#5a1l

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5 Artists 1 Love Retrospective

For the past 15 years, Darren Jordan, the curator of 5 Artists 1 Love, has kept hustling to bring the event to bigger and bigger stages. From a small grassroots event that started at the TU Gallery in 2006, the event has grown exponentially, and in 2021 they are tackling new territory.  

5 Artists 1 Love (5A1L) is an annual Black History Month event that highlights many of the talented Black artists and performers in Edmonton. 5A1L showcases the work of visual artists through a month-long art exhibit and closes with a one-night multi-genre showcase featuring poets, musicians, singers, and dancers. One of the goals has been to bring together various artistic disciplines within the Black Community under one accessible network. While keeping its focus on Black artistry, the art exhibit and concert have always been culturally inclusive and have established a strong presence outside of Black History Month.

In February 2020, the 5A1L show “The Reel Film Noir” wrapped with a standing ovation, and plans were already underway for the 2021 event. According to Jordan, the goal has always been to grow the event, making its way to grander stages. And in 2021 they were to perform at what Jordan refers to as “the zenith of Edmonton’s performance spaces” – the Winspear Centre. Unanticipated by everyone, six weeks later the world was rocked with a global pandemic and live performances were put on hold.  

But as they say, the show must go on! In light of the ongoing pandemic, Jordan and the 5A1L team reimagined their event in order to reach their goals and continue celebrating our city’s incredible Black artists. By bringing on board the expertise of RJ Cui and the team at PlanIt Sound, 5A1L is going digital with a retrospective webisode series, set to premiere on Friday, February 26, 2021.  

The webisode series will look back at 5A1L’s 15-year exploration of the evolution of Black Music as it left Africa and landed on the shores of North America. Some of Edmonton’s finest poets, singers and musicians who have graced the stage of the 5A1L productions in years gone by will fully immerse you in soul-infused performances with everything from Soul to R&B, Jazz, Gospel, Reggae and Contemporary sounds. The video series will be filmed following AHS protocols in venues that have been used for the showcase in the past, beginning with the Yardbird Suite – the home of the inaugural 5A1L show.  

“I was bummed out initially,” admits Jordan. As a producer of live events, interaction with the audience is a powerful element for Jordan. “The audience is half of the entertainment. It is one of those times where you can you have permission to get up and dance or to misbehave. There's this whole element of engagement and interaction that I'm going to miss.” However, Jordan takes comfort in knowing that the level of professionalism and talent they have drawn from year over year is the same.  

“The idea of doing it all filmed has been a bit of a learning curve,” says Jordan. “But the people that we have at PlanIt Sound are experts at working with video and I’m sure they will translate that energy. I’m hoping we can capture that lightning in a bottle.” Through performances and interviews, Jordan is hoping this retrospective will be a bit more dynamic and that it will bring joy and connection during this time when we can’t gather as a community.  

“I can't wait till this whole thing is over so we can create onstage again, but in the meantime, hopefully we can put out something that is entertaining that resonates with the people that watch it.”  

In addition to the retrospective webisodes, 5A1L is mounting an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta entitled Black Every Day. Black Every Day speaks to the current social anti-racist movement while illustrating that local Black artists have been and will continue to produce compelling art every day. Featuring the works of 15 artists, this is the first time the 5A1L art exhibit will run outside of the month of February.  

You’re invited to join the AGA on Saturday, February 27th for a conversation with the creative team behind 5A1L (Darren Jordan, Natalie Meyer and Monique McFarlane) as they discuss the origins of the 5A1L, celebrating Black excellence, and the upcoming exhibition. Click here for more event information.

Check out the 5A1L website for more information about the upcoming webisodes. 

[deemakesjewelry-blog-blog]

Open call for AfroFuturism - Black to the Future Location: Canada Deadline: January 17, 2020 *REPOST for @5artists1love * 5 ARTISTS 1 LOVE PRESENTS THE WALL: #AfroFuturism - Black to The Future . . Every year, this portion of the 5 Artists 1 Love exhibit is dedicated to a unified theme on The Wall. Anyone from the general public at large is welcome to submit a piece on a 12 x 12 (2 inch wide) gallery ready canvas which represents images and themes that evoke sentiments, ideas or conversation surrounding this chosen topic. Themes in the past have included: “There goes the Neighbourhood”; “The Civil Rights Movement” as well as “Black Girl Magic”. This inclusive part of the showcase has garnered outstanding feedback and growing interest yearly. This year all submissions, from paintings, photography to print will be hung with the rest of the show at the Art Gallery of Alberta, AGA. (must adhere to canvas dimensions listed above) . . Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic, philosophy of science, and philosophy of history that explores the developing intersection of African Diaspora culture with technology. It can be expressed in several media: architecture, art, fashion, literature etc. The film Black Panther took this aesthetic  mainstream.  It said that the future of technology is big , bold and that black people have a part in it! . . Share your thoughts of this and what Afrofuturism means to you on a 12’x12’ (2 inch wide) canvas and we’ll hang it in a provincial Gallery. (AGA) . . In order to submit your piece to The WALL email us at 5artists1love@gmail.com  with your contact info ASAP. DEADLINE to submit is January 17, 2020 . . #afrofuturism #blacktothefuture #5artists1love #opencall #yegartists #thewall #blackhistorymonth #5a1l #pleaseshare #submitnow #yegopportunity #galleryexhibit #2020 #blackgirlpower #paintersofig #smallworks #blackartistsmatter #12x12layout #artsy #opencallfoartists #photographylife #visualart (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Czx2TlOFa/?igshid=1u60dtpb86too

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popstar faz assim né mores (em Biritinga, Bahia, Brazil) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClWOa-5A1l-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=