Here is the list of fabulous musicians and storytellers who performed at the International Peace & Music Festival on Sunday, May 2 at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, the culmination of the rally and march that began at Times Square.  We also heard from Sakue Shimora, a survivor of the bombing of Nagasaki. Shimohira-san was 10 years old, when Nagasaki was bombed. She survived the atomic bombing in the air-raid cave-like shelter, with her father, younger sister and nephew about 800 meters from the hypocenter. She lost her mother, elder sister and elder brother. After the war, they all lived together and managed to make a living. She has been working devotedly for nuclear-weapon-free world.

MUSIC

EARTHDRIVER

Earthdriver is a New York City based World-Funk Mothership Collective of musicians and activists. Their musical style has been described as “a cross between P-FUNK, SUN RA and KRS1, with a dash of The Fat Albert Gang” The band’s rhythm section (Swiss Chris – drums and Jeremiah Hosea -bass) have toured with James Blood Ulmer and Gloria Gaynor. One of the band’s guitarists (Ryan Waters) is currently on tour with Sade. Other members include Imani Uzuri, Mark Lesseraux, Dj Oja and Jerome Jordan. For more info one the group go to: www.earthdriver.org

MATTERS featuring Sari Schorr and Kirk Yano

Matters, through the medium of music, dance and the visual arts is drawing attention to humanitarian causes that matter. Using the universal language of music to foster compassion and raise consciousness, Matters brings a powerful message of peace and hope, creating an instant human bond that transcends cultural barriers, languages and the vast layers of social and political conventions. matters features an international lineup of musicians from the US, France, Japan, Italy and India. www.mattersonline.org

CACIBAJAGUA TAINO CULTURAL SOCIETY

Established in 1993, the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society is an inter-Tribal, inter-generational community of indigenous Caribbean singers, musicians, and artists dedicated to transmitting their ancestral heritage to their present and future generations with dignity and honor. Members of the Society will share some Taino music and song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrl-16txpJ4, http://tainoculture.blogspot.com/

DRUMMERS FOR PEACE OF JAPAN – 平和の和太鼓

The Drummers for Peace have performed throughout Japan and internationally for 60 years. They come from cities all over Japan to perform, because they believe in sharing their performances with all people to further inspire all efforts for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament. They perform with a large chorus of singers. http://www.utagoe.gr.jp/

UTAGOE CHORUS OF JAPAN

The organization has been always with and supported struggles for peace, nuclear free, no military bases and for justice. It has worked for spreading peace songs at grass-roots, contributing to encouraging and developing or overcoming the struggles for peace.

CATHERINE LECOQ
Catherine is a renowned actress and singer from France. Watch on YouTube.

DEUX EX MACHINA (DIVINE INTERVENTION)
Deux Ex Machina is an International group, featuring SahjKaya, whose music is a mix of Reggae music, African percussion & rhythms with song and Spoken Word. Her music has excited & ignited her audiences with her conscious enlightening & empowering lyrics & her sultry sexy vocals. She is joined by Karamba Dioubate, Griot, Master percussionist from Guinea West Africa and Adrian Barthomew, guitarist, keyboard player, vocalist from Trinidad. www. Eastmeetswestoftroost.ws, www.sahjkaya.com, www.youtube.com/domasunofisis

STORYTELLING

Kumosuke Kubo is a well known Storyteller in Hiroshima. He has a story about ants that keep harassing all the US presidents ever since 1945. The ants are punishment for evil deeds done and never acknowledged. website:

Hortencia ColoradoChichimeca Otomi, is one half of Coatlicue Theatre Company now in its 21st year founded by both she and her sister Elvira. Through their work they give voice to their experiences as Indigenous women addressing social and political struggles and weaving them with traditional stories.

BunKen Nagano – Poem “A Thousand Winds” with Classical Guitar. BunKen is a musician and poet. who plays notes full of graceful gentleness that resonate with truth. His rich and graceful style of playing has earned him the nickname “Magician of the Six Strings.” He appeared with a Japanese actress Sayuri Yoshinaga in Hiroshima, accompanying her poetry reading on the subject of the atomic bomb. Originally from Nagasaki prefecture, he makes his home in Hiroshima City.

The Aogiri Club – The Society of A-bomb Aogiri’s Dream. Hiroshima was believed to bear no vegetation for 75 years after the bomb, but Aorigi trees quickly grew back and became the symbol of regeneration. The Society of A-Bomb Aogiri’s Dream was formed to share the story and the hope of Aogiri so that the people around the world will care for a little Aogiri and world peace. Many members of the society are teachers in Hiroshima and some of them are 2^nd generation Hibakusha.