Na'lå'la': Songs of Freedom Vol. 5

Celebrate Freedom, Liberation and Decolonization, Join Independent Guåhan for its 5th Na’lå’la’ Songs of Freedom Concert on July 4th

 

For Immediate Release, June 27, 2021 – Since 2017, each July Independent Guåhan has hosted a free concert, “Na’lå’la’:Songs of Freedom.” This event is a chance for the community to connect to conscious and empowering messages for social change and decolonization through music, poetry, art and dance. Independent Guåhan invites the community to tune in Sunday, July 4th from 7 to 9 pm on KUAM TV 8 for “Na’lå’la’: Songs of Freedom Vol. 5.” The concert will also be livestreamed on KUAM News’ Facebook page.

 

This year’s concert is a collaboration with Tåhdong Marianas, an up and coming collective or artists, musicians, scholars and activists that is dedicated to the promotion of music and storytelling from the Mariana Islands. Artists to be featured this year are: Microchild, Ma’lak Mo’na, Jonah Hånom, Rachel Esteves, Sinahi Benavente with Pedru Blas and SPEAR. Poetry will be performed by Eddie Acfalle, Megan Taitague, Nichole Quintanilla, Clarissa Mendiola and Julian Aguon. 

 

Despite the ongoing pandemic requiring that this year’s concert once again be online and on air, Independent Guåhan remains committed to offering the Na’lå’la’ concert as a space through which both established and emerging creative voices can use their talents to inspire the community to imagine a better future for the island through decolonization.

 

The Na’lå’la’ concert is traditionally held on or close to July 4th or Independence Day in hopes of opening up the holiday up to a new more locally focused interpretation. Independent Guåhan encourages the island and the global Guam community not to use the day to celebrate the independence or political development of another, but rather reflect on Guam’s need for decolonization and what our own future political aspirations might be. 

 

Na’lå’la’ means to “give life” and in that spirit the community is invited to join Independent Guåhan on July 4th for an evening of art and creativity aimed at giving life to our community and our dreams for a more just and equitable future.

 

For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua at (671) 988-7106, email independentguahan@gmail.com.




 

 

 

 

 

 

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