Black Women's Arts Festival Blog

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 04 February 4, 2012

2012-02-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

1) GREETINGS
2) PARTNERSHIP WITH MOONSTONE
3) BWAF PLANS OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA
4) SUPPORT THE BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL
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1) GREETINGS
Greetings, folks, and welcome to another edition of the Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter! The Black Women’s Arts Festival is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA, and has been producing multi-disciplinary performing and other creative and healing arts by self-identified women and girls of African heritage since 2003. The event itself is a multi-day, multi-venue one which has primarily happened at The Rotunda, affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania. The founder and director is Cassendre Xavier, and previously the Festival has also been co-organized and directed by Monica McIntyre. To learn more about the Black Women’s Arts Festival, visit http://bwafphilly.homestead.com/.

2) PARTNERSHIP WITH MOONSTONE
From 2003 to 2007, BWAF operated as a for-profit project of Cassendre Xavier Enterprises. From February 2007 to December 2010, BWAF operated as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization as a member of the New Beginnings Nonprofit Incubator of Resources for Human Development. In June 2011, BWAF officially joined ranks with Philadelphia’s legendary community cultural arts and education nonprofit Moonstone, although Moonstone/Robin’s Books had been the venue of many CX Enterprises events since 2002. BWAF is honored to be part of this institution, known for its work in blending multi-cultures and community through the arts and education since 1973. Partnered with Moonstone, BWAF is once again operating as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. To learn more about Moonstone, please visit http://www.moonstoneartscenter.org/.

3) BWAF PLANS OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA
The 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival, which happened in Philadelphia July 27 thru 31st, 2011 at 5 venues was the last Festival that will happen in the east coast for a long time. The idea has for years been to grow BWAF into a global community event, and the time has come to move on that idea. Beginning August 2011, plans, venue scouting and negotiations for a BWAF on the west coast transpired. However, it soon became evident that it would take more time to produce a BWAF in the west coast in time for 2012. In the interim, the director began a major life-changing endeavor which required the temporary pausing of several projects, including organizing the next BWAF actual Festival. Therefore, plans are on hiatus at this time for producing a Festival until further notice. What is in effect is archiving, uploading to our YouTube channel, and otherwise distributing the many promotional materials we’ve collected since our inception in 2003. We thank everyone who has ever been a part or otherwise supported BWAF’s efforts in and near Philadelphia, and we greatly look forward to travelling the world with this wonderful event when the time is right. At this time, we are unable to field any questions or correspondence regarding collaborations or showcasing artists, vendors, and the like, until announcements are made regarding the production of an actual Festival. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter, and for keeping your eyes peeled for the continued growth progress and transformation of this wonderful community cultural arts effort!

4) SUPPORT THE BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL
Currently, BWAF owns no office or computer equipment to carry on its work of archiving and later planning its next Festival events. Like many small nonprofits and one or two person operations, we are borrowing and using here and there what we can. You can contribute to the growth of our budget for equipment making a tax-deductible donation of monies or equipment. We do operate as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization under the fiscal sponsorship of Moonstone.
Donations can be made to:

Black Women’s Arts Festival
PO Box 30204
Philadelphia, PA 19103-8204
USA

Other contact: Email: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com

For more information and social networking links to BWAF, as well as to read archived issues of the Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter, please visit our website at http://bwafphilly.homestead.com. (Please note we have allowed the domain name of BWAFphilly.org to expire as we are no longer primarily basing our Festival events in Philadelphia. In time, BWAF websites and domains will reflect current activities.)

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter June 22, 2011

2011-06-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter
Wednesday, June 22, 2011

In this issue:

1) Accepted Applicants Notified!
2) Schedule In the Making
3) Call for Fashion Show & Food Vendors!
4) Call for Volunteers
5) What Local Radio Stations Do You Listen To?

1) Accepted Applicants Notified!
Greetings! Cassendre Xavier here (founder/director, BWAF) with the latest news for you about Philadelphia’s 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival! Please note, we’ve added an extra day to the Festival – it’s now 5 days - from Wednesday, July 27th thru Sunday, July 31, 2011.
I am thrilled to announce, also, that everyone who used our official online submissions and was accepted, was notified by email yesterday – 9 days early! (July was when it was announced that notifications would be made.)
In previous years, we have usually accepted 80% - 90% of submission applications. This year, for the first, time, all applicants who went through the online application process were accepted! Very exciting! (If you haven’t been notified by email, you may have applied offline, and will be notified by the deadline of July as stated. Please email us at BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com to speed the notification process.)
I am very excited that we have a high number of folks between ages 30-50 who are participating this year. In recent years, there have been mostly 18-24. We still have a good representation of younger folks this year, just more, um, “maturity” than we have before!
Submissions for 2011 closed weeks ago and we will soon (within days) post our Early Submissions for 2012. Please note that Early Submissions are $10, Mid Submissions $15 and Late Submissions $20. This year we had the largest number of late submissions than we ever have. While it’s nice to have the extra income, we much prefer your saving your money and applying earlier, so please check in soon and submit your application to participate next year. (Scholarships/Sliding-Scale are available for those who qualify.)

2) Schedule In the Making
Below is a press release I sent out on Monday June 20. Please spread the word and stay tuned for updates. The schedule is being created now and will be posted to our website and other online networks within the next week. You can see it in progress below. You’ll see some very exciting additions including the fabulous ensemble Wings of Worth, Sexy Parts of the Bible author Kola Boof, Workshops-Massage-Products by Vanessa Hazzard-Tillman, African & Modern Dance Classes by Shandra Staley. I am so excited that the LiCK: The Liberty City Kings (popular drag troup) will be participating this year. They are so fun! Some of our Philadelphia-based BWAF familiar faces and features will return, including O, who will again lead our Honoring Our Ancestors & Elders Ceremony as well as performing theatre. Also: poets Angel Hogan, Stephanie Durann, and the visual art of Ebony Malaika Collier as well as her poetry. Check out (and forward) the press release below!

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Cassendre Xavier, Founder & Director
Email: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com
Website: www.BWAFphilly.org
Phone: 215-436-9702

The Black Women’s Arts Festival is gearing up for its 8th Annual Philadelphia event (Wednesday, July 27th thru Sunday July 31st)! An exciting, inclusive community event, the Black Women’s Arts Festival features multi-media artistic and creative performance and exhibits by self-identified women and girls of African heritage. Annually featured are: Music, Films, Spoken Word, Theatre, Dance, Visual Arts, Children’s Events, Workshops, Open Mics, Food, Vendors, and After Parties.

As always, all respectful persons are welcome to attend and/or volunteer or support the Black Women’s Arts Festival!

The theme of BWAF Philly 2011 is “Healing & Joy”. In addition to the creative arts, there will be a strong focus on the healing arts as well, including massage, guided meditations, and more.

With the acclaimed University City arts venue the Rotunda as its primary venue since its inception in 2003, BWAF continues with its 5-day, multi-venue event throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Festival dates, locations, and a partial schedule of event highlights are as follows:

Wednesday, July 27 – 7pm Kola Boof at Moonstone Arts Center, 110A S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 Author of “The Sexy Parts of the Bible” www.KolaBoof.com www.MoonstoneArtsCenter.org

Thursday, July 28 – 11am – 5pm Events to be announced (TBA) at the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.therotunda.org

Thursday, July 28 – 7pm – 9pm All People’s Open Mic featuring Wings of Worth. Venue: Moonstone. www.WingsOfWorth.wordpress.com

Friday, July 29 – 11am-11pm – Events TBA at the Rotunda. 5pm-11pm: Vendors.

Saturday, July 30 – 11am – 1pm Children’s Storytime at Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119 www.BigBlueMarbleBooks.com

Saturday, July 30 2pm – 11pm Events at the Rotunda including Root Chakra workshop with Vanessa Hazzard-Tillman www.phillythaiyogamassage.com, Honoring Our Ancestors & Elders Ceremony by O, and LiCK – the Liberty City Kings (award-winning queer drag king and burlesque troup) www.libertycitykings.com. More events TBA. 5pm-11pm: Vendors.

Sunday, July 31 11am – 11pm Events at the Rotunda, including Modern & African Dance Classes with Shandra Staley; Womb of Love theater performance by O. More events TBA. 5pm-11pm: Vendors.

Stay tuned for more developments! Subscribe to the official BWAF email list by sending a blank email to: BWAFphilly-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

3) Call for Fashion Show & Food Vendors!
Although we have plenty of folks to fill out the beautiful schedule, there are a few features that are missing and I would love to complete. I’d love to have at least one fashion show this year at BWAF, and at least one food vendor and one smoothie vendor. I have some ideas of who to ask, but I wanted to put it out there to you. Do you, or do you know someone who fits either bill? Fashion Show and Food Vendors. Spread the word. Thanks! (Oh, and our vending registration fees are ridiculously low this year. And we’ll haggle. Email BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com or leave a voicemail message at 215-436-9702. Thanks so much!

4) Call for Volunteers
If you’d like to be part of the fun this year, and help out in one or more 2-hour volunteer shifts at The Rotunda (http://TheRotunda.org), Moonstone Arts Center http://MoonstoneArtsCenter.org, or Big Blue Marble Bookstore http://BigBlueMarbleBooks.com, let us know.

What we’re looking for is:
a) Cashiers
b) Door Persuns
c) Gophers (to go across the street to get more ice or bottled water, food etc.)
d) Stage Management
e) Fashion Models
f) Online Marketing (posting stuff on Facebook – sending emails out to your friends, Craigslist, MySpace, Twitter, etc.)
g) General Assistance (Emptying trash, helping out here and there, etc.)

How to contact to volunteer: Email your Name and Mobile/Phone Number to: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com or leave a voicemail message at 215-436-9702.

5) What Local Radio Stations Do You Listen To?
I’m scheduled to do some local radio appearances to promote BWAF – Temple Jazz 90 and WXPN 88.5 among them. If you email me suggestions of where else would be good, I’ll gladly follow through and see if they can squeeze me in. (Unless it’s suggested otherwise, I’m not planning to do internet or satellite radio shows as I found that a large number of African Americans particularly and (folks in general) do NOT get their events news from there. Radio rocks!)

Thank you for your time and attention. We hope you’ll stay as excited as we are about forthcoming events and we’ll see you next issue (in a few days, probably, with more schedule additions).

Also coming soon: Ticket Information. (Many events will be free of charge and *No One Turned Away).

*Except where otherwise noted.

In art & community,

Cassendre Xavier (aka Amethyste Rah, aka Amrita Waterfalls)
renaissance negresse & ARTrepreneur (musician/writer/visual artist/actress)
http://cassEndrExavier.com

Founder & Director of Philadelphia’s Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (Est. 2003)
http://BWAFphilly.org

Founder & Director of the Women’s Writing & Spoken Word Series (Est. 2002)
http://WomensWritingSeries.org

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter June 7, 2011

2011-06-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings, Friends!

We are gearing up for Philadelphia’s 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival, which will be special as always! We will be sending you regular updates from now until Festival dates Thursday July 28th through Sunday July 31st, 2011.

In this message, I thought it would be good to forward along an automated message we added to our email address. We get lots of email and lots of it can be addressed thusly:

Thank you for contacting the Black Women's Arts Festival. If it is relevant, and we can help you, according to the list below, we will return your email at our earliest opportunity.

Please note the following:

1) If you'd like to advertise in the BWAF Pages: A Community Resource Directory published by the Black Women's Arts Festival, please visit www.BWAFpages.com or email BWAFpages(at)gmail.com.

2) If you'd like to volunteer, please email BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com with your first and last name, home phone number, cell phone number, volunteer preferences, and hours/days of availability.

3) If you'd like to produce a Black Women's Arts Festival in your town, please email BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com with: "Licensed BWAF Producer" in the subject. No phone calls or text messages, please.

4) If you'd like to know whether you have been selected to feature at BWAF Philly, we will be making notifications in July, as stated on our submissions page. No phone calls or text messages, please. We thank you for your patience.

5) If you've emailed us an announcement about your event or business, please remove BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com from your general list and replace it with these two addresses: BWAFphilly(at)yahoogroups.com and BWAFpages(at)gmail.com.

6) If you are requesting advice on how to show or sell your artwork, publish your writing, or otherwise grow your career as an artist, please note that we are not staffed or able to advise you. We suggest you find individual artists who have what you want in the way of professional accomplishment, and approach them directly with "I'd love your advice - let me take you to lunch and pick your brain" or some similar statement. Approach with a willingness to compensate your potential mentor for their time and consideration. Best wishes!

7) Please network with us on MySpace, Facebook Groups, Facebook Fan Pages, and Twitter. Note that all BWAF correspondence, however, goes through BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com ONLY. Wall posts or messages left on our MySpace, Facebook, or Twitter pages are not valid as they are not searchable by keyword nor archived, as email is. We appreciate your understanding about this.

Please be patient and allow us to return your email as soon as we can, and feel free to send occasional reminders via email if you're not hearing from us as soon as you'd like to.

We appreciate you and hope to see you at the next Black Women's Arts Festival!

In art and community,

The Black Women's Arts Festival (Est. 2003)
www.BWAFphilly.org
Email: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com
No phone calls or text messages, please.

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This concludes our message for today. Hope it was helpful, and thanks for your time and attention. See you next time!

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder & Director
Black Women’s Arts Festival (Est. 2003)
http://BWAFphilly.org

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 09Oct2010

2010-10-09T21:41:00.001-07:00

Greetings, folks!

Just a quick note to let you know the website has been updated to show the dates for Philadelphia’s 8th Annual BWAF (2011).
Also, we’re now set up to assist others in producing BWAF’s anywhere in the world, as well as in Philadelphia, next year or after!
For more information about these topics and more, please visit out website http://bwafphilly.org/.

For a printed, postal version, send a blank envelope to:
Black Women’s Arts Festival
PO Box 30204
Philadelphia, PA 19103-8204 USA

In Art & Community,

Cassendre Xavier
Artist, Founder & Director of the Black Women’s Arts Festival
www.BWAFphilly.org
www.cassEndrExavier.com

3 Days to the Black Women’s Arts Festival! 7/29-8/1

2010-07-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter July 26, 2010

Greetings Friends!

Cassendre Xavier here (founder and director of BWAF) with another update about Philadelphia’s 7th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival, which is happening this weekend starting Thursday, July 29 thru Sunday, August 1st, 2010!

I recently read a magazine article about a husband and wife who suddenly found themselves the parents of three children under the age of one! She was told she couldn’t conceive, so they adopted and had a surrogate mother, both of which ended up producing a baby at almost the same time, and then the wife miraculously and very unexpectedly became pregnant! They’re thrice blessed, but very, very busy with those babies!

I say this to say that this is much how I feel running BWAF this year. As you may have noticed, a few things have been delayed, and for any inconvenience, I sincerely apologize. I also have made amends however I could, and offered special deals to folks who may have been shortchanged by the late happenings of certain features of this year’s event.

I have had more than a few serious life issues this year that caused my production with BWAF to be affected. I intend and expect next year will show a significant increase in the number of people working on the Festival than there were this year!

(For those who’d like more details, I will be releasing a ME! ME! ME! Newsletter before the Festival begins this week to share more of my experience and how things happened with BWAF this year. Links to my Yahoo Group and Blog can be found at www.cassEndrExavier.com)

ABOUT US
The Black Women’s Arts Festival is an acclaimed, inclusive, community cultural arts event which was founded in 2003 and began operating as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in 2007.

This summer’s Festival dates are Thursday, July 29 thru Sunday, August 1st, 2010.

BWAF Philly 2010 will feature many very special, first-time featured artists, workshops, children’s events and more at several venues in Greater Philadelphia including our primary venue, The Rotunda, on the campus of, and in our longtime partnership with the University of Pennsylvania.
We will also feature special, spiritual, and family events to honor the elders and ancestors from all our communities.

As always, all respectful persons are welcome, invited, and encouraged to participate as attendees, volunteers, and/or organizers.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday 7/29 at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) from 11:00AM – 8:00 Workshops and Films – no other events, no vendors. $7 each person or 2 for $10. www.therotunda.org

Thursday LATE NIGHT from 9:00PM – 2:00AM it’s the Opening Night Party at the Arts Garage (533 Ridge Avenue) $5 Admission 21+ID. www.theartsgarage.com

Friday 7/30 at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) 11:30AM – 11:00PM – Workshops, Exhibits, Performances and Vendors. $7 each person or 2 for $10. www.therotunda.org

Saturday MORNING 7/31 Children’s Storytime at Big Blue Marble Bookstore (551 Carpenter Lane) 11:00AM – 1:00PM FREE. www.bigbluemarblebooks.com

Saturday 7/31 at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) from 1:30PM – 10:00PM Workshops, Exhibits, Performances and Vendors. $7 each person or 2 for $10. www.therotunda.org

Sunday 8/1 at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) from 11:00AM – 10:00PM Workshops, Exhibits, Performances and Vendors. $7 each person or 2 for $10. www.therotunda.org

Note: There will be chair massage on Friday and Sunday. There will also be a Clothing & Book Swap every day! All are welcome to bring gently used clothing, books, etc. to give away and feel free to take with you a special souvenir of the Festival as well! (I’ve already compiled a bag of clothes and new, unopened bottled of scented body lotion to give away, because I remember how much I enjoyed receiving clothes and a nice bottle of fragrance-free shampoo at the NoLose Conference years ago!) Men and women are welcome to participate.

For the latest events, please visit http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/2010/07/bwaf-philly-2010-schedule.html or http://tinyurl.com/295zvbm, or our official website’s 2010 Schedule page http://bwafphilly.homestead.com/2010.html or http://tinyurl.com/294vrap.

Please note that changes are being made much faster than they’re able to be updated online. Please just come to the Festival and see what happens!

OUR LAST YEAR AS A NON-PROFIT
BWAF operated from 2003 – 2006, then operated as a non-profit from 2007 – 2010. A few weeks ago, BWAF decided to leave the New Beginnings Non-Profit Incubator of Resources for Human Development, our fiscal sponsor, and submitted our notice of resignation. BWAF will remain a New Beginnings project through December 31, 2010, unless we find other office space sooner. From January 1, 2011, BWAF will again be in the for-profit sector. As I learned, running a non-profit is like having three jobs, and we’re just not cut out for it. It’s not our style, and I look forward to trying the new thing of being a company that runs as a business, yet with the support of a community organization. In these next four months, we’ll be looking for office space and have already been given a few leads that may pan out quite nicely. Keep you posted!

In the meantime, watch a tour of our BWAF office and hear about leaving the non-profit sector on YouTube:

Black Women's Arts Festival Office Tour 2010 - (Part 1 of 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiMQVcBZAXc or http://tinyurl.com/252734r

Black Women's Arts Festival Office Tour 2010 - (Part 2 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loKUveeNI4 or http://tinyurl.com/2brfj8w

CHAPBOOK POETRY CONTEST UPDATE
We will resume this project later this year, after the Festival. The goal is to assemble a committee of folks to do this work, and then the three judges who were selected this year, will do the judging. Keep you posted!

The BWAF Pages - a Community Resource Directory & Coupon Book is a project in the works by the Black Women's Arts Festival www.BWAFpages.com. In the meantime, we’re sending out the occasional online version and offering free advertising to our community of friends. If you have news that would be of interest to BWAs, please send your free 75-word classifieds/listings to: BWAFpages(at)gmail.com. If your event is dated, please put the event date in the subject where we can see it right away, and the more in advance you send us news of dated events, the better. We may include your news in future online supplements of the BWAF Pages. BWAF Pages - Almost as Good as Word of Mouth!

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER (NEW!) AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS
Please take a moment to click on all our social networking links and befriend us. Also, if you’re a black woman artist, or an ally of BWAs, please network with us and with each other – befriend befriend, befriend!

NEW!! TWITTER http://twitter.com/BWAFphilly

BWAF Facebook Fan Page (Don’t forget to login first): http://tinyurl.com/2dk4wst

Our official email list: http://tinyurl.com/2asxjzj

Our official blog: http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/

We’re on MySpace, too: http://tinyurl.com/2c3mk8t

BWAF Facebook Profile (Log in first): http://tinyurl.com/26n9u9h

BWAF Facebook Group (Login first): http://tinyurl.com/2dl2pdk
You can always join our official email list by sending a blank email to: BWAFphilly-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Thanks for everything and see you next time!

In art & community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder & Director
Black Women's Arts Festival
7th Annual, Philadelphia, July 29th - Aug 1st, 2010

Contact / Donate:
Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
(215) 951-0330, x 2108 (Email much preferred.)
Email: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com
Website: www.BWAFphilly.org

© 2010 Black Women’s Arts Festival, BWAF, BWAF Philly. All rights reserved.

Schedule Update: Opening Night Party is ON!!

2010-07-21T03:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

The Black Women’s Arts Festival’s Opening Night Party is happening after all!

--------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 29, 2010 at The Arts Garage, 533 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130 www.theartsgarage.com. (Our event may not be on their website yet, but it's on!)

9:00PM - 2:00AM - Opening Night Party at the Arts Garage. 21+, Kitchen Open All Night, Drink Specials, Accessible via public transportation (Broad Street Line or C bus).

Please check our website for regular updates http://BWAFphilly.org

BWAF Philly 2010 Schedule

2010-07-19T08:59:00.001-07:00

Schedule of Events

Thursday, July 29, 2010 at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.therotunda.org.

===Admission for the whole day: $7 per person or 2 for $10====

WORKSHOPS

11:00AM - 12:15PM - African Modern Dance Workshop with Shandra Staley
12:30PM - 1:30PM --- "Breszny Amplified" Meditative Workshop & Writing Excerise with Dr. Niama L. Williams
2:00PM - 4:00PM - Book & Clothing Swap and TBA

FILMS

Starting at 5:00PM -

Damali Abrams' "Self-Help TV" Compilation of short films including "Rose Petal Lemonade", "Drama", and "Frederick Douglass Boulvard".

"United in We" by Katrina Strickland

"The Postwoman" by Jamie Walker

More Films TBA

CLOTHING & BOOK SWAP
All day, there will be a couple of boxes for you to bring books, clothes, or other little presents that would make a nice souvenir. That means you get to leave with something new and special, too!

-------------------------------------------------------

Schedule Update: Opening Night Party is ON!!

Dear Friends,

The Black Women’s Arts Festival’s Opening Night Party is happening after all!

--------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 29, 2010 at The Arts Garage, 533 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130 www.theartsgarage.com. (Our event may not be on their website yet, but it's on!)

9:00PM - 2:00AM - Opening Night Party at the Arts Garage. 21+, Kitchen Open All Night, Drink Specials, Accessible via public transportation (Broad Street Line or C bus).

Please check our website for regular updates http://BWAFphilly.org

--------------------------------------------------------

Friday, July 30, 2010 at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.therotunda.org.

===Admission for the whole day: $7 per person or 2 for $10====

11:30M - 2:30PM - Book & Clothing Swap and TBA

WORKSHOPS

3:00PM - 4:00PM - MOYA Workshop by Pat Augustus Gilbert

4:30PM - 4:45PM - Progressive Poetry Workshop with Ms. Wise

5:00PM - TBA

MUSIC

6:00PM - Rafiya

6:30PM - TBA

7:00PM - M'Balia

SPOKEN WORD

7:30PM - NASSUNNI

7:45PM - TBA

MUSIC

9:00PM- Danie Ocean

9:30PM - TBA

VISUAL ARTIST & VENDOR

4:00PM - 10:00PM - A. Nailah Arts

CHAIR MASSAGE

Super special treat!
11:30AM - 7:00PM - Certified massage therapist Shandra Staley

CLOTHING & BOOK SWAP
All day, there will be a couple of boxes for you to bring books, clothes, or other little presents that would make a nice souvenir. That means you get to leave with something new and special, too!

Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Big Blue Marble Bookstore, then the Rotunda.

11:00AM - 1:00PM - Children's Storytime at Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119. www.bigbluemarblebooks.com

-After Children's Storytime, all of Saturday's events are again at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.therotunda.org.

===Admission for the whole day: $7 per person or 2 for $10====

1:30PM - 2:30PM - "That's Funny You Didn't Sound Black On the Phone" -a Comedic Monologue by Jacquetta Szathmari of Big Guns Big Tobacco Theatre Company

SPOKEN WORD & MUSIC

2:45PM - 3:00PM Jaz (Spoken Word Artist & Singer)

3:15PM - 3:30PM Mase III (Spoken Word)

4:00PM - 4:15PM Lydia Rene (Music)

4:30PM - 4:45PM - Dr. Niama L. Williams (Spoken Word)

VISUAL ART EXHIBITS & VENDORS

Starting at 6:00PM - Brandi Pettijohn (Photography), Crystal Hawkins (Photography), Addye Durant (Vendor)

6:30PM - 7:30PM - Art Talk with Brandi Pettijohn and others TBA

MUSIC & SPOKEN WORD

7:45PM - 8:00PM - Saida Agostini (Spoken Word)

8:15PM - 8:40PM -- Anonymous7 (Music)

8:45PM - 9:10PM - Open Mic feat. Anonymous7

9:15PM - 11:00PM - TBA

VISUAL ARTISTS & VENDORS

Starting at 6:00PM - A. Nailah Arts (Visual Artist & Vendor)

More TBA

CLOTHING & BOOK SWAP
All day, there will be a couple of boxes for you to bring books, clothes, or other little presents that would make a nice souvenir. That means you get to leave with something new and special, too!

Sunday, August 1, 2010 at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.therotunda.org.

===Admission for the whole day: $7 per person or 2 for $10====

WORKSHOPS

11:20AM - 11:50AM - "ABCs of Organic" with Claudia Street

12:00PM - 12:45PM - "Beautiful Ugly: An Exploration of Self-Love & Self-Worth" with Ms. Wise

1:00PM - 2:00PM - "Poetry & Movement: Liberating Language with Our Bodies" with Joyce Angela Jellison

2:00PM - 3:00PM - "Poetry Pulls Pain" with Pat McLean

PERFORMANCES

3:15PM - 3:45PM - TBA

4:00PM - 4:15PM - Pat McLean (Spoken Word)

4:30PM - 4:45PM - Joyce Angela Jellison (Spoken Word)

5:00PM - 5:15PM - Connie Muhammad (Music)

6:00PM - 6:15PM - Kina the Prophtic Poet (Spoken Word)

7:00PM - 7:20PM - Cocosol (Music)

7:30PM - 8:00PM - TBA

CEREMONY TO HONOR OUR ELDERS & ANCESTORS (ALL ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE)

8:30PM - 9:30PM - Ceremony created and led by O aka Loretta Lynn Payne

CHAIR MASSAGE

12:00PM - 8:00pm - Certified Massage Therapist Shandra Staley

VENDORS
Starting at 5:00PM - A. Nailah Arts and more

CLOTHING & BOOK SWAP
All day, there will be a couple of boxes for you to bring books, clothes, or other little presents that would make a nice souvenir. That means you get to leave with something new and special, too!

(Schedule subject to change with no notice. More to be added to the schedule in mere hours or even minutes! Visit our official website at http://BWAFphilly.org)

Press Release - Black Women's Arts Festival July 29 - Aug 1, 2010

2010-07-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia’s 7th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival is scheduled for Thursday, July 29th through Sunday, August 1st, 2010 at two locations: The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, 19104 (Thursday - Films & Workshops from 11:00AM-8:00PM, Friday/Saturday/Sunday– Shows, Films, Workshops & Vendors), and Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 19119 (Children’s Storytime 11:00AM – 1:00PM).

(Please note the Opening Night Party has been cancelled.)

This acclaimed, inclusive community event features interdisciplinary performances, exhibits, films, workshops, and vendors from Philadelphia and other states as far as California and Arizona.

Some highlights of this year’s events include films like Jamie Walker’s “The Postwoman”, Jacquetta Szathmari’s comedic monologue “That’s Funny You Didn’t Sound Black On the Phone” (her theatre/production company is called Big Guns Big Tobacco), Damali Abrams’ “Self-Help TV”, the music & spoken word of Anonymous7, workshops and spoken word by Dr. Niama Leslie Williams, Pat McLean, the music of Lydia Rene, Danie Ocean, Cocosol, and many more. There will be at least one Open Mic and Sunday evening will close the event with an Honoring Our Elders & Ancestors Ceremony. As always, the BWAF is open to all respectful persons – all community members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

(Schedule subject to change.)

For more about this year’s events, to get an early start on BWAF Philly 2011, or learn how you can produce a Black Women’s Arts Festival in your town or city, please visit the official Black Women’s Arts Festival website at http://BWAFphilly.org, email info(at)BWAFphilly.org or call 215-951-0330 ext 2108. We’re also on Facebook as a Profile, Group, and Fan Page!

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter July 3, 2010

2010-07-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Greetings, folks!

Super tired and sleepy, so I’ll be quick…

I kept my deadline of notifying the selected featured artists, workshop presenters, and vendors in the month of June – mostly! I called 90% of the featured folks on June 30, 2010, and have since been following through on these calls and creating the schedule.
There are still a few folks left to call, so if you haven’t heard from me yet, it may mean I haven’t gotten to your name yet.
Vendors, please know that making the schedule is my first priority, and I will notify vendors after the event schedule is officially set.
Please note that we will be at three (3) venues this year: The Rotunda, our primary venue, The Arts Garage, and Big Blue Marble bookstore. We are very excited!

We have just updated our website, and plan to include the schedule of events next week.
Enjoy your day, everyone, and thank you for your interest and participation in Philadelphia’s 7th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (Thursday, July 29th thru Sunday, August 1st, 2010) http://BWAFphilly.org

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder & Executive Director, Black Women’s Arts Festival (Est. 2003)

© Copyright 2010 by Black Women’s Arts Festival, or BWAF Philly. All rights reserved. http://BWAFphilly.org.

Submission Deadline Extended to May 23

2010-05-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

Greetings, Friends!

Welcome to another brief update about Philadelphia’s 7th annual Black Women’s Arts Festival!

Due to the high volume of late submissions, and folks spreading the word to their friends (Thank you!), we have extended our Late Submissions (to apply to be a featured artist, vendor, and/or workshop presenter) to Sunday, May 23, 2010. Please note and share this update!

About us:

The Black Women’s Arts Festival is an acclaimed, inclusive, community cultural arts event which was founded in 2003 and began operating as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in 2007.

(This summer’s Festival dates are Thursday, July 29 thru Sunday, August 1st, 2010.)

BWAF Philly 2010 will feature many very special, first-time featured artists, workshops, children’s events and more at several venues in Greater Philadelphia including our primary venue, The Rotunda, on the campus of, and in our longtime partnership with the University of Pennsylvania.
We will also feature erotic, spiritual, and family events to honor the elders and ancestors from all our communities.

As always, all respectful persons are welcome, invited, and encouraged to participate as attendees, volunteers, and/or organizers.

To view our Late Submissions application, or to apply, please visit our website at http://BWAFphilly.org. Click “Submissions”, or visit the Submissions page directly at http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com or http://tinyurl.com/ya8bv67.

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder & Executive Director
Black Women’s Arts Festival (Est. 2003, Philadelphia)
http://BWAFphilly.org

© 2010 by Black Women’s Arts Festival and BWAF Philly. All rights reserved.

Source: http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/2010/05/submission-deadline-extended-to-may-23.html or http://tinyurl.com/2b5lmte.

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 5/10/2010

2010-05-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

5 Days to Apply!

Greetings, Friends!!

Just a reminder that the Late Submissions to apply to be a featured artist, vendor, and/or workshop presenter at Philadelphia’s 7th annual Black Women’s Arts Festival ends May 15, 2010.

The Black Women’s Arts Festival is an acclaimed, inclusive, community cultural arts event which was founded in 2003 and began operating as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in 2007.

This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, July 29 thru Sunday, August 1st, 2010.

BWAF Philly 2010 will feature many very special, first-time featured artists, workshops, children’s events and more at several venues in Greater Philadelphia including our primary venue, The Rotunda, on the campus of, and in our longtime partnership with the University of Pennsylvania.
We will also feature erotic, spiritual, and family events to honor the elders and ancestors from all our communities.

As always, all respectful persons are welcome, invited, and encouraged to participate as attendees, volunteers, and/or organizers.

To view our Late Submissions application, or to apply, please visit our website at http://BWAFphilly.org. click “Submissions”, or visit the Submissions page directly at http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com or http://tinyurl.com/ya8bv67.

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder & Executive Director
Black Women’s Arts Festival (Est. 2003, Philadelphia)
http://BWAFphilly.org

© 2010 by Black Women’s Arts Festival and BWAF Philly. All rights reserved.

Source: http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/2010/05/5-days-to-apply-to-black-womens-arts.html or http://tinyurl.com/2dmk5c6.

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 4/28/10

2010-04-28T14:06:00.001-07:00

The Black Women’s Arts Festival – an inclusive community event!

Newsletter April 28, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) GREETINGS
2) CHAPBOOK POETRY CONTEST & OTHER UPDATES
3) CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – THERE’S STILL TIME!
4) GOODSEARCH US!
5) DON’T CALL US – WE’LL CALL YOU (BUT WE LOVE YOU!)
6) DATES, PLACES & TIMES
7) VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
8) MATCHING GIFTS ROCK!
9) FREE ADVERTISING IN THE BWAF PAGES ONLINE SUPPLEMENT!
10) FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS

CONTENTS OF TABLE

1) GREETINGS

Greetings, Friends!

Glad to be communicating with you once again. Welcome to another exciting edition of the newsletter of Philadelphia’s 7th annual Black Women’s Arts Festival. This event is, and always has been, welcoming of all respectful persons to attend and volunteer/organize.
Hope you’re feeling great these days – enjoying the warmer weather, and being as creative as you want to be! My name is Cassendre Xavier, and I’ll be your host for this edition :-)

2) CHAPBOOK POETRY CONTEST & OTHER UPDATES
Because of my workload organizing BWAF alone for the first time since 2003, I’m experiencing a little of the “Hmm-Maybe I Bit Off More Than I Can Chew” blues. That said, I’m putting all my efforts into the forthcoming festival alone, and have significantly slowed down certain other side projects. The Chapbook Poetry Contest still has three wonderful judges awaiting the next step. I imagine we will get this off the ground sometime soon after the festival, or after, if any of you wonderful literary types think you might enjoy organizing this project! We need folks who know about poetry contests and want to compile the submission guidelines, manage, and assist the judges. As soon as volunteer organizers of this project appear, it’s on! Same goes for the Themed Journal and Sideline Items projects. If any of you wish to spearhead either one, and collect a few folks to work on it with you, that’s great! If not, it’ll probably be about a year before I’ve assembled qualified interns to have at it. Again, my priority these days is organizing the next Festival, and working with a group of volunteers to make it a great experience for all of you! If you’d like to be considered to work on any of these, send your name, interest, email and phone number to: BWAFphilly@yahoo.com. You’ll be glad you did, ‘cause we’re good people and our projects are fun! And we’ll be glad to have you, ‘cause we’re pretty sure you’re cool, too! (P.S. All respectful persons are invited and encouraged to volunteer.)

3) CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – THERE’S STILL TIME!
Did you want to apply to vend, do a workshop, or feature your performance/art at this year’s event? Well, there’s still time, M’Lady! Late submission applications are still available at our website (the specific link is http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com/ or http://tinyurl.com/ya8bv67). But act now – Offer ends soon! (Sorry. Couldn’t resist!)
[Offline version: To receive a paper submission form, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Black Women’s Arts Festival, Request for Submission Forms, 3721 Midvale Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743]

4) GOODSEARCH US!
Want to give us money just by using a search engine? We thought you would! That’s why we’ve registered ourselves at Goodsearch, which raises millions of dollars for deserving little upstarts like little ol’ us. Simply go to http://goodsearch.com, type “Black Women’s Arts Festival” as the charity you wish to donate to, and search away. Goodsearch will give us a wee bit o’ cash with each search, and after a year, those pennies do be addin’ up, yo! Thanks! (And very special thanks to Alyson Scott of Access Sports for the recommendation, and BWAF friend Eric Hammell for letting us know you can get the “Goodsearch” toolbar.)

5) DON’T CALL US – WE’LL CALL YOU (BUT WE LOVE YOU!)
Howdy folks. You know we love you, right? We do, we really, really do. And we totally need you! How silly would we look if there were only three of us at each Festival? Pretty darn silly. But all the love in the world can’t make us equipped to answer each of you who has submitted an application to feature. This is why we’ve put on the submission page under each genre’s application, that we are unable to confirm receipt of your submission, nor are we able to let you know before June whether you’ve been selected. Please trust we have received your application, mainly because our new electronic system (Thank you, Eventbrite!) keeps tabs of everything. We got it. And we’ll process it, and we’ll let you know if you’ve been selected. In June. Thank you so much, and if you’d like to change this system, then please recruit 15 or 20 reliable volunteers to run it for us :-)

6) DATES, PLACES & TIMES
This year’s Festival is scheduled for Thursday July 29th thru Sunday August 1st, 2010. Our primary venue will be The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, as it has been every year since 2003. Stay tuned to find out what the other venues, and performance/workshop/vending schedule will be.
If you’d like to know more as things develop, and you don’t have regular access to email,
please send a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) to: Black Women’s Arts Festival, Schedule Request, 3721 Midvale Ave, Philadelphia PA 19129-1743.

7) VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
If you’re a person who is breathing and who likes the Black Women’s Arts Festival, and you are willing to donate some of your time to help organize or otherwise volunteer for this summer’s gala event, please send your name, email address, interest, and phone number to BWAFphilly@yahoo.com. We’ll be looking for anything from folks to set up before, clean up after, work the door as a bouncer (seriously!), offer rides to organizers/performers, or do online promotions, among other tasks.

8) MATCHING GIFTS ROCK!
We recently received a donation from one of our biggest supporters. She doubled her donation by using her employer’s matching gift program. If your employer, house of worship, or other community organization has such a program, please run and don’t walk to allow us to participate! As you can imagine, we could use every single dollar we receive and we can supply documentation to prove our 501(c)3 nonprofit status. You can send your check/money order payable to: Black Women’s Arts Festival, 3721 Midvale Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743 USA. If you’d like to use Paypal, or for more information, please email BWAFphilly@yahoo.com for further instructions.

9) FREE ADVERTISING IN THE BWAF PAGES ONLINE SUPPLEMENT!
The BWAF Pages - a Community Resource Directory & Coupon Book is a project in the works by the Black Women's Arts Festival www.BWAFpages.com. In the meantime, we’re sending out the occasional online version and offering free advertising to our community of friends. If you have news that would be of interest to BWAs, please send your free 75-word classifieds/listings to: BWAFpages@gmail.com. If your event is dated, please put the event date in the subject where we can see it right away, and the more in advance you send us news of dated events, the better. We may include your news in future online supplements of the BWAF Pages. BWAF Pages - Almost as Good as Word of Mouth!

10) FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS
Please take a moment to click on all our social networking links and befriend us. Also, if you’re a black woman artist, or an ally of BWAs, please network with us and with each other – befriend befriend, befriend!

NEW!! BWAF Facebook Fan Page (Don’t forget to login first): http://tinyurl.com/2dk4wst

Our official email list: http://tinyurl.com/2asxjzj

Our official blog: http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/

We’re on MySpace, too: http://tinyurl.com/2c3mk8t

BWAF Facebook Profile (Log in first): http://tinyurl.com/26n9u9h

BWAF Facebook Group (Login first): http://tinyurl.com/2dl2pdk

You can always join our official email list by sending a blank email to: BWAFphilly-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Thanks for everything and see you next time!

In art & community,

Cassendre Xavier
renaissance negresse (musician/author/visual artist/actress)
Founder & Executive Director
Black Women's Arts Festival (Est. 2003)
Now seeking artists & volunteers for the 7th Annual - July 29th - Aug 1st, 2010!

Contact / Donate:
Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
(215) 951-0330, x 2108 (Email much preferred.)
Email: BWAFphilly@yahoo.com
Website: www.BWAFphilly.org

© 2010 Black Women’s Arts FestivalÔ, BWAF, BWAF PhillyÔ. All rights reserved.

Source: http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/2010/04/black-womens-arts-festival-newsletter.html or http://tinyurl.com/24akx3p.

Late Submissions start 3/16/10!

2010-03-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

We just wrapped up the Mid Submissions (ending 3/15/2010) for applications to participate in Philadelphia’s 7th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival as a performer, exhibitor, workshop presenter, or vendor.

First we had our Early Submissions, then our Mid (which ended yesterday) and today the Late Submissions started. (The difference is in the submission fee, which was $10-Early, then $15-Mid, now $20-Late).

So, if you missed the Early and Mid submissions, there’s still time now with the Late Submissions, but act now, don’t wait to get your application in.

We cannot directly answer any Facebook messages, posts or most emails regarding the submissions schedule or process. Please refer to ALL the content of the Submissions page of our website to answer your questions. When we receive many of the same question, we include the answer in our newsletter or posts, so feel free to email your questions, knowing we are not able to answer general questions about the Submissions process.

The main method to apply is online (at http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com
or http://tinyurl.com/ya8bv67) but you can also receive a paper application by sending a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) to: Black Women’s Arts Festival, Submissions Application Request, 3721 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743 USA.

80-90% of this year's festival features will be selected from those who went to our website (http://BWAFphilly.org), clicked “Submissions” (or used our official Eventbrite link) and followed instructions to the letter. Artists, workshop presenters and vendors on all levels of "accomplishment" are welcome to apply!

We are looking forward to reviewing all of your submissions of exciting work and will soon be planning our schedule of shows, workshops, and vendors!

Best of luck to all of you, and thank you for supporting this wonderful event!

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder & Director of Philadelphia’s 7th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival
http://BWAFphilly.org

Source: http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/2010/03/late-submissions-start-31610.html or http://tinyurl.com/y8vyrzl

Call for Submissions ends March 15th!

2010-03-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

Philadelphia's 7th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival's 2nd round of artist submissions ends March 15, 2010.
We are accepting submissions from performers, exhibitors, filmmakers, videographers, vendors, and workshop promoters.
While featuring at BWAF doesn't provide monetary compensation, it is an acclaimed, well-attended event to market your creations, products, or services.
To apply, please visit http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com or http://tinyurl.com/ybg2np5
Our official website address is http://BWAFphilly.org
(Volunteer and intern inquiries are accepted year-round.)

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 1/21/10

2010-01-21T07:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

The 7th annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (July 29th thru Aug 1st,2010) will be as special and thrilling as each year before it.
Some things that are being planned are in the works, and some have been completed. Some we’re making publicly known, and others are top secret.

Here are a few new updates:
1) The Rotunda will be our primary venue again. A wonderful community arts venue, the Rotunda was our sole venue in our early years and has remained a staple of BWAF events. I am thrilled to renew my connection with the Rotunda as the sole director of BWAF for only the 2nd time since 2003.
2) A very high percentage of the featured artists, workshop presenters, and vendors will be selected from the pool of those who processed their application online (via our official website http://BWAFphilly.org, click “Submissions”). Only a small amount will, or may be hand-picked without going through the submissions process.
3) Coming Soon: Chapbook Poetry Contest Guidelines! We haven’t heard from any non-black/non-female poetry judges to add to the diversity of our panel, and we don’t have the time nor the staff to recruit them, so we’re going to just continue working on the guidelines and reward information and will have them for you soon.

FAQs:
Here are some answers to questions which may or may not be clearly answered on our website and/or submissions page:

Q: Does BWAF pay or otherwise compensate its featured artists or workshop presenters?

A: No, the BWAF does not [have the funds to] pay featured artists or workshop presenters. At this time, the only informal compensation BWAF provides is online visibility of your name and hyperlink (For example: Monica McIntyre http://myspace.com/monicamcintyre) in our many online promotions (on Yahoo Groups, Blogger/Blogspot, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter, among others). As time progresses, there may be more opportunities, such as free advertising via our print and online publications/websites, but that cannot be promised. Participating in BWAF as feature is an excellent opportunity to promote yourself to a new audience, and we are happy to assist you in that end, by printing your name and link as often as we can when appropriate. Being a BWAF feature also is a great way to network with other like-minded folks, and you are welcome to photograph or videotape yourself performing at BWAF and distribute or sell the footage as you wish. Someday, BWAF may be in a position to pay artists, but until such a time, it’s a wonderful, unforgettable, very special, non-paying gig.

Q: What type of artists is BWAF looking for/Or: How does BWAF select its artists?

A: A black female-identified individual (or a collective led by a black female-identified individual) artist (dancer, singer, filmmaker, etc.) who created the work(s). The featured act/workshop/vendor can be on any level of “accomplishment”. What is very important is a web presence. If you’re out in the world making art, you should at least have a MySpace page or free blog to link with and help us promote you to our networks. Another reason we want to work with people who have regular access to the internet is because 90% of our communications will (ideally) be via email. This is not only because that’s what works best for us right now, but also because email is a great way to maintain a mutually archived record of agreements between the artist and BWAF. Because we cannot compensate travel, gasoline, nor provide lodging for out of town artists, we are more likely to appeal to those who are local. However, if you are not Philadelphia-based, and you are in agreement with what we can offer, we’re happy to consider you. We are open to hearing from child-friendly acts as well as adult content, and will schedule you accordingly (we have some very exciting features and themes coming this summer)!
Overall, artists are selected by the quality of their content, their professionalism in communications, ability to either have and bring their following (even if their following is their students, neighbors, house-of-worship members and/or co-workers) and ABOVE ALL: THE ABILITY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS and READ THE FINE PRINT. Many of the questions we receive are already answered, but people aren’t taking the time to read them. This not only makes our job harder, but it opens the door wide open to applicants who do read the content and follow the instructions therein. Applicants who go to the website, click “Submissions”, read the instructions, follow them, then pay the nominal submission fee either online or via postal mail, submit their materials either electronically or by postal mail, and wait to hear from us are on the top of the list for serious consideration. Also, it makes us much more confident about, and willing to be, working with them in the case they are selected as a feature.
So, please, if you’d like to be a part of the Festival, go to www.BWAFphilly.org and click “Submissions”. Read everything, follow the instructions, and we’ll be very happy to hear from you!

Q: What if I want to apply but I don’t have regular access to the internet?

A: Send a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) to:
Black Women’s Arts Festival
Request for Submissions Application
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
You must have a telephone number, and public contact information to promote your work/business online. We will send you an application and instructions.

Q: What if I can’t pay the submission fee?

A: We regret that we have no staff to operate a scholarship or discount system at this time. Neither are we equipped with staff to organize and operate a barter/trade system. Therefore, the low submission fee is a mandatory part of the application process. If you can’t afford it this year, put BWAF 2011 on your wish list for next year and wo/manifest it into being. We support and hold a vision of your increased financial abundance until you are able!

Q: I applied online and paid the fee two months ago. When will I hear whether I was selected?

A: As it clearly states on the Submissions Application page, we will let you know in June 2010 if you are selected. If you are NOT selected, we will NOT notify you. Only those who are selected will be notified. Please, and this is very important, please do NOT call or email, and especially, do not Facebook message us to ask the status of your application. We will contact you in June if you are selected. (This “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” request is also stated on the Submissions page.) If we had 20 people on staff to contact all applicants, honestly, it still wouldn’t be a good use of time. We are extremely short staffed. There was a time when we did send emails to everyone who applied. We may be able to do that in June, but we don’t want to promise that. If you’d like to send your submission via USPS (United States Postal Service www.usps.com), we recommend using Delivery Confirmation (costs less than a dollar) which will provide a tracking number to ensure your package reached its destination. If you pay by mail, we also recommend the USPS money order, which also costs only $1.05 and is trackable/replaceable. Those are some ways to track your order. Of course if you submit online, there’s a record of everything. Again, we will do our best to notify everyone we can, but we can only promise at this time to notify the selected features before the end of June 2010.
I will soon be updating the Black Women's Arts Festival official website's FAQs page to reflect the information in his newsletter.
If you have any questions that haven’t been addressed here, please email them to: BWAFphilly@yahoo.com. Do not reply to this message directly, as it may be coming from Facebook or a non-BWAF-official email address. Use our official email address only, please. I look forward to your questions, because they will be added to, and help improve our FAQs page for future inquiries.

I think that covers everything.

Once again, please:

Do not message us on Facebook, MySpace, or any other site other than our official website www.BWAFphilly.org or email address BWAFphilly@yahoo.com.

Do not call or email us about the status of your submission.

We will notify only those who have been selected in June 2010.

We cannot pay selected featured artists or workshop presenters.

You must have a website, MySpace page, or blog to be given serious, priority consideration as a featured artist or workshop presenter. Applicants who do not have any web presence at all will still be considered, including those without an email address, but this severely limits the likelihood that BWAF will be in regular contact, as we primarily use email and keep phone use to the barest minimum only when absolutely necessary. Also, being that what we most can offer is web presence, it limits our ability to serve those who do not have any web presence at all.
So, if you’ve been making arts, crafts, dancing, making films, or creating in any way, or you’ve been like a young Lisa Price (Carol’s Daughter) making natural skin and hair products and selling them at church bake sales and flea markets, we do want to hear from you, but it’s best to go to www.myspace.com or www.blogspot.com and create yourself a free and easy website. You can take it one step further and buy a domain name for less than ten bucks a year (at www.godaddy.com), something like “BettysDownHomeBakery.com” and just link that domain name to a MySpace page or blog. Lots of people do that, and their “websites” created this way are not only very attractive and effective, easy to maintain, but they’re also FREE! (Check out www.wordpress.com for more free website building ideas).
Of course we also have in the past featured and will feature in the future, artists with a more polished press kit, if you will, and all who are interested and agree with what we are able to provide are welcome to apply and contact us.

On a personal note, please know that as an artist, I use many methods of self-promotion online, and I often include news of BWAF in my notices, as it is my life’s work and related to my work as a multi-media artist. This means I may be sending notices from lots of sources that are NOT the official BWAFphilly@yahoo.com email address. If you'd like to contact me about anything other than the BWAF, feel free to message me personally at cxmusic@gmail.com.

That’s all for now, folks. We look forward to updating you again in the near future.
Thanks again for your interest, and for staying in touch with us.

Make yourself a beautiful day!

In art and community,

Cassende Xavier
Founder & Executive Director of Philadelphia's 7th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival
http://BWAFphilly.org

Please refer to the Black Women's Arts Festival website www.BWAFphilly.org for any further inquiries.
Please reply only via email to BWAFphilly@yahoo.com. No phone calls or other communications, please.

© Copyright 2010 by Cassendre Xavier/Black Women’s Arts Festival. All rights reserved.

Early Submissions over/Mid Submissions thru 3/15

2010-01-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

Greetings, Friends!

Please note the Early Bird Submissions for the 7th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival (7/29 - 8/1/2010) ended today, Jan 15th. The application processing fee was only $10.

The Mid Submissions Cycle has just started today, and ends March 15, 2010. The fee for this cycle is $15.

Please visit http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com/ for details, and our official website http://BWAFphilly.org for any other inquiries, including volunteer opportunities.

Thank you to all who submitted to participate as an artists, workshop presenter, vendor or any combination of the above!

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder & Executive Director of the Black Women's Arts Festival
http://BWAFphilly.org

Visit us on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Blogspot!

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 1/2/10

2010-01-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 2nd. 2010
Please forgive typos as this was typed at a printer-less computer. I do my best proofreading on paper, not computer screen, unfortunately!]
IN THIS ISSUE:
THE ROTUNDA CONFIRMED AS PRIMARY VENUE OF 2010!
3 POETRY JUDGES ANNOUNCED!
2 MORE POETRY JUDGES WANTED!
2010 EARLY SUBMISSIONS ENDS JANUARY 15th!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!
PHONE BAD…EMAIL GOOD!

Hello and Happy New Year!
May 2010 bring you all the wonderful things you’ve dreamed about and worked towards, and may looking back at 2009 be minimal, except for any thoughts that make you feel good or give you an opportunity to change things for the better – to act, not to regret. I am very excited about 2010 for many reasons, and also because it’s when our next Festival will be!
In case you didn’t already know:
The Black Women’s Arts Festival, founded in 2003, is an acclaimed annual community arts showcase based in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Although it features self-identified black female artists, BWAF welcomes all respectful persons to attend and/or participate in various capacities. Our 7th annual Festival will be Thursday July 29th thru Aug 1st, 2010.

THE ROTUNDA CONFIRMED AS PRIMARY VENUE OF 2010!
We have recently confirmed The Rotunda as our primary venue this year. As you may know, the Rotunda is a highly acclaimed community arts venue and has been our “home” of sorts, since the beginning. We will be multi-venue again, but will be scaled down considerably from our 9+ venues of last year. Stay tuned for details about that!

3 POETRY JUDGES ANNOUNCED!
We now have 3 out of an ideal 5 confirmed judges for our first Poetry Chapbook Contest. (By the way, submission guidelines are coming soon!) We announced a call months ago and received many qualified responses. To qualify, the applicant had to follow the instructions given, which included emailing us at BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com, which provides the system we use to organize and process the applicants. We have many web-based networks, including Facebook, MySpace, Craigslist, Twitter, Yahoo Groups, Blogger, Live Journal, and others. Being severely understaffed, we MUST use a system that works for us, and that is emailing only. Please note this in the future, should you wish to net/work with us, because there were some of you who did not follow the expressed instructions, and we just had to go ahead and process those applicants who followed the instructions AND met all the other qualifications as well.
Of these talented folks, three (3) were selected by myself (Cassendre Xavier, BWAF Founder & Executive Director) and BWAF staff member Ebony Malaika Collier, a long-time Philly-based poet and frequent previous BWAF feature.
I am thrilled to announce the first 3 judges of the Poetry Chapbook Contest are:
Tara Betts
Tamara Oakman
Stephanie Durann
Yay!! I am very excited about this! Let me tell you more about all three and include their bios as well:
Tara Betts was the first person to respond, and this was an absolute hoot to me, because she was the first person I’d thought of when I announced the contest. I wished, “Gosh, I hope we can get Tara for this. That would be a coup!” I met Tara when she featured at BWAF some time ago. I thought her work was really excellent, had the pleasure of meeting and dining with her and a whole BWAF group. Days later, we became MySpace friends and I got to read her bio and learn more about her work as a scholar and a poet. Here’s Tara’s bio:
Tara Betts is the author of Arc and Hue. Tara is a Cave Canem fellow, a graduate of the New England College MFA Program. Her work appears in numerous anthologies and journals such as Ninth Letter, Callaloo, Hanging Loose, Gathering Ground, Bum Rush the Page, and both Spoken Word Revolution anthologies. She represented Chicago twice at the National Poetry Slam, coached youth who went on to Brave New Voices, and appeared on HBO's "Def Poetry Jam". She currently teaches at Rutgers University and leads community-based workshops. For more information, visit http://www.tarabetts.net.
Tamara Oakman’s is a name I’ve seen many times on the internet waves in regards to Philadelphia poetry. She’s hosted, co-hosted, or created various venues in this town and our paths were going to cross! If you’re a burgeoning or performing poet in or near Philly, I highly recommend networking with Tamara and/or following her schedule! Here’s Tamara’s bio:

A graduate of Temple University, Tamara Oakman has won awards in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and drama. She has been published by Many Mountains Moving, Philadelphia Stories, Mad Poets Review, and other journals; reads poetry and fiction everywhere in Philadelphia and the tri-state area; judged a fiction and drama contest for Hidden River Arts, and has completed her Master's thesis in English at Arcadia University. She has hosted at venues such as; Book Corner, Robin's Bookstore and Voices and Visions Bookstore. She created, coordinated and hosted The Light of Unity Festival, is currently leading The Business of Words poetry workshop at Upenn Bookstore for Mad Poets Society, created a chapbook called "The Business of Words," and hosted a Fringe Festival performance at The Rotunda called Arsenic Pizza. She wrote freelance articles for Uwishunu.com, hosts and manages The Light of Unity Artist's and Writer's Series 2009 at The Parkway Central Library where she showcases the talents of new writers and musicians at library branches all over the city. Her efforts have been documented in The Metro, Arcadia University Bulletin, and The City Paper. She has read poetry at Robin's Bookstore, Voices and Visions Bookstore, Caramel, South Cafe, Kelly Writer's House, Lori Cosgrove Design, Arcadia University, Del Co. Institute, Mocha, Music and More (Newark) and many other places. She is the executive director of The Light of Unity Association and currently resides in Philadelphia. She says, "Whenever I read a work I don't get caught up on technique. Anybody can learn technique. Hanabi-Ko (Koko) the gorilla wrote Haiku's about bananas. What I like to read is something that cuts me up on the inside, makes me laugh, makes me see something in a different way, moves me. A poem could be about a stick on the ground and still be stirring. 'A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.'"

Stephanie Durann has been a fixture in the Philadelphia poetry scene since at least 2002 when I met her at my Women’s Writing & Spoken Word Series at Robin’s Bookstore. Like her contemporary Ebony Malaika Collier, her poetry influences and tastes are vastly diverse. And another thing I like about Stephanie is her writing – it’s very highly developed, and “thinkie” as I like to say. Hers is the kind of writing I best like to read off the page, as it’s just so beautiful. Stephanie also has valuable information about chapbook contests to combine with others’ that will help BWAF’s be not only special, but also as professional as our resources allow. Here’s Stephanie’s bio:

Stephanie Durann is a writer from Philadelphia, PA who has performed
under various reading series, festivals and cabarets in the city. The
graduate of Kutztown University has also won Honorable Mention for her
poetry in Byline Magazine and is one of four winners of the
Power99fm/Def Poetry Jam Contest in June 2002. She's was also
published in Hinge Online and The Worcester Review. She was also a
freelance writer for the University City Review and PAWPrint
(Philadelphia Area Writers) Magazine. She has read in various reading
series including Poets and Prophets, LadyFest Philly, Off Season! At
the Sedgwick Theater, Eternal Now, and Women’s Writing & Spoken Word
Series. She produced her first chapbook, The Rites of Individual
Passage in 2003. She was also a participant in the National Book
Foundation Summer Writing Camp in 2004.

2 MORE POETRY JUDGES WANTED!
We’d put out a call for 3-5 judges, and then when we had our [first] 3, I decided that since all the judges are female and for the most part, African-American or black-identified, that I’d like the last 2 (if we do have 2 more, and we don’t need to, but it would be nice) to be non-female and/or non-black. I think it would add a unique dimension to the contest if we had a more diverse panel of judges. Tara, Tamara, and Stephanie’s poetry, identities, backgrounds, and experience in the Philly poetry scene are all diverse enough, certainly. But I’d like to see what happens when we put out another call for more judges to add to our contest. So here goes:
NON-BLACK AND/OR NON-FEMALE JUDGES WANTED FOR 1st BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL POETRY CHAPBOOK CONTEST
Philadelphia’s acclaimed 7th annual Black Women’s Arts Festival recently announced their first Poetry Chapbook Contest. The contest is to select and feature one winning self-identified black female poet (from anywhere in the world) and publish a chapbook of her work. 3-5 judges were sought, and so far 3 have been selected. All 3 are black women and the BWAF has requested that 1 or 2 more preferably non-black and/or non-female judges be added to the roster, to make the panel of judges more diverse, and also to broaden BWAF’s exposure to new and different audiences and communities. Calls for submissions of the chapbook contest will soon be released, along with further deadlines about the project, which will conclude within the year 2010. Please visit our website http://BWAFphilly.org to learn more about the Black Women’s Arts Festival. If you are interested in our work and would like to participate as a poetry judge, here are the qualifications:
a) You must have regular access to the internet, as email is our main mode of contact.
b) You must have regular access to a telephone, for possible conference call meetings with other judges.
c) Though you can be based anywhere in the world, preference will be given to those who are able to meet on occasion with other judges in or near Philadelphia, PA, USA.
d) You must have had your poetry published by someone other than yourself and be able to submit said information/proof in your bio.
e) You must email your interest and 100-word maximum bio to: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com (remove the “at” and replace it with @ before emailing.) We cannot accommodate those responding to us via Facebook, MySpace, voicemail, etc.

The deadline to respond to this call for 2 more judges is January 31, 2010. We look forward to hearing from all qualified applicants! (Remember, the best poetry judge who doesn’t email us is not a qualified applicant!)

2010 EARLY SUBMISSIONS ENDS JANUARY 15th!
If you’d like to be a feature at this year’s Festival (as a performer, exhibitor, or workshop presenter), please go to http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com/ or http://tinyurl.com/ya8bv67 for instructions. The submission fee is a discounted rate of only $10. We realize the 15th is just a few days away, and it may seem as if we’re only recently been making this reminder announcement, but please note the submission applications were posted in June, one month before last year’s actual festival even began. And we’ve had this info listed on our website and in this newsletter since then. It’s been 7 months and we’ve received no responses until our recent announcements. After January 15th, the rate will be increased to the next level, and again until the final deadline. The submission fee is much needed income for us, as a non-profit organization, and helps to defray the cost of many hours of processing the usual high level of applications we receive every year. We look forward to hearing from you!

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!
It was only a matter of time before we joined the Twitter bandwagon. After all, if P. Diddy recommends it and Ellen De Generes uses it to keep in touch with her multitudinous fan base, then it must be good! For all you Tweeters out there, we’re at http://twitter.com/BWAFphilly. Visit us, won’t you?

PHONE BAD…EMAIL GOOD!
So, here’s the thing. As much as I like to use the word “we”, and as much as that term sometimes actually does include someone else, such as Ebony Malaika Collier, BWAF staff person who is helping with the Poetry Chapbook Contest, among other BWAF projects, BWAF pretty much is one chyk: Moi.
This means that even though the website has a list of people who are our board members (ask me the last time we had a meeting: NEVER!), and the occasional volunteer, BWAF is really one chyk running this party, occasionally with help. This is a major problem, yes, and it is being “fixed”. However, until it is, and until there is actually a real group of real people really and truly, and I mean actually “working”, that means that BWAF is one chyk. This means I have no time to answer every voicemail message I get, at least not in a timely fashion, anyway. (Luckily, we get very few voicemail messages anyway.)
This means that I must tweak things to work a bit. Yes, we have a voicemail number, and yes, messages are occasionally checked. But rather than allow the assumption that I’m sitting at a desk every day listening to and responding to these messages, I think I’ll just “come out” if you will, as having a much smaller staff of helpers than I do, and just be up front and say “Email, don’t call.” That’s to you, our close and personal friends! Our website and all other official thingies still lists the phone number as another mode of contact (which will soon change to requesting email primarily), but if you call, the new voicemail message I just recorded the other day says, “Hey, did you mean to call the Black Women’s Arts Festival? Sorry about the mistake. Please hang up immediately, and email us instead. Good-bye!” Just kidding, that’s not what I said, but a similar, albeit more professional greeting.

Basically, please leave the phone for folks who have no access to the internet. And, again, if you’re on our Facebook profile or Facebook Group or anything else, please feel free to post there, but if you’re responding to a call for submissions or anything else “official”, email is the official mode of contact.
Here are two little stories I like to recall that validate my need to make specific, albeit mildly inconvenient requests for the type contact needed:
1) Burt’s Bees: Many years ago, I fell in love with Burt’s Bees products – well, maybe “in love” is a strong term, but I liked their all-natural approach to cosmetics, so I visited their website http://burtsbees.com. When I clicked on “Contact Us” I found that they didn’t have a phone number. They listed only email contact and even went so far as to explain their reason for doing so. This was very impressive to me as I related to it and felt relief and validation. I knew if I were ever to have my own company, I would do the same thing. (I wish I’d known then that I didn’t need any examples to do that myself – I just could do it!)
2) Go Daddy: I was introduced to this company years ago when I bought my first domain name (they sell them really cheaply). I went to their website and saw that their phone number wasn’t a toll-free one. My friend Ross Landy, who had done my website and referred me to Go Daddy, explained that one reason Go Daddy’s prices were so low was that they cut costs other ways, including not having a toll-free number. Their website http://godaddy.com confirms this, as it also explains that they prefer not to pay for things like a toll-free number, because it’s not necessary to provide excellent customer service. (I also surmised that it was a good idea because it would cut down the number of unessential calls they received.)
So, you see? Not everyone needs an all-the-time staffed real live telephone number to do business.
We, at BWAF, are special. We’re different. And, oh, yeah, we are one. As in, one chyk. Yep. That’s all of us! So email “us” at BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com, and add our email address to your Contacts list so that our messages back to you don’t end up in your Spam folder. Good enough, then? Excellent!

Have an excellent day and jump into 2010 with fervor and aplomb! “We” know “WE” will!

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier
(aka Amethyste Rah, aka Amrita Waterfalls)
renaissance negresse (musician,author,visual artist,actress)
http://cassEndrExavier.com

Founder & Executive Director of the Black Women’s Arts Festival (Est. 2003, Philadelphia)
http://BWAFphilly.org

© 2010 by Cassendre Xavier/Black Women’s Arts Festival. All rights reserved.
Source: http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/2010/01/black-womens-arts-festival-newsletter.html

Black Women's Arts Festival Early Submissions Ends 1/15!

2009-12-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

Artist submissions to Philadelphia's 7th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival (scheduled for July 29th thru August 1st, 2010) has an Early Bird discounted rate which expires January 15th, 2010! For this limited time only, the submission fee is only $10!

For more information, please visit
http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com/

We look forward to hearing from you!

BWAF Pages Online Supplement 10/26/09

2009-10-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

Greetings, Friends!

Welcome to the very first issue of the BWAF Pages Online Supplement!
The BWAF Pages is "Almost As Good As Word of Mouth" - "A Community Resource Directory & Coupon Book" to be published and released at the 7th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival (July 29th - Aug 1st, 2010). The website is http://BWAFpages.com and we have created this “Online Supplement” for up-to-the-moment news and updates from our community of black women artists, friends, and allies. (To receive it in your inbox, please join the official BWAF Mailing List at http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly).
Although we will be using the standard method of charging specific advertising rates and receiving those payments to fund the publication of the print version and cover our other costs, we are trying something new in attracting the funds to allow us to compile your news and release them in our supplement - free will donations!

We are trying an honor system of offering this as a pseudo-"free" community service. Anyone can submit listings, with or without payment. Pay what you can when you can, and when you can't, if there's space and your news seems exciting or something that could be of use to our communities, we'll spread the word and promote your cause by publishing your listing for free. We're hoping that the free will donations we receive from readers, contributors, and/or fans of BWAF, will cover our website hosting costs as well as our wages for spending the time it takes to compile, edit, and post the supplement on our various social networks (including MySpace, Facebook, Yahoo, and Craigslist).

We plan to release the BWAF Pages Online Supplement at least twice a month.

If you like what you read here, please send a check or money order payable to the Black Women's Arts Festival and mail it to:

BWAF Pages
c/o Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
USA

If you prefer to use Paypal, email us at info(at)BWAFpages.com and we’ll send you instructions.

To submit your listing with or without donation, please send a 75-word or less ad to: info(at)BWAFpages.com. (If you’d like to submit a longer article, please make a blog out of it and send us the link to the blog. A free and easy way to do this is to create a blog at www.blogspot.com.) Please use a clear subject to help us recognize the nature of your ad quickly.

We thank you for your interest in the BWAF Pages, and we look forward to hearing from you!

In art & community,

Cassendre Xavier
renaissance negresse
Founder & Executive Director

Ebony Malaika Collier, Poet & BWAF Staff Member
Co-Director of the BWAF Poetry Chapbook Competition
Listings Editor of the BWAF Pages

--
The BWAF Pages - A Community Resource Directory & Coupon Book published by The Black Women's Arts Festival

BWAF Pages - Almost as Good as Word of Mouth

Contact/support:

BWAF Pages
c/o Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
(215) 951-0330, x 2108
Email: info(at)BWAFpages.com
Website: http://www.BWAFpages.com

BWAF Pages Online Supplement 10/26/09

IN THIS ISSUE:

1) HOW TO AVOID THE SWINE FLU
2) JOB OPENING AT WOMEN ORGANIZED AGAINST RAPE
3) CALL FOR ARTISTS - IDEA ARTS INITIATIVE
4) COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS

1) HOW TO AVOID THE SWINE FLU advice from Dr. Vinay Goyal submitted by Chelle Fresh
From contributor Chelle Fresh, "Swine flu advice (Not a joke)...this saves lives
if you hold on to fear it will never let you go....release your grip~
Here is some great info regarding fending off the H1N1 virus.
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist), having clinical experience
of over 20 years. The following message given by him, it makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know":

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and
mouth/throat. In
a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost
impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in
spite of all precautions. Contact with
H1N1 is not so much of a
problem as
proliferation is...

To read complete article, please visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly/message/3291

Announcing three (3) confirmed judges for our forthcoming Black Women's Poetry Chapbook Contest! We are still hoping for 2 more - ideally non-female and/or non-Black, to add to the diversity of judging. If interested, please email your poetry bio to BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com. (You must have been published by someone other than yourself.) Looking forward to hearing from all qualified applicants! http://BWAFphilly.org

2) JOB OPENING AT WOMEN ORGANIZED AGAINST RAPE Submitted by Koko Hans aka Kenyetta Overton
Job opportunity! See below.
Good morning,
WOAR has a position available that pays in the mid-30’s, plus benefits. The position title is an Education Specialist...
To read complete article, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly/message/3294

3) CALL FOR ARTISTS - IDEA ARTS INITIATIVE
Greetings & Shalom:

On behalf of Idea Coalition, I'd like to invite all artists to participate in "Transcending the Divide: Slavery and Holocaust." Below you will find the invitation and website, which highlights all the fine details at www.ideaarts.org. Friends. this is great opportunity to share with artist all over the nation.

We look forward to viewing all artist submissions! Thank you very much!

Cheerfully Yours,

Florcy Morisset
Chair of The Idea Arts Initiative
Owner of Vivant Art Collection
http://vivantartcollection.com

4) COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS

Hello All

I hope all is well. I have parlayed my years of experience working for recruiting firms and started a professional services enterprise. I now offer a resume/cover letter creation services. Although I have been helping people with their resumes for several years I feel now is the time to expand my market. If you know someone in need of an updated or new resume I'd welcome referrals. Letters of reference can be provided.

My contact information is as follows:

Kenyetta Overton
kaco2000(at)yahoo.com or 610 864 6261

Write On!
Write Often!
Kenyetta Overton

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello BWAF Family!

This is Danielle Charles--- visual artist, designer, and founder of Ase Art Design. My business (BWA/BWOO) offers a unique service, blending art and practical interior design applications. Complimentary design consultations are offered to the purchasers of my original paintings, further enhancing their art experience by creating soulful environments that reflect who they are and showcase the art they truly love!

Painting has been my passion...it gives me great joy! For many years, I balanced this passion with my professional design career. Recently, I've committed myself to painting and helping others reflect their radiant spirits on the inside & out!
For more information, please visit www.ase-artdesign.com

Meet me at the 24th annual Philadelphia October Gallery Art Expo (booth #2005) NOV. 13th, 14th, and 15th! I'll be featuring my new painting series titled "Extractions". For more information please visit www.octobergallery.com.

Blessings,
Danielle Charles
PO Box 103
Voorhees, NJ 08043
609.922.4613

-------------------------------------------------------------
Peace! My name is Megan Jenifer and I first learned about BWAF through my friend and sis, Monica McIntyre. We both grew up together playing in the DC Youth Orchestra Program. I am a violinist like her sister Marcia. I currently teach private violin lessons; however, I wanted to include the following information about myself and my company:

Megan Jenifer, author and teacher, is the owner of The NIA Project, Inc., a company dedicated to fostering the development of Self through empowerment education, health & wellness, as well as performing and healing arts. Megan is committed to helping people find joy and purpose in their lives. She offers classes and free workshops for weight management, alternatives for weight loss surgery, nutrition, Kemetic Yoga, and private Suzuki violin instruction. In her book, How Ordinary People Attract Extraordinary Wealth, she encourages people to realign with Source and discover their true purpose in order to help enrich their lives while creating financial independence and abundance.

Let me know your thoughts!!!

--
What would LOVE do?

Hugs,
Megan ♥

Contact email: megan(at)weight-loss-secret-revealed.com
Contact phone: 757-329-2145

Drop 2-3 Dress Sizes in 10 Minutes!
No diets, no pills, no exercise, no kidding!

http://long.weight-loss-secret-revealed.com
http://twitter.com/FatLossFairy

----------------------------END--------------------------------

If you like what you read here, please send a check or money order payable to the Black Women's Arts Festival and mail it to:

BWAF Pages
c/o Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
USA

If you prefer to use Paypal, email us at info(at)BWAFpages.com and we’ll send you instructions.

To submit your listing with or without donation, please send a 75-word or less ad to: info(at)BWAFpages.com. (If you’d like to submit a longer article, please make a blog out of it and send us the link to the blog. A free and easy way to do this is to create a blog at www.blogspot.com.) Please use a clear subject to help us recognize the nature of your ad quickly.

We thank you for your interest in the BWAF Pages, and we look forward to hearing from you!

© 2009 BWAF Pages / Black Women's Arts Festival. All rights reserved. http://BWAFpages.com / http://BWAFphilly.org

Poetry Judges Wanted for Contest!

2009-10-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

The Black Women’s Arts Festival is seeking 3-5 judges for our first and forthcoming black women’s poetry chapbook contest.
Judges may be of any age, gender or ethnicity, must be published poets (not including self-publishing), and must have regular access to the internet.
Although we are offering free advertising in the BWAF Pages print & online editions and our 2010 Program as a form of compensation for your time, this is an unpaid, volunteer opportunity.

To apply, please email a bio (no attachments, please) to: BWAFphilly@yahoo.com.

We look forward to hearing from all qualified applicants.

Please forward widely!

In art and community,

Cassendre Xavier, renaissance negresse
Founder & Executive Director of the Black Women’s Arts Festival (Est 2003)
www.BWAFphilly.org

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 10/11/09

2009-10-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

The Black Women’s Arts Festival – a Festival for Everyone!

Newsletter October 11, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) GREETINGS
2) AND NOW THERE ARE FOUR! (NEW BOARD MEMBERS & VOLUNTEER)
3) CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – BWAF PHILLY 2010 NOW SEEKING ARTISTS
4) WANTED: VOLUNTEER GRAPHIC ARTISTS FOR LICENSED BWAF PRODUCTS
5) CALL FOR LISTINGS FROM BWAF FEATURES & OUR ALLIES
6) GOODSEARCH US!
7) GOT MAIL? SEND YOUR ADDRESS FOR OUR COOL PAPER-TYPE THINGS!
8) FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS

CONTENTS OF TABLE

1) GREETINGS

Greetings, Friends!

I am so happy to be getting in the groove of running BWAF in the way that feels comfortable for me, getting re-acclimated as its sole director, as I was for only one year – our first, 2003.
I am assembling folks around me who are strong in areas where I’m weak, and the things I thrive in are able to express themselves freely for the first time, again, since 2003. We have new staff, board members, and a dedicated volunteer already – and I plan to double the numbers in the next few months, if not weeks.
It was brought to my attention, by a black woman, incidentally, that there isn’t nearly enough focus in our website, flyers, posters, or communications that this event is for everyone. I want to take this opportunity to say that it is! While we feature black women, certainly not everyone who has graced one of our stages has been a melanin-enriched female type. We are the leaders of the band - we are the playwrights, the directors, the painters and the sculptors, etc., but our subject matter needn’t be “black” nor “feminine”, and those who assist us in getting our work out don’t always look like us. More importantly, those who attend our events and p/matronize our work aren’t all black women, either, and nor should they be.
If BWAF puts on a show and the only people in the audience are black women, we’ve failed. All of our communities and allies should be interested in and support our work. Not everyone will love it, but everyone who wants to attend should feel welcome to.
It’s one of my goals (starting with adding the marketing slogan “a Festival for Everyone!” to our title), begin making the necessary changes on our website and so forth to ensure that all of Philadelphia and the world for that matter know that BWAF is for everyone. All respectful persons are welcome to attend, and certainly support our work.
Look to future newsletters to learn about projects in the works, including updates about our Themed Journals, other products, and more.
Also as all nonprofits do, we urge you to donate. It’s not by miracles or energy alone that we have had 6 festivals to date. It’s also by money…your money! So please consider donating today (info below). We’re glad you’re on our team, and we appreciate your energy, however you’re able to share it with us.
And now…the news!

2) AND NOW THERE ARE FOUR! (NEW BOARD MEMBERS & VOLUNTEER)
Welcome new board members Vanessa Lowe and Allison Paul! Vanessa is an economic development specialist who has served on many boards, has great ideas and is a major fan of BWAF. Allison is the director of the 40th annual Clark Park Music & Arts Festival, very energetic and eager to work with BWAF as she does with other community arts collectives.
In the previous newsletter, I announced new staff person Ebony Malaika Collier, a longtime Philly poet and supporter of the arts. Ebony will be helping a lot with the BWAF Pages print and online editions, respectively.
I've just updated our website to reflect these changes in staff (see it here: http://bwafphilly.homestead.com/about.html), and I've also included links to former organizers Monica McIntyre (who also served as Creative Director of BWAF for 2 years), Koko Hans aka Kenyetta Overton, Daniel De Jesus, and Maleka Diggs.

3) CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – BWAF PHILLY 2010 NOW SEEKING ARTISTS
Early bird submission applications are now available at our website (the specific link is http://bwaf2010submissions.eventbrite.com/). Please note that the discounted price is now $10 to apply and will go up after the deadline of January 15, 2010. That page also explains why we charge a fee (takes a lot of time to review each submission, and we receive many).
If you’d like to be considered to feature in 2010’s event, now is a great time to apply.
[Offline version: To receive a paper submission form, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Black Women’s Arts Festival, Request for Submission Forms, 3721 Midvale Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743]

4) WANTED: VOLUNTEER GRAPHIC ARTISTS FOR LICENSED BWAF PRODUCTS
We are looking for 2-3 volunteers who know how to use basic Adobe PhotoShop to create simple images from slogans and concepts and create JPEGs of them for us.
We’re also looking for graphic designers to help us with our other marketing and publicity projects.
We can include your business name and contact through our various print and online advertising opportunities. If you’re interested, please email us at BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com.

5) CALL FOR LISTINGS FROM BWAF FEATURES & OUR ALLIES
I’d like to start including news of our previous BWAF Features and our allies in one or more of our online communications. If you have featured at the BWAF, or you are a major supporter of our work, and you have news of your business or events you think we and our audience would be helped to know about, please send a 75-word classified ad along with your name, business/performing name, contact info (phone/email/website), as you feel is appropriate and send it to: BWAFpages(at)gmail.com. We will soon be changing the format of our official mailing list www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly to be only news from and about the BWAF organization itself, and funneling the messages from other folks to BWAF Pages. Stay tuned!

6) GOODSEARCH US!
If you need to look something up on the internet, rather than using Yahoo or Google.com, consider going to www.Goodsearch.com and selecting our organization “Black Women’s Arts Festival”. We’ll get money with every search, and from what I’m told, it adds up!
BWAF ally Eric Hamell said on our Facebook profile, “They also have a toolbar now, so you don't even have to go to their home page to use the search function.”
So, there you have it, folks!

7) GOT MAIL? SEND YOUR ADDRESS FOR OUR COOL PAPER-TYPE THINGS!
One of the projects in the works is a direct mail campaign from us to you. If you’d like to be on our paper mailing list, please respond to this message with your postal mailing address. You can also email it to: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com. Offline? Mail a postcard with your address on it to: Black Women’s Arts Festival, 3721 Midvale Ave, Philadelphia PA 19129-1743.

8) FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS
Please take a moment to click on all our FB links and befriend us. Also, if you’re a black woman artist, or an ally of BWAs, please network with us and with each other – befriend befriend, befriend!

BWAF Facebook Profile (don’t forget to log in first): http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1303307631&ref=profile

BWAF Facebook Group (log in and then click): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53284687509

We’re on MySpace, too: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly

You can always join our official email list by sending a blank email to: BWAFphilly-subscribe(at)yahoogroups.com
We invite and welcome your tax-deductible donation (we’re a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization) to the address below.

Thanks for everything and see you next time!

In art & community,
Cassendre Xavier
renaissance negresse
Founder & Executive Director
Black Women's Arts Festival (Est. 2003)
A Festival for Everyone!

Contact:
Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
(215) 951-0330, x 2108
Email: info(at)BWAFphilly.org
Website: www.BWAFphilly.org
MySpace: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly
Yahoo Group (or official mailing list): www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly
Join our Facebook Group!

[So, did you dig this newsletter? Please forward it to every living creature you’re in contact with, print it out and give it to folks you know “don’t do the internet” and we promise you good things will come to you and your descendants!]

© 2009 Black Women’s Arts FestivalÔ, BWAF, BWAF PhillyÔ. All rights reserved.

To view this on Blogspot, visit http://bwafphilly.blogspot.com/2009/10/black-womens-arts-festival-newsletter.html

To view this on Yahoo Groups, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly/message/3270

P.S. Send us money :-)

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 9/27/09

2009-09-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) GREETINGS
2) WELCOME TO OUR NEW STAFF MEMBER, EBONY MALAIKA COLLIER!
3) SHOUT OUT FROM THE ROTUNDA’S GINA RENZI IN THIS WEEK’S CITY PAPER!
4) FREE ADVERTISING AT BWAF PAGES ENDS OCTOBER 1ST!
5) FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS

CONTENTS OF TABLE

1) GREETINGS

Greetings, Friends!

Can autumn really be almost over so soon? Hope you enjoyed your summer and that the cool weather is bringing clarity, calm, and opportunities to unwind and prepare to hibernate a bit in the coming months.
BWAF is going through its own changes, preparing to scale down a bit and get to the roots of what makes us special – and what has helped us grow over the years.
One of the most important things to do in business is to “grow slowly” (-Kelli O’Donnell of R Family Vacations), and I’m looking forward to producing BWAF again as I did in the early days, refashioning my early vision of it, and I hope you’ll be pleased with the results. Remember, I couldn’t do it without you – we can’t do it without you, and we thank you for your continued support. Look to future newsletters to learn about projects in the works, including updates about our Themed Journals, calls for artists, volunteers, board members and more.
Also as all nonprofits do, we urge you to donate. It’s not by miracles or energy alone that we have had 6 festivals to date. It’s also by money…your money! So please consider donating today (info below). We’re glad you’re on our team, and we appreciate your energy, however you’re able to share it with us.
And now…the news!

2) WELCOME TO OUR NEW STAFF MEMBER, EBONY MALAIKA COLLIER!

I am thrilled to announce that local poet and freelance event promoter Ebony Malaika Collier has joined the staff of the Black Women’s Arts Festival as the Listings Editor of the BWAF Pages as well as taking on other tasks in marketing and publicity.
Some of you have seen Ebony’s work on Facebook, which usually features her many announcements of events in the Philly arts scene, particularly in poetry and spoken word. Her interests are very diverse, and she has a classic, discriminating, yet curious and open aesthetic in seeking, and finding, the most interesting open mics and performance venues/opportunities in town.
Ebony will be posting many of our notices and events on Facebook, and we will soon be announcing our system for accepting listings.

3) SHOUT OUT FROM THE ROTUNDA’S GINA RENZI IN THIS WEEK’S CITY PAPER!

The Rotunda, one of Philadelphia’s most important community arts venues, celebrated its 10th anniversary this weekend. The Rotunda was also the first site of the Black Women’s Arts Festival, and remains, to me, our primary venue/home. Rotunda director Gina Renzi was interviewed in our fair city’s two alternative newspapers, the Philadelphia City Paper and the Philadelphia Weekly. Here is part of what was said in the former,

CP: You've spent a lot of a days and nights at the Rotunda. Do you have any memories that stand out?

GR: Every year we participate in as many festivals as we can. One that I think is especially mind-blowing is the Black Women's Arts Festival. At one of the first shows that they did, I remember saying to the organizer of the festival that I was just going to have to destroy the stage after the show — that it was so good that nothing could really top it.

It was almost like my version of going to church — I had a spiritual experience watching this woman performing for the public but absolutely baring her soul and crying on stage. It ended up being this show where it wasn't just a bunch of musicians, but it was catharsis — a real healing event. I don't know how much of that you'd see in a commercial venue, where I don't think people allow themselves to take off their masks. When the organizer burst into tears, others rushed up and hugged her. That's community. It wasn't corny, we all just kind of felt it.

Source: http://reviews.citypaper.net/articles/2009/09/24/the-rotunda-west-philly-10th-anniversary

Needless to say, this is a very high honor from a woman who has overseen thousands of events over the years. Even if we had been chosen among 30 of her most memorable, it would’ve been high praise, but the fact that she only chose one, and that we were it, left me speechless when I read it.
BWAF has been collecting comments and testimonials like this over the years (we use them in grantwriting and other fundraising efforts), but nothing has been as big nor as important as this comment to date. Thank you Gina, for this credit. May the Rotunda have 10 and more wonderful years, and may BWAF maintain a rich relationship with this center of community arts and culture. Congratulations!

4) FREE ADVERTISING AT BWAF PAGES ENDS OCTOBER 1ST!

Hey. Do you do neat stuff, or does someone you know do? Would you like some free awesome advertising for yourself or that person? Is there anything cool going on in Philly that you would like others to know about? Can you recommend a good acupuncturist or day care center?
Do you have the best stylist in the world? Tell us about it!
We’re building the online version of the BWAF Pages – a Community Resource Directory and Coupon Book scheduled for release at next year’s Festival. We can only sell advertising when our website is chock full of valuable info. So until it is, we are going to be offering free advertising.
So, email us a 100 word “blurb” (ad” including the description of the product, service, artist, opportunity, class/workshop, resource, etc) plus contact info, and we’ll include it in the online version, which you can view at www.BWAFpages.com. Ideally, we will then attract actual paying advertisers to fund the publishing of BWAF Pages print edition, as well as using the advertising funds to also just keep BWAF staffed and growing.
Contact: info(at)BWAFpages.com or phone at 215.951.0330, ext. 2108.

5) FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS
Please take a moment to click on all our FB links and befriend us. Also, if you’re a black woman artist, or an ally of BWAs, please network with us and with each other – befriend befriend, befriend!

BWAF Facebook Profile (don’t forget to log in first): http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1303307631&ref=profile

BWAF Facebook Group (log in and then click): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53284687509

We’re on MySpace, too: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly

You can always join our official email list by sending a blank email to: BWAFphilly-subscribe(at)yahoogroups.com
We invite and welcome your tax-deductible donation (we’re a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization) to the address below.

Thanks for everything and see you next time!

In art & community,
Cassendre Xavier
renaissance negresse
Founder & Executive Director
Black Women's Arts Festival (Est. 2003)

Contact:
Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
(215) 951-0330, x 2108
Email: info(at)BWAFphilly.org
Website: www.BWAFphilly.org
MySpace: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly
Yahoo Group (or official mailing list): www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly
Join our Facebook Group!

© 2009 Black Women’s Arts FestivalÔ, BWAF, BWAF PhillyÔ. All rights reserved.

". . . Any Questions?" is at Gigi's this month!

2009-09-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Cassendre it's Cheryl (Phoenix) of ". . . Any Questions?" Hope all is well. Megan (BeFree) and I were hoping you could help us out with something. This month's . . . Any Questions? is next Thursday and, because of a conflict with Rum Bar events, is happening at a different location. We're trying to get word out about the change to as many folks as possible, particularly those who found out about us through the BWAF. So, we wanted to ask if you wouldn't mind sending out a blast to your BWAF listing and contacts (and any others you'd like to share with) that this month's lounge will be on the 24th at Gigi's, 319 Market St. and will be from 7 to 11. It's free and will have plenty of drink and food specials.

I'm sending a message to both your Facebook and email accounts just to cover the bases. I'm also sending you a friend request and, if you accept, I'll be able to send you a cute little event invitation full of a lot of details about next Thursday that'll make it easier to share with others if you're able to help us out.

Okay, I've spouted enough. Thanks in advance for your help, and please come through and check us out next week.

Peace,
Cheryl

Cheryl

--
Very best,

Cassendre Xavier
renaissance negresse
(musician-author-visual artist-actress)
http://cassEndrExavier.com

Founder of Philadelphia's Annual Black Women's Arts Festival (Est 2003)
http://BWAFphilly.org
"Cassendre Xavier is...a sex kitten serenading in heels." - Debra D'Alessandro, WXPN Philadelphia

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 8/14/09

2009-08-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) GREETING
2) SUMMER BREAK/ART WANTED FOR THEMED JOURNALS/COMMITTEE-VOLUNTEER-INTERN OPPORTUNITIES
3) OUTGOING CREATIVE DIRECTOR / INCOMING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
4) BWAF PAGES FREE ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY
5) FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS

CONTENTS OF TABLE

1) GREETING

Greetings, Friends!

We wrapped up very nicely Philadelphia’s 6th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival on August 2nd, 2009. Thanks to all who participated and helped in any way! More is soon forthcoming in that sentiment!

2) SUMMER BREAK/ART WANTED FOR THEMED JOURNALS/COMMITTEE-VOLUNTEER-INTERN OPPORTUNITIES

We are taking a much-needed summer break. We will be returning to business as usual in early-to-mid September. We look forward to regaling you all with tales of what happened and lists and lists of friends of BWAF you may want to network with.

In the meantime, please do keep the emails coming to info(at)BWAFphilly.org about the following and we will reply when we return to full swing:

*To submit original art/work for our forthcoming Themed Journals
*To inquire about or be a member of the Fundraising Committee
*To volunteer (visit www.BWAFphilly.org for different opportunities)
*To be an unpaid intern

Again, all inquiries can be sent via email to: info(at)BWAFphilly.org or phone at 215.951.0330, ext. 2108.

2) OUTGOING CREATIVE DIRECTOR / INCOMING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

August 2009 is Monica McIntyre’s last month as BWAF’s Creative Director, and ends her involvement with BWAF as anything other than a major fan! After 5 years of dedicated work to grow and produce BWAF, Monica is on to greener, less-stressful pastures!

As of August 4, 2009, Cassendre Xavier, BWAF Founder and former Director, has taken the new title of Executive Director, is the main organizer and contact at BWAF, and has rededicated herself to growing the organization. Cassendre will need your support and is always open to various expressions of assistance and/or advice.
She can be reached via email to: info(at)BWAFphilly.org or phone at 215.951.0330, ext. 2108.

5) BWAF PAGES FREE ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY

Hey. Do you do neat stuff, or does someone you know do? Would you like some free awesome advertising for yourself or that person? Is there anything cool going on in Philly that you would like others to know about? Can you recommend a good acupuncturist or day care center?
Do you have the best stylist in the world? Tell us about it!
We’re building the online version of the BWAF Pages – a Community Resource Directory and Coupon Book scheduled for release at next year’s Festival. We can only sell advertising when our website is chock full of valuable info. So until it is, we are going to be offering free advertising.
So, email us a 100 word “blurb” (ad” including the description of the product, service, artist, opportunity, class/workshop, resource, etc) plus contact info, and we’ll include it in the online version, which you can view at www.BWAFpages.com. Ideally, we will then attract actual paying advertisers to fund the publishing of BWAF Pages print edition, as well as using the advertising funds to also just keep BWAF staffed and growing.
Contact: info(at)BWAFphilly.org or phone at 215.951.0330, ext. 2108.

5) FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS
Please take a moment to click on all our FB links and befriend us. Also, if you’re a black woman artist, or an ally of BWAs, please network with us and with each other – befriend befriend, befriend!

BWAF Facebook Profile (don’t forget to log in first): http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1303307631&ref=profile

BWAF Facebook Group (log in and then click): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53284687509

We’re on MySpace, too: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly

You can always join our official email list by sending a blank email to: BWAFphilly-subscribe(at)yahoogroups.com
You can always make a tax-deductible donation (we’re a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization) by sending it to the address below.

In art & community,
Cassendre Xavier
renaissance negresse
Founder & Executive Director
Black Women's Arts Festival (Est. 2003)

Contact:
Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
(215) 951-0330, x 2108
Email: info(at)BWAFphilly.org
Website: www.BWAFphilly.org
MySpace: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly
Yahoo Group (or official mailing list): www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly
Join our Facebook Group!

© 2009 Black Women’s Arts FestivalÔ, BWAF, BWAF PhillyÔ. All rights reserved.

BWAF Newsletter 8/3/09

2009-08-03T18:01:00.001-07:00

6TH Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival
…is over!
It was….4 Days! (Thurs 7/30/09 thru Sun 8/2/09)
9 Venues!
Over 50 Artists!

“BWAF has officially blown up.” – The Agenda, Philadelphia City Paper, 7/30/09

“BWAF has seriously blown up.” –Holly Otterbein’s Blog, Philadelphia City Paper

Dear BWAF Friends:

It’s over! I’m sad and not at all relieved because there is still much work to be done with the Festival year-round, only now I have to wait until more than 355 days to experience the bliss I did this past weekend with all the visual and performance art/works by my melanin-enriched “sistas”!

I am looking forward to writing you more about the last day of the Festival and how amazing it was, but now, it seems most urgent that run and not walk to the nearest mattress-like thing and lay my uber-weary head to rest!

Still, I cannot go without droppin’ some names and inspiration on you:

Hannabiell & Midnight Blue
Cocosol

and

Taina Asili & La Banda Rebelde

Also the warm spirit of Rhetta Morgan. There were many, many, many other wonderful events but these were the most powerful ones I attended.

Details soon forthcoming, but in the meantime,

REMEMBER, DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Being a nonprofit organization, we thrive on donations of all kinds to continue our work. You can be a vital part in carrying the vision of BWAF into our 7th year in 2010 by making a donation today! All donations are tax deductible and receipts can be provided.

Make payable to: Black Women’s Arts Festival

and mail to:

Black Women’s Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743

To contribute securely by Paypal, visit www.BWAFphilly.org, or send a blank email to: info(at)BWAFphilly.org.

WE NEED COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO BUILD BWAF’S FUTURE
It’s time to build a structure of organizers of BWAF who will consistently carry its work and vision into the future, and do it well, for decades to come. We are seeking committee members who can meet once a month (One 2-3 hour meeting per month). Ideally, candidates will have leadership or management backgrounds in the following areas most urgently needed: Fundraising, Publicity, and Nonprofit Management. For more information, please email info(at)BWAFphilly.org.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Time commitment is day of tasks only. No meetings. Visit our website at www.BWAFphilly.org, and click “volunteers” for more information.

And this just in….

ADVERTISE IN THE BWAF PAGES! (A COMMUNITY RESOURCE DIRECTORY AND COUPON BOOK PUBLISHED BY THE BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL)
Visit www.BWAFpages.com for more info.

In art, sisterhood, and community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder, Organizer, Former Director, and Future (as soon as the summer’s over) Executive Director

Black Women's Arts Festival

3721 Midvale Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743

(215) 951-0330, x 2108

Email: info(at)BWAFphilly.org

Website: www.BWAFphilly.org

MySpace: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly

Yahoo Group: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly

Subscribe to our Blog!

Be our Facebook Friend!

Join our Facebook Group!

Advertise in the BWAF Pages! www.BWAFpages.com

© 2009 by Black Women’s Arts FestivalÔ, BWAF, BWAF PhillyÔ. All rights reserved.

Black Women’s Arts Festival Newsletter 8/1/09

2009-08-01T13:58:00.001-07:00

6TH Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival
4 Days! (Thurs 7/30/09 thru Sun 8/2/09
9 Venues!
Over 50 Artists!

“BWAF has officially blown up.” – Philadelphia City Paper, 7/30/09

Well, what I can I say, so much cool stuff has been happening with the Festival!

I attended the Circle of Hope event on Thursday, followed by the after party at Rum Bar, hosted by our host Any Questions? which happens on the last Thursday of every month, featuring DJs BFree and Phoenix, which was so much fun!

Friday I attended our Last Friday Visual Arts Crawl at Kaffa Crossing, followed by the after party at Sanctuary, which featured film, fashion shows and more!

This morning I attended the Children’s Storytime at Big Blue Marble Books, and after that I went to the BWAF office, where I am now typing this to you beautiful people!

(I missed the outdoor vending event at Arts Garage, but I’m sure it’s going well!)

So what’s next? A quick dinner and then getting gussied up to join all the other sexy people at Sizzle: A Night of Burlesque, which is going to be packed and amazing!!
That’s tonight at the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St, doors open at 6:30pm, showtime from 7-10, admission $7 or 2 sexy people for $10 :-)

After that, from 10pm to 2am I’ll be going to Monica’s Birthday & Going Away after party at Stir, 1705 Chancellor Street. $5 each or 2 for $7. Today is really actually Monica’s birthday, too! We’re not just celebrating her birthday but it’s actually on another day, no, August 1st is her birthday! Bring a card, a smile, and a hug for all her hard work these past 5 years!

And since I won’t be able to write again before tomorrow, our last day, I’ll remind you that tomorrow, Sunday from 12noon-2pm we’re having a “Friendship Gathering” at Vivant Art Collection, 60 N. 2nd St. This is $5 to attend and network with all the BWAF artists and volunteers, and free if you are a BWAF artist or volunteer!

Finally, we will wrap up our wonderful weekend in the same way we opened it – celebrating Black women’s spirit, creativity, community, and JOY in …”A Night of Joy” – this will be at the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, from 6pm-10pm, $7 each or 2 for $10.

CAN’T MAKE IT THIS WEEKEND?

WATCH ONLINE
Tonight and tomorrow night’s shows at the Rotunda will be streamed live worldwide at our sponsor/partner http://web.illish.us.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Being a nonprofit organization, we thrive on donations of all kinds to continue our work. You can be a vital part in carrying the vision of BWAF into our 7th year in 2010 by making a donation today! All donations are tax deductible and receipts can be provided.

Make payable to: Black Women’s Arts Festival

and mail to:

Black Women’s Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743

To contribute securely by Paypal, visit www.BWAFphilly.org, or send a blank email to: info(at)BWAFphilly.org.

BECOME A BWAF LEADER
It’s time to build a structure of organizers of BWAF who will consistently carry its work and vision into the future, and do it well, for decades to come. We are seeking committee members who can meet once a month (One 2-3 hour meeting per month). Ideally, candidates will have leadership or management backgrounds in the following areas most urgently needed: Fundraising, Publicity, and Nonprofit Management. For more information, please email info(at)BWAFphilly.org.

VOLUNTEER
Time commitment is day of tasks only. No meetings. Visit our website at www.BWAFphilly.org, and click “volunteers” for more information.

We hope to see you tonight and/or tomorrow! Sure, 4 days of over 50 artists at 9 venues is a lot, but it only happens once a year and you can always catch up on your sleep!

(And remember, as always, since our inception in 2003, BWAF events have been open to “all respectful persons”),

In art, sisterhood, and community,

Cassendre Xavier
Founder, Organizer, Former Director, and Future (as soon as the summer’s over) Executive Director

Black Women's Arts Festival

3721 Midvale Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743

(215) 951-0330, x 2108

Email: info(at)BWAFphilly.org

Website: www.BWAFphilly.org

MySpace: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly

Yahoo Group: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly

Be our Facebook Friend!

Join our Facebook Group!

© 2009 by Black Women’s Arts FestivalÔ, BWAF, BWAF PhillyÔ. All rights reserved.

Black Women's Arts Festival Newsletter 7/31/09

2009-07-31T13:13:00.001-07:00

Hellooooo Beautiful people!!

So excited about BWAF 2009 (Thurs 7/30 thru Sun 8/2)!!

FOUR DAYS

9 PHILADELPHIA VENUES

OVER 50 ARTISTS!!

Last night we had a beautiful opening ceremony at Circle of Hope - so much beauty - followed by dancing and live
performances at Rum Bar hosted by "Any Questions?" a great party that happens at Rum Bar every last Thursday with DJs
BFree and Pheonix!

Tonight there are lots of events happening - check www.BWAFphilly.org for the complete schedule - but I'm heading now to
Kaffa Crossing where I'll be hosting 2 open mics, singing and playing guitar, and there will be other featured acts as well.

If you can only make one or two shows this weekend, you MUST make it to:

Sizzle: A Night of Burlesque at the Rotunda tomorrow night (SaturdaY) followed by Monica's Going Away AND Birthday Party
afterwards at another place- I think Stir, but check the schedule to be sure!

I'm not glamorized yet with my own portable internet device so I'm at the Van Pelt Library on UPenn's campus at 34th & Walnut...

Gotta rush to Kaffa now to see your lovely faces.

Hope you can be there or at any other event (the always adorable Jack Drummond will be hosting the event at Green Line Cafe
and I SO wish I could skip out and go give him a hug - I haven't seen him in YEARS!)

Enjoy the weekend, everyone - and I'll try to write again soon -

Oh, Children's Storytime at Big Blue Marble Books tomorrow morning, and Vendor's Marketplace at Arts Garage --- so
much to do, so little time!

Whoo-hoo!!

Cassendre Xavier
BWAF Founder (and soon to be Executive Director) -you heard it here first, folks!

http://BWAFphilly.org

BWAF 2009 Detailed Schedule

2009-07-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday July 30, 2009, Doors 6pm, Show 7-10pm, $7 or 2 for $10
“A Night of Ritual”
Circle of Hope (2007 Frankford Ave, Phila, PA 19125),
*Children’s Playroom Activities *

Hosted By: Spokenword Diva Aziza Kinteh
Featuring:
· Rhetta Morgan, Musician & Spiritualist: 7:10-7:30pm
· Rahnda Rize, Multidisciplinary Performing Artist: 7:35-7:55pm
· Joslyn Ladson, Storytelling: 8-8:15pm
· --10min Intermission--
· Angela ‘Sadio’ Watson, African Dance: 8:30-8:45pm
· Fatimah Laren, Singer: 8:50-9:10pm
· Taina Asili, Vocalist & Poet: 9:15-9:45pm
*Christy Baker, Children’s Face-painting: ongoing in playroom
*Monique Gordon, Children’s Storytelling: Between 7-8pm (depending on number of children)
* Joslyn Ladson, Storytelling: Between 9-10pm (depending on number of children)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday July 30, 2009, 7-12mid, $3/after 9pm
“BWAF Opening Night After-Party”
Rum Bar (2005 Walnut St, 19103)

Hosted By: ...Any Questions? & Resident DJs BeFree and Phoenix
Featuring:
· DJ BeFree, Sexy Hip-Hop
· DJ Phoenix, Funk/Funky-House
· AfroDJiak, Hip-Hop/Soul: Check DJ time w/ BeFree & Phoenix
· Rosemary Fiki, Eclectic Soul: 9-9:20pm
· Alexis aka GOLDEN~LOVER, Sensual Music: 9:25-9:45pm
· Mahoganee, Innovative Music: 9:50-10:10pm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, July 31, 2009, 5-10pm *(except where noted)
“Last Friday Visual Arts & Live Performance Crawl”
Kaffa Crossing, (4423 Chestnut St, Phila, PA 19104), Donations Accepted

Hosted By: Founder & Multidisciplinary Artist Cassendre Xavier
Featuring:
· Cassendre Xavier: 6:30-6:50pm,
· Sec 1 Black Women Artists Open Mic: 7pm-8:10pm
· Katonya Mosley, Soul Stories: 8:15-8:35pm
· Sec 2 Black Women Artists Open Mic: 8:40-8:55pm
· "A Different View of Liberty", Bea Joyner, Photography
· Kelli Wimbley, Abstract Paintings
· Jennifer McIntosh, Paintings
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Metropolitan Bakery and Café (4013 Walnut St, Phila, PA 19104), 5-9pm Donations Accepted

Host TBA
Featuring:
· Nija Michelle—Photography
· Jeliq, Neo-soul Guitarist & Vocalist: 7-7:45pm
· More Artists TBA
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Green Line Café (4426 Locust St, Phila, PA 19104), 7-9:30pm, $3-5 cover

Hosted By: Jack Drummond
Featuring:
· The Young Ladies of Music & Mentorship Artists, Gospel, Soul, & Rock: 7-7:30pm
· Dance Alisa Dance, Indie Soul: 7:40-8:10pm
· Rosemary Fiki, Eclectic Soul: 8:30-9:10pm
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Vivant Art Collection (60 N 2nd, Phila, PA 19106), 5-9pm, Donations Accepted

Hosted By:
Featuring:
· Cheryl Durgans, Printmaker
· Nataki McNeal Bhatti, Painter
· Sharon Burton, Mixed Media
· Sherry B. Ways, Doll Maker
· Simone Lino aka Donna Yaya by Lino, Painter
· Rasheeda McIntosh, Soul Singer: 6:30-7pm
· Nikki Powerhouse, Passionate Theater: 7:15pm-7:35pm
· Nina ‘Lyrispect’ Bell, Spoken-word: 7:50-8:10pm
· Cocosol, World Music: 8:25-8:55pm
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Friday, July 31, 2009, Doors 8:30pm, Show 9pm-2am, $10
“Last Friday Arts Crawl After-Party”
Sanctuary (2737 Cambridge St, Phila, PA 19130)

Hosted By: Charly Brownskin and Sanctuary
Featuring:
· Lillie Ruth Bussey, Truthful Little Ditties
· Ghetto Songbird, Psychedelic Rock
· Blu of Exodus Designs, Soul Folk
· Rachel Sojourn Watson, Pieces of A Dream Jewelry Design
· Zahrah Aya, Live Visual Arts
· Feya Waters & Second World Productions, Fashion
· ‘Who's That Girl: Women of Color and Hip Hop’ Nuala Cabral, Film
· Alexis aka GOLDEN~LOVER, Sensual Music
· Ryva aka DJ Eye-V
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Saturday, August 1, 2009, 11am-1pm, Free
“Children’s Story-time”
Big Blue Marble (551 Carpenter Lane, Phila, PA 19119)

Featuring:
· Monique Gordon, Writer & Storyteller: 11am-noon
· Joslyn Ladson, Storytelling: noon-1pm
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Saturday, August 1, 2009, 11am-6pm
“Outdoor Vendors Market”
The Arts Garage (1533 Ridge Avenue, Phila, PA 19130)

Jewelry, Unique Clothing Items, Sumptuous Food, Health & Beauty Products and More!!

Featuring:
· Bead Love Designs
· Simply Netfah
· Blu of Exodus Designs
· Nubian Stylez LLC
· More TBA
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Saturday, August 1, 2009, Doors 6:30pm, Show 7-10pm, $7 or 2 for $10
“Sizzle: A Night of Burlesque”
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St, Phila, PA 19104)

Hosted By: The Lovely Ashley Brockington
Featuring:
· Ashley Brockington: 7-7:15pm
· Teri Knox, Erotic Poetry & Upright Bass: 7:20-7:50pm
· Charly Brownskin As Madame Boss Lady: 7:55-8:10pm
· Duo of Charly & Misty Sol: 8:15-8:30pm
· --10min intermission--
· Nikki Powerhouse, Passionate Theater: 8:45-9:05
· Zuri, Belly Dance Performer: 9:10-9:30pm
· Misty Sol, Theater: 9:35-9:50pm
· Ashley Brockington: 9:50-close
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Saturday, August 1, 2009, 10pm-2am, $5 or 2 for $7/after 11:30pm
“Wish Monica Happy B-day & Farewell”
Stir (1705 Chancellor St, Phila, PA 19103)

Featuring:
· Ryva aka DJ Eye-V
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Saturday, August 1, 2009, 10pm-2am, $5 or 2 for $7/after 11:30pm
“Wish Monica Happy B-day & Farewell”
1. Stir (1705 Chancellor St, Phila, PA 19103)
2. Featuring:
· Drink Specials
· Ryva aka DJ Eye-V
Sunday, August 2, 2009, 12noon-2pm
Free For BWAF Artists & Volunteers
“Friendship Gathering @ Vivant”
1. Vivant Art Collection (60 N 2nd, Phila, PA 19106)
· A Gathering to thank BWAF Artists & Volunteers
· Lite Refreshments & More!!
· Bring your cards to network
· Music by DJ BeFree & DJ Phoenix
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Sunday, August 2, 2009, 6-10pm, $7 or 2 for $10
“A Night of Joy”
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St, Phila, PA 19104)

Hosted By:

Featuring:
· Anonamas, Soul Music: 6:05-6:25pm
· “Affording Progress”, Nuala Cabral, Filmmaker: 6:30-6:40pm
· Angela ‘Sadio’ Watson, African Dance: 6:45-7pm
· Rhythm, Poet: 7:05-7:20pm
· Chloe Davis, Modern African Dance: 7:25-7:35pm
· Cocosol, World Music: 7:40- 8pm
· Misia Denea, Modern Dance: 8:05-8:15pm
· Monica McIntyre, Soulful Blues:8:20-8:35pm
· Jeliq, Neo-soul Guitarist & Vocalist: 8:40-9pm
· Taina Asili y La Banda Rebelde, Afro-Caribbean Music: 9:05-9:35pm
· Hannabiell & Midnight Blue, African Percussion Ensemble: 9:40-10:15pm
· Rhetta Morgan, Musician & Spiritualist: 10:20-10:30pm

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Black Women's Arts Festival (Est. 2003)

6th Annual - July 30-August 2, 2009

Contact:

Black Women's Arts Festival

3721 Midvale Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743

(215) 951-0330, x 2108

Email: info(at)BWAFphilly.org

Website: www.BWAFphilly.org

MySpace: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly

Yahoo Group: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly

Join our Facebook Group!

Themed Journal Pre-Order

2009-07-08T03:11:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to be launching this summer our first licensed products!

The Black Women’s Arts Festival “Themed Journals” will be unveiled at this year’s 6th annual Festival.
Featuring the beautiful artwork of black women artists (some of whom have featured at BWAF) in full color on the cover, and original theme-related quotes by BWAF founder and award-winning author Cassendre Xavier, these lined, conveniently spiral-bound journals will be touchstones for years to come.
You can be the first to have your own by preordering one or more today!
They are affordably priced at $14.95 and 100% of the proceeds of each journal ordered go directly to BWAF. A 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, you can be assured that your purchase from BWAF is fully tax-deductible. And if you preorder now, we’ll even waive the shipping and handling!

The themes so far are:
Abundance
Renewal
Transformation
Enlightenment
Joy
Transcendence
Community
Creativity
Friendship
Family
Opportunity
Justice
Peace
Serenity
Mindfulness
Spirituality
Talent
Diversity
Perserverence
Genius
Heart
Strength
Renewal

For this special offer, we will select the theme for you, and mail your journal(s) no later than September 30, 2009 (please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery).
This is a fundraiser for BWAF 2009 which is scheduled for July 30 – Aug 2nd. We regretfully cannot promise to reserve your journal for you to pick up at the Festival itself, nor can we guarantee that your first choice of theme will be available.
These conditions are for this special offer only. After the Festival, we will be able to take orders the regular way – via mail order and so forth.
But for now, we’re hoping you’ll be as excited as we are about this project and preorder yours to help the Festival, get a tax break, save about five bucks in shipping and handling, and get a very beautiful and unique surprise in the mail come Autumn!
Below is a link to securely order using your bank card on Paypal.

If you prefer to mail us a check or money order instead, you may do so by sending it PAYABLE TO: BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL to:
Black Women’s Arts Festival
Attn: Journal Preorder
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia PA 19129-1743
If you have any further questions, please feel free to visit our website at http://www.bwafphilly.org/, email us at BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com or call us at (215) 951-0330 ext 2108.We thank you as always for your continued support of and interest in the Black Women’s Arts Festival!

Newsletter 6/17/09

2009-06-17T02:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings!!

Monica McIntyre here with the latest from Philadelphia's 6th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival, July 30-August 2, 2009; a festival of talent featuring: dance, theater, fine arts, music, performance arts, film, workshops, and vendors. Save The Date!!

So many new things to tell you...

Seeking Volunteers:
We are still in need of a Vendor Coordinator (plot out floor plans for vending spaces, keep on top of vendor payments, be the main liason between BWAF & Vendors) and Street Team Members (outgoing spirits needed to flier at specific events, helping with online promotions (Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, mass emailing/forwarding etc...) if you're interested, please email us at: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com.

Confirmed 2009 Venues:
We are honored to have more venues this year then ever before!

The Arts Garage, Big Blue Marble, Circle of Hope, Green Line Cafe, Kaffa Crossing, Metropolitan Bakery, The Rotunda, Studio 34, and *Vivant Art Collection. *Vivant Art Collection with proprietor Florcy Morriset is our most recent 2009 addition, yeah!!

Confirmed 2009 Artists:
Taina Asili, Lillie Ruth Bussey, Misia Denea, Teri Knox, Fatimah Laren, Green TAra (from Canada Aye!), Rhetta Morgan, Katonya Mosley, Dena Underwood, & More to come...to learn more google em'.

Thrifting For A Good Cause:
Saturday, June 20, 2009, 9-5pm, A Day at Circle Thrift
Grab your friends and come shop for a good cause!! Recession friendly must have items: $3 shoes, $4 shirts, $4 skirts, $4 pants, housewares, children's clothing, and vintage pieces.You can feel good getting so much for so little and 50% of all sales benefit The 6th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival, July 30-August 2, 2009!! Circle Thrift--2223 Frankford Ave, Phila, PA, 19125 215.423.1222, http://www.circlethrift.com/

BWAF Goes Global:
So we have partnered with web.illish.us, a webcasting & new media production company, for 2009. This means various days of BWAF 2009 will be broadcast live via the web!! If you or someone you know wish to host a screening event in your home (doesn't matter where you live) contact us asap BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com.

BWAF Commercials:
Make a commercial (if you have iMovie, a dig video, a camera phone, etc...). You can go to our website for details about BWAF and wax poetical about its goodness (20-40secs) then email the footage in to BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com w/ "commercial" in the heading. We made some on Monday June 15, 2009, they're coming soon!

2009 Submissions Are Closed:
How sad but somewhat exciting, why you ask? Because it means the festival is creeping ever closer! We are still seeking vendors so send us an email if you're interested BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com.

BWAF T-Shirts Coming Soon:
Yes, you will soon be able to sashay, bling, and show your swagga' in a fresh off the hand-screened presses BWAF t-shirt...look for us July 11th @ Clark Park's Uhuru Flea Market (43rd & Balt Ave, Philly).

Internships Available:
Are you interested in learning about the arts industry? Well look no further, we are now accepting unpaid interns to share our vast knowledge of the arts with. Please email us: BWAFphilly(at)yahoo.com or leave us a message at your convenience at 215-951-0330, ext 2108. We will email or call you back right away to discuss the exciting possibilities!

Volunteer Opportunities: It takes a lot of people power to produce our annual festival. We need YOU and many of YOU! Please contact us to see what you can do to help. Remember, many hands make light work, people. Sign up for something tiny, please! Thanks in advance! The perks (besides feeling warm inside) - honorable mentions with active website links in our newsletter, myspace, Facebook, and/or our website. Visit our website at www.BWAFphilly.org for more details.

All for now, folks!
Feel free to join our Yahoo or Facebook groups for the latest updates!

In art and community,

Monica McIntyre
Creative Director, BWAF
Black Women's Arts Festival (Est. 2003)
6th Annual - July 30-August 2, 2009

Contact:
Black Women's Arts Festival
3721 Midvale Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1743
(215) 951-0330, x 2108
Email: http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=BWAFphilly@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.bwafphilly.org/
MySpace: www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly
Yahoo Group: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly
Join our Facebook Group!