Recording Artist Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo Named Summer 2010 Big Sur Spirit Garden Artist in Residence

Aug. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- The Big Sur Spirit Garden is proud to welcome Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo to Big Sur as a Summer 2010 Spirit Garden Artist in Residence. The Big Sur Spirit Garden Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program brings innovative, world-class artists to Big Sur for a month long residency made possible by supporters and sponsors of the Spirit Garden.

While in residence, artists teach an interdisciplinary workshop, present a public event, and participate in community outreach. The program gives exposure to touring artists, provides opportunities for collaboration with the local community of artists and teachers, and strengthens programmatic ties among poets, musicians, visual artists, dancers and other community arts entities.  Past Artist in Residence include Felix “Pupy” Insua Obbalubbe of Havana Cuba, actress and educator Akuyoe Graham and renowned American jazz trumpeter and composer, Hannibal Lokumbe.

Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo is an internationally acclaimed Poet, a Recording Artist for Underground Sun, an educator and a frequent visiting teacher at the Esalen Institute.  Iyeoka is one of an emerging class of performance artists who combines a variety of art forms in her work. In addition to her music being featured on “How To Make It In America” on HBO, Iyeoka is a National Poetry Slam champion, a songwriting veteran, and a recipient of the 2010 TED Global Fellowship (the first Spirit Garden Artist-in-Residence to be so honored).

On fourth of July weekend, Iyeoka hosted a Word Speaking Tribe artist retreat presenting her workshop “Until I Overflow”, which focused on techniques of accessing the inner poet. Iyeoka uses her vocals, poetic lyricism, theater background, West African rhythmic influences, spoken word poetry and live music to stretch the bounds of traditional vocal performances to create a new forum for expressive art. Her work welcomes audiences of all ages to experience the relationship between the cultural exploration of spoken language and well composed music.

Iyeoka kicked off her residency in July with a concert that featured her band, The Rock by Funk Tribe, and hosted an all-star poet’s showcase featuring special guest writers Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, Dasha Kelly, Erich Hagan, and Abe Becker at the Esalen Institute for the Esalen International Arts Festival.

Responses such as “amazing, healing, inspiring...we built a beautiful sense of community, tapped into our creative voices and gained skills to take with us. Iyeoka is a warm light and great facilitator” and “...(this workshop) exceeded my expectations; inspiring, safe, supportive, challenging. Iyeoka is an amazing artist who inspires, and a facilitator who supports us in unlocking the overflow within. She creates a very safe, nurturing space where access to magic is contained”, were among the many positive evaluations from workshop participants.

The Spirit Garden provides world-class production and multi cultural educational programs hosting artists, performers and musicians from across the globe.  On Saturday, August 21st at 8pm in the Spirit Garden, Iyeoka will be showcasing her new music and a theatrical performance with musical accompaniment for “An Evening with Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo,” featuring songs from her highly anticipated album, Say Yes, scheduled for national release in late September 2010.

Iyeoka’s residency is hosted by The Big Sur Spirit Garden’s Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program  made possible by Founder and Director of the Big Sur Spirit Garden and the Esalen International Arts Festival, Jayson Fann.

Call to reserve your tickets for this show or any of the upcoming performances at the Big Sur Spirit Garden. Loma Vista Hwy 1, Big Sur, CA 93920 For tickets and for general information, call: 831.667.1300 http://www.bigsurspiritgarden.com

$15 General Admission, all ages

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtbbZmhiavM



"The Yellow Brick Road Song" featured on "How To Make It In America"

Check out the latest behind the scenes video for "Say Yes" on http://www.iyeoka.com