Philadelphia, PA – 02/05/14 – Poetry En Motion: New Year Salutations & Celebrations – The Rotunda

Kalamandir will be one of the featured artists in this month's Poetry En Motion.

Wednesdays
Feb 5th, April 2nd & June 4th!

From 7-10pm (except June/11:30pm)
@ The Rotunda 4014 Walnut Street, West Philly, PA 19104
www.therotunda.org!
A FREE community event (but donations are always appreciated)!

This ongoing seasonal event series features a variety of dance/movement/theater mediums, live electronic/acoustic music, vocalists & poetry/spoken-word presentations, circus/fire/flow arts performances, community art creations, live painting & VJ projections…
Plus an Open Mic/Stage & Jam Sessions!
(Sign up Begins & Doors Open @ 7pm)


Featured acts include…

February 5th: Lunar New Year Salutations & Celebrations!

• Bill Fieger- This marks my 35th year as a guitar player. When I started this
Journey I had no idea where it would take me. As a teenager my dreams of playing in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal bands came true how cool is that? After I got tired of playing in rock bands I decided on a more personal approach to music. Composing electronic music under the name Oblivious Solitude. Later I was performing and recording with Heather Lind as Stares to Nowhere. I’ve also performed with Mike Hunter as Mayakara, as well as recording and performing solo acoustic music, sometimes modifying and creating new instruments to take the music to new places.

facebook.com/william.fieger.39


• Shannon Hayden-a classically trained cellist who has never been content
to stay strictly within the confines of the traditional course of study. Having achieved early success in competitions both at home and abroad she quickly began to experiment with other forms of music as well as other instruments. Working with renowned cellists such as Janos Starker and Aldo Parisot, with whom she began a graduate level course of study at the age of 18 at the Yale School of Music, did not keep her from playing lead guitar in rock and experimental bands or writing music for electric cello. She feels that musicians who want to consider themselves artists should go beyond mere craftsmanship and constantly look to expand the repertoire of their instrument, fulfilling the needs of the era within which they actively participate. When not performing her own pieces, Shannon focuses on 20th century and contemporary works and has enjoyed working with composers Ezra Laderman, David Lang, percussionist/composer Andy Akiho and tours occasionally with Eric Genuis. Having completed her studies she is currently supporting her first album with shows around the United States and hopes to meet other artists with similar interests whose focus is continuing to stretch the boundaries of virtuosic classical music by embracing technologies which she feels are underutilized. Shannon also shares her parent’s passion for sustainable living and alternative energy and spends as much time as she can at the family's off the grid organic vegetable farm.

shannonleehayden.com


• Kalamandir Dance Company- a contemporary dance ensemble that
uses the vocabulary of classical Indian dance to explore new spaces of artistic expression. Instead of diminishing the foundation of our classical styles, we look to investigate their communicative potential when merged with Western dance traditions. Using Odissi, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Capoeira, Flamenco, Modern and Ballet training, our dancers collaboratively converse with movement and create dialogue with expression. We are driven by creativity, human emotions, and a desire to be released from the four walls of our daily existence. Our movement vocabulary is a collective effort that aims to create a reachable area for all people to participate and communicate. Artistic Director, Malabika Guha presents the piece “The Love That Remains”. Based on the Portuguese word “saudades,” this piece explores the fervent state of longing by channeling the painful sweetness of remembering a loved one from whom we have been separated while reveling in the joy that they may return (see link above for more info).

kalamandirdanceco.com


• Kaleema Poles- her natural creativity comes with focus, inspiration &
discipline. She loves using natural or recycled materials in most of her Jewelry, Visual & Fashion Art with inspiration coming from life cycles, family, culture, spirits, friends, dreams, the earth & sky.

etsy.com/Kaleema

• Oriental Fitness Institute- (T’ai Chi Chuan Demonstration) Its philosophy
is dedicated to helping people implement and maintain a healthy lifestyle. By providing information about different kinds of exercise and diet we design a program to meet each individual's specific needs. We draw on the wisdom and practices of both ancient and modern traditions. East & West Come Together To Maximize Health & Well-being.
orientalfitnessinstitute.com

• Plum Dragoness (a.k.a. Gabrielle de Burke) - Native to West
Philadelphia, Plum is a multi-talented thespian, dancer, martial artist, instructor, poetess and writer who has been involved with performing arts since childhood. She is known for her poetic style, vocal performance, fire dance, flow arts and choreographic flair throughout Philadelphia and abroad. Over the past 15 years, she as toured not only as a solo artist but also as founding member/core performer/assistant artistic director with groups like Archedream & Be Tru Dance Crew among many others. She has also independently released 2 albums of original work with the project Plum Dragoness & the Elements, known for its fusion of multi-media, live world beat musical infusions & spoken word vocals & lyrical poetry. Currently, she’s in collaboration with a music project known as the trio, The Femme-mynistiques. Since 2007, she’s been a resident performance artist & organizer for this ongoing community arts series @ The Rotunda known as Poet-tree En Motion.

plumdragoness.com

• Text Rich (a.k.a. Ali Richardson)- an artist of many talents and gifts. His musical mastery includes working with traditional acoustic and electric
instruments such as djimbe, guitar, bass, piano, drums, and more. His range of vocal interpretation covers singing, emceeing, beat boxing, scatting, and performing poetry. Text Rich’s musical background started with Hip Hop music as it developed through the 80’s and 90’s and once introduced to the guitar he took to learning blues, jazz, rock, and funk. He brings all these elements of music and expression to the stage, to classrooms where he teaches music, and in the community as a known griot/troubadour openly sharing musical inspirations with others. Known well in the community as Ali Richardson, Text enjoys spending a large portion of his time creating musical learning experiences for all ages. He is also committed to providing quality educational experiences for youth through workshops and classroom education.

reverbnation.com/textrichmusicrich

• VJ Spooky (Space Pirates, I♥ Industrial, Stimulate, Smack)-is a
Philadelphia based VJ that enhances a multimedia experience for various events and has worked with such acts as Axwell, Laidback Luke, Headhunters and Steve Aoki.

facebook.com/vjspooky

March 2nd & 8th: Community Outreach Workshops!
Dance/Movement, Poetry/Song Writing & Theater Arts
(Pay What You Can/Suggested donation $5-20)
Follow Event for details: facebook.com/events/425380820927264

April 2nd: Spring Rites & Femme-mynistique Fundraising Plights!

June 4th: Summer Festivities & Plum Dragoness Fundraising Activities!

To keep Updated on Coming Events …
Join the Facebook Group for Poet-tree En Motion (facebook.com/groups/116980678334215)!