Abena Koomson will bring her sought-after slam funk poetry to MASS MoCA
 |
| Abena Koomson, Photo Courtesy of MASS MoCA |
Performing mostly in New York City venues like the Bowery Poetry Club and Bar 13, Koomson's use of electronic music layered with acoustic rhythm and her stellar voice combine for a fiercely original sound. MASS MoCA's galleries will remain open until 7 PM with special reduced gallery admission for Koomson ticket-buyers.
A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College Koomson followed her passion for education and performance to a position at Winston Preparatory School in New York City. As a performer and educator her mission is to foster a deep understanding of self through the exploration of music, language, and movement, and to produce thoughtful works in collaboration with others. Koomson regularly expands her audience base, performing for students throughout New York. One such performance led the editor of The Raven, a school newspaper from the Bronx, New York, to say, "her voice, her music, her appearance left our eyes dazzled and our ears stunned. No murmur was heard from the audience, no sound but her strong, powerful, yet graceful words."
In addition to teaching and performing, Koomson is one of the founding members of the all-female a capella group Saheli, for which she performs and composes. Her recent compositions include Mathilde, based on a poem by Pablo Neruda, and Lullaby (LauraMarie's Song) her first doo-wop composition. Under the name AK47 thelovegun, Koomson is an active member of Funkworthy FM, an improvisational sound performance which combines record-blending with a live vocal element for a fluid party vibe, collaborating with DJs, emcees, beat boxers, and instrumentalists, and is a member of louderarts.com which promotes the genre of slam poetry. Additionally she is the resident bassist/vocalist/poet with SynonymUS, an improvisatory poetry and music collaborative and the managing director of Actors Stock Company in New York City.
As a performer Koomson has collaborated and shared the stage with artists Robert Bly, John Hammond, Cheryl Boyce Taylor, Roger Bonair-Agard, and many more. Her first album Constellations was self-released in December 2007. Koomson's fans are as passionate about her art as she is. Blogger Oscar Bermeo notes, "Whether she is singing or ruminating on the mic, Abena is all inspiration and goodness."
MASS MoCA's year-round Alt Cabaret series features the best music, dance, theater and more from emerging artists performing either outside in Dré Wapenaar's Pavilion in fine weather or in cozy Club B-10 if rain threatens. Lickety Split serves full dinner and snacks before and during the performance along with Herrell's ice cream. A full bar is available as well.
Tickets for Abena Koomson are $14 in advance/ $18 day of show. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams, open during gallery hours from 11 AM until 5 PM, closed Tuesdays through June 27 or 10 AM - 6 PM every day from June 28 through September 2. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413-662-2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org.
