KL SO FRESH & SO GREEN

A Look Back At Life Is Living

2009-08-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Life is Living = Collaboration / Communication / Community Building

Thank you again for making the Life Is Living festival an unforgettable moment in the movement! Your participation, attendance, volunteering, feedback, and overall support made Life is Living, a breathtaking success for Chicago!

Click here to view LIL pictures taken by Eve, one of our great photographers for the event: http://www.flickr.com/photos/layla-eve/sets/72157621786120560/

Also Hard Copy (channel 19) will air segments of Life Is Living on the following dates:
August 24th 5:30
August 25th 12:30

**Chicago’s communities are working together!
• Over 50 volunteers were actively involved with each other and communicated regularly in order to plan for this collaborative effort. LIL modeled partnerships between diverse and underserved communities, elected officials, green action agencies, local community groups, urban environmental activists, the Hip Hop community, contemporary arts world, and intergenerational community members, laying the foundation for community building.

• Through a partnership with Brave New Voices, an international poetry slam held in Chicago, youth from as far as London to Hawaii attended the LIL fest. Accompanied by the Uplift Social Justice HS marching band and carrying signs that recognized the thirty-three lives lost to violence this year, these youth marched to “Stop the Violence” with their peers who represented Chicago’s southwest side, Rogers Park, Pilsen, Humboldt Park, Englewood, Back of the Yards, Austin, and Little Village.

LIL= Community Outreach
Chicago’s is increasing public awareness & community interaction i.e. valuing life!

• Over 2,000 people attended the event throughout the day
• Approximately 250 youth & their families marched to “Stop the Violence”
• Approximately 100 youth & elders ate the Freedom Breakfast
• Approximately 90 youth participated in either a dance, graffiti, or skate battle
• Approximately 150 youth played in soccer & b-ball tournaments
• Approximately 180 youth performed on 1 of the 3 performance stages
• Approximately 50 youth engaged in Eco Literacy & STD Prevention games
• Approximately 75 youth made recycled art or environmentally friendly cleaning products

LIL = Sustainable “Green” Education / Resource Sharing / Solutions
Chicago youth are defining the green movement for themselves!

• Through KL Arts Residency programs, approximately 150 youth from various Chicago communities were exposed to curriculum developed by KL Teaching Artists. Youth participants explored the many inequitable environmental burdens relative to their neighborhoods & cultural upbringings. Participants were then challenged to create ”edutainment” around the meaning of environmental justice via creative writing, spoken word, dance, theatre, and graffiti art.

• Comprised of youth educators/activists and dedicated to “working with, not against our Mother Earth and nature”, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO), led an informative workshop series that engaged over 75 citywide youth in a critical analysis of our economic, environmental and social realities, inspiring participants with a sense of self-determination, empowered decision making, and community commitment.

Life is Living is project #1 of the SO FRESH & SO GREEN Initiative, which seeks to inspire young people and their families to establish a needed voice defining what it means to be included in Chicago's "green movement." This initiative supports the Hip Hop arts and education community in leading a national campaign emphasizing social equity, urban green literacy and capturing the spirit and appreciation for life and earth. Strategies include integrated arts and education programs that raise consciousness within our world while working to improve and develop sustainable spaces.

Life IS Living…an hour by hour account

In the 8am hour twenty five volunteers arrive at Clarendon Park to set up three stages, graff battle stations, dance floors, recycle bins, and welcoming banners. Volunteers hustle to situate tables, hang eco friendly art, install live and interactive exhibits, organize recycled art making areas, and welcome participants.

In the 9 am hour- A native drum circle invokes the spirit of the day, honoring those who have passed over and celebrating today’s LIFE. Over 100 youth and community members feast on a Free Breakfast full of fresh fruit inspiring healthy eating as a greener choice.

In the 10oclock hour-Over 400 youth and community members march to stop the violence; taking over Wilson Ave. located in Chicago’s Uptown Community. The streets were amplified with affirming unified chants “Life Is Living So Fresh and So Green”; inspiring peace in the streets and inviting community to participate in the day long Life Is Living fest.

In the 11am hour- Over 40 artist participated in eco-friendly themed Graffiti Mural Art painting. Producing over 20 pieces of canvass works that will be installed across Chicago in various schools and community centers; inspiring the power of valuing our talents that tell our stories as a greener choice.

In the 12 noon hour- over 2000 participants witnessed or participated in arts & recreation competitions, engaged in eco-learning activities, or contributed to art installations happening around the park. Activities included: eco-friendly soap making, mosaic garden art, clay molding, inter-active children’s eco games, soccer and basketball tournaments, guerrilla theater & dance performance space, poetry open mic, dance battles (foot working, freestyle, and break dancing), social justice curriculum fair, health fair, Native American, Afro-Caribbean, and African drumming circles, Offrendas/alters speaking out against violence, and a skateboarding competition. Combined these activities inspired bodies to move, to remember, to compete, to listen, to observe, to learn, to speak, to commune, and to create; choosing greener actions.
In the 1pm hour local artists including Chicago FootworKINGz, Solar 5, Ugochi, Spkher, Illuminati Congo, FM Supreme, and Nemesis blessed the stage.

In the 2pm hour a lawn concert with a stage graced by Saul Williams, Rebel Diaz, and Pharoahe Monch; inspired souls with musical rhythms, positive rhymes, lyrics, and poetry influencing greener entertainment choices.

In the 4pm hour Life Is Living participants made a promise to leave the park in better condition than we found it, with that, a tree is planted, garbage properly recycled, and the park left spotless!

God willing the footprints that we leave behind will show that we have moved in kindness towards the earth and every living thing!

**The majority of images on this post were provided by Abby Sewell, Northwestern Journalism student and member of the Life is Living media/photography crew. Thanks Abby!

Kuumba Lynx continuing the Green initiative

2009-08-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

At the Life is Living Festival, Kuumba Lynx explored and shared with the community, a variety of fun and eco-friendly ways to to Go [so fresh & so] Green. Below is a recipe for a very environmentally safe laundry detergent that was one of the activities at the fest on July 18th:

You will need:

2 Cups grated ivory non-scented soap
2 Cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (found at Jewel/Dominicks)
2 Cups Borax (found at Jewel/Dominicks)
7 Quarts of room temp water (a mop bucket works great)

1) Bring 1 Quart of water to a boil
2) Add Ivory soap - Stir until mostly melted
3) Add both Washing Soda and Borax NOTE: If your mixture is getting too soapy lower the flame.
4) Cook until all ingredients are mixed well then pour into 7 quarts of water and mix well.
5) Once ingredients are mixed well, pour into your old liquid laundry container.

Tips:

This mixture yields 2 gallons of detergent. The mixture will separate when sitting so shake before every use.
The mixture is best kept at room temperature.
Only 1/4 Cup per large load is needed but you can add more.
If you would like your laundry to smell good, add an essence oil - these can be found at any health food store.
Wash all clothes in cold, it uses less energy and helps to
keep the color of your clothing.
Adjust the water level with each load, it cuts down on water waste

Here are some more ways that Kuumba Lnx suggest that will help you become a more resourcesful and eco-friendly member of society:

Unplug electrical items not being used
Use less water when u brush
Switch out lightbulbs for flourescent lighting
Say "no thanks" to extra pakaging or bags
Dont take the extra ketchup or Mayo packs
Walk more drive less

Life is Living Festival= A SO Fresh Success

2009-07-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

Kuumba Lynx would first like to thank everyone that worked so hard to prepare for and insure that the Life is Living Fest was all that we had hoped for. From the energy powered Stop the Violence March down Wilson [Don't Shoot; I wanna grow up!], Below are some pix taken by one of our great photographers for the event, Eve Rivera.. the amazing graffiti pieces done by nation wide artists, to the fire performances by not only our bright and talented KL youth but also by established artists such as Rebel Diaz and Pharoe Monch, we could not have done it without you all. The pictures below speak a thousand words about the event but overall they
say: WE RESPECT, WE APPRECIATE, WE NURTURE, SO THAT WE MAY GROW!!!

Preparing for LIFE IS LIVING!

2009-07-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

Our arts residencies programs and Performing arts ensemble are showing their dedication to the green initiative as they diligently work and prepare for Saturday's Life is Living festival at Clarendon Park. Here are some pics and quotes about what they have been doing:

KL Arts Residency "Gifts from God" in Englewood practice dance moves for Saturday's show with their instructor Chris AkA MadDog..

In an interview with MadDog on Friday July 10th, we spoke about how some of the themes of the So fresh & So Green initiative are being implemented into his curriculum...

MadDog: Well its not very easy to find songs or lyrics that relate to this topic but we find creative ways to introduce our performances such as skits and intros that explain our understanding and commitment to the green movement.

Me [Morgan]: Another part of Kuumba Lynx's green philosophy is the idea of decorporatizing the movement and bringing it down to a more community based, cultural level. This means learning to respect our various urban environments and embracing the ways that we can and already do "Go Green." How do you think this idea can be initiated and developed?

MadDog: I think a big problem is that unfortunately, a lot of people in our communities don't care and that is the first step. We have to change our conduct and way of thinking. Land is one of the most important entities to a people and if you don't take care of it it will be taken away, as is currently happening. We have to be less selfish and more proactive because in order to make our communities green, we must first change the people in our communities.

Participants at the Clarendon Park site also gave some insight into their preparations for the festival:

Zebadiah Arrington [Age 18] said, "We as a group have worked on self exploration through yoga and meditation in the in the beginning of the day to bring ease to ourselves and do our work wit productivity."

Ryan Lucas [Age 21] says, "We've also been doing a lot of painting of objects in nature. This has made me more aware of my environment and how to take better care of it."

Lala from KLPE admits, "For the past few weeks, planning for the Life is Living festival has been pretty hectic. As a member of the Kuumba Lynx Street Arts Ensemble, we have been working to create performance pieces for the festival, promoting the event, and preparing out team to be ready for Brave New Voices and Life is Living. We have made T-shirts, banners, poems, and scenes. We also participated in an environmental workshop by Little Village Environmental Justice Organization. the ensemble created scenes to present environmental injustices and discussed the problems and solutions of 'going Green.'"

Below are some pix of them gettin ready for the fest:

About SO FRESH AND SO GREEN

2009-07-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Kuumba Lynx is an arts and education organization dedicated to preserving, and promoting urban arts and education as a tool for social justice and community empowerment. The SO FRESH & SO GREEN initiative seeks to inspire young people and their families to establish a needed voice defining what it means to be included in Chicago's "green movement." This initiative supports the Hip Hop arts and education community in leading a national campaign emphasizing socail equity, urban green literacy and capturing the spirit and appreciation for life and earth. Strategies include integrated arts and education programs that raise consciosness within our while working to improve and develop sustainable spaces.

Kl has developed several projects that will emphasize sustainable development, social/eco education, and community empowerment:

Project 1#
KL present Life is Living, an eco empowerment Hip Hop fest celebrating life. The event begins with a "stop the violence" marchdown wilson and Broadway. IN collaboration with Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival, YCA, The chicago Park District, 46th Ward Aldremanic Offic, Chicago Hip Hop Initiative, Urban Gardens, Connect Force, Multicultural Youth Project, Relate Skate, Little Black Pearl, Chicago Botanical Gardens, Department of Youth and Family Services, COEDS, and Hip Hop Community.

Project #2
Kuumba Lynx Performance Ensemble present SPROUT [Spitting Powerful Rhymes Organically Unleashing Truth] An eco conscious Hip-Hop theatre production.
To book a show (773) 550-4229

Project #3
Greening Clarendon
Kuumba Lynx in association with the Chicago Park District, Park Advisory Council, The School of the Art Institute and local supporters are working towards thegreening and sustainability of Clarendon Park's proposed Performing Arts Facility.

Project #4
Half Pint Poetics
In partnership with Chicago Public Schools and Chocago Youth Initiating Change, this annual 8-14 year old poetry slam brings together students, teachers, community members, and university faculty from diverse backgrounds and institutions. The event allows participants to teach and learn from one another on eco and social equity issues.
To be presented at UIC in May 2010

Projects #5

So Fresh Arts Residencies & Workshops

Utilizing various artistics mediums, KL teaching Artist will challenge students to explore the value they see in their own lives while encouraging them to establish it powerfully as a needed voice defining what it means to be included in the global enviornemnt and socail justice movement. A programming menu can be provided or individually tailored to a schools need.