Despite the crazy heat, YWDEP continues with fervor! We attended an outdoor rhythmic spoken word event last week, are in the midst of scheduling a private lesson for each member, and have updated our schedule AGAIN to include another poetry open-mic night, a banner making session, drum workshops with reknown drummer Jaqui MacMillan, and a host of extra sessions to prepare for our PERFORMANCE, which is now scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 17 and 18.
please READ ON for more info!!
I Last weekend
II This weekend
III Open mic poetry this Wednesday
IV website updated!
I
Last weekend we had an intense workshop with Princess of Controvery (Melissa Best) that opened us all up to our performing selves. We warmed up our entire faces, then lost some inhibitions by practicing isolations of our different body parts. (!) We then experienced a mirroring session, where everyone had to mimic every word, move and _expression of one person in the circle. This left us all with a much higher level of self awareness. We also practiced vocal inflections, breathing, critiqued each other's standing positions (confident vs. weak), and used our bodies to portray different emotional states. At the end, each member had an opportunity to read a piece of poetry, drawing upon everything learned in the workshop.
II
This weekend, Princess is back to share more of her expertise, and move us forward on reading our own poetry with the inclusion of drums and rhythm. For those who couldn't make it last week, Princess will take us through an abbreviated version of last week's workshop so that everyone can get up to speed. For those who WERE there, please remember to WRITE ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE in your journals, and be prepared to read your entries - this will assist those who were absent in gaining a deeper understanding of what we learned.
Workshop with Princess of Controversy: Saturday, July 23, 10:30-12:30 p.m., All Souls church, 16th and Harvard Sts, NW, Harvard St entrance, dining room.
III
Please note that this coming Wednesday, July 27, we'll be going to Cafe Mawonaj for Mwazi Wednesday, an open-mic spoken word and poetry event. Please bring something to read, as you may want to sign up for the open-mic, and also some money for food or drinks if you wish. We'll meet at 7:30 p.m. at our usual All Souls site - outside the Harvard St entrance - and carpool to Mawonaj. I'm happy to give everyone a ride home afterwards - we'll leave the event at 10 p.m.
IV
The website had been updated, so please check it out!!
Also, if you have pictures, send them to me!
Digital photos can be sent to kristen@youngwomendrum.org
Printed photos can be handed to myself or Sheila at a Saturday session, or send them to:
Kristen Arant
YWDEP
1395 Sheridan St NW
Washington, DC 20011
Keep on Drummin!
Kristen Arant, Founder
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
Sheila Mirza, Intern
202-215-3817
dcfresh@gmail.com
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The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project seeks to empower a core group of young women by guiding them in a process of learning how to play hand drums and percussion, along with expressing their opinions and telling their stories. The girls work with local artists to build a strong collection of rhythms, songs & spoken word. The 12-week project culminates with 3 final performances featuring the work of the project participants. Project updates and developments are listed below.
