Creator We Are Adaawe for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
In 2018, I collaborated as a creator on a show for the LA all female drummer band Adaawe. A gathering of women, under the moon to discuss the community of women. The poetry of Afro Cuban songs morphed into stories of great women over the course of our history. Two versions of the show were presented, as a large venue event and an intimate unplugged event. The show received received 4 and 5-star reviews
(Opening script to WeAre Adaawe by Stephanie Vlahos)
NARRATOR:
This is a story about the moon.
This is a story about the glowing icons that we look to and attempt to reach. This is the story of what dreams may guide us toward a loving world. This is a story about strength through love, healing through the power of ourselves. It is about the spirit within each of us and how it has inspired those who have inspired us as well as those we hope to inspire. We are music, we are community.
This is a story about becoming, about choosing how we evolve.
This is a story about women however, we’re all HUMAN first and as human beings We ARE… the change.
We ARE celebrates the women of Adaawe as well as the inspired and by that name. ADDAWE – We ARE is made up of songs layered with imagery, sound FX, video, the spoken word, and enacted dance. These songs are broken down into scenes and three Acts
GATHER, LISTEN, SPEAK UP.
Adawebrings West African roots, Gospel harmonies and American funk. A women-led ensemble brewing up a contemporary global fusion, with diverse percussive and harmonic flavors to the stage An intoxicating energy captivating audiences everywhere.