Farah Lawal, a contributor to the first anthology, performs at the book release party in 2009
In 2009, Liberated Muse published its first anthology of writings and art from members of the network and across the world. The anthology, Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul, featured cover art by visual artist Sharon Burton and included visual art, stories, poems and essays from Liberated Muse members, including Shanta Monroe, Serena Wills, Margaux Delotte-Bennett, and famed artist Turtel Onli.
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.
Writer Alan King is one of about ten writers to be featured in the new anthology in the series
A surprise inclusion in the book will be the four community poems created by members of the LiberatedMuse.com network in 2011. Community poems are poems created by more than one person as contributors take turns adding verses revolving around a prompted theme. Contributors to the poems that will be featured are long-time LiberatedMuse.com members Chenyelu Bomani, Jimmy DiLorenzo, David "Ancient Traditions" Weeks, Margaux Delotte-Bennett, Tony Spires and Colie Williams. Read the first community poem here.
To learn more about the Liberated Muse anthology series and upcoming performance opps in Liberated Muse productions, email LiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com.
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.
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,
Maceo Thomas (right) is an active Democrat running for DC delegate
"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."
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:
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)
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.
Thank you for making our 2012 theatrical run of "In Her Words" a success!
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.
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.
The Washington Area Music Awards (WAMMIES) have just added a new category for non-members and members to vote for. It's the FAN FAVORITE AWARD. This year, while the category of musical theater and cabaret was unceremoniously taken out of the running for the popular award show, this award allows the Liberated Muse production of Running: AMOK to get in the game if you nominate the cast today for the FAN FAVORITE AWARD.
(In photo left to right:Lyn Artope, Quineice, Deja Belle, Colie Williams, Rayona L. Young, Nia Simmons)
The 2011 cast of Running:AMOK wowed stages last year in Oxon
Hill, Silver Spring, Baltimore and DC and made a featured appearance in
the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art(202) Salon.
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.
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.
