KOKAYI is a multi-talented musician, poet, and MC. His unusual musicality and his show-stopping freestyle skills breathe fresh air into hip hop. Working steadily with his band Opus Akoben and jazz artist Steve Coleman, Kokayi has toured the world and recorded several collaborations, including A Tale of 3 Cities, The Way of the Cipher and Myths, Modes and Means.
Lemon is a critically acclaimed and award-winning author, actor, and poet. He was an original cast member of the TONY award winning Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and Spike Lee’s Sucker Free City, She Hate Me, and Inside Man. His new work The Beautiful Struggle is being developed by Elise Thoron at The American Place Theatre.
JLove Calderon is an educator, activist, feminist, and author motivated by issues of identity, culture, hip hop and human rights. She is co-producer of the We Got Issues! National Arts and Civic Engagement Tour, author of two books, We Got Issues! A Young Woman’s Guide to a Bold, Courageous, and Empowered Life and That White Girl.
Will Power is an award-winning actor, rapper, playwright, and one of the foremost leaders in Hip Hop Theater garnering the 2006 Lucille Lortel Award for his play, The Seven, the 2004 Jury Award at the HBO/US Comedy Arts Festival and a 2004 Drama Desk nomination. Mr. Power deftly walks the line between serious, studied actor and urban hip hop MC.
Caridad De La Luz, aka La Bruja rocks the mic as a poet, playwright, actor, spoken word diva, and MC. Her work is infused with the spirit of resistance, revolution, and pride. This dynamic, gifted performer infuses hip-hop and reggaeton with her irresistible blend of potent intelligence, hot sensuality and lyrical skill.
David Donatien, Pier Faccini and Herman Dune
This Paris-born Israeli folk singer of Tunisian decent has a distinctively global perspective. After a decade of classical piano lessons, Yael Naim teamed up with West Indian producer David Donatien, who encouraged her to use her vocal gifts in her native language of Hebrew. In addition to creating the Billboard hit, “New Soul,” together they dared to cover Britney Spears’ pop hit, “Toxic,” and artfully transformed it into a sensual ballad. Her current album, Yael Naim, is the first Israeli solo release to be a Top 10 hit in the United States.
International phenomenon Piers Faccini stunned the London scene a decade ago when he began transforming his moving poetry into intense acoustic compositions. He effortlessly blends African rhythms, folk and rock sensibilities, and heart-wrenching lyrics to create unique emotional dialogues with his audiences. His latest album is Tearing Sky.
Though based in Paris, Herman Dune’s musical family tree extends to Brooklyn, Sweden, Berlin, and the UK. With deep roots in the anti-folk scene of New York City and the longtime support of BBC Radio’s late John Peel, the charming and hirsute duo of David-Ivar Herman Dune (vocals/guitar) and Neman Herman Dune (drums/percussion), have developed a devoted underground following since the legendary band formed nearly a decade ago. Herman Dune’s 2nd US EP out this year, 1-2-3/Apple Tree, (Everloving 6.24) is another bite-size dose of their catchy, off-kilter pop. “Perfect mixtape fodder,” said Pitchfork. The title track to their previous EP release, I Wish That I Could See You Soon, was a year-end Top 100 song for Rolling Stone.
Special thanks to Dor Chadash for promotional support for our June 22 event.
Posted on June 19, 2008 by D. Bell