fRiEnDs, FaMiLy and FaNs,
Today we are doing a two part BLOG that celebrates the the debut of One Love's "Adventures in OneloveLand". The 45-minute show is an adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland" grounded in the unique One Love style. The show incorporates gymnastics, circus, theater, dance and multimedia as well an original score. This past Saturday "OneloveLand" was debuted here at AYC to a crowd of 200 people. In short, we could not have been more pleased (and proud) with the show and we are truly excited to take it on the road across Ethiopia. The first part of this two-part BLOG highlights the show prep. We have been developing the show for approximately 2 months now, training 3-4 times a week. The final week before the show the cast trained every day, dedication folks, dedication. Thanks to JM for pics.
First, a catchy flyer...
then we had to set/build the stage...
then it was time to train...
and, of course, there was chill time too...
Part 2 to follow...
One Love, One Fight |
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oNe LoVe PeOpLe...
Long time, no BLOG. We hope this finds you all well. Things here have been, in a word...dry. Sometime back we posted that the rains had begun...they did only to abruptly stop. Dryness ensued and continues. There have been some signs of rain as of late, let us hope for the best, as each dry day brings us closer to a drought. And that is just not good for anyone. As for AYC, things have not dried up in the least. One Love Theater is set to debut OneLoveLand, a new peformance loosely based on Alice in Wonderland, on Saturday April, 12th. We recently received a generous donation of art supplies which we will utilize here at AYC and also distribute to community schools and organizations in the area via Children's Workshops. We have also been equipping AYC for 2008's expanding programs. Though yesterday, we took a break and kicked back enjoying a day at the beach. AYC staff along with One Love cast members, aikdio students, art students and volunteers made the journey to beautiful lake Langano. Often, when people think of the type of work we do here they last thing that comes to mind is a day at the beach, though we beleive ol' fashioned enjoyment can go as far (if not further) as any conference, program or expert opinion. Simply put, good memories are the foundation of hope and hope is everything in this "business". More 2 come, for now a day at the beach...
One Love, One Fight.
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gOoD mOrNiNg, GoOd AfTeRnOoN, gOoD nIgHt...
We figured today we would explain a bit more (through words and pictures) what One Love Theater aims to accomplish in this crazy little World of ours. In short, One Love aims to provide images and sounds that may someday trigger a memory, or consciousness, in a moment that could, ultimately, mean life or death. According to the United Nations "education is so strongly a predictive of better knowledge, safer behavior and reduced infection rates that UN experts conclude education functions as kind of a 'social vaccine' (June 2004)." One Love performances are based on simliar principle, however, they take it one step futher via promoting "Edutainment" as the "social vaccine". "Edutainment is a communication approach that has been used in various ways around the world to engage people by inspiring dialouge, raising awareness shaping attitudes, and generating change" (Drum Beat, Issue 430, http://www.comminit.com). Note the key words "engage" and "inspire". When you engage and inspire people, you can begin to convey a sense of hope. Therefore, in addition to the direct awarness messages, One Love shows aim to convey a sense of hope to those most at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Ensuring them they are not alone and there IS a better future. Enough with the words, here is the One Love format in action. The following pics are taking from a One Love show this past Saturday, props to Dave for the pics.
Prepare...
Attract an Audience...
Set the Stage...
Engage...
Begin a Dialouge of Hope...
Respect the Audience...
Make an Impression...
One Love, One Fight.
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hElLo PeOpLe...
Greetings from Southern Ethiopia. We see these days that there is a good amount of people's looking at the BLOG, but we aren't hearing very much from ya'll. Let us know whether you are digging what we are doing, we are just plain crazy, etc. Things are happening at light speed these days our 2008 plate is overfilling, while we can't say the same thing as for resources just yet, we ain't worried...life, work, AYC goes on. For today, here is a OLT flashback to the mini-festival we had here at AYC nearly three weeks ago.
Here is AYC's Tesfaye greeting the crowd and giving a little introduction as to what they are about to experience...
...and here is what they experienced...
Finally, here is the flyer for the 2008 AYC Art Contest! We expect a big turnout this year and be assured you will be able to check all the work out right here on the BLOG...
One Love, One Fight.
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AYC MuZiC
OnE lOvE pEoPlE...
We hope this finds you well and, as always, not believing the hype. Today we are trying something new here on the BLOG, namely, posting a glimpse of some of the music being created here at AYC studios (click on the AYC muzic link above). Due to less than a ideal internet connection we could only post around 30 seconds or so...but it should give you all an idea of where we are going, this particular piece was taken from a jam at AYC studios earlier this week. Also, since it is Saturday and One Love is outside training as this BLOG is being written we are also including a photo taking a couple saturdays back. Please let us know if it is possible to hear the music, as this is only a test.
One Love, One Fight. |
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fAMiLy, FrIeNdS, fANs AnD aLiKe...
We hope you had an enjoyable and safe weekend, things are just fine here in lovely Awassa. After a grueling week of mid-term examinations, the OLT cast is back in action. Today, OLTbegan training for this year's BIG OLT production, last year we did an original script ("Our World") and this year we are doing an adaptation of, you guessed it....Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Unfortunatley, we don't have any pics from training, however, we do have some fresh promotional material for the Feburary show. Visit again later in the weeks for some recent photos and good times, peace.
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gReEtInGs FrOm PlAnEt EtHiO...
Just when you think we aren't....we are back. Last Saturday (January 26th), AYC celebrated the opening of the AYC dojo, the newest addition to our facilities. The space will be used for aikido trainings, poetry slams, movie nights and all sorts of other cool stuff. There were performances by both children's and youth aikido groups as well as performances by children's theater group and, of course, One Love Theater. The days activities were attended by AYC kids/youth, NGO workers, journalists and our friends from the Awassa Children's Center. It was a fun day for all, take a look. Props to Dave for the photos. Enjoy
The day began in the new room with an aikido demonstration...
...then it was the children's theater (aka. the future One Love cast) turn to show their chops in a performance that dealt with the influence of video games on kids...
...then on to the children's aikido group whom performed to live reggae...
...finally, it was One Love's turn to take the stage and the took it in One Love fashion...
...and ended with a bang...
One Love, One Fight.
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gOoD dAy, GoOd FoLk...
We are back after a brief hiatus....we hope you are yours are safe and well. Things are fine and well here in Awassa. The holidays have come and gone and we are starting off a new year with possibilities upon possibilties. Tommorow we will return with recent pics from One Love, AYC and the rest for now here is the album cover for an AYC music CD that we are now releasing on a limited basis. With a little luck the album may be in your neighborhood sometime soon! You may notice the artwork on the cover is a work by an AYC youth artist, nice. We will be back soon, promise.
One Love, One Fight. |
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hApPy NeW yEaR oNe LoVe PeOPlE...
Like every other year, last year had its UPS and its DOWNz 4 us All, let's focus on the UPS and keep on keeping on...wishing you and yours the best this year. live well.
One Love, One Fight.
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