I definitely have to give credit where it’s due. CCCADI continues to put together some great events. Tonight, they’re set to launch their truly unique art exhibition for Women’s History Month. Check out the details below…
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) is pleased to present “Wearing Spirit: Aesthetically Personifying the Feminine in African Sacred Traditions” a multi-media exhibition of paintings, sculpture, photography, textile art, video and installations honoring the power of the Feminine present in African Sacred Traditions.
While African Sacred Traditions exist within a context of gender duality of masculine/feminine, this exhibition specifically explores the complex fabric of female personalities in indigenous African spirituality. Work in the exhibition captures the essence and power of the female deities, priestesses, and prophets that have served as instruments of balance and grounding within indigenous African spiritual systems and their derivatives.
Artists attempt to answer such questions as: Who are the gatekeepers of the spirit and physical realms? Who are the most prominent female divinities? What are the roles of female priestesses and prophets in a contemporary context? How is feminine energy shaping the future of these traditions?
This show is an awe-inspiring reflection of the universal essence that is cosmically feminine. It also highlights the traditional West African systems of Akan, Vodun and Yoruba and their Diasporan counteparts along with other rituals and rites-of-passage ceremonies.
In 2010, people are still being persecuted for their devotion to these indigineous belief systems. Most recently, there are reports of Haitian earthquake survivors being denied food and assistance as well as having their temples and altars desecrated and destroyed by evangelical Christians, simply for their practice of Vodun. Additionally, there needs to be a resurgence of earth-based practices during times of environmental disintegration. These traditions must be preserved and celebrated and this exhibition further educates the general masses to the cosmic energy that is Feminine and Sacred.
Check out a full listing of the artists involved and a video interview with Imo Nse Imeh, Ph.D as he discusses his piece “Mechanisms in Uyai,” after the jump…
I came across this over the weekend. Share and share alike they say, right? See the video below…
AFRICA UNITE is a singular and masterfully executed film by Stephanie Black that is at once concert tribute, Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary, igniting the screen with the spirit of world-renowned reggae icon BOB MARLEY in its every frame. In commemoration of Bob’s 60th birthday, AFRICA UNITE is centered on the Marleys’ first-time-ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005. Includes rare footage of Marley.
Tonight, the Caribbean Cultural Center in conjunction with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation present a screening of When The Spirits Dance Mambo, the critically acclaimed film co-directed and produced by Bobby Shephard and Dr. Marta Moreno Vega. Check out the details below…
Tracing the role of sacred African thought and practices in the formation of Cuban society, culture and music, the documentary is a tribute to the spiritual energy that traveled form West Africa to Cuba and New York. The film was shot over a three month period in Cuba and New York. “When the Spirits Dance Mambo” documents the roots of the sacred African religion, La Regla de Ocha (known as Santeria). There will be a question and answer with Dr. Marta Moreno Vega directly following the film.
Hansborough Recreation Center
35 W 134th St
New York, NY 10037-2503
(212) 234-9603
Here is the second installment of the The Messengers. Episode 2 contains the Bob Marley tribute. Just more good music. If you missed Episode 1 check for it here.
In The Fader’s latest release of Ghetto Palms they blended in a snippet of “Afro Beat” a collaboration from Damian Marley and Nas (which logic only reasons most be off of the Distant Relatives project), along with some Ethiopian soul music and the Weapon Riddim.
The fire-starter was “Afro Beat”—Nas’ collabo with Damian Marley which just leaked in a truncated snippet version. Featuring Nasir and Junior Gong alternating bars over a chop-n-quench of Ethiopian soul pioneer Mulatu Astatke, it manages to spear all three birds in one track even though it is barely a minute long. Luckily the original, a ’60s Ethio-jazz monster that foreshadowed the fusion experiments of Fela, is long enough to carry both of them. That gave me a framework to cut together a couple other Ethiocentric joints—beats that are so idiosyncratic they don’t even blend, exactly, but are so much on the same vibe it doesn’t even matter, really.
Ghetto Palms blend
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Afro Beat Snippet
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When we first caught wind of the Distant Relatives project, we had to mention it on the blog cause it sounds like it can be an epic album. As it stands, it looks like the Nas/Damian Marley compilation is coming closer to fruition. Check out the video preview…
It’s been a while since I posted some Salsa on here, and now is as good a time as any. Check out the vintage video of the Fania All Stars with Héctor Lavoe below, courtesy of my boy Mikey Rivera…
“A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to find a DVD copy of Fania Allstars in Africa. Since watching it forward and backward countless times, this scene stands out to me as a moment that is truly reflective of where Salsa was in the 70s in New York, Zaire and around the world. Besides looking as fly as one could ever look in Fire Engine Red pants and guacamole green shirt, singing his hit Mi Gente, Hector Lavoe brings a crowd of thousands in to his world. He also shares himself with them, as he sings the line “..y tu abuela, donde estas”, an old Puerto Rican saying reflecting the shared African heritage of both those on stage and those in the crowd in Zaire.”
A while back, we mentioned that we donated some our our tees to children in Nigeria. The woman who organized that trip is our homegirl Arisa Itami, owner of Ouchi Gallery in downtown Brooklyn. She has an art auction coming up this week, to benefit the same kids in Nigeria. Check out the flier and details below…
Super Competition vol 1.
March 24th(Tue)-29th (sun)
Opening reception: 24th (tue) 7pm -10pm
Exhibition: 25th(wed)-29th (sun)-appointment only (info@zankandmars.com)
42 Japanese artists produce art work for African children in Nigeria, and all the proceeds from sales will be donated. A contribution in the amount of 50 dollars will go to school expenses and uniform fees, so that children can go to the elementary school for one year.
Rich Medina & Bobbito Present The Connection: Modern Explorations in Afro-Beat & Afro-Latin, a compilation of Afro-Beat and Afro Latin music, coming April 14th on R2 Records.
