"Brief Thoughts": Free the Beasts Showcase 2019, My Artistic Purpose, and My Dance Story

I had a fantastic time with my dance troupe Ya Habibi last Saturday at the Free the Beasts Community Dance Extravaganza, watching all the other dancers and performing my friend Alex's amazing Andalusian choreography! It was a challenge to learn..but after spending some time with this dance, I fell into its rhythm, poise, movement patterns and the elegant fluidity that makes this style so beautiful. There's a video of the Work- In- Progress performance of the dance we did in March on my YouTube page (there's a link at the bottom of this page) but I'm super jazzed about how far we've came along in April. The proceeds from the show went to community programs that are focused on bringing arts education back to public schools💗

*On a slightly related note--

I've been doing some thinking lately and I intend to do a lot more..about what I can provide, specifically as an artist, to help create a better world out there. What value is my work other than the art itself? I've thought long and hard about why I choose to do what I do even thought I don't get paid for the time I spend doing it.. it's because I love it, to my core. When I'm not dancing, singing, modeling, taking pictures, or whatever my life feels empty and unfulfilling. I've used art throughout my life in so many different ways- as a way to make friends, express myself, feed my mind, spirit and soul, therap-ize and heal myself. This is why the arts are important to teach. I finally get it in my own context. Without the influence of my teachers, family and the creative energetical spark that flows throughout the universe, I would be a sad person.

So I've decided to be more outspoken about my real journey as an artist, the good and bad times, the triumphant and the frustrating times, but in general just the WHY of it all. I'm hoping that sharing more of my true feelings will inspire someone else to try something creative when they're feeling unwell, and that paying more attention to my own motivations will help me realize and keep me reminded of why the arts are an irreplaceable resource for us!!

Starting with dance: Dance is Everything. All the things. It can both occupy and empty my mind at the same time. It is social, spiritual, soulful, meditative, therapeutic, energizing, exhausting, exhilarating, challenging and comforting. I wouldn't be the same person, my life wouldn't be the same without the presence of dance as an integral part of my upbringing. My body is educated and my heart is calm because of dance. If my spirit speaks through song, my soul speaks through dance. It has always been and continues to be a source of deep and pure joy for me. I hope I will never have to stop.

No Inspiration by Know El

This poem was written from boredom. It was written because of an idle pencil in between my finger and thumb. This poem was written from no inspiration. From the condensation of so many moments whose potential went unrealized. Finalized by the fact that nothing was occupying my mind, this poem was signed by a presently creativeless entity. Me. This poem was written from too much thought and not enough conclusion. Now when I want to start breaking down the walls of delusion surrounding my mind, I have no answers. These words were written from a lack of attention being paid to my abstract. Life starts to contract and close in on me and my growing apathy becomes my own worst enemy. This poem was written from a need. It's a reminder to frequently feed my passions and always encourage the clash in my mind where evolution has no limits and creativity is continuously allowed to roam free.

(ca. 2012)