About Me
One thing I know - I can write; I can "throw down" in the kitchen; I've got a great musical ear, I can dance (got all of them honest - thanks, Mommy!) - and I feel I will always engage in dance, music, writing, and healing myself through delicious, healthy eating practices.My life as a Performing Artist began with dance. Actually, it began with music. I would not pursue music until later in my life, however. In fact, I did not have any formal study in dance (other than ballet and tap at 3) until college. Because of my mother, I inherited a disposition for things creative - especially music, dance, writing, and the culinary arts. I began improv movement with the University of Maryland's Improvisations Unlimited, and began dancing with the Sun Ra Arkestra shortly after graduating from the University of Maryland in 1978, and performed with the Arkestra as late as the fall of 2004. It was also shortly after college that I discovered the artistry of West African dance and drumming from the Ancient Mali Empire via Assane Kounte (KanKouran W. African Dance Co.). I immersed myself in studying that style of dance beginning in the late '70's, as a member of Wo'Se Dance Theatre. I went on to perform professionally in various companies on the east coast (including KanKouran, Memory of African Culture) and taught children's, adult, and college-level African dance classes through the '90's.Relocating to Texas in the late '90's forced me to reinvent myself as a dancer, because there was no support system for professional African dance in the area. It resulted in a hybridization, combining all of my dance experience (modern, improv, African). During this period, I challenged myself to approach dance with a different mentality. I was concerned that my reasons for dancing were superficial, so I stopped performing and studying for a while, to focus on personal growth. As a result, while I was physically stronger in my 20's & 30's, I feel I am a much better dancer today. I have a deeper internal focus these days. It gives my dance a more "authentic" place of reference. I think I love music more than dance - which seems like a contradiction to me, once I think about it - because I actually consider them to be one in the same. When I make music with others, my intent is to commune with those I am collaborating with, and in effect, send something magical out to those who are bearing witness. I love to harmonize; I love to embellish. I don't have to be "out front" - I'm interested in the collective result. I wrote poetry on-and-off all my life, but I became serious about performance poetry in 1997.I am just getting back into the swing of things these days. I recently lost both of my parents back-to-back, after 4 years of overseeing their care. I did not know how I would survive the pain - and I still have my moments - but if it weren't for the love and support from a few good friends and family, and the grace of the Creator, I would be in bed "veggin' out" day after day, week after week - with my "constant companion" - the TV. (Sad to admit.)I've actually experienced some very good fortune since my parents' passing. I'm completing a childrens' book on self-acceptance, I landed a feature role in a movie about -without giving away the plot - the affect of the Iraq conflict on average Americans ("Stop Loss", directed by Kimberly Peirce), and I collaborated on a music/spoken word project with the great composer, arranger, and alternative thinker - Hamiet Bluiett (World Saxophone Quartet) called "The Healing Caravan". Which brings me to what is most important to me - maintaining my own health.I give thanks for my friend and healing mentor Dr. Sebi for teaching me how to heal myself with herbs and diet, as well as showing me how to recognize "the natural" from "the unnatural". Over the years, I've known several people who have experienced cures for diseases deemed "incurable" through practicing diet modification, fasting, positive thinking, exercise, and herbal therapy. As a result, I've witnessed truth in the saying "there are no incurable diseases, only incurable people". Every human being should have the right to practice a system of nutrition that is consistent with their gene structure. As it stands now, allopathic medical practices - and even so called "naturopath" and "holistic" practices do not take genetics into account; therefore, Black people in specific are ill-advised to engage in practices that support disease and malnourishment, rather than healing and optimal nutrition. By developing the "African Bio Mineral Balance", the Usha Research Institute created a system of nutrition that not only compliments the Black race, but every other gene group. Sebi fought for that right in the N.Y. State Supreme Court, and was aquitted of charges of "practicing medicine without a licence", and "making fraudulent claims of curing AIDS". For more on Dr. Sebi and the Usha Research Institute, visit the official websites - www.drsebi.com, and myspace.com/drsebi.My healing journey began when I was about 17. My main complaint was chronic intestinal ailments. After constant trips to doctors with painful examinations, they had no answers - but they always gave me A BILL - and an appointment to come back for more of the "reaming" and the "run around". After a while, I began thinking "who can know more about my body THAN ME?" As I asked the Creator for answers, I suddenly lost the desire for red meat. Mind you - I was one of those people who had no problem trying any food. I LOVED to eat! (I still do!). But I also noticed the older women in my family were obese - and my sister was starting to gain weight. I admit - vanity fueled my initial desire to want to be fit. But I also began to understand the state of my health was directly linked to what I put in my mouth! I eventually learned the art of seasoning vegetarian dishes and natural food preparation (Thanks, Malik Jackson!). In the '80's, I learned my asthmatic symptoms could be controlled by eliminating dairy products from my diet (Thanks, Veronica!). I learned about fasting to clean toxins out of my system. I learned herbs can cleanse, rejuvenate, and heal ailments. But it wasn't until I met and was treated by Sebi in the early '80's that I began to really see the power of tropical herbs - "electric food" - in CURING so-called "incurable" diseases.I also must give credit, mention to the healing works of Louise L. Hay ("You Can Heal Your Life"), Geneen Roth ("Breaking Free from Compulsive Eating", "When Food is Love"), and various works by Iyanla Vanzant. Their works got me through a very dark period in my life. I am forever grateful for their knowledge, and willingness to share their very personal healing journey stories.Recently, Bluiett chose to turn "The Healing Caravan" over to me. At first, I was very upset that he decided he did not want to do it anymore - especially since we had barely begun to embark on this collaboration. But what I've come to realize is that there are no "accidents" in the Universe. This is a journey that I need to do without him, on my own terms, and now I see it was the best thing that could've happened!I'm very pleased to say - the 2nd "Healing Caravan" installation on October 5, 2007, ("Pro Arts Collective Black Arts Movement Festival - B.A.M., Austin, Texas) was a HUGE SUCCESS! I got overwhelmingly rave responses from audience members; people want to know when we're going to do it again! I must give a MONUMENTALLY HUGE LOVE "SHOUT-OUT" to the three gifted musicians that made the success of the project so eminent: William Menefield (Piano), Michael Thuso Stevens (Bass), Michael Longoria (Drums/Percussion). These Brothers had my back,
For Real!! Couldn't have done it without them - and the excellent tech crew! Mad props to Lisa Byrd ane the Pro Arts staff too! CHECK OUT THE SLIDE SHOW and VIDEO (LEFT) OF THE LATEST HEALING CARAVAN INSTALLATION (Oct. 5, '07). "Healing Caravan" website - coming soon! The plan is to put the Caravan on the road. The performance is a multi-media creation, focusing on emotional healing, healing the environment and humanity, as well as sending a message of personal empowerment as it relates to healing disease.As for future projections, I love the tropics, and look forward to retiring to a place in the sun someday.found this fantasy layout at HOT FreeLayouts.com :: MyHotComments
