Mini Interview with Maha Nusrat
20 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Community, graffiti, Maha, Muralist, Nusrat, Oakland, support, Teacher, women
“Muralist” by TuffGyal 808
Maha Nusrat: Artist/Educator Interview 2011
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Maha: I am not a Bay Area Native, though I feel like I was destined to be here. This is officially my first year in the bay next summer though I have been coming up here to visit my fam for at least the last 5 or 6 years. I would say my move to northern Cali n Bay Area has transformed who I am—transforming my politics, cultural identity and vision.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Maha: I was birthed a creative spirit. The more I come to understand myself, the more I realize my inclination toward creativity and expression…I also realize how much FEAR and social expectations can hinder the creative spirit I believe all folks have. I have been doing art, doodling, humming songs, creating projects, designing my own cards and presents for most of my life. (this is funny cuz I am now a teacher).. I was definitely the kid in class who was doodling on the edges of every paper I could get my hands on. For a long time, I didn’t allow that artist to flourish for lack of perspective and self discipline and also a deep seated fear of judgment. Some divine energies that have brought me here blessed me to meet some folks who force me to be fearless… I am by many measures an amateur…but art is for my heart….
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Maha: I am learning to finally find inspiration in the small things around me. A lot of how I create is intuitive. I have always been inspired by styles and movements that worked to subvert norms of representation, identity and beauty. I am inspired by people and pieces that challenge folks to think beyond aesthetics…to examine layered messages of who we are and what we believe especially in those moments when we contradict ourselves. What motivates me the most in the present are political artists who use their work to support social movements and work to reclaim public space as a space that belongs to folks within our communities. I am inspired by the reclamation our communities have manifested as matters of social change—(encompassing folks in the spectrum of cultures, gender identities, abilities, socioeconomics…the list can go on). Folks are taking up space, reclaiming their agency, speaking up and out to envision, educate and create. I can sum it up as this–I am inspired at our constant struggle to fully regain our humanity in the face of various levels of oppression that we are a part of an that we are the targets of—whether that be manifested in a tag on a wall or movements of the people.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Maha: It was a punk record from Vinyl Solution in Huntington Beach. I think it must have been either a Crass record or Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote?
Maha: ….as I work on my own self discipline and reflection Imma quote something basic, “the unexamined life is not worth living”—Socrates as quoted by Dr. Cornel West
Support Bay Area Music: Native Elements
13 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Videos Tags: Support Bay Area Reggae
Mini Interview with Mariafatima Urbi
12 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Community, Oakland, support, women
Mariafatima Urbi: Artist Interview 2011Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Mariafatima: I emigrated to US when I was 10, moved around alot but I grew up in SF.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Mariafatima: I’ve been drawing most of my life, but professionally pursued it about 10 years ago.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Mariafatima: I’m very visual person so I like to people watch…creativity and innovation drives to inspire me, as well as traveling.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Mariafatima: A Beastie Boys’ album.
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote? Mariafatima: I love this quote by Audre Lorde and it sums up who I am… “if i didn’t define myself for myself i would be crunched into other people’s fantasies of me and eaten alive…”
Mini Interview with Zakiya Harris
12 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Activist, Area, artists, Bay, dancer, Green Advocate, grow sessions, Oakland, Poet, support, Teacher, women
“Grow Sessions” by TuffGyal 808
Zakiya Harris: Artist, Educator, Activist Interview 2011 (shown here with Ashara Ekundayo)
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Zakiya: Yes, I am consider myself a Bay Area native although I am really a country girl who was born in Richmond Virginia. My family moved to San Francisco when I was 2 years old and I spent most of my child hood growing up in Deep East Oakland where my mother still resides.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on?
Zakiya: My start on the creative path began when I went away to college at Rutgers University over 12 years ago. In addition to having the opportunity to study African history for the first time in my life. I also experienced the deaths of close family members and friends: both grandparents, my best friend and my ex-boy friend to be exact. These deaths forced to me to confront my life in a way that I never had before. It was then that I vowed only do the things that feed my soul because life is too short.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration?
Zakiya: My inspiration is rooted in my ancestry and most of my work is framed through my cultural identity as an African woman residing in the Diaspora. Individually, I have always been a natural humanitarian and advocate for those in need. Even as a small child I can remember speaking up for those who were afraid to speak up for themselves. My inspiration for transforming the planet grew significantly when I became a mother 5 years ago. My daughter gave my life a greater sense of purpose.
Recently, I got divorced after 10 years of marriage, and have been writing a lot about themes of love, rebirth and forgiveness. In general, my art has always been a reflection of my personal life and used therapeutically as a way for me to express what I am going through as a spirit evolving on the planet.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased?
Zakiya: I am embarrassed to say that although I have a lot of vinyl most of it was gifted to me by my parents. I come from the cassette tape generation and remember purchasing and falling in love with Back in Black by Whodini.
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote?
Zakiya: My favorite quote of all time is “it only seems impossible until it is done” -Nelson Mandela
Pictorial Gallery #7 by TuffGyal 808 “MMCo”
11 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Gallery Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Community, company, malia, movement, Oakland, Photographer, support, women
Members of MMCo perform at the 10th Annual Laurel District Street Fair (Alena Cawthorne, Veleda Roehl and Amy Redmond)
Members of MMCo perform at the 10th Annual Laurel District Street Fair (Alena Cawthorne, Veleda Roehl and Amy Redmond)
photo shoot with Hannah Pearl, Market St alley in San Francisco
Summer BGirl Jam @Eastside Arts Alliance, Oakland
photo shoot with Oni Connor, Mountain View Cemetery
Mini Interview with Selekta LAPULAPU, aka KPFA DJ “BRUDDAH K”
11 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Bruddah K, Community, DJ, KPFA, KPOO, support
Selekta LAPULAPU, aka KPFA DJ “BRUDDAH K” Interview 2011 (shown here with Malia)
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Bruddah K: Born in the Visayas, Pilipinas. Came to Bay Area at Age 3. My family moved around the states, returning to the Bay during High School in 1981.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Bruddah K: As Rasta say, “from Birth”.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Bruddah K: INSPIRATION from honorable actions of mga Ninuno (Ancestors), Roots Kultura, TAO/Nature. Specific influences include my parents, Datu/Raha LapuLapu, HEARTikal freedom fighters, traditional artists, elder bredrens like Santi Bose & Roberto Villanueva of Baguio Arts Guild and Manong Al Robles, as well as artists like Stevie Wonder, Dennis Brown, Benjamin Zephaniah, Joey Ayala, Grace Nono, the Wailers, Mad Professor, Asian Dub Foundation..
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Bruddah K: Not exactly sure which was first record I actually bought. We grew up with music. Even as a baby in the PI, my folks say I would dance to my uncle’s band. I would guess the 1st records I bought myself might’ve been either hits on 45s like “Tell Me Something Good” by Rufus ft Chaka Khan, “Summer” by WAR… Or some kind of Rock, Soul or Pop LP by Stevie Wonder, Doobie Bros, Queen, the Beatles… I used to collect Beatles record with my lil bro & have very clear memories of loving the fact that the original Double LP release of “Songs in the Key of Life” by Stevie Wonder had the bonus 45 inside!
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote? Bruddah K: the realm of human activity needs balance. Conscious, naturally~ROOTed people have been influencing matters as part of JAH/Bathala plan. Good people, especially honest Sistrens y Bredrens of 1st Nations & other struggling folks of Kolor, let’s break through Babylon Downpression & depression, catalyzing crucial transformations within & UNIversally with healing praktis & vibrations/I~rations. “Who Feels It Knows It” *OneLove*
Mini Interview with Rochelle Faiola
11 Jan 2011 3 Comments
in MMCompany Interviews Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Berkeley, Catering, Community, Mothers, Oakland, support, women
“Portrait of a Friend” by TuffGyal 808
Rochelle Faiola: Founder of Ro’s Delectables Catering Service Interview 2011
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Rochelle: No, I am not a Bay Area Native, but moved here from L.A when I was five years old. I lived in Oakland for eight years, then moved to the burbs with my grandparents to Vacaville, CA. That was when you knew all the people of color in town……feel me?
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Rochelle: When did I start my creative path????? Hmmm, well, being a responsible Mother of two, my creative juices have dipped and dabbed over time. I have surrounded myself with creative beauties, but when you have to feed and take care of others, sometimes things get put to the back. But, creativity can resurface in a number of ways. Like my catering. My love of food began long ago and my desire to share was in me as a child. So, to share food with those I love has been in the making for years.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Rochelle: I find inspiration in every day of life. I am a people person, so to give and to be a part of community is easy for me. I get satisfaction in the small and big things that I do, every day.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Rochelle: The first piece of vinyl I ever bought was a 45″ of Atomic Dog, by George Clinton!! Yeah baby, and I still have it.
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote? Rochelle: I believe that one of the biggest secrets in life is to think Win Win for all the people you encounter. In relationships, in work, in life, it’s all about constant compromise. The grass is never really greener, just different. One love.
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!!
03 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Community Blogs Tags: African, Area, artists, based, Bay, Community, dance, Hawaiian, malia, Malia Connor, movement, Oakland, support, women
Happy New Year’s!!
Honestly, I am inhaling 2011 deeply.
Purposefully. With Clear Intentions.
I’m taking the time to appreciate and be humbled by Malia Movement Company…
From the stages of SFSU in the late 80s to members of the group touring with Mingus Amungus for nearly a decade. From the experience of Black Choreographers Fest 2005 to having a group of women blanket me for the last 5yrs with supreme dedication to form a strong troupe of multi-taskers who represent my movement lovely. So many lessons and growth spurts.
Now Malia Movement Company is 19 years old this month…
what’s next??
We’re hugging Veleda Roehl goodbye, who moves to her hometown of Texas but will continue to research for Malia Movement Company. Longest dancer of MMCo (been with me since day 1) Tricia Perkins is phasing from performance to behind the scenes. And we welcome Susie Lundy and Maritez Apigo (DJZita) who joined us in the summer 2010.
In celebration to all this change, I will be offering a lunchtime dance class open to all levels. I’m planning to share a Dunham based warm-up; modern based floor patterns with a meditative cool down. I’m looking forward to teaching again since I haven’t offered a class since 2005, completely immersed with performances and website/Promotion duties of the late. For our 19th year, I plan to focus on my foundation and the whole reason why I started my dance group… to help heal women through movement, THOUGH the doors are always open to men! ; )
Newest project: for my daughter’s 1st bday, I wrote a piece entitled “Mixed Heritage” to celebrate the diversity of her bloodline. now, 12yrs later, I’ve turned this piece of poetry into a children’s book and with the illustrating help of Constance Moore & Hannah Pearl Walcott, it is nearing completion…
2011 has been a year that I have patiently waited for. Now here, I intend to stay completely present and blessed and focused and grateful. Thanks for supporting us by reading and coming out to our events. It takes a community..
