May 23 – May 25, 2009
The parking lots and streets outside the Brooklyn Academy of Music are transformed every Memorial Day weekend into a vibrant bazaar with hundreds of booths filled with gorgeous handcrafted and imported goods. The sound of the drum is everywhere, as elegance, spirituality, radical black theory and hipness mix on Brooklyn streets, and where creativity and positivity abound. Evening performances include the best dance, music & film Mother Africa has to offer. Here are just a few of the wonders of the festival.
Oil Paintings by Abdul Abadi, abiiumi@people.com
Go Green African-style with a hand-painted recycled cardboard and coconut fiber hat. These “Chameleon” hats look like vase shaped sculptress when off the head, and can be worn in a variety of different ways. Sylvia, the vendor, spoke to me about how she met the man that creates these great hats at last year’s Festival, and her decision to turn them into bright and colorful designs with paint. Sylvia can be reached at syl.reno@verizon.net or by phone at718-738-6989.
Freedom Bey paints suitcases and briefcases with stark zebra stripes and images of the African continent – how could anyone travel without one? Reach her at Luremobilart@aol.com or 678-755-6111.
Freedom’s fiancé, Afreakstar, of Sacred 77 clothing makes hand painted cotton designs that go beautifully with Freedom’s travel bags.Afreakstar@gmail.com
For that perfect handmade leather shoulder bag, stop by Artwear by Robbie who hails from Georgia.
Robbiewear@aol.com, http://www.robbiewear.com.
Dress like the royalty you are with Obinrin Asiko from Nigeria, by donning a high gold “gele” style hat. http://www.obinrin-asiko.com, 646-552-3823.
Of course I had to stop by my favorite vendor, Lavalais at Bamboozle, to purchase several “ear spears.” These
wonderful ear adornments come in all sizes and shapes – and they allow me to look “pierced” when in fact they penetrate the ear using only standard earring holes. I had a great chat with Lavalais about my travels to Algeria and enjoyed meeting his new assistant and very dear old friend Jocelyn, who told me about her Japan adventures. The ear spears I bought this year match my wild blue hair and are a great bargain. http://earspears.com
Although I’m true-blue to Lavalais, having been his customer for many years at the African Festival, I couldn’t resist the beautiful silver and onyx ear decorations created by Melody D. Burns at KiiniIbura Jewelry, http://KiinilburaJewelry.com. The delicate branch-shaped piece I bought (not shown) is made to be worn singly, and run up along the outer rim of the ear itself. Her many larger designs are pure elegance and some of the very best pieces I saw all day.
More exquisitely beautiful jewelry designs can be found at Embellished Woman, where Pat Terry and Debra White show their best handmade pieces along with imported items. This piece is from Scandinavia made of bone and lamb hide. More at embellishedwoman@aol.com, 914-589-3661.
Tucked in the exit way to one of the areas, Caroline Brewer, an author and educational consultant from Washington, DC, displayed Barack Obama: A Hip Hop Tale of King’s Dream Come True, “A humorous, satirized, and fictionalized rendering of the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. Its swift-moving rhymes, rhythm, and drama entertain, while educating young readers and listeners about one of the most important events in American and world history. It ultimately reveals President Obama’s powerful connection to the enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And what a beautiful book it is! http://www.carolinebrewer.net.
Walking by Angelic Artistry, exhausted from so much stimulation and the hot sun, I saw a man having his feet bathed in a large metal tub by a beautiful woman. “That’s what I need” I sighed. The lovely woman suggested I put my name down for next on the list. How could I refuse? When my turn came ‘round, I was treated to a delicious pure cane sugar scrub with all natural citrus by the charming Trinidadian masseuse who offers aromatherapy body products, chakra balancing, auric readings and paintings for health and wellness. At her suggestion, I’m going to breath more while imagining clouds taking away my worries and eat more spice. But right now I’m enjoying the tingling sensation in my feet. Allisonartis4@gmail.com, 347-278-4263.
A swirling painting “Booty Pop” by Willie Torbert on display at Afroart Designs http://www.afroart-designs.net
Intensely attracted by the powerful wood and metal staff he carried, and by his warm and inviting smile – I introduced myself to Sehu, the director of Goddess Herstory. “The Goddess HerStory Theatrical Players were born out of a collective of women and men of good will towards women who cyclically come together to study the ancient herstorical time line of feminine divinity, their mythological stories and the ancient principles of feminine centered culture and sexual arts. The Theatrical Players were developed to address through drama the need for women to begin to revision themselves as new modern day Goddesses expressive of the greatness of the female spirit.” Sehu’s energy was so loving, and his artwork, made from plumbing supplies (!) so powerful; I just have to check out this group! http://goddessherstory.org/
On my way out of the festival, I run into poet, writer, book publisher and teaching artist, Jade, (not pictured) who is working with the Smithsonian on a festival that will take place next year on African women and adornment. Jade runs a community folk arts program interested in bringing me in to teach about my own “Sacred Staffs.” Lots of connections are made at this festival where so many wonderful people congregate!
I meet painter Seda Harunogh and her friend Scott Wiley with African Mosaic Soul Dance Collective …
Everyone dresses for the festival …
… tired and hot, I make my way back home, but nevertheless I take minute to SMELL THE ROSES on Bergen
Street.
…. and dream of MORE of the African Fest at BAM … ’till TOMORROW!
Go ahead, jump right in to the African Festival at BAM –contribute to the positive vibration!
Judith Z. Miller
aka Artist Soul
Hi Artist soul speaks:
this is Allie Artis, founder of Angelic Artistry
will like to ivite you to my Open Mic /
Open art event this friday July 17th.
i will also have my aromatherapy foot scrubs and heal body products present as well.
you can contact me by email:
allisonartis4@gmail.com
One love
To the one & only Artist Soul Specks:
I will like to share with you an Angelic Artistry Update:
Web site:
Angelicartistryonline.com
Angelicartistryonlinestore.com
Blog:
Angelicartistry284.wordpress.com
Thank You for all the Love & Light you have shared with so many.
Love Always,
Allie Artis
Ceo & Founder of Angelic Artistry
Greetings!
Thank you for that wonderful promotion of our work at Goddess HerStory. It was indeed a pleasure to meet you (a truly synchronicitous moment) & I look forward to our paths passing again.
Love & Light,
“^SEHU?!.”
Hey, thanks for the shout out. For clarity sake, Afreakstar* is owned and designed by Ladyblack. and L.U.R.E. is created and owned by my sister Freedom Bey and her husband Saeed Ali. Thanks again for the mention, we need all the advertisement we can get.
Hi Artist Soul Speaks;
First giving praise and glory! Second wishing you and yours a Spirit lifting New Year. I would have emailed you sooner if I had known I was being promoted by the best, “Artist Soul Speaks”. About two weeks ago, I received a call in regards to this site in which I did not know it existed until two weeks ago mid December. I Thank you a thousand times for this advertisement.
Let me know if I can elaborate or connect additional pictures onto this site,
Peace & Many Blessings
Sylvia
Sylvia: If you would like to supply an updated link, please reply and your comment will show up (once I approve it). This particular post gets more hits than any other, so you can expect many people will see your comment. I very much enjoyed meeting you this past May and still remember your vibrant positive energy. I wish you all the best for the coming year – creativity, health, joy, peace & love – and success in your endeavors! – Judith Z.
Artist Soul Speaks,
THE “CHAMELEON” GO GREEN AFRICAN STYLE
AT SYLVIA’S PLACE.
CARDBOARD HATS. THANKING YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR THIS LOVELY PROMOTION.
Greetings
I would love to send you a updated link with pictures on the many ways in which you can wear this cardboard hat, called
THE (CHAMELEON)
You can turn this hat inside, outside and upside down. You can wear it as a High Fashion wide Brim, Turn inside out for that Safari look, turn it upside down for that short and tall beanie look.
Peace & Many Blessings
By the grace of God, my plan is to be at BAM for 2010!!
Sylvia,
Please send me the link. I’m sorry, at this point I don’t have time to post individual photos, but if you include the link in your message I will allow it on the page.
Hope to see you at BAM 2010!
Judith Z.
Judith Z. Miller, mask-making in residency with master Tlingit woodcarver Tommy Joseph Southeast Alaskan Indian Cultural Center, Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka Alaska Photo by James Paulson, front page, The Sitka Sentinel Newspaper, September 17, 2009 Sponsored in part by a grant from Fractured Atlas
Subscribe to Artist Soul Speaks
Arts, Culture & Community blog:
https://artistsoulspeaks.wordpress.com/
Online Jewelry Store: http://ZAMO.etsy.com
Website: http://www.zamo-zamo.com
Hi My Sista,
Hope all is well with you and yours! I am excited about Bam 2010!
I will be there in the flesh, “Cod’s Willing” the memorial day weekend event My spot is A66 for the “Chameleon” At Sylvia’s Place.
Peace & Many Blessings
great works kip ap.
Iv’e been leaving messages@718-738-6989. Is there way to reach you to find out where I can order?
Where and how can I order the “Chameleon Hats”. I love them and need some new ones. I purchased in 2009. Can’t get my grands form trying to confiscate. ;(
Hi: I’m sorry but I have no idea how to help you. This post was written many years ago and I am not in touch with specific vendors to help with orders. I suppose the best thing to do is to attend the Festival again and/or search on the web. Best of luck to you.