This special episode of Iconocast Canvas features live performances from Standing with Standing Rock: A Benefit Event, which took place November 12, 2016. The fundraiser, which was emceed by Canvas hosts Nekeisha and Seth, brought together musicians, dancers and artists to support water protectors resisting the Dakota Access Pipeline in Cannonball, North Dakota.
All of the proceeds, more than $2,500, went to the Standing Rock legal defense fund. The event, which took place at Fellowship of Hope Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Indiana, was co-organized by students of Goshen College’s EcoPax Club and Students for Social Reform Clubs, and by Iconocast Canvas. Read a full report back on the benefit here. Intro music: “FHH 12” by FREE Hip Hop Music on Soundcloud Performers and speakers (in order of appearance)
Credits Organizers (alphabetical order): Nekeisha Alayna Alexis, Naomi Gross, Cecilia Lapp Stoltzfus, Mimi Salvador Lucero, Seth Martin, Chelsea Risser and Hannah Yoder. Dancers: Phil Chan and Nimoy Vaidya. Rockport campaign information: Jason Shenk. Photography: Verlin Miller. DJ: Caley “DJ Rushmor” Ortman. Location: Fellowship of Hope Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Indiana and Suella Gerber, pastor. Correction: Nekeisha sincerely apologizes for saying Mimi Salvador Lucero’s name incorrectly in the special thanks during the opening. We also regret neglecting to thank event DJ, Caley “DJ Rushmor” Ortman on the podcast.
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In episode 04 of Iconocast Canvas, Nekeisha and Sarah hang out at Activism Row at Afropunk Festival in Commodore Park, Brooklyn. At the August 2016 "Power to the Party" themed event, they talked with several organizers for Black and other liberation and anti-oppression struggles.
Interviewees include Allen Kwabena Frimpong and Walter Cruz from Black Lives Matter: NYC; Olaronke Akinmowo, founder of the Free Black Women's Library; Taliba Obuya, national coordinator of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement; Emma Chew-Murphy, festival-goer and doula with Ancient Song Doula Services and Mia Anderson from the Brooklyn Anti-Gentrification Network. Nekeisha and Sarah open the conversations by reflecting on their experiences at the eclectic gathering dedicated to dynamic and alternative expressions of Black music and culture. Also mentioned: Every Black Girl and Kleaver Cruz's Black Joy Project. Music: "Spanish Winter" by The Passion HiFi (Evil Twin Records) https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou Photos: Nekeisha Alayna Alexis, for more Afropunk pics, visit nekeishalive.tumblr.com
In episode three of Iconocast Canvas, Nekeisha and Seth interview Roman GianArthur. Roman is a singer, composer, arranger, producer, performer and artist on Wondaland Records. He is consistently broadening the expectations of what a soul singer can do: writing musicals, composing concertos, conducting orchestras, scoring films, picking up new instruments and learning their mysteries at prodigious speed, all while offering heartfelt reflections on the social implications of art and the need for more beauty in the world around us.
Intro and outro credit: "Me in Your Life" by The Passion HiFi (Evil Twin Records) https://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou
In episode two of Iconocast Canvas, Nekeisha and Seth interview sculptor, painter and poet Jake Webster.
Born and raised in Greenville, Miss. during the 40s, Jake's roots as an artist reach back to his childhood and extend into the present. Jake was a painter for more than a decade before he began direct carving in 1974. A resident of Elkhart, Ind. for 21 years, he often uses local materials, including wood from fallen trees and excess limestone from nearby quarries. Recycled materials are core parts of his work, with used nails, bones and scrap metal figuring prominently in his sculptures, and articles like paper, rags and plastic wrappers appearing in his paintings. Jake's artistic pursuits have taken him as close to home as South Bend and Indianapolis, Ind. and as far away as Italy, Greece and France. He invites those who view his work to ask themselves two questions: "What in the hell is he doing?" and, "How do I make my life better from this day forward?" Visit his website for more information. Credits Music: "FHH 27" by FREE Hip Hop Beats(www.soundcloud.com/freebeatshiphop/) Photos: Nekeisha Alayna Alexis
In episode 01 of The Iconocast Canvas, co-hosts Nekeisha and Seth discuss the origins and goals of this new segment of Jesus Radicals' long-running podcast. Together, they share their perspectives on the interplay of art, faith and politics in resistance and reconstruction; why they think it's important to make space to explore these connections with artists; and what they hope to do with this venture as it moves forward.
Music, "Lab Classic." Produced by The Passion HiFi (www.thepassionhifi.com)
Nekeisha is a transplant to the Elkhart, Indiana community with roots extending to her native Trinidad and the city that raised her, Manhattan, NYC. In addition to her day jobs as a graphic designer and an intercultural competence and undoing racism coordinator, she is also an independent writer and speaker, youth ministry team leader, and avid vegangelist. Nekeisha enjoys listening to whatever music catches her ear, frequent karaoke excursions, intermittent poetry writing, and good banter with good friends. She is the cofounder and a co-organizer of the Jesus Radicals website, and rumor has it she needs more sleep.
Seth lives at the Red Oak Permaculture house (part of the Prairie Wolf Collective) in Elkhart, Indiana, but grew up in the beautiful city of Toledo, Ohio (shout out 419). Seth has had many different occupations ranging from cook, server, waiter, organic farming intern (twice), mental health case manager, life skills class instructor, and is currently a carpenter's apprentice. Seth spends most of his time playing guitar, listening to loud music, writing random thoughts and drinking coffee while pacing.
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Iconocast Canvas
A platform to explore the interplay of art, faith and politics in the work of justice, liberation, resistance and social reconstruction, and for artists to discuss the convictions that motivate their work. Canvas Episodes |