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Category Archives: Local Arts
Slaves—Our Ancestors
We give praise to those who came before us, fighting for the right to be free. Who were they? They are our ancestors, who suffered unendurable pain. Pain, from the snake-like whip that mutilated their flesh as it bit into … Continue reading
592 total views
Posted in African American history, African American Women in Champaign-Urbana, African Americans, Arts, Local Arts, Section, Violence, Voices, Women
Tagged African American history, African American women, local African American voices, local arts, Slavery
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Music Curio: Improvisers Exchange Sheds Sonic Shreds
Improvisers Exchange exudes experimental sounds at the Rose Bowl Tavern every first Monday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Organized and directed by Jason Finkelman, Improvisers Exchange is a fluctuating eclectic ensemble of musicians, all of whom share … Continue reading
793 total views, 1 views today
Posted in Arts, Local Arts, Music, Section
Tagged improvisation, local arts, Music
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Drag Shows in Champaign-Urbana: Interview with Amy Myers
“Drag is an art. It is a culture.” As a cis, straight woman, I did not fully understand the cultural importance of drag shows until 2019, when I was managing a community center that has a wonderful zine collection and … Continue reading
690 total views
Posted in Arts, LGBTQ, Local Arts, Women
Tagged drag shows, LGBTQ+, local culture
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Juneteenth 2022 at Randolph Street Garden
Seitu Ken Jones, a multidisciplinary artist who believes in the power of public art to link the past and present, spent 2020–21 as a visiting artist at the UIUC Center for Advanced Study. He returned this past June to work … Continue reading
Posted in African American, African American history, African Americans, Community, Local Arts, Voices of Color, Youth
Tagged African American history, Juneteenth, local community, youth
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Reckless Law, Shameless Order: Behind the Scenes
One afternoon in April of 2021 Faranak Miraftab called me to ask if I was interested in holding an art workshop with formerly incarcerated artists in continuation of the “IDENSCITY,” a conceptual art space that I had been developing … Continue reading
744 total views, 1 views today
Posted in African Americans, African Americans, Arts, Immigrants, incarceration, Local Arts, Prison Arts, Prisoners, Voices, Voices of Color, Women
Tagged Immigrants, incarceration, local arts, Prison arts
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Two Stories from Statesville Prison
Saving Your Mind: Mental Health in the Age of Corona “This is some next-level shit. I thought I’d seen it all in my 20 years in prison,” said Murder (no real names used), my Quarantine Sanitation Specialist co-worker, as we … Continue reading
1,024 total views, 1 views today
Posted in Arts, incarceration, Local Arts, Prison Arts, Prisoners
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What’s Understood Need Not Be Explained
I’m curious to know, as a reading eye and listening ear, what are you expecting to hear from me? That the feds were somehow wrong, and Shamar was right? Or that he was justified in putting out some call to … Continue reading
844 total views
Posted in African American, African Americans, Arts, BLM, Justice, Local Arts, Police brutality, Racism, Section, Voices
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A Conversation with Urbana Poet Laureate Ashanti Files
The Public i recently talked to Urbana Poet Laureate Ashanti Files Please tell our readers a little about yourself. “I am a wife, mother, and registered nurse. I currently work in mental health and addiction services. I enjoy reading, writing … Continue reading
957 total views, 1 views today
Posted in African Americans, Arts, Community, Local Arts, Poetry, Voices of Color, Women
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Black Art Politicized: A Discussion with Leslie Smith
I had the amazing opportunity to interview Leslie Smith, a board member of the Urbana–Champaign Independent Media Center (UCIMC) and the founder of Black Voices Theater Production. As someone who grew up in a household with a father who is … Continue reading
Posted in African American Women in CU, African Americans, African Americans, Arts, Local Arts, Voices of Color, Women
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Art is a Revolution
Art is a revolution, a melting pot of ideas, hopes, dreams, and wishes, not always welcomed, but ever the adventure. My love for the arts affords me the opportunity to let people into the “me” that I sometimes hide … Continue reading
Posted in African American Women in CU, Local Arts
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What I Learned While being the Poet Laureate for the City of Urbana . . .
I learned that the people of Urbana truly appreciated the emphasis on poetry in their public lives. They felt it improved their town in a tangible way. I learned that many poets live in this community who don’t always interact … Continue reading
Posted in Arts, Local Arts, Poetry
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