Gabrielle Bouliane is now fully angel. This incredible poet made her transition from this life last night. I would like to share this post with you from Mongo and the IndieFeed Family which includes Gabrielle’s poem “Lifesentence.”
IndieFeed Family…
As many of you doubtless already know, Gabrielle Bouliane passed away last night. She was surrounded by friends and family, and it sounds like she slipped away quite peacefully.
For the 35 of you who left messages for her, to be included in our special show, the sad news is that she passed away before we were able to produce the show, and get it to her. She just left us far too quickly, there at the end.
But as I discussed with Cristin this morning, healing and mourning are jobs for the living. So maybe, in that way, these messages were actually for us all along. And being able to share this great flash of hope after she is gone makes the timing quite perfect.
The show was recorded on Thursday, and releases on Monday. But it’s available now, if you’d like to hear it:
Feel free to share this link widely, forward this message to your mailing lists, e-mail the info to friends, and post it to your journals and websites. Let’s all sing and remember Gabrielle, and Bunny Up for her one more time.
With a heavy heart, but one buoyed by the love of this family…
–Mongo
P.S.. I posted this link to my LiveJournal this morning, and Cristin has also been sending it out this morning. In just over two hours, 65 people had downloaded the audio. Gabrielle continues to inspire!!!!
Gabrielle Bouliane
Bio
Website: http://www.livepoets.com
Gabrielle Bouliane has returned to her hometown of Buffalo, NY after eight years on the stages of Seattle, WA. While out west, she was a tireless organizer and performer, appearing in hundreds of live shows around the country, including being a member of the 1999 Seattle Poetry Slam Team, and has volunteered at ten other National Poetry Slams, and all the Individual World Poetry Slams to date.
Because she believes that the Poetry Slam can change the way people look at life and each other, she spearheaded the founding of the video program of Poetry Slam Inc., and is the founder of LivePoets.com, the largest collection of freely streamed slam poetry work in the nation. Currently, she curates the Nickel City Poetry Slam in Buffalo. She also founded and directed Slip of the Tongue Performance Poetry Ensemble, has hosted seven national Erotica Slam showcases, and has been seen on stage in a bunny suit.
Her work is personal, evocative, and passionate, telling her story in an upcoming one-woman show for Buffalo’s Infringement Theater Festival: “If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Redhead.” She is the author of such chapbooks as “The Single Girl’s Guide to the End of the Millenium”, “Bittersweet: Dark Chocolate and Cheap Red Wine”; “The Bitter and the Pale: Tales of Lust and Longing, Smoke and Seduction”. She is also, in every sense, a redhead.
American Red Cross Pledges Initial $1 Million to Haiti Relief
Send a $10 Donation by Texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999
Editorial note: You can make a donation by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).
National Headquarters
2025 E Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
www.redcross.org
Contact: Public Affairs Desk
FOR MEDIA ONLY
media@usa.redcross.org
Phone: (202) 303-5551
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, January 13, 2010 —
The American Red Cross is sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support relief efforts there after yesterday’s earthquake, which caused catastrophic damage and loss of life.
According to reports, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area.
The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation, and has opened its warehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families.
In addition to Red Cross staff already in Haiti, six disaster management specialists are being deployed to the disaster zone to help coordinate relief efforts. At this time, the American Red Cross is only deploying volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations.
There has been an outpouring of support from the public. To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
Debris and collapsed bridges are making access to many areas extremely difficult. Telephone service and electricity are out in many places. Haitian Red Cross staff worked throughout the night to rescue people still trapped in their homes and provide first aid. The priority remains to provide food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
The American Red Cross already had fifteen staff in Haiti providing ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. All are reported to be safe and responding to the disaster.
To date, there have been no requests for blood products from the government of Haiti. However, some patients at an affected facility in Haiti have been moved to a Guantanamo Bay hospital, and the Armed Services Blood Program has asked both the Red Cross and Florida Blood Services for support for those patients. In addition, the American Red Cross will be sending a shipment of blood products to the United Nations Mission in Haiti.
While communication with those in Haiti is still difficult, people should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 if trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti. If trying to reach a Haitian citizen, callers should continue to call or contact other family members who live nearby.
While donations are coming in for Haiti relief, the initial American Red Cross response is made possible in part by contributions from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The following partners designate a portion of their ADGP commitment to the International Response Fund: American Express, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Morgan Stanley and State Street Foundation.
How to Help
* We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. If you would like to volunteer for the American Red Cross, please contact your local chapter.
* For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster.
* People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Mwalim’s “The Liberation Sessions” Sweeps The Categories in 2010 NEUMA
Artist/Producer & Guest Artists Rack Up Nominations
BOSTON – “The Liberation Sessions” has definitely made an impression on the music scene in New England as a perusal of the New England Urban Music Awards nomination page will reveal. Mwalim received nominations for Best R&B CD, Best Spoken-word Artist, Best Producer, Best Caribbean Male Vocalist, Best R&B Single, and Best Caribbean Single for DEM BIG GIRLS.
In addition, artists appearing on the critically acclaimed CD also received nominations for their appearances on “The Liberation Sessions:” Soul singer, Phillip Aaron received a nomination for best R&B Male Vocals; Amaris nominations for best R&B Female Vocalist, Jazz Female Vocalist, and best Jazz Single for her appearance on The Bass Mint Bros “Awakened by a Noon Day Sun.” Tah Phrum Duh Bush earned a best Rap Single nomination for the remix of “Life & Death;” The Bass Mint Bros were nominated for Best Jazz Group; Tantra Zawadi got a nomination for best Female Spoken-word for her performance of “Tension;” and Robert Taylor, Jr. received a nomination for Best Latin Single for “YOU”. Liberation Music – MGM was also nominated for best production group.
The New England Urban Music Awards will take place on April 24, 2010 in Boston. Information including tickets and a complete list of nominees for the New England Urban Music Awards can be seen on-line at http://ne.urbanmusicawards.org/nominees/
“The Liberation Sessions: Soul of the City” CD is available on cdbaby.com/cd/mwalim, also as a download on iTunes.com, amazon.com, emusic.com and raphsody.com.
LIBERATION MUSIC – MGM
Midnight Groove Multimedia
mgmulti@gmail.com
CONTACT: Debra Williams
Diamond & Company Public Relations
212-247-3692
debra@diamondandcompany.com
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS
A Documentary by Tantra-zawadi
Filmed and Produced by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia
Now on YouTube.com
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi
(NEW YORK, NY) DECEMBER 7, 2009 — Brooklyn born performance poet/artist Tantra-zawadi, announced the release of a short documentary titled “A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS” today. Ms. Zawadi created this project in conjunction with Stony Brook University’s World AIDS Day banquet.
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS, shot on location in New York City and Los Angeles, features a commentary by Betty Makoni, the founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide and a Top 10 finalist for CNN’s 2009 Heroes Award, offers insights into the personal experience of those living with HIV/AIDS. Through art and activism, A Silent Genocide shows viewers how these individuals are striving to decrease the staggering numbers of new infections.
A Silent Genocide is directed by Ms. Zawadi and Oliver Covrett of XYAYX Multimedia who also edited and produced the film. Musical contributions for the project include Tut Burks and Xavier Kemp with artwork by Shanna Melton.
This is Tantra-zawadi’s third project to raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Her video “Scarlet Waters” was featured on the Product (RED) video wall as well as a PSA for Mark Herbert Productions/Betah and Associates.
Tantra-zawadi is an internationally known performance poet/recording artist and the author of “alifepoeminprogress.” She has performed her soul stirring life-poems to standing room audiences at venues all over the world; most recently at the Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. Her latest projects include: “Girl – A Choreospective”, and collaborations such as The Love Planet EP by Collective Spirits, EARTHOLOGY by Floyd Boykin, Jr., Poetic Stimulus and The Liberation Sessions by Mwalim.
To view the documentary, A Silent Genocide and other videos by Ms. Zawadi, please visit www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi or her other websites at www.tantra-zawadi.com, www.myspace.com/tantrais.
For media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Debra Williams
Diamond and Company
449 West 49th Street #3D
(212) 247-3692
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS
A Documentary by Tantra-zawadi
Filmed and Produced by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi
# # #
REVIEWS:
“A Silent Genocide” is a single beginning to myriad of issues that we openly discard as normal occurrences that are a part of our daily lives such as grabbing a cup of coffee or catching a cab. We have real life to pay attention to before we are all hoodwinked into death; and this documentary seeks to change the mindset that we can just ignore it. This brings to light the realness of a murdering disease that has no day in court, but can be held accountable through knowledge and wisdom we gain from both victims and advocates for healthy and safe living. Thank you for this eye opening, heartfelt, humanitarian documentary Tantra-zawadi. Tell the truth!
-Tshombe
Founder & Host
Freedom Verse Cafe
Inspirational and motivational speaker
Life through poetry and verse
Tshombe’s Kai | Poetry
www.tshombethepoet.com
Official Homepage of Tshombe
“Breathtaking could easily be defined as the action of standing in the center of a vibrant yet extremely haunting work of art. Viewing the A.I.D.S. quilt in 1996 took my breath immediately because it forced me to realize that breathing beings once occupied these baby dresses and ruffled socks, football jerseys, sweaters, items that told of the character and beauty of those who transitioned because of A.I.D.S. It seemed there was no end to this memorial because my eyes could not define the edges no matter where I searched. It is now 2009 and I often wonder how many more fields this work could occupy, how many more memorials have been created as proof that a loved one really did exist, see, this is his/her shirt.
Watching “A Silent Genocide-A Brief Insight Into H.I.V./A.I.D.S. by, Tantra-Zawadi and Oliver Covrett is another testament to acknowledging the lives of those who live and have transitioned because of H.I.V./A.I.D.S. Time has turned this epidemic into another aspect of American culture instead of maintaining the urgency with which we should educate ourselves and our families for their protection. This documentary discusses the need for sensitivity when interacting with those who have life threatening illnesses. It also discusses a desire for life and gratitude for each day we are gifted, especially when you have been told your time is limited.
We are often made aware of the prevalence of H.I.V./A.I.D.S. in Africa but hearing the stories from Betty Makoni, founder of The Girl Child Network Worldwide, also provided a perspective that is not discussed enough. Someone living with H.I.V/A.I.D.S. in Africa acquires a stigma to their illness that puts them in a position where they have to fight their family to fight for their life. She discusses how the stress contributes to their early transition. I begin to wonder about the other side effects that the stigma can hold like a growing resentment towards the source of this infection and the people who turn their backs on those infected. The loneliness and pain causing depression and even suicide for many who may have never wanted to tell anyone they are H.I.V. positive. Parents must be in constant fear for their daughters because of the false belief that their virgin blood can cure H.I.V. and how the constant watch shapes their lives instantly and relinquishes any freedom they have as girls or families.
One major attribute that judgment lacks is humanity. Some people have flaws that are greater or more obvious than others and we often discuss them without concern for the effects it has on a person. At the end of the day they are the ones who have to stand in a mirror and defeat the stereotype, belittlement, hatred, and find the person they loved before the world told them it was wrong. As a society, we place people in categories of importance because there can be no superior without the inferior and it is the idea of being greater than another that some people need to validate their presence in the world. So people get H.I.V. /A.I.D.S. and society renders them inferior no matter how talented, intelligent, capable they are while they are living. Then they transition and become an example of what we don’t want to do so we can survive in this world.
More people need to do what Tantra~Zawadi and Oliver Covrett did by making this video. We should take time to consider the value of human lives including the lives of those left after a loved one transitions. We need to gather all these numbers and defeat them until the number of those infected are overpowered by the number of those educated about H.I.V./A.I.D.S., condoms, and self preservation no matter what we may face simply because we were created with a purpose that should be fulfilled. The greatest love offering one can give to another is the affirmation that their presence in this world is necessary. Art tells stories and empowers those who might not know how to voice their experience in the world.
“A Silent Genocide” is an artistic love offering and that is why it is important that this documentary is experienced by as many people as possible. The courage of those who told their personal experience with H.I.V. /A.I.D.S. will give someone else courage to tell their own stories. Their ability to smile and dance reminds us that their existence is greater than their circumstance.”
-Shanna T. Melton
www.PoeticSoulArts.com
“Wow! I was riveted from the start. “A Silent Genocide” is a documentary that’s so needed to wake up the masses to the reality of HIV/AIDS in a world where people find a false sense of solace by living in denial.”
-Bruce George, Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam.
”This documentary is a positive contribution toward stopping the whirling wind of the silent genocide. It is incredibly done! Passion and courage are visible. You got the right people, which I think, gave the entire documentary much power, a wider audience with strong message to send out. You made it real with real people, real story in a real world. Honest voice of courageous souls! Great contribution to our humanity, thanks Zawadi.”
“I am so very proud of you. I hope that your video reminds everyone that the AIDS crisis is not over and it affects everyone.”
-Michelle Williams
“This is an awesome video. I am very proud of you. You are an inspiration to us all. Your purpose is to live so that others can live. Your work is uplifting and full of hope. Thank you for all that you do. Please continue your journey for peace and knowledge.”
