2022 Let the Strings Speak Africa Program Book

LET THE STRINGS SPEAK AFRICA LIFE AFTER COVID

THE SHOULDERS ON WHICH WE STAND

LIVE - LHPAI Saturday, August 6, 2022 | 2:00 PM, PDT

Dr. Maxine Mimms Presents Inc. dba Let the Strings Speak Africa

www.drmimmspresents.com

Twanda Hill Producer

Dedra Barrow

Celestine Berrysmith

Indigo Brown

Angelina Bundy Sponsorships

Vania C. Bynum

Josephine Howell Musical Director

Greetings and welcome to Dr. Mimms Inc. presents Let the Strings Speak Africa. It takes a Village!

We are delighted to be Live in the theater as well as streamed live due to the growth in our skill sets mandated by the pandemic. This year's concert was produced by an amazing team, led by musical director, Josephine Howell and is a true community collaboration that speaks to triumph, tragedy and hope. The journey begins in Africa, moves through the Ocean and lands in America, highlighting African string instruments, the power of music and the legacy that Black people carried through the journey. Thank you for your continued support of Dr. Mimms and everything she models in the community.

Thank you Jazmyn and all the best on your new journey as the ED at ARTE NOIR. --Dr. Mimms

Special Thanks It takes a village......

DAN BUNDY DAWN MASON TENEE MAYNARD ELIZABETH MORRIS GREG RIDING DOROTHY AND BEN WOODS

LANGSTON TEAM TIM LENNON Executive Director DOMINIQUE THOMAS Stage Technician, Lead

JAZMYN SCOTT Former Partnerships & Programs Director www.langstonseattle.org

www.langstonseattle.org

PROGRAM

COVID ANNOUNCEMENT

by African Americans Reach & Teach Health Ministry (AARTH) Welcome Honorable Bruce Harrell, Seattle Mayor Jazmyn Scott, Langston. Former Director of Programs & Partnerships Twanda Hill, Event Producer Call to Order Elders Dr. Maxine Mimms & Mr. Charlie James Silent Dance Dancers: Afua Kouyate, Nailah Bulley, Sekou Kouyate The Griot Traditional Storyteller, The Djeli Boka Kouyate accompanied by Naby Camara, Balaphone

***AFRICA*** "In the Spirit of Sankofa" performed by Adefua Boka Kouyate, Doun Doun, Balaphone | Foluso Mimy, Djembe | Naby Camara, Balaphone Dancers: Afua Kouyate, Nailah Bulley | Ty'bria Gore | Sekou Kouyate | Edom Gidafu Keiaundra Jones "Chandor" Traditional song from Kenya

Simon Jevan Okele, Nyatiti | Bob Antolin, Flute The Journey from Africa to Ocean Lue Rachelle Brim-Atkins

***OCEAN*** "Hold On" Traditional gospel song in the public domain.

Gretchen Yanover, Cello | Michael Powers, Ukulele, Guitar | Boka Kouyate, Djembe Lamar Lofton, Bass | Chris Patin, Drums | Cedric Thomas, Piano Vocals: Celestine Berrysmith, | Josephine Howell Dancers: Vania C. Bynum, Akoiya Harris, Davione Gordon, Nia Amina Minor Choreographed by Vania C. Bynum in collaboration with dancers

"I’ll Fly Away" Tribute to those who survived the journey

Michael Powers, Guitar

PROGRAM THE JOURNEY

from Ocean to America Isiah Anderson Jr.

***AMERICA*** "Motherless Child" Written by William E. Barton, D.D., 1899. In the public domain.

Jayza Duhon, Vocals Dancers: Vania C. Bynum, Davione Gordon, Akoiya Harris, Nia Amina Minor, Andre Yancy Choreographed by Vania C. Bynum

"The Ecology"

By Marvin Gaye

What’s Going On? Don’t Go And Talk About My Father Mercy Mercy Me Save The Children Musicians Ensemble Vocals: Josephine Howell, Isiah Anderson, Celestine Berrysmith "The Journey" Moving Forward

Dr. Maxine Mimms | Mr. Charlie James Lue Rachelle Brim-Atkins | Isiah Anderson Jr.

***FINALE*** Wake Up Everybody Written by John Whitehead, Gene McFadden and Victor Carstarphen

All Musicians | Adult & Youth Dancers | Planning Team Youth Dancers: Sekou Kouyate | Edom Gidafu | Keiaundra Jones | Nevaeh Robinson Young Adult Dancer: Andre Yancy Closing Words Twanda Hill & Jazmyn Scott

Dr. Maxine Mimms, Elder

Mr. Charlie James, Elder

LueRachelle Brim-Atkins Narrator

Isiah Anderson Narrator

Josephine Howell Musical Director

Boka Kouyate, Griot Doun Doun, Balaphon

Gretchen Yanover Cello

Michael Powers Ukulele, Guitar

Simon Jevan Okele Nyatiti

Lamar Lofton Bass

Naby Camara Balaphon

Foluso Mimy Djembe

Jayza Duhon Vocals

Chris Patin Drums

Celestine Berrysmith Vocals

Cedric Thomas Piano, Keyboard

Vania C. Bynum Choreographer, Dancer

Akoiya Harris Dancer

Keiaundra Jones Youth Dancer

Afua Kouyate Choreographer, Dancer

Davione Gordon Dancer

Sekou Kouyate Youth Dancer

Nia Amino Minor Dancer

Andre Yancy Dancer

Nevaeh Robinson Youth Dancer

Nailah Bulley Dancer

Edom Gidafu Youth Dancer

You have the right to vote. If anyone tries to stop you, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683.

Visit www.vote.org for a handy guide that outlines your voting rights.

Bringing Classes & Performances To the Rainier Arts Center | 3515 S. Alaska Street | Seattle, WA. 98118

African Drumming & Dance Classes!

Starting September 8th - November 10th (10 week sessions) YOUTH DRUMMING 4:00PM | YOUTH DANCE 5:00PM ADULT DRUMMING 6:15PM | ADULT DANCE 7:30PM

CLASS FEES: Youth (school ages) $15 Single / $140 (10 sessions) Adult (All levels) $20 Single / $185 (10 sessions)

Donations are encouraged to support free classes to those unable to pay.

Payments locations: www.adefuacenter.org | Zelle: 206-679-7331 Venmo: ADEFUA Center

Register Now! www.adefuacenter.flipcause.com Questions, contact 206-679-7331

STRINGS AFRICA

Black Orchid Enterprises “Tell Me Where, I’ll Meet You There!”

Brenda Charles-Edwards Certified End of Life Planning Facilitator Mobile Notary Public Certified Notary Public Certified Loan Signing Agent

What is the best gift you can give Yourself and your Loved ones?

Join me on Zoom for an individual or group session on End of Life Planning.

Phone: 206.683.2636 Fax: 206.328.6428 E-mail: brenda@blackorchidenterprises.com "CONGRATULATIONS ON SIX YEARS OF WONDERFUL MUSIC!"

Create. Innovate. Relate Concepts in Spa Products Life & Business Mentoring Interior Design

Fatimah Mateen Owner

dfatimah@comcast.net (425) 652-2386 www.integritysolutions.online

GASTON GEAR

DESIGNER CLOTHES (702 ) 321-1561 gastongear@live.com Kent, WA

Proud to Support Let the Strings Speak Africa

The distance the children can see when they stand upon the shoulders of LET THE STRINGS SPEAK AFRICA

VCBynum Arts & Education Empowering Community through the Arts

3RD ANNUAL SHOW

Saturday, Dec 10, 2022 Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute WWW.WEINSPIREHUMANITY.ORG

Dance Class & Workshops in Bellevue South Bellevue Community Center 425.591.4685 www.vaniacbynum.com

Artists at the Center Performance The Armory Stage SEPTEMBER 28

ARE YOU READY TO SELL OR BUY?

Schedule your appointment today.

EVERY THING I TOUCH TURNS TO

SOLD

206.849.3747 WWW.THEPEOPLESCHOICE.NET PROUD TO SUPPORT LET THE STRINGS SPEAK AFRICA

THANK YOU

shoulders ON WHICH WE STAND

ASANTEWA ANTOBAM DEDRA BARROW HELEN BALDWIN SHAYLA BELEFORD​ Rudy Ann Beleford CELESTINE BERRYSMITH INDIGO BROWN ANGELINA & DAN BUNDY VIRGINIA DIFFENDAHL (In Memoriam) Elizabeth Diffendahl SIMONE DELANEY XAVIER & NOAH HILL Love GiGi JOSEPHINE HOWELL SUMI KIDO (In Memoriam) Jan Kido LUCILLE LEWIS Pam Bridges CHANTEL MIMMS ELYSE MIMMS LOVELL MIMMS Grandma MAFORI MOORE J. RUSSELL PATTERSON Greg Riding & family YOLANDA RICHARDSON BEVERLY SMABY CHARLES SMITH ZELA TERRY (In Memoriam) A renowned cellist who lived in

get vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone age 6 months and older.

Nice, France.

Wallis Tinnie PATRICIA VALENTINE BEN & DOROTHY WOODS

Free vendor opportunities. Contact Amanda Licorish at langston.institute@seattle.gov or call us at (206) 386-1177

Team Bundy is proud

Team Bundy

to support Let the Strings Speak Africa 2022!

Angelina & Dan L. Bundy, Brokers

Thanks to our Village of Support:

FRIENDS OF MAX