Let’s be clear: This is a powerhouse lineup. Not only Nona Hendryx, Toshi Reagon & BigLovely, and Sandra St. Victor, but also poets and performers including Lenelle Moise, Paybienne Miranda and Liza Jesse Peterson! And all for a good cause: It’s one of the many programs that are part of a seven-month celebration of the life and work of the late, multi-hyphenate creator Sekou Sundiata called Blink Your Eyes: Sekou Sundiata Revisited. Blink Your Eyes celebrates Sekou’s broad vision for bold, rigorous, multidisciplinary artistic expression that emerges from a love for one’s community, a passion for real democracy and social justice, and a vision for a better world. In venues across New York City from April to October 2013, you’re invited to celebrate Sundiata’s legacy through live performances by the artists he inspired— in the places and communities that inspired him.
For those of you not familiar with Sekou, he was many things: Artist. Poet. Griot. Creator. Collaborator. Educator. Community Builder. Social Justice Activist.
As for this event, here’s the blurb:
Sekou Sundiata frequently collaborated with and was inspired by dynamic women throughout his career. SummerStage’s longstoryshort: Remixed celebrates his idea of the influential female muse through the performances of three commanding female artists: Nona Hendryx, Sandra St. Victor, and Toshi Reagon, all known for their powerful voices as well as their socially relevant lyrics. These artists will perform their own work as well as selections from Sundiata’s last CD, longstoryshort, which was released on Righteous Babe Records in 2000. The show will be punctuated throughout with performances from cutting edge poets performing some of Sundiata’s classic works and new pieces inspired by his artistic legacy. A video tribute from Ani DiFranco, who credits Sundiata as a mentor and invited him to record on her label, completes the program.
This event takes place on Wednesday, July 3 at Central Park Summerstage, 7-10pm and, best of all, it’s FREE!
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