WHAT'S NEW!

The Newsletter

1. CROSSING CONTINENTS, CULTURES and CUISINES!

2. THE YEAR OF YOUTH – Resilience and Inspiration

3. INVITATION TO CELEBRATE AFRICA-BORN ARTISTS,AKUYOE GRAHAM AND TONY BIRD - SEPTEMBER 30

4. MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2011: JACKIE JOINS PRESENTING STAFF OF THE REAL-A-TION SHIP CRUISE

5. THE COLOR OF HOPE

6. JT'S FAVE-FIVE

7. SCHEDULE

1. CROSSING CONTINENTS, CULTURES and CUISINES!—

My return from European cuisine and lifestyle has been an eye-opening experience. I have been infected with the urge to take the afternoon off, eat something sweet around 4:00pm and avoid drinking coffee while I drive! Our counterparts (at least in Spain, Italy and southern Switzerland) stay focused on sitting down and enjoying meals and sharing stories in lands very old with recorded human history.

From the Mediterranean Sea to the Swiss Alps, the Castles of Blenio Valley to Montserrat, the physical beauty and historical birthmarks of my travel route generated a surge of creativity, gratitude and, admittedly, a pining for my own Motherland. I was a stranger in Vic, Spain, welcomed as a long, lost friend at what became my favorite place for Café aub milliet (coffee with milk), L’Occita Café-Llibreria. I was applauded as I waved to the crowd at a televised soccer game with thousands of attendees in Bellinzona, Switzerland, as the halftime announcer advertised the upcoming Apache Moon Festival and played a few songs from Second Skin. I was recognized as a cultural ambassador for the Indigenous of Turtle Island at several speaking/performing engagements with Massimiliano Galanti, author of The Indian Matter: From Columbus to Obama. I was asked to sing a song that complimented this event and the creation moment struck me as a new song was born.

Wherever I went, the experience was rich – the Duomo in Milan was breathtaking, despite the gigantic electronic billboard seated not 50 meters away. I sneaked into the lobby of legendary Opera House La Scala (Teatro ala Scala) and snapped a few photos minutes prior to a performance of the Opera, Romeo e Giulietta (Romeo and Juliet), before being ushered out for lack of a ticket or proper attire! Growing up with a daughter’s dream of one day singing at La Scala can drive a mother to take all sorts of risks! Attending Market Day in streets of Vic, where most people speak only Catalan, I absorbed the sense of personalization that comes with each interaction, the importance of every smile, the respect given to the elder man selling his freshly picked mushrooms, the joy of loose, light and colorful clothing.

My gratitude is overflowing: to my hosts at either end of my tour – Pilar and Bruce Fritinger and Davide and Kay Buzzi – who became like relatives by the end of our visits. I am forever grateful for their generous and loving spirits. To my friend, Gertrude Shaffer, who was my road manager and handled details I would not have been able to track without her. To Gilles Zimmerman, who came from Germany to perform wonderfully at L’Atlantida. To Cristina and Montse of Vic, who helped with advertising and initiating the performance there. To Alan Fritzinger, filmmaker/director for his hard work and vision. In Suisse, the entire Apache Moon Festival committee, was so generous and helpful and showed me parts of the Valley I would never have experienced. To Mauro and Manuela for being like long-time friends, even over the language barriers! To the entire Steelrider Band, who accompanied me at Apache Moon. The experience of meeting you all and performing with you was fantastic!! Again, to Davide Buzzi, (producer/songwriter/photographer/promoter), whose commitment, dedication, vision and generosity of spirit, made my experience in Switzerland one I will never forget.

Until next time….

Mitakuye Oyasin – We are all related!

Jacqline Wolf Tice

2.  THE YEAR OF YOUTH – Resilience and Inspiration—

In conjunction with Monica Willard of the United Religions Initiative, Jackie and All Nations Peace will present a series of four events at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem PA. The United Nations declared the International Year of Youth (12 August 2010-12 August 2011) to promote dialogue and understanding and engage youth in active participation throughout all aspects of society. Jackie and Monica are facilitating four workshops with local and international youth guest panelists, musicians and experts to share skills and initiate projects designed to express, create and celebrate the positive effects of youth upon this time in history.

SEPT 19, Resilience and Inspiration, 3-5pm, panel and audience interactive with four youth demonstrating courage.

NOV 14, Gathering Skills, 3-5pm, training in conflict resolution skills and choosing empathy over apathy

MAR 2011, Strength through Nonviolence - serving the community

MAY 2011, Celebrating Youth at the new SteelStacks Center

3. INVITATION TO CELEBRATE AFRICA-BORN ARTISTS,AKUYOE GRAHAM AND TONY BIRD - SEPTEMBER 30—

On Thursday, September 30, 7:30pm, Greenshire Arts presents a cross-cultural musical and theatrical performance. Held at Strayer Middle School in Quakertown, the event will feature Ghanaian- born actress and writer, Akuyoe Graham, whose work with at-risk youth has shown great promise in educational and institutional settings throughout the country. An accomplished performance artist and actress, her one-woman show, Spirit Awakenings, is critically acclaimed by the L.A. Times. Read an interview about her work here.

Tony Bird is well-known in the USA as a unique performer both in his presentation and his perspective. Born and raised in Southern Africa, his songwriting is a blend of African rhythms and Roots music with images of the land, its politics and the spirit of the people. New York’s Village Voice called him, "The finest, most impressive folk poet in years.” Highly recommended!!

Don’t miss very special performance, not be repeated outside of this upper Bucks County venue. Please join us in connecting to cultural identity through the arts.

(Jackie, originally scheduled for this, is unable to perform due to scheduling issues.)

http://akuyoe.com - http://mangotime.net

4. MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2011: JACKIE JOINS PRESENTING STAFF OF THE REAL-A-TION SHIP CRUISE: “All of Creation is in Relation!” with Ombassa Sophera, Lisa Iverson, Shola Arewa, and others.—

This 7-DAY Cruise to Belize and Cozumel Mexico will include seminars, performances and powerful workshops on the MS Liberty of the Seas (Royal Carribean cuise liner). Transforming and expanding relationships (self, ancestral, familial, societal) is the goal of this journey through the work of these dynamic speakers/performers, in harmony with the rhythm of the Strong Winds, the Grandmother Ocean and the Sacred Earth.

Go to http://realcuise.com/weebly.com and http://realcruise.eventbrite.com for Cruise details. DISCOUNTS NOW, IF YOU SIGN ON BEFORE JULY 16!!!

Jackie is very honored and excited to be part of this very special journey.

5. THE COLOR OF HOPE PROJECT—

The awaited CD, The Color of Hope, released by Spirit Wind Record, includes 18 songs by Native American Women as a gift to all who have suffered domestic violence. This compilation will donate the proceeds to shelters and programs for domestic violence across Turtle Island. Jackie’s song, INTO THE FIRE, is included in the grouping. Please go to http://www.thecolorofhope.info to listen to downloadable tracks or http://Kunaki.com/Sales.asp?PID=PX00H65WVG to buy the entire album!

6. JT'S FAVE-FIVE! —
(New links in every newsletter!)
Another month to explore my friends' websites!!

7. SCHEDULE—

22 September 2006

Yesterday was the International Day of Peace. Yesterday the Touring Choir of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for Performing Arts and I sang Trail of Tears to nearly 1,000 people at the United Nations in NYC. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Michael Douglas, Yo Yo Ma, Jane Goodall, and Sheika Heya Rashed Al Khalifa, President of the 61st General Assembly of the UN, were among those who listened and remembered on this day of Global Ceasefire, declared as such by the UN in 2001, but originally launched in 1982.

People in Kosovo, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo were listening and watching via a live videocast. The streaming webcast on the Internet was watched and heard all over the world – our sacred Mother Earth.

The Touring Choir was riveting and professional under the direction of conductor, Dr. David McConnell. The choral version of this song, arranged by my friend, composer and music-for-Peace advocate, Ellen Walter, is a solemn chant naming 30 war-torn countries around our world where religious, ethnic and political oppression and violence has been perpetrated against innocent people. The emotional middle-section roll call of countries, dramatically recited, soars from a merciful plea to the ultimate demanding question, “Who remembers, who remembers?”

Panel speaker and Messenger for Peace, Yo Yo Ma, spoke of his foundation, which is using music as a vehicle of Peace. He acknowledged our performance, commenting on the “Beautiful singing…” and encouraging the dedication of all musicians to find their individual voice and to pursue the honesty, openness and generosity inherent in that search, to forge a pathway to Peace.

Questions, comments and short videos from our friends in Kosovo, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo made us aware of the awesome blessing we have in our lives to not live in a country war-torn on its own soil. We also were moved by the testimony of the many youth represented in the short films. Their suffering has been extreme and their resilience, equally strong.

During the Peace Flag Ceremony, we all sang the “Peace Chant” I wrote on a plane while traveling to, and returning from, the Indian Summer Music Awards in Milwaukee on 9/11/06. With flags waving from countries across the globe, the realization of my continuing purpose of Art for the Sake of Peace was being met. I am humbled, grateful and honored to have this opportunity and accept the responsibility with trust and open arms.

For all of our Brothers
May Peace Prevail on Earth
For all of our Sisters
May Peace Prevail on Earth
For all of our Elders
May Peace Prevail on Earth
For all of our Children
May Peace Prevail on Earth

~jackie tice, 2006