Umoja cypher Session: Equity in Education

On November 20th, Art Prevails Project recently held the latest Umoja Cypher Session, a monthly event supported by The Community Foundation of Broward that utilizes art as a vehicle for important conversations around social justice and equity. At this particular event people were invited to the Old Dillard Museum where we experienced a guidedmediation by Joseph Long, listened to an amazing performance by Miami Sound Choir and participated in a discussion about equity in education. 

As the event begins, we all pile into the Old Dillard Museum where conversations arouse, and excitement fillsthe room. This energy is channeled with our meditation guide Joseph Long (@slimbrotha73). Next, we brace ourselves to be graced with the beautiful voices of Miami Sound Choir (@miamisoundspace), led by Laurah Merisier. As we watch them grace us with many performances by single singers and groups of singers,we’re filled with knowledge on the songs and their history. Next, we dive deep into a long overdue conversation. Dr. Precious Symonette, NEA Superhero Educator and Florida Teacher of the Year finalist and Dr. Bianca Nightengale-Lee, Assistant Director in the Department of Curriculum Culture and Educator Inquiry at FAU, join us for a conversation about equity in education, facilitated by Art Prevails Project Founder and Artistic Director (and former educator,) Darius V. Daughtry.

From a disconnect with students and teachers, whether it be from color difference or “following the rules”, to parents not caring or only showing effort when their child has been caught in a crossfire and not giving them credit when due, this discussion opens eyes for many. As the questions keepcoming, the attention never lacks, and sincerity is beyond real, being that many people thank Dr. Nightengale-Lee and Dr. Symonette for their wise words and their guidance on what steps to take to “stir the pot.” When this eye-opening discussion comes to an end, we all gather round in a circleto sing Run Mary Run led by Laurah Merisier. Before we disperse, we stop at our table of vendors. At the first table,the business Glo Babee can be seen and you can style yourself with homemade earrings crafted by the business owner herself. Or, if you’re craving something delicious and sweet, at our next table, Sweetie’s Italian Ice can be seen selling shaved ice where you can embark on the many different flavors that will leave your taste buds smiling.Again this is one of the monthly events we at Art Prevails Project produce. Join us for our next Umoja Cypher Session on Saturday 18th  at the Old Dillard Arts and Heritage House from 3pm- 6pm and learn all about Kwanza.

"A Love Like This" Play Review

Intimate. Ventilating. Empowering. 

The Art Prevails Project and New City Players presents a cosmic exploration of the experience that is love — Black love. Supported by a dynamic cast of actors and playwrights, fiercely intelligent stage direction and set design, A Love Like This captures the weight and truth of a knowledge our people share: black love is multi-dimensional, it is wholesome, and it is alive. A Love Like This, directed by Darius V. Daughtry showcases the angles of love that are present in the scenes of our daily existence; forever a gift, and tangible in its transcendence.

A collection of 6 scenes, each written by different playwrights (Darius V. Daughtry, Crys Alexandra, Peter Lange, Daryl Patrice, and Kelli Rae Jordan) the play explores scenes of life in which this transcendent love lives. An interesting layer of perspective is added as we find certain actors return to the stage in different roles or realities, rather.

 In the first scene, entitled Pops: A Musical (Alexandra), the audience witnesses a tale of  Black love in the form of responsibility, honor, deference. A father (widowed; Byron Holton), his daughter (Ayomi Russell), and her love (Xaire) all struggle with difficult decisions as they discover what love deems their fate — to let go? to latch? Perhaps to learn a love that honors, a love that allows, or the reward of pursuing love. Later, Xaire returns to the stage in Deep Cuts, as a sullen young man vilified by love who finds himself involuntarily engaged in a barbershop seminar about self-awareness, finding the right woman, and real love. This choice to have certain actors bring life to characters of unrelated backgrounds or personalities supports an intention to reveal the multi-faceted nature of any black human. To oppose the mistaken assumption that black experience is monolithic.

The scope of storytelling in A Love Like This spans a wide range, covering black women stereotypes, police brutality, the reality of being a member of the LGBTQIAA+ community in a Christian family, and more. A story of this magnitude requires ample space to exist, so writer and creator of many realms(poet, playwright, actor, director, and dopeness curator), Darius Daughtry, selected the most creative venue to support his vision. 

Daughtry’s work (A Theatrical Mixtape Vol. 1 & Vol. 2, Let The Good Times Rolle) holds a signature of bending the reality of a given space to envelop the audience as a part of the performance, the experience.  He has a special skill for conducting the audience’s reception of reality through highly interactive staging, and A Love Like This takes this skill to new heights. 

Set in the lovely, intimate Peck Courtyard of the Broward Center for Performing Arts, the vast Floridian nighttime sky, the open stage, and the soft labyrinth of the courtyard’s steps, curves, and staircases orchestrate a spiritual experience.

Purple portals of light illuminate narrator-poets (Nyah Hardmon and Marnino Toussaint) who guide the audience through to the next reality with the rhythm of their words as they descend from above or appear before your eyes. Sometimes the narrators are connecting ideas or preparing you to receive contrasting examples of black love. For the transition between Deep Cuts and Double Dutch, our lady narrator (Nyah) highlights the juxtaposition of Black Brotherhood and Black Sisterhood with the poem “Stay Loving the Crew”. These scenes display the kind of love and conversation that exists in black friendships in the familiar cultural sanctuaries of the barbershop (Deep Cuts) and jumping rope in the streets (Double Dutch). Another perfect moment to appreciate the honest storytelling of the play.

As if the sensory vibes of this show weren’t already pleasantly overwhelming, at various moments of the play, live music fills the courtyard. Soul-Funk-Fusion band PurpleFlux (led by actor Marnino T.) is the musical guest of the night. However, they aren’t the only musical magic in the show. At A Love Like This. you might hear a sweet serenade or a romantic rap battle. The staging allows for so many moving parts of the show to live in their own window. The perspective of the audience becomes panoramic. Once you connect to your seat, you realize you are connected to everything and everyone - the ground, the stage, the actors, the movement. A Love Like This warps you inside of a snow globe of stories, poetry, and music where the audience is given clear notice: “You are a part of this too.”

The Art Prevails Project and New City Players have successfully created a microcosm of black life that speaks to be understood only through the lens of love. It is a comforting, provocative display of love, black love & life in all of its essence. A Love Like This conquers the stage and envelops the audience with immaculate stage direction and design, thought-provoking stories, and the most emotionally compelling performance by an exquisite ensemble. 

Daughtry writes, “This show was always about love for me. Love is beautiful. Love is complex. Love is human.” This work prizes black love as boundless, as both craft and culture, and infinite in form. Anyone who sees this production will know, A Love Like This is more than a show. It is a piece of meditation, and you will leave knowing your decision was an act of self-love.

A Love Like This also features the amazing talents of Stephon Duncan, JaShae Jones, Maggie Maxwell, Sheena O. Murray and Kent Wilson on stage and Roberta Burke as Stage Manager.

A brief online run of the show is slated in the coming weeks.

Contributed by Devonne Campbell - Sophia’s Daughter

Quarantine Series

We had the pleasure of working with the Broward County Cultural Division on a series of poems about our personal experiences during Covid-19. Check out one below.

Art of the City: Block Party - Fort Lauderdale Edition

Young Music Makers at Summer Camp

Art of the City: Block Party - Lauderdale Lakes Edition

Nyah and Nia Deliver a Stirring Performance

Two of our dynamic performers teamed up to put a little twist on a Lauryn Hill classic.

Check out Nyah Hardmon and Rejiña (Nia) Wesby.

Nyah Hardmon @ Saturday Sessions

Nyah Hardmon amazed the audience at Saturday Sessions on September 1st. Dan Perez was able to expertly capture her immaculate performance and master of words. 

Community Foundation of Broward Supports Our Artistic Endeavors

gun violence takes center stage at theatrical arts performances in South Florida

June 21, 2018 (Ft. Lauderdale) - This summer, Art Prevails Project, a Broward-based multi-disciplinary arts organization, is using the creative arts to dig deep into the effects of gun violence – particularly how it impacts families, friends, victims and communities. Beyond the news headlines, marches, Instagram likes and celebrity tweets, the artistic performance aims to address what happens when the gun powder settles after senseless acts of violence.

Curated by local writer/director Darius V. Daughtry, The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume II is an annual collection of vignettes addressing socio-political issues. It is a carefully crafted artistic experience weaving drama, poetry, music, and dance to make you think, feel, and move. And, for the first-time ever, The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume II will expand to include a community forum and art exhibit.

“Florida has witnessed two of the top ten deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history, not to mention two South Florida cities were recently ranked in the top five of the deadliest cities in the nation,” said Darius V. Daughtry, Founder/Artistic Director, Art Prevails Project. “This production was created to spark conversation towards change. Through drama, dance, visual arts and more, local South Florida artists are creating a space for people to learn, discuss, grow and take action.”

The Happening’s series of activities include -

The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume II

Saturday, July 28, 6:30 p.m.

African American Research Library & Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

This is must-see theatrical performance that weaves drama, poetry, music and dance in a web of vignettes addressing socio-political issues. Local artists, including Marnino Toussaint and JaShae Jones, will take center stage. The performance is written and directed by Darius V. Daughtry. Tickets are available at www.artprevailsproject.com. Cost: $25 in advance; $35 at the door.

The Happening: A Visual Arts Perspective

Monday, July 2 – Tuesday, July 31

South Florida Symphony, 2201 Wilton Drive, Suite 12, Wilton Manors, FL

Some of the most dynamic contemporary artists in South Florida are using visual arts to share their perspective on social justice and equality. The exhibit, which is curated by Chire (VantaBlack) Regans, a visual artist and activist who has committed much of her work to memorializing victims of gun violence, will include various media, including woodwork, charcoal and acrylic painting and more. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

What’s Happening? A Community Conversation

Saturday, July 21, 6:00 p.m.

South Florida Symphony, 2201 Wilton Drive, Suite 12, Wilton Manors, FL

In this public conversation, community members, activists, artists and law enforcement officials will have a frank discussion about violence and the role of activism.  Community residents are encouraged to join the conversation, where they’ll also have the chance to experience live performances. This event is free and open to the public.

Student Showcase

Friday, July 27, 2:00 p.m.

Students in local summer camps and the juvenile justice system will get an advanced peek at The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume II. This free event, which is closed to the public, is sponsored in part by the Children’s Services Council, and will feature a full theatrical performance and artist talk back, including open dialogue with students.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://thehappening.splashthat.com/.