YWDEP THIS WEEK

We're inching closer and closer to our performance, and YWDEP members can look forward to a host of great times and hard work to come.

This week, we're attending MWAZI WEDNESDAY at Cafe Mawonaj - an open-mic poetry and spoken word celebration. Members should meet SHEILA at the Shaw/Howard metro station at 8:15 p.m. (please be on time!) and walk in a group to the cafe.

On Saturday, our session features JAQUI MacMILLAN - renown female percussion artist and instructor, who will teach us the rhythm SHIKO - this is not to be missed! Be there! 10:30 a.m., All Souls church, 16th and Harvard Sts NW, in the dining room.

Then, on Sunday, we're getting together at 3 p.m. at St. Stephen's Church (16th and Newton Sts NW) to start painting our BANNER, which will be displayed at the performances.

In addition, intern Sheila Mirza and I have constructed a first draft of the performance set list, which we'll be sharing with all the YWDEP instructors and facilitators for feedback - it's a very exciting set and we're looking forward to getting started on it!

Private lessons are also going well - any YWDEP member who has not schedule a private lesson w/ Kristen, please do so at the next Saturday session.

Also - the previous blog contains the most updated schedule, so please check it out!

YAY!! Look out DC here we come!!!

In Rhythm --

Kristen Arant, Founder
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org

Sheila Mirza, Intern
202-215-3817
dcfresh@gmail.com

SONGS from the hearts of young women

Below find the lyrics to the TWO songs that YWDEP members created with Margaux Delotte-Bennett during two SONG workshops!!

These songs will be included in our upcoming performances.

CARNIVAL

The people, they are laughing
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho
Look at them go
The brightly colored show

The food it be sizzlin
The bodies, they are too
I wanna feel the cool breeze
I wanna dance with you

Just like on the islands
Puerto Rico, Jamaica
Cuba and Aruba
With a little bit of flavah
May not be in Mexico, but
I had me a taco too

The people, they are laughing
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho
Look at them go
The brightly colored show

A little boy is crying
While the old men are fighting
The old ladies are cooking
And the food is so inviting

The carnival is just a memory
That i miss my home
But don’t be sad my friend
‘Cause it will come again

The people, they are laughing
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho
Look at them go
The brightly colored show


No Sympathy

I am so blue
Because I loved you
And gave my life to you
But you said now we’re through

How could this be?
What’s wrong with me?
I gave you all I had,
But what have you given me?

-No Sympathy- (4xs)

I can’t stand you
And your dirty soul
You got to roll
In my heart you left a hole

-Cold blooded- (3xs)

You left my life a mess
My room’s flooded with tears
You’re like all of the rest
I’ll be cleaning up for years

I gave you my best
But you gave something less
Is this some kind of test?
Why you testin me?

-No Sympathy- (4xs)

I can’t stand you
And your dirty soul
You got to roll
In my heart you left a hole

-Cold blooded- (3xs)

No Sympathy!

Updated Schedule

SCHEDULE – STILL SUBJECT TO SLIGHT CHANGES DEPENDING ON OUR PROGRESS!

-extracurricular activities marked in bold. all other dates are required unless further notice is given to Kristen or Sheila-

WED July 27: Mwazi Wednesday – open mic spoken word at Cafe Mawonaj 8-10pm - Meet SHEILA at the Shaw/Howard metro station, 8:15 p.m.

SAT July 30: Jaqui MacMillan workshop – learn SHIKO rhythm
SUN July 31: Banner-making session w/ Alex and Sheila, 3-7 p.m., St. Stephens Church, 16th and Newton Sts NW

SAT Aug. 6: Build performance combining drum, dance, and spoken word

SUN Aug. 7: Extra rehearsal to practice for performance - 3-7, St. Stephens church

SAT Aug. 13: 2nd workshop with Jaqui MacMillan – continue SHIKO
SAT Aug. 13: Soul Fire Inside drum circle in Takoma, DC, 8-10 p.m.
SUN Aug. 14: Malcolm X Park drum circle – 4-6 p.m.

WED, THURS, FRI Aug. 17, 18, 19: run through performance with all YWDEP members, place TBA, 7:30-10 p.m.

SAT Aug. 20: Performance workshop with Deb Randall of Venus Theatre – honing in on what we have and working to improve it.

SAT Aug. 27: Work on performance

SAT Sept. 3: Dress Rehearsal at DCAC
SUN Sept. 4: Dress Rehearsal at DCAC

SAT Sept. 10: Performance at DCAC, call time 5:30 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

SUN Sept. 11: Performance at DCAC, call time 5:30 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

SAT Sept. 17: Performance at DCAC, call time 5:30 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

SAT Sept. 17: Reception following performance, time/place TBA
SUN Sept. 18: Performance at DCAC, call time 5:30 p.m., perform 7:30 p.m.

Kristen Arant: kristen@youngwomendrum.org, 202-213-7810
Sheila Mirza: dcfresh@gmail.com, 202-215-3817

Mid-July UPDATE!

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

This Week's YWDEP: Performance Technique with the Princess of Controversy

Last weekend, the amazing Margaux Delotte-Bennett led YWDEP on another soulful singing journey. this being her second visit, we now have 2 songs under our belts - both co-written by YWDEP members - one in the Reggae/Soka style and the other - last week's - the Blues (with a capital B!) THANK YOU MARGAUX!!!!!!

And following Margaux is.....

Melissa Best a.k.a. "Princess of Controversy," who will be sharing her performance expertise with us at the YWDEP session, 10:30 a.m. at All Souls Church in the dining room on Saturday, July 16.

Her workshop will include the following elements of performance:
*Breathing techniques
*Isolations
*Stage directions
*Confidence
*Vocal inflection

In addition, each YWDEP member will have an opportunity to read a poem or spoken word piece in a performance stance - using the above elements as guidelines.

Princess is an incredible spoken word hip-hop performing artist in DC with an incredibly positive vibration - don't miss this session!

Please call me - or respond to this email and let me know whether or not you can make it: 202-213-7810; kristen@youngwomendrum.org.

In addition - this coming week we have two opportunities to observe and participate in the local spoken word scene - the first is an outdoor open-mic with a political bent that includes both drumming and spoken word and encourages EVERYONE's participation. The second is a spoken word/poetry night at Mangos in the U St Corridor - a more traditionally-styled poetry open-mic setting. Sheila (YWDEP's intern) and I will be contacting all of you this weekend to organize these two outings:

July 18: DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency - Dupont Fountain 6:45-8:30 p.m.
July 19: Poetry slam at Mangos – 14th and U Sts 8 p.m.

All that said - I hope to see all of you this Saturday!!! Stay IN TOUCH!!

love and drums,

Kristen Arant, founder
202-213-7810
kristen@youngwomendrum.org

Sheila Mirza, intern
202-215-3817
Dcfresh@gmail.com

YWDEP REVISED SCHEDULE! July - Sept 2005

Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project
REVISED SCHEDULE: July-Sept 2005

WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS!!

Important Notes:

All Saturday sessions take place at 10:30 am until approx. noon at All Souls Church, 16th and Harvard St. Enter through the Harvard St entrance and we’ll be in the dining room – down the stairwell to your left, then all the way back. Please be on time!!

All field trips or extra curricular activities are marked in bold type in the schedule below. These include drumming at Malcolm X Park, painting a YWDEP banner, and attending a spoken word/poetry night.

In addition, Kristen will be scheduling a private drumming lesson with each YWDEP member throughout the months of July and August in order to improve technique and talk about performance ideas. These lessons will be scheduled on weeknights at 8 p.m. at St. Stephens Church, at 16th and Newton Sts NW. Please note that Sheila, our new intern, will be calling each YWDEP member to set up a private lesson with Kristen.

Please also take note that we need a final, solid, committed performance ensemble. Those who cannot make any of the dates below, for whatever reason, MUST communicate with Kristen or Sheila so that extra time can be made to work you into the performance. If any member cannot make the majority of the dates below, please let Kristen or Sheila know.

Kristen Arant, founder, 202-213-7810 kristen@youngwomendrum.org

Sheila Mirza, intern, 202-215-3817 Dcfresh@gmail.com

SCHEDULE – STILL SUBJECT TO SLIGHT CHANGES DEPENDING ON OUR PROGRESS!

July 2: Break for holiday – make-up session at All Souls.
July 3: Meet at Malcolm X Park to participate in Sunday drum circle there, 4-6 p.m.

July 9: Poetry/spoken word/writing workshop with Margaux.
July 10: Malcolm X Park drum circle – 4-6 p.m.

July 16: The principles of performance with Princess - work on delivery of spoken word pieces. Build pieces that combine drumming with spoken word.

July 18: DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency - Dupont Fountain 6:45-8:30 p.m.
July 19: Poetry slam at Mangos – 14th and U Sts 8 p.m.

July 23: Performance technique cont'd - Margaux joins Princess (?) - _expression, delivery, attitude, etc. Hone pieces with drum included.

July 30: Dance workshop with Candace, includes story of the drum and dance in Africa.
July 31: Banner-making session w/ Alex and Sheila

Aug. 6: Build performance combining drum, dance, and spoken word (KA, Sheila, Henry, Dre)
Aug. 7: Continue working on performance

Aug. 13: Continue working on performance
Aug. 13: Soul Fire Inside drum circle in Takoma, DC, 8-10 p.m.
Aug. 14: Malcolm X Park drum circle – 4-6 p.m.

Aug. 20: Performance workshop with Deb Randall of Venus Theatre – honing in on what we have and working to improve it.
Aug. 21: Dress Rehearsal/Recital for parents/family/friends at All Souls (or location TBA)

Aug. 27: Dress Rehearsal for our public performance – block out 10:30am – 3pm this day

Sept. 3 and 4: PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AT DC ARTS CENTER, ADAM’S MORGAN

[alternate date: Sept. 17 and 18, same place]

YWDEP welcomes intern SHEILA MIRZA!

Sheila Mirza joins YWDEP!

We’d like to welcome Sheila as YWDEP’s new INTERN – see her bio below for incredible accomplishments! She joins us through PANORAMA-A Community Arts Initiative with whom we’ve partnered to make this internship possible. Sheila is a powerful youth empowerment organizer, as well as a spoken word and graffiti artist with her roots deep in “South Asian Central,” Queens, NYC. Sheila will be helping us in the coming months as we prepare for our performance; she’ll be calling individual YWDEP members in the near future to help finalize a performance date, in addition to assisting us with performance logistics, outreach, publicity and production. If you haven’t had a chance to meet Sheila yet, please welcome her – she rocks!


Sheila Mirza Biography
Sheila Mirza is a 20 year-old youth organizer, spoken word artist, poet, and muralist who began organizing for social change at age 14 in Queens, NYC. She is a volunteer staff with the Youth Leadership Support Network in Washington, DC working to produce a variety of events including: Sisterfire INCITE - DC Women Against Violence festival; National Education Association Peace and Justice Caucus “Education Not Incarceration” conference; and Lands and Cultures “Trading Guns for Guitars” Festival. She coordinates projects in youth media, theater, movement history, open-mics and workshops at schools, colleges and conferences. She is a frequent performer at local and national events and cast member of Sol & Soul: Art for Social Change, Barrio Street Theater/Teatro de los Trabajadores production of Sin Fronteras, and Suspect Street Theater. She taught graffiti arts for DC children at the Higher Achievement Program through PANORAMA Community Arts Initiative, and is now serving as intern for the Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project in DC.

Photographs from Trip to Malcom X Park

Please feel free to share your experiences from the trip to Malcolm X Park!