Greetings!
I awoke this morning with such joy in my heart. Last night's "Shattered Glass" performance was so lovingly received by the community of women that gathered at the Vegan Village Cafe for our inaugural performance. I appreciate all of your words of gratitude to me for creating this unique space to honor women. It is your presence and contribution that gives it power and makes it what it is.
Today is the 3rd annual Day of Rest and Uplift. I felt so blessed to be ocean-side this morning with an intimate gathering of my sisters to pour libation and pay homage to the great women in our lives who have paved the path before us. We delved deeply into our long-held wounds and ventured the path of forgiveness for those we believe have caused us injury or harm. We allowed the lessons in those situations to reveal themselves freely as we stepped into the realm of gratitude for the lives of those men and women that we had forgiven. We stood in proxy for the women who have been victims of violence, for the perpetrators of that violence, and spoke the highest words for their wholeness and well-being.
Today we ask the community to join us in our weekend of Rest and Uplift. Please speak to the women in your life with words that honor and uplift, and listen to music that reflects the genius within us all.
For the past couple of days I have been jammin to the EP of one of the featured artists in Sunday's "Ladies in White" Benefit Concert. Nailah Porter calls her music:
"ConJazzNess...southern...backporch...carolina blue/black...tobacco stained wisdom dressed in...sacredcotton...handmedowns."
I call it Mantra-Music. Her voice has a hypnotic quality to it that weaves you into her storytelling like the master griots. I have had song #1 in constant rotation--it was my mantra-song as I prepared for last night's performance and this morning's ocean ritual:
"Giving honor/Giving thanks/for the blessins yaah/in my life/Giving thanks/at eeeh-ver-ee turn/for every lesson yaah/I have learned/Not afraid anymore/I know nothing can hurt me/I am letting go/of what no longer/brings me Peeeeeeace..."
When I finally pulled out the CD cover to peep the song title, I had to smile. It is the theme of this weekend's events: "Transcending." Love you, Nai!
You can check out this musical muse at www.nailahmusic.com. Then come out early to watch her rock the stage at the Dakota Music Lounge on Sunday.
 So, Friday night we acknowledged the hurt and oppression we have experienced as women and revealed our universal power to transcend. Saturday we honored our mothers and offered forgiveness and gratitude. Sunday, we PAR-TAY! We celebrate the mother with music that uplifts and inspires. The "Ladies in White" concert begins at 6pm. Our artists go onstage early, so please be sure to arrive with plenty of time to get seated, order dinner (I heard the sweet potato fries are a must), and receive a special gift (going along with the theme of wearing all white at this concert, we are presenting the first 24 moms to arrive with a white rose).
This is for YOU and your mother, your wife, your daughter, your sister, and your friends. Won't you come join us... |
MOTHER'S DAY
SUNDAY, MAY 10TH
"Ladies in White" Benefit Concert
Celebrate Mother's Day with live music, spoken word, fresh beats, dancing, laughter and the Spirit of Love! Join us as an amazing line up of female singers, musicians, djs and spoken word artists rock the stage at the Dakota Music Lounge! Proceeds to benefit the Women of Color Media Justice Initiative.
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