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Under the Griot Tree A Black History Month Celebration
A Roundhouse Special Event in collaboration with Mother Tongue Media
February 16-21, 2004
Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, Vancouver, BC Canada |
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This
series of events, featuring master percussionists and spoken word
artists, included workshops, a unique drum circle, an evening of short
films, an art exhibit and exciting performances allowed the
audience to become active participants in the Griot tradition during
Vancouver's 2004 Black History Month.
The festival featured spoken word and vocals by Tanya Evanson, Vanessa Richards, Ndidi Cascade, CR Avery and Graham Kelly; music by Carlos Joe Costa,
Fana Soro, Pepe Danza, Sal Ferreras, Hari Pal, Lincoln Thorne and John Howard; visual art by Ron Selmour and David George; presentations by Eleanor Collins, Lloyd Davis and
Siobhan Barker; with curatorial work by Fade to Black Entertainment.
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Griot
(pronounced GREE-OH) is a French word that refers to the West African
keepers of oral history. Griots are at once witnesses to the past,
interpreters of the present and oracles of the future. They spin the
history of the tribe as it was, as it is and as it shall be.
Included in a Griot’s job description is
storyteller, genealogist, historian, adviser, spokesperson, diplomat,
mediator, interpreter, translator, musician, composer, teacher,
entertainer, exhorter, warrior, witness, praise-singer and ceremony
participant. A single label doesn’t work here. And in this day of
multitasking artists, Griot is an appropriate term for those
specialists of words and music, who are shaping reality into a great
social force which touches the senses, the mind and the heart.
Under the Griot Tree events gathered the audience, local spoken
word artists, storytellers, MC’s, percussionists, musicians,
dancers and visual artists from multicultural backgrounds, with an
emphasis on local Afro-Canadian artists. The artists presented work
which supports the Griot tradition, because Canadians do have Griots in
their midst; the challenge is in preserving our stories.
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Under the Griot Tree 2004 Program
OPENING NIGHT BLESSING
Feb 16, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Exhibition Hall
free
Special Guest Speaker Eleanor Collins / Tanya Evanson / Carlos Joe Costa
Special guest speaker Eleanor
Collins - an elder and performing artist from Vancouver’s African
Canadian community - spoke about her family’s heritage and
migration to Canada via the Underground Railroad.
VISUALIZING THE GRIOT
Feb 16 - 22
Exhibition Hall
Artworks by Ron Selmour / David George / Lloyd Davis
An evolving, interactive art exhibition with workshops led by local artists which allowed the community to contribute
to this emerging show which celebrates the Griot. Artwork by Ron
Selmour and David George, as well as a presentation by Lloyd Davis.
ARTISTS’ WORKSHOPS
Feb 19 - 21
Exhibition Hall
by donation
David George – Collage and Assemblage
Thursday, February 19, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Lloyd Davis – Presentation on Black Canadian History, Friday, February 20, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Siobhan Barker – Storytelling for children
Saturday, February 21, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
SPOKEN WORD WORKSHOP: KIN TALES
Tue, Feb 17, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, $5/person
Pre-registration required
Performance Centre
Facilitators Tanya Evanson and Vanessa Richards
This intensive workshop took participants through the many nuances of the spoken word from inspiration
to text, technique to performance in order to help participants be the Griot for their own family.
DRUM CIRCLE
Wed, Feb 18, 7:00pm - 9:00pm, $5/person
Pre-registration is required
Performance Centre
Fana Soro / Pepe Danza / Sal Ferreras / Hari Pal
In keeping with the Griot tradition of educating through the pulsating
beat of the drum, this was a rare opportunity to drum in a large
circle led by some of Vancouver BC's top percussionists from the
African, Asian and Latin traditions.
FILM SHORTS NIGHT
Thu, Feb 19, 8:00pm - 9:00pm, $7/person
Bar reception 9:00pm - 10:00pm
Performance Centre
Curated by Lincoln Thorne of Fade to Black Alliance
Filmmakers in attendance
Griot tradition for the digital age. Local African Canadian
filmmakers were joined by the Vancouver community in a storytelling feast for the eyes, curated by the Fade to
Black Alliance.
YOU BE GRIOT – OPEN MIC NIGHT
Fri, Feb 20, 8:00pm, $5/person
Performance Centre
Vanessa Richards / Carlos Joe Costa / Lincoln Thorne / John Howard / YOU
This open mic spoken word event featured the spoken words of Vanessa
Richard with the musical accompaniment of African Science: Carlos
Joe Costa on
percussion and flute, Lincoln ThorneOPen mic followed the performance
where audience members became the Griots with the band there to listen
and support their poetic words.
GATHERING OF GRIOTS
Sat, Feb 21, 8:00pm, $10-20/sliding scale
Performance Centre
Fana Soro / Pepe Danza / Sal Ferreras / Hari Pal / Tanya Evanson / Ndidi Cascade / CR Avery / Graham Kelly /
Surprise Guest...
Blowout celebration of percussion and spoken word.
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Carlos Joe Costa and Eleanor Collins on Opening Night
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Fana Soro and Pepe Danza leading the Drum Circle
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Vanessa Richards and John Howard
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African Science and guest poet
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Lincoln Thorne of Fade to Black
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Carlos Joe Costa under the Griot Tree
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Gathering of Griots - C.R. Avery, Tanya Evanson, Ndidi Cascade and Graham Kelly and drummers
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