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:

Capital Hip Hop Soul: Teisha Marie (@teishamarie) is The Girl From Nowhere

Teisha Marie is one of our absolute favorite artists at Liberated Muse. She first appeared in our 2009 book tour show at the Artomatic before headlining as a featured act at our 2nd Annual Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest later that year. Her voice is pure beauty and we were thankful to have her as one of our original cast members to debut our first Liberated Muse Production of the play "Running: AMOK" in the 2010 Capital Fringe Fest. 

That's right. She acts. She sings. She writes. She's a multi-instrumentalist. The list seems to go on and on. Before even reaching 30, Teisha Marie has garnered a strong following with her debut LP Addicted to Life and has shared the stage with a whole host of phenomenal neo-soul acts, including the likes of Carmen Rodgers, Deborah Bond, Angela Johnson, and more.

This year, Teisha (pronounced Tea-e-sha) promises to drop new music and tells us what she has in store for us sound-wise. Here's a taste of the interview with her that will be published in its entirety on SoulTrain.com later this month.

LiberatedMuse: Teisha, how would you describe your music to those who are reading about you for the first time?

Teisha Marie: I would say it’s like tasting candy for the first time. You know, you eat a piece of candy, you may or may not like it but there is some part of it you like, whether you like the whole part or not. It’s an experience that you just have to sit down and listen to. A lot of people  have said it’s a good album to listen to when cleaning the house (laughs)

LiberatedMuse:  Tell us more about your new project you're working on.

Teisha Marie: This album is for the person who likes to put their iPod on shuffle. It’s not necessary a different genre of music, but my delivery will be different. The album is called The Girl From Nowhere, based on my experience as an Air Force brat. People always ask “where are you from” and “what do you do” and I never felt like I was from anywhere. I guess I identify with the South the most.   It’s from feeling like the outsider a lot of time—alienation and the strength you find in being different and how in your difference you aren’t alone. It’s for people who like quirky and different styles. The topics are different on this one, but my fans will like it.

LiberatedMuse: Sounds out-of-the-box. As an indie artist, who have been some of your idols and role models in the industry?

Teisha Marie: (laughs) Hmmm. People who have been doing this for a long time—people like Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker—people who just made their music and didn’t have to explain themselves. People who did it because they need to release emotions. I really like what Janelle Monae is doing. I got nervous when she signed with Bad Boy but she’s really retained her sense of self. Of course, Eric Roberson—he’s like the champion of indie artists. He shows it’s possible to be indie and maintain your independence and be successful and not sell out who you are.

LiberatedMuse:  You are a gifted songwriter who captures life's dialogue in prose through song. What inspires you to write? Will this new album reflect something new?

Teisha Marie: I could be walking in the grocery store and hear a mom talking to her daughter and that could inspire a song. Sometimes it just comes from TV, sometimes its just life. I wrote a song on Addicted to Life called “Inner Truth” about a guy battling with his sexuality and another verse about a girl not feeling love that was from my own life so it come s from wherever  I am in the moment. “King of Negativity” has come out of being angry and another song  coming up on the new album called “Walk Your Own Road” about an ex- boyfriend who would just call around the same time each month until I had to just tell him to step-off (laughs).

LiberatedMuse: What are your thoughts about how music can impact the world today?

Teisha Marie: I think that music is a great unifier. For the people who are protesting all around the world, I know that there is some song that is propelling them forward. There is so much negative music out that I think that a little more positive music put in the world can change the world for the better. 

LiberatedMuse: What message do you want to send to your fans who may want to follow in your footsteps?

Teisha Marie: I would say “Do Not Give Up”. That’s number one. Number two would be “Stay Open”. Opportunities can come from anywhere. For the two years I’ve been doing this, I’ve been meeting some interesting people from all over the world. I’m appreciative of that. I can not stress this enough—“Do not give up”. 

LiberatedMuse: Is there anything you would like the readers to know about you?

Teisha Marie: I’m a very genuine person who sometimes wears my heart on my sleeve and I’m very passionate about things. So, if you follow me on twitter and I’m throwing out random thoughts and stuff, be sure to answer back. 

-Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman

Be sure to stay tuned  for the full interview with Teisha Marie on SoulTrain.com later this month. Read more articles on music talent here.

Liberated Muse 3rd Show Promoting New Book Rocked the House!

So yesterday was, for lack of a better word, a "totally awesome" day!

(In Photo: Margaux Delotte-Bennett)

During this last weekend of the Artomatic, Liberated Muse held almost two-hour long show promoting the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul. Contributors from the book-- Margaux Delotte-Bennett, Farah Lawal, Angela "Anonamas" Ballard, and Ananda Leeke--- read pieces while musical performers Quineice Clarkson, Gary Young, and Dee Stone entertained the audience musically. Renowned writer Alan King closed the show reading some original pieces. Sharon Burton, who did the cover art for the book was in the house as were many other members of the Liberated Muse network.

(In photo: Maceo Thomas, Liberated Muse Productions co-founder, selling books and cds)

It was a wonderful night.

View some of our photos from the night on our site http://www.liberatedmuse.com/ or check out our Facebook page HERE.

Join the Liberated Muse Fam @ the Artomatic on July 3rd

The celebration of the new Liberated Muse book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul continues @ the Artomatic on Friday, July 3rd @ 8pm in Washington DC on the Solo Stage. Join us as contributors to the book, Margaux Delotte-Bennett & Ananda Leeke read pieces from the book as well as original pieces. Also, enjoy the musical stylings of Anonamas of Infinite Soul Music, Gary Young and Quineice Clarkson. A Limited Open Mic will follow. Renowned writer Alan King will also share some of his most recent writings. Come early to sign-up!

For questions, email us at LiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com

Check out photos from our Liberated Muse weekend @ the Potter's House and the Artomatic June 19-20 by clicking HERE and HERE

Authentic Contemporary Art Recognizes National HIV Testing Day in a BIG WAY

In Recognition of National HIV Testing Day

Saturday, June 27, 2006

@ the Artomatic

James Renwick Alliance Education Room (4th Floor)

FREE and Open to the Public

Authentic Contemporary Art presents a special forum featuring visual art, music, poetry and dance.

Join us in a special dialogue about how art can play a role as an effective tool for education and treatment for people who are at risk or have been affected with HIV or AIDS. This forum will feature spoken word and other performances as well as representatives from the art community that is making a difference in the fight against HIV.

Artwork from representing organizations will also be on view.

Whitman-Walker Clinic will conduct free private and confidential HIV testing from 12:00-6:00 pm on Saturday, which is National HIV Testing Day.

Forum Participants:

Moderator: Maceo Thomas, MPH, Co-FounderLiberated Muse Productions

Public Health Advocate Participants:

• Bassey Ikpi Poet/Spoken Word Artist


• The Saartijie Project Dance and Performance Art Ensemble


• Nil Sismanyazici-Navaie Founder/President, Arts for Global Development, Inc.


• Khadijah Tribble Executive Director Pediatric HIV/AIDS Care, Inc.


• Solomon Irwin Royster, Planned Parenthood & Board Member of the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative


• Tina Lassiter Director of Art Programs & Acquisitions Children’s National Medical Center, Board of Directors, Society for the Arts in Healthcare

The Liberated Muse Weekend Was a Hit!

This past weekend on June 19 and June 20, members of the Liberated Muse community joined forces to kick-off the celebration of the new book "Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul".

On Fri, June 19, actress Farah Lawal and poets Maureen Mulima & Margaux Delotte-Bennett shared readings from the book while musical guests James Terrell, Dee Stone, Gary Young, Quiniece Clarkson and Anonamas entertained the crowd with their musical prowess. The event was also a benefit show raising money for four students who are scholarship recipients from the DC College Success Foundation. Although, they are set to receive an Achievers Scholarship, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, these students are not helped with the up front costs such as housing deposits and enrollment fees necessary to even begin school and utilize the scholarship. Almost $400 was raised to on June 19 to assist with these costs.

(In photo: Dee Stone @ the Artomatic)

On Sat, June 20, Liberated Muse took the show to the Artomatic in DC. Performer Teisha Marie joined Farah Lawal, Gary Young and Quineice Clarkson for this hour-long show as the crowd learned about the new book and the upcoming Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest.

(In photo: Farah Lawal @ the Artomatic)

If you missed it, don't worry. You can catch us on Fri, July 3 @ the Artomatic as we kick off the 4th of July weekend!

(In photo: Quineice Clarkson and Gary Young @ the Artomatic)

Visit the network at http://www.liberatedmuse.com/ to view more photos from both shows at the Potter's House and the Artomatic.

Make sure you buy the book "Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul" by clicking HERE

TODAY!!!!!

The Artomatic So Far: What We Like...

The Artomatic Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Artomatic has brought its trademark one-of-a-kind multimedia arts event to Half Street’s 55 M St, SE in D.C.’s Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. In 2008, Artomatic attracted 52,500 visitors and 1,540 participating artists. It is expected that over 60, 000 will visit the Artomatic this year. Artomatic began on May 29 and extends until July 5, 2009.

In conjunction with the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District and Monument Realty, Artomatic presents more than five weeks of art, music, theater, workshops and more — all of it free for visitors. Artomatic is a nonprofit organization headed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

(In photo: Camille Pasley-Mosley's exhibit on nurturing)

East of the river visual artists featured this year include Amber Robles-Gordon and Camille Pasley-Mosley. The popular go-go band Mambo Sauce will perform on the 4th of July. Held regularly since 1999, Artomatic transforms an unfinished indoor space into an exciting and diverse arts event that is free and open to the public. In addition to displays by hundreds of artists, the event features free films, educational presentations and children’s activities, as well as musical, dance, poetry, theater and other performances over the course of five weeks. Artomatic is an unjuried event and registration is open to all artists, from professionals to beginners.

“Two of my poems are getting published in an anthology called, Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul. I will be performing at the Artomatic to promote the book,” says local actress, Farah Lawal. Lawal is using the Artomatic appearance as a promotion also for her one-woman show "So Do You Love Me Yet?" which will open on July 10th in the upcoming Capital Fringe Fest in Washington, DC. Lawal will appear on June 20 and July 3 on the Solo Stage with other writers featured in the book and local performing artists.

What We Like So Far

So, Hook of http://www.myststudios.com/ and I volunteered at the Artomatic during its opening weekend. It was a Saturday and it was after 9pm when we arrived. There were wall to wall people and it reminded me of an evening in the busy streets of New York with the crowds and high energy in the air. The eight floors of Artomatic were bustling and alive and the elevator was packed as we made our way to the floor where the office was to receive our volunteer assignment.

Of course we checked out the Solo Stage first to see what the stage looks like for the upcoming Liberated Muse showcase on June 20 @ 6pm and July 3rd @ 8pm. It is on the 3rd floor and was among the art exhibits in a very ideal spot.

When we arrived at the office, it was packed. We were first assigned to the loading dock, but later re-routed to work in the store. I stayed put while Hook went check out the other floors to report on later. I was fine. It was a great volunteer spot. Also working the shift with me was Patrick, one of the planners of the Artomatic who has experience in planning performing arts events aside from Artomatic. We shared a lot of ideas and were able to meet some truly eclectic people who came in to purchase Artomatic souvenirs.

This past weekend, we visited the Artomatic on a Sunday during the day for a children's workshop. My daughter was able to create an original sculpture in a workshop hosted by the Suisse embassy. On this day, the space was not populated as much as it was opening weekend, but still well-attended. Here are some things she was able to do that were hands-on

(from top r to l: Make her Mexican elephant sculpture "Miss Millie", learn about a Swiss sculptor, draw a robot)

The Artomatic sells food and beverages and is open Wed-Sun, closing at 1a.m on the weekend. Visit www.artomatic.org for more information.

ARTOMATIC HAS BEGUN!!!

We love the idea of the Artomatic! This year, we are promised that the tenth year of this unique collaborative event will be like no other year!


Here are some things we are looking forward to and willing to check out for various reasons:

• BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY-- Liberated Muse Member MAHOGANEE, performing tonight and on June 13. Click HERE for her Artomatic profile. James Terrell performing in June. Click HERE for details.


• BECAUSE DC IS THE HOME OF LIBERATED MUSE--A visual art historical exhibit of the neighborhoods of Washington DC. Click HERE for details.


• BECAUSE HIP HOP @ THE ARTOMATIC IS ALWAYS A RARITY--Hip-hop artist Storm the Unpredictable


• BECAUSE THE NAME ALONE IS COMICAL--Check out the Sarah Palin Tribute Band, I mean, come on, you are interested too to see what they are about. Read their profile HERE.


• BECAUSE THEY ROCK IT OUT EVERY YEAR @ ARTOMATIC & EVERYWHERE ELSE!-- Check out the go-go band Mambo Sauce who are kicking it off on the 4th of July. Get the details HERE.


• BECAUSE SHE SHOWS US SUCH BEAUTY THROUGH HER LENS: Camille Mosley-Pasley and her art exhibit on breastfeeding. Read her profile HERE. Artomatic is not Artomatic without a Camille Mosley-Pasley exhibit.


• BECAUSE WE LOVE BILLIE HOLIDAY: We should check out DC poetess supreme Dehejia Maat as she takes us on a theatrical journey weaving spoken word and song. She is performing this weekend and in June. Read her profile HERE.

And, of course, you HAVE to come and join all of Liberated Muse on Saturday, June 20 @ 6pm and on Friday, July 3 @ 8pm on the Solo Stage at Artomatic as our family celebrates the new Liberated Muse book anthology Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul. Writers from the book will do readings while performers on our network will perform. The roster of performers include Teisha Marie, Dee Stone, Margaux Delotte-Bennett, Farah Lawal, and more! Our hope is that the book will be out by then for purchase!!

Artomatic this year is a can't miss event!

Visit the Liberated Muse profile on the Artomatic site HERE to get dates and location details.

Join Liberated Muse for Fun-Packed Weekend (Fri & Sat)

Mark your calendars for a Liberated Muse weekend which kicks off on June 19 @ the Potter's House in DC. Celebrating the publishing of the first anthology in the Liberated Muse Volume series, there will be live music performances accenting the readings of pieces from the book.

Featured performers include Dee Stone, James Terrell, Anonamas, Gary Young, Quiniece Clarkson, Farah Lawal and more!

On June 20, catch a continuation of the celebration festivities at the Artomatic arts festival in DC. This time you will catch a recap of some of the performers above with original works performed by writer Alan King who is also May's Liberated Muse member of the month.

A can't miss weekend!

Email us at LiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com for more information. We will post more info as we get closer to the dates!

Register for Artomatic TODAY Before It's TOO LATE

Artomatic 2009 will be held May 29 to July 5 in Washington DC. Admission to Artomatic is always free for visitors.

Have you registered to be part of it yet? If you are a visual artist, there is a waitlist to be part of Artomatic. However, there still are slots available for performing artists.

Last year and before, Liberated Muse members have been featured in the nationally recognized Artomatic arts festival. Some of the members featured include, Mama Moon and her band Uninterrupted, visual artist GeminiVisions, Camille Mosley-Pasley, Afi Soul, and visual artist Amber Robles-Gordon.

Make sure you register to be featured in Artomatic ASAP! Click here for details and requirements to be part of this annual event.