It's the Dream... Reborn!

April 4-6, 2008

Memphis, TN

I don't know how to explain the conference, but it was in many ways a call to action, a call to love, a call to endure the struggle for social justice together, a pervasive idea that we are stronger together. It was activist led, so it wasn't just talking about what the vision was because the conversation started beyond that and really asking ourselves WHAT are we doing to continue this effort to make the world more just NOW. How do we challenge ourselves to get there. What actions are we taking to make our collective vision a reality. And it wasn't always said in a way that made us feel comfortable hearing it. Messages like: complacency is easy, don't get too comfortable, there's a lot of work ahead, it will always feel upstream.

What was so strong about the conference was the audience that Green For All attracted -- it was 70% people of color, every age group, every race, lots of youth, lots of old-timers who've experience a lot of struggle either in the civil rights or enviro justice movements, lots of folks working on the ground and taking risks for their communities. Not to mention over 1000 attendees with over 50% attending via scholarship. Unprecedented I think, or rare at the most.

It had THE MOST amazing energy I have ever experienced at a conference, like a true movement of Eco-Equity was forming before my eyes. There were a lot of spiritual moments, it took place in the South so Jesus was mentioned in many ways. Something we aren't used to here in the Bay and there were lots of Bay Area folks there but everyone was okay with who people were and where they came from because it felt like we were the ones that were going to make the change together. If we couldn't accept our differences, if we couldn't stand up and hug our neighbor (which we did over the course of the event), then how could we ever conceive of taking on this massive struggle together? It was a lot of affirmation, action and models throughout the country to show how it could be done, too. So it wasn't just talking and imagining, but really showing concrete models and examples of what is happening right now to move this train forward.

It was like bringing all the little flames together from around the country on the issue of eco-equity to create one massive fire...and then that fire ignited all the people in the room to take back a little more fire. That's how it felt.

Messages that stuck for me...it's not what you do at work or through another entity but what you know you do as an individual that counts. Challenge complacency. Disseminate the message that it's already happening now and we can replicate projects, create synergies and be open for engagement.

The other cool thing about the format of the event was all the people from the arts and faith communities doing performances in the evening or between speakers. So that broke up the monotony of using my left brain during the day, a little right brain action was good.

That conference was a little over two weeks ago and I've already reconnected with a number of folks to talk about our work and possible connections moving forward. Really powerful stuff.

To get a closer look at the intentional vibe of the Dream Reborn conference, check Van's words here: http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/4/4/10838/02965

Casa Octopus goes Beverly Hills

We all have been waiting with much anticipation to celebrate Austin's completion of a quarter of a century, but the wait was well worth it. The celebrations began with the arrival of Eduardo, "the Chilean friend," who came to visit via Los Angeles. His llegada was defined by a yoga class that created the same euphoric feeling that one gets after sex, and lead to some mysterious adventures in the Castro later that night. The next day was followed up with the weekly soccer match and then with a group swimming trip to Lake Anza, where we let the dogs play frisbee while we enjoyed some delicious guacamole, hairy yogurt, spicy/dirty cheese and delightful Fanshop after a refreshing, if not short, swim. On the way back down, out of the hills, there were amazing views of the lights over the Bay area that made some of us feel restful, while inspiring others to go salsa the night away.
On the final day of the weekend, we all gathered for the famous Curanto that Austin and Eduardo whipped up in a simmering white wine sauce, with some "potato bread" and a sort of pico-de-gallo soup (for those of us who are more Mexican-leaning than Chilean). Accompanying this dish of animalitos, was a delicious Mozambiquean pasta, as well as some fabulous artichokes. To top it off we had ginger/amarula/strawberry cake, pisco sour and fanshop of course! All together is was a very satisfying and it's hard to say whether it was the warm, summer-like sun of the weekend, the yummy food or the sweet-sourness of the pisco that made us all so happy. Or perhaps, it was the uncanny similarity that our community seems to have with the famous one of 90210, at least to some visitors!
Austin closed the picnic party with a moving South African tune, which led us into a vigil for the Global Day for Darfur, where we remembered the atrocities that continue to occur there, lit candles for hope and signed petitions to bring more support for peace and resolution to that region. It was a weekend that cannot be forgotten, and upon remembering, brings a strong feeling of being blessed to be part of this beautiful community that is aware of our surroundings enough to truly appreciate them, and also cognizant of the ways we can take action to improve the world we live in.

Please stay tuned for the photos .....

The 11/11 Tour of the American West

Sameer Gupta and Shrinivas Reddy have been touring the West Coast, with the Octopus as their base. They both have been living in the Bay Area for years and this tour was the exclamation point that marks the end of their stay here. They did 11 shows in 11 days with Tuesdays as resting days.

In an exclusive interview to this blog, Srini met with a few tentacles around the kitchen table to talk about the tour and the rigors of traveling and performing all the time. Being on the road was definitely stressful for both him and Sameer, especially with the big changes ahead. But high points include meeting up with old acquaintances, networking and just putting the good vibes out there.

Srini and Sameer have been playing together for a while now. Even though they play an ancient style of music, it gets renewed every time it is played and becomes a new and meaningful composition to each individual that listens to it. Most tentacles attended at least one show and they are definitely worth catching next time they are in town.

Next, they have their own gurus touring the US and in a sense the West Coast tour was a prelude. We'll see Srini again when he returns to the Bay Area with his guru and Sameer is going to New York this week but will be back for a few more shows. Hopefully we'll get an exclusive sneak peek at the recordings from the tour and the upcoming album.