La Befana's Table with Dina & Friends

Have you ever wondered about the role of art in connecting diverse communities and cultures?

Today, I had the distinct honor of engaging in a heartfelt conversation with Tijay Mohammed here in the enchanting ambiance of La Befana's Table.

Tijay is a Bronx-based Ghanaian-born artist who creates site-specific installations, collages, and paintings that explore the heart of his community and the essence of humanity. His interactive art is inspired by “Sankofa,” a Ghanaian Adinkra symbol that means to “learn from the past for a prosperous future” and demonstrates a commitment to community, self-love, and appreciation.

Tijay and I had a serendipitous encounter during a street festival here in Harlem New York, where a chance interaction marked the beginning of a unique bond.

And in this episode, Tijay shares the heartwarming story of his iconic artwork, "Mama Ubuntu," a thought-provoking composition inspired by the Statue of Liberty. From the profound symbolism of the wisdom-laden head wrap to the meticulous detailing of significant individuals who've touched his life, Tijay delves into the symbiotic relationship between his art and its viewers.

He also talks about his series, "The Ache for Home Lives in All of Us," inspired by the story of his daughter and the concept of a safe haven within one's heart. We explore the concept of home, emphasizing that it's not just a physical space, but a feeling within one's heart.

Tijay further enchants us with the tale of the Baobab Tree mosaic, nestled in the embrace of Van Cortlandt Park, and its intention to symbolize unity and peace through broken tiles.

Join us as we uncover the intricate connections between personal stories and shared experiences, the power of symbols, and the collective wisdom that drives art and human interaction.

Tijays's journey as an artist shines a light on the transformative potential of creativity and connection, making this episode a captivating exploration of the human spirit and the art that flows from it.

Celebrate yourself and join Tijay for his ongoing exhibition at the Casita Center Maria for Arts & Education! More details here!

Welcome back to another episode of La Befana’s Table!

Today, I have an extraordinary conversation to share with you with the talented artist, Victoria Haf.

Born in 1988, Victoria hails from Mexico City. Her journey took a fascinating turn when she married and became a mother in Calabria, Southern Italy. Today, she resides in the quaint town of Motta Filocastro, where she is learning from the old tradition of mutual aid in one of the poorest regions of Europe.

In this conversation, we touched on various topics, including her family history, the richness of land, and her work in the realm of "magia agreste," a form of devotion through art. We also delved into the significance of collective healing, the role of grief and mourning in the journey of renewal, and the importance of building genuine connections within a community.

Victoria's story is truly inspiring and reminds us of the importance of staying connected, embracing our roots, and finding healing through art and devotion.

Key points from this episode:

* 7:52 How Calabria has shown Victoria, God. The journey of finding her place in the diaspora, finding the capacity to grow what she feels is a void in her relationship.

* 28:07 Seeing the world through the eyes of a senior citizen

* 36:46 The story of Gigante Heads (her art)

* 45:08 Magical realism in Calabria

* 52:08 Calabria as a treasure, keeping traditions alive and healing her in so many ways

Connect with Victoria

Website: https://magiagreste.wordpress.com

IG: @magia.agreste

Thanks so much for pulling up a seat at La Befana’s Table! If you find value in listening to La Befana’s Table please consider sending it to a friend, leaving a review on Apple, and/or becoming a Supporting Subscriber

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Welcome to La Befana's Table! In this captivating episode, we dive deep into the world of dance and life with the incredibly talented Franck Muhel, whose worldview revolves around the idea that Life Is Now.

Franck's life motto, "Life is Now," became a powerful message he wanted to spread through his gift of dance. He believes that dancing is not just a form of self-expression but also a means of sharing love and joy with others.

Join us for this inspiring conversation that will make you appreciate thee beauty of dance and the importance of living in the now. Franck's profound insights remind us that life is a precious gift that we should cherish and make the most of, embracing each moment with joy and humility. So, let's dance to the rhythm of life!

🔥Join the Hottest Salsa Performance Training Series with Franck Muhel!🔥

Mark your calendars for July 23rd, 2023, and every Sunday thereafter, as we invite you to join the highly anticipated Salsa Performance Training Series led by the renowned dance maestro, Franck Muhel!

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry! To get all the juicy details and secure your spot in the series, simply click here!

Franck Muhel's performances are renowned for their dynamic creative energy that inspires and electrifies audiences all over the world. As principal dancer with Eddie Torres, the Mambo King, and featured soloist, Franck has performed and choreographed with internationally acclaimed orchestras: Eddie Torres Mambo Kings Orchestra, Mitch Frohman Latin Jazz Quartet, Mambo Legends , Eddie Montalvo Band, Bobby Sanabria and more. 

Franck Muhel can be seen in the famous movie Warner Bros Pictures. “In The Heights”

Key points from this episode:

* 4:38 The role of humility in dance

* 14:44 Learning to appreciate every second of life

* 24:00 The connection between dance and developing the sixth sense

* 30:00 How to stay open to the moment as a dancer

* 39:53 Energy is all about everything in life

Thanks so much for pulling up a seat at La Befana’s Table! If you find value in listening to La Befana’s Table please consider sending it to a friend, leaving a review on Apple, and/or becoming a Supporting Subscriber

dinagregory.substack.com

In this episode of La Befana’s Table, we are joined by Irma Cadiz "The Coquito Lady", a remarkable woman with a passion for her cultural heritage and spreading joy through her business.

Irma shares her journey of discovering and embracing her Puerto Rican roots, and how it led her to become The Coquito Lady. Through her story, we explore the power of food and drinks in connecting with our heritage and preserving traditions.

Join us as we dive into Irma’s experiences, memories, and her mission to share her culture with the world.

Know more about Coquito Lady here.

Key takeaways from this episode:

2:04 Culture served on ice. Irma reflects on her mission to preserve and celebrate her Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage through her beverages

6:43 Rediscovering Cultural Heritage

16:05 The importance of not taking oneself too seriously and finding joy in shared experiences

Thanks so much for pulling up a seat at La Befana’s Table! If you find value in listening to La Befana’s Table please consider sending it to a friend, leaving a review on Apple, and/or becoming a Supporting Subscriber

dinagregory.substack.com

In this episode of "La Befana’s Table”, I am joined by Elisa Spring, a mother of wild and free-range children, an apprentice to eros and grief, who believes in the power of truth-telling to foster intimacy.

Join me as we delve into a deep and transformative conversation with Elisa, exploring the journey of embracing one's true self and the significance of becoming the elder we longed for. Elisa's unique perspective, combined with her powerful presence, offers listeners a fresh and inspiring outlook on personal growth and connection.

Know more about Elisa here.

Key takeaways from this episode:

* 6:11 Life's unexpected events often lead to a need for change in identity, inviting us to embrace new levels of initiation and foster a shared understanding.

* 19:23 Trusting the body as an ally, developing a deep connection from childhood, intentional relating, and learning how to ally with our bodies.

* 31:28 Embracing the grief of elderhood, learning from nature, and overcoming the fear of feeling all emotions, bridges the gap between aging and becoming an elder.

* 39:38 Discovering the path to becoming the elders we long for requires a conscious effort to embody the qualities we wished our own elders possessed, empowering us to guide future generations with wisdom and compassion

Thanks so much for pulling up a seat at La Befana’s Table! If you find value in listening to La Befana’s Table please consider sending it to a friend, leaving a review on Apple, and or becoming a supporting subscriber.

dinagregory.substack.com

In today’s episode of La Befana’s Table, Dina is joined by Anna Harsh, a dancer, author, podcaster, and speaker.

Anna is the author of the book "La Danza: Conflict, Passion, and Healing."

In this episode, we delve into Anna's journey as a dancer and her quest to preserve and showcase traditional Italian folk dances. From researching archives and interviewing experts to forming a dance company and performing for Pope John Paul II, Anna shares her experiences and the profound lessons she has learned along the way.

Know more about Anna here.

Keypoints we talked about that you don’t want to miss:

1:42 Where Anna’s journey of researching Italian folk dance started

9:26 Learning more about movement as a human being

11:27 How the geographical location and historical context of a region influence the movements and themes of the dances

26:55 The Power of folk dances, oneness and unity

43:52 How to find stillness in your dancing

Thanks so much for pulling up a seat at La Befana’s Table! 

If you want episodes sent directly to your inbox as well as access to our monthly community & connection hour. Be sure to subscribe to my substack dinagregory.substack.com

Welcome back to another captivating episode of La Befana's Table!

Today, we have a truly remarkable guest to introduce you to. Joining us is the multi-talented Dr. John Satchmo Mannan, also known as Dr. Mujib Mannan.

Dr. Mannan is a retired Professor of the American Experience Law, Literature and History at the College of New Rochelle, University of the Virgin Islands and other university venues for nearly 30 years. He is an embodiment of the Renaissance spirit, with a passion for education, law, history, poetry, jazz music, storytelling, and much more.

In this episode, Dr. Mannan shares his unique perspective on life and how he manages to keep all his passions and interests together. He believes in the power of love, wisdom, and understanding, and how they shape his exploration of different subjects.

From music and poetry to the history of Islam in Harlem, Dr. Mannan's curiosity knows no bounds.

Join us as we explore the intersection of art, history, philosophy, and spirituality, uncovering hidden truths and inspiring you to imagine a brighter world.

Discover Satchmo’s books here.

Get weekly whispers from The Land of Nod here.

Key points of what we talked about:

2:20 Introduction of Dr. John Satchmo Mannan

7:07 The role of Poetry, stories and legends in Re-education

13:03 Harlem and The Land Of Nod

21:44 Rugged individualism and group consciousness

38:55 Finding peace in the world and God

Thanks so much for pulling up a seat at La Befana’s Table! 

If you want episodes sent directly to your inbox as well as access to our monthly community & connection hour. Be sure to subscribe to my substack dinagregory.substack.com

Welcome to another enchanting episode of La Befana's Table!

Dina is joined once again by the esteemed Dr. Gina Miele, professor of Italian and former director of the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America.

Dr. Miele specializes in nineteenth and twentieth-century Italian folktales, with a particular focus on the works of Luigi Capuana and Italo Calvino.

Her current projects include an annotated translation of Luigi Capuana's complete collection of fairy tales and a study on extending the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach to education beyond early childhood to middle school, secondary school, and university settings. Additionally, she is the creative mind behind the Italian Mystics, Saints & Visionaries Oracle Deck, a captivating creation for individuals with Italian heritage or a deep love for all things Italian.

In this fascinating episode, Dina and Dr. Miele embark on an exploration of fairy tales and witches. Analyzing the dual nature of female characters, that are often represented as destructive and devouring

Challenging the traditional portrayal of women & witches as negative forces in fairy tales, Dr. Miele emphasizes the importance of considering alternative perspectives. Providing thought-provoking insights and references where listeners are invited to appreciate the complexity and richness that lies beyond conventional portrayals of witches in folklore.

Join Dina Gregory and Dr. Gina Miele on this mesmerizing journey into the realm of fairy tales and witches!

Learn more about Dr. Miele and her work here.

Key points of what we talked about:

2:23 Folkloric wisdom and fairy tales

4:24 Looking at the story from the perspective of the witch

7:01 Isolation and loneliness in the story

9:51 How to find a new way to connect

12:14 Becoming a storyteller

14:13 The magic of fairy tales

16:23 Living beyond your own personal story

Thanks so much for pulling up a seat at La Befana’s Table! 

If you found value and love listening to La Befana’s Table with Dina & Friends, please leave an honest review, and share with friends.

If you want episodes sent directly to your inbox as well as access to our monthly connection & expression hour. Be sure to subscribe to my substack dinagregory.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of La Befana’s Table!

Today, we have a truly remarkable guest joining us, Daniel Cascardo.

Daniel is a Detroit-based visual artist. His work has been described as a vibrant playground for the senses. Through his art, Daniel transports us to a realm where cultures converge and imagination takes flight.

In this episode, we delve into Daniel's story and discover the transformative power of art in his life. We will learn how he envisions his creations as vessels of emotion and connection, inspiring viewers to contemplate the human experience and embrace the beauty of diversity.

So, grab a seat at La Befana's Table, and let's celebrate the transformative power of art with Daniel Cascardo.

Learn more about Daniel and his art here.

Key points of what we talked about:

2:12 The start of Daniel’s artistic career

5:03 Working with kids and adults with disabilities

12:48 The role of imagination in healing the world

18:39 The negative aspects of imagination

21:58 Being grateful for what you have

25:15 What is a contemplative art practice

Thanks so much for pulling up a seat at La Befana’s Table! 

If you want episodes sent directly to your inbox as well as access to our monthly connection & expression hour. Be sure to subscribe to my substack dinagregory.substack.com

Today Eduardo Montes Bradley joins me at La Befana’s Table for a conversation exploring Italian American sculptors & their impact on public art & the American identity as well as the stories that help us see the world and our place in it through a larger lens.

Eduardo Montes Bradley is an award-winning filmmaker renowned for his extraordinary biographical portraits of artists, social activists, and scientists. Eduardo's ability to capture the essence of these remarkable individuals and their profound contributions has earned him well-deserved acclaim. Some of his recent works, such as "Daniel Chester French American Sculptor" and "Black Fiddler's," have captivated audiences with their compelling storytelling.

In this episode, we are privileged to delve into Eduardo Montes Bradley's most recent project, a remarkable documentary entitled "The Italian Factor." This thought-provoking film explores the lives and works of Italian American sculptors and their enduring impact on public art and the formation of the American identity. Through his discerning lens, Eduardo brings to light the remarkable stories and artistic achievements of these sculptors, shedding light on their profound influence.

Learn more about Eduardo here.

Watch more of his works here.

If you find value in listening to La Befana’s Table and want to support my work in the world, please leave an honest review on Apple, share with a friend, buy me a coffee or become a Supporting Subscriber