Curious, writing continually, drawing, new design projects, but not a great interest in blogging these days. Not feeling as if I want to draw people into my creative journey except when it comes to the finished work. In the past month, I've been intensely working on Beatnik Cafe and discovering a lot of new dimensions to the work. I've been working with a good cast and a solid director Debra Whitfield. Post the 11 April show i went back and reworked the script based on some suggestions and feedback. A far more solid show in this incarnation with a more fluid time line. The characters not cutout figures but real flesh and blood folks ... Jack Kerouac as a genuine person who was innocent and naive, who loved jazz and life, and then drowned in fame. I was very pleased with my script and the show in Boston.
Creative projects in the next six months
Celebrate Life! Absurd & delightful - CD of stories, music, and poems.
Vermont My Home: Vol 1 Stories, music and poems that celebrate the Green Mountain state.
On the Island of Binga Bonga: Tio Namaya children's stories.This is already on my home co
Jazz Mu - Jazz Avante garde stories - Murder in the Cathedral of Love.
*** Not to sound maniX, but I have about six good CD length work that I've been struggling to figure out how to get the work out. I have so much material and stories
Beatnik Cafe
Shooting a studio quality video of this show. Also, seeing if there is a producer or promoter who wants to take this on. It really has turned into a very solid show.
Love Tap - Available at www.namayaproductions.com - Appearing as an MP3 file for download and as an I-phone application. Positive messages, secular, focusing on celebrating life.
Four Prophets: Jesus, Mohamed, Moses and Satan meet in a public restroom. It is a play and installation project
$680 Billion Dollar Penis Project Wall Art that illustrated how much the US and other countries spend on the military.
Coming back to Vermont, guests at the end of the week, new assistant/ associate for the web and the projects. I need this quiet space to work and dream again.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
minor chords
key of Q
screaming violet
iNdigo…
who was never one to suffer
the indignation
of a Question that
lingered
like
rain in a puddle.
Q
like a key to
a world in side
of the rarely
spoken
laughter of a relative
sixth
V
violent shades
of indigo
whispered like a
siren waiting dockside
for the sailors from
the sixth fleet.
the allurement of
love in the guise of
desire
vermillion cool
v bop – voutee mo’
Bach in a fugue
falling to a simple
gracious
f minor.
curious to wind up
in the room where
the F minor was
lounging in a peignoir
a slatternly
amorous amalgam
of Blues basted with
be bop thrilling
arpeggios and slow
roasted in the savory
stew of an unresolved
32 bar blues… E7
to A then a minor B
in the transcendent key
of desire.
When the Bird and I would
jam, him rifting in the seductive
shadows of heroin,
and I in the garden tending
lilacs and poppies, hearing rooms
imagined with the sweet ascension.
Was he talking to god?
Did he imagine god as a lover,
seen, but never held.
Peonies purple, lilac,
luscious
plump
a juicy ripe C brimming
delightful with the
possibility of redemption.
Cheery, bright without
any of the existential
angst of minor chords - -
fragmented shards of
atonal rifts…
Coltrane make rapturous
l
o
v
e
with the goddess of memory.
Memory
god and the divine
we draw sustenance
from.
Not poppies nor Lethe,
we are not absolved
by bathing in Styxs
memory
desire
love
a blues in
one
four
five
flat the seventh
and open the
soul to the
seventh house
love is the
transcendent
note
alpha
omega
and
key of Q
querulous
little bugger.
to give
to love
to surrender.
Quom.
Q
Kwa
Notes in
the key of Q.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Mi Amor
we’ve had a tempestuous
relationship over these years…
much love and tenderness,
intimacies unimagined.
our love and love making
voracious and savage…
passionate,
sotto voce,
much kindness.
voyages to the
inner sanctum of memory.
journeys to the
periphery of imagination.
mi amor,
mi poesia,
mi alma.
relationship over these years…
much love and tenderness,
intimacies unimagined.
our love and love making
voracious and savage…
passionate,
sotto voce,
much kindness.
voyages to the
inner sanctum of memory.
journeys to the
periphery of imagination.
mi amor,
mi poesia,
mi alma.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Peacable Domain
kings of old would be jealous.
emperor’s fortunes envious.
no standing armies to keep,
no widows mourn and weep.
in my dominion, no need for war.
violence, a tale from days of yore.
so peaceful some would be bored
with the sounds of pleasant snores.
every child loved and well cared
not a whisper of lonely despair.
not an ache or worry to fear,
someone to care for each tear.
in our peaceable dominion of love
we’re graced by the power of love
emperor’s fortunes envious.
no standing armies to keep,
no widows mourn and weep.
in my dominion, no need for war.
violence, a tale from days of yore.
so peaceful some would be bored
with the sounds of pleasant snores.
every child loved and well cared
not a whisper of lonely despair.
not an ache or worry to fear,
someone to care for each tear.
in our peaceable dominion of love
we’re graced by the power of love
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Grace Cares Update
“A girl from Chestnut Ridge inspires hope in Dominican Republic”
Grace Goldberg-Springer a twelve-year-old girl from Chestnut Ridge means it when she says she believes in taking action to help other people. Grace began helping children in La Lomita an impoverished community in the Dominican Republic when she was 10. For her 10th birthday, she asked her friends not to bring her presents, but instead school supplies to help the approximately 100 school age children who live there. Her commitment to the community did not stop there. This year Grace is in the process of raising $1,500 by making and selling necklaces and earrings to start an egg business in La Lomita. This will help the community become more economically sustainable. Part of the proceeds will support and feed the poorest people in the community.
Grace learned about La Lomita through GRACE Cares a 5013C not-for profit founded by her aunt Dr. Zoe Kopp, uncle Dr. T. Namaya and cousin Ken Giancola. The acronym for the organization is: Growth, Resources, Action, Community, Empowerment. The not-for-profit helps with small sustainable community development projects that assist poor communities to become self- sufficient.
La Lomita and surrounding communities are some of the poorest on the island with a lack of food, education, clean drinking water, high birthrates, lack of employment, and a host of on-ongoing needs. With the participation of the local community and Dominican project leader Ruben Ottenwald it was decided to start a small enterprise of raising chickens to produce eggs for the children as well as for sale. This project will provide both health and economic benefits to the community.
This past week Grace Springer-Goldberg traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet the people of La Lomita, and help build the chicken coop that will hold 100 chickens. Her experience at the farm at Green Meadow School in Chestnut Ridge prepared her to help not only with the building of the coop, but enabled her to share her knowledge of growing beans and tomatoes.
While in the Dominican Republic, Grace participated in meetings with community leaders to review future projects, which will include the formation of a local community non-governmental organization and an agriculture cooperative. Grace said, “We must continue to focus on helping people help themselves.” The people of La Lomita were inspired and grateful that someone so young from so far away had done so much to assist them.
Grace Goldberg-Springer a twelve-year-old girl from Chestnut Ridge means it when she says she believes in taking action to help other people. Grace began helping children in La Lomita an impoverished community in the Dominican Republic when she was 10. For her 10th birthday, she asked her friends not to bring her presents, but instead school supplies to help the approximately 100 school age children who live there. Her commitment to the community did not stop there. This year Grace is in the process of raising $1,500 by making and selling necklaces and earrings to start an egg business in La Lomita. This will help the community become more economically sustainable. Part of the proceeds will support and feed the poorest people in the community.
Grace learned about La Lomita through GRACE Cares a 5013C not-for profit founded by her aunt Dr. Zoe Kopp, uncle Dr. T. Namaya and cousin Ken Giancola. The acronym for the organization is: Growth, Resources, Action, Community, Empowerment. The not-for-profit helps with small sustainable community development projects that assist poor communities to become self- sufficient.
La Lomita and surrounding communities are some of the poorest on the island with a lack of food, education, clean drinking water, high birthrates, lack of employment, and a host of on-ongoing needs. With the participation of the local community and Dominican project leader Ruben Ottenwald it was decided to start a small enterprise of raising chickens to produce eggs for the children as well as for sale. This project will provide both health and economic benefits to the community.
This past week Grace Springer-Goldberg traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet the people of La Lomita, and help build the chicken coop that will hold 100 chickens. Her experience at the farm at Green Meadow School in Chestnut Ridge prepared her to help not only with the building of the coop, but enabled her to share her knowledge of growing beans and tomatoes.
While in the Dominican Republic, Grace participated in meetings with community leaders to review future projects, which will include the formation of a local community non-governmental organization and an agriculture cooperative. Grace said, “We must continue to focus on helping people help themselves.” The people of La Lomita were inspired and grateful that someone so young from so far away had done so much to assist them.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Community Development in San Jose DR
Over the past few days in San Jose section about twenty minutes from Santiago. At Ruben and Anna Marie's place with all of their kids and extended family, always someone is around, Viejo, Andres, Pablito, and the girls Roselita and Naomi. Feels like our extended family, food prepared, house open, and of course it is a two way street. But so value their open, gracious hospitality.
Over the weekend with Frederico and Fatima and their kids, with Theresa and her family, so much fun. DR is always about family and friends. Americans would have freaked out, we had shown up with a group of maybe ten people, Frederico and his families opened their arms wide. Thoroughly enjoyed connecting with him as it had been too long. My close friends and buddies scattered around the globe. The visionaries, the rainbow makers, the rEvolutionaries, and dreamers, and the do ers.
Zoe, Grace, and I working with Ruben and Theresa, and others in helping Ruben articulate his vision of development for this community. At first appearance it is an overwhelming task but the question is how to bring this vital discourse forward to an organized development process. Identifying what needs to change, what are the elements for transformation, how to engage people in a genuine conversation. The work of Paulo Freire always stay with my mind, engaging people in the critical dialectic "What is your condition?" "What is your poverty?" Respecting folks, even the poorest of people that they have the possibility of changing their poverty. The challenge as the educated is that we believe we "know" we only know "our" perspective of "their poverty" The hubris is that as change agents we can only initiate that conversation.
I am not a patient person, I am by nature a visionary, a poet, and view the world with the lens of that perspective. The vision of what is possible, not always pragmatic, not defined or limited.
Enjoying the time to get back to community development work, meeting with Ruben and the workers, and exploring and understanding what are the needs of the community. We are trying to help Ruben set up a foundation/ development organization that harnesses his vision and helps to translate it into a long term and sustainable vision. The UGGGH part that I hate to do, the institutional, the formalization of informal relations. The part that I struggle with in my art work, the artist working with the tools of organization, structure, taking the idea and vision and making it real.
I'm missing the daily writing, the daily attention to the new productions, the new plays, and other work, nevertheless,I'm enjoying stepping back to this much slower pace, the pace of late nights under cloudy nights with Ruben and talking. The time to spend with Gracie and getting to know her, watching her open her eyes to the world of the less fortunate, the poor. At times those labels of poor and wretched are ripped away, and the laughter is heard. Most times, for the poorest of the poor, which is the La Lomita community, the poverty is so overwhelming. The poverty that leaves me exhausted, overwhelmed, but ultimately from this we are able to articulate a few programs to assist Ruben and the community.
The other component is a program of art, drawing, music. In development, with the most desperate of circumstance, we forget that music, art, all of this elevates the spirit. This was especially true in Haiti with the art and musical instruments we were able to provide. The kids playing music.
Tomorrow we go back to NY, back to the Beatnik Cafe, and where there is much to do. Also in taking the program to the next level. Much work to do in the world. I also see the balance between this community development work on a pragmatic level, and the art work like Peace Gardens, the Brothel projects, Four Profits, and other art.
Over the weekend with Frederico and Fatima and their kids, with Theresa and her family, so much fun. DR is always about family and friends. Americans would have freaked out, we had shown up with a group of maybe ten people, Frederico and his families opened their arms wide. Thoroughly enjoyed connecting with him as it had been too long. My close friends and buddies scattered around the globe. The visionaries, the rainbow makers, the rEvolutionaries, and dreamers, and the do ers.
Zoe, Grace, and I working with Ruben and Theresa, and others in helping Ruben articulate his vision of development for this community. At first appearance it is an overwhelming task but the question is how to bring this vital discourse forward to an organized development process. Identifying what needs to change, what are the elements for transformation, how to engage people in a genuine conversation. The work of Paulo Freire always stay with my mind, engaging people in the critical dialectic "What is your condition?" "What is your poverty?" Respecting folks, even the poorest of people that they have the possibility of changing their poverty. The challenge as the educated is that we believe we "know" we only know "our" perspective of "their poverty" The hubris is that as change agents we can only initiate that conversation.
I am not a patient person, I am by nature a visionary, a poet, and view the world with the lens of that perspective. The vision of what is possible, not always pragmatic, not defined or limited.
Enjoying the time to get back to community development work, meeting with Ruben and the workers, and exploring and understanding what are the needs of the community. We are trying to help Ruben set up a foundation/ development organization that harnesses his vision and helps to translate it into a long term and sustainable vision. The UGGGH part that I hate to do, the institutional, the formalization of informal relations. The part that I struggle with in my art work, the artist working with the tools of organization, structure, taking the idea and vision and making it real.
I'm missing the daily writing, the daily attention to the new productions, the new plays, and other work, nevertheless,I'm enjoying stepping back to this much slower pace, the pace of late nights under cloudy nights with Ruben and talking. The time to spend with Gracie and getting to know her, watching her open her eyes to the world of the less fortunate, the poor. At times those labels of poor and wretched are ripped away, and the laughter is heard. Most times, for the poorest of the poor, which is the La Lomita community, the poverty is so overwhelming. The poverty that leaves me exhausted, overwhelmed, but ultimately from this we are able to articulate a few programs to assist Ruben and the community.
The other component is a program of art, drawing, music. In development, with the most desperate of circumstance, we forget that music, art, all of this elevates the spirit. This was especially true in Haiti with the art and musical instruments we were able to provide. The kids playing music.
Tomorrow we go back to NY, back to the Beatnik Cafe, and where there is much to do. Also in taking the program to the next level. Much work to do in the world. I also see the balance between this community development work on a pragmatic level, and the art work like Peace Gardens, the Brothel projects, Four Profits, and other art.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Rice and Beans
Friday at Ruben's farm on the mountains overlooking the fields of Santiago. Meals are some 9 to 12 people, family, workers who are building the new chicken coops. Neighbors stopping by, big plate of rice, beans, and some vegetables. Eating always commences with grace. As we sit out under the "dining room" a big tin and palm leafed open patio. Laughter, chatter in Spanish and English, mostly Spanish. Last night sitting in the living room playing guitar, listening to Naomi and her funny stories. My niece Grace is getting on rather nicely, a too tempting target for mosquitoes as she is is covered in bites, but otherwise she is enjoying herself.
This morning spending time with Ruben teaching him guitar, talking about his plans, and seeing how we can help. Z and I helping to shape his vision, offering feedback. He is a man with the the kindness of a saint, and sometimes that works against him. But most times he does very well. There is so much need in this area. THis morning we went to La Lomita and one of the villages there. There was laughter and children playing, but there were children everywhere, as if the main produce of DR is making babies. This 4% population growth is overwhelming any ability for the country to escape the on-going poverty; unless they make their way to the US, Miami or New York. But uneducated and poor, the only jobs that are available are the brute labor jobs or the most unskilled. In this poorest of area, with no work, and children flooded everywhere. This kind of poverty feels overwhelming. Yet, we had put in a well with electricity that is providing clean drinking water. Another project with Grace Cares provides a new covered community space. But the lack of work, high population growth, and generations of poverty create a desperate poverty of spirit. A few escape to the US and come back, but most flee this verdant prison of paradise.
Our interaction and conversation with Ruben is looking at how do we help to create some kind of sustainable economic activity. We had been researching Rocket Stoves a very simple home made design for stove efficiency. Some years ago I had worked a lot with Appropriate Technology and liked the very simple technology like this. Rocket Stove plans are on the way.
Other suggestions on the table are the chicken and egg project. But as we are vegetarians we will support the egg production but not raising chickens to be eat.
Other projects like growing specialty crops -- perhaps saffron, herbs,and so forth. But these are lengthier conversations
Though I have been a vegetarian for some thirty give years plus I didn't like to impose this perspective on others; however, this is one of my core values, the respect for all life, the belief that all life has Buddha nature, and life is sacred. When we approach life with this perspective that life is sacred, we in turn bring this awareness to all dimensions of our life. The environment, the waters, and this entire world we live in needs to be interacted with as sacred. Not something to be exploited, killed or ravaged. Life is sacred. Our interactions with each other should be filled with love and care. A very simple prescription.
In approaching this work with Ruben, and seeing his sense of care and responsibility in his community is inspiring. He approaches all he meets with great care and kindness. It is wonderful connecting with him again, my brother Domicano. This morning we had a couple of hours to talk, play guitar, and talk about art and politics.
Today looking at a few more community projects
This morning spending time with Ruben teaching him guitar, talking about his plans, and seeing how we can help. Z and I helping to shape his vision, offering feedback. He is a man with the the kindness of a saint, and sometimes that works against him. But most times he does very well. There is so much need in this area. THis morning we went to La Lomita and one of the villages there. There was laughter and children playing, but there were children everywhere, as if the main produce of DR is making babies. This 4% population growth is overwhelming any ability for the country to escape the on-going poverty; unless they make their way to the US, Miami or New York. But uneducated and poor, the only jobs that are available are the brute labor jobs or the most unskilled. In this poorest of area, with no work, and children flooded everywhere. This kind of poverty feels overwhelming. Yet, we had put in a well with electricity that is providing clean drinking water. Another project with Grace Cares provides a new covered community space. But the lack of work, high population growth, and generations of poverty create a desperate poverty of spirit. A few escape to the US and come back, but most flee this verdant prison of paradise.
Our interaction and conversation with Ruben is looking at how do we help to create some kind of sustainable economic activity. We had been researching Rocket Stoves a very simple home made design for stove efficiency. Some years ago I had worked a lot with Appropriate Technology and liked the very simple technology like this. Rocket Stove plans are on the way.
Other suggestions on the table are the chicken and egg project. But as we are vegetarians we will support the egg production but not raising chickens to be eat.
Other projects like growing specialty crops -- perhaps saffron, herbs,and so forth. But these are lengthier conversations
Though I have been a vegetarian for some thirty give years plus I didn't like to impose this perspective on others; however, this is one of my core values, the respect for all life, the belief that all life has Buddha nature, and life is sacred. When we approach life with this perspective that life is sacred, we in turn bring this awareness to all dimensions of our life. The environment, the waters, and this entire world we live in needs to be interacted with as sacred. Not something to be exploited, killed or ravaged. Life is sacred. Our interactions with each other should be filled with love and care. A very simple prescription.
In approaching this work with Ruben, and seeing his sense of care and responsibility in his community is inspiring. He approaches all he meets with great care and kindness. It is wonderful connecting with him again, my brother Domicano. This morning we had a couple of hours to talk, play guitar, and talk about art and politics.
Today looking at a few more community projects
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