In Getting Around, Artistic Director Baba Eli Hoenai has woven together African drumming with poetry and narrative by JOT writers to create a journey that illustrates the impact of transportation on our daily lives and on our city.  This performance will explore the topic from various perspectives including: navigating Chicago’s traffic; barriers to mobility and access; safety; and the importance of, and frustrations with, public transportation.  Getting Around will be a thought-provoking performance about how the individual transportation experiences of JOT writers connect to, and are reflections of, broader issues such as the environment, economy, public policies, and culture.

Participating writers include: Sharon Warner (Hall Branch Library), Jeanette A. Jordan (King Branch Library), Margo Coulter (King Branch Library), Radmila Lunic (Bezazian Branch Library), Phillis Humphries (Hall Branch Library), Teresa Jones (King Branch Library), Donna Pecore (Albany Park Community Center), Donna Kiser (facilitator at Albany Park Community Center and St. Leonard’s House), Ranis Thomas III (Humboldt Park), Arthur E. Holland, Sr. (King Branch Library), Glenn Ford (Hall Branch Library), Jeanette Moton (Hall Branch Library), Sandra Gildersleeve-Freeman (Hall Branch Library), Yvetta Logan (Hall Branch Library), Johnny Connor (St. Leonard’s House), and Mayi Ojisua (Bezazian Branch Library).

Baba Eli Hoenai  is a founding member of MUNTU Dance Theater and is the former musical director of ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Inc. He has traveled worldwide and performed in jazz festivals in Germany, France, the West Indies, the Caribbean Islands, Lagos Nigeria, and the Second World African Arts Festival. Baba Eli has been Artist in Residence in Chicago Public Schools and is the founder of Prana Afro-Jazz Ensemble and the “Shake Awake, Sekere” Society. Baba Eli is working with the Watotoes (children) at La Rabida Children’s Hospital and Research Center as a musical therapist.

Recorded Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Roosevelt University-Ganz Hall.