Through the imaginative and captivating nuances inherent in poetry, fiction, non-fiction, visual images, and sound, the aaduna readership will experience discovery, redemption, enlightenment, reflection, and empowerment.   Showered by a kaleidoscope of creative pathways that are brilliant, haunting, and memorable, the reader’s journey will be akin to looking in a mirror and, for once, really understanding the reflected image.   Though tempted, there is no need for hyperbole.  The words, images, and musical notes will capture a diversity of oneness while radiating individual statements of stylized grace and textured beauty.   As a collection, it is the exploration that aaduna was created to seek. The Premier/Winter 2011 Issue is coming…. And I am excited!        

aaduna notes welcomes the Inaugural Class of Authors and Artsists whose words, images, and music will grace the premier issue of aaduna .  These creative visionaries are: Liberation Breeds (Toledo,Ohio) Bill Canino (Auburn, New York) Latasha N. Nevada Diggs (Harlem, New York) Cyd Charisse Fulton (Jersey City Heights, New Jersey) Almira Atudillo Gilles (Palatine, Illinois) Frank A. Gladden (Silver Spring, Maryland) Thomas Lee (Foster City, California) Dzekashu MacViban (Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon) Tamara J. Madison (Jersey City, New Jersey) Sunil P. Narayan (Beaverton, Oregon) Sean O'Grady (Auburn, New York) Kameelah J. Rasheed (Brooklyn, New York) David H. Roche (Warrenton, Oregon) Michelle Tan (Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines) TK Turner (Texas) You will have the chance to experience their gifts on February 28th.

This afternoon, Lisa and I talked about how festive the affair would be if we could magically gather the contributors for aaduna's premier issue in the same space with the Board of Advisors, the creative/publication team, guest readers/editors, and partners.  From our end, we can feel the positive energy and spirit from our charter group of authors and artists.  In the next few days, I will announce the contributors in an e- to the BOA along with the date for the initial board meeting, as well as a major change to aaduna notes .  FYI: Lisa will be getting out marketing requests to the aaduna community in the next few days, and we need for each of you to get the word out to your friends, colleagues, and associates.  Your effort will have a twofold purpose: to attract possible submitters for our Spring/Summer 2011 Issue, and continue to build our potential readership base.  I thank you for an...

ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, NY ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!  Graphics of the Black Panther Party USA, exhibit:  January 8th through February 19, 2011 Each of us probably does the same thing, multi-tasking; trying to juggle all the balls in the air; running all over the place.  You know the drill.  And I wonder if we remember the advice of our parents when we tried these tasks while growing up?  Anyway, the second month of the new year approaches and aaduna is shifting into overdrive.  This afternoon, I restocked Downtown Books & Coffee with the new Call flyer; placed some at Eureka in Armory Square in Syracuse, and at ArtRage, the Norton Putter Gallery on Hawley Avenue in that city.  While at the gallery, I reflected on the images contained in the current exhibition, ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!Graphics of the Black Panther Party USA.  This show elicited vivid and provocative memories of such a ...

The past few weeks have been an adventure in ups and 1-2 declines that were eventually transitioned to ups.  Frankly, we are quite busy communicating with the authors and artists that will be featured in the Premier Issue...editorial comments, getting the Letter of Agreement out, responding to concerns, as well as getting the website ready for launch and all the issues that pertain to that task!  In addition, we released the Call for Submissions for the Spring/Summer 2011 Issue, and will get a press release out to local venues when we get the chance to sit and pause.  I will share the Call with the aaduna community by this weekend, and ask that you foward it to all your e-mail contacts.  Keep in mind, we are trying to uncover interested emerging and established creative folk, as well as build and ignite the readership base for aaduna.   I hope to announce the date for the initial Board of Advisors Meeting before mon...

The first week of the new year was productive, exciting, and fun.  The majority of submitters were notified; the design and functionality of the web site continues to move forward with Lisa working closely with the designer of the site; discussions regarding editorial comments went well with contacted authors, and I was able to further network aaduna in Western, NY and on Saturday morning, in select establishments in Skaneateles.  (Left) Collette Fournier, Photographer, (Center) Terry Chaka, Baobab Cultural Center, (Far Right) Sharon Turner, Community Darkroom, Rochester, NY  January 7, 2011  This past Friday evening, Lisa and I did attend the discussion and reception for Kamoinge photographers at The Baobab Cultural Center in Rochester.  Rockland County, NY based photographer Collette Fournier discussed her work, and the work of the other four exhibiting photographers.  I was able to make a variety...

 Gourd Ornament  As the last day of the year starts to fade, I am reminded of sand in a hourglass that seeps slowly to the bottom to rest until it starts a new journey falling in a different pattern than before.  As this year transitions to a new twelve month cycle, it is fitting to advise those submitters whose work will have a home in aaduna.  Starting later this afternoon, I will continue that process throughout this first new year weekend. I am sure each of us has an annual tradition that puts away the old and marks the start of yet another new year.  Enjoy whatever that activity is for you, and have a festive start to 2011, and a joyous New Year.