Travel helps me speak from a place of experience, even if that experience is as a visitor. Helps me to be better able to teach from a solid point of reference. Check out the pictures, then scroll down to the programming!
Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa!
Havana, Cuba!
Utuado, Puerto Rico!
Paris, France!
(A brief layover coming out of West Africa, allowed me a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower’s phenomena!)
Alaska!
Alaska on a cruise ship, while dialyzing a few of the passengers. How awesome is that? #nursebarbara
In Mobile, Alabama costuming for “An Ocean In My Bones” written and directed by Cleveland’s Own, Terrence Spivey
My affection for sewing led to costuming. “Ma’afa” was staged in Cleveland, Ohio at historic Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. The Netflix documentary “Descendants” is the basis for “An Ocean In My Bones” which was staged in February 2023 in Africatown, a community in Mobile, Alabama where the Clotilda, the last known remaining slaveship, was found. Thanks to the Clotilda Descendants Association!
Costuming for “Ma’afa” at historic Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, in Cleveland, Ohio. Also written and directed by Cleveland’s own Terrence Spivey
So, what have I done with the cultural learning? Well, some of it becomes instructional, and some of it becomes multi-generational dance and movement!
My dance focus is rooted in African dance with primarily West African drum, African popular music such as Fela Kuti, African choirs such as Soweto Gospel, contemporary African American gospel, and historic Negro Spirituals accompanying. Dances/Ministries have been shared at churches, at Lakeside Conference Center, Southpointe Hospital (Cleveland Clinic), Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Tri-C Metro Campus, Lorain County Community College, MetroHealth Systems, East Cleveland Public Library, Karamu House, East Cleveland Theater, and Case Western Reserve’s Eldred Theater. (And yes, children can be quick learners! Not only the dance movements, but the history as well. See below!)
Black History lectures and demonstrations for students!
Complete with the grindstone setup to demonstrate pounding black-eyed peas and other foods by hand. He was like, “they don’t have blenders?” You ARE the blender!
