Welcome Back! Roots Volume 2 | Issue 4 January 2009 1 In This Issue: ATOG Gina Loring The talented poet-vocalist comes to Cal Poly ATOG: Gina Loring page 2 Black History Month page 3 D e p a r t m e n t Presidential Inauguration page 3 N*W*C page 3 The new year starts off with poet and vocalist Gina Loring. Loring was featured on both HBO’s Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry and BET’s Lyric Café. In 2002, she was the top ranking female poet at the National Poetry Slam. She has also been a writer and performer in Norman Lear’s “Declare Yourself” tour and more recently has been active in both Diddy’s “Vote or Die” campaign and Rock the Vote. After completing high school at the exclusive Happy Valley School in Ojai, CA on a full music scholarship, Loring received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Theater from Spelman College in Atlanta. While there, she performed with the award winning Jazz Bunch and Glee Club, and also starred in a production of George C. Wolfe’s “The Colored Museum.” While at Spelman, Loring became initiated into the Eta Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she became the Chapter’s songstress. Following in the footsteps of other famous Delta sorors such as Ruby Dee and Lena Horne by contributing her art. She was later the Featured Vocalist at both the NAACP Image Awards banquet and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Awards banquet. She went on to study at Columbia University under noted Hip Hop historian Michael Eric Dyson. She has been mentored by artists such as Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, SuzanLori Parks, and Marla Gibbs. She has also had extensive vocal training, as well as technical experience in theatrical productions. Recently, Loring received the exclusive Bibby scholarship to the Idyllwild Intensive Poetry workshop where she studied under Nobel Prize winning poet Natasha Trethewey. Loring has been noted for her great vocal talents and lyrical power and her thought-provoking topics of love, spirituality, and social activism, all in the elegance, grace and passion that a young woman should embody. From her diverse training, she is able to artistically balance both music and poetry in her art. Gina Loring is the daughter of actor William Marshall and cousin of actor Paul Winfield and the late jazz musician and composer Teddy Edwards, Sr. Much of her inspiration and work is in honor of her brother Malcolm Marshall. Check out Gina’s myspace to hear her music or order her CD, The Git Back (Lovely) www.myspace. com/ginaloring 100% Organic Cotton ATOG shirts available at the door for $10 Newsletter Design and Stories by Mickela Gonzales mtgonzal@calpoly.edu MCC on the web www.multicultural.calpoly.edu 2 Kicking-off Black History Month One Man’s Dream Continues Decades Later This year marks the 80th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the MultiCultural Center will begin Black History Month just after the holiday. On January 21, a tribute to Dr. King will be presented along with Black History Jeopardy in Bishop’s Lounge (UU 208) from 7pm to 9pm. The CNN documentary, “The Noose: An American Night­ mare,” will be shown on January 28 in Bishop’s Lounge (UU208) from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. A 2007 special investigation documentary, the film explores the re-emergence of the noose as a symbol of hate and racism across the country in the last two years. First shown last year as a part of the 2008 Black History Month, the messages of the film continue to be relevant given recent campus incidents. More events are planned for February, under a theme of Black tradition in the arts. Look for the February newsletter and event flyers soon! Inauguration Party Tuesday, January 20, 2009 UU 220 @ 7:30am Live Television Feed Coffee and snacks provided Inauguration Review Soup & Substance Tuesday, January 27, 2009 UU220, 12pm to 1pm Breaking All The Stereotypes Acclaimed performing group N*W*C discusses racially charged issues In association with ASI and Cal Poly Arts, the MCC will co-sponsor the highly controversial group N*W*C (short for N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk) on January 27, 2009. The three performers, Rafael Agustin, Allan Axibal, and Miles Gregley, all came together during their time at a southern California community college, then transferred together to UC Los Angeles’ School of Theater, Film and Television. While at UCLA, and with the help of two former teachers, Liesel Reinhart, Chair of the Department of Speech and Theater at Mt. San Antonio College, and Steven Seagle, acclaimed graphic novel and comic book writer, the trio created a show that brings up topics of ethnic identity, racial slander, media representation, race, stereotyping, immigration, and inter-group conflict, with many of the stories deriving from their own personal experiences. Using a variety of performance styles, including slam poetry, hip-hop and comedy, the performers attempt to create an environment that will allow the audience to feel comfortable enough to begin and engage in a discussion immediately following the show. Rafael has a BA in Theater and an MA in Theater Directing from UCLA, was a national intercollegiate forensics champion, has taught at the college level, and was the Director of the 2005 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. Allan has a BA in Communication Studes from UCLA, is currently pursuing graduate studies at CSU Los Angeles, has taught at both high school and college levels and extensively with at-risk students, and is a successful slam poet. Miles has a BA in Theater from UCLA, is an active standup comedian and hip hop performer, is a member of the L.A. favorite The Elevators, and is an international award-winning comedic public speaker. For more information, check out www.nwcbackstage.com Stop by the MCC in UU 217 for more info 3 January Events Monday Wednesday Monday Tuesday 5 First Day of Winter Quarter 7ATOG: Gina Loring Chumash Auditorium 7:30pm 19 No School - MLK Jr. Day 20 Inauguration Party Wednesday UU220 7:30am 21 MLK Jr. Tribute & Black Jeopardy Monday 26 Lunar New Year Celebration Tuesday 27 Inauguration Review Tuesday 27 N*W*C Performance Wednesday UU208 7pm MCC UU217 11am UU220 12pm Soup and Substance Chumash Auditorium 7pm 28CNN Documentary “The Noose” UU208 7:30pm 4