Hey Mes Amies, Thanks for volunteering to do the score! We only get one shot to do it while our first black president is in office. And who knows the odds of Prez Day falling on Nina’s birthday while the next black president is in office. So many many thanks for making this time specific performance art piece happen!
See below for materials list and score:
You will need:
- a year when a black president is in office
- a day when president’s day falls on nina simone’s birthday
- a public place (cafeteria, cafe, mall, park, etc.)
- a cake with the words “happy black president’s day nina simone” (you can bake it yourself or buy one cheap at the grocery store)
- photos of Nina Simone
- scissors
- glue
- blank sheets of paper or card templates
- envelopes
- stamps
- the address to the White House
Place the cake in the public place. When people ask you what it’s for, tell them it’s Nina Simone’s birthday. Offer them a piece of cake in exchange for a story about a black woman in their life who helped make this country the kind of place where Obama could be elected president. (See my story here) Fold a sheet of paper in half and write the story inside. Decorate the outside with photos of Nina Simone. (See how I made mine here) Address it to President Obama and put it in the mail. Repeat until all sheets of paper are gone – OR – Have people email their stories to aisha.cousins.studio[at]gmail.com and we’ll send the cards for you!
You can send your letters to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
This Obama Skirt Score is part of Celebrate Black President’s Day with the Obama Skirt Project 2011. Join us at Harlem Textile Works, Feb 19-21, 2011! Want to become an Obama Skirter? Click here to order your limited edition “2011 Black President’s Day” Obama skirt today. https://2011blackpresidentsdaysale.eventbrite.com
