Linda La FM

A blog. A journal… the closest thing to MySpace really …

[hkr]

I hope next year treats you kindly, but above all else, I hope you treat you kindly.

[lindalafm]

September 30th, 2020. I had the honor of being part of this history! My dream of working with @bill_t.jones came true and at such a tragic, coincidental and serendipitous time of loss. Here are shots of Bill T. Jones and Lee Mingwei’s “Our Labyrinth” performed at the MET. Thank you to @aliciahallmoran it was the powerful voice of a Black Woman piercing thru that American hall that gave me the strength to endure this powerful task. Wish I had gotten a pic with you all. Thank you @saramearns and a special thank you to @mendance2 for all your work… Pushing this broom reminded me of #childhood and growing up too fast. Reminded me all those that came before us that had no choice but to work their bodies tired. Yet it also reminded me of the simple things in life. And the tranquility of taking it slow. Whether To #sweep. To #move. To brush away. To #recreate. To #startover without ever really stopping. Since I came back from the West Indies last year I just can’t stop #takingmytime becuz it is mine and this performance sealed that. #stillmourning and when I am lost for words, I will naturally look to #movement and it will save me. Check out my website in my bio for the full response to the New York Times interview about the experience written in the blog section over a year ago. (at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVnIcrOFD3p/?utm_medium=tumblr

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September 16th, 2020. The first time I put on this mask. The first time I was ever asked to name the native land on which I dwell and the native lands of which I am from. It was the first time I was finally able to put away my frustration for this new way of life. Accepting that my protection can also be beautiful and decorative and adorned. there is too a beauty to our self preservation. To preserve our earth, our traditions, our world and what it means to reclaim indigenous land. Thank you @emilyjohnsoncatalyst and @jeffrune and everyone that made it possible. And all the dancers ! @acunaangel , @selassie.nia , Denaysha @snapshotturtle , @angiefromtheblockk , @ashleypierrelouis , @kattyrealness , @kasavvy Sasha, Stacy, Paul, Kim and @sugarvendil , This was the first performance I had done since returning from Antigua and seeing my grandfather off into afterlife. I learned so much about my lineage while there that I didn't know I would need for this moment. It seems I’m always right where I need to be. This performance helped reground me. Helped me heal. Because it was not a performance, it was ritual, ceremony, done with such divine intention. At a time when I was lost for words, once again, movement saved me... I live on Lenapehoking (Manahatta). My parents are from the islands Waladli and Boriken. I am of West African, Taino and Arawak ancestry. And I’m sure there’s some colonizers blood in there too. But everyday indeed is #indigenouspeoplesday and as we approach #halloween and #diasdelosmuertos I’m very closely reminded of our #ancestors (at Socrates Sculpture Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVnCc9YF_CG/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lindalafm]

Shots from #thelist @btfacollective event. July 23rd 2021. More pix and info on the btfa page and those fab shots by @alexwebsterphoto … I wish we had taken one big picture with all the performers. All the guests. Our moments together are so few and in-between that i just be wanting to be present. So present I forget to capture the moment. I’m still getting back in the habit of even being at events and wearing makeup and getting dressed up. Watching all these award shows lately reminds me of this night and How important it is that we continue to celebrate our own. In a world that is still learning to celebrate us. It truly was one of the best events, if not the best I’ve been to all year. It was historic. It was precious. To see Community supporting itself, organizing for itself, celebrating ourselves and each other’s individuality. Without comparison, in celebration and without judgement. Ive never seen a performance event like it and I still can’t believe it happened. The performances. The guests. The venue. The hosts. The outfits. The let out deserved an after party. It felt like the beginning of so much more to come… thanks to everyone that came and thank you to all that captured or were present for these moments. To Friends old and new, It is a delight and a privilege to share space and air with you. (at The Mezzanine) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUYz7aDMTMK/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lindalafm]

June 26th 2021. Thank you @rashidjohnson for building this stage that provided performers opportunity during such a critical time. Thank you @nylivearts @creativetime @photo_by_baranova The color for the summer was RED. Did I say it was HOT. No matter what we endure, we always find a way to come together, pay it forward and spread around the good fortune. And someone is always there to watch. Thank you to all that come out to support the shows I curate. I love creating opportunities for new artists to perform, to be seen, make new moments and gain new opportunities. Families grow and change. And I have gained a bittersweet confidence in my ability to build and attract the support I need around me. Community, friendship, family, support.. is a gift and a privilege that many don’t have. Although this year has been incredibly hard for me to adjust to, I have received the most recognition, flowers and awards, and they all came from community. Thank you @theperfectpoison for pushing me to sometimes uncomfortable places. It has helped me grow. I have learned that I need not be curating anything for a very long time. I’m ready to get back to hosting open mics the way I used to do back when. (at Astor Place, East Village) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTSbp8QF2Jp/?utm_medium=tumblr

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@nylivearts Pride June 2021. On the Red Stage by @rashidjohnson @creativetime Special thank you to @queenkatterp825 for signing our show and inspiring @rozaylabeija happy belated ❤️you graced the stage and added urgency to the set. Thank you for so much 📸 by @photo_by_baranova. “The heavens witnessing the occurrences that make us take flight” the injustices we continue to fight… I’m learning more and more when and where to invest in and divest from companies, corporations, organizations and institutions. I’m taking risks to get out of this system so I can feel free. Because where has our summer gone? Did we have to jump back into things (capitalism) as if we had learned nothing about the meaning of rest, relaxation and (restoration) still Restoring your battery life before restoring your inner battery. Many I know didn’t even have the privilege to unsubscribe. I was still running on empty. I was Still filled with anxiety. It was an untucked kind of summer. I wonder about the rush. The rise, the heave, the lift, the takeoffs… the returns. The breakaways. The changes. would we be more gracious if we had eased into things instead? Tina said we always do them rough… It was hot. We was outside. In the elements. Everyone was challenged and everyone was affected. For that reason, I extended grace to many. But no one is exempt from an educational moment. Today I am grateful for these moments we are able to LEARN. #pride2021 #happyblackpride #focusedonme #togive #moresoon #blacklivesmatter #blacktranslivesmatter #transartist #performanceartist #recordingartist (at Astor Place, East Village) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTQ8h6Xs3-d/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lindalafm]

Repost from @patrickmcmullan • June 8th, 2021 High Line Spring Benefit Performers Linda La, Brittany Maldonado #highlinebenefit2021 #highlinebenefit #nyc 📷 #queerpoetry #transpoetry #transnarratives @seanzanni (at The High Line) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRDc-Jxj3X0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lindalafm]

Juneteenth is how I will remember the true spirit of my independence, self liberation and Pride. This day is what Pride should feel like all summer. And what Fourth of July only aspires to be. Thank you to the powerhouses that are @jonoviac @theladydeja @intersectionalvoicescollective and thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Praise all those that have come before us. 2 weeks ago today I was awarded, floored and speechless. It fills me with tears of joy to know how valued I am by my community. If felt so mind blowing to be etched in time and given such appreciation amongst so many legends and change makers... this moment changed the game for me. Seeing people I haven’t seen in years after this pandemic was so sudden and jarring, people who have watched me grow, So many of you have influenced me and been important in my growth. Im so mad I didn’t make sure I took more pictures with folks. Thank you to those who captured these moments. I’m So grateful to have more days with you all. This moment reminded me of my influence, my work, my purpose and my power. And I still feel like I’m only just getting started. I hope we all get our flowers soon. This was my second Juneteenth celebration, second Juneteenth performance and second award in my chosen name. Thank you @qween_jean for being apart of this honor. The recognition I’ve received from community is incomparable. I am deeply honored and Juneteenth will continue to be something truly special. More shots of the event in my highlights and story. This is how I will remember #pride2021 #juneteenth2021 #neverforget #queerliberation #transliberation #spiritofpride https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ7ejZnjZKo/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lindalafm]

Aside from the pandemic, transition has been a long journey to see the beauty in this body I call my vessel, in this crown 👑 I call my hair. Some say transition never really ends. As life continues to grow and change, so do we. Wearing my Locs out doesn’t always make me feel “pretty” or “passable”. Sometimes not even desirable or palatable. But I gave up on the wig game once y’all busted out the theatrics wit the lace fronts 😩. And my roots eventually grew too long to hide under any wig. It’s sad to say for a long time I didn’t feel attractive unless someone else’s hair was on my head. And I wouldn’t care about capturing the moment. Im proud to say I been really taking selfie’s again. Capturing the memories again. Love made me feel affirmed but community helped me push thru. The journey would have been all the more isolating if I didn’t have anyone to share it with. Thank you @theperfectpoison and @kam.mbo for sharing this journey with me. Look at us now. I’ll take community and unity over love and partnership any day. Judging by the way some of y’all went up for that last post in comparison to the first says differently. 👀 Let’s see if ya go up for me. #locjourney #femmequeen with a #retwist #selfiedump #selflove #selfappreciation #selfcare #selfworth #selfmade #celebrateyourjourney #celebrateyourself #happypridemonth🌈 #transisbeautiful #blacktranslivesmatter (at Palm Springs, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPoHyxRDv7v/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lindalafm]

This Is how I will always remember us. Thank you for everything you’ve given me, for everything we’ve shared, sacrificed, learned and more. To the infinite possibilities of the future. To the winds of change. Whether they blow us near or far. Happy belated solar return @_rajahrah 💗💗💗. Love you. Forever always. Happy Pride #translove #transisbeautiful #happypridemonth🌈 (at Palm Springs, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPmRUUOjhD6/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lindalafm]

Thank you again to @alanihouston for such a monumental moment. It’s been a wild month. Can’t believe it’s done. Hope you still celebrating your birthday all the way thru. Thank you for kicking it off right. For reminding me that we are all deserving of the finer things in life. For raising the standard on how we celebrate ourselves and each other. It was indeed a powerful house, a beautiful house, a luxurious house, a femme queen house, A healing house. You really had to be there. To think, I forgot what it felt like to laugh, to smile, to dance, to get dolled up, to socialize, to take a selfie, to be comfortable. To connections both new and old, 🥂to new traditions! 🍾Please feel free to tag anybody I missed 💗 #friendship #sisterhood #community #unity (at Palm Springs, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPfaAknDqBg/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Last shots! Backstage at PRIESTESS OF TWERK How could I forget to thank @suzettemonique thank you for assisting with costuming the night of this performance, being apart of the magic and taking these photos of me. This fit will forever be a power outfit for me. The way I used to run from this color before transition is ridiculous #anniversaryperformance #queen #nephthys #prettyinpink #transisbeautiful #blackfemme #resilience #backstage #actress #actorslife #performance #blacklivesmatter #blacktranslivesmatter #defundthepolice #destroythepatriarchy #healingjourney #adjustingmycrown👑 (at HERE Arts Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMBHQrQl3fz/?igshid=1cnho9g51y4zx

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More shots from PRIESTESS OF TWERK Happy belated birthday to @danicrisstheartist the Twerk Queen. Shoutouts to @niasoli and @wazimaret for cooking up some of the best music I’ve ever worked on in theater. Costuming by @rashidahamatullah no one has ever made me feel so comfortable, confident and sexy when going through wardrobe. Any chance I get to work with Nia, I meet so many wonderful sisters and kindred spirits through your productions. We all leave a little changed. Thank you #creative #kin #blackhistorymonth #blackwomenshistorymonth #womenshistorymonth #blacklivesmatter #blacktranslivesmatter #blacktheatre #transartist #newyorknewyork #healing (at HERE Arts Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-BlMNlNHN/?igshid=4k9whvr5y4gv

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Scenes from PREISTESS OF TWERK February 2020 B.C. created by @niasoli performed by her, myself and amazing vocalists @officialtieishathomas @synead I will never forget how angelically rooted y’all all sounded 😍 and amazing dancers @ziiomizm @danicrisstheartist and @aguerojahannes y’all brought the moves!! sound design by @wazimaret light design by @hidirellez_at_unionknott costuming by @rashidahamatullah choreographed by @shernitasofly for @herearts When Nia reached out me about performing and helping her write lyrics to music for this show, I was coming off The Fire This Time festival and wasn’t sure if I was up for the task but so happy I pushed thru becuz, as always, working with Nia is such a healing, familial and serendipitous experience. Playing Queen Nephthys in this divine ritual presentation gave me new found power in my own black femme resilience and pushed forward a conversation around what it truly means to destroy patriarchy. It provided me the self actualization needed to get through the quarantine none of us knew was coming. This was the last piece of theater I had the privilege to perform. It set the tone for the times. Coming out of #blackhistorymonth and into #womenshistorymonth I couldn’t be happier with the history I was making with these productions and especially with this ensemble. Love y’all, miss y’all happy anniversary to this production. More shots to come. Please tag anyone I may have forgotten to credit! #fuckpatriarchy #liberationnow #defundthepolice #blacklivesmatter✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #blacktranslivesmatter #blackwomenmatter #blacktheater #blacksongs #blackactress #underworld #isis #nephythys #beautiful #divinity #blackqueen (at HERE Arts Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CL4oXX5FsD6/?igshid=fbxlpogjoenx

[lindalafm]

Oh yeah, I turned 30. It doesn’t feel as daunting as it once felt before. Thank you to @_rajahrah for the cake, the streamers, the balloons, allowing me to grieve and cry for awhile about everything and essentially giving me the celebration I didn’t know I needed. I didn’t truly feel the loss of all that has happened this past year until the week of my birthday in December. I was overwhelmed with sadness for a party I couldn’t have. Looking at everything reminded me of all the other things I was no longer able to do, All the relationships that have changed, Those that have passed on. Reminding myself that nothing lasts forever, I am Grateful for everything I’ve accomplished and all the people who I have had the privilege to work with or know. Thank you to @kya.azeen and @theperfectpoison for supporting me thru so much, Thank you to my big sis @iolet_francis for the guitar and being the root & to everyone else who made this special. I used to think my life was nothing without the people in it. Now I know my life is nothing if I’m not in it. So I’ve been trying to really be in it. To be Present. Not being able to be around all my people, my community, my friends, all at once, has been most painful. I miss being lost in a party somewhere dancing the night away, or on a stage surrounded by people. That’s when I felt like I was really living. I miss singing and harmonizing. I miss the magic and intimacy of a live audience. The vulnerability of movement on a runway or dance floor. The comfort and the strange sense of security in a crowd. I miss it like church. But over this year I have reconnected with the party inside. The church within. Living in the now and feeling connected to the present. Cuz the past is gone and the future is uncertain but the present is always here. To anyone else that has or will celebrate a birthday during a pandemic, happy 1st! It wasn’t anything close to what I wished or wanted for this date, but I’m grateful to be amongst those that can still celebrate. Like many, I will be celebrating it up right tho when it’s warm. But while we still here, fuck it, let’s celebrate it everyday! #tomorelife🥂 #happybirthday #sagittarius #dirtythirtyclub (at Harlem Baby !!!!) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLv3YV3LsL-/?igshid=1gzd9ahlzovug

[lindalafm]

It has taken me quite sometime to appreciate the importance of capturing memories again. Shoutouts to everyone who made my holidays bright and special. Thank you to @kam.mbo @telley_boo for the gifts and thank you @activist_hat and @bbwfemmefatale for spending Christmas with me. Thank you @therealjadarabbit_ for always bringing the girls together. First lesson of the year: if you ever find yourself put out of the party on New Year’s... just take the party home🤪duhh #flashbackfriday #throwbackthursday #newyears2021 #christmas2020 (at Manhattan, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLvtU0ZL_cq/?igshid=1jpe8dbj7k9cx

[lindalafm]

Last shots, I promise! LOL Shoutouts to @garliacornelia for taking these photos that made it to @nytimesevents my favorite shots. Scenes from “Assumed Positions” written by @sunbeamshawty thank you for your words, imagination and writing. Hope to work with you again soon!) Thank you @firethistimefestival for gifting me one of my most fondest memories of MLK weekend and setting the example for how to kick off Black History Month. Shoutouts to my courageous and intentional scene partner @antuyacob for carrying the weight of a heavy script. directed by @ebonynoellegolden catch the filmed scenes @allartstv or at the link in my bio. As we approach inauguration after all these unsettling events, and security and policing rev up, Let’s talk about what happens when the ones we love choose to join the armed forces. #queer #relationships #defundthepolice #blackplaywrights #blacktheater #blackactress #transactress #blacklivesmatter #blacktranslivesmatter #tbt #fbf #2020 #mlk #bc #blackhistorymonth #2021 #roaring20s #thatsallfolks (at Kraine Theater) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKLb2Eas8AY/?igshid=1xjzprqn4a5u5