Posted by Ariel Sim

Once a year, the United Nations Association puts on an annual meeting event. This year, the theme is ‘Tucson:City of Refuge’ and is highlighting both the refugee populations in Tucson and the general, larger immigrant community. Tucson is a place where people come for various reasons, but we’re all able to grow, heal, and work together to solve some of the region’s issues (and maybe change the world just a little bit). We’ve still got a lot of mountains to climb, but these events try to highlight what good is already being done and what the next challenges are.

The keynote speaker will be Jeffrey Cornish, Executive Director of the IRC (International Rescue Committee), one of the largest refugee organizations here in town. Uzoamaka Nwankpa, a health practitioner and artist, will give a personal testimonial of her immigration story from Nigeria, highlighting her work with the IRC and Tucson arts community. She’ll be sharing some of her wonderful dancing and movement also. Finally, Richard Noel from Sticks and Fingers will be playing smooth Caribbean steel drums during the banquet buffet.

The tickets are $25 a person and include lunch, speakers and entertainment. There will also be a raffle. People who support the cause but cannot go themselves can sponsor someone to go in their place: a refugee, a student, or a UNICEF store volunteer. Partial sponsorships are also great, but I’d really like to get YOU there.

The UN association is really trying to reach out and engage a larger audience here in Tucson, so come out and enjoy the event! Good people, good music, good food.

The event is next Saturday, May 18th, at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, starting at 1130AM. RSVP by May 15 Ariel Sim  at 480-203-0039 or message me on Facebook!

Edited by Uzo.

I accepted a new position as a Nurse Consultant supporting new moms and their babies. It has been a huge accomplishment for me as well as a new and exciting challenge. I visited Denver CO for training and I managed to get a few other nurses to join me in dancing “Kaka” Togolese style with the lovely and talented Koffi.

On April 12th, my partner and I got to host the Hey Baby art against sexual violence which was an amazing experience of art, and performance and activism.

On April 13th I got to see Fela live and I was in tears the entire time. I loved the show, the dancing was phenomenal, all black girls who look like me and dance like me and Nigeria is the topic. WOW. Lovely birthday gift.

April 19th Afri-Can Benefit We got to dance, sing, tell educational tales to raise funds for children in Senegal who happen to be orphans

April 22nd I got to dance with a room full of 3, 4 and 5 yr olds and they were phenomenal. Their teacher was well versed in many topics around Africa. She had them make some art with the colors of the country and they sang the Yoruba welcome song. They signed while they sang and the counted to ten in Swahili. It was impressive. We drummed, we danced, we sang. I love working with children, they fuel me.

April 24 Take Back the Night Tucson- This was by far the most involved I have been involved in a community event such as this. The planning committee consisted of a few passionate folks and supportive agencies. I got to play music and facilitate healing movements right after the event. The children came up right away and danced. I loved the shift of energy and it was completely healing for me too.

We had Bongos, Congas, Djembes, Singer, poet and a Native American flutist

April 26th My Birthday- This year was completely fabulous. I got to facilitate the one billion rising choreography to people of the community. It was highly emotional AND THE BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT. I then off to Sonoita Vineyards for the weekend.

April 28th Cyclovia- Tucson closed down streets to experience the outdoors and create a safe fun space for all on wheels. We got to dance on bicycles and drum in the streets. So much fun

Our presence at Cyclovia was funded in part by Kresge P.L.A.C.E. IV grant, administered through Tucson Pima Arts Council.

Finally, April 29th, I co facilitated a lecture on the healing of the drum and music of indigenous people co presented with Dr Praise Zenega of the U of A School of Africana Studies. It was great to get feedback from the students.

Its been an amazing month. Don’t forget to check out the calendar if you want to be a part of the adventure. Next Month, there are a few events you do not want to miss.

The first time I ventured into the town, we received so much love. This 2nd time around, it was similar.

A man told me ” You left an essence in the room the last time you were here and it shows up every time we play our drums”

A lady said to me” Have your driven through? have you seen the border? pretty intense.

We danced and and we played and we drummed and we sang and we prayed for all to feel this joy, to believe in life again

To be awakened

To continue the fight

We got undressed

removed the the body and were floating the highs of the pure spirit

I am truly honored to hear the voices of those lost

The ancestry will not be forgotten

Uzo

I asked a few volunteers to self report their perceived stress and energy levels before and after the intervention.

Objectifying my intuition

The ladies in action, (bunk mates, room mates, camp mates)

One of many great views

Having one of tha best banana breads ever

Tarot-(Ede in igbo, coc in Yoruba, Tarrot in certain parts of the Congo)

When I arrived, I had to capture the room with all its incredible energy, its hard to believe what happens in this room

It was an amazing experience and I was delighted that camp participants absolutely embraced this crazy idea of collecting empirical data to assess energy and stress levels pre and post the Uzo Method session.

But first, the Nigerian dance experience was delightful. Akeem is Yoruba and I am Igbo. Together, we are WaZoBia (Without the Zo) This fusion of Igbo and Yoruba dance is an innovative way for community to find similarities in culture to blend and to be one. After all  that”s what MAMA AFRICA would want. Enjoy.

Blissesd out after dancing Sule on the right

After dinner, outside enjoying the breeze with Akeem and Makaya

The final class by Vivien- totally rocked the house

The Uzo Method Project got mixed into the drum and dance camp community. We danced, we sang, we stretched, guided imagery was used, spirits invoked and voila….magic happens. Photos by Ingrid Martin

Now the results.

Below is a very simple picture of what happened. We already know that music and movement increase endorphins and reduce stress hormones keeping us healthy I asked 10 participants to volunteer to give me feedback about their experience.

Bar Graph that depicts the change in energy and stress levels

95% of the participants had an increase in energy levels

75% of the participants had a decrease in stress levels

 Amazing results. 

Check us out at http://www.theuzo.com

Uzo will be facilitating moves for the one billion rising. By participating you are showing the world that violence against women and girls is the central issue of our time and will no longer be tolerated. Your involvement will help send the message that this movement is an unstoppable global force.

Together, we will shake the world on 14 February 2013, demanding an end to violence against women and girls around the world! Below is the choreography but now worries Uzo will be facilitating the moves on Feb. 14th see you then.

Introducing the Dance Project Board Members – a driving force behind Dance Project! We asked a few of the board members to give us an idea of their role with the Dance Project and who they are in the wider community.

Lee Stringfellow

Dance Project: How long have you been on the Dance Project Board of Directors and what is your role?

Lee Stringfellow: I just joined the Board, and I’m so glad to be part of it! Since I’m new to the board I am not sure what role I will have, but I’m sure it’s gonna be fun!

DP: What is the most rewarding part of serving on Dance Project Board of Directors? Most challenging?

LS: Dance Project  is so important in so many ways…for me, it gives so many people here the opportunity to dance, to appreciate and to learn about dance. The fact that we give people the opportunity to dance, who normally couldn’t. It’s about giving someone a dream. Challenging? Ask me again in a year, but I’m sure I’ll say, “money”.

DP: Tell us a little bit more about yourself – where you were born, what you do, pets…

LS: I grew up in a small town in West-Central Georgia, and went to school there. I own Prive’ Salon in the Cultural District, Downtown, for the past 16 years, and have been a dancer in a touring company, Director of in-flight training for a regional airline, and hairdresser. I have a dog, Oscar.

DP: Favorite artistic hobby?

LS:  DUH. DANCE. Anyway I can.

DP: Favorite thing to do around the Triad?

LS:  The community theaters in the Triad are some of the best I’ve ever seen. I’ve enjoyed seeing, supporting, and being in some of the best, most professional productions around.

DP: You are given two free tickets to any show/concert/play. What do you go see and who do you take with you?

LS: 2 tickets are NOT ENOUGH! Recently, I saw the production “SLEEP NO MORE” in NYC. It was the MOST PROFOUND PIECE OF MODERN DANCE I HAVE EVER SEEN. Based on Macbeth, simultaneous scenes covering three warehouses, audience members wear masks, following and interacting with characters throughout. It was like Tim Burton meets ‘Twin Peaks’ meets ‘The Shining’… it was like waking though a dream… and NOT yours. Google it. I dare ya!

Sarah Vincent

Dance Project: How long have you been on the Dance Project Board of Directors and what is your role?

Sarah Vincent: I have been on the board almost 12 years. I help with events and various graphic design needs including the new logo, ads, promotional items etc. I design and put together the program for the Greensboro Festival.

DP: Why were you interested in joining Dance Project Board of Directors?

SV: I joined the Board because though not a dancer myself my mother was. She introduced me to modern dance years ago and being on the board is a way to continue her love and support of dance. My experiences on the board are something I can share with her. As with most of the arts, dance struggles to survive. The Dance Project is important to me as a means of making sure there is dance for any and everyone who is interested in the cultural health of our community.

DP: What is the most rewarding part of serving on Dance Project Board of Directors? Most challenging?

SV: Having been on the board for so long I find it very rewarding to see the progress that has been made in the quality of the Festival and the growth of the school. We’ve finally made the leap into the 21st century by embracing new ways to communicate with the community via a new web site and social media. By far the most challenging aspect is coming up with ways to attract the attention and support of donors.

DP: Tell us a little bit more about yourself – where you were born, what you do, pets..

SV: I basically grew up in North Carolina. Went to Pratt Institute in NYC, Cranbrook Academy of Art in Detroit, UNC-G and NCSU-plus various craft schools such as Penland in the NC mountains. I am a textile designer for Culp Inc. headquartered in High Point since 1985.

DP: Favorite artistic hobby?

SV: I can’t stop taking pictures. Got my first camera 53 years ago and have taken pictures ever since. Had my own B/W darkroom for several years. Have always been fascinated by old pictures and recently began restoring them.

Amanda Diorio

Dance Project: How long have you been on the Dance Project Board of Directors and what is your role?

Amanda Diorio: I have only recently joined the board of the Dance Project.  I officially joined in January 2012 and so far my role has been to provide feedback as a teacher in the school and a member of the local dance community.

DP: Why were you interested in joining Dance Project Board of Directors? Why is Dance Project important to you?

AD: I had never thought about joining the board until I received an invitation last year. I was honored by the invitation and once the idea was put in my head I thought it would be a great way to become more involved with a project I already care a great deal about. The Dance Project is important to me because it is helping to support the art of dance and the dance community in Greensboro.  These are things we need to expand, and the Dance Project  has done a great job so far in this regard and I hope we can continue to do so in the future.

DP: What is the most rewarding part of being on Dance Project Board of Directors? The most challenging?

AD: I find the most rewarding aspect of being on the board is that we make things happen, creating numerous dance opportunities in the community.  I love to choreograph because it is making something out of nothing.  The Dance Project does this also; we create classes, events and performances that were not there before.  The most challenging aspect is getting the word out about what we are doing. The community needs to know more about what we do and us.

DP: Tell us a little bit more about yourself – where you were born, what you do, pets…

AD: I grew up in the suburbs south of Boston where I studied acting, music, dance and gymnastics. After graduating from my local high school I went on to Temple University where I received my BFA in Dance in 2002.  Later I went on to get my MFA in Choreography from UNC- Greensboro in 2010. I teach dance for a living in many places.  I am an adjunct faculty member at UNCG, Elon University and Salem College.  I also teach adult and youth classes at The Dance Project: School at City Arts and do a lot of guest teaching at High Schools and studios in NC, SC and VA.  I very much enjoy teaching in so many diverse learning environments and meeting students with various abilities and backgrounds.  It helps me remember that every student is an individual and that as a teacher I need to be open to what the students’ needs are. I have 2 kitties, Peter and Sasha and a 3 year old dog named Jezabel.  They are so sweet and I love to spend time with them.  In my spare time I love to read and watch The Closer while they snuggle with me.  My husband and I love to go out to eat and watch dramatic TV shows like The Wire and Dexter.

DP: What is your favorite artistic hobby (or one that you wish you were good at!)?

AD: I always joke that I am a dancer only because I could not be a singer but it’s the truth.  If I were given the gift of song I would have definitely tried my hand at being a rock star or a triple threat on Broadway but alas dancing seemed to be my strong point.  I love working in musical theater because it combines three of my great loves, movement, music and acting into one and I enjoy seeing myself and others rise to the challenge of doing all 3 well.

Thanks to these board members for sharing a bit of themselves with us!  Are you interested in volunteering, interning, or joining the Board of the Dance Project?  Send us an email: danceprojectinc@gmail.com.  

Coming soon on the blog: A preview of the 12-13 Festival season!  Stay tuned…