Yes we can

For those of you who are just reading this blog. The update is in reference to The Queen's Suite which is now on Kickstarter to raise the finishing funds. We have until the end of August.

"Yes we can" was a response to the question recently posted by TY, "can we achieve this?"

The slogan "Yes we can" captured the hearts and imaginations of the American nation and non-Americans alike. When Obama was elected, the three words signified more then change. The acclaimed literary genius Dr. Maya Angelou, is for me, the best person to explain what the words meant.

"In a climate where all men and women are known to be equals, "yes I can" speaks for the brahmin in Boston and the theologian in Nashville, Tennessee. It speaks for the rabbi at the hall of tolerance in Los Angeles and it speaks for the imam in the largest mosque in the United States. It speaks for us all."

"Yes we can" in it's simplest sense means an "equality of togetherness." And the person, who for many, understood this more then others is Rev Dr. Martin Luther King. Within "I have a dream" is the notion of an "equality of togetherness" but there is also the idea that "yes, we can dream, and imagine something greater that enables us to be the best we can be".

Reading TY's posts, it feels as though he is harnessing and sharing the imaginative power within both statements.

He's not the only one.

The wonderful Adam Sieff has been busy updating people and tweeting.

Last night Lorraine from Black Filmmaker was in contact to say, "I will be promoting and profiling the film as one being supported by BFS" and she said, "If you have a trailer, as we're in pre-launch mode we can broadcast on GMWTV."

A producer was moved to phone, telling me that the images of an "equality of togetherness" inspired her.

Today Donna M from Elements of Jazz emailed to say the Queen's Suite story was on her blog. Donna M has also tweeted it, Check it out ☞ "The Queen's Suite" - A young Jazz musician's dream to play to the Queen of England. http://goo.gl/fb/hSZ4E and it was also sent to her facebook.

Whilst a few days ago AllAboutJazz published an article about how and why the doc was made.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php...

Peter wrote to let me know he had spoken about The Queen's Suite in an interview. NKECHI said, "There is also a fascinating documentary “The Queens Suite”about your journey of discovery with the work of Duke Ellington, How did this journey begin?"

You can read his reply on the link below.
http://litandspoken.southbankcentre.co.uk/

A friend I havn't seen in about 6 years emailed to say she had received an email from another source. She remembered me writing in the kitchen of her conference centre, many years ago. Her email brought back warm memories. The Pierian centre, in Bristol, also has the philosophy of an "equality of togetherness" and attracts and welcomes people from many backgrounds.

I have written in the centre, danced, sang, eaten and meditated there. One person stated, “We love the centre that you have created for its atmosphere of peacefulness, tranquillity and beauty as well as being very stimulating, vibrant and life-filled." Her words, illustrate the nature of the centre and brings to life the quality of the people who enable the centre to be such a wonderful place. It was lovely to receive her email and her good wishes for the doc.

And I nearly forgot, another friend based in Scotland, a writer, painter and academic, who I havn't heard from for a while, wrote and offered a cinema or two to use. As well as the cinemas he sent his love and good wishes.

As I write, Peter, has just sent me an update of an email he is sending to all his friends. Included in the email is the write-up I did on his dad, Eddy, who is 72, and who has been out and about collecting, the piano vid Peter made to raise awareness of the doc and other tasty morsels.

So with such great support and good vibes all I can add to TY's question, "Can we achieve this?" is "YES WE CAN" because the truth of the documentary and the integrity of everyone involved (I'm talking about you :-) big smile) is inspiring folks to share, pledge, give suggestions, pledge, and share again.

Here is a link to a woman who has made incredible changes. Patsy Mink ran for President of the USA. She was an incredible woman, she once said, "I've run many times, and I've lost many times, but I've never given up feeling I as an individual, and you as an individual, can make a difference." http://www.youtube.com/watch...

I've also attached a rare photo of the great Rev Dr. Martin Luther King. For many his dreaming was the power that enabled, in the face of severe aggression and racism, another moment in contemporary history where an "equality of togetherness" was realised.

As for me I know I am able to make this documentary and write because of the actions of those who came before me. As Dr. Maya Angelou said, "Black, white, asian, all ethnicities, women, men, straight, gay, small, large, road-cleaner, house-wife, politician, girl, boy, writer, singer, artist, and filmmaker. All people's have been part of the imaginative and cultural process."

So let's continue to dream, tweet, talk, facebook, pledge, and share.

THANKYOU for being involved and coming on this journey. BIG HUGS and electronic SMILES coming your way.

Join us and find more about Kickstarter here http://kck.st/cbGGo1

Corine