Online arts night brings good vibrations!
With the world battling its own plague amongst the land, international acclaimed poet Khadijah Ibrahiim curated “The Passover” a holistic Approach to Arts & culture.
A global plethora of talented artists came together to pass over their own comfort in art and encouragement.
As world citizens social distance, the intimate interaction which is found through art and culture was still ever present via lit up laptop screens.
A lack of a physical venue didn’t suffocate the energy as DJ NikNak spun a soundtrack of lo-fi hip hop bops and Afrobeat infused rhythms to accompany the evening.
Artists on the night
Yoruba prayers of good health and stillness opened the space for the sharing to begin as award-winning writer Malika Booker brought forth her edifying work and words of encouragement.
Ms Booker paid tribute to the therapeutic use of music, recognizing the joy that is embodied in the DNA of Soca music. With the remainder of carnivals across the world cancelled, masqueraders and carnival lovers are mourning the loss of this year’s celebration of emancipation and the creative expression of Caribbean people.
Solace has been found in her mother’s book of prayers; Malika’s sharing extended the gift of solitude. The warm poetic tribute to her mother radiated the Guyanese sun as soca riddims were shared.
Young poet and founder of Sunday Practise deserving of all accolades, Rhiema Robinson stepped into the space and spilled her quarantine tea of self-centring through yoga and writing.
Leeds based artist expressed how normality has been preserved through conscious breathing and journaling, offering the opportunity for self-reflection and recording appreciations for seemingly small things.
Book suggestion
Rhiema offered us an extract from ‘Africa’s Tarnished Name’ a piece of text from the father of African modern literature Chinua Achebe.
Chicago in the house
Singer-songwriter and interdisciplinary artists Ugochi Nwaogwujwu graced the screen representing Chi-town offering how she finds herself with more time to read since the world’s flow hit pause.
Music’s healing force was appreciated again as the Chicago artists offered us a brief tour of her playlist that births good vibrations.
She shared Day of The Dead, fused with guitar strings and mellow warm vocals. Regardless of the name the performance and overall presence of the artist upheld and spoke life into the space.
Chicago was staying in the house with multidisciplinary artist Avery R. Young commanded the space and retained light as the closing artist.
Sharing a song, he took us to church on a Saturday evening! The knee slapping, hand clapping type of service that shoots the congregation with the spirit… that’s where Avery took us.
With his latest work available, Neck Bones, he decided to also offer a nostalgic piece of poetry dedicated to a friend.
A sharing of love and appreciation was the perfect closing ceremony to an event that brought together old friendships and facilitated new ones, found in this new distribution of art, culture and honest discussions.
Those who gather in the name of art will create and show appreciation,’The Passover’ has proved it.
New beginnings for the arts
An experience was found through accessing it online, new audiences were established, and work was shared offering inspiration and a sense of normality when we find many things being uprooted because of this pandemic.
Finger clicks and belly laughs were all present as if we were in the same room, affirming the interconnectivity of the global arts community!
May we all see longevity and creativity in this newfound time and if not stay present.
Ase.