Ohio University opens its treasures at The African Art Conference 2007. PART 2

Each day seems to leave the passing day as a reminder of what the new day has in store. These 12 - 14 hour session, leaves on exhausted, however wanting more....... The Drums were still sounding as the midnight approached. I AM WAITING THE EVENTS OF TODAY WITH ANTICIPATION. “

On day 3, April 20, 2007,God was present. We had such will power, due to the lack of sleep, but with the excitement of a child on Christmas Eve, to see what Directors (Husband & Wife) Dr. Paschal Yao Younge & Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge had up there sleeves. After another day of lectures, performance and more food, we had no idea of what the evening concert would bring. SPECTATULAR. The musical production titled: AZA!! by Directors ( Husband & Wife) Dr. Paschal Yao Younge & Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge, Habib Iddrisu, Azaguno, Michael Ramsey, The Ohio University Singers, Singing Men of Ohio, Ohio University Women’s Chorale and Ohio University Symphony Orchestra at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium on Ohio University was OUT OF SIGHT!!

That night from my laptop I wrote “The drums are still sounding. This conference is packed with theories, personal experiences, historical fact, sounded documentation, during the morning and afternoons. Topics and heated debates are items for much needed inspiration. I had to take a morning break to refresh my senses and some much need photography of this area. I came upon some caves and waterfalls, located 30 miles northwest of Athens, Ohio. What I saw there, refreshed me and communed me with my Native American ancestry. The morning’s cold, formed a sauna like atmosphere. The echo of the waterfalls brought me back to my oneness. I was alone there, due to my early arrival. This is truly God's sauna.

As always, royalty closes out the evening, as we and the entire Ohio University campus, were serenaded and entertained by Directors Paschal Yao Younge and wife: Zelma Badu-Younge presentation: AZA!!. A 100 plus member presentation at the Alumni Memorial Auditorium. I can only say that I shall be hearing the sound of the Drum 1000 miles away in my homeland of Florida after this Conference are over on April 21, 2007”. I spoke with Zelma later who told me there was about 230 performers. AZA!!!

The final day, April 21, 2007, really had us gasping for air, but wanting more. I arrived early to present my lecture titled: The Importance of Documentation and The History of ARTE MECCO to a very warm audience. This day was the day of relaxation. During and after lunch I spent most of my time speaking Spanish with presenter Felle Vega from the Dominican Republic. We presenter felt that after such a exploration of 3 hard days, that Directors ( Husband & Wife) Dr. Paschal Yao Younge & Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge should be highly praised. The Closing Ceremony Keynote speaker was Robert Thompson who presented a presentation titled: Open Your Ears and Hear the Message of God: Toward a History of Mambo. This couldn’t have been the best closing, as my dear friend Fella Vega and The Los Viejos Blanquitos played into the night. We danced salsa and mambo into the night. Dr. Roderick McDavis.

President of Ohio University, also present at the closing ceremony stated it we well. he stated “ That we may be different, but we are all alike”.

Thank you Directors ( Husband & Wife) Dr. Paschal Yao Younge & Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge. Dr. Roderick McDavis, president of Ohio University. Dr. Charles McWeeny, Dean of Fine Arts at Ohio University, Dr. Kathy Krendl, Provost, Pat Davidson and Ohio University for making the conference a photo-documentary paradise for me. I know those Appalachian foothill were about to erupt.

May God Bless you all….Hugeaux

I wrote noting at the hotel that night and packed my laptop for the trip back to Florida. I slept.