by Paula J. Sanders
Dallas --- There are times when the best way to celebrate survival is via artistic expression. That is my opinion and I witnessed this theory turned fact at the Continental Lofts of Deep Ellum at an event From Victim to Survivor sponsored by The May Kay Foundation and presented by Monika Korra and six other amazing survivors of sexual assault. According to her blog: “After she was kidnapped and raped in 2009, she decided she would not be defined as a victim the rest of her life and began speaking up about the rape. Monika found that not only did she empower herself, but her voice gave other Survivors their voice back.”
Dallas --- There are times when the best way to celebrate survival is via artistic expression. That is my opinion and I witnessed this theory turned fact at the Continental Lofts of Deep Ellum at an event From Victim to Survivor sponsored by The May Kay Foundation and presented by Monika Korra and six other amazing survivors of sexual assault. According to her blog: “After she was kidnapped and raped in 2009, she decided she would not be defined as a victim the rest of her life and began speaking up about the rape. Monika found that not only did she empower herself, but her voice gave other Survivors their voice back.”
The festive evening was filled with music, song, spoken word poetry and audience
captivating dance. As a companion to a night of creative celebration, three
artists contributed their visions to the happening. Including Dallas’s favorite photog Hal Samples, who presented
haunting yet profoundly beautiful portraits of the surviving women merged into
various city buildings and landscapes. It was a grand statement of
strength and resiliency within these women survivors.
Erica Felicella contributed her work in simplistic framed photos
which tell almost the entire story of what the seven survivors overcame simply
by capturing the emotion with her lenses. While David Redish, provided an
enlightening video of each woman bathed in a white minimalist background of
simplicity and realistic beauty.
The unofficial, officiating host spoken word extraordinaire Michael
Guinn and his lovely wife Mantreece were in perfect tune for the evening
thrilling guest with their undeniable poetic connection.
Kristin Ravenau enchanted the crowd with her gift of the sweetest
violin ever. While the SMU Meadows Division of Dance gave a captivating and soothing lyrical performance before a
crowd of awestruck audience. Rounding out the night was an emotionally charged
threesome performance by the Favion Herrera Dance Company presenting a dance fueled
with passion and ghostly undulations which stilled the swarming crowd who gathered
to honor the courage of seven strong survivors.
What a night.
For more information please click: www.monikakorra.org
