Grown Folks at the Apollo Theater

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New York's world famous Apollo Theater announced the return of the Salon Series, a month long run of four different programs spotlighting compelling new works, combining a variety of theatrical forms including music, theater, spoken word and poetry. During the entire month of October, The Salon Series will focus on Voices of the Street, artistic performances illustrating the wide ranging creativity in hip-hop culture. Toni Blackman (see photo) & Saddi Khali presenting Grown Folks Friday, October 20th and Saturday, October 21st.

Toni Blackman is an international champion of hip-hop culture, known for her irresistible and contagious performances. An award-winning artist, her steadfast work and commitment to hip-hop led the U.S. Department of State to bestow the title of U.S. Hip Hop Ambassador upon her, already serving in Senegal, Ghana, Botswana, and Swaziland where her residencies include performances, workshops, and lectures on hip hop poetry. She has shared the stage with the likes of Erykah Badu, Mos Def, The Roots, Sheryl Crow, and many others. Her first book, Inner-Course was released in 2003 (Villard/Random House). She is also the founder of Freestyle Union, a cipher workshop that uses free-styling as a tool to encourage social responsibility.

Saddi Khali is an established and respected New Orleans poet, rapper, songwriter, producer and photographer. He has been writing for 15 years and his writings have appeared in numerous nationally recognized journals and anthologies, including Dark Eros. Along with helping to drive the spoken word movement in New Orleans, he is a strong advocate of youth education through arts and media. The ultimate mix-master, Saddi refuses to be limited by genre. He is completing his debut album and working on his first book of poetry.

Together, Toni Blackman and Saddi Khali present Grown Folks, a new work that explores a creative playground for adults. In the world of Grown Folks, the words captivate like the groove. With provocative lyrical content, a dynamic stage show and roots as artist-activists, they speak to a demographic that has been ignored for too long. Performed with a live band and a DJ, the photography of Saddi Khali will serve as the backdrop. The general public is invited for a brief post-performance discussion on the future of hip-hop.

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