I beat the Devil running and I'm so Glad!
A play by Karen L. Smith
with opening act Melvin: The Prelude by Michael Thomas-Newton
May 3rd, Doors at 7pm, Suggested Donation $10-20
Join us at Vox Populi for an evening of transformative storytelling and sonic ritual. In I beat the Devil running and I’m so Glad!, celebrated playwright and percussionist Karen L. Smith conjures a powerful theatrical meditation on memory, resistance, and spiritual reckoning. The evening opens with Melvin: The Prelude by interdisciplinary artist Michael Thomas-Newton
This production deals with the Secrets, Scandals and more Secrets that eventually lead to survival. The subject matter deals with sexual abuse, inappropriate behavior in the Black Church. A Q & A to follow after the program.
Directed by STARFIRE
featuring: Christopher Weaver, Caitlin Green, Peter, Dennis, Janan Ashton, TC Caldwell, NIya Ebon, Sterling Calhoun, Annie Geheb and special guest: A'jon Jones
ARTIST BIO
Karen "Magic Fingaz" Smith, Brooklyn Native, Philly Resident, is a Professional Percussionist, Playwright, Poet, Director, Teaching Artist, Curator and now a member of the Philadelphia Musician’s Union Local 77 !!! Karen is a recipient of several grants including Leeway Foundation's Art and Change and Illuminate the Arts Grants . Ms. Smith is the Founder, Artistic Director and Lead Percussionist of The Karen Smith Experience (formerly called Weez the Peeples) and Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collectives. Called "Sounds of Freedom" by Philadelphia Inquirer, Ms. Smith has worked with many individual artists, groups, theatrical production companies, studio recordings and in October of 2023, a week long of artistic events, Breast Cancer Awareness festival featuring Breast Cancer Surgeon, Dr. Monique Gary. As of August 1, 2023, I’m delighted to share that I’ve received a Pew Fellowship from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage!! "Collaborations are the essence of my creative Journey and I am sure so many to come. It definitely feels like a highlight sharing OMAZING energies with various communities, organizations and individual artists! Truly One Nation Under a Drumbeat!! Possible is Possible is my daily mantra!”