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ADODI Muse: A Gay Negro Ensemble collection

 Collection
Identifier: aarl008-100

Scope and Contents

The ADODI Muse collection consists of correspondence, publications, newspaper and magazine articles, newsletters, notes, committee reports, meeting minutes, directories, organizations, administrative records and financial records. The records also include brochures, audiovisual material, events, programs, performance proposals, photographs and ephemera.

Dates

  • 1990 - 2010

Biographical / Historical

The ADODI Muse: A Gay Negro Ensemble, was established in 1995 as a writers collective to provide a safe haven for the written stories, poems, plays and essays of African-American gay men in Atlanta. The organization’s name comes from the Yoruba word Adodi which means “men who love men.”

The ensemble's founding members are Duncan E. Teague and Anthony Carl (Tony) Daniels. Daniels died in an auto accident in 1998. Jerel Cooper was the group's first manager.

The performance poets share stories that reflect the varied experiences within the Black gay community. Performances as well as community-based workshops are designed to address difficult topics surrounding HIV/AIDS, sexuality and freedom, bigotry and homophobia, silence and fear within the Black community. In addition to original works, the ensemble’s performances draw from prolific writers such as Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Pat Parker and Essex Hemphill.

The ensemble has collaborated with organizations such as Charis Books and More and Zami Inc. They have been featured performers at the National Black Arts Festival, the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, Black Gay Pride in Washington, D.C., In the Life Atlanta's Black Gay Pride Celebration, Atlanta Pride's AIDS Vigil and Cultural Celebration, Emory University's "Queering the South" Conference, and Gay Spirit Vision's "Spring Thing."

Among the ensemble's signature works are "Late Night Garage Sale: The Show (Everything Must Go), 2000; and "Weeping Mighty Tears," 1998; and "Burning for Your Touch," 1996.

ADODI Muse is no longer active, but reunites for occasional performances. Original members were Daniels, Teague and Malik M.L. Williams. Current members are Teague, Williams and Anthony McWilliams, aka Anthony Antoine.

Extent

6.25 Linear Feet

Language

English