Black Earth – Open Rehearsal

Dr. Nathalie Guillaume accompanied on the percussions by BRADY GIUSTA of AZATO MUSIC

No Cost

What if the “Black Earth” could speak of her-story? What would she say of all that has happened to her children?

Exploring the relationship between text and dance, this special presentation is part spoken word, drama, music, and meditation. This interactive performance will surely make your soul travel with the deities and spirits that are still alive in the mystic forests, jungles and rivers of the Americas.

In a pre-Columbian era, when the Arawaks inhabited South America and the Caribbean, their environment was fertile and resources were abundant. These indigenous people used an ancient terra preta technique called to make the land suitable for large-scale agriculture. The people added a mixture of charcoal, bone, broken pottery, compost and manure to the otherwise relatively infertile soils, leaving them darker in color with high levels of micro-organic activities.

Less than 10 years after Columbus’ 1492 discovery of Hispaniola – the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, these ancestral populations had died off, leaving very little trace of their wise connections with the land. The rare indigenous people who did survive adapted to a more mobile lifestyle to escape colonialism.

Immerse yourself in ancient memories coming back to life.

Dr. Nathalie Guillaume, DAOM, L.Ac, CEO and Medical Director

Dr. Guillaume’ experience in the arts has influenced her interest in a creative approach to the clinical practice using exercise as medicine. She has extensively researched the therapeutic benefits of medical qigong, somatic movement therapy, restorative yoga and is also certified with the Mark Morris Dance Company where she has provided specialized rehabilitation classes as a dance therapist at the Juilliard School for Parkinson’s Disease patients.

She received her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Bastyr University and is a Licensed Acupuncturist practicing in New York City and Hawaii. Her journey in medicine started very young as she grew up in a household of multifaceted Haitian physicians, scientists, musicians and scholars. As a teenager, she won several awards in international piano competitions with the Promotion Des Jeunes Talents de la Musique (PJTM) Haitienne under the mentorship of Maitre Serge Villedrouin and also trained in Haitian folklore with the Institut de Danse Lynn William Rouzier.
www.healinghappyhour.com

Dr. Nathalie Guillaume, DAOM, L.Ac
CEO and Medical Director
Healing Happy Hour I An Acupuncture and Asian Medical Spa
1-844-77-HAPPY
www.healinghappyhour.com

Brady Giusta of Azato Music

Azato is a nickname that a friend from Ghana gave him, meaning “joyful or smiley one” in the Frafra language. Hearing Azato music you can’t help but move your feet and experience life and joy. He says, “On a deeper level my life has been transformed dramatically by my Creator. I want my listeners to experience life and life to the fullest through the joy that comes from the Most High.”

Azato has lived in San Diego, Mexico, Barbados and moved to Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi 2008. Hawaiʻi has always been a second home, playing here with many great bands and musicians. His music is autobiographical. He tells the stories of those close to him and the lives of the at-risk youth he works with, commentating on the struggles and social injustice that he and those he loves in his community have experienced.

His musical Influences first include Roots Reggae music from Jamaica, especially from the 70’s. World Music is his second greatest influence. Azato’s music unique blends World Music/Roots Reggae, with elements including, West African, Afro-Cuban, Jazz, Blues, Classical, Nyabinghi, Hawaiian and Samoan music. Born and raised in San Diego, Azato fell in love with Reggae and World Music at a young age. His first instrument as a child was piano, adding guitar and percussion. He has studied West African, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian drumming for years, with a BA in world music from San Diego State University.

He started playing out live in bands at the age of 16 in mostly 21-and-up clubs, getting escorted on and off stage to play. He’s since played with bands varying in genres from Reggae, to Salsa, Jazz, Blues, Hip Hop, R&B, Afrobeat and Highlife music. Touring intensively, he’s played both percussion and keys for Akayaa Atule and Bolga Zohdoomah a Ghanaian High Life Band, and for Elijah Emanuel and the Revelations for over 10 years.

Azato has opened International reggae acts for Damien Marley, Rita Marley, Israel Vibration, Toots and the Maytals, Burning Spear, Culture, Sister Carol, Ras Michael, UB40, Big Mountain, The Wailers, Lucky Dube, Pato Banton, Barrington Levy, Michael Rose, The Itals, Cultura Profetica, The Gladiators, Bunny Wailer, Morgan Heritage, Steel Pulse, Leon Mobley and Da Lion, Manu Chao, etc…

www.azatomusic.com