Where are we going? Closer to the source!
Closer to the source (respect to Leroy Hutson) in every way is where we need to be within to fulfil our true nature as history makers. Being there physically can help inspire that. Africa, the Caribbean: inspiring places to compose and construct, to write, record and collaborate.
Our plans for the future centre on two main facilities for YOU to enjoy: One in Africa for music music composition and recording, as well as for general r & r. And one in the Caribbean for writing and visual arts as well as the rest.
Studio retreats for musicians, actors, dancers, writers, designers, painters, sculptors, etc. all benefitting local communities in various ways and all making a historically constructive difference in the world. (The source of our concern with meaning and value, and with truth and justice, IS our sense of history: homo sapiens are uniquely historical beings: only we live in history we make.)
Keeping it real, but beautiful: Africa lakes and Caribbean spice islands are two parts of Abracadia’s triangular source that make awesome settings for creative works of cultural action. And with Abracadia creative cultural action is always rooted in practical living and working with nature, not against it. Cooperating with the people and life-forms of our world to work with the grain and flow with the stream of Ubuntu.
The great lakes region of Africa pictured above is the source of homo sapiens as well as the source of the Nile and of civilisation. The planned site for Abracadia Matoke Studio is Remi’s favourite spot to compose and record music. The taste of the air, the touch of the light, sights of the day, sounds of the night ... We have found the location and the people. Now all we need is a little time to allow that fruit to ripen.
Matoke is a cooking banana traditionally steamed in banana leaf, and there are lots of them growing around the planned Abra-Matoke Studio site, which will also work as a small scale organic farm, sustainable, self-sufficient and off grid; tropical fruits and native delicacies unique to the region.
The Caribbean isles are the source of my ‘Windrush Tale’ and of the lilt in my song. The islands deliver the spice of life itself, the bitter, sweet, hot, salty, fragrant spice of life that is my true heritage to savour. Spice is like that: likkle but tallawah; one small pepper flavours a whole pot.
Within the next five years we therefore also plan to establish Abraca-Spice Retreat in Jamaica. Abraca-Spice: a planned centre for conscious cultural action as well as a fully functioning organic spice farm with a special line in bush medicine and chocolate making. It will be ideally suited to writers and visual artists, and would cater for small groups or families.
All Abracadia bases will also serve their communities with free access to library and free literacy education, as well as access to music-making and writing facilities, plus benefits of agricultural processes and produce to local communities, as well as wider benefits to the community of respectful and contributive visitors, tourists and artists from all nations.
For more on all topics to do with Abracadia and its work, don’t forget to check Abracadia’s weekly spoken word offering at the ‘Bit Of Soul Podcast’. Come and say hi, pass by for a try. Be great to see you there. Just roll up anytime to listen, chill and reason at the lush and refreshing oasis that is Abracadia.
Until such time - In Ubuntu
Remi