From Tanzania...To Brooklyn (BUY TIX HERE)

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR DEC 8th EVENT HERE:

Ticket Prices

Regular $20.00 VIP $100.00

In 1969, founder of the Black Panther Party in Kansas City, Pete O'Neal, was facing imprisonment on trumped up charges from the FBI.

Over 40 years in exile later, his wife and fellow former member of the Black Panthers, Charlotte "Mama C" O'Neal touches down in Brooklyn for a night of poetry and music with poets and filmmakers from Lisa Russell's upcoming documentary film, MYTH OF THE MOTHERLAND. Film clips from our visit to the O'Neals community center this past summer will also be shown.

Hosted by Carlos Andrés Gómez and beats by DJ Stone, this night will feature some of the best spoken word poetry from Tanzania to Brooklyn!

Tickets: $20 Regular/$100 VIP (includes dinner with Mama C) Profits benefit the O'Neal's UAACC Community Center and production costs for MYTH OF THE MOTHERLAND.

Visit www.mythofthemotherland.com

There is limited space. Tickets are first come, first served. There will be no ticket sales at the door.

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For more information, email Lisa Russell at lisa@governessfilms.com
For information about UAACC, visit www.uaacc.habari.co.tz/
For more information about MYTH OF THE MOTHERLAND, visit www.mythofthemotherland.com

Poem 1 (By Tahani)

Like a piano lesson
Patience Passion and Poise
There is a woman’s in the distance
with words written down her face
that I can barley see them
I can close my eyes and see a reel of life’s dedication play for me
I know one day I will have to thank her
for teaching me to listen to the stories of my heart beats
I am grateful for blinking eyes and gods kiss of faith
I know I will be the one standing
When it happens
when chaos enters the room
I will be the one to protect her me you and us
Wind will force pockets of wisdom to live lifetimes in my blood stream
I am not vain
Nor
God complex
I am pen, paper and hope
I am no Barack Obama
Obama is no Barack Obama
To be honest
I cry when I think why really write
There is a chair that sits facing a wall in a corner
where no one looks
Like a neglected child
We scream words
That takes shape
Into bullets piercing the chest of the un-kissed by god
I am the sun rising
For those mother whose sons will never rise
This is an anthem
Of sunsets in thunder quacks
Of heart beats of a people
I write poems
I write to keep from going insane
I write poems so people know that I am sane
I write to keep my tears from falling
I write to keep your tears from existing

We're off to POETRY AFRICA!!!

Check us out at Poetry Africa - the largest poetry gathering on the African continent. Kesed, Tahani, Carlos and Lisa will be representing NYC and MYTH OF THE MOTHERLAND.

Click here for more info: http://www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/images/pa/PA2008/img/PA2008-catalogue1.pdf

Pictures from Liberia (Luke Nephew - Liberia)