GUAVA
GUAVA is a multi-media performance piece that addresses queer African sexuality and how immigration and geographic location impact it. GUAVA documents stories that are often ignored and marginalized and utilizes art to share those stories as well as engage in conversations about queer African sexuality. GUAVA will debut at the National Queer Arts Festival and then be performed in Nigeria and South Africa in partnership with LGBTQ African organizations. The performance will be accompanied by a community discussion that engages the political issues raised in the performance. The intention of GUAVA is for queer Africans to share our own stories in our own words.
June 17 & 18, 2013
GUAVA: Performing Queer African Truths
The Garage, 8pm
$12-$20 sliding scale
Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/376269
Website: www.myloveisaverb.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/376543189127182/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/myloveisaverb
ARTISTS’ BIOS
Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene (GUAVA performer, Co-Director) is an Ijaw and Urhobo Nigerian dyke performance activist, poet, dancer, essayist, playwright, actress, video blogger and mixed media visual artist who was born with a mouth full of dynamite and sugarcane. She uses her poetry to chisel a verbal sculpture of her soul for listeners while addressing issues of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, war, imperialism, love, self-esteem and family. Etaghene has toured nationally and performed in over 30 u.s. cities. She was interviewed by and was a Contributing Writer to None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa, a sound documentary project that collects the stories of QLGBT Africans from the African Continent and the Diaspora. She has toured nationally with her multi-media one-woman show, Volcano’s Birthright{s}. Etaghene is a mixed-media visual artist who has produced 4 solo art exhibitions. In June 2012, Etaghene founded Sugarcane, an LGBTQ Of Color writing workshop based in the principles of June Jordan’s Poetry for the People.
Etaghene has written and directed 2 poem videos (“The First Time” [2010] and “i deserve somebody” [2011]) that marry film, poetry and music. Etaghene has self-published 3 chapbooks of poetry: afrocrown: fierce poetry (2000), write or die (2004) and tongue twisted transcontinental sista (2006.) She independently released an album of poetry and music entitled “liberty avenue, nigeria, usa” (2004.) She has shared stages with Amina Baraka, Bonfire Madigan, Sharon Bridgforth, Staceyann Chin, climbing poeTree, Invincible, Las Krudas, DJ Kuttin Kandi, Lenelle Moïse, DJ Moni, Queen GodIs, Ongina Ryan, Hanifah Walidah & innumerable other brilliant magic-makers.
Jay-Marie Hill (GUAVA Co-Director) is a Mixed (Black/White/Puerto Rican) Masculine of Center Woman, originally hailing from the East San Francisco Bay Area. She has participated in countless productions and theater groups in roles ranging from Producer to Lighting Designer to Executive Director. Jay is always working to use her knowledge and awareness of Art, (Her)story and Struggle to reach out to Youth and bring greater numbers into the overlaps of education and queer (of color) community.
Event Photo: NerdScarf Photography
Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene Bio Photo: An Xiao
Jay-Marie Hill Bio Photo: Anthony Dimaano
