For Immediate Release: 9/05/06
Contact: Kristen Arant: 202-213-7810
“Goddesses of Rhythm” take the stage in YWDEP final performances at DCAC
The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project (YWDEP) is proud to announce the initiation of its 7 new members in their debut performance: “The Elements of the Drum.”
The new group, the Goddesses of Rhythm, will feature outstanding new material to audiences at the DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St NW in Adam’s Morgan, on Sept. 16, 17, and 23rd at 7:30 with a matinee show on Sunday Sept. 24th at 3:00.
This year’s young women took fast to the drum and have already performed twice during their summer program, which began in June and is now coming to a close. During the program, they studied West African hand drumming, poetry, song writing, movement, and performance technique with a variety of area female artists including the Princess of Controversy, Anu Yadav, Luci Murphy, Venus Theatre’s Deb Randall, and locally renown drummer Jaqui MacMillan.
The performance, which runs about an hour, includes 3 traditional West African and Afro-Cuban rhythms along with the Goddesses’ own interpretation of the local go-go beat. In addition they have constructed astounding group pieces fusing poetry, song, rhythm and movement on topics ranging from education reform to violence in our communities to body image and more.
For example, the hook from the Goddesses’ featured group rap on education:
“We need an education reformation in a nation - that always seems to lack such important information - gotta find it, gotta feed it to the younger generations - ‘cuz ultimately they’ll become the federation - of the young, and the gifted and the weight will be uplifted - ‘cuz knowledge is power and finally it’s ours – knowledge is power and finally it’s ours.”
During the summer program, last year’s YWDEP crew (The She Poets of the Rizing Moon) earned stipends as mentors to the new group. Three of the mentors will perform with the Goddesses of Rhythm this year in supporting roles, bringing together 10 young women on the stage.
“The new members of YWDEP bring a younger vibe than last year’s group,” says Nancy Umanzor, She Poet and mentor. “They’re really motivated to learn the rhythms, serious about working on their poetry and songs to present them for the performance, and gaining confidence on a daily basis. I see great things coming from this younger group of girls.”
In August 2006, YWDEP received fiscal sponsorship from One Common Unity, Inc. and has recently moved into a shared office space at St. Stephen’s Church, 1525 Newton St NW. For more information please visit our website: www.youngwomendrum.org.
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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.
