Exhibit Treal : african drums

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Celebrating the Rhythm of Malcolm X's Life

Lighting struck across the dark gloomy skies. Rain had been on the forecast all day. But the thing about that is the weatherman perdicted the wrong sorts. The thunder cracking the silence of the streets of Northwood wasn't from the much anticipated

downpour but that of upliftng vibes! The djembes roared in unison to fast paced patterns as barehands beat life into existence. On this night, there was only one rain. The reign of greatness.

Abasi Hanif's Livin' the Rhythm drum cirle is coming on 6yrs strong. A feat anyone in Palm Beach can admit is unfathomable in and of itself. And one of the reasons you can atrribute to it is the fact no two nights are ever the same. And on this night, it was a celebration of the life of one of our greatest leader... Malcolm X.

The scene could not of been more perfect. From the documentary of Malcolm X's speeches being projected in the background to the table filled with the kind of soul food that comes with a recipet for the itis with each rich and delectable bite. Oh and what's a birthday without cake? How about homemade freshly baked chocolate and vanilla cake?!!! All as an mused Visualist began creating live his latest painting. The community came together as one to kick back and reach higher levels.

Under the moonlit skies, you can't help but to ask yourself if there is in fact a rain dance then would it not be logical to assume that the beating of the djembes sent the clouds packin?!. By the time it had come for the "heartbeat" (a round robin of sorts that signals the closing of the circle) the sky was the clearest it had been all day. One could say the spirit of the honorable Malcolm X was simply pleased by all that occured.

The Livin' the Rhythm Higher Viberations Drum Circle happens weekly very Thursday from 7p-10p at Harold's 509 Northwood Rd, West Palm Beach. Free admission and open to all. Don't have your own drum? Not to worry, the circle generally has djembes on deck!

Please be sure to visit www.gofundme.com/livintherhythm to continue to support the movement.

And make sure you save the date of May 29th as the RBG's of South Florida bring you their 5th "Family Funday & Mini Market".

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

How Youth Surrounded by Art, Poetry & Djembe's Bring the Goal to Life!

"Seeing is believing!" that's a common phrase we've all heard at the very least in some form or another in our lives. And last weekend provided a opportunity on many fronts to see what having our own gallery space would be like. One such example was Saturday's Iconic Eye Care x Exhibit Treal

collaboration "Artistic Vision" which not only was a women's exhibit but raise funds for Mother's Against Murderers Association. Yet it was what occured Sunday afternoon that really but the 'Visiob' into perspective.

Exhibit Treal Founder, artist Jason "JaFleu" Fleurant brought his nephews along with him to his rehearshal for Poetry In Motion Production's "Pleasant City" Thee Choreopoem. The rehearsal took place at director Empress Prestige's home. A home that happen to be filled with JaFleu's art. Artwork that his young impressionable nephews had never seen before.

They stood captivated by the colors and became inqusitive about the stories and the how. Only to be absolutely stunned to know these were the works of their uncle. Particularly 7 year old Elyjah, of who will be making his artist debut Saturday with art in "From Haiti with Love".

As the cast dove in to the rehearshals the children couldn't keep from waiting to watch. They were immerse in it all. "Those kids are never quite, or still. It was crazy to see how tuned in they were." JaFleu said. Elyjah who has a bit of issues with focusing and doing homework was shocked to hear Empress tell her cast to do their homework by writing their parts. "When I saw him react I saw it as the perfect oppurtunity to stress the importance of his schooling. I told him that even as adults, as artists we have to do our home work. Of which he vowed to because now he really wants to be part of the play."

After getting lost in a museum of art and inspired by the talents of the cast the boys found themselves overjoyed to play the djembe's and instruments of Abasi Hanif. All of which are part of his Livin' The Rhythm Youth Academy and Livin' the Rhythm Drum Circle.

When the boys mother arrived they did not want to leave, only going with the promise they could return next time. "When I finally got home, both of them rushed with with the biggest embrace. The oldest was asking me so many questions and so inspired it made me realize in that moment this is one of the things we are really trying to do with Exhibit Treal and key to why we need our own space. Some place where the youth of our communities can not only be involved and surrounded by the arts. But by the arts and the artists that looked and lived like them. People they can identify with. "