Dancing Poetry

Artists Embassy International welcomes you to the 26th Dancing Poetry Festival

26th Annual

Dancing Poetry Festival

September 28, 2019, Noon to 4:00 John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Theater

in the Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum, San Francisco Ca. 94121

Produced by Artists Embassy International

Hosted by Richard and Natica Angilly’s Poetic Dance Theater Company

Souvenir Program editor Judy Hardin Cheung

In 1947, peace advocate and performing artist, Althya Youngman, met with Mahatma Gandhi at peace conferences during her World Artists Peace Tour held in India at the time. Gandhi and Althya agreed that the artist as a natural global ambassador for peace is apparent. The non-profit arts organization with the mission to further peace, understanding and goodwill through the universal language of the arts was founded by Althya Youngman in 1951. In 2019 Artists Embassy International celebrates 68 years of award winning and active dedication to peaceful and creative arts programs and exchanges. Poets, dancers, artist image makers are vital in the creation of a more understanding and peaceful world.

Artists Embassy International is a volunteer organization and your interest, creativity and support are needed and appreciated. Artist ambassadors help to further peace, understanding and good will through the universal language of the arts. We will be happy to discuss further information with you. Please contact

Artists Embassy International

1515 Poplar Avenue

Richmond, California, 94805

DANCING POETRY FESTIVAL PROGRAM, 2019

(first half)

Welcome to Artists Embassy International’s 26th annual Dancing Poetry Festival dedicated to

“furthering inter-cultural understanding and peace through the universal language of the arts”

AEI is an all volunteer non-profit arts organization founded in 1951.

Welcome by Master of Ceremonies Raoul Epling

Pageantry of Masks - Mirror Mask Memory: Poem by Natica Angilly, danced by Natica and Richard Angilly's Poetic Dance Theater Company: Cindy Levinson, Wanda Ingmire, Alyza Lee Salomon, Takako Miyashita, Shantee Baker, Kismet; original music by David Merritt; Masks by Alisha Rodrigues.

Prize Winning Poets:

Denise Lapachet Barney, Pinole, CA; Fire/Ash

Patricia Doyne, Hayward, CA; Oakland Giraffes

Karen Pierce Gonzalez, Rohnert Park, CA; Rural Oaxacan Math

Stan Morner, Walnut Creek, CA; A Buddhist Nun’s Silent Dance

Voice: Richard and Natica Angilly as The Poet and The Dancer

You’re There: Richard Angilly and Loywanner Haddadou

Prize Winning Poets

Claire J. Baker, Pinole, CA; Dancing with Mirrors

Lilija Valis, Vancouver, BC, Canada; No Money

Johanna Ely, Benicia, CA; Transmigration

Tanya Joyce, Emeryville, CA; While Johanna is Reading

1001 Amazements: written and read by Natica Angilly, performed by The Poetic Dance Theater Company: Cindy Levinson, Wanda Ingmire, Alyza Lee Salomon, Ronda Hollie, Takako Miyashita, Shantee Baker, Kismet

Prize Winning Poets

Renee Meador, Big Horn, WY; Spirit of the Time

Phyllis Meshulam, Sebastopol, CA; One Boy Who Cried

Hallelujah: poem by Leonard Cohen, performed by Ronda Hollie's The Words and The Wings featuring Ronda Hollie

Prize Winning Poets

Kay Renz, Santa Rosa, CA; Sowing Eternity

Garrett Murphy, Oakland, CA; No Arts Allowed

Constantina Clark, Green Fork, IN, Railroad

Hidden: written and read by Tatseena, performed by Tatseena and the Serpent Sirens: Carolyn Conti, Corrine Kahler, Kristi Lynn, Tonya Spilman, Christine Thompson, and Anne Wong.

Lotus in the Depth: poem by Judy Hardin Cheung, costume and choreography performed by Alisha Rodrigues,

read by Natica Angilly.

GRAND PRIZE, How To Love Your Neighbor by author Constantina Clark, Green Fork, IN

Performance reading by Wanda Ingmire, performed by Poetic Dance Theater Company: Ronda Hollie,

Alyza Lee Salomon, Shantee Baker, Takako Miyashita, Kismet

10 MINUTE INTERVAL

Photos of the 2019 Dancing Poetry Festival were taken by George Hollie and Irma Garcia. Supplimental photos by Ken Peterson. Photos were selected and edited by Judy Hardin Cheung.

George Hollie, Photographer

Irma Garcia, Photographer

Our Master of Ceremonies for the Dancing Poetry Festival is Raoul Epling with his change of tuxedos for every act. Each of his tuxedos is designed especially for Raoul by Akira of Japan.

Our program opened with "Pageantry of Masks--Mirror Mask Memory; Poem by Natica Angilly, danced by Natica and Richard Angilly's Poetic Dance Theater Company with original music by David Merritt, masks by Alisha Rodrigues.

Kismet and the reflection of Kismet.

Natica Angilly wrote and read the poem. Takako Myashita was one of the dancers reflecting their lives in the mirrors and masks of the dance.

Denise Lapachet Barney, Pinole, CA, reads "Fire/Ash"

Patricia Doyne, Hayward, CA, read her poem "Oakland Giraffes."

Karen Pierce Gonzalez, Rohnert Park, CA, read "Rural Oaxacan Math."

Stan Morner, Walnut Creek, CA, read "A Buddhist's Nun's Silent Dance."

The poet helps the dancer mount her pedistal

Natica Angilly, the dancer with the Poet and the Dancer. Natica is also artistic director of the Dancing Poetry Festival, president of Artists Embassy International, on the board of directors of Alameda Island Poets, vice president of United Poets Laureate International, and member of various dance, poetry, art and literary groups.

Richard Angilly, poet of the Poet and the Dancer. Richard is treasurer of the Dancing Poetry Festival, Natica and Richard Angilly's Poetic Dance Theater Company, and Artists Embassy International. Richard is also president of Ina Coolbrith Circle, California's oldest large poetry organization. It was founded by the 1st poet laureate of California, Ina Coolbrigh. Some early members included Mark Twain and Bret Hart.

The Poet and the Dancer Performing "Voice" by Richard Angilly

Loywanner Haddadou dances to Richard Angilly's "You're There."

Loywanner Haddadou and Richard Angilly

"You're There" performed by Loywanner Haddadou

Claire J. Baker read "Dancing With Mirrors."

Lilija Valis, Vancouver, BC, Canada, reads her prize winning "No Money."

Johanna Ely, Benicia, CA, reads "Transmigration."

Tanya Joyce, Emeryville, CA, with her "While Johanna is Reading," immediately following the poem written and read by Johanna Ely for whom the poem was written.