mother tongue media . under the griot tree

UNDER THE GRIOT TREE A Black History Month Celebration
February 16-21, 2004 Roundhouse Vancouver, BC A Roundhouse & Mother Tongue Media Co-Production 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. 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.
PROGRAM
OPENING NIGHT BLESSING Feb 16, 7:30pm - 9:30pm, free Exhibition Hall Hosts: Tanya Evanson / Carlos Joe Costa Guest Speaker Eleanor Collins 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, by donation Exhibition Hall David George – Collage and Assemblage February 19, 5:30pm Lloyd Davis – Black Canadian History February 20, 5:30pm Siobhan Barker – Storytelling for children February 21, 3:30pm SPOKEN WORD WORKSHOP: KIN TALES Tue, Feb 17, 6pm - 9pm, $5 Performance Centre Facilitators Tanya Evanson / 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, 7pm - 9pm, $5 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, 8pm - 9pm, (Bar reception 9pm - 10pm) $7 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, 8pm, $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.