#Pan4DCKids Fall 2021 Issue #5

FALL 2021, ISSUE NO. 5

#PAN4DCKIDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This year the band took a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Medford, New Jersey. They were introduced to a bit of African American history; my family history to be exact. Most people are more familiar with my great uncle three times removed; they know him as William Still, the father of the Underground Railroad. Were it not for him , there would be little account of the freedom stories and escapes of the enslaved. His brother, my great grandfather three times removed, was Dr. James Still, known as the Great Doctor of the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

I was proud and honored to share the story of my family with my band family. The Dr. James Still Center in Medford, NJ sits on part of the land where he used to make herbal medicines to treat and heal illness across South Jersey.

We know that the history of America is missing some details; pieces of the puzzle that are vital to our progression. Our trip to New Jersey helped find a few pieces. I believe knowing more of our past informs our decisions and our future. The trip left our youth and parents saying "I don't know much about my family". But I encouraged them

and all of us to keep tugging at the

strings of information we already know with the hope of uncovering more.

Culture threads so much together, and I look forward to connecting our youth to more ways to access and reveal their excellence through experiences.

I invite you to join us on our journey via Facebook and Instagram and consider becoming a monthly donor to support #Pan4DCKids!

Musically yours,

Kimberly C. Gaines

WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE From the Executive Director - 1 Know Our History: Atiya Artis - 2 Did You Know?: Paul Murphy - 2 On the Road - 3 Giving Tuesday - 3 One Band, One Sound - 5 Who Is Mavis Staples - 5

KNOW OUR HISTORY

Atiya Artis Interview by Madison Peters-Hall

Atiya joined the steelband in 2009 while she was in the 7th grade. [Founder] Dr. Bray introduced her to the steelband, she was hesitant at first, but came to observe for a few weeks before she finally joined. Atiya played the Double Seconds, Bass and Guitar pans. Learning to play the steel pan was easy for her and she did not learn to read music. The adults in the steelband were Ms. Dozier, “who was kind with the kids”, Mr. Roger, “who was strict but nice overall”, and Dr. Bray “who was a very fun teacher, but did not play (strict)”. Her most memorable performance was when the steelband opened for Chuck Brown. Atiya’s favorite trip was to the Gullah Festival in Beaufort, SC and [she] enjoyed bonding with the steelband family on the long bus rides. Atiya attended college at Clark-Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and is earning another degree. Currently, Atiya is a teacher at Beers Elementary in DC. Atiya sings, produces and writes music and plays the xylophone. She is committed to recruiting new pannists in the future.

Madison Peters - Hall

Madison is a ninth grader in a DCPS and enjoys modeling and cosmetology in addition to the steelband. Her favorite color is red and she plays the guitar pan. Madison interviewed Atiya Artis for the EOTRS History Project

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l-r Atiya Artis, Chuck Brown, Jeffrey Plaza, Dante Robinson b- Geonte Stevenson .

Did You Know?

Paul “Uncle Rudy” Murphy has been a professional musician for over 57 years. Music has been a passion since he was eight years old. He got his start in his church’s glee club. He learned music and mastered many different percussion instruments under the direction of Mr. Roscoe Bowie, a well-known musician in his own right. After years of working with many bands and studios, Uncle Rudy currently stays busy playing with EOTRS, the Patchwork Band and Show, and the Crosstown Players, all local to the DMV area. He plays many different genres of music: jazz, blues, R&B, Go-Go, gospel and Caribbean and calypso-based. Music is his passion and his life.

ON THE ROAD B Y

Z A N D R A

C H E S T N U T

The steelband family traveled to Philadelphia & New Jersey on August 14-15. The band and family members departed DC on Saturday morning via a luxury coach, loaded with steel pans and refreshments for the weekend. The get-away included a downtown tour of Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell and sites related to the enslavement of Africans. Next, the group traveled to Connell Park in Philadelphia for an outdoor performance. Representative Regina Young invited the band to perform in the park, as she distributed school supplies to local students. Representative Young heard of the great work of the EOTRS from her cousin Linda Fisher. After the performance, some band members answered questions about their pans and interacted with other young attendees.

Saturday’s dinner was at the Tavola Restaurant in Springfield, PA. Our hotel accommodations included an indoor pool and breakfast. Day two included a visit to Medford NJ, home of the Dr. James Still Center (1821-1902). His, brother, William Still, was a key figure in the Underground Railroad movement of the mid19th century United States. From his base in Philadelphia, he worked to help fugitive slaves reach freedom, recording and preserving many of their stories.

Ancestors of Dr. Still lectured and gave group walking tours. They are preserving the legacy of James Still by sharing his life’s work. Band members and adults spoke highly of the hands-on walks through the herb gardens and the information shared by the living ancestors of James and William Still.

UPCOMING EVENTS NOVEMBER 20 - SIP & PAINT FUNDRAISER DECEMBER 4 - EOTRS FIELD DAY

The mission of the East of the River Boys & Girls Steelband is to provide Music Education, Youth Development and Cultural Education and Experiences for youth in Wards 7 and 8.

We hope you save the date, November 30th, to support us on Giving Tuiesday by becoming a monthly donor. Now more than ever The steelband needs the support of our friends, donors who care about the betterment of not only our youth's futures but their today.

Remember after Black Friday and Cyber Monday it's Giving Tuesday! We can make a difference in the lives of our youth.

WWW.EOTRSTEELBAND.ORG

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WHAT DO WE DO? The East of the River Boys and Girls Steelband is a free music program for District of Columbia Youth 12-18 years old that teaches students how to play this unique instrument. It incorporates music, youth development, cultural heritage and education. Practices are held Monday and Wednesday evenings 5-7:30 PM at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement - 5073 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC. Extra activities and excursions take place on the weekends.

Students can acquire community service credits for performances and projects as band members.

Photo courtesy of Mark Johnson

Helping Hearts Through the Arts and EOTRS @ the Lincoln Memorial October 3, EOTRS collaborated with Helping Hearts Through the Arts and performed near the steps of the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial. Helping Hearts Through the Arts (HHA) celebrated its Annual Autumn Remembrance Day Arts Festival & fundraiser.

JusticeAid Fall 2021 Concert Mavis Staples & Amy Helms October 19, Mavis Staples, the 82year old rhythm and blues and gospel singer and her special guest Amy Helm, gave a concert sponsored by Justiceaid.org to benefit the Neighborhood Defender Service's Police Accountability and Community Empowerment Program. Justiceaid donated tickets to the EOTRS

and their families.

The concert took

place at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC. Thanks to

Photo courtesy of Fajr Chestnut

supporter Luke Albee for making this opportunity available to EOTRS.

The BRIC Prevention and Wellness Walk-a-Thon October 30, EOTRS performed prior to the start of the BRIC Preventions and Wellness walkathon at the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy in Southeast DC - the event was a fundraiser promoting drug use prevention Education/Mental Health Wellness - Congrats to Chanara Chestnut (2nd place winner) and Shane Rolle (3rd place) for completing the 6,000 steps. Thanks to our

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generous parents for taking on the challenge and for holding down the "merch" table.

ONE BAND, ONE SOUND B Y

C H A N E L

H A W K I N S

Music is a gratifying, fleeting practice commonly seen as entertainment for most.

Many view this practice differently as they hone something more in their musical skills with instruments. Coming anywhere from the church choir, school orchestra, and school chorus to marching bands, rock bands, steelbands and grand ensembles, there is a passion and dedication we all share. That looks a little different with our group because the steelband is all we know.

Hello, my name is Chanel Hawkins. I joined the band in 7th grade, I was 11, turning 12, and if I’m being honest, I was a little apprehensive about playing the pan for the first time. Starting in a room full of strangers also played into it. I began playing on the tenor pan I’ve loved playing ever since. There’s no doubt that I love music, so taking part in an opportunity uncommon in the District of Columbia was great. We learn a wide variety of music from r&b, jazz, and hip hop to gospel, Caribbean, and calypso. “Go Crazy” and “Family Affair” are my favorite songs to play. For me, the most enjoyable part of the band is the trips and travel.

I now have a blast as the band’s junior social media manager, documenting our journeys and adventures.

WHO IS MAVIS STAPLES?

B Y

C H A N A R A

C H E S T N U T

Mavis Staples is an American gospel and soul singer who has spoken wisdom and power through her music for over 70 years. From a young age, Mavis sang with her father Roebuck (a.k.a Pops) and her siblings as the Staple Singers. As the group continued to create music, they went on to perform beyond gospel and turned to other genres like pop, folk, and R&B. The group was also well known for their powerful role in the Civil Rights Movement. The Staple Singers performed at marches and rallies and became very close to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On October 19th, The East of The River Steelband was granted the opportunity to participate in an event fundraiser held at the Lincoln Theatre where the wonderful Mavis Staples would be performing. Overall, it was a very impactful event and I got to experience the charisma and bliss of Mavis Staples. She knew how to interact with her audience and get people to express themselves. She told a few anecdotes which made me empathize with her, and made me feel closer to her, even though I had little to no prior knowledge of her. I am extremely thankful for this experience.

Throughout Mavis’s life she has experienced racism, discrimination, hate and prejudice for the color of her skin. In many songs Mavis speaks about the oppression society has put black folks through. She’s made songs about her experiences with these troubles, but all around Ms. Mavis is still here and we thank her for her sacrifices and all her hard work to make things like the East of the River Steelband possible.

WWW.EOTRSTEELBAND.ORG

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#Pan4DCKids would like to thank: photographer..... Mark Johnson photographer..... Victoria Ford contributor..... Zandra Chestnut contributor..... Chanel Hawkins contributor..... Chanara Chestnut additional photos ....Fajr Chestnut ....Nicole Wills Carroll (issue #4)

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Support provided by a grant from the Arts Forward Fund, a component fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

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WWW.EOTRSTEELBAND.ORG

EAST OF THE RIVER STEELBAND 4701 JAY STREET, NE WASHINGTON, DC (202) 640-0483

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Treasurer Secretary

Pamela Nelson,

Dennis Chestnut, John Barnes,

Meka Burch Marsha Middleton Kelly Marie Berry

STAFF

Sponsored in part by:

Executive Director

Musical Director Rita Dozier, Band Manager Newsletter Writer & Editor

Kimberly C. Gaines,

Roger Greenidge,

Zandra Chestnut,

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