hElLo...
Today, we write with a heavy hand that the "King of Ethiopian Music" passed away yesterday evening. He was truly a voice for, and of, Ethiopia and will be missed by many. Our best to his family, friends and a country in mourning. Melkam guzo Tiahun.
One Love, One Fight.
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wHaT's Up WoRlD...
As many of you know Ethiopia is a country with a vast and truly stunning history. Today, Ethiopia's history is witnessed in the inspiring identity of its people as well as the longevity of its culture. Today, we thought we would offer a brief Ethiopian historical fun fact! Years ago, facing invasion by Great Britan colonial forces one of Ethiopia's great leaders, Emperor (Atse) Tewodros, chose to take his own life rather than surrender to foreign invasion. Seemingly bewildered by his defiance, and in classic colonial fashion, the British simply carried his head back to the King. We are currently designing a mural of Atse Tewodros for the community, this is the leading candidate so far, we thought it was fitting....
One Love, One Fight.
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hElLo WoRlD...
Today, once again, One Love Theater proved why they are one of the hardest working theater company's out there. Under a blistering sun One Love performed for an audience of over 2,000 children and youth. The celebrations marked the beginning of the annual Awassa sports tournament, youth from Awassa neighborhoods compete in sports like basketball, football, boxing, volleyball, running and gymnastics. The event aims to promote sports in the community. Officials asked One Love to perform at the opening ceremonies, and as you will see below they delivered.
First up was a many-children simultaneous exercise display.... Then it was One Love's turn....
Now we are going to try something different, this is a short, but eventful, piece of today's show (click on link below)....OneLoveSurpriseOne Love, One Fight.
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hElLo WoRld....
Just in case you didn't know this Sunday is the 7th Annual Awassa Children's Project World AIDS Day Benefit!! All proceeds from this surely-to-be fun event benefit the Awassa Youth Campus and Awassa Children's Center! If you in or around the Chicago area please do try to drop in and give 'em your support. If you are not able you can always help out on-line at www.awassachildrensproject.org. Thanks to all the hard work of the folks in Chicago for putting on the event! Here is the flyer...
Finally, the link below is a video of a recent benefit/hootenany for AYC in Nederland, CO. Though the video is a bit dark you can literally here the good vibes on this unique rendition of "Louie, Loue"! Enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZg23_9B-WQ
One Love, One Fight.
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Hello World,
We apologize for the lack of blog as of late, the excuse is none other than the 2008 AYC tour of the United States, in short it has been a truly amazing, invaluable and almost overwhelming experience. Above all we feel it is has been a concrete step toward taking our work to the next level. In the near future there will be much more about the tour, for today we will leave you with some tour promo, links, etc. Enjoy, be well.
This is a poster for the Nederland, Colorado, it was a truly special evening...
The following is a link to a Obama-influenced music video featuring the AYC team that was made during the course of the tour....
http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=Df51_CheGzk
This is a link for the recent AYC documentary that was used during the tour....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82-FwLDyxiQ
Finally we also leave you with two tracks from "Soundz 4 Change, Vol. 1", the first AYC-produced music album, the first track is a reggae AYC style and the second is a bit o' the funk...
AYCReggae
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hElLo AlL...
Today we are pleased to announce that AYC will soon be undertaking a United States based fundraising and awareness tour. AYC Co-Founders (John, Tesfaye and Meshu) will be presenting at events in NY, MA, CO, RI, CA, PA, etc. In what could be considered a "grassroots miracle" we actually got visas for Tesfaye and Meshu! To read more about the tour or donate in order to help us continue to make this grassroots miralce happen click on the following AYC US Tour Letter
Also today we would like to do a little thing we call "Instant Awassa"...the following two pictures were taken this afternoon here in sunny Awassa, first it is the progress on the first paved, public basketball court in Ethiopia. We are amazingly on schedule for the big opening next week! Take a look....
Also, today One Love was training for next weeks progam where they will debut a new show that addresses feelings and emotions behind HIV/AIDS as opposed to direct messages. Here they are today, training away....
Finally, we thought we would leave you today with a picture capturing a common mode of One Love transport....
One Love, One Fight.
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gReEtInGs WoRlD...
We hope this finds you well, safe and not believing the hype. Ethiopia has been making the news, again, these days amid fears of famine in South Western part of the country. Much of the media surrounding these stories is accompanied by the go-to images of suffering, despair, etc. Pretty simple: hunger is not a happy thing. However, as some of you may know we recently visited South West Ethiopia as part of the "One Zany Blossoming Love" Tour. And, we can say this seeing the fields of stunted, brown, wilting maize is like witnessing a fatal car crash in slow motion. However, despite this people there are very much still alive, and, amazingly enough giving the opportunity are more than willing to smile. While a smile can not be equated to food in times of hunger, it is a source of strength, it is proof that you are still alive. Thus, today we offer you a bit of a different image of famine and simply say FAMINE IS HAPPENING ONLY BECAUSE WE LET IT...
...the follwoing photo is one of reasons people were smiling that day...
Finally today, we have a bit of EXCELLENT AYC news...first, yesterday with the much-appreciated assistance of the Awassa City Administration we managed to secure permission for the Awassa Basketball park. Yes, it is already under construction but that is another story. Second, yesterday was graduation here at AYC, a class of 6 kids, whom let's just say life gave them a rough deal, finished a summer tutorial program here. The class was faciltated by both International and Ethiopian volunteers. For their hard work AYC will pay their schools fees, provide supplies and also offer a lunch program for the new students. PLEASE NOTE we have yet to secure the funds for this, if you are interested in helping us out with this (or with any of our programs for that matter) just let us know. We leave you today with the happy graduates....
One Love, One Fight.
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