Thursday, August 16, 2012
Turning 30: Prince's "1999"
Friday, July 20, 2012
Liberated Muse Goes Mobile
Friday, June 15, 2012
Be Sure to Come Check Out Liberated Muse's Return to the @Artomatic
In 2009, Liberated Muse members took to the stage at the Artomatic in promotion of the first anthology in the Liberated Muse series and to showcase the talents of the online network's very talented community members. Fast forward three years and we return!
Tomorrow-- Saturday, June 16 at 2pm on the People's (Orleans) stage at the Artomatic, Liberated Muse members perform for four hours of non-stop entertainment.
The second anthology in the Liberated series-- Betrayal Wears a Pretty Face-- will also be sold with writers from the book reading their pieces.
Featured performers include singers Nia Simmons, Cherie "Kalicoh" Latson, D. Marq and the group 8orMas who will be accompanied by the talented Bangladesh Project out of Baltimore, MD. Singers Teisha Marie and Quineice who were featured in the Liberated Muse showcase at the Artomatic in 2009 return.
Hosted by Liberated Muse's Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman who will also perform during the event, the showcase also will feature poets Serena Wills and Porscha Felicity Coleman who will perform spoken word pieces.
Check out the video below that highlights the 2009 showcase:
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
One Common Unity's ART ESCAPE Features Liberated Muse Members
Enjoy and purchase art by artists:
Greg Slade
J'Nell Jordan
James Terrell
and ArtByLiz
Music by:
Teisha Marie
Quineice
Will Henderson
and D. Marq
Free to attend, but we suggest a donation of $7-$10 to enter. All donations support One Common Unity programming. View flyer for address and time.
Support Independent Artists!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest All-Star Show May 24th
Join us on Thursday, May 24th as festival director Maceo Thomas presents an evening show featuring some of the top acts to grace the stages of the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest in past years, including:
Substantial https://www.facebook.com/SubstantialMusic
Ardamus https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ardamus/9764964850
Colie Williams http://www.coliewilliams.com/
Quineice http://www.reverbnation.com/quineice
D. Marq https://www.facebook.com/pages/D-Marq/335402565194
This event is a kick-off event of the monthly Voices of a Movement event produced by One Common Unity. A $10 donation is suggested. All proceeds support programs of One Common Unity. Learn more at https://www.Facebook.com/OneCommonUnity
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
TOMORROW- Screening of FLY BY LIGHT, the Movie
One Common Unity,
Inc. a Washington, DC-based nonprofit presents a screening of its new
documentary “Fly By Light”, directed by award-winning filmmaker Ellie
Walton.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 @ 8pm
Fly By Light Movie Screening, co-presented by Meridian
Hill Pictures
Josephine Butler Center
2437 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
In the summer of 2011, 15 high school students from
diverse neighborhoods across Washington, DC were uprooted from the hustle of
inner-city life to beautiful mountain vistas and springs. For many of the
teenagers, this was their first time leaving the concrete confines of the city.
It was also their first time experiencing a hike through the mountains, a swim
in the creek, the feel of a sincere cry, the sound of their song through a
microphone, the touch of a painful bee sting, the rush of fire spinning, and
the smell of sage burning during a Native-American sweat lodge ceremony. It was
a transformational week of boundary-stretching and social-emotional learning,
reflecting the love, struggle, compassion, pain, laughter, and friendship of
their daily lives.
Directed by filmmaker Ellie Walton, the new
documentary film follows the experience of a select group of youth who
participated in this program facilitated by the nonprofit One Common Unity. Both
screenings will feature a works-in-progress screening of the rough cut of the
film, followed by a discussion facilitated by Rajeev “HawaH” Kasat from One
Common Unity.
Screenings of “Fly By Light” kick off the beginning
of the One Common Unity fundraising campaign “IGNITE THE FLIGHT”. To learn more
about One Common Unity, visit OneCommonUnity.org. Email onecommonunity@gmail.com for questions.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Songs for Janie Show an Enjoyable Presentation
Tamara Wellons debuted her new collection of music Songs for Janie this past Friday and Saturday at Joe's Movement Emporium in Mt. Ranier, MD. Inspired by the character Janie from Zora Neale Hurston's book Their Eyes Were Watching God, the show depicted Wellons as the strong Janie, dazzled by the promise of love and freedom.
The venue was an intimate black box setting which added a theatrical flair to the show which included custom costuming and a dynamic four-piece band led by the incredible Zach Cutler with three remarkable backing vocalists-- including N'ea Posey-- supporting Wellons on lead.
Wellons presents a passionate character-- often serious, sometimes sensual with costume changes that happened almost miraculously with how quickly they occured. With a resident TeaCake as part of the show, the show was an unexpected showcase of disciplines as dance, theater and music all had their place.
Directed and conceptualized by event producer Risikat Okedeyi of Lil SoSo Productions, Songs for Janie is a show worth attending as it will continue to transform and build as a production as it is still in its birthing phase.
 |
| Tamara Wellons presents a passionate Janie in her "Songs for Janie" |
The venue was an intimate black box setting which added a theatrical flair to the show which included custom costuming and a dynamic four-piece band led by the incredible Zach Cutler with three remarkable backing vocalists-- including N'ea Posey-- supporting Wellons on lead.
Wellons presents a passionate character-- often serious, sometimes sensual with costume changes that happened almost miraculously with how quickly they occured. With a resident TeaCake as part of the show, the show was an unexpected showcase of disciplines as dance, theater and music all had their place.
 |
| Tamara Wellons and Risikat Okedeyi participate in a talk-back after the show |
Directed and conceptualized by event producer Risikat Okedeyi of Lil SoSo Productions, Songs for Janie is a show worth attending as it will continue to transform and build as a production as it is still in its birthing phase.
 | |
| Riskat Okedeyi (left) with Shonda Goward and Jessica Solomon of The Saartjie Project with vocalist | Quineice |
Poem of the Day: Man of Rivers by Valijeane Jeffers
Man of Rivers (for Quinton Veal)
Let my breath
wash your broad face
pool in your sepia collarbone
anoint your bread
As you taste
catch the crumbled pieces
mixed with tears
hold them tight
in your calloused palms
vows and roads
are etched in water
I float
‘neath southern moons
in your embrace
murmur lust’s syrup and life
near my heartbeat
and I’ll crone swollen,
dripping peaches
sing forever to your soul
And let our cry be ripened by
the dark Mississippi…
My Man of rivers
Copyright Valjeanne Jeffers 2009 all rights reserved
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Let my breath
wash your broad face
pool in your sepia collarbone
anoint your bread
As you taste
catch the crumbled pieces
mixed with tears
hold them tight
in your calloused palms
vows and roads
are etched in water
I float
‘neath southern moons
in your embrace
murmur lust’s syrup and life
near my heartbeat
and I’ll crone swollen,
dripping peaches
sing forever to your soul
And let our cry be ripened by
the dark Mississippi…
My Man of rivers
Copyright Valjeanne Jeffers 2009 all rights reserved
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Friday, April 27, 2012
TOMORROW, 4/28/12: Fly By Light Screeing @ Flow Yoga Center
One Common Unity,
Inc. a Washington, DC-based nonprofit presents screenings of its new
documentary “Fly By Light”, directed by award-winning filmmaker Ellie
Walton. In partnership with Flow Yoga
Center and Meridian Hill Pictures, One Common Unity presents “Fly By Light” on two
days for audiences to enjoy:
Saturday, April 28, 2012 @ 8pm
Fly By Light Movie Screening, co-presented by Flow
Yoga Center
Flow Yoga Center
1450 P Street Northwest
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Suggested Donation: $10-$30
Thursday, May 3, 2012 @ 8pm
Fly By Light Movie Screening, co-presented by Meridian
Hill Pictures
Josephine Butler Center
2437 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Suggested Donation: $10-$30
In the summer of 2011, 15 high school students from
diverse neighborhoods across Washington, DC were uprooted from the hustle of
inner-city life to beautiful mountain vistas and springs. For many of the
teenagers, this was their first time leaving the concrete confines of the city.
It was also their first time experiencing a hike through the mountains, a swim
in the creek, the feel of a sincere cry, the sound of their song through a
microphone, the touch of a painful bee sting, the rush of fire spinning, and
the smell of sage burning during a Native-American sweat lodge ceremony. It was
a transformational week of boundary-stretching and social-emotional learning,
reflecting the love, struggle, compassion, pain, laughter, and friendship of
their daily lives.
Directed by filmmaker Ellie Walton, the new
documentary film follows the experience of a select group of youth who
participated in this program facilitated by the nonprofit One Common Unity. Both
screenings will feature a works-in-progress screening of the rough cut of the
film, followed by a discussion facilitated by Rajeev “HawaH” Kasat from One
Common Unity.
Screenings of “Fly By Light” kick off the beginning
of the One Common Unity fundraising campaign “IGNITE THE FLIGHT”. To learn more
about One Common Unity, visit OneCommonUnity.org.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Poem of the Day: A Day in the Life by Gene Cartwright
Palm prawns prance in tradewind breeze.
Another day in Paradise.
Tropical creatures of the air soar and dive.
Another day in Paradise.
The gods smile and stay their thunder and rain,
to suit rich, tan bodies that rise at dawn,
to plant bare feet in shimmering white sand.
Another day in Paradise.
A boundless view of crystal blue waters.
Sleek, shiny, snow-white yachts anchored nearby,
vessels boasting captains and crews in smart attire.
Servants poised to answer every desire and whim.
French Bordeaux, world cuisine, meals for kings.
A bright, golden sun rules in an azure sky,
above this pleasure paradise—this Garden of Eden;
a Shangri-la worlds away from paupers and beggars,
natural calamities, war and such earthly hell.
Another day in Paradise.
Life seems forever.
Screaming sirens serenade sweltering nights.
Another day in the life.
Random gunfire crackles, signaling the dawn.
Another day in the life.
Well-worn, war zone pathways to school,
littered with human rejects, and their refuse:
blood-dipped needles strewn along the way.
Another day in the life.
Funeral bells toll for young lives gone too soon,
in a place where young hearts dare to dream,
but of only the next heart beat, the next breath.
Shuttered windows, barred doors, cluttered streets.,
children at play under their mothers’ watchful eyes.
Their neighborhoods? Little more than cemeteries,
home to the living, the dead, and the living dead.
Even nature afflicts the afflicted, damns the damned
in this garden of evil in the midst of pure hell.
Another day in the life
One dream realized, another still-born, if at all.
One life ascends to what seems a birthright
of power and success, while another falls
farther into the abyss.
Yet, the dispossessed must cling persistently to hope,
a hope that endures, a hope that rises like leaves
of grass through narrow cracks
in their concrete wasteland.
Though beaten down, the young must also rise
each day, determined that, despite all,
and through their striving,
the dark fate bequeathed them will not repeat…
another day.
__*___
from "Still Dreaming"
a book of poetry by Liberated Muse member Gene Cartwright
Another day in Paradise.
Tropical creatures of the air soar and dive.
Another day in Paradise.
The gods smile and stay their thunder and rain,
to suit rich, tan bodies that rise at dawn,
to plant bare feet in shimmering white sand.
Another day in Paradise.
A boundless view of crystal blue waters.
Sleek, shiny, snow-white yachts anchored nearby,
vessels boasting captains and crews in smart attire.
Servants poised to answer every desire and whim.
French Bordeaux, world cuisine, meals for kings.
A bright, golden sun rules in an azure sky,
above this pleasure paradise—this Garden of Eden;
a Shangri-la worlds away from paupers and beggars,
natural calamities, war and such earthly hell.
Another day in Paradise.
Life seems forever.
Screaming sirens serenade sweltering nights.
Another day in the life.
Random gunfire crackles, signaling the dawn.
Another day in the life.
Well-worn, war zone pathways to school,
littered with human rejects, and their refuse:
blood-dipped needles strewn along the way.
Another day in the life.
Funeral bells toll for young lives gone too soon,
in a place where young hearts dare to dream,
but of only the next heart beat, the next breath.
Shuttered windows, barred doors, cluttered streets.,
children at play under their mothers’ watchful eyes.
Their neighborhoods? Little more than cemeteries,
home to the living, the dead, and the living dead.
Even nature afflicts the afflicted, damns the damned
in this garden of evil in the midst of pure hell.
Another day in the life
One dream realized, another still-born, if at all.
One life ascends to what seems a birthright
of power and success, while another falls
farther into the abyss.
Yet, the dispossessed must cling persistently to hope,
a hope that endures, a hope that rises like leaves
of grass through narrow cracks
in their concrete wasteland.
Though beaten down, the young must also rise
each day, determined that, despite all,
and through their striving,
the dark fate bequeathed them will not repeat…
another day.
__*___
from "Still Dreaming"
a book of poetry by Liberated Muse member Gene Cartwright
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Poem of the Day: Square Peg by Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman
Square Peg
my people
no disrespect
but I suspect
I trespass on who you be
you cling to security
of a singularity
that does not
define me
that does not even see
who I be
KAC (c)2008
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
my people
no disrespect
but I suspect
I trespass on who you be
you cling to security
of a singularity
that does not
define me
that does not even see
who I be
KAC (c)2008
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Poem of the Day: Cicadas and I by Sandy Hoar
CICADAS AND I
It will be hot today
But now, it is almost chilly
Ok for sitting with a cup of coffee
Cicada stillness
No wind
Clear, leaves sharply outlined
Blue morning glories interwoven in the rose-of-sharon
I should pull down those dead oak branches
Lilies blooming beside the roses
The weeds higher than the tomatoes
Asters, lilies, and ornamental grass
Pull the eye along the basil and parsley,
the marjoram and mint
Poke weed--better remove before a dog decides to nibble
So still-- the squirrels and birds sleeping late this morning
The dogs running, checking each distant truck
For now
The cicadas and I
Sit and see
The end of summer
It will be hot today
For now
Still, clear, chilly
The squirrels and birds sleeping late
For now
The cicadas and I
Sit and see
The end of summer
-Sandy Hoar
8/30/11
It will be hot today
But now, it is almost chilly
Ok for sitting with a cup of coffee
Cicada stillness
No wind
Clear, leaves sharply outlined
Blue morning glories interwoven in the rose-of-sharon
I should pull down those dead oak branches
Lilies blooming beside the roses
The weeds higher than the tomatoes
Asters, lilies, and ornamental grass
Pull the eye along the basil and parsley,
the marjoram and mint
Poke weed--better remove before a dog decides to nibble
So still-- the squirrels and birds sleeping late this morning
The dogs running, checking each distant truck
For now
The cicadas and I
Sit and see
The end of summer
It will be hot today
For now
Still, clear, chilly
The squirrels and birds sleeping late
For now
The cicadas and I
Sit and see
The end of summer
-Sandy Hoar
8/30/11
Monday, April 23, 2012
Poem of the Day: The Out of Water Xperiemce by Femi The DriFish
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Friday, April 20, 2012
Poem of the Day: Trayvon Martin-Never Again Yo- Hip Hop Poetry by Kamal Imani
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Poem of the Day: I Am That Nigger by Spoken Word
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Get Your Ticket to See Tamara Wellons' 'Songs for Janie'
What better concept than to bring to life the story of Janie, the beloved character from Zora Neale Hurston's classic novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God"? Tamara Wellons does it next week in the debut of her song collection in a unique musical theatrical presentation. Learn more by watching the video. Get your $10 ticket here.
The Carcass of Saartjie Baartman
A firestorm ensued after Swedish-Afro artist Makode Linde made a performance-cake at World
art day, Moderna Museet Stockholm 2012. IAA (International Association
of Art) of Sweden arranges World Art Day with a focus on censorship and
freedom of speech. Makode Linde presented his work depicting the woman known as the Hottentot Venus-- Saartjie Baartman--with the intention of bringing awareness to the still rampant practice of female mutilation. To add injury to insult for some, Linde even went further, in honor of his sculptures that depict grotesque depictions of Baartman that resemble American classic images of offensive sambo figures with the black skin and clown-like painted lips, to paint his own face and use it as the "head" of a cake that was baked in the form of Baartman. Then, as participants in the event cut the cake, Linde cried out in misery as participants cut into the vaginal area of the cake figure, howling as if they were, in fact, cutting him. Watch below for yourself and answer the question-- is this art or something else? Whatever you decide, it can not be denied that the ensuing laughter that you can hear in the background is, in fact, quite disturbing to witness. Read more on this story here.
Here is Linde's response to the firestorm:
Here is Linde's response to the firestorm:
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Poem of the Day: April 4, 1968 by Douglas Curry
April 4, 1968
Eyes bulging, angry and dry
Tears scalding the back of my throat,
Into my stomach they go churning,
And set my heart really burning.
This just in. It is confirmed…
42nd Street in a riot.
Wall street in a panic.
Grown men crying, women cursing.
So it is done. He is dead.
Down from the mountaintop
With a bullet in his head.
Sing a song of Don Quixote….
They’ll be sorry, just wait
Watch what comes, you’ll see
A hawk has killed the dove.
Vile, putrid vultures now circle.
-Douglas Curry
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Poem of the Day: Quiet Storm by David Weeks
QUIET STORM
(Love Scenes)
Evening Sun sets
Giving way to the night
The Moon rises
Mellow with a yellow glow
As if moving to a jazzy groove
Setting the mood for our evening
Of serenity and peace
A night of Quiet bliss
Midnight Blue sky
Deep blue with passion and emotions
In The Mood For Love
Our anticipation
An Intimate Rumble
Warm front, Cool front merge
High pressure, Low pressure settles
Warm air, Cool air entwine
A night set for a Quiet Storm
Storm winds
Gently carries us across the night sky
The ease in the breeze
Brings a moment of tranquility
White clouds painted on a canvas
Of sky blue, softens the mood
The mist in the air sprinkles us
We are blessed by Morning Light
We made it through the Quiet Storm
by: David L. Weeks
LASANA Productions
(c) 2001
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
(Love Scenes)
Evening Sun sets
Giving way to the night
The Moon rises
Mellow with a yellow glow
As if moving to a jazzy groove
Setting the mood for our evening
Of serenity and peace
A night of Quiet bliss
Midnight Blue sky
Deep blue with passion and emotions
In The Mood For Love
Our anticipation
An Intimate Rumble
Warm front, Cool front merge
High pressure, Low pressure settles
Warm air, Cool air entwine
A night set for a Quiet Storm
Storm winds
Gently carries us across the night sky
The ease in the breeze
Brings a moment of tranquility
White clouds painted on a canvas
Of sky blue, softens the mood
The mist in the air sprinkles us
We are blessed by Morning Light
We made it through the Quiet Storm
by: David L. Weeks
LASANA Productions
(c) 2001
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Monday, April 16, 2012
Poem of the Day: trouble sleeping by Sumayyah Talibah
trouble sleeping
invisible prisonerin a closet of glass
ignored by everyone
with different views
i can scream
i can cry
i can hold up signs
but no one tries
to hear my side
who gets to decide
if how i’m feeling is wrong
enforce these so-called laws
that alienate me
and my thoughts
and my actions
and erase my life
confuse my perception
of my reality
make me question
my convictions
shake my foundation
my beliefs
will you be satisfied
when i’m broken and bruised
i wonder about
life on the other side
is there a fire
or a river
milk and honey
fruits and trees
is it too much to hope
for true equality
for a time when i
don’t spend my time defending
to anyone who’ll listen
and feeling like
i’m being forced to choose
been accused of passing
when i’m just interacting
with the people around me
in society
who am i
what do i do
was i supposed to tell you
whenever i planned to
make a move
wide awake
taking chances
moving cautiously
in my see-through cage
under intense scrutiny
i don’t know how
i don’t know why
i ended up this way
curse of my birth
hardwired in my brain
lullaby fails to soothe me
as the sky turns light
and its another day
all too soon
where i must fight
to have my voice be heard
lessons
don’t fail me
i think i’ve learned them well
until cracks appear
in the walls
i’ll keep pushing
and waving
and hoping that one night soon
i won’t have trouble
sleeping
from: Sumayyah Said So
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Friday, April 13, 2012
Poem of the Day: The Grind by Chenyelu Bomani
The Grind
longing
for those buttered hips
sugar coated lips
and sunshine
of a smile
instead you've got
a loosed lipped
swivel necked
finger wagger
that has forgotten
how to smile
could it be
from calamity
that she mistrusts
your
indentured words...
I love you baby
when the tribe of five
cannot frolic in life
because of your
rimshots
at the employment office
so now you think
the streets
are paved with gold
but
you only pull dust
out of your pocket
from midnight panning
you've been
skinned alive by
the government's 535
that refused to leave
even grit
between your teeth
shoe leather has
become
your every day meat
you whine
you moan
you huff
you puff
thinking your
display
will raise the shade
to a employers brighter day
not understanding
that the world
has deflated back to flat
incense
ten for a dollar
might pave
the way
towards independence
you think
until you realize
it's hard for some
to rub two nickels together
one doesn't look
for smoke
in a quest for fire
reality
like lightening
can knock many
off their feet
but only
the strong
live to tell about it
shouting to heaven
gets drowned out
from the high volume
of turmoil
there is no cuts
in the long line
of the needy
don't step over
the weary
or slip past
those left behind
all men
are brothers
in the pot
where blood boils
light appears
at the end
of a tunnel
unless
it's a dead end
either chisel
or blast the way out
darkness
requires
the eyes of a cat
(c) Chenyelu Bomani
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
longing
for those buttered hips
sugar coated lips
and sunshine
of a smile
instead you've got
a loosed lipped
swivel necked
finger wagger
that has forgotten
how to smile
could it be
from calamity
that she mistrusts
your
indentured words...
I love you baby
when the tribe of five
cannot frolic in life
because of your
rimshots
at the employment office
so now you think
the streets
are paved with gold
but
you only pull dust
out of your pocket
from midnight panning
you've been
skinned alive by
the government's 535
that refused to leave
even grit
between your teeth
shoe leather has
become
your every day meat
you whine
you moan
you huff
you puff
thinking your
display
will raise the shade
to a employers brighter day
not understanding
that the world
has deflated back to flat
incense
ten for a dollar
might pave
the way
towards independence
you think
until you realize
it's hard for some
to rub two nickels together
one doesn't look
for smoke
in a quest for fire
reality
like lightening
can knock many
off their feet
but only
the strong
live to tell about it
shouting to heaven
gets drowned out
from the high volume
of turmoil
there is no cuts
in the long line
of the needy
don't step over
the weary
or slip past
those left behind
all men
are brothers
in the pot
where blood boils
light appears
at the end
of a tunnel
unless
it's a dead end
either chisel
or blast the way out
darkness
requires
the eyes of a cat
(c) Chenyelu Bomani
Poem of the Day is a spotlight on Liberated Muse poets found on our site LiberatedMuse.com. This is a celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Find all featured poets on LiberatedMuse.com
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Fertile Ground's James Collins Talks to SoulTrain.com
Anyone in the DC/VA/MD area can tell you that one of the most popular bands to come out of the area is the phenomenal group known as Fertile Ground. For the past three years, we haven't heard much from the super group although we've seen its members performing as soloists or members of other groups for some time. Thankfully, James Collins, founder of Fertile Ground and a talented musician and producer in his own right updates us on what's going on the group and let's us know when we should be hearing from the group in the near future.Read the interview HERE.
Capital Hip Hop Soul: Twin Spirit
Liberated Muse member Twin Spirit has been wowing audiences around the globe with her sparkling vocals and positive messages. She did a Q & A with SoulTrain.com recently to share about her latest project and give some insight about her perspective on music and life in general. Read the interview HERE
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Liberated Muse Community Poem #5
Sun Salute
Her limbs, like branches stretched high in sun salutation, extend upwards
eyes closed, warm beams raining down, forming a blanket of warmth
Beautiful, spontaneous, fresh and alive
Her time has come
She has arrived
In this moment and for all time
She is completely free
Mulch of the world's sorrows
Fed, sustained then released her
To unfurl, straighten
Erect and proud
She is completely free
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The LiberatedMuse.com community poem is a frequent activity where members of the network lend verses to create an original poem. Liberated Muse creator Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman, Jimmy DiLorenzo and Sandy Hoar contributed to this poem, titled, "Sun Salute".
Visit the poetry forum on LiberatedMuse.com here.
Monday, March 5, 2012
CALL FOR SINGERS for New Electronica Project
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| (In Photo: Musician Gary Young) |
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
All month is Women's History Month, and Liberated Muse will celebrate in grand style, not just celebrating Women's History Month, but SWAN Day as well.
SWAN Day/Support Women Artists Now Day is a new international holiday that celebrates women artists. It is an annual event taking place on the last Saturday of March (Women’s History Month) and the surrounding weeks. By focusing attention on the work of women artists, SWAN Dayhelps people imagine what the world might be like if women’s art and perspectives were fully integrated into all of our lives.
People celebrate this new holiday by participating in SWAN Day events and by making donations to their favorite women artists. The long term goal of SWAN Day is to inspire communities around the world to find new ways to recognize and support women artists as a basic element of civic planning.
We are celebrating SWAN Day on Friday, March 30 during a music concert featuring some of DC's most talented progressive artists who are longtime members of the Liberated Muse network. Come out and bring your friends and family for this music celebration. Dinner and dessert sold.
If you would like more information, email us at LiberatedMuseProductions at gmail [dot] com
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
2011 Liberated Muse Community Poems to Appear in Upcoming Anthology
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| Farah Lawal, a contributor to the first anthology, performs at the book release party in 2009 |
Onli provides the cover art for the upcoming second anthology that will be comprised of only poetry and short stories, along with Q & A's with each of the featured writers in the book. Set for a early summer release this year, the second anthology is tentatively titled Liberated Muse Volume II: When Betrayal Wears a Pretty Face and will feature writers Alan King, Kristen Savali, Nick Sweet, Yahia Lababidi and more. Edited again by Liberated Muse founder, writer Khadijah Ali-Coleman who also contributes to the anthology, the book is planned for a preview digital release late Spring.
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| Writer Alan King is one of about ten writers to be featured in the new anthology in the series |
Participate in the latest community poem here.
To learn more about the Liberated Muse anthology series and upcoming performance opps in Liberated Muse productions, email LiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Liberated Muse Member Maceo Thomas Runs for DNC Delegate
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| Maceo Thomas |
In 2008, Liberated Muse Productions was started after the LiberatedMuse.com network was created. Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman and Maceo Thomas partnered to form Liberated Muse Productions to produce the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest that ran for three successful years before Khadijah and Maceo parted ways in 2010 to produce arts projects and events in the visual and performance arts arena on their own.
Since moving to the District in the mid-2000's, Maceo has been an active member of Ward 7, organizing events to promote community awareness and fellowship, including the monthly Capital Canvases for a Cause which raises monies for area nonprofits while promoting an independent visual artist show. His work as an arts advocate is often coupled with his work as a community organizer.
Maceo is ardent supporter of the democratic process and was very active in the 2008 presidential election. During the Potomac primary, he served as a precinct captain and on election day, he worked the polls in Virginia Beach. Finally, in protest of the congressional threat to DC autonomy, Maceo chose to be arrested with DC Mayor Vincent Gray and other political figures and advocates in April 2011 in front of the US Capitol.
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| Maceo Thomas arrested in April 2011 for protesting on behalf of DC |
Given his prolific work in the community and as an active Democrat, Maceo is running for delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He says,
Registered Democrats in the District of Columbia will be participating in a pre-primary caucus to select delegates for the national convention. The members of "51st State for Obama" are candidates dedicated to Obama, statehood, and DC ethics reform:
"Also, I am running with a group of committed neighbors from across the city on a slate. The slate is called 51st State for Obama. We are a group of committed citizens who hope to represent DC well in Charlotte. Local DC politics has made the news in some not so great ways lately due to ethical issues, Members of our slate have proven records of working toward transparent DC government. Also, we have members of the slate who are committed to getting DC a real vote in Congress and DC Statehood. Along with me, my slatemate Jeffery Richardson, was arrested last April in a show of civil disobedience in front of the Capitol in support of governing autonmony for DC. The other thing, we're all just regular people committed to our communites. So, I ask that you vote the entire slate. I will be able to get enough votes to win by receiving votes from my slate mates' supporters. I ask that you do the same, so that we can send a powerful group to Charlotte to represent the citizens of the District."
Maceo Thomas (right) is an active Democrat running for DC delegate
District 1 (Wards 1, 2, 6 & 8)
* Courtney Anderson (Ward 8)
* Markus Batchelor (Ward 8)
* Adam Bink (Ward 2)
* Phoebe Farris (Ward 1)
* Susan Meehan (Ward 2)
* Hector Rodriguez (Ward 1)
* Laura Shin (Ward 6)
* Jeff Richardson (Ward 6)
District 2 (Wards 3, 4, 5 & 7)
* Alexandra Beninda (Ward 3)
* Sylvia Brown (Ward 7)
* Franklin Garcia (Ward 5)
* Jaime Fearer (Ward 5)
* Julia Lara (Ward 4)
* Jon Mandel (Ward 3)
* Maceo Thomas (Ward 7)
See https://www.facebook.com/
FLASHBACK VIDEO:
While Liberated Muse is not affiliated with the Democratic nor Republican party, we commend Liberated Muse member Maceo Thomas for his community work and wish him the best with his efforts to become a delegate.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thank You for Making our 2012 Run of "In Her Words" a Success!
Thank you for making our 2012 theatrical run of "In Her Words" a success!
View this collage of footage and photos from the 2012 Black History Month run of the theatrical musical "In Her Words" conceived and directed by Khadijah Ali-Coleman. The 2012 Black History Month cast of "In Her Words" included Colie Williams, Nia Simmons, Quineice, Tracy Chiles McGhee, Naomi Rose and Anisha Newbill. The performance tour included performances for the United States Peace Corps, and the DC Public Library System. Special guest performer Lea performed during the last show of the tour and bassist Will Henderson and violinist Candace Miller were featured musicians. "In Her Words" is a Liberated Muse production. Visit http://www.theyliveon.wordpress.com for booking information and details about the production.
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| Actress/singer Anisha Newbill who played Nina Simone poses with two audience members from the debut show of "In Her Words" (photo by www.MYSTstudios.com) |
View this collage of footage and photos from the 2012 Black History Month run of the theatrical musical "In Her Words" conceived and directed by Khadijah Ali-Coleman. The 2012 Black History Month cast of "In Her Words" included Colie Williams, Nia Simmons, Quineice, Tracy Chiles McGhee, Naomi Rose and Anisha Newbill. The performance tour included performances for the United States Peace Corps, and the DC Public Library System. Special guest performer Lea performed during the last show of the tour and bassist Will Henderson and violinist Candace Miller were featured musicians. "In Her Words" is a Liberated Muse production. Visit http://www.theyliveon.wordpress.com for booking information and details about the production.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tribute to Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston died yesterday, Feb. 11 at the age of 48. Her singing career has had such a strong impact on many women (and men) who are aspiring and professional artists today. How did her life impact you? As a tribute, let's share our favorite Whitney Houston memories and ways that she has inspired you in this forum on our site. Also, be sure enjoy the flashback videos posted on our Facebook page last night when news of her passing hit the media.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Vote for the Cast of Running:AMOK for WAMA Fan Favorite
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 6pm.
You don't have to be a WAMA member to vote for the
"Fan's Award,"
Monday, February 6, 2012
Feb. 4 Debut of "In Her Words" a Hit
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| The cast of "In Her Words" |
Liberated Muse's production of "In Her Words" debuted this past weekend with a good turn-out and praise for the stars. Read more here.
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| Tracy Chiles McGhee as the late Zora Neale Hurston in "In Her Words". Photo and editing by MYSTstudios.com |
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| Anisha Newbill as Nina Simone. Photo by MYSTstudios.com |
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| Colie Williams as Lucille Clifton and Naomi Rose as "Cass", a fictional character |
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| Nia Simmons as Lena Horne |
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| Quineice as Billie Holiday |
About "In Her Words"
“In Her Words” is a theatrical presentation produced by Liberated Muse productions and directed by Khadijah Ali-Coleman showcasing the voices and views of Lucille Clifton, Zora Neale Hurston, Lena Horne, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Visit www.theyliveon.wordpress.com for booking information and showtimes.
Friday, February 3, 2012
"In Her Words" In the Pink Line Project & Washington Post
We are pleased that the Washington Post has included the Liberated Muse production "In Her Words" in their Going-Out Guide for this weekend.
Click above (on the picture) to read the Q
& A in the Pink Line Project blog about our production "In Her
Words" which debuts tomorrow at the MLK Memorial Library in Washington
DC. You can click HERE for show times and locations, cast bios and other news about our production.
Visit Liberated Muse at: http://www.liberatedmuse.com/?Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Behind-the-Scenes Look at "In Her Words"
Enjoy this behind-the-scenes video, shot by filmmaker Biljana Milenkovic and edited by Khadijah Ali-Coleman, this video gets feedback from the cast about their experience portraying the cultural icons featured and give a glimpse of what's in store at the debut of the show "In Her Words" which debuts Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1pm at the Martin Luther King Memorial Library in Washington DC. Visit http://www.theyliveon.wordpress.com for more information.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Capital Hip Hop Soul: Wes Felton
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Capital Hip Hop Soul: Akua Allrich
“My sound is a fusion of styles with its base in jazz, blues, soul and African rhythm,” she says. “I want my music to reflect all of my experiences as an African born in America.”
Read her full interview on SoulTrain.com HERE.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Capital Hip Hop Soul: Princess of Controversy
Princess of Controversy performed in the 2010 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest, a Liberated Muse production and we got a glimpse first-hand of how dope PoC rocks the mic. She is a DMV mainstay-- whether she's rocking the mic solo or with her new group DPE-- and this month, she is featured on SoulTrain.com.Honing her career as an MC, singer, and actress on stages across the country, POC has done everything—from appearing on reality shows to writing plays, including her most recent touring production “ALPHACHICK”. She believes that broadening your horizons as an entertainer helps you develop as an artist and perfect your craft.
“I love being able to share what I do and getting feedback makes me better and stronger,” she says.
Read her interview on SoulTrain.com HERE.
WAMMIE Nominations Announced, Favorites Nominated
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| Gods'illa |
While we were dismayed to see that the cabaret and musical theater categories were absent without any prior word they would be removed from the running, waking up this morn to see the listing of nominees for the WAMMIES was inspiring. Kudos to some of our Liberated Muse favorites who recently were nominated this week for Washington Area Music (WAMMIE) awards, including the hip-hop trio Gods'illa who we first witnessed at our 2008 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest, hip-hop producer and MC Kokayi who inspired the director of the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest, Maceo Thomas to conceive of the idea of the festival, highlighting local talent, soul singer/MC Maimouna Youssef who is managed by Liberated Muse member Diallo Sumbry and local staple Carolyn Malachi who is founder of the organization Smart Chicks. Congrats to you all!
See all nominees HERE.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Southeast Ministry Shines Beacon of Light for Ward 8’s Unemployed Residents
By Khadijah
Ali-Coleman
“If you have a job, think of [hiring] a Southeast Ministry
student,” Valarie Ashley suggests.
Ashley, executive director of Southeast Ministry—a Ward
8-based nonprofit located on MLK Ave in SE that provides job training and
educational services to adults—has led Southeast Ministry since 2009. She has
grown the small nonprofit into a community haven that is attracting the
attention of both those seeking services and those with services to provide.
“Our goal is to help those who come to us become better
participants in family and community,” Ashley says. Many of those served by
Southeast Ministry are often unemployed or underemployed, she adds, so,
training them to become employable is a priority.
“For us, underemployed looks like people who are taking
anything to earn money—temp work, handyman services—jobs with no future
guarantee, no benefits, no guarantee that there will be work tomorrow…many
people who have been locked out of the job market for so long.”
Ashley finds that the first step to making folks who come to
Southeast Ministry employable usually starts with building basic skills and
helping in the area of education. She also finds that teaching from an
African-American cultural perspective also helps makes learning relevant to the
students. For, she says, “ninety-nine percent of who we serve are
African-American.”
Growing at the Root
In just the past two years, Southeast Ministry has helped
hundreds of adults earn their GED and build employable skills while attracting
donors and community partners who offer valuable opportunities to Southeast
Ministry clients as well. One participant, Melissa Moon, a local mom
participating in Southeast Ministry’s GED classes is appreciative of all of the
organization’s offerings.
“I’m trying to get my GED to better my life and my
children’s lives and Southeast Ministry is doing a great job,” says Moon. “With
the help of my teacher Ashley [Luttmer], I’ve been getting helped in things
like percentages and algebra, things I didn’t do so well or understand in
school.”
Valarie Ashley admits that she is grateful that Southeast
Ministry continues to thrive and be available to provide services to adults
like Moon despite the current financial troubles in the US and the specific
issues communities like DC’s Ward 7 and Ward 8 face. She attributes Southeast
Ministry’s longevity to the community partnerships she’s formed with other
organizations in the city. One partnership with the nonprofit organization Byte
Back provides technology training to adults and has been a recent success of
Southeast Ministry.
“The partnership with the nonprofit Byte Back allows us to
add that technology component to our services which is so necessary,” Ashley
says. “So many people are afraid of computers, so at intake, we make people get
an email address to begin the process of being familiar with computers.” Ashley
laughs as she admits that the next step, after having clients set up an email
account, is actually conditioning them to begin using their new email address
to communicate.
“It’s all about training. We have to train people to check
their email.”
Another partnership, this one with DC Public Schools, allows
students to enroll in an External Diploma Program which allows them to take
high school level courses and earn a high school diploma. For the first time,
three Southeast Ministry participants graduated from the External Diploma
Program this past summer.
Ashley, who has worked for larger nonprofits like Covenant
House and Goodwill during her earlier career explains that building
partnerships is one of the most important thing a smaller nonprofit can do to
stay relevant and responsive to the needs of those served.
“I’ve come from someplace big, but when you’re with
someplace big, opportunities come to you , so the question now becomes, how do
I find resources as a very small nonprofit so I can provide quality programming
to the people who come here because we do have the good fortune of being right
here on the avenue.”
What she and her staff have done is scour the city and
create networks with other nonprofits and businesses to lessen the difficulties
those coming to Southeast Ministry will face. One example is the service
integration partnership established with Brighter Day Ministries, located
across the street from Southeast Ministry. To support Southeast Ministry
clients who may have difficulties finding food or having clothes appropriate
for a job interview, Southeast Ministry staff can refer a client to Brighter
Day Ministries to receive fresh food rations or clean and appropriate clothing
to wear for the job while Brighter Day Ministries can refer clients to
Southeast Ministry for adult education classes and job training.
But, sometimes, community offerings walk right up to the
front door.
When Gifts Come
Knocking
“So, this is the best story,” Ashley begins. “So, one day I get a call from our office
manager saying that there are two men downstairs that say that they’re from the
government and they say they can save us money on our energy bills. And, as
they’re coming up, I’m like, ‘Who is this trying to scam me,’ but, it was
real.”
These two men were from the District’s Department of the
Environment, knocking on doors to inform nonprofits about a weatherization
grant which would provide efficiency assistance in the form of replacing
windows, insulating the attic, changing light bulbs to more energy efficient
ones, and bleeding radiators. After a
17-page energy audit and confirmation from Ashley to begin work, contractors
renovated Southeast Ministry in a matter of months.
“We have this space that is more comfortable to have and
windows that we can actually look out of now. We knew that our building was
meager before, but not how meager it actually was. We didn’t realize how
inefficient the building really was,” Ashley says.
With the new building renovation, comes a renewed spirit
that Southeast Ministry definitely plays an integral part in the larger
landscape of Washington DC. Ashley confirms that the goodwill shown Southeast
Ministry only strengthens her resolve to stay focused on serving those who are
most at-risk of being passed over for employment.
“At the end of the day, I don’t have a problem asking for
things if it makes the difference between someone getting a job and not having
one.”
To volunteer, donate and learn more about Southeast
Ministry, visit www.southeastministrydc.org
or call 202-562-2636
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Liberated Muse partners with nonprofits throughout the Washington DC area on arts projects and workshops. Southeast Ministry has been a partner with Liberated Muse since 2009.
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