Let's start General Jeff Park.
"This is where my mental health and the process of stopping the bleeding and getting healed starts. By learning the rhythms with practices and understanding the meaning and why we play the rhythms expands one’s awareness of the story that is being told through the heart of the drums which may it be for a celebration, initiation, rites of passage or a wedding. I did not have these types of cultural experiences coming up here in America. I was not taught rites of passage or initiation into manhood and understanding the connection between African Americans and Africans."
Quote from an older blog Ase Ashe Drummers from the Heart
Back in the days and for many years, this park was named Gladys Park. Recently, It was voted on that the name of Gladys Park would be given the new name of General Jeff Park in memory of General Jeff, one of Skid Row's greatest leaders and a friend to many. I remember coming here when I was living on the streets to sleep off my three-day crack and alcohol journey, in the grass under a little shade and sun charging myself back up. I can now say that was another life - and this park and myself has come a long way. I will always remember this space for "being here" for me whenever I needed it. Even though it's great that the park is named General Jeff Park, but, I was pushing for it to be called "General Jeff Memorial Park." All the same, General Jeff Park represents a person who really understood and moved for change, community resilience and connection with some hard work with the City of Los Angeles. General Jeff and the Community of Skid Row turned Gladys Park into a park that met basic standards of a park environment having a basketball court, water fountains, restrooms, tables and seats, along with anchored exercise equipment. This is common to many parks, but this park had really nothing but space in the earlier days. The community and the park was and is still very neglected by the City - this has been an ongoing battle that the community of Skid Row yet it continues to achieve many victories. For more information visit UCEPP.
General Jeff Park Drum Healing
Ase Ashe Drummers from the Heart and Makeda Kumasi came together to perform Kakilambe!
Kakilambe is Susu-language that means “Reaching as High as the Copel Tree!” To the Baga, a culture in West Africa in the Guinea Atlantic Coastline, Kakilambe is a sacred mask dance. That happens once a year and only the head priest communes with the sacred mask and translate the messages from the sacred mask to the village. The Sacred Mask comes out of the forest and is placed in the village center and every family in the village has a cord attached to the Sacred Mask, and one member of every family holds one cord. OK, hold that thought right there... just imagine the unity in that village, the compassion, respect and balance, all their love, support and focus is directed into the mask that unifies them all. Something like that is just beyond understanding in our everyday living here in this country, city and the time and space many of us are in, but I see beauty, unity and love in this mindset. I guess I'm just an old school soul animist, and a strong advocate in what you focus on, comes to you... and this is crazy-cool when organize and lead correctly in a group. Here is the video clip of General Jeff Park
4 Da Luv of the Drum presents Afri-Mari-Ka Hip Hop Poetry Edition. These are collaborations in conjunction with local Los Angeles drummers and myself. At this time, two events have taken place and we have ten more to go! We are a community of drummers that frequent Leimert Park Drum Circle. Right now we are thinking about rebranding the drum circle and organizing it to suit traditional village standards. Our first two events were held at the Barbara Morrison Center. I know you many are aware of Mother Barbara Morrison passing recently. I really honored and respect her because she took a chance on a group of men to come in her Center to create events - she was all for it and supported us, at time she would roll up on us while we're practicing, and listen to us while dancing around in her chair. Boy was I shocked when she said to us, "Yes... sure anytime you guys are welcome to the Center!" We had a good time that night, take a look 4 Da Luv of Da Drum
Coming to the stage is Leya Speaks with “No prices tag” this young lady is out of sight. She Definitely blessed us with her presence and poetry. I hear and see she is on many labels and very active in her Art and Craft.
Take it away Leya Speaks "No Price Tag"
Coming to the stage is Mello-Re Houston it's always a blessing to be in this place and space with a great "Blues-ologist," I like to call her Mello the Historian. She came through and just blessed us right off the tip of her mind with something, true greatness.
Coming to the stage is Heidi expressing the Skid Row experience “parents advisory necessary” if you are living in a bubble - The Truth will set you Free, Who's truth? There are many sides to a story, but this brother broke the Mic, unapologetically speaking the truth of Indigenous Melanin Americans experience in American.
Take it away Brother Heidi Well, that's all for now, stay tuned - I will be editing and uploading more videos, I hope you enjoy the projects I am co-creating and find some “educat-tainment” from it (education and entertainment).
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