
Karen Smith
2024 Illuminate The Arts Grantee & 2023 Pew Fellow "Possible is possible!"
“My drum is a spiritual connection to the African ancestors and to the world around me."
“My drum is a spiritual connection to the African ancestors and to the world around me."
Karen Smith is the proud recipient of a 2023 Pew Fellowship grant. https://www.pewcenterarts.org/2023grants
A New York Native/Philadelphia Transplant, Karen is a percussionist, playwright, director, producer, and poet. She is also the founder and leader of two musical collectives: The Karen Smith Experience, and Sistahs Laying Down Hands (SLDH).
"I create spaces where other artists can join in a spirit of trust and improvisation.”
For more than 10 years Karen Smith has been taking her drums on the road with her movement, Have Drums Will Travel Immediately. She has provided rhythms for projects in the Delaware Valley Tri-state area, and also in Alabama, Houston, Atlanta, and Jamaica, West Indies. She also performed at the United States Human Rights Network Conference. Karen captures "the rhythm of a place and the cadences of people.” The beat continues wherever the movement may take her!
Karen Smith curates artistic projects, hosts private drumming lessons, provides musical backgrounds, plays at festivals, and especially loves collaborations!
Here's a segment of Karen's interview with Teyanna Stone of Imagine Stone Productions, on being a multi-faceted artist. See full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvdL0xYSCkY
As part of Anula Shetty’s Philly Daydreams: Stories In Transit, percussionist, Karen Smith shares the world she imagines in her Philly Daydream while riding the Broad Street Subway, against the background of the soothing, meditative sounds of her tongue drum.
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Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church, 525 South Cobbs Creek Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19143
A service to commemorate Black History with Karen Smith & Friends.
Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church, 525 South Cobbs Creek Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
A special Black History Program with American Stiltwalkers Ballet and Mama Kia (storyteller) hosted by the Music Department.
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Arch Street United Methodist Church. 55 North Broad Street. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107
Features Karen "Magic Fingaz" Smith
Arch Street United Methodist Church. 55 North Broad Street. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107
Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University, 1330 Polett Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122
An evening of liberation, lineage, legacy.
Light refreshments will be provided.
RSVP to Donnell.Powell@muralarts.org
Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University, 1330 Polett Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Glenside United Church of Christ, 2160 Wharton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038
If you are looking for a place to connect, worship, belong, where everyone is welcome and celebrated,
join us at Glenside UCC. This is a pla...
Glenside United Church of Christ, 2160 Wharton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038
for inquiries about Karen Smith and her rhythmic energy, drumming performances, and more!
We will get back to you soon!
PO Box 29734 Philadelphia, PA 19119, USA
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