ONE LOVE Theater Blog

AYC Community Event!

Jkayo — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:56:13 GMT

gOoD pEoPlE...

We hope this finds you all well in your respective niches of the World. Last Friday, July 4th, we had the first AYC Community Event. Held at the park located in front of AYC, it included aikido demonstrations, a One Love Theater performance, several talented youth musicans and Fikat Circus from Addis Ababa. Despite torrential rains and power outages over 1,000 people attended the 3-hour event!!!! The following photos give an idea what it takes to make something like this happen. Hopefully soon we should have some photos of the show. For now, enjoy...

One Love, One Fight.

The Day of the African Child

Jkayo — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:17:43 GMT

gReEtInGs...

Today, June 16th, is the International Day of the African Child. Unfortunatley, celebrations here in Awassa had to be postponed. However, here at AYC we try and celebrate it each day for the following reason...

One Love, One Fight.

One Love Story...

Jkayo — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:14:37 GMT

gReEtInGs gOoD pEoPlE...

We hope this finds you all well in your respective corners of the Globe. As of late Ethiopia (along with the rest of the World) seems to be in a "funk" (to put it midly), thus, today we though we would provide a short example of what can happen even during the hardest of times. About one month ago One Love Theater took "Adventures in OneLoveLand" on the road to a Ethiopia's only prison for children located in Addis Ababa. It was One Love's second performance at the prison and despite the bitter cold and a night-time performance we were greeted as warmly as ever by the 100+ child-inmates. After our dusk arrival the first priority was to set up the road-stage with the residents anxiously peering from their "rooms"...

...then OLT brought the OneLoveLand spectacle...

...as the show closed to applause and thank you's on the eve of one of Ethiopia's biggest holidays (Fasika) we packed up the stage then several of the children remarked "thank you, you made it seems like the holidays nobody's done that in a while". Enough said.

One Love, One Fight.

GOBAMA!

Jkayo — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:32:15 GMT

gReEtInGs gOoD fOlK...

We hope this finds you well. Things are going fine here as we are preparing for several upcoming One Love Theater shows in addition to the end of the academic year (many more kids visiting AYC when school gets out). More importanly we at AYC would like to say a big congratulations to Mr. Obama on his truly amazing journey, may he embody the hope and change that this World so desperately needs. Be well.

One Love, One Fight.

Strange and Busy Times.

Jkayo — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:58:24 GMT

hElLo WoRlD...

We hope this finds you and yours well. Nowdays it seems as though the World is being shaken about a bit so please stay safe and well in these strange times. Here in Ethiopia school is about to finish up which means we are busy getting ready for a busy summer. A highlight of which will be the construction of the AYC Basketball Park, yesterday we started painting the mural that will serve as the backdrop for the park. Today we are back with a short blog, though in the coming week we promise some exciting updates on OLT and possible AYC expansion. For now, the pics...

Also, this week we got a visit from an Ethio-American Aikido instructor who facilitated a couple classes for the ever expanding AYC Aikido group....

One Love, One Fight.

OneLoveLand, Pt. 2

Jkayo — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:12:01 GMT

tHe ShOw...

First, the audience waits patiently despite rain and various technical issues...

...the show kicks off with OLT's usual gravity-defying feats...

...then Alice (played by a male lead) faces a descision...

...that ultimatley leads him to OneloveLand...

...where there are characters galore...

...advice from a catepillar...

...and, of course, the Queen of Hearts...

One Love, One Fight.

OneLoveLand, Pt. 1

Jkayo — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:08:55 GMT

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

A Day at the Beach...

Jkayo — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:08:26 GMT

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.

One Love Education

Jkayo — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:08:25 GMT

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.

Ye Rob BLOG

Jkayo — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:25:29 GMT

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.

MuZiC

Jkayo — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:34:12 GMT

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.

Follow the White Rabbit...

Jkayo — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:46:43 GMT

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.

A Day 4 All.

Jkayo — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:48:19 GMT

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.

Is There Anybody Out There?

Jkayo — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:49:35 GMT

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.

Happy New Year!

Jkayo — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:58:22 GMT

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.

Melkam Gena (ferengi that is).

Jkayo — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:57:15 GMT

mElKaM gEna...

We would like to wish all of our friends, family, supporters, donors and alike the best this holiday season. Though BLOG postings may have slowed down we assure you AYC has been as busy as ever finishing up this year and getting ready for another big year in 2008! Before moving on to the AYC gena (christmas) gift, we would also like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude for your past, present and future support. Without it this little pocket of community, creativity and change wouldn't be happening. Thanx. Now, the AYC xmas gift....a handful of some of our favorite AYC/One Love photos ever! 'Tis the AYC season.

One Love, One Fight.

New pics-Old(ish) Show

Jkayo — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:40:04 GMT

hElLo OnE lOvE fOlK...

Greetings from AYC. Nice and simple today, here are some new pics of an old show...actually the November 16th (aka International Stop Violence Against Womem Day) show. Thanks to GOAL Ethiopia for the shots, enjoy.

One Love, One Fight.

AYC Action.

Jkayo — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:16:40 GMT

hElLo HiZbOcH...

Hoping this finds you all alive, well and aware. We are holding steady. We would like to apologize to those of you whom may be experiencing difficulties bringing up the website/BLOG, it is out of our hands . Moving on to brighter newz...this past weekend AYC held our second 3 on 3 basketball tournament, which again proved to be a highly successful event. 28 teams particpated in the 3-day tournament which concluded on Sunday, December 2nd, World AIDS Day. Over 1,000 people attended the closing ceremonies which was highlighted by one of the most somber, yet engaging, One Love performances to date. Unfortunately photos are not available. Moving on...yesterday, One Love performed at a school run by People in Need, a Czech NGO. The show included some powerful messages that intertwined HIV/AIDS awarness, the importance of education and girls empowerment...fortunatley, photos are available and they look like this...

Finally, as BLOG fans know we ocassionally post random animal pics here on the BLOG when we happen to run across the random animal...well we ran across one. He happens to be an infant midako (in English I think this is water deer or dik-dik)...either way he is a deer that is currently about the size of a kitten. We bought him from a guy in front of AYC for the equivalent of $4. As of now he is not named, suggestions are welcome. We will keep you posted to whether or not he makes it through the dangerous days of infancy, aas of today he was happy and smiling, take a look....

One Love, One Fight.

One Love back in Action!

Jkayo — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:03:08 GMT

pEoPlE oF tHe WoRlD...

Hello once again. We are very happy to report that since the last BLOG One Love Theater has returned to usual form performing two shows over the past weekend for over 2,000 people! Sunday was the official "International Day aimed at stopping violence against women". For the past 2 years One Love has collaborated with GOAL Ethiopia on performance that celebrates the day, as well as raises awareness about violence against women in Ethiopia. Though the official day was on Sunday, we just couldn't wait to debut the show, so, we did a special surprise performance on Friday evening in the center of Awassa. Highlights of the shows were a great new HIV skit and a new live music score. Here are a few pics from the shows...

Finally, some time back we had posted the first work on canvas by an AYC artist, since then he as completed two additional works. This is his third work on canvas...and....well just look....

One Love, One Fight.

AYC Wednesday

Jkayo — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:29:56 GMT

sAlUtAtIoNs FoLks....

Yesterday, we did a "Children's Worksop". Basically these are events held at community schools, organizations, etc. They incorporate gymnastics, music, art and so on. Yesterday's workshop actually brought aikido to a community school that looked like this....

First, the AYC akido kids class put on a truly impressive demonstration for the little ones...

Then the kids at the school got to do some "hands-on" akido...

Meanwhile back at AYC there was daily music lessons going on....

That was Wednesday. One Love, One Fight.