Onyi Love performance during Liberation: A Festival of Arts & Culture Honoring Juneteenth
Hosted by Southern California Grant Makers
Onyi Love’s concert during “Liberation - A Festival of Arts and Culture Celebrating Juneteenth”
As more institutions begin recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday, it is important to uplift and name the Black joy, resistance, and expression that have always been at the core of this jubilant celebration. From June 7 to 19, 2021 Southern California Grantmakers invites members and the community to a two-week journey highlighting ten Los Angeles-based Black musicians, cultural workers, and dancers.
Day Six: ONYI LOVE ONYI invites you to surrender to the vibration of sound: the sound of prayer… the sound of song... the sound of healing and remembering. These sounds are experienced and have an effect on many levels and other senses.
ONYI opens with a prayer to the Ancestors and continues with pieces from her album Songs of Soothing (“Bara Suwa Yo - A Song for Eṣu” and “For the Love of Ogun”). She closes with sweet reminders to your spirit over her additional meditative composition.
Eṣu (Esu/Exu) is the Divine Messenger and owner of the crossroads. He opens and closes the roads, and deals with choices and change.
Ogun is a warrior and protector. He reminds us of our connection to Earth and each other. He clears the path and helps us achieve breakthroughs.
May the road to liberation be opened wide and cleared completely. May we remember our freedom.
Across all of the music during the piece, the musicians are:
Lazaro Galarraga - Bata
Bobby Wilmore - Bata
JP Maramba - Upright Bass
Greg Allison - Violin, Viola
Simon Carroll - Snare Drum
Bobby Easton - Steel Pan
ONYI LOVE: Vocals, Piano, Vibraphone, Congas, Shekere, Singing Bowls, Bells, Shakers, Sticks, Agogo, Surdo, Block