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VI Cinema Mostra to Premiere

“A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight Into HIV/AIDS”

Filmed by Tantra-zawadi and Oliver Covrett

in Sao Paolo August 12-19, 2010

Event Sponsored by Groupo Pela Vidda/SP

Celebrating its 21st Anniversary  in the Fight Against AIDS

(NEW YORK, NY) AUGUST 10, 2010 —“A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight Into HIV/AIDS,” a short documentary by spoken word performance, author and filmmaker Tantra-zawadi and Oliver Covrett will make its debut in Sao Paolo, Brazil August 12, 2010 <http://www.cinemamostraaids.org.br>

“A Silent Genocide,” filmed by Tantra-zawadi and Oliver Covrett of XYAYX Multimedia, offers a brief insight into the personal experience of those living with HIV/AIDS and those striving to decrease the staggering numbers of new infections through art and activism.

The event is promoted by Grupo Pela Vidda/SP, a non-governmental and not for profit organization which has been working in the fight against AIDS for 21 years in the development of volunteer activities, prevention, and defense of rights of people living with HIV-AIDS. For more information about the Grupo Pela Vidda/SP, please visit them on-line at <http://www.aids.org.br>.

The event is non-profit and most of the tickets will be distributed for free at the NGO’s and at health systems, which attend to people from all walks of life living with HIV/AIDS.

Cinema Mostra AIDS believes “A Silent Genocide – A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS” is an important contribution to the fight against AIDS and will have great influence on the media in Brazil.

Tantra-zawadi, expressed her appreciation to Cinema Mostra AIDS for showcasing her film, stating: “It is a blessing to know that our involvement will help people in Brazil and the world community in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. We are truly grateful.”

The film was shot on location in New York City and Los Angeles featuring commentary by Betty Makoni, the founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide and one of CNN’s Top Ten Heroes for 2009. Musical contributions for the project include Tut Burks and Xavier Kemp with artwork by Shanna Melton and poetry by Iyapiphany, Jamala Safari and Wynter.

This is Tantra-zawadi’s third project to raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Her video “Scarlet Waters” was featured on the Product (RED) video wall as well as a PSA for Mark Herbert Productions/Betah and Associates.

To view the film on-line, please visit <www.youtube.com/tantra-zawadi>

http://www.aids.org.br/

ABOUT TANTRA-ZAWADI:

Tantra-zawadi is an internationally known performance poet/recording artist and the author of “alifepoeminprogress” and “Gathered at Her Sky.” She has performed her soul stirring life-poems to standing room audiences at venues all over the world; most recently at the Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. Her latest projects include: “Girl – A Choreospective”, “Soldier Blues” and collaborations such as The Love Planet EP by Collective Spirits, Giant Steps-Back From Miami with Do It Now Recordings, Summer Breeze EP by Dolls Combers, Poetic Stimulus, EARTHOLOGY by Floyd Boykin, Jr., and the award winning Liberation Sessions by Mwalim.

For information about Tantra-zawadi, please visit http://www.tantra-zawadi.com

http://www.facebook.com/tantra.zawadi

# # #

I noticed the green of the land and the openness of the sky as the pilot announced “We are making our descent into Kansas City and the temperature is…”

I was met at the airport by Mark Pearce, host/founder of the Montserrat Poetry Festival and Alec Bell, a poet from the United Kingdom.  We shared highlights from our lives and our passion for the arts on the ride from the airport to my hotel.

We are in the ‘heartland’ of America with the flavor of cowboy poets, blue grass music, great barbecue peppered with a little bit of London and Brooklyn to spice up the poetry pot!  This is the 3rd Annual Montserrat Poetry Festival!  We kick off this afternoon at 1PM at the Montserrat Vineyards.  We should reach temperatures of 88 degrees today under the big, blue Missouri sky.

Last night Mark and his lovely wife Ann, welcomed us into their home for a barbecue and all the fixings.  Ann was an excellent host and Mark worked the barbecue grill beautifully.  Their home, once an old Presbyterian church, is now a loving abode rich with the history of the land, warm memories of love and new stories of adventures in poetry!

I am off to get some breakfast and run through a few of my poems before the festival begins.  I will keep you posted as the day unfolds.

Sending you positive energy for an insightful day.

(NEW YORK, NY–MAY 10, 2010)–Spoken word performance poet Tantra-zawadi today announced the upcoming release of her new book, Gathered At Her Sky: Life Poems by Tantra-zawadi. Published by PWP Books, Gathered At Her Sky, is being released in late May 2010 in conjunction with Tantra-zawadi’s appearance at the 3rd annual Montserrat Poetry Festival.

Tantra-zawadi, performance poet/artist, playwright, AIDS activist, is the author of “alifepoeminprogress” and a member of Collective Spirits, a melodious venture of like minds devoted to making deep and meaningful music for the dance floor.  Their “Love Planet EP,” produced by Jonny Montana and Neil Maclean (Camio Recordings), showcases Bennett Holland on keys, Tantra on poem and Dana Byrd on vocals (available on-line at www.traxsource.com).

“there are so many people who have blessed me with their sustienance

graterful for the love of my family.  None of this would be possible….

Her spoken word video “Scarlet Waters” featuring Michael Cox on bass, was featured on the video-wall for Product (RED) created by U2’s Bono and Bobby Shriver, to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS in Africa.  Her latest film, “A Silent Genocide:  A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS,” is a short documentary edited by Oliver Covrett, featuring commentary by Betty Makoni, a 2009 Top Ten CNN Hero and the founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide. Tantra also filmed a public service announcement for BETAH Associates produced by Marc Herbert Productions aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS awareness through the art form spoken word as well as a performance video of her choreospective “Girl.”

For more information about Tantra-zawadi, visit http://www.tantra-zawadi.com

(NEW YORK, NY) APRIL 20, 2010 — Tantra-zawadi, spoken word performance poet, filmmaker and AIDS activist, today announced that her film, “A SILENT GENOCIDE: A BRIEF INSIGHT INTO HIV/AIDS” will be shown at Brasil’s Cinema Mostra AIDS event, which will be held on August, 2010, in São Paulo, Brazil.

This event is promoted by Grupo Pela Vidda/SP, a non-governmental, not for profit, community based organization, formed by People Living with HIV/ AIDS, their friends and family. Founded in 1989, by writer and activist Herbert Daniel, GPV develops a wide range of activities, in both, care and prevention fields, focusing on the empowerment of PWAs.  For more information about Cinema Mostra AIDS, please visit http://www.aids.org.br/

For information about Tantra-zawadi, please visit http://www.tantra-zawadi.com

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/tantra.zawadi?ref=ts

SOLDIER BLUES

AND

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE

UNDERGROUND FOREST!

PARTIAL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT PEOPLE OF HAITI!!!!

March 11th, 12th, and 13, 2010 8:00pm, $15

TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

http://fabnyc.org/calendar.php?month=3&year=2010&ctype=month&type=event&mids[0]=17#event_2010_03_11_1359

Tantra-Zawadi, award-winning poet, recording artist, playwright and filmmaker, presents  “Soldier Blues: An exploration through word, music, and movement of the battlefield of the soul and heart.”  Soldier Blues is an interpretation through poem/movement, that examines the hearts and circumstances of Americans who enlist in the armed forces. The accompanying original sound track explores the “blues” which also has deep roots in American history. The music progresses as does the poem/video presentation; from the opening poem by Blis Blis, the mother who is praying for the safe return of her soldier girl, the lover-man longing for his woman back in the states, to the married mother who left her family behind. Soldier Blues, written and performed by Tantra-zawadi, was inspired by poet/musician Xavier Kemp and is a call for America to help our soldiers recover when they return home.

Music created by Stevie Gee, Leviticus, Russ Mitkowski and BooBoo Cousins. Art work by Shanna Melton. Video edited by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia with choreography by Von Jacobs.

Tantra-zawadi is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She has performed in South Africa, London and Germany and her new documentary, “A Silent Genocide A Brief Insight Into HIV/AIDS” offers a glimpse into the lives of those living with HIV along with commentary by Betty Makoni, a 2009 Top Ten CNN Hero and founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide. For learn more about Ms. Zawadi or to view her documentary, please visit her online at www.tantra-zawadi.com

“I Transcender: The Gender Expression of Haitian Gods and Goddesses” (c) 2010. Created by MilDred Gerestant, the artist formerly known as DRED

“I Transcender: The Gender Expression of Haitian Gods and Goddesses,”choreographed by Sokhna Heathyre Mabin, is a mix of dance, poetry and music experiencing the spiritual dance expressions of the fabulous Haitian God/desses: sexy Danbala, cross dressing Baron Samedi and beautiful Erzulie.

MilDred has performed internationaly, from college campuses including NYU, Penn State, Vassar, MIT, NYU, Amherst, and Smith College; to theaters such as Lincoln Center, and Henry Street Settlement. Cameos of her performance have been featured on HBO, MTV, and Oxygen television. She also appeared in the award-winning film “Venus Boyz.” MilDred was featured on Go Magazine’s “100 Women We Love”- Class of 2009 List, along with Ellen DeGeneres and Wanda Sykes. She was also awarded the 2009 Spirit Award, from OUTMusic, for 14 years of dedicated service through her acting & performing. MilDred has been featured in over 8 books including: Female Masculinity, Assume Nothing, Long Live the King: A Genealogy of Performative Genders, and Social Justice: A Journal of Crime, Conflict, and World Order. MilDred is also a Yoga teacher, Reiki Practitioner, and Thai Yoga Massage Bodywork Practitioner and is available for private sessions. www.DredLove.com

Sokhna Heathyre Mabin’s Snapshots From the Underground Forrest, is a choreocollage of music, dance, vocal soundings, poetry, & her reality – of how this sister deals with betrayal, abandonment, revelation, joy, birth, healing & maintanance to a higher level of being.  Working her way thru luv, betrayal, be(lie)fs, by way of the daily commitments, Sokhna intuits how 2 alchemically transform the mundane 2 the sacred. sokhna heathyre mabin is a multi-artistic performance artist who uses her life experience, dance, music & trust to express her revelations…sokhna is the mother of 2 other multitalented, passionate artists, a doula, & yoga instructor.

WOW Cafe Theater is located at 59 East 4th street between 2nd and 3rd avenue
R train to 8th street
6 train to Astor Place or
F train to second avenue

TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
http://fabnyc.org/calendar.php?month=3&year=2010&ctype=month&type=event&mids[0]=17#event_2010_03_11_1359

HAITIAN GOD/DESSES, SOLDIER BLUES AND SNAPSHOTS

FROM THE UNDERGROUND FORREST: A BENEFIT FOR HAITI

TANTRA-ZAWADI, MIL(DRED) GERESTANT, SOKHNA HEATHYRE MABIN

MARCH 11, 12 & 13, 2010 @ the WOW Cafe Theater, NYC

59 East 4th Street (bet 2nd & 3rd Avenues)

TICKETS & INFO: 646-342-5660

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