Women in the World

So I wrote this song after being inspired by the book "Half the Sky".  Originally it had these sort of verse/choruses and in-between them we (The Pacha Mamas) would each do a monologue- taken from the stories of real women from the book and their journey of empowerment coming from very oppressive situations.  In an effort to arrange the piece so that not only we could do a powerful recording of it, but also so that it would fit into our "Touch of Goddesspell" concert, we took the monologues out and replaced them with poetic, rhythmic spoken word pieces with the same themes.  We (The Pacha Mamas - including Anahata Iradah- in other words the ensemble for "A Touch of Goddesspell") performed this piece for the first time at The Revolution of Love concert in February.  Even though it wasn't perfect - it was strong and we got lots of great feedback about it.  We will be recording this song at the end of this month and subsequently creating what we hope is a very powerful, moving music video to go along with it.  So keep posted!!! And here is the spoken word verse that I created/performed, just to give you a little taste/preview;-)

Her words of wisdom

Her acts of courage

Her poetry have all 

touched me deeply

And set my soul free

And The Caged Bird Sings

Everyone:

And The Caged Bird Sings!

And I think about the fact

That Maya grew up black

In a segregated south

Other side of the tracks 

Scorned. . . 

For the color of her skin

And the Caged Bird Sings

Everyone:

And The Caged Bird Sings!

And at the age of seven

Raped. . .

By kin of kin

When she spoke his name

Death came to him

And she took the blame

Didn’t speak again

For  (everyone) 5 Years!

5 Years of listening

5 Years of reading every book in sight

Shakespeare became  

Her first love of white

And finally

it was the poetry  

That set her voice free

And the Caged Bird Sings

Everyone

(And) The Caged Bird sings

Creating beauty from pain

A woman she became

Whose words found Their power 

from within

And touched the souls 

Of thousands 

and thousands

And the Caged Bird. . . . ..   is. .. .. (sing) FREE!

The Revolution of LOVE!

So, I have been distracted by the creation of a new arrangement of "Women in the World" which will be a recording and hopefully eventually creating a music video of to use as one of our promotional tools for "Goddesspell".  We (The Pacha Mamas AKA Touch of Goddesspell core ensemble!) are getting ready to perform the piece for the first time at The Revolution of Love (a benefit concert that I have put together for Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence)- a One Billion Rising Event in Atlanta!!!  So if you are in the area, come out and see us (there are lots of great restaurants in the area including Sufi's A Taste of Persia!!!).  You can buy $15 tickets here!!! Otherwise they are $20 at the door.  Parking is $5 in the deck behind the building with a voucher from the theatre.

Coincidences??? I don't think so!

Since filling out the MAP Fund Letter of Intention and stating once again that the specifics of the show would be created as an ensemble, I have been seriously considering the implications of this especially in light of potentially seeking grant monies.  I really started meditating on what the best scenario would be and felt like I needed to go back to my original plan of the having The Pacha Mamas (Marquetta Dupree, Vivian Slade and myself), a performance group that I started and performed with on and off for about 5 years, as the core ensemble along with Soyinka and Anahata.   But I had some misgivings as to the other Pacha Mama members level of willingness and commitment especially given that we basically broke up almost three years ago for the third time! Although we have remained friends, we rarely perform together anymore.  Despite my misgivings, one particular day I came to this deep knowing around the "rightness" of getting together to work on this project in particular.  The VERY next day I got a text from a friend in the Bay Area who has our CD who obviously didn't know we were no longer officially a group.  She was wondering when we were going to put out another CD because her clients who she plays our music for are always asking for more AND also wanted to know when we were going to come out and perform in the Bay Area again!    I "casually" forwarded the message to Marquetta and Vivian . . .Marquetta replied with enthusiasm at the idea of getting together  but no word from Vivian - at least right away. .  and I wasn't going to initiate that conversation.  BUT to my surprise, Marquetta prompted her to call and she did saying she was on board.  So there it is.  . . and here we are  . . .AGAIN!  This time bigger (with the addition of Anahata and Soyinka whenever possible) AND better- just watch us fly!!!

Now, when it comes to possible grants. . .well. . .that's another story.  Early this spring, I interviewed Heidi of 7 Stages (and wrote a blog about it) and got some ideas and feedback around the development/funding of "Goddesspell".  She mentioned the National Performance Network's Creation Fund.. . hitch is that you have to have at least 2 NPN presenting partners that "sponsor" your project (agree to contribute $2000 each and present your work within 3 years of getting the grant).  She let me know that 7 Stages would be willing to consider doing this and she suggested establishing a relationship with JuneBug Productions out of New Orleans as a possible 2nd "sponsor".   I didn't really know a thing about this company so it seemed at the time like somewhat of a shot in the dark.  BUT when I attended the Annual Alternate Roots retreat in August, lo and behold I ended up rooming with Stephanie- the artistic director of . . .. ta da!!!  JuneBug Productions.

I actually didn't get much time to talk to her then then (she came late and I left early) and once I got home, I considered emailing her to begin a dialogue about the possibilities.   Before, I had taken the time to do that . . on October 9th, I attended a performance that was part of the Imagining America conference in Atlanta and guess who was there?  Yup. . .Stephanie!  And this time I point blank told her my intention and that I wanted to make sure she saw the Goddesspell promo concert: "A Touch of the Goddess" when it's ready and out and about after the New Year.  She was super friendly, positive and open to the possibilities. GO TEAM!

You can help by "liking" the Goddesspell page on Facebook- 

potential presenters/producers like to see the interest. 

THANKS!!! and LOVE!!! Angela

C4 Blog-a-thon Day #1

So, I'm participating, but I'm also getting ready to go on the road for the next week. . .so we'll see how I do!

Today's prompt:
Defining Your Creative Mission

Tell us the big “why” behind the creative work you do.  Here are a few questions to consider as you write:

Why do you exist?
What is your purpose here on this earth?
How would you express the “why” behind your creative work in a few short sentences?
What do you want to be remembered for?
Can you think of three or more key words that embody the reason why you create art?
If you were to write a short, memorable, and inspirational t-shirt message about the purpose or mission for your creative work, what would it say?

So, Iwas going to video tape myself singing the first song I ever wrote on my own about 8 years ago with my basic piano playing skills. . .and the day just got away.  So, click here for a faster, a cappella version performed by the group I was part of for a few years (on and off!) The Pacha Mamas.  ENJOY!

The Pacha Mamas