About

TANTRA-zawadi “My work can best be described by the love that I make through my art to the vision of the unseen reality.”

Soulful and sublime, her poetry explores love in all its forms; from the rush of the first kiss to the bittersweet. As a performance poet and published author, Tantra supports the rights of women to exist, choose, decide and think through the art form of spoken word.

Tantra has performed to standing-room audiences at venues as far away as South Africa, London, Germany and Toronto as well as venues closer to home in New York City. She has performed original works in the off-Broadway productions of Girl – A Choreospective, A Night of Three God/desses: Soldier Blues and Powerful Women, An Evolution in Reinvention, the Numeral Three, Leaving My Apartment and Other Urban Adventures and projects with the vonduvoisdancecollective. Tantra’s recent appearances include the New York Public Library of Performance Arts at Lincoln Center, Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa and the Montserrat Poetry Festival. Tantra is also a recipient of the Kings County District Attorney’s Office Women’s History Month Award.

Published Author: Tantra’s latest release, “Gathered at Her Sky” from Poets Wear Prada Publishing, is available at Amazon and LuLu.com (June 2010). Partial proceeds from Gathered at Her Sky will be donated to Girl-Child Network Worldwide to purchase reading lights as well as provide for educational needs and personal items for girls in Zimbabwe. Tantra is the author of “alifepoeminprogress” by Chuma Spirit Books, and her poetry was featured in Essence Magazine and in spoken word publications such as Redeye, Spoken Vizions (www.spokenvizions.com), defpoetryjam.com, Platinum Poets, Sunpiper Press, Souled Up and poetswearprada.com.

On Screen: Tantra-zawadi is the host of her own spoken word series, WORDSPACE, and has made several appearances on cable television, local and satellite radio shows. Known for being on the cutting edge as an artist and for speaking out about issues such as HIV and AIDS awareness, Tantra’s poem and video “Scarlet Waters,” was featured on the Product(RED) video wall created by U2’s Bono and Bobby Shriver, to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS in Africa. Her short documentary, “A Silent Genocide ~ A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS” edited by Oliver Covrett, takes another look at the personal impact of this disease. Tantra also participated in a public service announcement for BETAH Associates produced by Marc Herbert Productions aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. Tantra’s videos and films may be viewed on-line @ www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi.

Music and Poetry: Tantra-zawadi is a member of Collective Spirits and their “Love Planet” EP produced by Jonny Montana and Neil Maclean (Camio Recordings), showcases Bennett Holland on keys, Tantra on poem and Dana Byrd on vocals (www.traxsource.com). Tantra is also a contributing artist on poetry compilations such as the award winning Liberation Sessions: Soul of the City CD by Mwalim (www.cdbaby.com), Summerbreeze EP by Dolls Combers (www.traxsource.com), Poetic Stimulus, the brain-child of Atlanta Red, poet/founder of www.sayitinpoetry.com, EARTHOLOGY, by Floyd Boykin, Jr., poet/founder of Spoken Vizions Magazine (www.cdbaby.com), Selling My Diamonds by Precious Gift, Natural: Bring That Poem Home with Fisiwe, recordings with world renowned DJ Groove Assassin and “Giant Steps – Back From Miami” for Do It Now Recordings in South Africa (traxsource.com).

Follow Tantra-zawadi Online
www.tantra-zawadi.com
www.facebook.com/tantra.zawadi
www.myspace.com/tantrais