Listen to my words. Go out and tell our story. Let it echo far and wide. How that justice was our battle and how justice was denied. Make Them Hear You! Ragtime
As a columnist for “Insight News”, I have had the privilege of writing about some of the most powerful, passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated Minnesotans of all ethnic backgrounds and a plethora of fields of endeavor, but especially coming from the African American communities. Of the powerhouse actress, singer, creative producer, and photographer, Regina Marie Williams, in an article entitled “Well, Latte Da”, I would write, “Imagine standing alone at a safe distance, looking down on the remaining protestors still carrying George Floyd and Black Lives Matter signs. There are still tears streaming on the solemn faces of some. Out of the small crowds of people, a stunning young black woman jumps off her bicycle, grabs her camera, and starts snapping scenes of the pain, chaos, and disbelief flooding the streets. The photographer would tell anyone she also captured promise, sister and brotherhood, love, and hope through her lens.
Regina Marie Williams is indeed a powerhouse. When I heard her perform a small portion of “Twelve Blocks from Where I Live” where she shares and sings the joys, hopes and tragedies of the complex and beautiful place she calls home, I could only exhale in thanksgiving hearing this robust voice echo my sentiments and those of so many others. As the anniversary of George Floyd’s execution that the world witnessed and cringed in so much agony and disbelief, upcoming Juneteenth celebrations in almost every state in the U.S. and including Guam, Japan, and Ghana, and Black Music month in June, as well, Williams and some of the most talented performing artists found a way to honor the memory and spirit of George Floyd; the powerful presence of our ancestors and the sacrifices they made for generations coming after them; the creative genius of Black music; and finding ways of helping black artists who have faced challenges due to the virus and the murder.
Streaming May 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, MN Black Theater Circle in partnership with the Guthrie Theater and Insight News will present “Blackness is . . . a theater-inspired arts festival that will celebrate Black voices and empower Black liberation. The virtual festival will showcase theater, music, dance, poetry, and spoken word as well as workshops with the community. Artists include: Nieya Amezquila (Dance and Film); Ricardo Beaird (Monologue); Tiffany Cooper (Multimedia Theater); Ashley DuBose (Music R&B); Stephanie Henry (Music/Piano); Tolu Kehinde (Poetry); Averie Mitchell-Brown (Dance and Film); Mohammed Ali Ojarigi (Play); Tearra Oso (Dance and Music-Bomba); Deneane Richburg (Collection of excerpts – short film); and Miko S. Simmons (Visual Jazz Collaboration and Improvisation). Three days of virtual arts workshops centered around the inspirational phrase, blackness is, are also scheduled. (Check website for further information). Virtual workshops for middle and high school students are also available.
Contact Information:
MNblacktheatrecircle@gmail.com
Performance times:
May 21st and 22nd – 7:30 p.m. CDT
May 23rd – 7 p.m. CDT
