Urban Djali Tour
Alliance for California Traditional Arts Artist
Los Angeles Black Business Expo Top Spoken Word Artist
The Urban Djali Tour is a multi-media production of the album [9] (A Spoken Word Experience), including live musicians, dancers, and original screen projections of art, photos and video.
[9] (A Spoken Word Experience) by Makeda Kumasi is a reflective journey of racial inequalities, domestic insecurities, and the spiritual rejuvenation that propels us into the future.
Top Photo Credit: Minyan Murphy
Photo Credit: Monique Williams-Randolph
[9] A Spoken Word Experience
Nine tracks that present a balance of degenerative and progressive issues in our contemporary society including spiritual identification, self worth, domestic violence, child development, unjustified murder, government failure, the Maafa, cultural pride, and the realization of liberty.
Maat
•
Electricity
•
Untied Shoelaces
•
And They Are Free
•
Fly Away Bird
Dee’s Call
•
Mother
•
We Return
•
Rivers Run Deep
•
BONUS TRACK!
WORD!
“Maat” -reveals the seven main principles of the ancient Kemetic deity.
“Electricity” -calls out of self pride and the uniqueness of textured hair.
“Untied Shoelaces” -speaks to the 1980 campaign for drug resistance.
“Dee’s Call” -a reenactment of the chilling cell phone call with Rachel Jeantel as Trayvon Martin was shot dead by a neighborhood watch member.
“We Return” -celebrates the ancestors of the Maafa accompanied by classic Mande instruments and rhythms.
Tour Dates…
February 29, 2024 8:30pm
Alliance for Califrornia Traditional Arts
“Jazz & Spoken Word, Reggae”
w/ Kologbo Kuti & DJ Ras L
504 N. Mountain View Ave. San Bernardino
February 9, 2024 6:30pm PST
Petaluma Blacks for Community Development
Black History Month Event
“African Americans in the Arts” Exhibit Opening
Petaluma Historical Libray and Museum
20 4th St. Petaluma, CA 94952
APRIL 28TH, 2022 7:00-10:00 PM EDT
AN UNMASKING OF THYSELF
A COLLECTIVE HEALING RITUAL FOR THE PEOPLE
MFA THESIS PRESENTATION
CURATED BY: IMANI MA'AT ANKHMENRA AMEN TAYLOR
ANDY ARTS CENTER
3000 Fenkell St. Detroit, MI
Watch here:
January 21, 2022, 8pm PST
Come out and Jam with us at:
“4 Da LUV of Da DRUM”
Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center -Leimert Park
4305 Degnan, Los Angeles, CA
September 10, 2021
WE 3 PRODUCTIONS’ Urban Djali Full Show
WE 3 Studio in San Bernardino, CA
Online through YouTube Live:
“Makeda is a Master Storyteller.”
-Dr. S. Ama Wray of UC Irvine
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Dance
Makeda has danced for two prominent Southern California based African dance ensembles:
Abalaye African Dancers; an Orange County Arts Group
Niancho Eniyaley African Performers; National Tours
This California Arts Scholar has performed in several popular American Musicals including a role as Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, and Cha-Cha in Grease.
Genres:
Traditional West African Malinke Dance
Neo-African
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Jazz
and more!
Photo Credit: “Lift” with Joy Martin, Monique Williams-Randolph, and Makeda Kumasi at the Barbara Culver and Art Center, Riverside, CA by William J. Jones Photography -
Direct
Theater: University of California, Riverside visiting Director and Choreographer for “Marisol” by José Rivera and “Little Shop of Horrors” by Howard Ashman
Film: “12 Days in Senegal; An Artist’s Journey Docu-Journal” Documentary Short and other independent projects through WE 3 PRODUCTIONS
Multimedia: “I Know Women; Soliloquies of Feminine Comprehension featured as a UCR ARTSblock event in 2015Television: NAFCA “African Oscars” Awards Opening Perfomance 2016
Featured on MTV’s Starting Over and BET’s Fly Poet
Photo Credit: UC Riverside Department of Theater, Film and Digital Production “Marisol” by José Rivera
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Educate
For over a decade Makeda has been a beacon of Pan-African Arts and education for all ages in the Inland Empire.
Programs:
-Exploring African Expressions Drum and Dance Saturday Class-Introduction to Acting
-Saturday Contemporary Jazz Dance Class
-Rites of Passage for Tweens, Teens, and Young Adults
-Lectures in Africana Studies
-Writing your narrative workshop
The Sesh Project is a component of the Kumasi School for the Performing Arts (KSPA), designed to teach the ancient duties of the Kemetic Scribe and the classical skills of the Djali of the Great Mali Empire. We also provide exposure to train with professional performers, observe performance groups, and experience opportunities to perform.
West African Dance Instruction:“Continuing Lecturer” University of California, Riverside Department of Dance
“Master Class Instructor” University of San Diego
“Master Class Instructor” Mt. San Jacinto College
“Teacher” Various Local Studios across the U.S.
Photo Credit: “An Audience with Rosa” Barbara and Culver Art Center, Riverside, CA. by William J. Jones Photography -
Edutain
Founder of the Umoja Ensemble of the Inland Empire (UEIE)
Mission: to help restore, repair, and revitalize the physical, psychological and spiritual health of the populations we serve, through the preservation, practice, and presentation of Pan-African Arts and the principles of Kwanzaa.
Shows Include:
-Inland Empire’s Ultimate Doundounba Festival, Riverside, CA and OnlineAlliance for California Traditional Arts Grant, San Manuel Band of Indians Grant, UC Riverside Dance Department Event, “We The People” Cultural Dance Center fiscal sponsor 2017 - 2021
-Kidz Kwanzaa Celebration -African Fire Fighters in Benevolence Association, Los Angels, CA, and Online; 16 year long annual event
-“Lift” UC Riverside ARTSblock event 2016
-“I Know Women; Soliloquies of Feminine Comprehension” The Community Foundation Riverside Arts Grant, “We The People” Cultural Dance Center fiscal sponsor 2015
…private, corporate and government events.Photo Credit: “Inland Empire’s Ultimate Doundounba Festival” Kwasi Willams, Makeda Kumasi, Ericka J. Brown, Imani Maat -2018, UEIE Archives
