Evento

People's Sanctuary

People's Sanctuary is an intercultural, intergenerational gathering intended to honor the spiritual expressions of music and dance from urban, global, indigenous and faith traditions. Here participants discover opportunities to creatively address justice issues in Portland and worldwide. Peformers will take the stage to speak truth about love, peace, light and justice. If you seeking an inspiring communication and authentic connection come find relief with us as there is enough medicine for the brokenhearted here.

Hip-Hop, Spoken-Word, Dance, Soul, Punk, Funk, Metal, Poetry,
Love, Peace & Light.

For More Information Check out:
www.peoplesanctuary.com

REJOICE: DIASPORA DANCE THEATRE
Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater is an ensemble of multi dimensional dancers and musicians under the artistic direction of Oluyinka Akinjiola. Rejoice! looks at tradition through a contemporary lens bridging our vast history with our complex present. Rejoice! weaves dances of the African Diaspora, storytelling and live music to navigate through issues relevant to today's world.

AMENTA ABIOTO
Songwriter, producer, and actor, Amenta Abioto is on the cutting edge of all that is musical, theatrical, and literary. Her music is boldly mystical and soul-fired, and her raw live performances invoke elements of both theatrical surprise and magic through ancient African diasporic sounds and stories. Weaved into syncopated rhythms and dichotomies of comedic proportions, Amenta surprises and tantalizes audiences with mind bending ideas. She brings to the music scene funky academia while skipping vocally from soul shaking gospel to smooth jazz and then onto hip hop rhythms wrapped in West African beats.

Graduating from Idllywild Arts Academy in 2010, she trained in musical theatre. Since graduating she has courted the music scene and produced one self-titled EP, Amenta Abioto , and one upcoming album, Opening Flower Hymns. Receiving inspiration from the best-seller work Women Who Run With the Wolves, mythological characterization and cultural stories are reflected in the original works of Amenta Abioto.

Boldly striking in appearance, Amenta brings beauty, charm, and creativity to any stage as an ode to funk. She grabs the audience and they become her musical composition. It is like swimming in an ocean full of dolphins while shouting in a Baptist church. Amenta is a storytellers teller, a fantastical north STAR, a High Priestess.

ASCXNSION
Alexis "ASCXNSION" Cannard is a young performing/visual artist and producer born and raised in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland, Oregon.As a middle schooler, Ascxnsion began her journey in poetry, music, theatre, dance and visual art, and continues to use these as a method of self expression and healing.

Ascxnsion has been recognized across the state as a performer, winning Portland's first Youth Poet Laureate title and qualifiying as an IE acting competitor internationally. She has performed as an opening act for artists such as Cool Nutz and Raheem DeVaughn,and placed in the top five of Literary Art's "Verselandia" competition two years running. A force to be reckoned with, Ascxnsion has aspirations to continue her journey as an artist and entreperneur, all while incorporating social justice activism into her work. Exposure and experiences with domestic violence, sexual assault, racism and sexism from a young age molded Ascxnsion to utilize her music and poetry as a way to speak out and reflect on these kinds of important issues. Alexis' multi-faceted style consisting of neo-soul, hip-hop, and folk influences make her a unique musician and overall artist.

BLACQUE BUTTERFLY
Darlene Solomon-Rogers aka Blacque Butterfly is an entertainer, activist and event host. Her love for the arts has allowed her to explore several layers of her calling. Be it spoken word, motivational speaking, singing , theater or event promoting she has allowed the Creator to use her ministry to inspire others to follow their calling. Blacque Butterfly is a native Oregonian, born and raised in NE Portland. She is the author of Black girl can I comb your hair. She has also released a spoken word CD entitled Collide -A - Scope. Currently she is working on her sophomore album slated to release by early 2013. Blacque Butterfly promotes and showcases local talent through her events Blacque Butterfly Presents...
Butterfly mentors troubled youth and single mothers and facilitates a youth based theatre troupe, where she allows youth at risk to use the arts as a tool for social justice. She is a motivational speaker for women and men of domestic violence. Blacque Butterfly believes in the philosophy that you can be the change that you want to see in the world. She assists homeless youth and displaced families.

MIC CRENSHAW
Born on the Southside of Chicago, and raised both there and in Minneapolis, Michael Crenshaw is a world class MC and poet who has emerged on the national - and international stage. As a teen in the late 80's, Mic was embroiled in the violent streets of Minneapolis, leading groups to physically confront white supremacist gangs that were enforcing their will at local parks and social scenes. After beating back the neo-nazis, the violence remained, both in the streets and from authorities. Crenshaw decided it was time to escape it all and moved west to Portland, OR. Crenshaw says, "I wanted something new. [At the time] my ties with the streets were still pretty strong, and my social life involved drinking and fighting. I was ready for a change."

In Portland, he quickly became one of the most respected artists in the Northwest. Beginning in '94, Crenshaw was the front man for the beloved Portland live Hip Hop band, Hungry Mob. In 2001, Crenshaw won The Portland Poetry Slam Championship and went on to finish as a national finalist.

The Portland Mercury writes, 'Mic Crenshaw is a pretty mythic character... (with the Lifesavas) two of the very best hip-hop acts in PDX.
In 2009, Mic released his debut solo CD, "Thinking Out Loud", which spent 10 weeks in the top 10 on College Music Journal's (CMJ) National Radio Hip Hop Charts, peaking at number 4. Crenshaws 2nd solo release, Under The Sun, was released in the winter of 2010. Single Yeah peaked at #2 on CMJs Hip Hop Charts.

In Portland, Mic's community efforts expanded from the local - to the global. At the close of a Human Rights conference he attended in Rwanda, Crenshaw was confronted by local activists. They said that in America there are computers and they need his help to get them computers. As a result, upon returning to Portland, he enlisted help from an educational colleague, Morgan Delaney. As a result, Globalfam was born.

Globalfam is now a full entertainment company, record label and lifestyle company in one. It houses and produces Crenshaw's music. As well as, partners with the non-profit Education WithOut Borders (EWOB) to manage the community projects that Crensahw and Globalfam are involved in. Crenshaw now serves as EWOB's President.
Seven years later, the request for computers has blossomed into a full computer education center in Burundi, Central Africa. Over 800 people have received training, and the center is now expanding, generating revenue and creating jobs by adding a computer repair shop. It is 100% locally managed and staffed. EWOB and Globalfam, along with its supporters, have been the sole outside sponsor

EWOB helps education, music and art initiatives in Portland and their work in Africa, as well serving as an umbrella for the Portland Books For Prisoners Chapter. Crenshaw is currently the Political Director of Hip Hop Congress and the Lead U.S. Organizer for the Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan. The Caravan toured six African cities in 2012 and will tour 10 cities between Cape Town and Cairo in 2014. The Caravan engages each city with a show in the city center, a Hip Hop Symposium and a free show for the youth in a township or ghetto. Crenshaw was invited to be part of the Caravan after playing the Shoko International Festival in Harare Zimbabwe in 2012.
Since 2012, Mic has released 3 EPs expanding his musical presentation into metal and other rock inspired sound. The EP " Superheros"(2014), which features Dead Prez on its title track solidified Mic's place in Hip Hop worldwide and as an activist/educator. Bionic Metal (2014) features signature wordplay in line with motivating sonic backdrops . Hope and Danger (2016) heightens the introspection and critical analysis of race, class and culture in modern society. Mic is currently working on a new project slated to be released late 2016.

SOLOMON STARR
Solomon Starr is a gifted speaker, lyricist/poet, scholar and music producer. Born and Raised in New York City, Solomon began performing at age nine during the height of a Crack Epidemic. Threatened by robberies, drug sales and murder he transformed his confusion and anxiety into street poetry. Healing words eased the agony of adolescence, yet much of the relief he received came from the spiritual guidance and justice leadership training he gained through active involvement in a local church. His engagement with spirituality and justice increased his desire to positively impact his peers. However, Solomon confronted the challenge of promoting spiritual growth and social revolution to teens who suffered silently in crime and poverty; they refused to listen or wake up. Motivated by this bitter reality, Solomon channeled his spiritual knowledge into grassroots organizing. While attending Central College, in Pella, Iowa Solomon formed the "Last Liberation Movement". As founder and lead organizer Solomon mobilized students on campus to create institutional change by advocating for racial justice in curriculum, personnel and public representation. In 2004, Solomon co-founded Sanctify Entertainment. The vision was to create socially conscious media for spiritual transformation. The mission has been to organize and help bring liberation to groups across the country aiming for social change by combining performing arts and social action. Solomon served and received training for the stage as a member of StoryTellas, a gospel music group that provides support to disempowered youth in prisons, churches and devastated communities throughout the tri-state area. In addition, Solomon has given speeches and performed at such events as the acclaimed Rap Fest, The Holy-Hip Hop Awards, Flavor Fest and The Zulu Nation 30th Anniversary sharing stages with such artists as the Cross Movement, The Truth, K-Drama, Lecrae, Percy P and many others. Solomon is also a resource for filmmakers. He composed original music for "Artistic Closure" an independent film featured in the 2008 New York Film Festival. As a scholar, Solomon Starr received a Masters in Divinity from New Brunswick Theological Seminary; he graduated with honors. Solomon also pursued a Doctorate in Urban Ministry attending New Brunswick Theological Seminary from 2010-2012. Although he has had the humble honor of performing before acts like The Roots, Kurtis Blow, Dead Prez, and Wu-Tang Clan, Solomon Starr finds no greater satisfaction than helping to transform people through the powerful gifts of word and music.

JONNY COOL
Coming from outer space and settling in Portland, Oregon, Jonny Cool is an intergalactic traveller whose creativity is funneled into funky songs that touch on many genres including hip hop, R'n'B, soul, electronic, and more. Combining sounds of the 70s with modern instruments and elements Jonny creates music that is truly original and otherworldly.

While working with TYuS and the Rose Tribe collective Jonny began putting together his debut EP 'Native Alien' which gives the listener a brief glimpse into his mind. Being able to fully produce each song on the project gave Jonny the opportunity to really tap in creatively and showcase his unique style and elaborate production he's been carefully crafting over the years.

Catch Jonny Cool in a town near you! Each performance is a memorable experience that's never the same.