Winners Recognized at the Rumi  "Language of the Heart" Poetry Reading

The poetry reading at the Regional Arts Commission was well received by a full room of poetry enthusiasts including well-known Rumi expert, Fatemeh Keshavarz and local poets Michael Castro and K. Curtis Lyles. The three winners were John MacEnulty (First Place), Richard Fischer (Second Place) and Cathleen Callahan (Third Place). Other local poets participated in the two hour program following an enlightening discussion about Rumi with a recital in English and Persian by Dr. Keshavarz. The event brought a diversity of poetry contestants and audience members of all ages, socio-economic background and many nationalities.

Special guests included Dr. Karamustafa, Drs. Ike and Nne Ngumoha, Dr. Bahar Bastani, State Representative Maria Chappelle-Nadal and Mrs. Metaferia.


Cecilia Nadal Keynotes Nigeria Day Celebration

On Saturday, October 4, 2008 the Nigerian Cultural Association presented the 24th Annual Nigeria Day Celebration honoring the independence of the country and their diverse cultural heritage with 250 dialects. The ceremony was held at the University of Missouri-St. Louis with high life music, traditional dance and great food.

Cecilia Nadal, Executive Director of Gitana discussed the mission and goals of Gitana with a special emphasis on the Global Education Program which brings both African Americans and Immigrant youth together to learn dance, drama, cultural diversity and leadership training. Cecilia called for a broadening of our view of "community" such that those with least were at the center of our attention. She also encouraged more dialogue between African Americans and Africans on a wide range of issues. Five of the participants in Global Education came to the ceremonies with Ms. Nadal representing the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Ghana and Haiti. Everyone had a fantastic time with our Nigerian
friends.


Gloria Overton, New President of Gitana Productions

A longtime supporter of Gitana's mission, Gloria has been the chair of the Logistics and Programming Committee of the organization for a number of years. She is a retired Counselor from the Webster School District and well known advocate for cultural diversity in education and community development. Gloria is also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She will fill the unexpired term of Karen Cooper, auditor at Anheuser Busch.

Complacency of Silence: Darfur Opens and Closes to Standing Ovations

"Your production of "Complacency of Silence: Darfur" left me in tears. The global injustices that we are all guilty of tolerating are an outrage. This powerful, theatrical, and emotional performance was affecting on so many levels, that it I'm sure inspires all who see it to get somehow involved......." Bill Grivna - Prof. Emeritus SIUE, Dept of Theatre/Dance"

"A powerful piece of theater. A lesson to be learned from "Complacency of Silence: Darfur,"  Joe Pollock - KWMU Theater Critic

Gitana Production's first full length drama, opened and closed with standing ovations from every audience. Complacency of Silence: Darfur a new work by Lee Patton Chiles, premiered in Saint Louis University's theatre on May 23rd, 2008 and ran through June 8th, 2008. According to KDHX critic Andrea Braun, "The show should be required viewing for students, and everyone can learn something from it. Most important, all of us should be demanding that our nation do something about this tragedy." The story centered on one family that was, in the St. Louis Post Dispatch theatre critic's words, "tenderly depicted by Chiles and beautifully portrayed by her cast". It is through the eyes of this family that the audience comes to know the story of Darfur in an up-close and personal way.
 
KWMU critic Joe Pollack noted in his review, "Using eyewitness accounts, interviews and a variety of texts, writer-director Chiles told of murders and rapes, and there were few dry eyes in the house. A powerful piece of theater."  

Traditionally, Gitana produces shows that focus on music and dance, occasionally using dramatic elements. Gitana Productions did not abandon the powerful use of music or dance for this original play about Darfur. "Music and dances, choreographed by Watt, really help establish a sense of place and the characters' situations. In one scene Hawa a beautiful dancer, performs a "river dance" with a length of fabric for water... but the fabric is red, not blue: The rivers of Darfur run with blood. That's a powerful image; so is the image Chiles achieves in the refugee-camp clinic, when Watt leans over Ashe, embracing her in sweep of vividly colored robes." Post Dispatch critic, Judy Newmark

Since April 2007, Gitana has sponsored a series of arts and education events which spotlighted the current crisis in Darfur. These events reached over 3500 participants including a traveling photographic exhibit, "Faces of Darfur" by journalist, Gina Bramucci which was featured at St. Louis City Hall and the St. Louis Public Library's Carpenter Branch for a full week. The exhibit was also featured at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and St. Louis University. Gitana collaborated with the St. Louis Save Darfur Coalition with "Voices From Darfur" at the Sheldon Concert Hall featuring music and dramatic presentation and performed a segment of the play at Meramec Community College for International Peace Day. In November we sponsored a speaking forum at St. Louis University featuring refugees from Darfur and local musicians. Our media coverage included over 51 placements with impressions exceeding 9,629,185. As a result of the synergy and buzz Gitana has received inquiries about the play from San Francisco, Ashland (OR), Boston and Atlanta.
 
As expected, Gitana attracted a very diverse audience to the play including Liberians, Congolese, Somali, former missionaries and members of Doctors Without Borders, students, Interfaith community and members of the Hispanic, African American, Caucasian and Chinese communities. Fifteen nonprofit groups participated in the play with complimentary tickets provided to their consumers.
 
Students in the Global Education through the Arts program had the time of their lives working side by side as actors with the professional ensemble of actors in Complacency of Silence. These youth included local African American and immigrant youth from 3 African countries. (click here to see more pictures from the production)