The Spoken Soul Festival, held annually was hosted by the Design District in Miami in conjunction with the Women Arts and the international celebration of women artists called SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now). Spoken Soul Productions and six entertainment industry leaders of South Florida annually host and produce Spoken Soul Festival.
The festival features three events: Swan Community Program-Healing Through The Arts, SWAN Spoken Soul Showcase Vol 3, and the Vanessa Baez Women’s Brunch Memorial.
The festival brought workshops to their spoken word club led by published poet Amy Baez and to their film students led by filmmaker and activist Somy Ali.
I had the opportunity to attend the festival and meet women from all walks of life: poets, designers, photographers, painters, singers, sisters, mothers, daughters, wives, cancer survivors and divorcees. All women sharing their stories and their love for women and the arts.
I sat down with Deborah Magdalene, founder of Spoken Soul Festival about how she managed to gather together and encourage the local female artists to celebrate SWAN Day.
This year my 26th birthday was very special. I decided to give up my birthday in the name of charity. I invited friends to celebrate by donating to Charity:Water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations, instead of buying me gifts or taking me out.
I told all my guests what Charity:Water was all about, how a $20 donation can do a lot of difference for people deprived of water all over the world and the motivation behind the idea, founder Scott Harrison, After welcoming all my guests and I had to thank all sponsors who supported my birthday charity event including: International Garden, Omni Wines, Nuchas, The Pelican Hotel, Hulbert Waldrouop, Marlo Weinstein, Ruth’s bakery, Carly Ivan Garcia, Go Green, Smart Energy cocktails, Federico Bergomi, Jerry Jack, The Hugh Bell Studio, No More Tears and Danyelle Demchock. Check it out! You can make a donation to my charity water fundraiserHERE.
On my third day, I went to Ghetto di Roma, one of the oldest ghettos in the world as well as stopped over at the Roma Farmers’ Market. It was very similar one to New York’s Union Square Farmers’ Market where you can find organic fresh vegetables, fruits, natural products such as Bio-Nutrici.
I took a walk though Palatine Hill where the Roman Emperors once live and now you will find mostly ruins of palaces and homes of some Rome’s richest familes. From there, it was a stones throw away to the Roman Forum, which originally was a marsh, but the Romans drained the area and turned it into a center of political and social activity. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. It is considered one of the most important archeological sites in the world.
The Colloseum was built in the center of the city of Rome between 70-72 AD, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering. It can seat 50,000 spectators and it was used to be a place for gladiatorial contest and public spectacles.
After a very long day, I capped off the evening at Hotel Locarino where I relaxed over an apperitivo with some friends.
On my second day in Rome, I wanted to seek out some of the local residents and traditions. I went to a public square and saw many talented musicians and I even witnessed a couple getting married! That was very special.
Then, I was off The Pantheon, the world’s oldest dome building with the entire roof still in tact built between 25-27 BC It stands as the most complete Roman structure on earth, having survived 20 centuries of plunder, pillage and invasion. The Pantheon contains the tombs of Rafael and of several Italian Kings. Pantheon is a Greek word meaning “to honor all Gods.”
I walked to the Fontana di Trevi, the largest Baroque fountain in the city.
A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Among those who are unaware that a reported current interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. A reported current version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one’s right hand over one’s left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. It may look familiar was also featured in the very famous movie “La Dolce Vita”.
An estimated 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome’s needy.
Of all of the trips that I have taken I have been dreaming of this one for a very long time. 5 amazing days to Rome, Italy, a city rich in cuisine, culture and history.
On my first day I dove right in! First stop: The Colonnato del Bernini (the colonnade of St Peter’s Square), take a look at the Swiss guards (they are the Pontifical Guards in the Vatican City), I drank from running water in the streets of Rome, and take in the sites at Castel Sant’ Angelo (initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family, the building was later used as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum).
My first dinner was at “Mimi & Coco Wine Bar” and it was delicious! I followed dinner by roaming the streets in search of the best Italian Gelato Rome had to offer.
I felt that Rome was more beautiful at night, the way the lanterns illuminate the narrow cobbled stone streets that are the same today as they were 2,000 years ago. With the he statue of Giordano Bruno in the background, the Colosseum a short walk away, the silence of the city left me questioning what other pieces of history that was hidden in the shadows.
I met Somy Ali through Deborah Magdalegna at the Spoken Soul Festival in Miami, Fl this past Spring 2010. Somy was there supporting her non-profit organization “No More Tears”. She is such an inspiration. I recently wore one of Somy’s t-shirts in an episode of MyTempO! with Morgan to support her cause to raise awareness and financial aid to rescue women who are victims of domestic violence. Here is her story:
Because of her passion for social and political issues and events, actress and model Somy Ali decided to expand her career to include writing and journalism. In November 1999, she moved to the United States and she received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology which she finished in three years. Following that she pursued a Masters degree in print journalism at the University of Miami.
While attending the University of Miami, Somy developed an interest in documentary films, therefore left UM in 2003 to attend the New York Film Academy. She obtained a degree in film making, direction, script writing, and editing.
Some of her first projects included short films on Abortion, Domestic Violence, and Teenage suicide.
Since 2006 Somy has been working as a human rights advocate through her 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, No More Tears, that stands in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its guarantees of safety, security and freedom for all humans. Understanding that violence takes many forms but is often rooted in social inequalities, No More Tears’ mission is to eradicate violence in all its forms through collaborative projects involving awareness, education, activism, and advocacy for victims both domestically and abroad.
No More Tears has rescued over 30 victims of domestic violence and their children since its launch in 2006. In addition to her non-profit organization, Somy is the founder and CEO of So-Me Designs. A clothing line based on taking a stand against all intolerance through the aid of fashion. So-Me clothing is available in boutiques all over the U.S. and sells through their website as well.
“Can you save the world one shirt at a time? Yes! By making choices that are good for the earth and ts people, you can make a difference everyday. Our designs support sustainable manufacturing, foster idas of peace and harmoney, create awareneess about global issues and help empower the powerless. I have seen mankind at its very best and worst. I promise you…together we can make a difference”.
