My pen had been at rest,
Cardiac arrest…
Finger tips numb,
Thoughts weren’t flowing through.
Needless to say…
My papers were looking pale.
All I needed was a vibe!
Music pumping through my veins,
I can feel it .
Where is this sound taking me?
My mind is like a television set,
Through his words and lyrics I can see the picture vividly,
Of him sitting by his father’s bed side.
“Short glass, tall shot”
I might not have walked the same path,
But I can fit in those shoes.
Passing down his wisdom to a youngster,
Just like his father did.
Here comes that vivid picture again,
Bringing back feelings and memories of my childhood.
I can feel it on my fingertips,
Dyeing to re-tell this moment to those who missed it.
My pen suddenly becomes alive
Dripping my feelings on paper.
All I needed was a vibe.
Exclusiveness every time,
Inside the ArtKitchen.
At a “XINTADA”, with Movimentu Shokanti,
That “at home” feel is always there…
“XINTADA”
Where strangers become friends!
By: Baroneza Vieira
It was a cold Thursday afternoon, butterflies fluttered around in my stomach at the thought of sharing my words. It was just a feeling of nervousness; that awkward moment when you can do something alone, but you can’t do it in front of people. I’ve read poetry a thousand times, but it’s a good feeling I get, a small rush of happiness when I’m done. All I knew was that the calendar marked, February 14, which was a day to celebrate love at the Love Craft event at Fuller Craft Museum . I was planning to be there, however I became a part of it. I was pleasantly surprised to find out what “Love Craft” was. Think of the Russian nesting dolls, that gets you eager to find the last one, the teeny-tiny one hidden inside all of the others. The question on your mind was, “what was coming up next?” But you had to follow progression and open them one by one wondering, “Is she the last one?”
Food, love, art, dessert, music, pottery, and poetry all fell in the right order to make a delightful buffet of aphrodisia. The artKitchen and Movimentu Shokanti invited you to “feed your senses” a the Fuller Craft museum for a Valentine’s evening full of excitement. The moment you got there, there was an atmosphere of suspense and romance, whether you were there with your husband of 44 years, a boyfriend of two years, or simply with a couple of your friends. What a better way to set the mood then to freely explore the artwork of various artists throughout the museum. Words were not needed when you looked at the art work, you simply glanced at your partner with that expression that says “you’re beautiful!”. The artwork became your accomplice! The more he looked at it, the more he wanted to hold your hand, and you would let your head rest on his shoulder while admiring the “Dark Garden” by Linda Huey. There were a lot to be seen that night of valentine, a “Love Craft”, a joyous wonders of what The artKitchen and Movimentu Shokanti had to offer.
They had more joyful and playful activities planned for us that evening. I never knew that pottery was a sensual and seductive way to get closer to your partner or your date. We all know it worked for Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in the movie “Ghost”. I believe that many of us hoped that our evening would end the same way, as I saw couples venturingoff and letting the clay caress their fingertips as they shared an intense look. No one seemed to mind getting dirty with the clay because It was such a wonderful experience. The artwork and pottery was not the only thing there to feed your senses.
The room was filled with strange faces, yet you can still have that feeling of intimacy with your loved one. Certainly a feeling you wouldn’t have felt at a crowed restaurant on valentine’s day.
I just love the comfy setting of the artKitchen, it makes me feel cozy as if I was at home relaxing and having a glass of wine. I started my evening with a glass of white wine and some tossed salad and a roll. While waiting to be served, I looked around the room and said to myself, what a relaxing way to celebrate love. This was another great “xintada”(which is a Capeverdean term used to describe a gathering where strangers become friends, friends and family come together over food and drinks to share stories and laughter). I was pleased to see couples and friends enjoying a nice supper, sharing laughter while listening to soft music played by DJ Cadillac Jack. Romance definitely was in the air and so was the aroma of heart-shaped ravioli tantalizing me.
The evening began with an original poem about love, written and recited by a young man. All of a sudden the butterflies started fluttering in my stomach again, I heard my name being called up to the front of the stage and suddenly i felt a drumline in my chest; my palms were sweaty and in a soft nervous voice I said, “I’m hoping to find Patrick Swayze tonight so we could do the pottery, after all I have the Demi Moore look going.” The laughter coming from the crowd helped me ease my nerves so I read my poem about love. “What is love without life, what is life without love…I’m love, a mother is love, a father is love, family and friends are love, you are love.” To me love is everything, love is everyday, good days and bad days, and like the following poem I shared stated “Forever Means Now.” That was my rush of happiness! But it didn’t end there, I embarked in the intensity of Chris Weinrich’s voice reading his love poems. A magnificent night of poetry!
So tell me, how well do you know your partner? Is it determined by how many years you’ve been together? Couples were put to the test to see how well they knew their partner. I’m giggling now just reminiscing the nervous look on the men’s faces and the ladies with the look that says “you better not get any answer wrong or else!” The couples ranged from different ages, and had been together for a good amount of time. I applaud these couples and for being brave and sharing personal and intimate moments of their relationships with us. I learned from the British couple that have been together for 44 year that the key to a lasting relationship is to “KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.” Therefore I tried to figure out what that meant, and I found a quote by Dinah Craik that says: “Oh the comfort, the inexplicable comfort of feeling safe with a person-having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and shift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. ”
No, we have not gotten to the teeny-tiny Russian doll yet. The night didn’t end there, but now it will be a bit tricky for me to find the words to tell you how the “Love Craft” affair ended without bursting out laughing. It was quite comical. I said in the beginning that I went there to just to be there as a guest but somehow I was summond to
played the couples game. I can still hear everyone laughing so hard watching me not being able to pop one single balloon. The game was as follows: the couple that popped all the balloons without using their hands in the least amount of time would win. Well, let’s just say that no one knew I had a phobia of balloons popping and being nervous certainly didn’t play to my advantage. But I was a good sport and tried it anyway. Pop, pop, pop, the first couple went up and started to pop the balloons in between their body in less than 30 seconds. Oh boy, I’m in trouble, my friend that I was partnered with had no idea of my fear nor did I know he was competitive. So When it was our turn, I tried using the same technique as the previous couple but the laughter got the best of me. I can assure you I was squeezed more than the balloons, and needless to say we lost. However,the wife of the couple who won had a surprise for her husband and for all of us. She shared a poem full of life, a life full of love and laughter shared between them and their children. In her delicate voice she made her husband fall in love with her with every word she spoke of him. I say love is craft even with all its imperfection.
To sum up the Valentine evening of food, love, art, desert, music, pottery, poetry and now laughter, the artKitchen and Movimentu Shokanti perfected “LOVE CRAFT”. It was an evening of love and romance, of poetry and laughter, of art and music, of supper, desert and wine, and not to forget the shokanti sunset. I’m not going to tell you what a shokanti sunset is and let your curiosity get the best of you and come to the next event. You might not find the shokanti sunset but you will certainly feed your senses, and best of all it’s all for a reasonable price. Besides, you might not leave empty-handed because there are always door prizes. Thus, if I can describe my Valentine’s day with a verse from a song, I would pick “My Funny Valentine” by Chaka Khan: “My funny valentine, Sweet cosmic valentine, You make me smile with my heart…” And “Love Craft” certainly made me smile with my heart!
Have you ever found yourself lost, or drawn by something so beautiful that it is hard to find words to explain it? Have you ever found yourself staring at a work of art, at the colors, the shape, and all of the details, that the picture becomes alive in your mind? On January 7th, I picked my son up from school and headed straight to the Joseph A. Driscoll Art Gallery. But before heading up to the Art Gallery, we went on a little tour of the Brockton Public Library itself. We got our library cards; picked up a newsletter to stay tuned about all the wonderful programs for kids; and even checked out a couple of books that day. It was the very first day of the exhibit of the work of Paulo Pina, “Kamin de Bedju” (The path of the old) presented by Movimentu Shokanti. Paulo Pina is a self-taught artist from the island of Fogo in Cape Verde. He is also a Special Education teacher in Fogo. Paulo Pina says he remembers when he was very little he used to get in trouble a lot for drawing on his brothers’ books and notebooks. He believes that we are all born with a distinct gift, however not many people get the opportunity to develop and showcase their gift. He has been showcasing his art work since 1998.
Picture by Movimentu Shokanti
The exhibit of the art work of Paulo Pina presented by Movimentu Shokanti was featured in a couple of local newspapers and newspapers in Cape Verde as well. I just knew it would be something worth seeing. My son and I went up to the Art Gallery and we were mesmerized by the colorful and lively paintings hang all the around the Gallery. It was just a wonderful experience to see my son trying to interpret the paintings. I began to ask him questions to see if he would be able to recognize or see anything that would be familiar to him. Since the paintings were inspired by songs of a relatively known Cape Verdean singer named Michel Montrond. And it portrays the life of Cape Verdeans in Cape Verde. My son was so intrigued by all of the paintings, in particular one that he gave the name of “guitreepus” because it looked like a guitar with branches like a tree and tentacles like an octopus. However, this particular painting is called “Mulher dos meus sonhos” (woman of my dream), which is also one of my favorite. The paintings of Paulo Pina capture your eyes, it goes through your heart and it stays in your memory. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, the paintings of Paulo Pina tells you a full story. His art work is not just a flat surface covered with colors all in a pattern, his paintings come to life.
Picture by Movimentu Shokanti
Although I had seen all the art work on the very first day of the exhibit, I wasn’t going to miss the reception on the 19th of January. This was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon with family and friends and meet new people. Besides, I wanted my family and friends to see and experience what I did. Therefore, I made a few phone calls to invite a few people to yet another fantastic event brought to us by Movimentu Shokanti. There were people of all ages and nationality, all mesmerized by the wonders of Paulo Pina’s art work. And all that came to the reception got to savor some typical pastries of Cape Verde called “pastel” which is a flaky pastry filled with tuna, some finger food and beverages. To top off a relaxing afternoon full of treats, great conversation and laughter, the day ended with us being serenaded by two angelic voices of Melisse Andrade and Nadia Alves who sang acoustic accompanied by the sounds of Melisse’s guitar.
Picture by Movimentu Shokanti
At the reception I learned that this particular exhibit, “Kamin de Bedju” came about during “Poderosa” exhibit, which was a showcase of the wonderful art work of young Cape Verdean female artists also presented by Movimentu Shokanti. A relative of Paulo Pina happened to be at the Poderosa exhibit and connected with Movimentu Shokanti. And that is how we were able to see such wonderful art. This goes to show you that Movimentu Shokanti is the gateway between artists, art organization and our Community. This is a great way to bring our Community together while promoting art and culture. Pablo Picasso said “the purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” That is how I felt after the reception, light, fulfilled and relaxed, and I’m sure that all of the people present would agree. A dear friend of mine sent me a lovely message thanking me for extending the invitation to him and his family to attend the reception. Paulo Brito Evora said that it was an excellent exhibit, especially because his cousin had an opportunity to have a perception of her parents’ roots. He also said that the performance of Melisse Andrade and Nadia Alves was brilliant and his friends left the reception in awe. I was ecstatic with his message because it gave me a sense of accomplishment. I was able to give someone else a chance to feel what I felt looking at all the paintings with my son. In turn showing support to the artist, Paulo Pina and Movimentu Shokanti. I believe it is very important to show continued support to an organization like Movimentu Shokanti in order for them to keep bringing such enriching exhibits, events and programs. Still haven’t been to a Movimentu Shokanti’s event? Then you won’t want to miss this “Unconscious” the artwork of Ashely Vignaud Marshall.
It feels like home, a family gathering, the smell of apple pies didn’t quite fill the room, but it was there, a thread under everything else. A bowl of baked ziti and a cold, cold beer from the Kitchen Art Café, is set at my table. It sounds like it’s raining outside every time the door swings open. My curious mind wonders, how can it be raining for it was dry and crisp when I walked in. I follow the sound into the courtyard. I see the crystal clear water rising through the fountain. I feel like I’m on a treasure hunt as I uncover beautiful and intriguing art work. Fascinating arts that I can stare at for hours, and each minute uncover something new about it. It feels like a total mind, body and soul workout for I can stop smiling. I think to myself, my son would love to see this, my mother will be delighted to come here, and my daughter…well, she is only two, and it would be a challenge to keep her from breaking all the art work. As I go on, I’m taking mental notes and making a long list of people to invite to the next Movimentu Shokanti’s Xintada at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, which is an amazing place for a family outing, even a date perhaps.
Art Kitchen Café and Movimentu Shokanti presents “The Last Flight of The Flamingo”, a twist of mystery, scandal, laughter, and truth about life. If life isn’t complicated enough, try living it in an unfamiliar place. Massino Risi, an Italian Lieutenant finds himself in Mozambique investigating the mysterious death of five UN soldiers in the past two months. With the help of Joacquim a local translator, Risi learned that “in order to find the truth you must not ask the people, you must interrogate life.” This goes to show you that no matter what obstacles you may encounter along your path you must be patient, be open minded and the answers will come to you. Although Risi had a translator, he could not understand the way of life of the people of Mozambique. A love story that unveils corruption, a must see film by Joao Ribeiro.
Indeed, interrogating life may give me the answers I so much seek, but then my question becomes, “who am I?” The reflection I see doesn’t match the words I speak. Again, the question becomes “who am I?” That is the answer I seek. I seek others like me, others who look like me, but they all speak the words I speak. I wonder if they like to dance, if they like food and good music like I do. Is this just a feeling or is it an identity? “I look like one, I feel one, then I must be one, said Alexander Schnoor looking at himself in the mirror. Alexander Schnoor, born in Germany, son of a Cape Verdean mother and a German father, feels the need to know his roots. Using social networking, he tries to find other Cape Verdeans in Germany. He wants to learn their ways, their costumes and to see in what ways they are alike. Therefore, he sets out to do a documentary, “Cabo Verde Inside”, capturing every important moment of his quest to uncover his heritage.
The immigrant life in Germany, the stress of a fast and busy life, reminds me a lot of my life here in the US. I wonder if that’s how the life of a Cape Verdean immigrant is anywhere in the globe? Torn between two cultures as most of sons and daughters of immigrants are, Alex feels the need to identify with one of the cultures. That is something I see in my own child, the oldest who is eight years old. Have you ever had one of those crazy Monday morning where you wake up late, you are rushing to get things done, but you spill your coffee, you drop the kids sandwich for lunch on the floor, and nothing goes right? While trying to get the kids ready for school, I walk into my son’s room to find him just standing in front of the mirror looking at the front of his t-shirt. . I saw that he had on a worn out t-shirt that has a picture of a sea turtle and it reads: “Tartarugas para o mar”, which means turtles to the sea. The t-shirt was giving to him by my father, and it was from a campaign to save sea turtles in CV that are in danger of extinction. I said to him: “Andy, are you really going to wear that to school? Just look at it it’s old, don’t wear that to school honey.” He looked at me and said: “mom, I want wear this t-shirt to school because I want everyone to know that I’M CAPE VERDEAN! I instantly burst into tears and hugged him so tight. Needless to say that I was extremely proud of his gesture. Furthermore, on a freezing Saturday morning, I’m sitting on the side line at a soccer field at eight o’clock to watch my son’s first game of the season. I’m barely awake but I’m at the edge of my seat, when I see the ball go into the net I stand up and shout gooooaallllll. I see my son running down the field with his jersey over his head then he turned to me. Under his Jersey I see CABO VERDE and the ten islands. He wore a t-shirt of Cape Verde to show his pride when he scores as he sees the professional soccer players do. Again I couldn’t help but cry at the site of his shirt.
As I quoted Noel Gallagher on my bio “The answers in the looking glass.” We are the mirror from which our children see life through. And we as parents are their looking glass. And just as the movie “The last flight of the flamingo” suggests, in order to find the answers you seek you must not ask the people, you must interrogate life. You must not only see it but you must experience it. So, Alex travels to Cape Verde to see with his own eyes the land where his mother came from. There he finds “morabeza”, which means the capeverdeans’ unique sense of hospitality. Besides “morabeza” is not something you see, it is something you feel. Alexander Schnoor uncovers the beauty of the islands of Cape Verde, its people, the music, the dance, the tradition and the way of life, a “morabeza criola.”
In order to quite the mind you must feed it the answer it seeks. Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher said that “curiosity, which is a lust of the mind–desire to know why and how…” Let your mind run free, let your imagination run wild. It seems that it is easier, and more acceptable to do that when you are a child. The short film “Quando os Monstros se Vão Embora”( When the monsters leave), by Bernardo Gramaxo, is a story about a child who is grown up and she has monsters as her friend. However, she is worried that she’ll loose her friends once she grows up. To me this short film rings with truth about the fact that we all have an inner child that we learn to tame as we get older. However, do we have to limit our imagination, and restrict our minds just because we are grown? Or can we still let it run free so we can write our story how we see fit in our own imagination? Growing up is a process that is impossible to prevent and the young girl is sadden to find that out. But does she really lose her monster friends when she finally grows up?
Imagination leads to creativity. In fact, creativity and originality is what Movimentu Shokanti is all about. Movimentu Shokanti is all about bringing together ideas or products from not only the Cape Verdean culture, but from various other cultures. They do it in a way that makes you feel at home, with that “morabeza criola”. Haven’t been to a Movimentu Shokanti’s Xintada or any other events? Well, here is your chance, add this to one to your calendar of events for 2013.
Don’t miss out a fantastic exposition of artwork by Paulo Pina, a special education teacher in Fogo. Coming directly from Cape Verde to bring us the wonders of his art inspired by the latest Cape Verdean singer sensation, Michel Montrond. “Kamin de Bedju” (The Path of The Old) by Paulo Pina, brought to you by Movimentu Shokanti. For more information see flyer.
There will be more events to come. And let’s hope that Movimentu Shokanti continues to bring us such wonderful, cultural, and memorable events.
By: Ronise Vieira
Pictures and fliers by: Movimentu Shokanti
I went for a “shokanti sunset” but I got a breeze. More like a breath of fresh air, a room full of laughter of unfamiliar faces. Faces that soon, would become familiar because you might see them from time to time back at the same place. As I sat there I looked around the room, not only I saw my brothers and sisters, but I to saw other faces. Different than mine, different than the girl sitting in front of me, but we’re all there together. The one thing that brought us there in the first place—culture. We’re there for the arts, for the music and the films. We’re there to see some powerful and amazing manifestations of human intellectual achievement as a group or as a whole. And lastly, we’re there for togetherness.
Culture is a powerful human tool, and each of us brought our own. Something we all have, something we can all share. Not the things that an archaeologists can dig up, not the written language, and ruins of buildings, not just broken pots and ancient artifacts, but the way of life. Your culture is your identity. “In order to find out the truth you must not ask the people, you must interrogate life.” I quoted this from a film I watched at a “xintada” that I will talk about it later.
As Movimentu Shokanti calls it a “xintada”, which is a Cape Verdean term used to call a gathering where strangers become friends, where family and friends come together to share stories and a good laugh over food and drinks. I don’t know about you but I never walk out of a xintada empty handed. I always leave with some left overs “pastel” which is a flaky pastry filled with tuna paste, or any food. Shokanti’s xintada is no exception! I can assure you that if you ever attend one of Movimentu Shokanti’s xintada or any events for that matter, you’ll not leave empty handed. Now, you might not walk out of there with your belly full or a doggie bag, but your heart will be filled with emotions and mind will be filled with ideas. Let me ask you this, if you knew about a great shoe sale would you tell your girlfriends about it? Or, if you learned of a way to get your job done faster would you tell your co-workers? Well, I’m here now sharing with you a piece of what I took with me from, not only the xintadas but all of Movimentu Shokanti’s events. Culture and tradition are powerful , but fragile at the same time because it can easily be lost. Let’s do what our grandfathers did, let pass it on to our children so they can have something to give to their children.
Si onti n tinha orgulho di ser Caboverdiana, orgulho di ser Kriola, di ser badia, hoji ntem certeza, hoji n tem mas orgulho inda di pertence a um pais undi ki se riqueza eh se povo. Ma minis, nka sabi mo kin ta fazi pan santa nha cabelo na corpo, kela nem sim lizal ka ta santa. Nka sabi modi kin ta controla kel frio na bariga ki ta subiu ate spinha, kel arepio na corpo, kel sentimento di orgulho di ser Caboverdiana, di ser Kriola, di ser badia.
Nunca ninguem aliviou alma kun simplis gesto, ou ku poucas palavras? Ku melodia di se guitara, som di se piano, enton ku se voz, um voz ki ta penetrou ti alma. Kel som ki ta pou xinti vontade de abrasa bu mae, kel voz ki ta pou ku briu di tchoma algen di kretcheu, ka so um namorado, mas um amigo, um avo, um tia, um primo, ate um fidjado. Kel tal voz ki fazen lembra ami xintado na kintal di nha avo ta obi so grilo ta canta, ku lua la na ceu ta reflete na careca di nha vovo. Ki hora ki nha vovo abri boca pa canta morna ta fazen tchiga mas perto. Hoji foi kel noti ki dan vontade tchorra sodade di nha familia, ki dam vontade pan sakedu na kanela pan da ku mo na peto pan grita diaxi nho nhas gentis eh bonito tambe.
Hoji, na kel noti di luar n prende pamodi ki ta fladu ma Cabral ka morri. N odja ma nem Ildo Lobo, nem cesaria ka morri ki fari Pantera. Si es morreba ka ta existiba Movimentu Shokanti, si es ka viveba, nu ka tinha Benvindo Cruz, Djim Job. Si es ka existiba onti, hoji nu ka tinha Nadia Alves, nu ka tinha Melisse Andrade. Hoji foi prova de que nu tem riqueza dentu di nos Comunidade, ma nu tem encanto na mo di nos Kriola. Nu tem ken ki ta inpira na se kultura pa fazi um obra di parte que eh caso di Eliza Byrd.
Nha genti ami n fronta ku sabi. Sima nsta li ta screbi nsa ta revive a cada momento di kel Xintada ku Movimentu Shokanti na Fuller Craft Museum, cabelo sa ta labantan di corpo ki parcem man tem ki busunta crème na el pa deta. Sima Shokanti fla ma kel termo Xintada pa nu define um encontro entre amigos, conhecidos, e mesmo stranhos pa nu kurti um kumidinha, um bebida di terra, um musikinha.
Tambe eh na undi ki nu ta djunta e kria um uniao, um parceria pa manti nos kultura vivo. Bu ta pergunta como assim, si mi nsta la xintado ta obi, ou ta odja kuze ki sta apresentado. Eh kela propi ki bu tem ki fazi, compareci, participa, da bu apoio e bu spadja mensagem, ki bu podi tem certeza ma bu ta sai di la ku otu sensason, kun sensason di misson cumprida. Ma bu presensa ke tudo. Sima nta fla sempre, bo ki tem ki ser kel diferensa ki bu kre odja na mundo. De facto, bo bo so bu ka podi muda mundo, ma djunto nu ta bira mundo…
De fundo de nha corason obrigado Shokanti pa bu trazi um pedacinho di terra ate nos.
BARONEZA 