Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Check out our exhibit...



Art Exhibit at Beans N' Bagels

From December 1- 31, 2007


KL participants in our Drop In Graff Arts program will display their art at the Beans N' Bagels Cafe. (1812 W. Montrose.) All original artwork is for sale and would make a perfect holiday gift for the art lover in your life! For more info, call Will @ (773)649-0015 To book future exhibitions of KL art work at your venue, contact us @ kuumbalynx@yahoo.com.

Big News for the KL family.........

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lsUEVDTAPGA

KL Family News!
We are once again proud to announce & welcome the coming of new life - Selene and Lisa have both blessed the KL family with new members!Big Ups!

To Sol Arts Collective - KL founder and teaching artist Leyda "Lady Sol" Garcia and the FootworKINGz for their recent successes with the Verizon Wireless Juke commercial, October 2007 Rolling Stone magazine feature article, and most recently, Ellen DeGeneres' Really Big Show appearances. go ahead family - makin' moves!

Big ups to our KL Alumni doin' it big at college

Brian & Laura (graduating from college this year in NYC and IL)
Morgan, Ashleigh M. & Britteney (sophomores in IN, IL and MI)
Ashleigh W. (junior in IL)

KL performs at the School of the Americas!





Exceptional Achievements: KLPE Road Trip!
Tennessee to Georgia and back to the Chi:Kuumba Lynx Performance Ensemble (KLPE) ventured South on November 15, 2007 for our first out of state performance of the school year. This year’s journey was prefaced with a kiss from mother Earth as the youth stepped off the concrete city streets to fully experience the plush brown earth and natural surroundings. In the Tennessee mountains, our youth engaged in rock climbing and cavern navigating in the picturesque Rock City. Taking in the beautiful color changes of Fall, our youth were invigorated and awed by Mother Earth’s nurturing beautification and blessings. The tone was set for an incredible trip! Afterwards, KLPE left Rock City to continue our journey to Atlanta, Georgia. With no definite plans other than to explore the Spellman College campus, KLPE members happened to stumble upon a campus talent show presented by SKIRTS (Sisters Keeping it Real Through Service) which was slated to begin that evening. Unexpectedly, KLPE was recognized by an event staff member and then invited to perform as guests of honor for the show. Of course the KLPE crew represented for the Chi and threw down to thunderous applause!KLPE once again performed in Columbus, Georgia for the School of Americas Watch “Vigil and Nonviolent Direct Action to Close the School of the Americas and to Change the Racist System of Violence and Domination!” This annual gathering brings together thousands of high school, college students and elders together to remember the numerous lives taken at the hands of this institution and to decry the US government sponsored training of South American mercenaries. Our youth are still talking about this trip and their positive experiences. In all, ten youth made the journey. Here are their words: Sejahari, 8 yearsOur first show was at Spellman, we performed dances from the show Word! Everyone liked us, we all did good!
Davante, 15 yearsGoing to ATL was a great experience, to me everything was cool, everything was positive, there was no negativity.
Darius, 16 yearsThe trip to ATL was a very exciting experience. The thing that stuck out to me most was when we were performing at Spellman College for their annual talent show. At first I was under the impression that we were going to be competing, but then was informed that we were going to be honorary guests, it made me feel real good about being a KLPE member cuz its is movement and we about to take over!
Jahleigh, 10 yearsThe best part of the trip for me was the Spellman performance, my brother just started footworking out of the blue. I was proud of him!
Shannon, 14 yearsMy experience in Georgia was very fun because we performed at a big college. Also we slept in a hotel and visited with Jaquanda’s sister. Even though she had two dogs ( she put them away), it was a fun and great experience.
Hamid, 7 yearsWe went to Spellman College. The best part was seeing different people perform and clap. Kuumba Lynx has performed at colleges across the nation including The New School in New York City, San Francisco University, Clark-Atlanta University, Spellman College, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison and more. Nationally, KLPE has toured San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, South Dakota, Grand Canyon, Hawaii, and Cuba.

Come to our Open Mic...


Teachers! Poetry Groups!!! Performers!!!dont forget about friday 12/7 Open Mindz Open Mic....Friday December 7th @ Clarendon Park4501 North Clarendon6pm-9pm$3 donation
Breakin and Footworking dance exhibition & battlesLive Deejays and poetry and Spoken Word open mic
No More Trickin the Kidz! Literacy is the intervention --Arts is the key! From the very beginning KL has had the intention of changing an unjust order and therefore an intention . to replace the old with something new. Counterculture needs the people! http://www.kuumbalynx.org/ 773-550-3849/4229 FAX : 773-275-0171 4501 N. Clarendon, 60640 KL seeks to empower youth by developing programs that preserve, promote and present urban (Hip-Hop) culture, both as an art form and social justice movement.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Check out our Fall/Winter Programming...

It's Fall so Fall into Kuumba Lynx Free Drop In Programming
at Clarendon Park 4501 N. Clarendon--

on Wednesdays: The Art of Dj-ing 4:00-7:00, Graff Muralism 5:00-7:00, and Hip HOp Theater 4:00-7:00

and

Fridays: Footworking 3:30-5:00 and Hip HOp Theater 5:00-7:00.


Email: kuumbalynx@yahoo.com
Site: http://www.kuumbalynx.org/
Ph: 773/550-3849

Thursday, October 25, 2007

November 3, 2007 - 11th Annual Gala Benefit


Saturday, November 3, 2007
1:00 Reception & Silent Auction
2:00 Buffet and Program
Live music & performances
Silent auction
KL’s Taste of Chicago
Special Dedication to the Richard Driehaus Foundation and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
$25 in advance, $35 at the door
Cobra Lounge
238 S. Ashland, Chicago
(Ashland & Lake St.)
Advanced ticketing available via Pay Pal. Click here to order online!
For more info contact us at info@kuumbalynx.org
For eleven years, Kuumba Lynx has offered Chicago’s youth and communities excellence in Arts presentation and education, Culture and community programs, and the celebration of the universal reach of Hip Hop centered programming. From these roots we have inspired social justice and positive change for our global community. As we fulfill our mission daily, we always recognize that the greatness of our programs is rooted in the history and culture of our ancestors. This year’s Gala celebration is dedicated to our Ancestors; remembering their strengths, gifts and legacies.
We are an arts and education, 591c3 not-for-profit organization working to provide access to programs that preserve, promote and present urban (Hip-Hop) culture, both as an artistic aesthetic and social justice movement. We believe in developing healthy hearts, minds, and bodies that will in turn create strong, community foundations of love. Our programs encourage creative expression in a non-judgmental space.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

KL- Peace Projex Celebration- Sept 9, 2007

Peace & Blessings
Kuumba Lynx and La Casa Norte would like to invite you to celebrate the culmination of our collaborativeproject "Peace Projex", an exciting Hip-Hop andCultural Arts Club instructed by Amina Norman Hawkins,James Spurgeon, Gabriel Cortez and Che Guevarra.

Performances & video showing by youth and adultparticipants as well as local community artists will be held
Sunday September 9th
1pm at Bateo Urbano 2725 W. Division St.Chicago, IL 60622

Food and Cultural sharings will be provided

Transportation?http://transitchica go.com/maps/ tripplanner. html

Friday, June 29, 2007

Kuumba Lynx Needs YOU!!!

Volunteer With Kuumba Lynx
First off....here's our email address if you read about the opportunities below and care to give of your time... kuumbalynx@yahoo.com or Call Call 773-550-3849

Kuumba Lynx is a multi arts organization and interdisciplinary performance ensemble dedicated to preserving the elements of hip hop and working toward social change! Earn Internship credit with Kuumba Lynx!!!

Kuumba Lynx currently needs assistance with:

Dance/theatre Instruction Mon-Fri after 3pm and Saturday 10am-4pm

Promotions for current programming, including open mics at Clarendon Park field house, drop in arts, artist residencies,

Creation of marketing materials and new concepts for current and new programming

Volunteers to help organize and participate in events, this includes mailings, box office duties, marketing & promoting, requesting donations etc.

1-2 hours per week teaching an arts workshop to youth ages 8 & up. Ideas are open to any dance style, theatre, music, creative writing, storytelling, spoken word, visual art mediums, or any performance based technique.

Support and development of SIsta 2 Sista, an all ages youth driven program established to empower females and their communities via the arts & social work

Creation of theatre props, and costumes, building sets, benches etc.

Updating of current video promo, or working on current video project ideas

Administrative assistance: updating mailing lists, creating flyers, collaborating with other community organizations, filing, etc.

Grant writing for general operating, current programs, and special projects

Sunday, June 24, 2007

We can come to you or you can come to us...

ARTIST RESIDENCIES

An Artist residency implements the same learning criteria as the single “Edutainment” workshop. An artist residency can be provided for a complete school year. If your organization prefers a shorter residency, it must consist of a minimum of ten 1 hour sessions in one classroom. Artists can conduct creative writing, performance, graff mural, cultural dance, and Female empowerment workshops that will engage students in a variety of creative arts and multi media activities including but not limited to stage technique, photography, theatrical games, dance/movement, instruments, visual art, storytelling, and more. Participants will learn the ins and outs of creating art for self empowerment and social up-liftment. Writing workshop Participants will have the option of hosting an all school open mic, or presenting a short production that explores their identity, non violence, justice, and solutions for peace. All other programs have a culminating event such as dance expose or mural unveiling. A public venue for the culminating event can be arranged if your school or organization desires to do so. The cost of a ten week intro residency is approximately $1,500.00 Add an ensemble performance to accompany a residency, you can receive a 50% cut for the cost of a 30 min show. You can apply for cost assistance through an Illinois Arts Council Artist Roster grant (the deadline is February 10th).

Who will conduct the workshops and artist residencies?

The Kuumba Lynx ensemble currently consists of 10 company artists, and 10 apprentice artists, including four full time professional adult artists and educators. The lead artists/educators are responsible for conducting workshops and school residencies. They have been working with youth for over ten years in various capacities, all have taught in Chicago area schools, and have full knowledge of the state standards learning goals.

How workshops and artist residencies are implemented?

Kuumba Lynx provides curriculum/lesson plans that follow state standards and teach to the state goals. The company’s writing and dramatic exercises, coupled with professional performance technique, visual arts, and music/dance backgrounds encourage the students to take creative risks, to voice their feelings, and share experiences in order to develop self esteem and confidence in leadership abilities. The company strongly encourages self expression in a safe and non judgmental environment that supports space for students to explore their personal stories and that of those around them. In forms ranging from creative writing to movement technique, youth will experience the value of self expression while exploring their ideas.

Kuumba Lynx offers the following Arts Residency Programs:

Hip Hop Theatre Production: "A Day In The Life of Baby Boo" This Hip-Hop theatrical arts residency will explore community stories, preserve Hip-Hop Arts, and celebrate the strength of cultural diversity through play production.

Our Beats and Rhymez: Using interdisciplinary performance techniques to provide student with a historical, cultural and spiritual understanding of their existence, and that of those around them, while preserving the movement of hip-hop is the goal of this story preservation and presentation project.

Peace Poets: Introduction to creative writing and spoken word with a final project This Spoken Word program provides the opportunity to explore poetry in the context of hip hop culture as the fourth element known to many as "mc-ing".

Graff/Murals collages and Alley Art: Walk to learn on a tour that begins at Truman College & ends at Clarendon Community Center. View a five garage mural that portrays historical events of the mid 80’s & depicts the strengths & struggles of Uptown, while embracing Graff & the importance of arts & education. Schools can opt to paint a mural, lockers, benches, students decide! Neighborhood orgs & business who provide outdoor wall space - we’ll bring the rest! This is collaboration with University of Hip Hop in an effort to preserve community history& hip-hop while bringing murals to communities.


Urban Dance Projex: Rooted in traditional dance forms, students explore styles & history of house, poppin/lockin, hip-hop-funk/jazz, b-girl'n/boy'n. Intro to tap, African,& Latin. Emphasis on history and dance utilization for raising social awareness


Sista 2 Sista: HYATI: Explore the power of unity in sisterhood. Programming for girls and young women that is designed to empower young women through interdisciplinary art workshops, mentoring, and various planned activities. Final projects are encouraged

What is "edutainment"?

EDUTAINMENT WORKSHOPS

An “Edutainment” workshop combines both creative arts
and educational themes. All workshops will focus on conflict & resolution when dealing with social justice, global, community, individual, and spiritual issues. The creative art component includes but is not limited to spoken word, creative writing, theatre techniques, storytelling, visual/Graff Mural design, cultural dance forms, instrument making, photography, video, turntabilism, and more. If necessary your organization can work with a Kuumba Lynx instructor to design a workshops specific to your needs. The cost of a single session workshop is $200. Can apply for IAC grant.

One time Edutainment workshops are created to meet the needs of constituents Some examples are:

Finding your inner peace: creative
writing/theatre/team building
I heard a rumor: Combines
storytelling/movement/emceeing
Understanding Violence: History of media and hip-hop
Destructive Forces: Images of women
hip hop in media and their impact on urban culture

Wanna learn the Elements of Hip Hop?

Free Community Programs
Join "Street Lynx"
Drop In Arts Workshops
Every Saturday from 12-2pm At Clarendon Park 4501 N. Clarendon
For more info call: 773-550-4229 or kuumbalynx@yahoo.com

Every Saturday is Deejaying
1st and 3rd Saturdays are Play Production
2nd & 4th Saturdays are Cultural Dance

Turntabilism(DJing): Practice blending, scratching, juggling, & how to get a party started

Urban Dance Projex: Exposure to various Hip-Hop styles, African, Latin, Caribbean,Tap. Learn the history behind the movement!

Play Production: Experience the in & outs of creating a play from page to stage, prop & set design, write scenes, create costumes, develop characters, learn memorization techniques, play acting games, learn choreography/staging, improve stage presence

In Collaboration with After school Matters Kuumba Lynx presents hip hop arts for youth ages 13-19

Turntabilism at Clarendon Park Fridays from 6-10pm and Saturdays 12-3pm
To participate go to Afterschoolmatters.org

The art of muralism and Graff at El Quatro Ano High School
To participate go to Afterschoolmatters.org