Been busy with some educational focuses, grassroots-style. Submitted an app to NALAC (National Association of Latino Arts & Culture) and it was breezy-easy; I'm getting better at this grants application process. This time, decided to propose a project I've been wanting to launch for a coupla years: a spoken word choir--voicestra is how I might've referred to it in my narrative text except for the fact that ole Bobby McFerrin has nabbed the term for the name of his performance ensemble.
Here's the 50-word project summary: "I will direct the Sound Culture Spoken Word C.H.O.I.R., a performance ensemble comprised of emerging writers and underserved (marginalized) youth in Fort Worth. This C.H.O.I.R. (Cultivating Harmony with Our Insightful Rhymes) will perform my original poems--in chorus style, accented by music and digital projections--in showcases throughout Texas."
I am hopeful that this project will receive funding, and I'll certainly need to hustle up other sources of support in this community to really make this happen. I am excited for the possibilities of working with underserved youth again--it's been awhile and I have to say, I do have some skills when it comes to teaching and directing young people.
Wish me luck, write a check, whatever. You'll be hearing more about this from me in the coming months.
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The other grassroots education thing I'm working on involves a few other cool women, and we're collectively dubbed "Sisters of the Southside" (thanks Lindsey!). What is up? Well, we're putting together a street-level self-defense without violence workshop for women ages 17 and up. It's titled "Self-Defense, Yo!" and the focus of this workshop is on becoming more conscious of the subtle ways in which our behaviors/body language/clothing/etc. somehow give off an implicit "here i am, come take me" message, as misconstrued by would-be perps and pervs. Women and girls want and need to know how to rebuff and resist in ways that don't involve physical confrontation.
Our first workshop is now scheduled!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29th
1 to 4pm
Ella Mae Shamblee Public Library - Evans Street (just north of E. Rosedale)
Free and open to women 17 years and up
Light refreshments will be offered.
PAIN FREE Society, a fresh design company, will also be in the house.
Save the date - spread the word!!
SELF-DEFENSE, YO! - SATURDAY, AUGUST 29th
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1 comment:
Hey ! Long time no talk! Great job on the self defense workshop upcoming!
Oh man-if I weren't pregnant ( or in Austin) , I would so be going to this! I had some horrible forays into Whacky Patriarchal( and Nationalistic/Racist/Sexist/Classist) Martial Arts World , but would not trade any of the skills learned from erstwhile enemies!!!
A never forget lesson is that no matter how much someone overpowers you, if you are able, displacing a kneecap in your would-be attacker is inevitably going to deter him. Everyone goes for the nuts-forget the nuts! Go for the kneecaps and learn how to effectively break a kneecap while maintaining eye contact with him. After you've learned to dislocate a kneecap while maintaining eye contact, learn to stomp on the elbow joints to prevent his reaching for a weapon while you run away.
Also, the most painful dislocation is horizontally. And hte kicking it takes to do it does not involve a high lift of the leg or athleticism-just balance and practice.
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