, shared a few laughs and thoughts about music and life. At rehearsal the night before, I felt a soulful connection with them as we worked through our material. I felt in my spirit that our collaboration would be magical. Screams filled the air when they hit the stage and world renowned tama drummer Massamba Diop and percussionist Tony Vacca, raised the temperature for more foot stomping, hand clapping – grooving. Later that evening, we had the opportunity to personally meet Baaba Maal and witness his soulful performance onstage with BBB. They both have a strong connection with the people and BBB’s family, who were present, joined them onstage in song. Much love to Cheikh for tending to our needs backstage and sharing a delicious dish of ceebu jen (fish and rice) before the show. Our American travel companions were in the audience that night while Massamba Diop kept the energy flowing with us back stage. DJ Awadi stopped by to show us some love and to welcome us to Senegal. BBB blessed us again during our journey by visiting us in Malika where we enjoyed an evening of conversation, music and song; and again in Dakar the night before our departure to America. I have so much love and respect for these brothers and am honored to have met and performed with them. Much love to Tony Vacca for pairing me up with BBB on his track “Things Gotta Change,” and making beautiful things happen with the Senegal-America Project. Love and respect to you Bideew Bou Bess!
Tony Vacca, Baaba Maal, Tantra-zawadi & Massamba Diop
Senegal is love ~ the sweetest experience ~ the embrace of home!
Ahh, the last day of 2011 here in beautiful Senegal! Delighted to bring in a new year in the Motherland! We plan to spend the day in Pikine with poets, rappers and artists like Focoti Mic and Bideew Bou Bess followed by a performance/celebration with Baaba Maal and Massamba Diop at midnight. Just beautiful.
Happy New Year! Today, we traveled to Thiess where we spent time at Galleria Arte, ate lunch (yassa) and spoke with the artist Samba Ly and his beautiful wife Adama. Afterwards, we drove to Espace Sobobade where we ate supper, met with the owners and went to our digs a mile or so from the main entrance. The grounds are marvelous complete with an amphitheater.
Sobobade in the morning! Breakfast and music with Djibril Ba (riiti) and Pape Sakho on kora. Djibril and Pape gave me the Senegalese name of Aminata-Ba which means trusted and honest one, a beautiful Wolof name. We talked about our lives, the history of griots, music and language. I had Ataya tea with another local named Djibril, walked along the beach and spoke with neighboring artists about their wares.
Pape Sakho, Tantra-zawadi and Djibril Ba at Sobobade
I visited a mosque with one of the locals during a peaceful moment at Sobobade. We were the only ones in this quiet yet beautiful place. He gave me time to be alone with my thoughts and experience the presence of the moment. Later that day, I went to the ocean to pray for my family, friends and ancestors. Contemplation is a natural part of life for me; but in Senegal, there is gratitude is in the air we breathe.
Horseback riding in Senegal is as amazing as it sounds. We spent a few hours riding through villages, taking in the countryside, the animals and people going about their day. It was picturesque and peaceful. I wished I could have managed a camera to capture some of the beauty, but I captured it in my heart.
In my travels, I enjoy telling stories about the diversity of Brooklyn and how beautiful the people are with their colors and unique styles. Senegal is filled with color and light. Most of the women dress exquisitely in flowing dresses and skirts and the men look regal in robes, pants and tunics. I had the opportunity to have an outfit made by one of the local tailors. It is absolutely stunning and was finished in one day.
Massamba Diop, Focoti Mic and Tantra-zawadi outside Jimmy M’Baye’s studio
We had the pleasure of meeting one of Pikine’s most beloved male hip-hop groups Focoti Mic (which means “grab the mic” in Wolof). Focoti Mic is Alassane Diagne, Maguette Mbow, Fallou Diouf, Mamadou Lam and manager Ibrahima Pouye. These talented young men have taken part in musical collaborations with Tony Vacca’s Senegal-America Project and Arts-Are-Essential. I recorded a track with them in Dakar and we spent time vibing, taking photos, harmonizing, laughing and jamming outdoors in Malika. We also recorded a radio drop for some of my favorite DJ’s! It was a beautiful experience. You are in my heart Focoti Mic!
Focoti Mic and Tantra-zawadi in Malika
Being in Senegal has created something new in me and I will never be the same. This is as it should be.
Water
The rain falls gently
A time to welcome new life
As tears fall away
We’re having a concert tonight at Espace Sobobade in Senegal and what an amazing line-up of talent: Massamba Diop, Tony Vacca, Barou Sall, Pitz Quattrone, Ndongo Diop, Djibril Ba, Pape Sakho and yours truly, Tantra-zawadi ~ with love for Senegal. WAU! WAU!
Wau! Wau! We just arrived in Yoff and it’s time to record in the studio. We have arrangements to record in the studio of Jimmy M’Baye, world renowned guitarist with Youssou N’dour. We plan on spending a few days recording with some INCREDIBLE musicians and taking in more of Dakar’s appeal. The last two days have been emotional. The young poets at Daouda Fall surrounded us in love and I cried, releasing something deep inside of me. This morning’s send off from Espace Sobabade in Toubab Dialaw, went right to my heart as each beautiful sister and brother from the market area held me close and placed bracelets on my arms and necklaces around my neck whispering blessings in Wolof, French and English as I cried in their arms. Senegal has shown me myself in a way I have never seen. This is what love looks and feels like.
Tantra-zawadi and guitarist Jimmy M’Baye outside his recording studio in Dakar
I met a young poet; a vibrant young man at a poetry gathering at the home of Daouda Fall. He wanted to give me a T-shirt from his English club, but I left before we could meet again in Toubab Dialaw. He called me today to see if we could connect, but I am two hours away now in Dakar. He said “no worries sister, I will hold it for you FOREVER – inshallah.” This is the embrace of Senegal.
Young poets at Dauoda Fall’s
The Door of No Return, Ile de Goree’
He held my hand in the room of “Femmes” as I rested my cheek against the wall and traced the dust with my fingertips. The water gently rolled against rocks of beauty and tragedy as he guided me next towards the light ~ eyes mirroring bottomless cries, streams of loss and rebellion ~ bearing witness to prayers of love buried inside. We are here – once again. This time, we are standing side by side ~ no shackles visible to the naked eye. Our toes square at the Door of No Return – (never to see you again my love, bye-bye Africa, bye-bye). He sensed the shaking of my limbs, the drum of my heart and the warmth on my cheeks. He looked deeply into me and said “not everyone died. You have come back. I am here. Let us stand together and remember this moment.” Words tumbled from my mouth and African voices stirred with the dust, “Remember me Aminata. Remember our names.” His eyes gave me peace as his heart spoke, “Remember, not everyone died. We are here and you are home” as we faced east and prayed ~ Bismillah. Ile de Goree’, January 10, 2012
Tantra-zawadi at Ile de Goree’
Rising this morning in Brooklyn, New York and listening to the sounds outside my bedroom window. The clock flashes 7AM and I know it is noon in Senegal. I have thoughts of tea and moments of reflection after a good rest and hugs from my family. Showing love and gratitude to Tony Vacca and Massamba Diop of the Senegal-America Project, Jean Butler of Arts-Are-Essential, my wonderful travel companions (big love), the many spectacular artists/musicians and entrepreneurs we met along the way (you are amazing) and my new friends and family in Senegal ~ I love you. Your embrace has transformed my heart and now we are one. Nama nala ~ Jamm ak Salaam!
Tony Vacca, Shango, Tantra-zawadi and the young poets at Dauoda Fall’s
What does love taste like? A meal in Senegal for sure! There was a true sense of unity as everyone gathered around to eat from the same plate. Sometimes we sat on the ground with a cloth under us and at other times, we dined at tables; sometimes we used eating utensils, and sometimes we ate with our hands. Eating with my hands gave me a feel for the texture and temperature of the food ~ from dish to mouth ~ and a deeper appreciation for it as our host generously pulled apart pieces of fish and vegetables for our eating pleasure. I enjoyed the closeness of sharing like this and being a part of the love, laughter and conversation that flavored every dish.
Oh, Aminata
Please remember our culture
For many returns
I met a young woman at a café on the beach in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal who makes hibiscus and marmalade jam. We shared thoughts on feminine consciousness, her passion for learning and the baby she is carrying in her womb. We took turns listening to one another as I helped her decorate lids for her jars cutting away circles of fabric from kente cloth. Our talk was an interesting patchwork of Wolof, French (I have lots to learn) and English as we somehow managed to gesture, understand and communicate with one another. I enjoyed numerous fulfilling conversations like this in Senegal; many with musician Tony Vacca as we traveled to and from concerts. I spent beautiful moments with local artists (and it seems like everyone in Senegal is an artist), resulting in impromptu invitations for tea and one on one conversations about life, history, family and art. While taking a walk with a friend the evening before I left Dakar, he asked me to show him how I walk when I am in Brooklyn. I didn’t know where this was heading, but I demonstrated a fast kind of walking thing that most of us do on any given day in New York City. He laughed and said, “Now you are learning the ‘Senegalese Walk.’ Just take the time to look around you, greet others and see where the walk takes you. ” This is good I thought…practicing consciousness. In Senegal, you are aware of the rhythm of things like the sound of the ocean, calls to prayer, the beating of drums and the sweet people sounds as they move throughout the day. When I am in New York City, I naturally feel the rapid pulse that our city is affectionately known for and admittedly, don’t always take the time to go where the “walk” leads. Enchanting connections whenever I walked the Senegalese way unfolded into beautiful adventures of community, music and art. Practicing consciousness without a doubt, is a beautiful thing ~ the sweetest thought over three cups of Ataya tea. –Nodding in the affirmative.
Baobab Tree, Ile de Goree’
The Artist
A work of vision
Through his soul eyes hand crafted
Powerful women
Senegalese Artist Djibril N’Doye on percussion and Pitz Quattrone on didgeridoo
Our journey to Senegal revealed many beautiful lessons about timing. Chance encounters blossomed into wonderful connections that made our trip even more exciting. On the flight from New York to Senegal, my travel companions had the pleasure of being seated next to the wife of award-winning Senegalese artist/painter Djibril N’Doye. To our delight we received an invitation to their home which we gladly accepted on our way from Toubab Dialaw back to Dakar. Djibril, a self-taught artist from the Lebou tribe of Senegal, along with his lovely wife and family, welcomed us into their home and personally walked us through his exquisite art collection. Djibril creates paintings with oil and watercolor as well as drawings with ballpoint pen, charcoal and pyrography/wood-burning. I was fascinated by the way his pieces captured everyday living in an extraordinary way. My favorites were drawings of women in their natural beauty and environment burned onto ebony hardwood. His generous depictions exuded dignity with every curve, line, length of cloth and lock of hair. He shared stories about his process and the positive impact of women in his life. Djibril’s work is a feminine song of praise; a celebration of the African woman in her beauty and splendor.
Copper
I could smell the wood
The soil under their feet
Henna stained perfect
I found a quiet moment to thank him for his beautiful light and our special tour of his gallery. Afterwards, we had a delicious Senegalese meal (every meal I had in Senegal was delicious), followed by a full out jam session! We all got down with the get down (tama, balafon, didgeridoo, djembe and poetry). Djibril, Tony, Massamba, Pitz and I, not to mention the family and friends that joined in dance and beautiful energy, made this session a soulful delight. After our mini-concert, we spoke about ways in which we can raise awareness and understanding through music and art ~ conscious talk by conscious people for positive change.
Heavens
Gather the women
Chins tilted towards the sky
Gazing with their minds
Stories like this were an everyday occurrence in Senegal. The gentle way conversations here and there led to sharing moments that our hearts will never forget. Djibril’s gallery and home was one of those times. It might have been the loving way his family opened their home to us, prepared delicious food and made us comfortable. It could have been the way Djibril poured his love into every work of art to the point we too felt its sweetness. Maybe it was the way the heart responds when it is open to the experience of love. For me, it was all of this and more ~ a splendid moment in time.
When I decided to journey to West Africa with the Senegal-America Project, thoughts of my late aunt and uncle came to mind. Corrine, my maternal great-aunt and Clyde, my paternal uncle, were Muslims during their lifetime. As a child, I was raised in a Catholic household in the throes of the black power movement in America. The Nation of Islam was very much a part of our community in the Bedford Stuyvesant/Crown Heights sections of Brooklyn, New York. My aunt and uncle shared their faith with us and an overall consciousness for the well-being of our community. Although they passed away some time ago, I wondered how a visit to a predominantly Islamic nation would have influenced their lives. Did they envision making a pilgrimage to Mecca? I thought of them while I was in Dakar; whenever I saw beautiful mosques, woke up to calls for prayer, watched people quietly shift their focus to pray as they unrolled prayer rugs in the daily hustle and bustle with greetings of As-Salaam-Alaikum lingering in the air. I noticed a quiet respect and acceptance as people of different faiths lived and worked side by side. It was calming to watch my Muslim friends pray – mindful of the gift of time (inshallah), taking not one moment for granted as they enjoyed their families, friends, food, fellowship, nature, music and life. I think my aunt and uncle would have been awed by this peace. What would it have been like for them to practice their faith without toiling for dignity and respect as they did during the civil rights era in America? I soaked up every moment for them. I felt them in my spirit as I stood at the Door of No Return on Goree’ Island. I was there to represent my family and the ancestors who never made it home. I offered a quiet prayer facing east on the rocks near the tragically life affirming waters of the Atlantic Ocean, placed my hands in it and turned my palms to the sky. It feels so good to be here and I am grateful to be alive.
Peace and Love,
Tantra-zawadi
VI Cinema Mostra Presents “A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight Into HIV/AIDS” in Sao Paolo August 12-19, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Debra Williams
Diamond & Company Public Relations
212-247-3692
debra@diamondandcompany.com
VI Cinema Mostra to Premiere
“A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight Into HIV/AIDS”
Filmed by Tantra-zawadi and Oliver Covrett
in Sao Paolo August 12-19, 2010
Event Sponsored by Groupo Pela Vidda/SP
Celebrating its 21st Anniversary in the Fight Against AIDS
(NEW YORK, NY) AUGUST 10, 2010 —“A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight Into HIV/AIDS,” a short documentary by spoken word performance, author and filmmaker Tantra-zawadi and Oliver Covrett will make its debut in Sao Paolo, Brazil August 12, 2010 <http://www.cinemamostraaids.org.br>
“A Silent Genocide,” filmed by Tantra-zawadi and Oliver Covrett of XYAYX Multimedia, offers a brief insight into the personal experience of those living with HIV/AIDS and those striving to decrease the staggering numbers of new infections through art and activism.
The event is promoted by Grupo Pela Vidda/SP, a non-governmental and not for profit organization which has been working in the fight against AIDS for 21 years in the development of volunteer activities, prevention, and defense of rights of people living with HIV-AIDS. For more information about the Grupo Pela Vidda/SP, please visit them on-line at <http://www.aids.org.br>.
The event is non-profit and most of the tickets will be distributed for free at the NGO’s and at health systems, which attend to people from all walks of life living with HIV/AIDS.
Cinema Mostra AIDS believes “A Silent Genocide – A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS” is an important contribution to the fight against AIDS and will have great influence on the media in Brazil.
Tantra-zawadi, expressed her appreciation to Cinema Mostra AIDS for showcasing her film, stating: “It is a blessing to know that our involvement will help people in Brazil and the world community in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. We are truly grateful.”
The film was shot on location in New York City and Los Angeles featuring commentary by Betty Makoni, the founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide and one of CNN’s Top Ten Heroes for 2009. Musical contributions for the project include Tut Burks and Xavier Kemp with artwork by Shanna Melton and poetry by Iyapiphany, Jamala Safari and Wynter.
This is Tantra-zawadi’s third project to raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Her video “Scarlet Waters” was featured on the Product (RED) video wall as well as a PSA for Mark Herbert Productions/Betah and Associates.
To view the film on-line, please visit <www.youtube.com/tantra-zawadi>
ABOUT TANTRA-ZAWADI:
Tantra-zawadi is an internationally known performance poet/recording artist and the author of “alifepoeminprogress” and “Gathered at Her Sky.” She has performed her soul stirring life-poems to standing room audiences at venues all over the world; most recently at the Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. Her latest projects include: “Girl – A Choreospective”, “Soldier Blues” and collaborations such as The Love Planet EP by Collective Spirits, Giant Steps-Back From Miami with Do It Now Recordings, Summer Breeze EP by Dolls Combers, Poetic Stimulus, EARTHOLOGY by Floyd Boykin, Jr., and the award winning Liberation Sessions by Mwalim.
For information about Tantra-zawadi, please visit http://www.tantra-zawadi.com
http://www.facebook.com/tantra.zawadi
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Tantra-Zawadi: Day 1 at the Montserrat Poetry Festival
I noticed the green of the land and the openness of the sky as the pilot announced “We are making our descent into Kansas City and the temperature is…”
I was met at the airport by Mark Pearce, host/founder of the Montserrat Poetry Festival and Alec Bell, a poet from the United Kingdom. We shared highlights from our lives and our passion for the arts on the ride from the airport to my hotel.
We are in the ‘heartland’ of America with the flavor of cowboy poets, blue grass music, great barbecue peppered with a little bit of London and Brooklyn to spice up the poetry pot! This is the 3rd Annual Montserrat Poetry Festival! We kick off this afternoon at 1PM at the Montserrat Vineyards. We should reach temperatures of 88 degrees today under the big, blue Missouri sky.
Last night Mark and his lovely wife Ann, welcomed us into their home for a barbecue and all the fixings. Ann was an excellent host and Mark worked the barbecue grill beautifully. Their home, once an old Presbyterian church, is now a loving abode rich with the history of the land, warm memories of love and new stories of adventures in poetry!
I am off to get some breakfast and run through a few of my poems before the festival begins. I will keep you posted as the day unfolds.
Sending you positive energy for an insightful day.
“GATHERED AT HER SKY” – LIFE POEMS BY TANTRA-ZAWADI FROM PWP BOOKS
(NEW YORK, NY–MAY 10, 2010)–Spoken word performance poet Tantra-zawadi today announced the upcoming release of her new book, Gathered At Her Sky: Life Poems by Tantra-zawadi. Published by PWP Books, Gathered At Her Sky, is being released in late May 2010 in conjunction with Tantra-zawadi’s appearance at the 3rd annual Montserrat Poetry Festival.
Tantra-zawadi, performance poet/artist, playwright, AIDS activist, is the author of “alifepoeminprogress” and a member of Collective Spirits, a melodious venture of like minds devoted to making deep and meaningful music for the dance floor. Their “Love Planet EP,” produced by Jonny Montana and Neil Maclean (Camio Recordings), showcases Bennett Holland on keys, Tantra on poem and Dana Byrd on vocals (available on-line at http://www.traxsource.com).
“there are so many people who have blessed me with their sustienance
graterful for the love of my family. None of this would be possible….
Her spoken word video “Scarlet Waters” featuring Michael Cox on bass, was featured on the video-wall for Product (RED) created by U2’s Bono and Bobby Shriver, to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS in Africa. Her latest film, “A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS,” is a short documentary edited by Oliver Covrett, featuring commentary by Betty Makoni, a 2009 Top Ten CNN Hero and the founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide. Tantra also filmed a public service announcement for BETAH Associates produced by Marc Herbert Productions aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS awareness through the art form spoken word as well as a performance video of her choreospective “Girl.”
For more information about Tantra-zawadi, visit http://www.tantra-zawadi.com
CINEMA MOSTRA AIDS BRASIL TO SCREEN TANTRA-ZAWADI’S FILM “A SILENT GENOCIDE: A BRIEF INSIGHT INTO HIV/AIDS”
photo: Arnold J. Browne
(NEW YORK, NY) APRIL 20, 2010 — Tantra-zawadi, spoken word performance poet, filmmaker and AIDS activist, today announced that her film, “A SILENT GENOCIDE: A BRIEF INSIGHT INTO HIV/AIDS” will be shown at Brasil’s Cinema Mostra AIDS event, which will be held on August, 2010, in São Paulo, Brazil.
This event is promoted by Grupo Pela Vidda/SP, a non-governmental, not for profit, community based organization, formed by People Living with HIV/ AIDS, their friends and family. Founded in 1989, by writer and activist Herbert Daniel, GPV develops a wide range of activities, in both, care and prevention fields, focusing on the empowerment of PWAs. For more information about Cinema Mostra AIDS, please visit http://www.aids.org.br/
For information about Tantra-zawadi, please visit http://www.tantra-zawadi.com
A NIGHT OF THREE GOD/DESSES: THREE NEW ONE-WOMAN SHOWS
HAITIAN GOD/DESSES
SOLDIER BLUES
AND
SNAPSHOTS FROM THE
UNDERGROUND FOREST!
PARTIAL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT PEOPLE OF HAITI!!!!
March 11th, 12th, and 13, 2010 8:00pm, $15
TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
http://fabnyc.org/calendar.php?month=3&year=2010&ctype=month&type=event&mids[0]=17#event_2010_03_11_1359
Tantra-Zawadi, award-winning poet, recording artist, playwright and filmmaker, presents “Soldier Blues: An exploration through word, music, and movement of the battlefield of the soul and heart.” Soldier Blues is an interpretation through poem/movement, that examines the hearts and circumstances of Americans who enlist in the armed forces. The accompanying original sound track explores the “blues” which also has deep roots in American history. The music progresses as does the poem/video presentation; from the opening poem by Blis Blis, the mother who is praying for the safe return of her soldier girl, the lover-man longing for his woman back in the states, to the married mother who left her family behind. Soldier Blues, written and performed by Tantra-zawadi, was inspired by poet/musician Xavier Kemp and is a call for America to help our soldiers recover when they return home.
Music created by Stevie Gee, Leviticus, Russ Mitkowski and BooBoo Cousins. Art work by Shanna Melton. Video edited by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia with choreography by Von Jacobs.
Tantra-zawadi is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She has performed in South Africa, London and Germany and her new documentary, “A Silent Genocide A Brief Insight Into HIV/AIDS” offers a glimpse into the lives of those living with HIV along with commentary by Betty Makoni, a 2009 Top Ten CNN Hero and founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide. For learn more about Ms. Zawadi or to view her documentary, please visit her online at www.tantra-zawadi.com
“I Transcender: The Gender Expression of Haitian Gods and Goddesses” (c) 2010. Created by MilDred Gerestant, the artist formerly known as DRED
“I Transcender: The Gender Expression of Haitian Gods and Goddesses,”choreographed by Sokhna Heathyre Mabin, is a mix of dance, poetry and music experiencing the spiritual dance expressions of the fabulous Haitian God/desses: sexy Danbala, cross dressing Baron Samedi and beautiful Erzulie.
MilDred has performed internationaly, from college campuses including NYU, Penn State, Vassar, MIT, NYU, Amherst, and Smith College; to theaters such as Lincoln Center, and Henry Street Settlement. Cameos of her performance have been featured on HBO, MTV, and Oxygen television. She also appeared in the award-winning film “Venus Boyz.” MilDred was featured on Go Magazine’s “100 Women We Love”- Class of 2009 List, along with Ellen DeGeneres and Wanda Sykes. She was also awarded the 2009 Spirit Award, from OUTMusic, for 14 years of dedicated service through her acting & performing. MilDred has been featured in over 8 books including: Female Masculinity, Assume Nothing, Long Live the King: A Genealogy of Performative Genders, and Social Justice: A Journal of Crime, Conflict, and World Order. MilDred is also a Yoga teacher, Reiki Practitioner, and Thai Yoga Massage Bodywork Practitioner and is available for private sessions. www.DredLove.com
Sokhna Heathyre Mabin’s Snapshots From the Underground Forrest, is a choreocollage of music, dance, vocal soundings, poetry, & her reality – of how this sister deals with betrayal, abandonment, revelation, joy, birth, healing & maintanance to a higher level of being. Working her way thru luv, betrayal, be(lie)fs, by way of the daily commitments, Sokhna intuits how 2 alchemically transform the mundane 2 the sacred. sokhna heathyre mabin is a multi-artistic performance artist who uses her life experience, dance, music & trust to express her revelations…sokhna is the mother of 2 other multitalented, passionate artists, a doula, & yoga instructor.
WOW Cafe Theater is located at 59 East 4th street between 2nd and 3rd avenue
R train to 8th street
6 train to Astor Place or
F train to second avenue
TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
http://fabnyc.org/calendar.php?month=3&year=2010&ctype=month&type=event&mids[0]=17#event_2010_03_11_1359
TANTRA-ZAWADI: UPCOMING SHOWS
HAITIAN GOD/DESSES, SOLDIER BLUES AND SNAPSHOTS
FROM THE UNDERGROUND FORREST: A BENEFIT FOR HAITI
TANTRA-ZAWADI, MIL(DRED) GERESTANT, SOKHNA HEATHYRE MABIN
MARCH 11, 12 & 13, 2010 @ the WOW Cafe Theater, NYC
59 East 4th Street (bet 2nd & 3rd Avenues)
TICKETS & INFO: 646-342-5660
Hip Hop Hybrids of Brooklyn
Presented by BAC with support from American Express.
Tickets available in advance and at door. Contact: 718-625-0080, brooklynartscouncil.org
WHEN: Thursday, April 15, 9 – midnight
WHERE: Public Assembly
70 North 6th St. (Williamsburg)
DIAMOND & COMPANY 