A MAN’S STORY EUROPEAN PREMIER AT THE AFRIKA FILM FESTIVAL!!

Posted on March 25, 2017 by MotionLive

1A MAN’S STORY, directed by Fernando Arrioja and written by MOTION features in the 2017 AFRIKA FILM FESTIVAL in Berlin. Starring Emmanuel Kobongo and produced by Jessica Adams, A Man’s Story makes it’s European premier April 21st through May 6th, amongst “an attractive programme of the best African films.”

Watch A Man’s Story Trailer HERE:

Gesproken: Frans/Engels. Ondertiteld: Engels. Tijdens een oefenwedstrijd boksen komen bij Kam plots traumatische jeugdherinneringen naar boven. Hij gaat de confrontatie aan met zijn vader…

  • Genre: Short Film
  • Runtime: 11min
  • Country: DR Congo, Canada
  • Cineast: Fernando Arrioja   Writer: Wendy MOTION Brathwaite
  • Cast: Emmanuel Kabongo, Kim Roberts, Pedro Miguel Arce
  • Producer: Jessica Adams
  • Editor: Simone Smith
  • Score: Ben Fox
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#HOWSHEHUSTLES Presents HERSTORY IN BLACK on CBC

Posted on March 2, 2017 by MotionLive

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Black women making history

In celebration of Black History Month, HERstory in Black shares the experiences of 150 women who excel in their field, who push for greater diversity and who help build vibrant communities.

Emily Mills initiated the project as an extension of How She Hustles, a network of more than 5,000 women from diverse backgrounds. In a series of photo shoots, based in Toronto, she brought together these women to showcase their lives and expertise. The initiative comes in time for Canada’s 150th anniversary as a country.

“HERstory in Black is intended to shine the light on black women – right here and right now,” Mills said. “I know how critical it is honour pioneers of the past, but also how important it is that we continue to tell new stories and hear different voices.”

The participants range from the first black woman to become an elected Law Society of Upper Canada bencher for the Toronto region, to a dedicated volunteer who works with several not-for-profits. They come from the arts, media, science, engineering, law and many other fields. These women live in the Greater Toronto Area and other parts of Ontario.

You can learn more about each participant by clicking on their photo below (headshots courtesy of Leilah Dhore) :

READ more about the 150 Black Women making Herstory HERE: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/multimedia/herstory-in-black-1.3988476http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/multimedia/herstory-in-black-1.3988476

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BLACK LIVES BLACK WORDS HITS TORONTO

Posted on February 24, 2017 by MotionLive

 

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So EXCITED to join the artists, playwrights, actor, directors of the worldwide Theatre Movement! Chicago to UK to Toronto, and beyond…

Black Lives, Black Words
THE 38TH RHUBARB FESTIVAL
12 ALEXANDER STREET //
TORONTO M4Y 1B4
Phone: 416-975-8555

February 24 + 25, 2017 // 10:00PM // in the chamber

Local black playwrights write ten-minute plays responding to the theme “Do Black Lives Matter today?” The project that has explored the Black diaspora experience in Chicago, Minneapolis, and London, UK, gets its first Toronto iteration, in a partnership between Rhubarb, Obsidian Theatre, and the National Arts Centre.

THE ARTISTS

project creator Reginald Edmund
organizers Reginald Edmund + Luke Reece
writers Leelee Davis, Kanika Ambrose, Jordan Laffrenier, Tawiah Ben Eben M’Carthy, Motion, Luke Reece + Meghan Swaby
performers Akousa Amor-Adem, Shomari Downer, Virgillia Griffith, Cassandre Mentor + Nabo Nabea
directors Audrey Dwyer + Jamie Robinson

http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/show/the-38th-rhubarb-festival/#weektwoprogram
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In rehearsal for LIVING THE BLACK BODY by MOTION, at the Rhubarb Festival 2017.

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LADIES FIRST: BEFORE THE 6IX – #BHM2017 SERIES

Posted on February 13, 2017 by MotionLive

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LADIES FIRST: BEFORE THE 6ix features influential women in the evolution of Canadian Hip Hop culture – G98.7 radio personality/poet Jemeni, playwright/emcee Motion, filmmaker Alison Duke and DJ/ producer L’Oqenz. The panel discussion visits the stories, events and musical contributions of hip hop artists Michie Mee, Fresh Arts and Honey Jam, and the critical  role women have played in the history of Toronto’s Hip-hop music scene. The Before the 6ix Black History Month Series is curated by editor/journalist Del Cowie.

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT272645&R=EVT272645 Monday, February 13 at 7 PM – 8 PM EST
Toronto Public Library
789 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M4W 2G8

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NEW SE7ENS MIXTAPE ‘A SUH WE STAY’!

Posted on November 29, 2016 by MotionLive

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So great to hear the new SE7ENs Mixtape ‘A Suh We Stay’ that just dropped this weekend. 21 tracks of lyrics, beats, muuuusik for the heads, body and soul! Features include Frankie Payne, Eklipz and NuBreed MC. And to get to join in on the mix on the “Time Machine” TO to JA collabo with SE7EVs (Kolor Brown & J Wyze), Kabaka Pyramid and Five Steez is bless! Big Up ((DTS)) -Deep to the Soul- SE7EVs and SpottMuzik! Cop it! https://soundcloud.com/…/a-suh-we-stay-se7ens-mixtape-201617

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CELEBRATING THE DEBUT CLASS OF ‘GRIOTS TO EMCEES’ AT YORK U!

Posted on November 29, 2016 by MotionLive

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Dept. of Humanities
Culture & Expression
presents

GRIOTS TO EMCEES
Spoken Word, Culture & Performance Showcase

Date: Thursday, December 1st, 2016
Place: Senior Commons Room
Address: 010 Vanier College
Showtime: 7PM – 9:30PM
Hosted by Motion

Join the debut class of GRIOTS TO EMCEES 2016 for a special presentation of new creative work celebrating the Art and Power of Spoken Word!

12 weeks, 12 classes, 12 topics, a journey through the genres, history, art and legacy of Spoken Word! It’s been great to teach and work with the students of York U in this intensive exploration of orality in the African Diaspora and beyond! And nothing better than seeing  some of my favorite people & poets – from D’bi Young to Nth D’gri, Nas and Mathematik, Dionne Brand and Sonia Sanchez – being read, watched and studied throughout the course. And even better, Griots to Emcees will be back again, Spring 2017, at York U.

SPOKEN WORD, CULTURE & PERFORMANCE is a new course that explores the past/present/future of Diasporic oral culture – from ancient storytellers to spoken word, rap, dub, slam, lyricism, and performance poetry – as well as the socio-political, historical and cultural contexts that inspire and amplify artists’ voices on stage, page, theatre, mixtape and digital media.
#griotstoemcees #YorkU #spokenword

For INFO: http://cltr.huma.laps.yorku.ca

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Thank You MONTREAL! #CINARS 2016

Posted on November 29, 2016 by MotionLive

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DJ L’Oqenz behind the Oraltorio sound controls at CINARS 2016, Montreal

It was great to hit Montreal for the latest stop on the Oraltorio: A Theatrical Mixtape Tour at CINARS 2016. With 3 shows at the renowned L’Ecole Nationale De Theatre Du Canada, the Off-CINARS Presentation was a music-filled double-bill with Volcano Theatre’s Century Song.

Thank you to the road team – Tara Mohun (Stage Manager), producer Samantha Holland, Andre Du Toit (Lighting Designer) Rebecca Vandevelde (Associate Lighting Designer), soundman Eddy DaOriginalOne David, and Kaitlin Hickey (Associate Video Designer) for keeping Oraltorio moving on the road!

Oraltorio: A Theatrical Mixtape is written & performed by Motion, composed & performed by DJ L’Oqenz, directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa-Otu and choreographed by Roger C. Jeffrey.

Supported by Obsidian Theatre Company, KABIN, Pirates Blend, Toronto Arts, Ontario Arts & Canada Arts Councils.

For INFO: www.ORALTORIO.com

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ORALTORIO HITS MONTREAL FOR CINARS 2016

Posted on November 13, 2016 by MotionLive

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ORALTORIO: A Theatrical MixTape is excited to hit our next stop – MONTREAL – for the CINARS Biennale. Catch our live and electric double-bill with Volcano Theatre’s CENTURY SONG November 17th, 18th and 19th in the Pauline McGibbon Theatre at the renowned Ecole National de Theatre! Special Afterparty feat. DJ L’Oqenz Friday Nite!! Presented by IFT Theatre & MotionLive. See link for details!

DIRECTOR: Mumbi Tindyebwa-Otu
CHOREOGRAPHER: Roger C. Jeffrey
PERFORMER & WRITER: MOTION
PERFORMER & COMPOSER: DJ L’OQENZ

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A MAN’S STORY PREMIERS AT 2016 REELWORLD FILM FEST!

Posted on October 15, 2016 by MotionLive

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A gripping meditation on masculinity and violence, A Man’s Story follows young painter Kam after a triggering boxing practice forces him to confront his father about his domestic abuse. Directed by Fernando Arrioja and written by Motion, the film stars Emmanuel Kabongo and is produced by Jessica Adams.

The creative team, all alumni residents of the seminal Canadian Film Centre includes composer Ben Fox and editor Simone Smith.

A Man’s Story premiers at the 2016 ReelWorld Film Festival on Saturday October 15th, 2016 at the Studio Theatre, Harbourfront Centre. Short Film program commences at 11:45 AM.

CREDITS

Editor: Simone Simth

Cinematographer: James Klopko

Principle Cast: Emmanuel Kabongo, Kim Roberts, Lucky Ejim, Pedro Miguel Arce, Thamela Mpumlwana

Producers: Jessica Adams, Emmanuel Kabongo, Wendy Motion Brathwaite, Fernando Arrioja

Executive Producer: Charles Officer

Production Company: Arrioja Films

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The Music Gallery presents… Motion X Avant XI

Posted on October 7, 2016 by MotionLive

https://www.musicgallery.org/music-gallery-history-series-motion/

Sunday, October 16 Event: 6pm OCADU, Lambert Lounge 100 McCaul St. Free

musicgalleryconcept1_03Over the past twenty five years, Motion has been one of Toronto’s true treasures of spoken word art. Her aural/sonic works span the realms of word, sound and drama. Starting her career as a founder of Canada’s longest-running hip hop radio show (The Master Plan, CIUT), and one of the earliest hip hop artists in Toronto to appear on record, she soon became a mentor for the Fresh Arts Movement. Motion’s lyrical agility has taken her to the stages of Manifesto, Nuit Blanche, CBC TV and HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. Her theatrical works have been staged at Factory Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille and the Banff Centre.

“Bang the Furnace: Music, Culture & Identity in Toronto’s Black Aural Spaces” passes through house parties to the moving streets of Caribana, block-O’s and clubs to the waves of college radio. These aural spaces have transported, mobilized and reinvented cultural expression in Toronto’s Black communities. This presentation, complete with turntables, explores the lineage and power of art and sound through the ears and words of this vital emcee/poet and playwright.

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