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STOPMAX Conference Performers

The Welfare Poets have been in existence since the Spring of 1990, established with the purpose of using culture as a tool of resistance. In the summer of 2000, the group released their first independent album "Project Blues." The group plays Hip Hop with a fusion of various styles from the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, Cuba and Jamaica.

The Welfare Poets in Action; Live at the Loveborn

Over their 15 plus years of existence, the Welfare Poets have been not only cultural activists, but they have been directly involved in efforts for social justice, most notably against police brutality, political prisoners, the colonial status of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Naval occupation of the island, environmental justice in New York City and elsewhere and the death penalty. The Welfare Poets bring information and inspiration to those facing oppression and those fighting for liberation. Come out to vibe with these amazing, conscious artists, dance, and energize for the struggles ahead.

Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc is a community of people dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Mexica/Azteca culture, ceremonies, warrior dance, accurate history and traditions.

Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc is an open circle where everyone is welcome to come and learn. They are not a performance dance troop. There are no fees to learn, join, or practice and they encourage all to participate.

Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc works to build unity, understanding, mutual respect and harmony amongst all nations. This is done by coming together and supporting one another in struggle for political, economic, environmental, social and cultural justice.

The group resists colonization by teaching and practicing the Mexica/Azteca dance, learning the accurate and true history, doings arts and craft, studying the Sun Stone (aztec calendar), study and practice the language of Nahuatl, study Mexica/Azteca and Mayan math, building political consciousness and much more.

Thousand Kites is a play that was written from the stories and poems of prisoners and corrections officers and their respective families and from people living where prisons are cited.  Nothing in the play is fictitious; these are real stories from real people. The play will be read/performed by formerly imprisoned people and families of prisoners. The second act of the play is a facilitated discussion with the audience about issues and stories that emerge during the performance

Hector Aristizabal playing drum. Photo: S. Peik

ImaginAction is a traveling theatre arts company that dazzles the heart and awakens the spirit through the performance of ancient folk tales and original works.  They offer storytelling, full length plays, theatre of the oppressed workshops and intercultural ceremonies that are based in respect for personal stories and traditional ways. Hector Aristizabal will use story telling as a way to create a symbolic map of highlights of the weekend. We will use image theater to both process conference work as well as create images of the work that people feel inspired to do after the event. We will use some collective singing and dancing to send us back into life fully energized honoring those who are incarcerated and their families.