- I AM ATL Woman and I am here to tell my own story! -
I AM ATL Woman is Giwayen Mata’s premier performance work dedicated to the actual lived experiences of our native Atlanta company members and audience members alike, who in addition to being southern women, have also grown up in families with significant African diasporic identities, thus providing a lens that is consistent with the company’s 29 year image of Africa via the dance and the drum.
This project employs contemporary yet down home southern narratives of dance and spoken word to highlight the unique and rich blueprint that makes growing up and being a woman in Atlanta a profound and iconic experience. While southern cuisine, entrepreneurship, Civil War history, local movie production, and reality television are able to highlight some aspects of Atlanta living, I AM ATL Woman is a specific glimpse into how Black and African-centered women of Atlanta literally move. Those movements create a valuable perspective of American life as seen in Atlanta, known to some as the Black Mecca of the South.
I AM ATL Woman showcases the culture of Atlanta as uniquely formative to our nation’s regional influences as those of New Orleans, the Gullah, and New York scenes. With over 100 years of lively historically Black college life, a rich African diasporic identity, and a legendary music scene spanning rhythm and blues, soul, and hip hop, the Atlanta woman is an icon worth embodied storytelling.
OPENING NIGHT
Join us for a post-show celebration featuring DJ Mettaspin, with complimentary wine in the 7 Stages lobby and signature G-I-N MATA cocktails from adjacent bar Java Lords.
Known for her genre-mixing blends, DJ Mettaspin has been delighting audiences throughout the Atlanta area for more than a decade. An Atlanta native with culturally diverse roots, Metta conducts dynamic musical experiences interlaced with high-energy dance rhythms, relaxed chill vibes, and universal grooves. In addition to various local venues, you can find DJ Mettaspin on the web, entertaining viewers around the globe at twitch.tv/djmettaspi
Behind the scenes with Giwayen Mata
ABOUT GIWAYEN MATA
Giwayen Mata formed in 1993 and included 10 trailblazing women! As an all sistah, dance, percussion, and vocal ensemble these women work in the spirit of their namesake from the West African Hausa language, translating to “Elephant Women”. They have lived up to this title by being towering leaders onstage and in classes.
By specializing in the dances, rhythms and songs of the African Diaspora and interacting with them in a contemporary American context, Giwayen Mata unites audiences in an atmosphere of strength and positivity while addressing the struggles and triumphs of black women.
Giwayen Mata’s vision is to use the hidden treasures of Black womanhood to create a lasting positive impact on every girl and woman within our reach, therefore exponentially uplifting our entire world one family, community, organization, and institution at a time.
Giwayen Mata’s mission is to celebrate the lives of women and uplift communities and the planet, while perpetuating the cultures of Afrika and the Afrikan Diaspora through the study, creation, teaching, and presentation of artistic media including dances, rhythms, songs, poetry, and prose around the world.
Health & safety requirements
All 7 Stages in-person performances and activities require audiences to wear masks at all times. Food or drinks are also no longer allowed inside the theatres. In addition, all artists and patrons are required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test taken in the last 72 hours. If you are not feeling well, please stay home and do not attend any in-person events! We are happy to exchange any tickets for another time when you are feeling better. Just reach out to the box office 404-523-7647 or boxoffice@7stages.org, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
For more information on 7 Stages’ health and safety policies, visit https://www.7stages.org/covid-19-health-safety/
