Poet-Tree En Motion Presents a Free Community Arts Event with Live Music, a Fire Show, Spoken-Word, Live Painting and More on April 22
Poet-tree En Motion is a multidisciplinary arts showcase that has been ongoing seasonally for over 19 years at The Rotunda! The name itself is fitting for an arts celebration taking place on Earth Day which also happens during National Poetry Month.
“Well, Earth Day, meaning our commitment to invest in sustainable practices, should occur in our everyday lives, in my opinion,” says artistic director Gabrielle de Burke, who goes by the stage name Plum Dragoness. “My own creative expression of poetry/spoken-word power is the foundation upon which the event was inspired to grow. So there is the play with words that can access to growth and the imagery of things that are Earth Day consciousness.”
De Burke will open the event with movement meditations that cull from her background in tai chi, chi gong and other energy practices. This will set the mood and ground participants before experiencing a range of performances from artists local and regional to Philadelphia. She will also perform her original spoken-word pieces and theatrical dance.
“I will be sharing a few different poems from the two albums of poetry that I released some years ago, as well as some new work that speaks to the theme of what a privilege it is despite all the challenges we endure to experience the blessing of this life on the Mother ship-Earth!”
Also performing will be Tapestry Dance Project, an improvisational “transcultural belly dance” troupe; I Yahn I Arkestra, a reggae and dub music collective; B.A.D. Blaze and friends, a fire arts performance trio; and DJ UNITE, playing a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Artist Angi Vita will be on hand to do live body and face painting on willing participants.
Admission is FREE. Donations at the door will benefit the Darby Creek Valley Association. Tips for individual artists are also welcome and encouraged.
For information about Poet-tree En Motion, email de Burke at plumdragoness@gmail.com and join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/116980678334215.
ABOUT POET-TREE EN MOTION:
Poet-tree En Motion works to inspire both artist and audience to connect and work together toward cultivating the arts community in Philadelphia, welcoming artists of all kinds to experience performances local to the neighborhood.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Gabrielle de Burke (artist Plum Dragoness)
Founder/Event Organizer Poet-tree En Motion
484-557-9605
FOR EVENT LISTINGS:
Earth Day Celebration presented by the Poet-tree En Motion multidisciplinary arts showcase 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 at The Rotunda located at 4014 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104. The event is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy live music, guided movement meditations, belly dancing, live painting, spoken-word poetry and a fire show. Donations at the door will benefit the Darby Creek Valley Association. Tips for individual artists are welcome and encouraged. For information about The Rotunda, log on to www.TheRotunda.org. For information about Poet-tree En Motion, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/116980678334215 and email artistic director Gabrielle de Burke at plumdragoness@gmail.com.
ARTIST BIOS:
PLUM DRAGONESS (GABRIELLE DE BURKE)
Native to West Philadelphia, Plum Dragoness (aka Gabrielle de Burke) is a multi-talented thespian, dancer, martial artist, instructor, poetess, and writer who has been involved with performing arts since childhood. She is known for her poetic style, vocal performance, fire dance, flow arts, and choreographic flair throughout Philadelphia and abroad.
Over the past 18 years, she has toured as a solo artist, founding member/core performer/assistant artistic director of Archedream for HumanKind among many others. She has independently released two albums of original work with the project Plum Dragoness & the Elements, known for its fusion of multimedia, live world-beat musical infusions, spoken-word vocals, and lyrical poetry. She has also helped bring together the all-female performance group trio The Femme-Mynistiques, who released their debut EP “Here She Comes…” in the summer of 2016.
Since 2007, Plum Dragoness has been a resident performance artist, as well as host and organizer for the successful performing arts series Poet-tree En Motion. This has allowed her the opportunity to share her own creative performances (including collaborative projects she initiated) and work created by many unique artists within the West Philadelphia community and beyond.
Her work as a healing arts practitioner and instructor continues to intersect with her work as an interdisciplinary performance artist through the incorporation of internal and martial arts forms in combination with dance, poetry, and theater presentation. She has been teaching in the Philadelphia area and abroad since 2000.
Instagram: @plumdragoness @dragonspiritarts @authentic.eccentrics
TAPESTRY DANCE PROJECT
The dancers of Tapestry Dance Project love to move together. They perform improvisational transcultural belly dance. Their dance style is a non-verbal language inspired by core focused dance forms from around the world, including Middle Eastern, Indian, North African, Spanish, and Modern dances. There is no choreography. The dancers exchange lead and follow roles in a unique group improvisational format, supported and enhanced by the evocative rhythms and haunting melodies of their live musicians. Improvisational Transcultural Belly Dance is an elegant and earthy " in the moment " style, which celebrates the folkloric spirit, connection and community.
video clip: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17b6CGGMeV/
https://www.facebook.com/Tapestry.Tribal
I YAHN I ARKESTRA
I Yahn I Arkestra is a Philadelphia-based reggae and dub collective formed in 1997. Fusing roots reggae, dub, jazz, and global rhythms, the band is known for their spiritual, genre-blurring sound. Led by founders Derek “Ras Jah D” Myers and Kasea “Kaseaopia” Myers, the group has shared stages with Damian Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and The Wailers. Their dynamic live shows and message-driven music continue to inspire a global audience.
ANGI VITA
Angi Vita is a Philly-based artist and body painter who focuses on the inner beauty of humans of all backgrounds, shapes, genders, and ages. Her works of art on these living beings is a special kind of intimacy that doesn't objectify but instead emphasizes the person in feeling confident and adorned. Her concept of visual art is not based on societal expectations, but rather a celebration of connection. She believes that there is no normal, and that is the beauty of the art.
B.A.D. BLAZE & FRIENDS – fire performers Ambra Renee, Bryce Adams, and guest Ruby Chen
AMBRA RENEE
Ambra Renee is a dynamic multidisciplinary performance artist known for her playful, powerful presence onstage. Creator of the hilariously absurd roller-skating act Esther Rollz, she blends comedy, character work, and physicality in dazzling ways.
A skilled fire spinner, and trained in heels and burlesque, Ambra’s work spans the sacred, the sensual, and the downright silly— always inviting her audience into a world of bold movement and unexpected joy.
Follow the sparkle, follow the flame -- Ambra Renee where the magic rolls in.
BRYCE ADAMS
Bryce Adams, aka Bryceiznyce, is a dynamic force of movement and spectacle, blending athleticism with artistry in every performance. As a masterful fire spinner specializing in intricate poi tricks, Bryce lights up the night with hypnotic displays of skill and rhythm.
Beyond the flames, Bruce is a professional Parkour and free-running athlete who has competed on the world stage in World Chase Tag, pushing the limits of speed, agility, and creativity.
Off the course, Bryce shares his passion by teaching Parkour to kids and young adults, inspiring the next generation to move with confidence, discipline, and freedom.
Whether leaping across rooftops or spinning fire under the stars, Bryce brings energy, precision, and heart to everything he does.
RUBY CHEN
“A lifelong dancer rooted in ballet, modern, and traditional Chinese dance, Ruby began their training at age 3 and honed their foundations at Philadelphia's Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center. In 2010, the San Francisco Burning Man scene pulled them into the worlds of flow arts, fire, and circus: training in hoop, levi wand, poi, palm torches, contortion, and aerials.
Now back on the East Coast, they bring their feral energy to fire dance troupes and underground parties across New York City, Philly, and Washington DC. Their performances are equal parts ritual and riot: hypnotic one moment, deliriously chaotic the next, always threaded through with a mischievous spark that dares you to look away.”
Instagram: @MxRubeality
DJ CHRIS BASS
Chris Bass, known as DJ UNITE, is an energetic and hardworking DJ from West Philadelphia known for bringing high energy and a strong presence to every event. With a passion for music and creativity, he focuses on making every performance feel unique and unforgettable.
He began DJing at school basketball games before becoming a regular at lunchroom events, roller skating rinks, and live shows alongside Big Cuz. Through these experiences, he developed the ability to read the crowd and control the vibe in any setting.
Specializing in hip-hop, R&B, pop, and line dances, DJ UNITE stands out with his signature style, from his shiny outfits to his recognizable branding. His goal is simple—leave every crowd feeling like they just experienced something different.
Inspired by Big Cuz, DJ UNITE continues to grow and elevate his craft.
Follow and book @djunite_ on Instagram and TikTok.
