Happy Holidays & Reminder of 12/27 online show!

Greetings, everyone!
Happy Holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and especially Winter Solstice. Shout out also to atheists, agnostics, and pagans!
I’ve been really appreciating the holiday greetings I’ve seen here on Facebook.
Yesterday I had a pleasant and productive Christmas Eve. I spent a couple of hours practicing for my upcoming livestream-only gig this coming Wednesday the 27th, at 7pm EST. Here’s the link to watch it:
https://youtube.com/live/1FrZCGHTs28?feature=share
And I spent a couple of hours on Zoom with a dear friend – a totally impromptu chatfest that we both really enjoyed. I was so grateful to have friendship during the holiday.
Back to the gig: Thursday the 14th I went to Todaro’s music to have some work done on my guitar. I needed the battery of the pickup replaced, and I needed it restrung. I know how to change my strings, but somewhere over the years I misplaced my wirecutters. Joe (Todaro) did both for an affordable price and he’s so close I was able to Uber there affordably as well.
The guage of my strings are different for the first time ever. I’ve always used medium – I like the deep, rich sound of the strings. He suggested I try one notch lower/thinner and said that in exchange for easier action (easier to play), I would lose a little bit of the richness of the sound.
When I practiced I didn’t notice a significant change in sound. I did notice it was easier to play compared to when I performed at the Black Women’s Arts Festival in September.
I practiced 16 songs yesterday. I thought I would practice again today but that hasn’t happened yet. I think I’m just enjoying a relaxing holiday.
An affirmation came to me yesterday, “I am ready to move.” It’s a good-feeling affirmation and will assist me on the journey of reaching my housing goals. It’s been very slow moving so far. But I have faith that things will be moving along in the coming months. Progress, not perfection!
Happy holidays again, and may yours be warm, safe and fun as can be – may you maximize all the love in your life, be in friendship, family, or the various forms of companionship that can occur. I appreciate your reading and being here!

Cassendre

Cassendre Xavier live at ElectricLatteLand livestream 12/27/23

Howdy, folks! My next musical performance is on Wed. 12/27 online only at 7pm EST. Event details below, and see my comments for related links.

Styx Latte has a stunning home studio called ElectricLattéLand,
in West Philly. He has bands and solo acts come, perform in front of
green screens and video cameras, and he streams the performances to
the YouTube channel of renowned community arts venue The Rotunda. The Rotunda gets to offer a virtual performance to audiences near and far while they build a catalogue of cool YouTube videos, and artists get a recorded performance that looks and sounds great and will remain archived online for as long as we wish.
Here’s my artist bio:
Cassendre Xavier (aka Amethyste Rah) (she/her) is a self-described “multi-media healing artist” based in Philadelphia. She is a singer-songwriter described as “a cross between Tracy Chapman, Sade & Enya” (Steven M. Wilson, Borders Music), and has released several albums of music and guided meditations. As an award-winning  ($15,000 Leeway Transformation Award) community cultural arts organizer, she is founder of the Black Women’s Arts Festival and the Women’s Writing & Spoken Word Series. She also founded Sisters Healing Together (peer support for women sexual abuse survivors with eating disorders), and has written poetry, humor, and spiritual/inspirational articles for several publications including We’Moon Calendar and Wisdom Magazine. Cassendre has also presented workshops for various groups including the Mt. Airy Learning Tree, Loving More polyamorous organization, and University of Pennsylvania Law School, and is a member of the LGBTQIA+ and polyamorous communities. 
 Cassendre’s motivation is to inspire, inform, and entertain, and believes that authentic self-expression  and self-care can be a pathway to joy and community building, empowerment, and liberation. Cassendre’s recordings are available at Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, and many other places where recordings are sold.

Direct link to the livestream:
https://youtube.com/live/1FrZCGHTs28?feature=share

Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/NwF7Y1d1

12/10/23 Blog post

Sharing some wonderful things in my day today, for which I am very grateful. I had brunch with my only sister and brother, for the first time ever without their children. (We were able to do some grown folks talking.)
My brother is a producer/musician, my sister a choreographer/dance scholar and I’m a musician/writer. It’s essential to spend time with family and other artists.
We needed and were strengthened by the get-together.
When I told them about my fears of potentially becoming street homeless again, my brother reassured me that if I ever needed to, I could stay with him. That was a big relief to me, although I’m aimin’ not to need to do that. It does make a big difference to know that, though.
And when he drove me home I told him that one of my greatest assets is my audience, with whom I am sharing my journey, hopefully inspiring other folks who are creative and facing major life challenges. I said, “Is someone still an artist if they aren’t practicing their craft?” My brother answered, “Yes, you’re still an artist.” Again with the reassurance this guy!
My brother stressed the importance of asking God for what we want. “If you want $50,000 why ask for only $10,000? God is saying, ‘Do you think I can’t give you $50,000?'”
I talked about how I really want to live with someone again (just a different situation). I asked my brother if he thought it would be ok for me to share that publicly. He said yes, and especially since I want to get the word out. That was helpful.
We also talked about how we both have money waiting in unreleased and unrecorded songs, and how it would be good to get back into the studio. (My brother engineered or co-produced several albums of mine.)
I am very grateful for today!

12/9/23 Blog post

If you’re a late bloomer or you have depression or other special needs, it can be very hard to get things done in a regular pace. But people are willing to work with you.
I have a gig on the 27th (details forthcoming) and last week I was asked to submit a hi-res photo, a bio, and paypal/venmo-type info to serve as a tip jar during the event, which will be livestreamed. I wasn’t able to make the first deadline, nor my second one. But today was the third and I completed it and feel great! I needed to create a Venmo account (I already have a Paypal and CashApp), and my phone or tablet didn’t let me start a Zelle account for some reason. But I made so much progress. And I’m so happy that I was able to easily find a high res headshot my brother took back in 2019, and a bio I used for another gig a couple of years ago.
I like to read journals of gigging people. They inspire me in various ways. But I think it can also be useful to write about having more challenges than most.
I lost my callouses back in 2015, from lack of guitar playing. I haven’t gigged regularly in years. I am now getting back into playing, which is harder without my callouses.
I’m different now. I’m not in my 20s or even my 30s anymore — I’m in my 50s, and I have mental health issues that make it hard to get basic things done, let alone follow my art and practice my craft.
I’m super grateful that I’ve been able to work with others to produce various events every now and then. But who am I now as a singer? I’m learning about that now.
I also wanted to talk about suicide and suicidal ideation. I saw a black man on YouTube talking about how there are increasing numbers of men committing suicide. This is because men are socialized to not talk about their feelings or struggles.
I’ve had suicidal ideations my entire life, from a combination of child abuse and bipolar disorder. I strongly support posts about depression and how to get through the day. One of my FB friends posted one today. It was detailed, long, and very helpful.
Various things have helped me over the years, even those based in fear. For instance, a fear of hell kept me alive during my teen years and early 20s – because I was reared fundamentalist christian. (Ironically, my pagan and New Age thoughts did nothing to frighten me from suicide – I had to seek other motivations.)
I have a pact with a dear friend to call him if I ever get to serious contemplation. I have three counselors whom I session with twice a week. I have a psychiatrist who cares about me and believes I have the potential to thrive.
I had a thought about the suicide hotlines: They are not just for when you’re very close to ending your life. Those counselors are there to help you talk through your emotions and help you reframe your life circumstances. So, if you’re ever needing some help, do take advantage of them. Don’t wait until the situation worsens. You don’t have to suffer in your suicidal thoughts alone.
I’ve written twice this week about sleeplessness. I’m going through a spiritual growth spurt and sometimes this happens. Many peopld responded so in sharing I feel I’m reaching out to support you all. One of my counselors mentioned “sleep hygiene”. I’ll look into that one of these days. But so far what I’ve been doing is cutting out the nappage (napping/nappery). Also, I stay focused on positive, good-feeling thoughts. It’s the troubles that have been keeping me awake.
I am grateful for all of you who read my writings, and I wish you all peaceful thoughts, pleasant feelings, and abundant, restorative sleep!

Black Women’s Arts Festival this weekend!

Well, it’s happening, folks – the 17th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival, tomorrow, Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th, at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St, Phila PA 19104 from 1pm-7pm, FREE and open to the public! I hope you’ll be able to join us. 
We’ll be in person for the first time since the pandemic, and we have 8 vendors confirmed.
It was definitely challenging for me to organize it this year, without volunteers (hopefully it’ll be better next year), but my dear friend Tom and the venue director Gina were extremely helpful.

Here’s the weekend schedule:

SATURDAY

1:00 Welcome by Cassendre

1:10 – CX introduces Nikki Powerhouse

1;15 – 1:50 Nikki Powerhouse (speaker, performer, may play a CD)

1:55 Cassendre introduces next act

 2:00-2:30 Kind Essence

2:35-2:55 Play a YouTube

2:55 CX introduces next act

3:00 – 3:30 Tamara Xavier (dance; will play a CD)

3:30 CX introduces next act

3:35 – 4:10 Rhetta Morgan (speaker, singer, may play a CD)

4:15  – 4:45 Jaye McNeil

4:45 Possible intermission

4:55 CX  introduces next act

5:00 – 6:00 O

6:00 CX introduces next act

6:00 – 7:00 All People’s Open Mic (CX will sing and play guitar)

SUNDAY

1:00 Welcome

1:10 CX Introduces next act

1:15 – 1:35 Sincere Melody (Shawn Fulton) (spoken word)

1:35 CX Introduces next act

1:40 – 2:20 Badd Gurlz Inq (They’ll bring a CD)

2:25 CX introduces next act

2:30 – 3:15 Stages: Web Series (film followed by Q&A)

3:15 CX introduces next act

3:20  -3:40 M. Tonita Austin (poet)

3:40 CX introduces next act

3:45 – 4:00 Erika Richards (speaker)

4:00 CX Introduces next act

4:00 – 4:20 Aziza (spoken word)

4:20 – CX introduces next act

4:25 – 4:50 Asha Mollock (film)

4:55 CX introduces the next act

5:00 – 6:00 Ghettosongbird (music & film)

6:00 CX introduces All People’s Open Mic (CX will be singing with guitar)

Thank you for your continued support of my art/work, and therefore, life.

Cassendre

renaissance negresse museletter “S/He Speaks” Ediccione

by Cassendre Xavier

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A) WHO IS THE RENAISSANCE NEGRESSE?
B) GREETING & FEELINGS
1) CALL: NEW PROTEST SONGS (FROM COSACOSA)
2) BOOK RELEASE: SH/E SPEAKS: VOICES OF WOMEN & TRANS FOLX
3) CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: THE BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL
4) HOUSING CONCERNS
5) FUNDRAISING NEEDS & LINKS
Z) FAREWELL FOR NOW

CONTENTS OF TABLE

A) WHO IS THE RENAISSANCE NEGRESSE?
Haitian/Chinese-American multi-media healing artist Cassendre Xavier coined the term *”renaissance negresse” in 2002. A musician, writer, fine artist, and actress, Cassendre (who also works under the names Amethyste Rah and Amrita Waterfalls, and who also became an ordained Interfaith Minister in September 2010) says the term describes a black woman who is skilled or gifted in 3 or more arts. Xavier is a recipient of a $15,000 Leeway Transformation Award which “supports women and trans artists creating art and social change”. Cassendre founded and directed several Philadelphia arts initiatives including The Women’s Writing & Spoken Word Series (Est. 2002) and The Black Women’s Arts Festival (Est. 2003). She also teaches classes, and leads or co-leads workshops and support groups related to creativity, personal growth, recovery (from abuse and addictions), relationships, and yoga. She is originally from Brooklyn, NY and has been living creatively and joyfully in Philadelphia since 1990. [*”Negresse, Negre: In the French- and Spanish-speaking Caribbean Islands, these words often have a connotation of affection, entirely non-racial in meaning. `Ma petite negresse, mon negre, are equivalent to `My dear, my darling, my sweet.’” [From Masters of the Dew, a contemporary classic novel by the Haitian author Jacques Roumain, translated by Langston Hughes and Mercer Cook.]

B) GREETING & FEELINGS
I feel much different now writing this museletter than I did years ago. Over the years and having lived through a pandemic, I’m much lower in energy, hope, and joy. But I still have some so I persist.
Mental healthwise, I have an update. Since the 1990s, I have talked about my bipolar 2 and PTSD diagnoses and struggles. A few years ago I received a different diagnosis and due to feared stigma I haven’t shared it. I will now, for the same reason I was out about the others – to help others who have the same diagnosis – for them to feel less alone. I now have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type (and I still have PTSD -posttraumatic stress disorder). I have little understanding or familiarity with my condition, but I am learning. I’m a little annoyed because after three decades of bipolar treatment and education, I had finally achieved a fair bit of understanding. Now I have to start over from scratch. I hope my sharing this helps someone.
In other news about my mental health, this week I said good-bye to my excellent therapist of five years (she left to start her own practice). I am waiting weeks for my healthcare center to hire my therapist’s replacement. I hope I am a good fit with the next one. If not, then I have to try another. I rely heavily on therapy – I had two sessions a week – so I’m looking forward to continuing.

1) CALL: NEW PROTEST SONGS (FROM COSACOSA)
Some time ago, I was invited, proud, and honored to be one of 8 local artists of color to create a compilation albuum of protest songs. I did it and it was a wonderful experience. More about the project:

Call, an album of 14 new protest songs, combines the narrative power of 8 Philadelphia songwriters of color with the artistry of over 30 area singers and musicians. Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the album is a project of COSACOSA art at large, Inc.

Call explores issues from police brutality to mental health, from bodily autonomy to housing insecurity, from the school-to-prison pipeline to the power of Black culture. Individual tracks are written from varied perspectives and in diverse musical genres, including neo soul, jazz, R&B, folk, and gospel.

Participating songwriters include Jay Fluellen, Keisha Hutchins, Homer Jackson, Namarah, Victor Rodriguez, Jr., Venissa Santi, James Solomon, and Cassendre Xavier. The album was recorded and produced by Anthony Tidd of TidbiT SonoS, Homer Jackson of Philadelphia Jazz Project, and Chris Ploss of Sunwood Recording. Album cover art is by Shae Payne

CX: I contributed two songs: “Let’s Be Authentic” and “I Am Here”.
You can listen to the album here (it also includes a link to listen on YouTube):  http://cosacosa.org/Call.html

2) BOOK RELEASE: SH/E SPEAKS: VOICES OF WOMEN & TRANS FOLX
At the Black Women’s Arts Festival last year while daydreaming I had an idea for another event to produce at The Rotunda (which has hosted BWAF since its inception in 2003). I realized I had a strong curiosity to hear women’s and trans writing. I thought of the title and invited a dear friend to co-edit a corresponding book with me, that would be published by Moonstone Press.  After putting out a call for submissions and working on the book, we completed the project and will be doing the book release on Sat. June 3rd at 1pm at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St, Philadelphia. The event will be free and open to the public and feature 5 of the 51 contributors. An open reading will follow. Hope to see you there, and yes “trans” includes nonbinary.

3) CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: THE BLACK WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL
The 17th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival will happen in person for the first time since the pandemic, on Sat-Sun September 16-17 at The Rotunda (see above). Musicians, writers, filmmakers, poets, fine artists, and more, plus vendors, are welcome to inquire at cxwriting(at)gmail.com. Participating artists will receive a stipend.

4) HOUSING CONCERNS
And now for what I’ve been dreading sharing for a couple of years now! I am sharing this because I’m stuck and don’t knowo how to solve this problem. When it comes to creativity, I am very strong and able. When it comes to keeping a roof over my head – not so much.
I am very fortunate to have met someone and after 8 months of dating moved in with him. The problem is he lives with his adult daughter who strongly disproves of my presence. The good news is my friend-who became platonic as soon as I moved in, and I get along really well and live well together. He also said to me once, “As long as I have a place to live, you have a place to live,” which was the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.
More good news is that this arrangement has lasted 6 years. The time has come for me to move elsewhere, but I don’t know how to do that. I haven’t worked since 2015 (I think), so I don’t have the income that it takes to move. Even if I raised funds to move in someplace, I wouldn’t qualify because I have no regular income.
I’ve applied and been rejected for disability and have been slow to reapply. I’ve applied for one job (home health aid) but that was months ago, so I’m super slow with job applications, too.
I’m pretty good at manifesting housing, but I feel differently – I don’t know how to go about it.
How I manifested the situation I’m in now is that I put out a prayer and psychic call, “Let me be a blessing.” And I think I was and am. Now I watch endless YouTube videos of little cats and dogs getting rescued and being found “forever homes”. I want a forever home 🙂
I’m looking for someone who has space in their heart AND their home for me. In the past I’ve kept my romantic life semi-private, but now I may need to share more than before.
In my heart of hearts my dream is to be gainfully employed and rent a room in a cooperative and functional, friendly household. But a nice second is to meet someone who happens to have space and willingness to share that space with me. Do you know anyone? Could it be  you? 🙂
I’m polyamorous and am best matched with a mature (over 40) intellegent, white cis-gendered man preferably with a beard 🙂
Speaking of beard, mine is still going strong. I’m being “authentic”!
So, where I live is somewhat precarious. If something happened to my friend, his daughter would immediately kick me out. So, I’m trying to leave before that happens.

5) FUNDRAISING NEEDS & LINKS
Every once in a while I receive donations to my GoFundMe page. With those funds I buy public transportation rides, Uber rides, and things that my food stamps won’t’ pay for. I really appreciate your donations and they really help me get by being that I have no employment.
My GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/CXYear50
I also receive funds at Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/CXInspiration

Z) FAREWELL FOR NOW
Thank you for listening to my sharing, and for caring if you do. If you are one of my supportive patrons, I thank you very much. If you aren’t (yet? 🙂 I wish you well also.

Thank you for your ongoing support of my art and therfore life,

In art and community (and HOPE!),

Cassendre
http://casssendrexavier.wordpress.com

Call for Submissions: S/He Speaks – Women’s & Trans Anthology & Event

Call for Submissions

From the people who bring you the annual Black Women’s Arts Festival comes an exciting joint anthology (in collaboration with Moonstone Press) and literary event in June 2023 (at The Rotunda, University of Pennsylvania campus).

S/He Speaks: Voices of Women and Trans Folx is seeking contributions of writing from life experience. Topics could include:

•  Family (of origin/choice, parenting, etc.)
•  Self-Actualization (personal growth, transitioning, etc.)
• Career & Education
• Health Matters (self-care, illness, etc.)
• Love & Romance (dating, finding/maintaining relationships)
• And more (your choice as a writer)…

Contributors to the anthology have the option of appearing/reading at the event in June, and event presenters have the option of being or not being in the anthology chapbook. Submissions are to be 500 – 1,000 words max, plus a bio of 45 words max.

Submit to two email addresses: cxwriting [at] gmail [dot] com and doebare [at] AOL [dot] com.

Deadline: March 15, 2023. (Event at The Rotunda is Saturday June 3, 2023)

Please indicate clearly if your submission includes a desire to participate in the Rotunda event.

About the editors:

Cassendre Xavier (she/her) is a Leeway Transformation Award-winning community cultural multi-media artist and event organizer. Her multi-genre writing has been published nationally in various anthologies and periodicals. She is founder and director of Philadelphia’s Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (now in its 16th year) as well as the Women’s Writing & Spoken Word Series. Cassendre is mostly known as a singer-songwriter-guitarist and recording artist.

T. F. Daubert (he/him) is a non-binary semi-retired freelance writer and political activist/strategist who served as a press secretary in two presidential campaigns and was a leading strategist on cannabis policy reform issues.  He now indulges his lifelong hobby of painting, and is preparing to launch an Etsy store offering products that feature his erotic art.

Final Schedule and link for Black Women’s Arts Festival 2022

The 16th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival is this weekend, September 17 – 18, from 1pm – 7pm both days! You can watch the livestream at our long-time venue The Rotunda’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/therotundaphilly

Here is the schedule:

SATURDAY 1pm – 7pm

1:00 – 1:10 Introduction of event and next act
1:10 – 1:55 Tamara L. Xavier (movement/lecture)
1:55 – Introduce Kai
2:00 – 2:30 Kai Moon Oceans (inspirational talk)
2:30 – 2:50 – Glynnis Reed (fine art/poetry)
2:55 – Introduce O
3:00 – 3:45 – O (performance art)
3:45 – 4:35 – Badd Gurlz Inq. (music)
4:35 – Introduce Stephanie Durann
4:40 – 5:00 – Stephanie Durann (poetry)
5:00 – 5:15 – Cassendre Xavier (music)
5:20 – 6:10 – Erika Richards (illustrator/PowerPoint presentation)
6:10 – 6:30 – In Memoriam: Monette Sudler; Niama Williams
6:30 – 6:55 – Sincere Melody (spoken word) tentative
6:55 – 7:00 – Closing comments

SUNDAY 1pm – 7pm

1:00 – 1:10 – Introduction to the event and the next act
1:10 – 1:30 – Sincere Melody (spoken word)
1:30 – 1:45 – Angel Hogan (poetry)
1:47 – Introduce Tamara L. Xavier
1:50 – 2:25 – Tamara L. Xavier (movement/lecture)
2:27 – Introduce Kai Moon Oceans
2:30 – 3:10 – Kai Moon Oceans (inspirational talk)
3:10 – Introduce Asha Mollock
3:15 – 3:45 – Asha Mullock (filmmaker)
3:45 – Introduce Nikki Powerhouse
3:50 – 4:10 – Nikki Powerhouse (author/performer)
4:15 – 4:35 – Cassendre Xavier (music)
4:35 – Introduce Erika Richards
4:40 – 5:25 – Erika Richards (fine artist/PowerPoint presentation)
5:25 – Introduce Glynnis Reed
5:30 – 5:50 – Glynnis Reed (fine art/poetry)
5:50 – 6:05 – Keisha Oliver (artist/writer)
6:05 – Introduce Ghettosongbird
6:10 – 6:55 – Ghettosongbird
6:55 – Closing Comments

Hope you’ll join us!

Festival Flyer (Black Women’s Arts Festival 2022)

The SIXTEENTH Annual
Black Women’s Arts Festival

Streaming LIVE at YouTube.com/TheRotundaPhilly

Saturday – Sunday  September 17 – 18, 2022
 
  1pm – 7pm both days
 
Featuring…
 
Stephanie Durann (Poetry) | Ghettosongbird (Music) | Angel Hogan (Poetry) | Asha Mollock (Film) | O (Performance Art)| Kai Moon Oceans (Speaker) | Nikki Powerhouse (Author) | Glynnis Reed (Fine Art/Poetry) | Erika Richards (Illustrator) | Cassendre Xavier (Music/Host/Founder) | Tamara L. Xavier (Choreographer/Speaker) | More TBA

Inquiries/Submissions/Contact: BWAFphilly@gmail.com

Social Media: FB & Twitter: @BWAFphilly

Visit www.facebook.com/BWAFfanpage for festival and community news & updates!

Sponsored by www.TheRotunda.org

Black Women’s Arts Festival, Sept. 17-18, 2022

Announcing the 16th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival – an annual showcase of multi-media arts by women of African heritage! Virtual/live streamed on Zoom and viewable and archived on The Rotunda’s YouTube channel on Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18, 2022 from 1pm-7pm. Featuring Stephanie Durann (poet), Ghettosongbird (musician), Angel Hogan (poet), Asha Mollock (filmmaker),O (performance artist), Kai Moon Oceans (speaker), Glynnis Reed (fine artist/poet), Erika Richards (illustrator), Monica Robinson (artist), Cassendre Xavier (musician/host/founder), Tamara L. Xavier (choreographer/speaker), and more TBA. We welcome more (small stipend offered), so if you’re interested, and you can livestream from your location, please email us at cxwriting (at)gmail.com!