This m.a.m.a. earth project began in 2007. The intention was simple: make a change for the better by using the power of art, music and nature and encourage others to do something good. We invited the artists, performers, teachers and community activists we knew to come together and help support the work of charities we loved.
In the last 7 years, we have learned how to recognize moments of inspiration and how to turn creative ideas into realities. m.a.m.a. earth not only continues to support charities that do things like bringing clean water and solar light to rural villages, but has also grown to provide our own community programs in South Los Angeles and Orange County. With followers in more than 40 countries and chapters of m.a.m.a. earth blooming in many parts of the world, we look forward to refining our vision and inspiring others to serve their own communities.
Here’s a glance at all the things the m.a.m.a. earth family accomplished in 2014.
art.
June 21st and 22nd marked m.a.m.a. earth’s 2nd Annual ONE PEACE Charity Art Show at the historic Bergamot Arts Station in Santa Monica. Thank you to Andrew Weiss Gallery for opening their doors for our afternoon exhibit. Photography by Coleman, paintings by Marley Van Peebles, digital collage from Ronda Brown, mixed media from Shah Wonders, incredible portraits by Ben Ferrer, installations by Adia Millett, drawings by Yu Maeda…this show blew our minds as we watched it come to life.
HIT+RUN came through again with their live-screenprinting experience where everyone can create original and custom-made works of art on tshirts and bags. Del Monte Speakeasy in Venice supplied deliciously hand-crafted punchbowls and everyone had a chance to create art with an interactive project, “Coloring Mandalas,” curated by Valerie Zaks. The weekend included performances from Kenton Chen, Nia Andrews, Godfrey at Large, The Concentr8s and members of L’esprit d’Afrique.
The show honored ancestors Bernadette Bayot, beloved mother, wife, singer and artist and also Armando Peraza, the legendary Cuban percussionist, with original paintings and sacred altar installations by Ronda Brown. When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes within us.
Thank you to all of our sponsors including LSTN Headphones, The Urban Oven, India Chow Truck, Del Monte Speakeasy, Sustainable Kids and Modern Multiples. Your generosity and commitment to social responsibility helps us to pay our work forward, locally and globally.
music.
In February, 2014, m.a.m.a. earth had the honor of being one of the sponsors of Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. The festival is highly publicized in local and international media for its awe-inspiring landscape, eco-cultural program and its pro-active stance in promoting the best things about the country and its culture. Malasimbo is focused on the environment through reforestation, marine protection, indigenous people, and also working on the protection of the native animals that are heading for extinction (i.e. the Tamaraw Bull). At Malasimbo, m.a.m.a. earth was able to connect with the Liter of Light project who installs Solar Panels in indigenous people’s villages around the world.
Sponsoring Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival 2014 and making the journey to the Philippines would not have been possible without the generous support of The Story Company. Their film credits include Ride Along, Think Like a Man and Barbershop. The festival featured artists like The Robert Glasper Experiment, Roy Ayers, Osunlade, Mark deClive-Lowe and Jordan Rakei. We were also able to support m.a.m.a. earth’s Philippines chapter in collecting clothing, toys and non-perishable food for those in need. We look forward to supporting Malasimbo 2015 as the festival celebrates its 5th anniversary and continues to grow.
nature.
We are grateful for another beautiful weekend spent in May at the White Lotus, the world-renowned yoga center in the canyons of Santa Barbara. Each year, we host an incredible group of people in taking a respite from the city to create community and spend time in nature. This was the 7th year we have returned and this time, along with yoga classes with Andrea Miller, bodywork by Kyona Beatty and music by Carlos Nino, we had the pleasure of featuring astrological readings by Sonja Marie and acro-yoga by Andrew Sealy. It’s safe to say every person in the group had an experience of flying in some way, shape or form over the 3 days we spent together. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for updates on upcoming retreats.
each one, teach one.
ALL-AGES ENRICHMENT CLASSES: m.a.m.a. earth is proud to have presented another year of classes at Center for Living Peace in Irvine. The center was founded on the belief that “good happens”- that one kind act can inspire a multitude of good deeds. The Center for Living Peace provides a place where children, families and adults of all ages can connect to self, others and the world and feel inspired to make a difference.We are so honored to continue to be an affiliate of this non-profit community hub near University of California Irvine, alongside the likes of Pacific Symphony, The Ecology Center and Girl Scouts. This year, we presented classes to inspire creativity and vision with classes about astrology, crystal healing, metal work, and DIY Kids Remedies. Thank you to the gifted and lovely roster of teachers that have contributed their time and energy.
ALTER AFTER-SCHOOL ARTS & MUSIC PROGRAM: m.a.m.a. earth’s is humbled to help present the 2014/15 after- school arts and writing program, ALTER, created by Lead Art Teacher of Crenshaw High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Magnet, Ronda Brown. Students at Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles are learning about writing, recording, producing and media arts. The writing portion of this year’s ALTER program is centered around developing students into artists of expression who are learning new tools and techniques based on Hip Hop fundamentals. The group is exploring the power of the written, spoken and recorded word and its relationship with music, history and culture while they create on paper and in the studio. Students are writing and discussing their lives through the lens of Hip Hop, and recording original music with the help of professional producers and performing artists. ALTER students have access to a full media lab, studio and vocal booths previously donated by production company 1500ornothin and rapper Snoop Dogg.
On behalf of our entire global team, we offer our deepest gratitude to all of you who took time to follow us on social media, make a donation to one of our fundraisers or bought a ticket to one of our events, the teachers who share their time and talent, the incredible venues that open their doors to us and all of the people around the world who are somehow touched by what we do, in ways big and small.
Find us at @4mamaearth
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