renaissance negresse museletter 2009/2

the renaissance negresse museletter
art inspiration community
brought to you by Cassendre Xavier aka Amethyste Rah

Sunday, March 22, 2009

In This Issue: (To read this online visit http://cassendre.livejournal.com/18233.html)

1) The Renaissance Negresse Defined
2) What Ever Happened to “ME! ME! ME!”?
3) Article: The Importance of Self-Love by (with Self-Love Affirmations)
4) United States of Kudera Interviews Cassendre
5) Product Feature: “Capable of Love” CD & MP3
6) Featured Song (with Lyrics & Video): Hope (Find Me This Way)
7) House Concerts: Great Fun for Everyone!
8) Discovering Eva Cassidy
9) Household Hint – Satin Pillowcases & Razor Lint Shaves
10) Community Bulletin Board
11) The Renaissance Negresse Catalogue
12) More Blessings for You

1) The Renaissance Negresse Defined
Haitian-American multi-media artist Cassendre Xavier coined this term in 2002.
A musician, writer, actress, and visual artist, Xavier says the term describes a black woman who is skilled or gifted in 3 or more arts. “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.
Xavier is a recipient of a Leeway Transformation Award for her work as a community cultural arts advocate, having founded and directed several Philadelphia arts initiatives including the Women’s Writing & Spoken Word Series (2002-2006) and the Black Women’s Arts Festival (2003- Present). She is originally from Brooklyn, NY and has resided in Philadelphia since 1990.

2) What Ever Happened to “ME! ME! ME!”?
In the first week of February 2009, I turned 40, and thus put aside my “childish things” and kept the childlike ones. I began the multi-step process of going forward (not back) to school, school, school, am writing several manuscripts which will sometime soon be books, books, books, and am studying and networking as a lightworker to be of better service, (through my writing and guided meditations), to you, you, you! I hope that the new format of my newsletter is more effective for, and pleasing to you. I thank warmly those of you who responded to the debut issue with kind words of support, praise, and encouragement. It is my goal, hope, intention, dream, and vision, to bring you many more words of encouragement in the form of books in very little time. That will be a childhood dream come true. SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) says of writing and artmaking to “Delight yourself first!” Well, I find my new writing delightful to do and to read, so I know I’m on the right track, which is a wonderful way to feel. Thank you all!
(You can visit the ME! ME! ME! archives at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/cassEndrExavier)

3) Article: The Importance of Self-Love by Cassendre Xavier (with Self-Love Affirmations by Amethyste Rah)
In celebrity acting coach Larry Moss’s essential book The Intent to Live: Achieving Your True Potential as an Actor, he goes into the most universal, yet powerful longing for love as motivation behind most of the characters being played by his students.
The first of two striking examples is American former president Richard Nixon, whose dream of being, according to Moss, “the most revered president in the history of the world”, stemmed from an extremely humiliating childhood.
The second example is American movie starlet and tragic sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, who heard her mother say she never wanted her, and early in her life began seeking love from sex with boys who, of course, used her (not because they were boys, but because her intention was incorrect and rooted in low self-esteem). Her Moss-interpreted dream was to “have a feeling of being deeply cared about and loved”, which she sought from Hollywood’s illusion of fame, and again, the misdirected sexual adoration of men.
I highlighted several passages and wrote notes in the margins: “He [Nixon] was looking outside of himself for redemptive love. Self-love, spirituality, and service are always the answer,” and about Monroe: “[She wanted to] be/feel loved, finally, for the 1st time.”
Moss writes that, “She never truly attains ‘the feeling if being deeply cared about and loved’”, and, my notes follow, “…because she never gave it to herself. She always sought love from the outside.”
I believe that to transform our outside world, we must first transform our insides. The quickest and most effective way to transform our insides is by flooding our thoughts and actions with self-love. Once our actions become motivated by deep care, concern for, and value of our inner self, our belief systems change accordingly and we then begin to create an environment that supports our highest good.
We’re always attracting people and circumstances that match our belief, so why not believe the best about ourselves?
If every time one of us was hurt or felt lacking we stopped and shifted the focus back to our Self, there would be so much less pain and suffering in the world. People would stop looking outside of themselves for peace, joy, love, romance, etc.
Self-love is the key to a happy life. Your life should feel satisfying, enriching, and full of love regardless of your marital/relationship status, or whether you feel your parents loved you enough or how you would have preferred.
You can love yourself enough to heal all of that. In fact, we each have enough love in our hearts to heal the planet (according to Louise L. Hay, and I believe her!). If you already have a healthy amount of self-love, make a commitment to add more, because things can always get better!

Here are some affirmations to help you on your path of radical self-contentment.

Affirmations for Self-Love, by Amethyste Rah

I love myself.
I am lovable.
I am wonderful just the way I am.
I love myself.
I have wonderful friends.
I am lovable just the way I am.
I love myself.
I accept myself.
I am acceptable just the way I am.
I love everything about me.
I accept and appreciate everything about me.
I enjoy the person I am.
I take wonderful care of myself.
I treat myself like the precious being of light and love that I am.
I recognize myself as a precious being of light and love.
I am a precious being of light and love.
I adore myself.
I see the light in my soul.
I honor myself and my spirit in all that I do.
I honor myself and my spirit in all that I do.
I am easy to love because I give love to myself easily.
I am easy to love because I love myself freely.
I have a healthy self-image.
Others see how well I treat myself.
I am a good example of healthy self-image.
I am a wonderful person.
I love myself and care deeply for my well-being.
I allow no one ever to harm me in any way.
I am very protective of my inner child.
I honor the existence of my inner child.
I honor myself in every way.
I am healthy in every way.
I take wonderful care of myself.
I am very generous with love for myself and others.
I am very happy to be me.
I love myself.
I enjoy my own company.
I sometimes choose or prefer solitude.
I am a well-liked person.
I am loved.
I am valued.
I am honored.
I like myself.
I love myself.
I value myself.
I honor myself.
I take the time to get to know myself.
I enjoy learning more about myself.
I like taking care of myself.
I take great care of myself.
I appreciate every opportunity to care for myself, for I am a valuable person.
I love myself deeply, and I know that I am enough.
I love myself deeply, and I know that I am enough.
I love myself deeply – I am enough.

These affirmations are transcribed from “Increasing Self-Love”, track 4 of my Affirmations for Survivors: Self-Love (by Amethyste Rah. With Thaddeus Music performed by Sanaya Roman) CD & MP3 download, which I’ve been listening to every night before going to sleep for the past week and found very comforting and helpful.

4) United States of Kudera Interviews Cassendre
Writer Alex Kudera, formerly from Philadelphia and now teaching college in South Carolina, recently interviewed me for his USK blog. It was great fun to discuss the craft of writing, and mention for the first time ever, how much of an influence Nancy Friday’s “My Secret Garden”, Maya Angelou, Anis Nin, and Cookie Mueller were to me.

USK Interview with Cassendre Xavier:

Cassendre Xavier does it all in locations ranging from Kalamazoo, Michigan to Philly to New York City. Her words are found in stories, poems, blogs, and songs; you can access Ms. Xavier online or look for her live at a performance near you.USK: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?CX: I’ve written since age 4. (In Haiti, school starts when you can talk, so at age 3 I was taught to read and write). At 4 I was writing love letters, at 8 I…

To read more, visit
http://kudera.blogspot.com/2009/03/interview-with-cassendre-xavier.html.

5) Product Feature: “Capable of Love” CD & MP3
[8th Album/2009] Cassendre Xavier just can’t make up her mind. If it isn’t love songs, it’s inspirational songs, or it’s songs just to make us laugh. The one thing this acoustic pop artist described as “a cross between Tracy Chapman, Sade, and Enya” (Steven M. Wilson, Borders Music Expert) does consistently is soothe, entertain, and inspire….

To read more, visit http://cassendre.livejournal.com/18140.html

…Recommended. Order at http://cdbaby.com/cd/xavierc8 or http://lulu.com/cassEndrE.

6) Featured Song (with Lyrics & Video): Hope (Find Me This Way)
Lyrics and music (c) Copyright 2004 by Cassendre Xavier
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIF5x2eehT4
Should you find yourself wandering; Through the woods wild one dayIf you've lost your direction; You will find me this wayIf a lover should leave you; and your plans thrown astrayWith you, you're never lonely;turn and find me this way If somebody should hurt you; leave you far from okayAnd you need self-forgiveness; you will find me this wayIf your heart remains broken; when it heals who can sayIf you're seeking compassion; you will find me this way If you're ever abandoned; and there's no one at your sideWhen you're your own companion; you will find me this wayIf you're working towards healing; it's up and down every dayJust look over your shoulder; and you'll find me this way ---------------------Hope (Find Me This Way)---------------------Lyrics and music by Cassendre XavierCopyright 2004From the album Live at the Kraftbrau, Kalamazoo by Cassendre Xavier

7) House Concerts: Great Fun for Everyone!
Having a small gathering of 20 or so of your friends and family, and hearing one of your favorite singers up close, live, and personal is one of the nicest ways to spend an evening. Your guests are pleased, you’re pleased, the artist appreciates the attentive audience of usually very nice people, and an opportunity to work in a smoke, alcohol, heckler-free environment.
I’ve enjoyed many a house concert in my day – mostly performing them, but also attending. If you’d like to design the perfect party with entertainment, don’t hesitate to contact me or any of your favorite local indie artists like Lili Anel, Vanida Gail, Marc Silver, Monica McIntyre, Nedra Johnson, or Roia Rafieyan – all of whom I’ve shared a stage with and can highly recommend.
The following quote is from Laura Bligh, cousin of late “Songbird” Eva Cassidy:
“Support the hardworking musicians in your area by attending live performances. Go out to the little clubs and restaurants that offer live music, and if you like what you hear, tell the performers! Clap long and loud! And if they're selling CDs and tapes from their guitar cases, as Eva once did, support their talents and efforts that way too. As someone once wrote in the Guestbook, ‘There will never be another Eva Cassidy, but there will be someone else.’”

8) Discovering Eva Cassidy
In the late 90s, I made a friend who built my first website later was instrumental in the release of my first album. He also compared my singing to Eva Cassidy, thereby introducing me to this amazing singer for the first time. That was one of the few times I’ve been compared to her. Friday, it happened again, for the first time in years, and minutes later, someone else walked by and called out, “You’re a songbird,” which was not only the title of one of Cassidy’s greatest albums, but the first time anyone had called me that, ever. So, that said, I think I’m supposed to tell you about Eva Cassidy.
A fellow Aquarian, Eva was from Washington DC, where she developed a loyal and ardent following. She sang a range of music, mostly folk and blues, and had an amazingly clear and soulful voice. It was angelic, really almost indescribable. She played guitar and had a wonderful ear for arrangements, making you hear so much more in a classic song.
(Her “Danny Boy” is the best I’ve ever heard, and brings tears to my eyes each time I have the pleasure of listening to it. Another favorite of mine is her Blues Alley live performance of “What a Wonderful World”. And I defy you not to shed a tear while watching her performing “Autumn Leaves” with her band also at Blues Alley, and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the same night.)
An avid horticulturist and visual artist, she died of melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer) at age 33. Please give yourself the gift of her artistry when you have a moment.
Particular links of interest are www.evacassidy.org, which is run by her cousin Laura Bligh, and www.evacassidy.com, which showcases and sells her artwork and is run by her parents and other family members. Both have other links to other sites run by fans to keep her legacy alive, not out of sadness, but joy. I am honored to be sometimes compared to her, and it makes me feel to good to know that this post will surely garner new fans of her work.

9) Household Hint – Satin Pillowcases & Razor Lint Shaves
Hair is at its weakest and most fragile when it’s wet. You should never towel it dry very roughly or brush it when wet, but pat it gently and if you must, only run a large-toothed comb through it.
Cotton sheets and pillowcases wreak havoc on hair – yanking it out with every turn or rub. Satin pillowcases are the easy solution for that, and often you can find zippered ones in bright and pastel colors at your friendly neighborhood dollar store. (That’s where my Diva-In-The-Making supply comes from!)
If, like me, you like to keep things til they’re threadbare (also the environmentally-friendly way of doing things), you may notice that the edges of your trusty satin pillow cases develop “pills”, or tiny balls of yarn.
I discovered a quick and easy way to solve this. I remembered I’d once purchased, but never used, and promptly lost, an electric shaver designed specifically for said de-pillery (a.k.a. “de-pilleration”). If it operated as a shaver, then, why wouldn’t a standard blade-style razor work? So, I grabbed one of my pretty-in-pink disposables, went to work and learned that, yep, sure enough, you can razor those bad boys right off!

10) Community Bulletin Board
[Please note: I will NOT be performing at the following event, as was previously announced. Thanks!]
The Lansdale Live Music & Food Festival sponsored by Arnold’s Way Raw Vegan Store & Café 5/2/09
Info: www.myspace.com/arnoldsway

Puppet Slam Philly 2009 , 5/30/09 Info:http://www.studium-praxis.org/wordpress/?page_id=36

Greater Philadelphia Drumming Circle 3/29/09
Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BWAFphilly/message/2829.

[Louisa/VA/USA] The Communities Conference is a networking and learning opportunity for anyone interested or involved in co-operative or communal lifestyles. 8/14/09-8/16/09
Info: www.communitiesconference.org

[Phila/PA/USA] 1st Fridays on Vine, Hosted by Aziza Kinteh Info: www.Aziza-lockdiva.com

[Los Angeles/CA/USA] Lacey C. Clark! Workshop Presenter & Author on Teen Girls’ Self-Esteem, founder of Sisters’ Sanctuary
http://www.teen-girl-self-esteem.com/about-sisters-sanctuary.html
Also check out Lacey’s book Celebrate HER Now at lulu.com.

[{Phila/PA/USA] Melanie Jones, Yoga Teacher of Size www.abundantyogini.com

[San Diego/CA/USA] Vessa Rinehart-Phillips – Spiritual Intuitive Counselor & Instructor. For a complete list of courses and workshops led by various instructors at her Intuitive Insights School of Clairvoyance, or to sign up for their really great and free newsletter, visit www.MyIntuition.Net.

[Brooklyn/NY/USA] *Aerial ROPE * Classes with Kiebpoli
Climbing, swinging, stretching, airdancing. Full body fitness. www.myspace.com/kiebpoli

[Quebec/Canada] Patty Contenta, dance instructor of over 17 years and author & producer of books and videos that teach women to enhance their femininity and confidence. Free newsletter at www.sensualitysecrets.com.

REAL Raw Support Group Forming
Holistic practitioner and soon-to-be certified life coach Judi Rhee Alloway and CX/ARah are organizing this raw vegan/live foods “support & transformation” group, which will meet in Center City, Philly starting April or May 2009. Join the REAL Raw Yahoo Group for updates. We’re also at MySpace http://www.myspace.com/realrawlife and Facebook.

Runner(s) Wanted – Low Fitness Level Preferred
I’m looking for one or more person(s) interested in running with me in Center City at least twice a week. Email: cxmusic AT gmail dot com.

11) The Renaissance Negresse Catalogue
This just in!! “Capable of Love” CD is now available at Giovanni’s Room Bookstore at 12th & Pine Streets in Center City, Philly. Reserve yours today by calling (215) 923-2960, or visit www.giovannisroom.com
~For my current Calendar of Events, visit www.myspace.com/cassEndrExavierMUSIC
~Visit the Cassendre Xavier Music Gallery at www.cdbaby.com/all/cassendre. (800) BUY-MY-CD
~Guided Meditation CDs & MP3s by Amethyste Rah, with music of light by Thaddeus. Visit http://lulu.com/cassEndrE
~For CX Direct Mail Orders, reply to this message, or email “cxmusic AT gmail dot com” for the latest product order form.
~Coming Soon – Books! In meantime, to see Cassendre’s out-of-print chapbooks as well as the anthologies she’s contributed to, visit http://artivistpublications.homestead.com/services.html.
~Coming Soon – Visual Art! In the meantime, to see Cassendre’s art images, visit http://cxenterprises.homestead.com/Visual_Art.html.
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12) More Blessings for You
~May you be healthy and feel beautiful and abundant all ways and forever.
~May your inner glowing light inspire us all.
~May your positive outlook be easy to maintain.
~May you experience joy frequently and profoundly.
~May you know your path and follow it with faith, hope, and expectation.
~May all of your fondest dreams and visions come true, surpassing all your imaginings (or something better), and may it be for the good of all.

In art, spirit, and community,

Cassendre Xavier (aka Amethyste Rah)
renaissance negresse
www.cassEndrExavier.com

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Contact: cxwriting AT gmail DOT COM, or simply reply to this email.

Visit www.cassEndrExavier.com. And I’m on Facebook, too :-)



(c) Copyright 2009 by Cassendre Xavier a.k.a. Amethyste Rah. All rights reserved.