The Ecstatic Music Festival at Kaufman Music Center on the Upper West Side started off this month with a show that emphasized female empowerment and racism. The artists chosen for the performance were Arone Dyer, Mahogany L. Browne, Imani Davis and Ramya Ramana. The show was a mashup between the poetry of Browne, Davis and Ramana alongside Dyer who plays with sounds and contemporary music.

When reciting their poetry Browne, Davis, and Ramana gave me goosebumps. Not only did I see them grow stronger through their recitation but also I felt empowered as a young woman. Dyer started off the second half with her Dronechoir Miracle, in which she performed alongside twenty other females. They did not necessarily sing but instead made different sounds at distinct pitches. Each woman was dressed in white, signaling the concept of wholeness. At one point they transitioned into the audience as the poets went on stage to read a poem from different starting points, and concluded by reading the last portion in sync. While they spoke the Dronechoir continued humming. Overall it was a visceral experience and definitely redefined my definition of a music festival.

Reminder: Members of the Hunter community may purchase $15 tickets for remaining performances in the Ecstatic Music Festival with discount code: EMF-Hunter

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