Griot Vanessa Johnson (left) coaxing a student performance during an open-air performance on the Southside about 10 years ago.
Today we recognize Syracuse storyteller Vanessa Johnson. Ms. Johnson is also an actor, writer and quilt-maker.
Archive for the ‘Art’ Category
Throwback Thursday: Narratives
Thursday, January 30th, 2014Griot on Washington Street
Saturday, January 25th, 2014Thanks to The Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company (PRPAC) for choosing one of our photos for their most recent production. The PRPAC is producing “Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This” with Omanii Abdullah at Jazz Central. We saw a similar production when it was staged at CFAC. The shows were directed by Ryan Johnson-Travis.
Loving (just enough for) the City
Wednesday, January 15th, 2014
Mozart from Philly (now residing in Syracuse)
One of the best elements that make up the city are immigrants. Not just folks from other nations, but those from other states as well. Immigrants bring their idioms, swagger, energy and experiences to add to the Syracuse stew.
We previously heard about the power of Mozart Guerrier from some students we met this summer, but last night was the first time we caught him in performance. He was the featured poet at last night’s Open Mic for the Underground Poetry Spot, which was held at 601 Tully (aka the Treehouse).
Part of Mozart’s slam list included a humorous appreciation of Coach Jim Boeheim, a shout out to Amiri Baraka, and also a verbal ode to the beauty of living and loving in cities. We suggest contacting Seneca Wilson and the Underground Poetry Spot to hear the poem about cities (there was video).
Mozart’s compositions, movements and performance certainly lived up to the hype.
It was good to see slam poetry percolating on the Near Westside.
Throwback Thursday: Writers
Thursday, January 9th, 2014
Edwidge Danticat
January 1 is considered Independence Day for the Republic of Haiti. Here are a few of the influential writers of Haitian decent who have visited Syracuse in the past decade.
Dany Laferriere
Myriam Chancy
Throwback Thursday: Our Poet Laureate
Thursday, January 2nd, 2014
Jackie Warren Moore, writer (before speaking at Syracuse University event in 2006)
Who Keeps Moving the Cheese
Saturday, December 14th, 2013
A Shout in Salty Water is a one man/one act play that serves up some answers to single fatherhood. But it also raises some questions as well.
The name of the play, which was conceived and performed by Ryan Johnson-Travis (directed by Joseph Trevino), was derived in part by the definition of Salina (as in Salina Street…think Landmark Theater, Rite Aid and the old Centro hub). Salina is defined as a salt pit or salt marsh. Many of the brothers portrayed in the show seem trapped in what seems like pockets of despair and closets of hopelessness.
Are the men dead-beats or just dead broke? Why are some voluntarily absent from their children? Why do they feel their pie in the sky has been reduced to crumbs?
These are some of the serious issues Johnson-Travis tackles on stage (and in the question and answer session). The performance takes you on an emotional roller coaster.
Maybe the most creative parts of the play are the actor/director vignettes (are they real or imagined) and the hilarious re-enactment of a dialogue with a Syracuse Post Standard reporter. But this is not about fun and games, which is evident when on opening night, Johnson-Travis fights through tears to sing about a slain 6-month old.
This complex experience is like being inside the head of a single father, yet inside the head of someone studying them/interviewing them as well.
The show concludes tonight. We look forward to a second act in the future.
Kudos again to CFAC and Johnson-Travis for collaborating on this must-see stage endeavor.
Year in Review (Venues)
Monday, December 9th, 2013Maybe the most progressive programming (artistic and otherwise) we’ve covered this year was held at the Community Folk Art Center this year. Here is a short clip of media personality George Kilpatrick talking about his radio endeavors during the CNY Mocha Men event produced by Me’Shae Brooks-Rolling.
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Friday, November 22nd, 2013
Social Media Breakfast Syracuse #10 Panel: Kimberley McCoy, Rachel Boucher, Matthew De Bellas and Sarah Massett (with moderator Patrick Finlon, left).
This kind of collaboration is encouraging.
We finally got to attend a Social Media Breakfast here in town. The group had its latest meeting at Syracuse Stage on Thursday, and the focus was how arts organizations engage online. Participants included representatives from The Red House, The Everson Museum, CNY Arts and Art Rage.
The discussion ranged from generating unique content and boosting awareness to using “gamification” (rewards) and data collection methods to gain new followers/supporters.
What was most impressive is that you didn’t have to be a savvy social media manager or represent an art venue to pick up pearls of wisdom from this conversation. Quick, power-packed, yet very filling, it was like breakfast for your head.
Wandering Women Can Wear Nude Shoes
Wednesday, November 20th, 2013“Creating When We Were Wanderers required actors to excavate and mine their personal experiences…” Ryan Johnson-Travis, Director
Corcoran, Obeng and Jordan: Three of the seven ladies who took the stage to discuss race and gender at CFAC tonight.
Bravo to director and actor Ryan Johnson-Travis. The theater man continues to write, direct and produce some creative stage work along the Connective Corridor Arts District. His latest conception, “When We Were Wanderers” closed tonight to a packed house at the Community Folk Art Center’s Black Box Theater. The play touched on a plethora of emotions, and honestly explored race and gender from a female perspective.
Later this weekend brothers will grace the stage at CFAC for the CNY Mocha Men production by Me’Shae Brooks Rolling. The Mocha Men event will focus on financial literacy.
Up Close & Personal
Thursday, October 17th, 2013
Dani Leventhal (center) greeted fans at the Everson Museum on Thursday.
2013 Urban Video Project artist-in-residence Dani Leventhal screened several of her short films tonight at the Everson Museum’s Hosmer Auditorium. We found the family anti-drama “17 New Dam Road” the most thought-provoking. The Q+A portion of the evening was cut short, however, Leventhal met with her fans outside on the patio. A steady rain kept the crowd under the awning, but those with umbrellas could venture onto the plaza to re-watch her CNY-centric film “Platonic,” which was projected onto the Everson’s north wall.