Amazing Ms Brooke !!

February 28 and March 1 at Laney College in Oakland.http://www.bcfhereandnow.com/ 

I had a really good time performing at the Black choreographer festival. It's was amazing ! I dance with zaccho dance theatre that weekend with Joanna Haigood. Wow, I believe we did a good job. As you know being A Deaf performer it ain't easy. 

After I performs our dance I decided to watch the show festival we were 1st to perform so now I can sit back and enjoy community artists. I saw another amazing spirit dance.

Sanie brooke in Rara Tou Limen Dance Company lead by director Portsha Jefferson.

That company is Afro-Haiti dance company. Very color company a lot of red, white blue and some brown, which I believe it the country color. The drummer were sweating with smile on their face, the back ground singer were swinging their hips side to side. 

The company were wonderful. Fillest with endless energy.. long long dance pieces.. I think it was 20 mins or so not sure as I wasn't timing it, but like I said I notice one amazing spirit that was on it with everyone else!

She came with very expressive face and strong physical movement. I would asks her a few questions.. Like, when you life your hands up to the sky; were you actually praising? When swinging your arms sharply, what were you chopping because it all seems so real.  She response presently with the music and her endless interaction was true to dance and her dance peers. 

This dancer seems really into the music. I notice another thing. She had hearing aids! That's what it was! She is a part of Deaf world! She so amazing !!!! I am not the only Dancer performing who is also part of the Deaf culture world, there is Sanie Brooke too.

I thank her for sharing her spirit and I know that it wasn't easy working with an hearing company but she show did dance flawless in my eyes. I was told she used to be in a Salsa dance company in San Francisco. 

I say this " You go girl!" I look forward to see you perform more. 

-Antoine Hunter 

Flowing breath of a Black Man in tears!

Hey everyone,

I decided to bring you with me or share the experience with you all. I'm excited and getting ready for a show working with Joanna Haigood of Zaccho dance theatre. 

Zaccho Dance Theatre (ZDT) creates and presents performance work that investigates dance as it relates to place. Artistic Director Joanna Haigood's creative work focuses on making dances that use natural, architectural and cultural environments as points of departure for movement exploration and narrative. Haigood's innovative work involves in-depth research into the history and the character of sites, often involving local communities in the creative process, and typically integrates aerial flight and suspension as ways of expanding performers' spatial and dynamic range. In addition, Zaccho provides performances in San Francisco, nationally and internationally as well as an arts education program for the local community.  

Artistic Director Joanna Haigood relocated to San Francisco from New York in 1979 and co-founded Zaccho Dance Theatre in 1980. Zaccho is one of a handful of dance companies in this country focused on site-specific dance. Joanna Haigood's work has been commissioned by leading arts presenters both nationally and internationally. Among them are the National Black Arts Festival, Festival d'Avignon and Festival d'Arles in France, the Exploratorium, Capp Street Project, Dancing in the Streets, the Walker Art Center, Jacob's Pillow, the San Francisco Art Commission, Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, and the McColl Center for Visual Art. Her choreography has also been commissioned by Alonzo King's Lines Contemporary Ballet, Robert Moses' Kin and Axis Dance Company and is in the repertory of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.

Pretty cool huh!??? I love working with her. 

I've done a few work such as "Sail Way!", "negro baseball league", "Dying while black and brown". 

I will be focusing on two shows events with Zaccho dance theater. One will be for Black Choreographer Festival (Feb) and  Zaccho Dance theatre (April). 

The dance will be focusing on "Dying while black and brown". 

Joanna Haigood created a new work inspired by the Equal Justice Society's campaign to restore 14th Amendment protections for victims of discrimination including those on death row. (African American Men on Death row!)

I guess you can see why I want to bring you on this journey with me. Not only this dance had challenge me physically but also mentally and spiritually. Joanna had me in a place where I had to continually questions myself "who am I" in advance level!  

Day 1...(2.10.2014)

I performed this before at UCSF with the same crew/cast. Matthew Wickett, Rashad Pridgen, Travis Rowland. These brothers are one of Bay Area finest dances artist! We're back! I love these, we push each to next level of dance!

Unlike before we had time to develop ...  Who are we, movement, language. Research real life prison, prison guard, gas chair, fight, smell, sounds and everything that come with or down to Death Row. Physical dance, climb, muscle train, team trust , self trust, cues, jumps, rolls and much more to develope for the dance. 

Sometime to be professional it mean get the job done in short amount of time and make it work.

Warmed up, went over ours parts, went over lines. Let go from the top! On top of 8 feet house shaped pole props. Pole house grams! No rope for net for safety. Honestly thanks God they have 2 inches mat! 

We sit be who we are..(Start)..Guys started yelling. I wonder what they are saying but response as they are angry lost prisoner! " hey hey hey, come here, kiss it up! Come come come here! Sucker, hey Hey bob!! Whhaaaaaaaaaa!" Banging on the poles made house frame! It's shake, we jumps ! We rolls. We yelled. We fight. 

20 mins had passed!

I climbing up! They pulled me! Oh no! It's time! What going on, come on I know what's going on!

I'm Charles Rector #721. 

There I saw it, in the room BEHILD the glasses walls. I saw my real life baby sisters and I saw those family watching me. I said my lines , my final statement ..

ANTOINE , WHEN YOU DO THIS SOLO I WANT THE BREATH TO BECOME THE SHAPE, THE MOVEMENT, ALLOW IT ENVOLVE IT. FLOWING. - Joanna Haigood! 

Wait did she say flowing or rowing?? Both is not the same thing but yet fit for the same thing! What do you expect.. I'm Deaf, I have hard time knowing what said but I'm a good guesser. Assuming she said flowing.. Flowing is what I'll do!  Flow like water! It a good thing my birth sign is a water sign. Don't that sound like Mr. Bruce Lee in a way. Ms Haigood remind me of Me Bruce lee's quote. 

"You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend."

Bruce Lee

( Standing Down Stage Center-Solo)

I saw my child , I saw my little girl, I saw the day she was born, how the mother was in tears.. The tears that I could never forget! "Flow with the baby" I told her and she smile with full trust and ok! As I pray flow with our gifts, to flow with love , flow with our miracle, flow with God! 

I stood there on stage allowing the breaths of memories to flow in me. Letting it, the breath take shape to my body without forcing anything.. Such feeling began to pull me deeper into my spirit, the breath goes louder, longer, faster, as it fight to continue to breathe. I began to shake! I'm getting tired! Unstoppable shake, I look up I saw that I didn't not want to stop breathing for my little girl !

I felt all black men standing in the room watching me as their own life is watch through me. Some were tall, strong , old young, gay & str8, skinny , bald, and one said to me " I was only 22, I and my girlfriend made love for the very 1st time and it was in the basement..her uncle and father caught us. Force her to say she was raped. That's I rape a white girl! I was 36 when I die. The only thing kept me going was that I heard I had little girl. Never saw her. Share my story too! Brother!" 

He touched my shoulder! I was breathing then went black I felt such pain in my stomach! I said to that spirit tearfully "..brother, I'm trying, for all of you...thank you.." He let go of me. 

Then I saw Ms Joanna Haigood, in my face rubbing my shoulder asking if I was ok.. " Yeah, what happen is my thought" .. I would say something but I was still crying not only that I was on my knee on the mat! (How did I get there?) dang ! I know what happen.. Wow, the show must go on. My part was done. I was dead. The other 3 dancers continue their story. 

(Dance over)

Me: I'm crying like a bi$&h..

Travis: no, you're crying like a human being!

(Rehearsal over.)

Long day of teaching and lead meeting plus more. Finally in bed. I pray. "...thank you for protecting me and my family from seen and unseen things.. Thank you for the wonderful blessing flowing in my life... Please continue those blessing as I continue to praise you. Bless those spirits that came to me today for their tears flow with my....".(private conversation with God)..."Good night and amen." 

Wow...

May the Spirit of Dance flowing into you!

Wink!

Antoine hunter 

Feb 27, 2014

(Psalm 46:1) 

Thank you for reading

Thank you Oakland North reporting me as Deaf and not deaf..

http://antoinehunter.blogspot.com/2014/01/thank-you-oakland-north-reporting-me-as.html

Thank you Oakland North reporting me as Deaf and not deaf..

I wanna take the time to thanks By James Reddick and Jake Nicol

reporter students from Oakland North..

Oakland North is a news project of UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

These guys in my hometown decided to write about me and interview me about my work and working in my community.

Often time hearing people who interview always label me as deaf and not Deaf. 

Funny how it get. They asked to interview me and fight with me about the report of me as deaf...

These reporter not only took the time to interview me but come to a few of my spaces and watch me work and see me as a Deaf Artist and Deaf teacher. 

... 

Jame email me his final draft: 

Hey Antoine, here's a link to the video, which just went up today. Would love to know what you think. 

Merry Christmas! 

http://bit.ly/1gZZKeO <<- from="" lol="" many="" me-="" me="" note="" omgoodness="" p="" people="" so="" this="" tweet="" with="">

Dear James as I wrote back.. 

It was really good.. If you don't mind edit deaf into Deaf culture .. Even the Chef editor of Dance Mag had to learned that I am Deaf and not deaf.. she was surprised and said learn something new in the forms of writing or naming us .. If u say deaf it mean can't hear  If you're talking about him as a Deaf person you say Deaf .. Yes he is  Deaf African American  You can Google winki define Deaf culture.

(Click the picture to play the video- give it a minute to load)

He was shocked and change all the deaf into Deaf. This is why i put myself out so that people can use me.

Honestly James could had ignored me and deleted the video and interview report. It happen to me before. Other writer would ignored me and if i complain more, they would take it down and my work is not shown to learn to the community. Still today writer find my work amazing but some really fail to listen- Am I the one really deaf or those hearing people being deaf???

Sometime when people interview me they leave out the my hand- which is how I communicate or speak-

If one going to off them off ( my hands) then you must do what add Subtitle or Closed caption ! They did just that!!

I honor them for supporting our Deaf people. So again thank you James and Rick !! for making the report and captioned video!!

If you like to see their page and they wrote please go here and please share!!! 

http://oaklandnorth.net/2013/12/26/dancer-antoine-hunter-engages-deaf-culture-with-art/

Peace love and dancing blessing

- Antoine Hunter

Psalm46:1

Antoine Hunter thanks Honor Nelson Mendela

As Antoine Hunter and As BDA President Hunter- I want to share a story about my experiences..

Many people Do not know but My 1st Black History Report was Nelson Mandela - "What African American Inspired you?" - . We didn't have Google like we have today. I had to go library READ and find out who inspired me. I remember looking at many books. took me two days everyone else took 1 hours. Finally I put many book together adding most recent dictionary book.

His believing " “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." - Mr Mandela - made me who I am today as well.

I believe I forgot that...Fail to realized his words stay with me all these years.. Made me "too nice" or "Too aggressive to protect and bring people together even those who dislike you"

Black white yellow or blue, Deaf, Hearing, blind, disable, able body and the Addams Family are to different to me for we all have a heart and bleed..  Said me - @Antoine Hunter.

During my 1st report on Mr Mandela, I decided to make his home Flag with Mr Mandela picture on it. 8 pages long using old IBM or Apple computer and slow huge long loud Dot matrix printing or impact matrix printer . Have to take off the dot paper from the side and my teacher David McGrath gave me A plus plus..

He is my true Roles model - Someone I look up for many years, in honoring him few years created Solo Called " Music Is my air" using music called "Mannenberg" By (Abdullah Ibrahim)..

Asked in an interview how the title came about, Ibrahim said: "Because Basil was from Manenberg and for us Manenberg was just symbolic of the removal out of District Six, which is actually the removal of everybody from everywhere in the world, and Manenberg specifically because… it signifies, it’s our music, and it’s our culture…"

It was said  For the first time ever, Abdullah Ibrahim, formally known as Dollar Brand, went to Robin Island, where Mandela was imprisoned. All forms of music were banned. A lawyer smuggled one of Abdullah's songs into the control room, blocked the doors and played it over the loud speakers. Mandela's first sound of music in decades. You can watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiQ0uyqySBg

But today is not about Abdullah Ibrahim's work but about Nelson Mandela - who  27 years in prison and led to the dismantling of the country's racist and brutal apartheid system..

Because Oakland, Ca Is my home and many do not know we have many wonderful History.. I deicide to share this video with my Bay Area people and honor him.. I know my Bay Area People agree with me - He inspired us in many ways and he a true peaceful icon!

ENJOY THIS VIDEO - Nelson Mandela In Oakland, CA- June 30, 1990-
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums speak and YES of course ASL interpreter (Sorry I dont know the interpreter name if anyone know I'll be happy to add her name) -

ENJOY THE VIDEO..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtiIkA2oGD4

I still joke about this report - I should had fail know why - He wasnt African American

Important message from Mr President Antoine Hunter

Dear EVERYONE,

This is President of Bay Area BDA Antoine Hunter speaking -

I want to inform you we (Bay Area Black Deaf Advocate Chapter), are having a HUGE TOWNHALL  meeting Nov 9th 2013 in San leandro, Ca at the Deaf Community Center - which is near the San Leandro bart. The address is 1550 San Leandro blvd..There will be a townhall meeting- Down below our Vice president explain why we are having this meeting but 1st I want to inform you that everyone is invited!!! 

Deaf People of color and Deaf White , Hearing people of color and Hearing white, who know sign or no signs, Parent and not parent.. EVERYONE is welcome. We ask all those to come peaceful and bring your people and share the news. 

 Everyone.. This is all positive movement. This is the time to come together, meet and speak. To show each and everyone faces in the community. To find out who truly stand by our people of color, young and old. Who truly seek growth in our Deaf People of color community... many of my friends who are themselves  not the people of color are planning to come and support - they are also Hearing and Deaf. 

The community doesn't need to always come together for just beer, party, funeral, sorrow, riot.. for this is not BET's Award where some fear a fight will break out due to rappers and MVT related... Do not allow TV to label, and lies to you or blind you about people of color.. let go the stereotype and let that chain - break free.. and if you're from the past come support to build a better future for you and others.. Scary, because many people of color in one room?? .. No, but simplifying, us coming to to improve the school system and community.  Most people are scare or afraid of what they don't know.. Come learn and share your knowledge - most war happen because people never take the time to understand each other needs and respect them.

I remember when there were a time where people were scare of the Gay Community in one room.

If you truly wish for such blessing of unlimited abundance in community then we need your support. We need everyone wisdom, thought, energy, motivation, strength and weakness - I say weakness because it keep us humble and always learning, plus growing. 

This meeting is not about complaining- That won't do any good. Everyone will get a chance to be heard. This meeting is about how to we fix the system. Correction. I want to be sure that ALL people of color have our attention. This is not a People of color VS White issue. No, we are educating what all people need, however we want to push to encourage getting all people of color need are met. Youth people of color in the school system of Fremont CSD is becoming more unhappy and their spirit and support is nearly no where to be strongly found. A lot of parents that I've met who are well educated people of color are telling me after the 1st or 2 years of CSD trying - they take their children out and put them in a hearing school or move to other state. That's not fair for anyone,  so that had to change. This will be the start. If more students of color come then the school would be getting more support to grow instead of closing CSD. I don't want to sound dramatic but it sound like our people of color is dying slowing. Support spotted there and little there is the same with living with little water and air there. We want to fix it, and find a method that work so that everyone can breath and live with proud spirit. 

There is a town hall taking place by three organizations; National Black Deaf Advocate, Bay Area Black Deaf Advocate Chapter, and Deaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency. 

I asked myself

If they don't show up doesn't that mean they are not our allies?"
HMM MAYBE THERE IS NO QUESTION....
"We will know who are not our allies if they do not show up." 

(You don't alway need to be present -show full support as getting the words out and supporting- that's how you are being present but even more when you are there. If one sit there and no nothing then sigh - that the kind who are not really with us. Stand with us together united for the bettering our community) 

If have any questions please feel free to contact us anytime!

for Phone appointment please reach Ms Marcelle our Secretory and she will direct you to right person to speak with. All appointment must be made by her - email Secbabda@gmail.com 

Words from our Vice President Samuel Holden 

I have put together a report to fill you in what we discuss at the recently board meeting. This is summary what we discuss and plan of action. I did video and post it on face book. I strongly encourage you all to check face book from time to time with latest information regards to Town Hall meeting.  Here video that was post on face book. 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=215023358670143&set=o.143507112414847&type=2&theater ( can copy and paste it and watch the video) 

-Town Hall Meeting NOV 9th ( 6pm to 9pm)

-
Addressing concerns mainly with CSD and other Deaf school across America. I have came up with plan called '5 Point Plan'  We hoping we can set an example and hoping other will copy. In our town Hall meeting we will be doing  5 point plan agenda,   first we will explain reason why we having this Town Hall meeting, second we will have panel made up with ( former students who went to CSD, and who current students, former Black Deaf teacher who left CSD, we will invite Black employee from CSD,  current Black Deaf Professional who are qualified to be teachers who have applied at CSD and never got interviewed.)  . Third we will be coming up list of demands that we believe will benefit our Black Deaf Students at CSD and put a time table on each demand.  Fourth we will spell out the consequence if these demands are not met. Fifth NBDA's officers will be recording all conversation and demands. They will send the demand letter to CSD and will keep an eye on this closely to ensure action is being made on either side.

-C.E.A.S.D 

I have contacted Dr. Ronald Stern who current & Ed Basso who was past president of C.E.A.S.D. ( Conference of education administrator of Schools & Program for the Deaf)  Purpose I have invited them( 1 of them) to be part of the panel for town hall.  I have asked them to provide some information with our Black Youth for past ten years and that my chapter need this information for Town Hall to ensure we giving out the correct information.  Information we have will show other wise and base on our investigation for past year and half. 

-Legal and Advocate

-We have retain legal counsel to protect our chapter in regards what can be said and what not to be said in town hall. We have develop talking point for our board members to response the same way for now until we have town hall meeting.

-We have also reached out to a NAACP in Sacramento to work with us and they will be sponsoring the town Hall meeting on the 19th. As of tomorrow I have to drop off some papers and it will be done deal. We already found location and secured the spot for this event.

What future plans going forward until Town Hall meeting happens:

-Tonight once video is approve by the board, my VLOG will be posted on our face book and we will be sending it out to many organization.  This video summary why we having Town Hall meeting and what our plan of action etc. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=215023358670143&set=o.143507112414847&type=2&theater 

-Going forward each day board member will host VLOG sharing their experience going to CSDF with no black deaf teacher or black teacher as role model.  We hope other will post their experience as well too.  Here first VLOG, and there will be more coming tomorrow from other board members.

-We will work with, I Deaf News,  California Association of the Deaf, NorCal, Deaf and Hard of hearing Service, and few hearing mainstream school to get words out so community can come and watch the Town Hall meeting

-We will like to invite NBDA board to come to this event or perhaps send at the least Vice President or President to record this town Hall meeting and to help hold every one accountable.  We hoping this can be worked out where we can show Unity to the community. 

If have any questions please feel free to contact us anytime!

for Phone appointment please reach Ms Marcelle our Secretory and she will direct you to right person to speak with. All appointment must be made by her - email Secbabda@gmail.com 

Please share...

--

Thank you 

Mr. Antoine Hunter (PzBABDA@gmail.com) 

President

Bay Area Black Deaf Advocates

Office Video Phone # (510)-575-9711 - please share 

Please Join our facebook

Facebook/BAY AREA! BDA (Black Deaf Advocates) 

Click here to join our BABDA Facebook! 

Antoine Hunter With Holly Shaw - Flamenco Portal !!

Hello Folk - This concert is going to be really exciting because I am doing something new with a wonderful spirit Holly Shaw. The work is very special because it a true communication forms in this dance. I've found myself really open and able to be me. Such blessing to commicate to learn about myself in so many level. A Urban (me) to Flamenco dance that I've never done before. Very smoking HOT in gentle ways! this dance is not to be missed please read below what Ms Holly Shaw had to say and share.   Flamenco Portal  a performance of transformative works by Holly Shaw   What is on the other side of "Effort"? When we allow ourselves to flow and play in the creative sandbox that we've each made out of our lives? What if style, genre, the forms we study, are just arbitrary choices - serving as the doorway, the portal, through which we can step into expansion of our highest selves? This Thursday!!  September 19th 7:30pm  (doors at 7) Berkeley Rose Labyrinth 2138 Cedar Street Berkeley, 94709   Tickets $10-$20  With Dancers: Antoine Hunter Rebecca Siegel Anya de Marie   And Live-Musicians: Laura Inserra  Dara Roberts Esteban Bello   Program includes a re-mounting of Holly's  Solea por Bulerias with Cane  and her contemporary piece,  Effort and the Triumph of Being,  as well as new pieces such as  Heavenly Creatures, a pas de deux with Antoine Hunter to Bizet's Carmen. You'll also get a work-in progress sneak preview of her work  that's being commissioned by West Wave Dance Festival The Outlaw with dancers Rebecca Siegel and Anya de Marie Gracing the evening with their live-music compositions will be multi-instrumentalist, Laura Inserra, vocalist, Dara Roberts, and flamenco guitarist, Esteban Bello providing accompaniment as well as original musical solos.   BUY TICKETS

Holly Shaw is a professional dancer, choreographer, and creativity coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area for over a decade. While principally a flamenco dancer she has also studied contemporary modern dance, as well as other ethnic dances, and those techniques and sensibilities tend to weave themselves into her work as choreographer and coach. For the last several years, Shaw has performed as a soloist with the internationally renowned company, Caminos Flamencos, worked as a freelance choreographer, and also produced the Eve's Elixir Project, a platform for artists of contemporary world dance wanting to bring new ideas to traditional dance forms, producing several shows in the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently coaches artists of all types, teaches dance composition workshops, performs, and produces The Sunday Salon, a quarterly performing arts showcase. Her latest work, The Outlaw, has been commissioned by the West Wave Dance Festival, to be premiered October 5th, 2013 at ODC. To find out more about how you can become a thriving artist, please visit  www.movingtowardsyourdesires.com

DCARA Literacy Camp 2013: Movement Workshop with Antoine Hunter

You have to check out their blog

DCARA Literacy Camp 2013: Movement Workshop with Antoine Hunter: Antoine Hunter, a local dancer, joined us today and facilitated an energetic movement workshop.  We learned about various ways to move our b...

Movement Workshop with Antoine Hunter

Antoine Hunter, a local dancer, joined us today and facilitated an energetic movement workshop.  We learned about various ways to move our bodies and how we can create a story using movement.

The video shows our process and at the end you will see our movement story "Freeing the Bird."