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
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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!"
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The distance the children can see when they stand upon the shoulders of LET THE STRINGS SPEAK AFRICA
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3RD ANNUAL SHOW
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Artists at the Center Performance The Armory Stage SEPTEMBER 28
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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
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Thanks to our Village of Support:
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