Mixing History, Theatre and Music: Mixed Magic Theatre

by Reza Corinne Clifton

originally posted on RezaRitesRi.com

PAWTUCKET, RI - Sometimes when I'm out at a live show locally, I remember why I've never been hooked to American Idol: because that kind of talent exists in my backyard. That thought most recently crossed my mind last Saturday, April 25, when I attended a musical showcase at Mixed Magic Theatre - The MC's R.A.P (Rhythm And Poetry) Sessions. Not only was I re-impressed with performers like Riders Against the Storm, Kalyana Champlain, and Yunus - two acts featured during the Rhode to Africa Concert Series and one whose work has accented a RezaRitesRi podcast - but I was appropriately amused by the wordplay of hip hop emcee (rapper) Waleezy, and downright titillated by the melodic, thematic, and metronomic variety displayed by the singer-poet-emcee, Genesis. Why, she even did a song/remix over Outkast's breathtaking and convivial cult favorite, Spottieottiedopalicious, from their third album, Aquemini.

But kudos also goes to the host and creator of the night - Rudy Cabrera of Providence, RI - and to everyone at Mixed Magic Theatre. Part of the artistic and cultural renaissance happening in Pawtucket, Mixed Magic - under Ricardo and Bernadette Pitts-Wiley - have found the perfect balance between firmly cementing roots in a host community while sharing and attracting a broad base of supporters. Evidence of this includes recent performances by company members in Washington, D.C., and in their upcoming events. For more information about Mixed Magic Theatre, visit www.mixedmagictheatre.org, or call 401-475-6675.

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Reza Rites on WRIU - April 25 and May 9

by Reza Corinne Clifton

PROVIDENCE, RI - I love music; don't you??!! It is my insulin, earl grey tea, and "pleasure principle" - if I may borrow a certain Jackson's expression and song title. It is with this in mind (and Santogold in ear) that I proportionately pound away at these keys to deliver a proclamation that likely moves no one as heartily as me:

My next two dates for hosting and producing Voices of Women on WRIU are tomorrow, April 25 and Saturday, May 9. VOW is a weekly program run Saturday mornings from 9:00 - 11:00 (EST) by one of four hosts: Liza, Beth, Gail, and me (Reza, aka Reza Rites, aka VenusSings.com).

WRIU can be accessed by radio in and around Rhode Island at 90.3 FM or anywhere in the world by using an internet-equipped computer and visiting www.wriu.org. It is the state's largest noncommercial station, and it is run by students, community members, and those who, like me, are alumni and former student-dj's.

For more information about WRIU, visit www.wriu.org. To tag along during my musical adventures, keep checking back in to www.venussings.com or check out RezaRitesRi.com for all my current projects, publications, events, etc.

Sunshine and Laughter,
Reza

Venus Sings and Welcomes Guests - WRIU Playlist - March 21, 2009

by Reza Corinne Clifton

Hooray, Hooray!! Two more dates for Venus Sings on Voices of Women (Apr. 25 and May 9), and more and more friends and guests truly starting to weigh in - as listeners AND contributors. Check out the playlist below from March 21 and do yourself a favor and check this ish out. My girl Kalyana Champlain joined me in the studio that day, giving more hip hop flavor than an Addidas-stickered ghetto blaster, while fam like Simone, Vera and The Medicine Man kept the requests inspiring and steady.

Tune in tomorrow morning, Saturday April 25 from 9-11 (est) for "Go Global or Go Home," my next turn at the boards for Voices of Women on WRIU. Can't catch that show? Then try Saturday, May 9, same time same station (90.3 FM in Rhode Island and live streaming at wriu.org).

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March 31 show produced by Reza Rites (songs 1-15, 25-29) and Kalyana Champlain (16-24): (song / artist / album)

1. Never Stop / Brand New Heavies / The Platinum Collection
2. Free / Deniece Williams / This is Nice
3. Tell Me / Groove Theory / Groove Theory
4. On and On / Erykah Badu / Baduizm
5. At Last / Etta James / The Definitive Collection
6. Since I've Been Loving You / Corinne Bailey Rae / Corinne Bailey Rae, disc 2 [A Led Zeppelin Remake!! Thank you, Medicine Man]
7. Choux Pastry Heart / Corinne Bailey Rae / Disc 1
8. T.O.N.Y / Solange Knowles / Sol - Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams
9. Like a Star / Corinne Bailey Rae / Corinne Bailey Rae, Disc 1
10. Cuz I'm Here / Ruthie Foster / The Phenomenal
11. Distant Dreamer / Duffy / Rockferry
12. Concrete Jungle / CEU / CEU
13. Friend of Mine / Lily Allen / Lily Allen
14. Caltariba System / Etana / The Strong One
15. One Time / Queen Omega / Away from Babylon
16. Old School Rap / UTFO, Roxanne Shante / Roxanne's Revenge
    
17. Paper Thin / MC Lyte / Lyte As A Rock
18. Ladies First / Queen Latifah / All Hail the Queen Hip Hop/Rap
19. Doo Wop (That Thing) / Lauryn Hill / The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
20. If I Need to Move On (Sometimes) / Ladybug Mecca
21. Return of the Bgirl / Masia One / Pulau: the Islands, Vol. 2 Hip Hop/Rap
22. Same Ol Thang / B-Mor7 / Mic(Ra)phone Meditationz Vol.2 Hip-Hop (CD Baby and Myspace.com/bmor7)
    
23. Kaly Different 1.0 / Kalyana Champlain (www.myspace.com/kalyanachamplain and thruthemuck.com)
24. Not Tonight (LP Version) / Lil' Kim / Hard Core Hip Hop/Rap
25. The One / Janet ft. Missy Elliot / Discipline
26. Just a Touch / Estelle / Shine
    
27. I Decided / Solange / Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams
28. Violent Stars, Happy Hunting / Janelle Monae / Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition)
29. Spin / Alaine
    

Finally - Venus Sings Playlist - March 7, 2009

by Reza Corinne Clifton

KINGSTON, RI - On March 7, I had the great pleasure of hosting and producing yet another edition of Voices of Women on WRIU. A program which airs weekly from 9-11 AM (EST) on Saturdays at 90.3 FM in and around Rhode Island or online at www.wriu.org, Voices of Women is run by 4 women - Beth, Gail, Liza and me.

Shout-outs to the callers that week; they were people like Vera, Ghislaine, Jay and Big, Rick, Dan, and Kal. They requested some of the tunes found below on my "Venus Sings Playlist."

• Portishead / Mysterons / Roseland NYC
• Duffy / Syrup & Hondey / Rockferry
• Yusa / Conga Pasajera / Haiku
• Les Nubians / Embrasse Moi / Les Nubians Presents: Echos, Chapter 1: Nubian Voyager
• Bahamadia / Pep Talk / BB Queen
• Nazeelah Jameson / Untitled Rhapsody / Les Nubians Presents: Echos, Chapter 1: Nubian Voyager
• Michelle Cruz / Deixa A Capella
• Kalyana Champlain / The Rhetorician
• Lykki Li / Let it Fall / Youth Novels
• Nikka Costa / Lovin You / Pebble to Pearl
• The Cardigans / Higher / Gran Turismo
• Esperanza Spalding / Cuerpo y Alma / Esperanza
• Sade / All About Our Love / Lovers Rock
• Adele / Right as Rain / 19
• Lauryn Hill / Lost Ones / The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
• Santogold / The Creator / Santogold
• CSS / CSS Sux / Cansei de Ser Sexy
• CSS / Music is My Hot Sex / Cansei de Ser Sexy
• Minnie Ripperton / Reasons / Perfect Angel
• Queen Omega / Ganga Baby / Away from Babylon
• Little Jackie / I Liked You Better / The Stoop
• Amy Winehouse / Stronger than Me / Frank
• Sara Tavares / One Love / Balance
• Zap Mama / Sweet Melody / Ancestry in Progress
  
• Dawn Penn / No No No / No No No
• Terry Lynn / Streetlife / Kingstonlogic, 2.0
• Janelle Monae / Violent Stars Happy Hunting!!! / The Chase Suite (Special Edition)

Most of these ladies have full-length albums and ep's they've released, so check them out and tell a friend. And for the local sounds provided by Kalyana Champlain and Michelle Cruz? Visit (www.myspace.com/kalyanachamplain and www.myspace.com/michellecruzmusic.

Peace,
Reza Rites

Sunday April 12 - Final Day of Radiothon on WRIU

by Reza Corinne Clifton

Big ups to the World Wide Wave show on WRIU who killed it Sunday morning, April 12 with thrilling melodies and diverse rhythms during the final day of the radio station's annual fundraiser.

KINGSTON, RI - Once a year - and only once - every show and dj on WRIU reaches out to their listeners to ask for monetary donations to support the station, which is supported by underwriting, listeners, and a portion of the University of Rhode Island's student fees. That time in 2009 comes to a close today, April 12; here's a reminder of why people have given.

WRIU is run by URI students AND the community, and it is the largest noncommercial station in RI. The show offers music in nearly every genre, from World and Reggae to folk and celtic. The station is widely known in some circles for the 3-6 PM, Monday-Friday hip hop slot that's been there for years. Some recognize it as one of the only stops on the radio dial where you can still hear classical compositions, gritty blues melodies, and jazz standards. Most see WRIU as a family unit or community tradition that champions the producer and listener's preference for audible curiousities and independent musical choice.

WRIU can be heard on 90.3 FM in parts of Connecticut and even areas of Long Island, NY, as well as through Northern RI and sections of Massachusetts. The station is enjoyed worldwide, though, through the livestreaming you can access at www.wriu.org.

And speaking of wriu.org - you can also give donations there. It does not take a lot to show and deliver a little support. Oddly enough, it is doing nothing that would cause it to crumble.