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F!ghting Words an'NEM
Performance in the Artsgarden, Thursday, February 4 at 12:15pm
F!GHTiNG WORDS an'NEM are a unique collaboration of African American poets, musicians and vocalists, who seek not only to provide an innovative entertainment EXPERIENCE but also to educate and create cultural and social awareness. Through our individual struggles, we have been granted the gift of words and music to help enlighten and heal audiences. We don't take our mission lightly, tackling issues of relationships to domestic violence to finding success and peace in an increasingly materialistic and often superficial and unforgiving world.
F!GHTiNG WORDS is the next level of the spoken word performance. The band an'NEM is the culmination of talent, experience and drive. Together, we represent the next generation of Indianapolis' elite artists. With this opportunity to be featured at the 2010 Art & Soul, the epitome of cultural artistic expression in Indianapolis, we are poised to take our positions next to other greats from our hometown: Wes Montgomery, Babyface and the Jackson 5.
F!GHT!NG WORDS an'Nem is a collective of spirited poets and musicians merging the soul of gospel with the passion of R&B and adding a dash of urban beat boxing creating an all-ages, all-ethnicities experience.
Bashiri Asad
Performance in the Artsgarden, Thursday, February 11 at 12:15pm
"I believe that Soul music is the heartbeat of African-American Culture. Not all people go to church, or listen to the blues, but all of us can relate to the stories that are told and the feelings conveyed through song. Soul music is the combination of Gospel, Rhythm and Blues, and Folk music brought together in american music form. This is the genre of music that I do, that I live and love. I also believe that Soul music has a rich history that continues to evolve with the times."
Shederick Whipple
Performance in the Artsgarden, Thursday, February 18 at 12:15pm
Shederick Whipple, tenor, has performed throughout the United States and Europe. In opera, Dr. Whipple has performed Frederic in Pirates of Penzance (Gilbert and Sullivan), Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte (Mozart),Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi (Puccini), Edwin in Trial by Jury (Gilbert and Sullivan). His honors include Excellence in Performance Awards from Mercer University and awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition. In oratorio, Dr. Whipple has been soloist in Requiem (Mozart), Messiah (Handel), and other works. He can be heard on recordings The Tender Land and Merry Christmas from the Lexington Chamber Chorale. Dr. Whipple has Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Music from Mercer University, cum laude, Master of Music from the University of Kentucky, and Doctor of Musical Arts from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Dr. Whipple is Assistant Professor of Music and Artistic Director of Opera at Taylor University.
LaShawnda Crowe Storm
Artist Talk in the Artsgarden on Thursday, February 25 at 12:15pm
LaShawnda Crowe Storm is an accidental artist that discovered the world of art after a cross-country hiking journey of personal discovery. During this adventure she examined which path her life should take - art or social services. While she may have chosen the arts, her work continues to be impacted by social justice concerns, both historically and currently.
"For me art is my form of 'social work' and I use it to open doorways to community dialog, which is the first step to healing, which in itself leads to wider social change." Exploring topics such as suicide, misogyny, lynching and slavery, she explores the ramifications of these issues on a broader socio-historical scale, as well as incorporates community-based aspects to the projects, traditional African spiritual practices and black American folklore. Crowe Storm's creative process exploits the various attributes of different mediums with a clear understanding of how the history and characteristics of each informs a piece. Thus, she utilizes textiles, bronze, clay and other materials to explore topics in her artwork from various angles. However, at the core of Crowe Storm's work is an exploration of the interconnectedness of memory, community and healing.
"Art has the power to effect change by provoking thought in society. Not through the spectacular and grandiose, but by one idea, one project, one building block at a time. By printing the forgotten and hidden negatives of our past and present, my artwork challenges viewers to see their world with new eyes. And just maybe . . . they will take a stand. Art serves this purpose and I will continue to make my work a testament of its power."
Crowe Storm received her MFA in Sculpture from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2004. She has exhibited widely in both traditional and alternative spaces, as well as won numerous awards for art and community service.
