We must keep going !

This past Saturday, January 25th, the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco hosted a captivating event in partnership with SFJAZZ, celebrating Black History Month with a unique blend of art and music.

The afternoon began with a guided tour of MoAD's exhibitions. MoAD's current exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Black identity, creativity, and the concept of "liberatory living." The show cleverly intertwines art and design, showcasing how everyday objects and spaces can become powerful expressions of self and community.

Zanele Muholi's striking photographic portrait, "Balindile I, the square, Cape Town 2017," likely served as a compelling anchor for the exhibition. Muholi's work often confronts issues of race, gender, and sexuality, and this piece probably provided a powerful lens through which to view the other works. Malene Djaneba Barnett's "Illusion of Softness" wallpaper added a tactile and visually rich dimension. Barnett's work explores themes of African heritage and ancestral connection, and the wallpaper likely created an immersive environment within the exhibition.

The overall theme of "Liberatory Living: Black Radical Joy" provided a framework for understanding the works on display. It suggests that by creating and inhabiting spaces that reflect their own values and aesthetics, Black individuals can experience a sense of freedom, joy, and empowerment. 

This exhibition seems to be a testament to MoAD's commitment to showcasing diverse voices and perspectives within the African diaspora. By blending art, design, and social commentary, it creates a thought-provoking and inspiring experience with a range of powerful and thought-provoking works exploring the African diaspora. Museum tours always offer a chance for personal reflection and shared perspectives, and this one was likely no different, sparking conversations and deepening understanding.

Following the tour, the focus shifted to music with a performance by the talented Martin Luther McCoy, known for his soulful blend of blues, R&B, and storytelling, McCoy treated the audience to an intimate concert in the museum's gallery. He was joined by bassist Elizabeth, adding depth and groove to his signature sound. This performance was particularly special as it offered a first listen to selections from McCoy's upcoming album "Welcome Back Love," giving attendees a sneak peek into his creative process.

Overall, the event seems to have been a resounding success, offering a rich and engaging experience that combined the visual power of art with the emotive force of music. It provided a fitting tribute to Black History Month, showcasing the creativity and resilience of Black artists and their contributions to our cultural landscape. And meeting curator Kee Jo Lee at the end of the visit was a great way to deepen my understanding of the exhibition. Curators play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of an exhibition, and Lee's insights likely added a valuable layer to our experience.

The personal touch at MoAD extended beyond the art itself. Elizabeth Gessel, the Director of Public Programs, sent a thoughtful email after I registered for the event, which made me feel welcomed and valued. Then, receiving a thank you note from her after attending added a special touch and deepened my connection to the museum. This level of personal attention and care elevated the entire experience, making it feel truly touching and thoughtful.

~Dawn

Appreciation for cultural diversity is essential for our co-existence !

This weekend I had an opportunity to witness whole world under one roof at Mexican Heritage Plaza at San Jose. Kudos to the creative director, partners and producers who were successful in bringing world culture in one and half hours time, unbelievably astonishing.

"The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people"

I loved how every show we begin with a prayer it's part of the culture and here the way it was done was unique where small kids were performing Dindi, the folk dance of Maharashtra and it is a religious ecstasy - meets the purpose of prayer and the folk dance and I felt I was home :).
As I was in emotions when the entry of Congo dancers performing Denadon Africana - a flavor of Africa. Music is one such thing that one doesn't have to know the technicalities of dancing because the music does its work for you and you unconsciously dance to the tune.

I have to applaud the cute little girls performing the opera figures representing China - Ah..mazing! What a perfection in every move. It was beautiful like a bud when its flowering and as it does each petal unfolds into an amazing dance from a different country and how all these petals make a beautiful flower together.

 

There were lot of dances that I had only head about and this was a moment where one can feel the completeness of art and culture coming together. I could feel the power of humans. How powerful we are with our unique culture and that too so colorful and vibrant.

It had the dominance of Indian dances from different parts of India such as Garba, Raas leela, Kaikottikali, Chari, Bhangra, Giddha, Jhumar and I just went to the thought that in school we were told how lucky we are to be in a country where you have all four seasons and so many cultural heritage - indeed!

I am sure this is not only about India, other countries too have their own cultural heritage which we are only getting a glimpse of it. The beautiful dance Coco and Samba no pe from Brazil, Scottish country and highland dancing, Hula, Blooming waterlilies Chinese representation of love for nature, Kalilang from Philippines, Fiesta Tapatia from Mexico,  it was just amazing. How proud we human should be about ourselves. We talk about racism, why should we have any such things we have so many great things besides this creativity in arts and culture that we can make useful to bring solidarity and peace.

"We all smile in the same language" :)

I just loved the jamming session of drummers from Africa, Brazil and India - it was a classic piece!!! I felt it was short, wish the intermission could have been delayed !!! 

Hats off to Sangam Arts in collaboration with Xpressions to bring all these under one roof that too in a collaborative way where Fiesta Tapatia dancers before exiting welcome the bhangra dancers and they exit after dancing few steps of bhangra - it was a pleasure to the eyes and soul.

The more we are international the more we want to see such things where any color any race can participate and represent any culture any country - That was a true multicultural Mosaic of the Valley!

"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences" ~ Audre Lorde

~ Dawn

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” - Maya Angelou

It was a mesmerizing evening and an emotional one too. Being emotionally connected to dance and music it has always knocked me out by reminding my roots. Probably that was the reason that I got opportunity to support Sangam Arts, which believes in Arts and Music that will bring every human close and be in harmony.

I had an idea about Mosaic America, more over working closely with Usha Srinivasan the founder and president of Sangam Arts, I know her dream is to bring multicultural arts together on one platform. But to watch the performance really gave me goose bumps. I felt it's so beautiful that no matter which part of the world you come from, music is alway soothing and it brings out your emotions very well no matter what language you speak, what kind of food you eat or for that matter what color your skin is. 

For the first time I felt human civilization is so rich in arts and music and if we use this for our benefit this world would be a better place. I feel more proud to be connected with Sangam Arts for this one reason that it's not only about dance forms and music but it is also about people, culture and oneness.

To feel what I am talking about one must watch these performances that Sangam Arts brings to the valley. Its not only a dance and its performance, its about the costumes, its about the cultural impact that these artists bring live into performance when they all are local here. It brings joy when you see a kid who is growing up here, going to American school and yet when she performs Bharatnatyam she understands the expressions and then she brings it in her performance - I felt thats commendable for a kid to grow here and still bring that impact of Indianness while performing Bharatnatyam and if I say this was the same for other performers as well. The Flamenco team made me feel like dress up like that and do some dancing if not a complete one at least the tap on the floor with those shoes that they were wearing. Even before my desire go further, I see Chinese Dancers, such cute girls with their gymnastic moves and dancing with their props umbrella - made me feel like dolls dancing around. I was mesmerized by the Contemporary Dance where the costume were so good and flowy that it did bring that empathy feel and for a moment I was lost. 

There were many moments when I wanted to take pictures and I didn't want to. Because I was getting lost in there somewhere ...in the dance, thinking of those countries, people and the places out there and then my eyes filled up with emotions - what are we all here expecting? Only love and peace then why its so important to know what color, cast or creed we belong to?
Not to mention Folklorico, Bharatnatyam, the musicians on Sitar, Haitian Drum, Pipa, Oud, Mridangam and Dandiyaraas...! It was a meet and greet of culture, music and arts - all on one platform bringing people together across the globe.
Does it matter what we do or how we do as long as it brings a smile in everyone of us? I felt for the first time as human we can do so much with the talent around and be proud of what we can do than whatever is currently happening around the world.

If you believe in peace and harmony and if you believe culture, arts and music is what brings us together then you must support the vision of Sangam Arts. Please do like this page and supports us.
Lets be the example and lets make this contagious around the world.

"I think.. if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts."

~ Dawn