Tuesday, May 22, 2007

My Day Job

As some of you know, I work for AFS Intercultural Programs. This year is our 60th anniversary and AFS is undertaking an international petition. The purpose of the petition is to promote intercultural exchange as a path to greater world peace. The goal of the petition drive is to collect one million signatures, to be presented to the UN in a ceremony coinciding with the 60th anniversary celebrations this fall. Please join me and sign the petition drive at http://www.exchanges4peace.org to help create a new generation of global citizens. Thank you!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Art-A-Whirl Recap

For those of you who couldn't make it, here's a few memories from this year's AAW!

Our studio

Until the End

Bankrupt in Panama

Rabi & Jono

Outside the Q.arma Bldg

Friends from out of town

My sis Jess demonstrating glass etching

S'mores to close out the night.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Art-A-Whirl this Weekend

Don't forget! This coming weekend is Art-A-Whirl! Rabi will have work in 5 Northeast locations.

The event hours are as follows:
Friday, May 18 @ 5-10pm
Saturday, May 19 @ 12-8pm
Sunday, May 20 @ 12-5pm

Our studio will be open all weekend in the Q.arma Bldg.
1224 Quincy St NE Studio B25
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Look for the Big A again. And be sure to stop by on Saturday afternoon and evening. There will be live bands, movies after sundown, a BBQ and drinks. We are sponsoring the Kotou Danse Company, who will also be performing at 4pm. Check out the tentative entertainment schedule.

Rabi will have about 5 new pieces at the Frank Stone Gallery.
1224 2nd St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Preview Party: Thursday, May 17 @ 5-9pm (we will be there)
Group Show Reception: Friday, May 18 @ 7-10pm (we won't be there)
Open Gallery: Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20 @ 12-5pm
He will also have 4 pieces at Gallery 13.
302 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Along with other members of TAWU, Rabi will have 2 pieces at the Palm Court Restaurant.
2424 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

Please support NEMAA at its silent auction and bid on his piece "Union". All proceeds from his piece go to NEMAA and help out the arts district.
Northrup King Bldg
1500 Jackson St NE Room #332
Minneapolis, MN 55413

We will post updates as they become available. Please let us know if you need directions to any of these venues or more information. Invite your friends!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Drink and Be Merry

On Friday night, come and drink a Surly. Surly is made in the neighboring bode of Brooklyn Center. Although I've been to their brewery before, I managed to get seriously lost when attempting to pick up a few growlers this last weekend. Note to Omar and Todd, put your phone number on the growlers! Their brews are served in a few spots in NE that I'm aware of (331 Club, the Sample Room). Rabi and my favorite is the Bender, but we'll also have some Furious.

We will also have treats from Kenkayba's Place. We haven't been there in a few months, but I recently stopped by to say hey. WOW! What changes Cecilia and Emmanuel have made! And they now have a website. We won't have their famous fufu or banku, but rather finger foods like meat pies, plantains and fries.

Just don't forget the art!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Preview Issues of NEED

As at our studio opening reception, we will have preview issues of NEED magazine on hand. This includes the latest 2nd issue! If you subscribe using our exclusive Yarbi Design offer, you'll get 4 issues for $18 which is 33% off the normal subscription rate.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Bike Around Art-A-Whirl

Leave your water-guzzling camel at home and jump on your bike this weekend! Pick up your Northeast Arts District Bike Map at our studio and see all the sights to see via velo.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

l'etoile Magazine


Saturday night's festivities at the Q.arma Bldg are being sponsored by l'etoile magazine, a gorgeous new publication to hit the streets. Just as NEED Magazine documented humanitarian aid efforts in a beautiful way, l'etoile takes a similar photo-based spin. Benefits from your donations will go towards Altered Esthetics, a soon to be non-profit (cross your fingers!) gallery on the 1st floor. DJ Bach will be mixing techno "after" AAW hours and hip movies will be played outside in the yard.

Friday, May 11, 2007

AfricaNOW Artist in Residence Faustin Linyekula

Next week is a busy one for us! I don’t think we’ll be able to make this event since we’ll be at the Frank Stone Gallery Preview Party and the NEMAA Silent Auction Preview Party but I just wanted to alert you to a free 30-minute solo performance and reception with Congolese choreographer Faustin Linyekula.

Walker Art Center’s Gallery 4
May 17th @ 7-9pm
1750 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis , MN 55403
Open to the public - free

Linyekula and his ensemble cast Les Studios Kabako will return to the Twin Cities this fall to present Festival of Lies, November 1-3. He would very much like to include local musicians and performers in the final performance so is hoping to receive information about our local performance community during his visit.

If you or someone you know is a performer and would like to be considered as a participant, please mail dvds, and cds to:
Michèle Steinwald (Festival of Lies submissions)
c/o Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis , MN 55403
or send website addresses and links to:
michele.steinwald@walkerart.org

Read his interview in this month's edition of Mshale. Check out the Walker site for more information on this special event and Faustin Linyekula's artistic statement.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Tentative Entertainment Schedule

This is the schedule until further notice:

12pm: Bankrupt in Panama
1:30pm: Until the End
3pm: Jazz Mussell
4pm: Kotou Danse Company
6pm: The Sam Planet Group

There will also be fire-spinners, hair extensions and face painting during the day.

After dusk, there will be outdoor movies on the wall including Barnstormers and other cool flicks, grilling and a bonfire. DJ Bach will be mixing inside as well.

Coverage of "You of Little Faith"

It pays to Google yourself every now and then. I just found this article published in the Wake Student magazine about Rabi's winning piece at the Spiritual Art Festival.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Save the Date: Art-A-Whirl

This year's Art-A-Whirl promises to be a great event for us! What a difference a year makes...last year we were in our backyard trying to protect our pieces from a slight drizzle. This year, Rabi will have work in at least 4 Northeast locations. So mark your calendars and come on by!

The event hours are as follows:
Friday, May 18 @ 5-10pm
Saturday, May 19 @ 12-8pm
Sunday, May 20 @ 12-5pm

Our studio will be open all weekend in the Q.arma Bldg.
1224 Quincy St NE Studio B25
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Look for the Big A again. And be sure to stop by on Saturday afternoon and evening. There will be live bands, movies after sundown, a BBQ and drinks. The Kotou Danse Company will also be performing at 4pm. These events are sponsored by l’etoile magazine and Finnegan’s Irish Amber.

Rabi will have about 5 new pieces at the
Frank Stone Gallery.
1224 2nd St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Preview Party: Thursday, May 17 @ 5-9pm (we will be there)
Group Show Reception: Friday, May 18 @ 7-10pm (we won't be there)
Open Gallery: Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20 @ 12-5pm

Rabi will also have 2 pieces at the Palm Court Restaurant with other members of TAWU.
2424 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

Please support NEMAA at its silent auction and bid on his piece "Union". All proceeds from his piece go to NEMAA and help out the arts district.
Northrup King Bldg
1500 Jackson St NE Room #332
Minneapolis, MN 55413

We will post updates as they become available. Please let us know if you need directions to any of these venues or more information. Invite your friends!

Monday, May 07, 2007

Kôtou Danse

Many of you have seen William and others perform at some of our other shows (Books for Africa benefit, Dunn Bros reception, studio opening). Members of the Kotou Danse Company will be performing at the Art-A-Whirl this year. A bit more about the group:

Kôtou Danse
Traditional and Contemporary Music and Dance from the African Continent

Kôtou Danse is an international collaboration of diverse artists, dedicated to bringing the beauty and tradition of West African music and dance to the contemporary sensibilities of a global world. We specialize in traditional Ivorian dance , as well as contemporary West African dance, dance theater and traditional dance from many other West African cultures. Artistic director William Atchouellou, an accomplished dancer/choreographer from Cote D’Ivoire, has an extensive background of performance and art creation that spans the globe.

William, an internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer, has fifteen years of experience as a professional dancer with an emphasis in Afro-modern, contemporary and traditional West African dance styles. Originally from the Cote d’Ivoire, he was a member and Artistic Director of the Ten Zo Dance Company and has performed and taught throughout the U.S., Mexico and Europe. William created Kôtou Danse with a vision of bringing contemporary and traditional West African dance and drum to Minnesota through live performances, educational programs and dance classes.

Today, in collaboration with a diverse collection of international artists, Kôtou Danse is fulfilling William’s vision. Kôtou artists provide adult West African dance classes in Minneapolis/St. Paul, educate students about West African dance and music through an exciting interactive learning format and Kôtou Danse performs at numerous venues throughout the state and Midwest. Weekly company classes are currently held at Pillsbury House (35th and Chicago Ave in Minneapolis) on Tuesday nights from 6:30-8:20PM. In addition to William, numerous guests artists teach the class. We have been pleased to offer classes by Christian Adeti, N’Soroma James, and others.

Kôtou provides educational entertainment at an affordable price for schools, camps and community groups. Dance workshops, residencies, performances and lecture/demonstrations are all ways to spread knowledge about the traditions of West African music and dance. Students learn about the different instruments and the sounds they make to create the traditional rhythms. In a fun and interactive format, young people and adults alike can learn how music and dance work together in the West African tradition.

Kôtou Danse has performed all over the Minneapolis/St. Paul area at a variety of venues and events. We have delighted audiences at The Caponi Outdoor Amphitheater, The Southern Theater, Trocaderos, The Varsity Theater, Intermedia Arts, Landmark Center, and Peavey Plaza, among others. Our live performances feature skilled drumming and highly technical dance movements, accompanied by traditional instruments and song. There is always an element of theater and crowd participation in Kôtou ’s shows.

Currently, our company consists of William Atchouellou - artistic director, Pam Plagge, Tricia Adkins, Kenna Sarge, Foxy Gilley, Brent Clarke, Eric Coursen, Mat Dames, Ghana M’Baye*, Moses Brown*, Kierno Djoubate*, and Emmanuel Livingston**. Visit www.spiritdancemove.com for more complete information on the company members. We pride ourselves on the diverse background of our company members, some of whom have been studying traditional West African music and dance for years, and some of whom come from a modern dance background. Our musicians hail from Liberia, Guinea, Cote D’Ivoire, and the United States, and play a variety of traditional percussion and melodic instruments.

*guest artist, **apprentice

Kôtou Danse has an extensive repertoire, featuring and evening length work, Sans Visage, along with numerous traditional and contemporary works choreographed by William and other company members. Our goal is to continue to perform in professional venues across the state of Minnesota, the United States, and Canada.

For Booking Information Contact:
USA-Kenna Sarge
612-418-1646
Kenna@spiritdancemove.com

Canada/International - William Atchouellou
William@spiritdancemove.com

Sunday, May 06, 2007

The Labor Room

The Center for Independent Artists presents The Labor Room. Rabi won't be participanting in this show but will have his own exhibit there in August. But please go check it out!

The Labor Room will feature a three-day living exhibition featuring 25 visual artists as they transform inspiration into art in a variety of media including ceramic barrel firing, screen-printing, oil and acrylic painting, photographic processes, sculpture and drawing.

Center for Independent Artists
Located inside the Instituto de Cultura y Educacion
4137 Bloomington Avenue South
South Minneapolis, MN 55407

Open Studio
Friday & Saturday, May 11 & 12 @ 4-9PM
Sunday, May 13 @ 1-6PM
Suggested Donation: $5

Artwork will be exhibited in the Mira gallery.
Exhibition
Tuesday, May 15 - Saturday, June 16

Reception
Friday, May 18 @ 7- 10 PM

For more information call 612-724-8392 or visit http://www.c4ia.org.