In describing the poetry of Sha’Ifa Mami Watu, the playwright Robert Bashiri Price wrote that, “In an age of lies and falsehoods, the truth becomes exotic…”. Rough Ground is that exotic place where truth crystallizes into something precious. It is a safe, creative space where dancers, visual artists, vocalists and indigenous drummers first workshop in their disciplines and then perform with the poet, interpretations of her poetry. It is a place where the truth of a single artist, becomes a collective story – retold by a community of artists. For workshop/concert participants and for the audience, Rough Ground recalls the past; it bears witness to the present; and it inspires us all to be active, creative stakeholders in the future of our shared planet.

There will be workshops free and open to the public to give community artists a chance to be a part of this collaborative performance.

Please stay tuned for details of our Indigenous Drumming with Chookensha Patricia Allen and Afro-Modern Hip-Hop with Maxie Jamal.

Other featured artists for the event are Yirim Seck, Tuesday Velasco, Jennifer Moore, Alonzo Jackson, B-Girl Anna Bannna Freeze, and B-Girl Macca.

Tickets will be available this week on a sliding scale of $10-$25 (no one will be turned away for lack of funds).
Events are open to everyone!