I am just reading The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell – late, I know.  But while reading Chapter 2: The Law of the Few, I realized what a connector I am and the connectors I am surrounded by.  Seriously, I know folks that are committed to seeing a different world in their lifetimes and are taking actions toward that end.

Case in point, Sparlha Swa.   A singer, an intellect, a sexpot, a divine spirit guide, a friend, a lover of afro-beat.  Wait, wait, wait… you need some background.  In my community Fela Kuti (originator of afro-beat) is a God of sorts.  A party featuring afro-beat is one where you know folks are going to sweat, one where you need to where sneakers and sweatbands.  It’s going to be a party where folks are going to be smiling and shaking a tailfeather versus posted (as my boy Akintola would say) like a flamingo with a glass in hand and shades.  I’ve enjoyed those parties, but it’s only now that I’m learning about the music’s history and who in the hell Fela Kuti is. 

Okay, back on track.  How would I describe Sparlha Swa?… A star in the making.  A Sade, Celia Cruz, Miriam Makeba.  And she has now been called by NY Times, “Smashing…” in her part in Fela! on Broadway.  Read more about the show here: http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/theater/reviews/05fela.html?pagewanted=2

She… is pursuing her dreams.  And I am sooooo excited for her.  If you are in NYC and haven’t seen this musical with the world-renowned band Antibalas performing live… ahhhh – you are asleep!

And then… if you didn’t know, HURRICANE SEASON is about more than the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, more than natural and unnatural disasters, more than water, more than environmental protection, more than displacement and housing rights, more than criminalization, the so-called war on drugs, and the prison industrialization complex – though all are included.  The major threads include water and the oak tree.  From the moment you enter the show as an audience member until you leave, you are a part of the journey – offering water as your contribution and as a metaphor.

The crew drinks tap water, our bus runs on recycled vegetable oil from restaurants throughout the country, we eat mostly… hummus/houmas/smashed chickpeas/mushed garbanzo beans… (Huey has this idea for a t-shirt that reads: I AM NOT ANTI-HUMMUS, I AM PRO-CHOICE for those of us who do the vegetarian-thing with respect for our veggie friends, but who want a turkey sandwich every once in a while… HILARIOUS!)

So when I get this e-mail that my girl Crystal Clarity – artist, educator, dancer, lover/fighter, spiritual warrior – has finished the mural she was working on this summer with students and see what it is, I just nodded in that universal “knowing”.

Not only did she help paint Sugarcube (as you can see in this picture), she helped paint a mural educating folks about NY’s tap water.  *sigh*

Then… while explaining how the entire crew got together to Mama Edali (the godess mom of Naima & Alixa here in Chicago, with a home called – NIRVANA!), I realized how I was connected to all of them. 

Naima (Mama Lou) and Alixa (Tetris) I met through Kahlil Almustafa in 2002.  Kyla (Huey) I met through Naima and Alixa in 2006.  And Lindsay – get this – went to school with my brother in 3rd grade, and her dad is my dentist!  Synchronicity…

I have had my eyes opened to many things while on this trip.  One being – reach out to your extensive community when you are out to fulfill on your dreams (Mylinia.com is the best resource for this in my opinion).  What you want, or need, is probably only a call, letter, or e-mail away.  In my case, maybe simply a blog.

artwork by Lichiban Blossom

I’ll reach back into Detroit and our Chicago shows in the blog.  But for now, I’m going to watch as many back to back episodes of Law & Order as I can catch tonight on my aunt’s couch and figure out how I can manage to get back to Chicago and my family during Obama’s inauguration (though he’ll be in DC, there’s going to be one helluva party here in Chicago)! 

I wonder what we’ve gotta do to tip “that” point!

Peace and love.