By Gregory Burrus | Posted Thursday, April 1, 2021
8 years ago, Joy Topping-Mann started a Women's History Month Celebration because, as she said, “I believe in strengthening the bonds of Sisterhood. I wanted to create a platform for women to unite, share their gifts, talents and accomplishments, and thereby encourage others to do the same.” Joy felt that “Many accomplishments of local women go unnoticed. I love exposing these unsung heroes, applauding them for their excellence and giving them their flowers now.”
St. Joseph's Church - formerly named the Priory - with Denise McCoy
This masterfully produced event is usually conducted in the Priory Jazz Club in Newark, NJ which is inside a beautiful old church (St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church) on West Market. The church closed in 1980 and New Community purchased the church and neighboring property from the Archdiocese of Newark in 1983 and renovated the church, at a cost of nearly $2 million.
WHM2021 Co-producer Denise McCoy has been booking the talent, special events, galas, anniversaries and street festivals for the last 26 years for the Priory, where she highlighted local artists from the New Jersey metropolitan area. Denise’s events are always well-attended and this year’s Women's History Month Celebration has been a sellout.
Sadly, this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related social distancing restrictions, a normal gathering of over 100 plus folks was not allowed or doable. With the help of a few friends, Joy set up a very successful GoFundMe Benefit to support the cast and production crew and ensure a quality, professional event would still happen.
Green Room
Eight years later, this Women's History Month Celebration continues to be produced by Joy Topping-Mann, a.k.a. Ife Basim, and this year the event was broadcasted on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 7 PM from the Mann Mansion in Hillside, NJ. On arrival, the cast and production team were treated to a wonderful Green Room version of nourishment and libations. With a remote TV director in South Orange, NJ, the onsite video production team was in place and the cast was ready, and then it was showtime.
Refresh In Progress
The theme of this year’s performance was “Refresh In Progress.” The cast performed 3 primary scenes of this play written by Joy, Survival, Strength and Sisterhood. The message was to get the word out that we have all made it this far through the many challenges of the pandemic and our almost new normal, and we should start our Refresh process now.
Table Dialogue Scenarios
Along the way, there were numerous table conversations discussing the issues of the past, the pandemic and the challenges we continue to face today as the pandemic made us feel bad about feeling bad. The dialogue made it clear that just because you are at home doesn’t mean there is nothing to do. Like the performers explained, you should reach out to friends and family. Just because you are “shut in” doesn’t mean you are “shut off." You can refresh with friends.
Positive Uplifting Music
With musical accompaniment by Pianist and Jazz House Kids Teaching Artist Brandon McCune, the performers/singers Joy Topping Man, Zakiyyah Zaimah, Phyllis Blanford and Patricia Walton further emphasized the Refresh in Progress theme with some extremely positive uplifting songs.
Special Guests
With the previously stated message of “wanting to create a platform for women to unite, share their gifts” two very special guests were selected by Joy for the WHM2021 performance.
Flying on Broken Wings
Soon to be best selling author, Dr. Phyllis Bivins-Hudson, read excerpts from her new book, “Flying on Broken Wings”, a journey out of poverty and into success after experiencing some incredible rough situations. An especially impactful message from one excerpt was when Dr. Phyllis Bivins-Hudson read: “in the madness of it all I found the strength to move on with no place to go but all the way up. I was dancing in my own rain.” She found a way to refresh and move on even at her worst times. Truly a Refresh In Progress.
Keeping It Real
Tonya Agosto was also keeping it real, with her standup comedy, “Let’s Talk About It.” Tonya started her standup comedy routine as an outgrowth of the pandemic. Clearly addressing the play’s primary focus on Strength, Sisterhood and Survival she discussed the issues all women faced — keeping the family safe and vibrant with stay-at-home school kids along with our new adjusted stay-at-home lifestyles. As Tonya would say, “Ladies, let’s talk about it” and she did.
WHM2021, A Wonderful Experience
As folks experienced, this expertly written script was performed in the lively, positive professional manner as expected by the playwright. The subject matter focused on being introspective about you, your feelings and the pandemic. Well, being introspective is too often considered a sign of weakness, but as the performance demonstrated, it should instead be an indication of strength, and more so associated with thoughtfulness, introspectiveness and independence. This experience of dialogue, music and song definitely encouraged the listeners to start their refresh journey now. While there were some internet issues during the live experience, folks reported enjoying the performance tremendously.
A message from Playwright, Author and Vocalist Ife Basim
Playwright, author and vocalist Ife Basim
“I would like to thank everyone who tuned into Ife Basim Masterpieces 8th Annual Women’s History Month Celebration, “Refresh in Progress.” Your applause that was received through the many comments of congratulations was greatly appreciated. You can still experience this wonderful performance by watching the replay of the show on the web at http://ifebasim.tv.
Broadcast Production Support Team
Co-Producer Gregory Burrus and his team were very happy to produce Videography, photography, press and social media services along with broadcast services of g2bproductions. We were just thrilled to be involved for this 8th Annual Women’s History Month event led by the imaginative and very creative playwright Ife Basim along with live music lover and promoter from the Priory, Denise McCoy.
About the Author Gregory Burrus
Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, producer, promoter, event planner, and community partner. Gregory Burrus combines his extensive corporate business and technology expertise with his love of live music and being a strong community advocate.
Donations to continue this wonderful event are still being accepted at www.ifemasterpieces.com. Again, we thank you for your support. Just know that Ife Basim Masterpieces has so much in store, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Learn more
Meet the Cast : Patricia Walton - Phyllis Blandford - Zakiyyah Zaimah - Brandon McCune -
Meet Your Producer Joy Topping-Mann (aka Ife Basim)
Meet Co-producer Denise McCoy
Meet Co-producer GregoryBurrusProductions
Checkout Ife Basim - www.ifebasim.tv
Support Us GoFundme: http://ifebasimmasterpieces.com