This weekend is jam packed for me. Not only am I sewing up a storm for my fashion line, I’m also hosting a film screening and book launch. The event has been featured in the Gleaner online (I feel like an official Jamaican artist now) Lol. I told my grandpa and he was like “I’m a celebrity”. Lol. It’s for the launch of a film I’ve been working on the past few years. I wasn’t going to screen it for a while, but the person who inspired the film passed away earlier this year, and I wanted to have an event to honor him.
Additionally my aunt’s book is going to be launched at the same event. For more info check out the Gleaner Article and come through.
Inna Revolution
Jamaican Maroons: Healing, Rebellion, and Spirit
In Memory of Lloyd Eluid Rowe
FILMSCREENING: “Re-membering Maroonage” Directed by Ashley Alexis McFarlane
BOOKLAUNCH: “My Father Said” By Norma Rowe Edwards
Sunday, June 16th
Fathers Day 2013
5:30pm – 8:30pm
Accents Bookstore
1790 Eglinton Ave W @ Dufferin
They say religion is a drug….
But why were the first two successful rebellions of enslaved Africans in the Caribbean grounded in spirit?
They say our traditional African practices are evil…
But why does Bay Street have the masses under a spell as it exploits the earth and poisons us all slowly?
They say we need to go to doctors…
But why were Maroon warriors trained to heal themselves?
An evening of freedom stories, family, and celebration featuring local and international Maroons:
Grandpa Eddie Salmon
Norma Rowe Edwards – Deputy Colonel of Accompong Town
Cousin Richard Rowe
Addhi Stewart
Moderated by: True Daley
Ashley Alexis McFarlane
Presented by:
Asikere Afana and Zenzele Films
For more info call:
416-875-7179
Afrochic Fashion Show – 4th Annual
I’ve been debuting my spring/summer collection at Afrochic every year for the last three years. It is the first place I ever did a fashion show and has a dear place in my heart. This year’s event happens this Saturday, June 15th at C Lounge. If you haven’t got your tickets do so. It’s going to feature a host of amazing fashion designers, artists, venders, and performers. Not to be missed!
Poetry Publication Number Duo
Oh Blog. How I have neglected you. I’ve been running around being too busy. But all that will change. I’ve finally re-dedicated myself to slowing down. And focusing on one (okay a few) things at a time. This passed May I had the chance to read at Rutgers University for the launch of Stand Our Ground: Poems For Trayvon Martin and Marissa Alexander. It’s the second poetry anthology I’ve been published in this year. The book is to raise awareness and support for the legal battles of Trayvon Martin and Marissa Alexander. 100% of the proceeds from sales will go to both their court cases.
The book features legendary poets Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Haki R. Madhubuti and Askia M. Toure and me! Amazing to be published alongside them and for such an important cause.
For more info or to purchase a book visit:
http://standourgroundbook.com/
OMG It’s Spring: +Shiela O Shoot+
Omg It’s Spring! Take a look at some fab photos by Valter of Cozy Studio. Styled by Ryerson Student Shiela O, featuring the Model Raven, Make Up By Becky and of course yours truely, Asikere Afana designs. Very fresh.
Styling and Production: Sheila O (@styledbyshe)
Model: Raven ♡Toux (@MeToux)
Designer: Ashley Alexis for Asikere Afana (@zenista)
Hair & Makeup: Becky Grimman (@BeckyGeeMakeUp)
Photography: Valter Mendes
Asikere Afana Accessories
I had so much fun at this photo shoot. Great team, and great styling by Sheila O. The shoot was for her student portfolio at Ryerson. Here are a few photos taken by Ardean photography. I’ve been working on jewellery over the past few months. Really experimenting with beads. My bracelets and copper spike ring are photos below. As my zebra print Asikere Afana bodice.
Styling and Production: Sheila O (@styledbyshe)
Model: ♡Toux (@MeToux)
Designer: Ashley Alexis for Asikere Afana (@zenista)
Hair & Makeup: Becky Grimman (@BeckyGeeMakeUp)
Photography: Ardean Peters (www.photographybyardean.com)
It’s Been a Long Time: Poetry Publication
It has been such a long time since I posted on thee Asikere Afana Blog. You may feel utlra neglected. I apologize dearly. The thing is I’m a multi-media artist, and shifted gears a bit to focus on poetry. This year has been a pretty big deal for me. I’ve been published twice, in two different anthologies. This is also the first time my poetry has EVER been published before. I’ve been writing since I was a teen and performing spoken word since I was 16. A few years ago I vowed to myself that I wouldn’t perform much until I got published, and now I have. So glad to be published alongside some of the greats in Canadian Black poetry. Below is a photo from the February 14th launch at the University of Toronto. Look I’m wearing my Asikere Afana peplum top 
The first book is called The Great Black North. It is the only collection of Contemporary Black Canadian poetry. Historical and timely. Below is the poem that’s in the book. Really it’s a great anthology and I recommend anyone and everyone pick it up. I wrote this poem a few years ago and it’s since been performed at Afrofest, and on CBC Radio One.
THE RE IMAGE URGE
By Ashley Alexis McFarlane (aka Queen Tiyessential)
I wonder
If at least
The moon will have my back
When I tell her
That more than anything I want
To see myself recreated
As a child with this
Bad
Nappy
Kinky hair
Thick lips
And skin as dark
As the sky
She hangs in
I want to recreate that woman
That reminds you
Of slavery
The Middle Passage
Home
Your mom
Red fingers
As you sat between her legs
She styled your dome peace
I want to recreate
Little black babies
Who will be loved
Equal and whole
With full lips
Celestial eyes
And unabridged noses
Know I
Want to recreate Africa
When Egyptians were Nubians
And not just Arabian invaders
Breeding the blackness out
Of Sudanese Bodies
A mentality too ripe with
Hate her
And assimilate
“The universe wants us to
Be all mixed up and happy
Just like the yin and yang”
A blue-black gorgeous man
Told me
Once
I want to create diversity
Where we can all be us
Equal and whole
And not be blinded by a system
That still needs a serious injection
Of some soul (r power too)
I want to recreate the rage that says
Stop chaining black bodies
For material gain
And blaming gang violence
Yet ignoring the pain
On the faces of the poor
A pain that resonates through all races
Across shores
Across shores
I want to recreate
The re-image urge
.
.
.
Reemerge
University of Western Ontario African Students Association Fash Show
I had so much fun at the African Students Association Cultural Show a few weekends ago up at the University of Western Ontario. The girls took great care of me, the models were fly, the people were friendly and sure does London know how to partay!!! Great weekend. Next stop McMaster in March. Wow. Asikere Afana has been on a University Tour.
Click photo below for all photos from the show:
Zenista
