from the inside...
raw materialz Showcase
Saturday August 21 @ 7:00pm
on the tube...
rock.paper.sistahz.9
festival of word, sound, performance and more
April 9-30 2010
downloads - 11"x17" poster (*.pdf) | 4"x6" postcard
This year's festival boasted new and developing works from our Studio Artists: Nicole Brooks, Levi Lingwabo, and Rehaset Yohanes; the rAiz'n Ensemble's newly devised Beauty Project, plus short ideas from rCurrentz members; our young spokenword guest artist, Desiree Adams from Nova Scotia; and several fresh ideas from artists who answered our submissions call. A list of artists with some bios are attached to the events below... while behind the scenes:
Artistic Director/Festival Programmer: ahdri zhina mandiela
Associate Producer: Starr Jacobs
Box Office, Administration, & General Festival Support: Bruce Chown
Production Manager: Gailsie Stewart
Production Intern: Muhammad Agjee
Who the Hell is Elinore? by Meghan Swaby
Publicity: CatPR
Graphic Designer: Andrew Colebeck
Photo Documentation: Martin Mordecai
Set Designer (for the power/plays series): Isidra Cruz
Lighting Designer (for the power/plays series): CJ Astronomo
Technical Director for Wychwood Theatre/Christie Studio: Marc Rochefort
Studio 251 Decor: Christopher Pinheiro
Hosts: Audrey Dwyer (power/plays series), Nicole Brooks (launch party), Rehaset Yohanes (closing party!)
Thanx to these neighbourhood businesses: ArtStarts, ANDPVA, Ellington's Music & Cafe, Freddie's No Frills, Leah's, Spicy & Sweet, The Stop, for donating drinks, food, and equipment support; our volunteers: Anastasia Conde, Funke Jacobs-Joseph, Shauna James, Esther Kamba, Arman Kay, Ravi Maia, Nadia Mohamed, Judith Reid, Aracely Reyes for adding to the much-needed team work; Art Gallery of Ontario, Artscape, Factory Theatre, Theatre Direct, for space contributions; Mohamed Diaby's Manding Foli Kan Don, New Harlem Productions, & all the participating artists and audiences for a rocking/hard & fun festival.
til next year... to the 9th!
Mulatto Nation by Marika Schwandt
pOwer/Plays
April 27-30 @ Wychwood Theatre. 8-10:30pm
tues/27
- Broken Mirrorz by Aracely Reyes
A macabre fantastical with one young woman and her two other selves; each holding hands with suicide while piecing together her shattered world to find a future. - Mum's The Word by Mason Haigh
A Caribbean-Canadian woman returns home from her first holiday with an old flame from Europe and has to contend with her mother[s]. - Tell by Deidre Walton
A dublyrical theatre piece in which a young girl decides to take matters into her own hands to end a familial cycle of violence and silence. Do you have a secret to tell?
SuperNova by Isidra Cruz & Donna Michelle St Bernard
wed/28
- SuperNova by Isidra Cruz & Donna Michelle St Bernard
Devised from a design perspective, this new generation play making piece looks at one man wading through cyber space looking for any human contact... - Who the Hell is Elinore? by Meghan Swaby
Stage meets real life growing up: when 13 year-old Elinore Fagan later known as Lady Day, aka Billie Holiday, gives insight into the childhood experiences which led down a musical path. - Biography Past by Tanya Pillay
A woman gains insight on her past life relationship with her father: how far back are you willing to look? Can we choose whether new information harms or heals?
Tova & Amy
thurs/29
- Mulatto Nation by Marika Schwandt
A slightly absurd and very real near-future set in a miscegenation pride parade, a flock of spirit visitors, and a secret confession world where a woman's racial identity is put to the test. Is she up to the challenge? And can she trust the judges? - Obeah Opera by Nicole Brooks
In this piece which musically dabbles in the woes of womanhood and the mystical, hundreds of women are accused of being witches and bringing 'Obeah' to a good Christian town. Meet five of the seized, waiting and sharing what could be their last. - Tova & Amy: [music guests] a Duet, The Sweetest Sounds: a musical, A Song 4 Haiti
- Aneemah's Spot by Wendy 'Motion' Braithwaite
The funeral of childhood friend "G" brings Aneemah and Wan together to mourn, and catalogue their histories, as they are forced to let go of the past and choose how they will navigate life as adults in this stylistic mix on growth and testimony, told thru stealthy dialogue and spoken word.
Obeah Opera by Nicole Brooks
fri/30
- rAiz'n Beauty Project by the rAiz'n Ensemble
In this third/graduating season, the rAiz'n Ensemble brings an investigation of society's beauty standards and ask the question: how can we embrace the inner [Beauty] and deface the superficial? - Damaged by Andrea Scott
Exploring the shifting idea of identity as told from the perspective of a transgendered woman, her ex-girlfriend, and the other who watches the transformation. - half 'n half by Natasha Morris
young women negotiating identities in relation to men/realization of emptiness/brings enlightenment/self-love/definition - Obeah Opera by Nicole Brooks
In this piece which musically dabbles in the woes of womanhood and the mystical, hundreds of women are accused of being witches and bringing 'Obeah' to a good Christian town. Meet five of the seized, waiting and sharing what could be their last.
Opening Night
April 9 @ Artscape Wychwood Barns Studio 251. 7-11pm
The festival party where the artists and their special guests meet and mingle; food, music, and a performance or two.
wordStreet
April 11 - 30. Various times & spaces
Poetry, word slinging, beats, and just about anything goes in these free performance moments in Toronto neighbourhoods, malls, subways & street corners.
Just Another Sunday Afternoon
April 11 @ the Artscape Wychwood Barns, Covered Street. 12-5pm
This inter-generational cultural event for children, youths, and seniors features professional and community artists.
With Swizzlestick Theatre stilts walking workshop, jewelry making with Levi Lingwabo and a sneak peak of his visual art installation Passin'Tracks, storytelling, a young artists showcase, and other festival performances.
Dub Poet at large, Clifton Joseph is strolling on the mike, hosting musical performances by Rehaset and her Afro Underground concept, Lorraine Scott's Motown Vibe, Muhtadi Drummers, food & gifts vendors, a cash bar and more! Jasa is presented in collaboration with StarrChild Production. Click here to join Just Another Sunday Afternoon on FaceBook.
pLaying with woRds
April 12 & 13 @ at Factory Theatre. 125 Bathurst St. 7:30-10pm
Expect off the page readings, voice flexing, and impromptu performances in new ideas from b current creative artists, and New Harlem Productions' Dis Place. Presented in collaboration with Cross Currents Festival.
from stand.in by a z mandiela/rps 5
Passin'On: Celebration & Elevation
April 15 @ the Art Gallery of Ontario. 317 Dundas St W. 3:30-5:30pm
Be part of a workshop series to generate a performance installation and creative response to the King Tut exhibition! Collaboration with the Art Gallery of Ontario.
sistahz say!
April 16 @ Wychwood Theatre. 8-10pm
A sound soiree with Desiree Adams from Halifax/Nova Scotia, local spokenword artists, Zena Lord & Nichole Noel, vocalists Ania Soul & Sedina Fiati, and a few impromptu musical guests. Presented in collaboration with ~Night at the Indies~
talk.in.gold
April 17 @ the Art Gallery of Ontario. 317 Dundas St W. Noon-2pm
A live Studio/FM Radio broadcast featuring raw food treats, and an interactive interview with the company's Studio Artists uncovering the mysteries of the Passin'On: Celebration & Elevation Project.
Tightrope Revisited
April 17 @ Artscape Wychwood Barns Studio 251. 7-10pm
A Special Masterclass with renowned actor, Walter Borden getting ready to uncrate a new performance idea.
from house of dust by donald carr/rps4
Shorts & Sweets
April 22 @ Artscape Wychwood Barns Studio 251. 6:30-9pm
Film & Video shorts by local artists Veronica Ciandre, Powys Dewhurst, Nicole Brooks, Rehaset Yohanes... Includes an interactive talkback with all the artists attending.
daNce to the 9th
April 23 @ Wychwood Theatre. 8-10pm
A Dance Jam/Party with movers and music makers, and you... featured artists:
- Consuelo Herrera & Company - Afro Cuban - including Dance of the Orixas
- Nouvel Expose - Contemporary East African & Belly Dance
- Manding Foli Kan - Drum Rhythms from Guinea!
- And Toronto Style Krumpers & Haitian Folk Stylers as special guests.
Sounds to the 9th
April 24 @ Various Dance Studios. 10am-4pm
- 10-11am
Jammin to the 9th! in the Covered Street - 11am-noon
games from my grannie [for the youth in you] with mandiela & Amina Alfred in the Storytelling Toronto Studio/173 - noon-1pm
Reggaecize [Full Cardio Workout] with David Smith in the Christie Studio/171 [or outdoor!] - 1-2pm a special invitation to join
Dancing the Orixas, AfroCuban movement class with Consuelo Herrara @ Bavia Arts Studio/898 St Clair Ave W - 2-3pm
Belly Dance with Saba in the Christie Studio/171 - 3-4pm
Jankunnu! Moves [Old Time Carnival Dances] with Julia Morris & Chris Pinhiero in the Christie Studio/171 and outdoor!
Artscape Wychwood Barns: 601 Christie Street. Just minutes away from the St. Clair West TTC subway station
