TapRoot Cultural Troupe
Our cultural strategy weaves together the 4 Rs of social transformation—Reform, Resist, Re-imagine and Re-create.
Roadshows
The Good Fire, an interactive performance which we wrote, produced and performed in spring of 2019 throughout eastern NC—where environmental injustice and climate impacts are so significant—is a good example of how we engage all 4 Rs. The Good Fire is an allegory for renewable energy and community resilience. By combining spoken word, large portable murals, indigenous music and giant puppets, we engaged our communities in envisioning a just energy future, discussed how to reform the broken energy system we have now, learned about new models for distributed solar, and building resistance to the utility monopoly. After performing The Good Fire at the NC Climate Justice Summit, taking it on the road was a wonderful opportunity to involve local musicians, artists, and activists, especially youth who participated as puppeteers (special thanks to Jan Berger and other collaborators with Paperhand Puppet Intervention). Those attending the roadshow saw friends and loved ones performing, encouraging them to engage deeply in the teach-in that followed the performance highlighting the four frontline issues that NCCJC focuses on.
Protests and Actions
NCCJC brings cultural work to actions throughout North Carolina and the Southeast, uplifting other organizations’ events to achieve shared movement goals. Our creative actions often combine original music, drumming, puppets, hand-painted visuals—much of which is created at or for the NC Climate Justice Summit. On April 29, 2017, NCCJC led a contingent at the People’s Climate March in DC, joining an estimated 200,000 people to call for action on climate change. In collaboration with David Solnit of 350 and Jan Berger of Paperhand Puppet Intervention, NCCJC created a massive street theatre performance to support the aims of the march. During a month-long art build, we produced over 500 pieces of art. During the march, we coordinated with eight busloads of protestors from North Carolina to get over 500 people to dance, sing, and join in a performance at the beginning and end of the march. This is one example of bringing vital, persuasive, and engaging cultural elements to a national action.
As a part of the September 2019 week of climate action, our drummers led the march during the Triangle Climate Strike and later disrupted Governor Cooper’s meeting with the Interagency Climate Council to call for truly clean energy with our original song.
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Featured Performers
Ballots & Balance
A Roadshow Celebrating Collective Voice and Action
Join us for "Ballots and Balance," a dynamic cultural arts tour designed to raise awareness about climate issues and the power of democracy. Finding Our Balance, an interactive multimedia performance created by the NC Climate Justice Collective, is the heart of this experience. This performance combines spoken word, visual art, movement, soundscapes, and puppetry into beautiful storytelling to inspire action. Opening and closing the performance will be songs from guest artist Taína Asili, who will be joined by her band to perform songs from her new climate justice concert, Fever Pitch. Taína and her band will also be creating a dynamic soundscape throughout Finding Our Balance. This exciting experience is family-friendly and vital for all generations. Local guest speakers and nationally renowned performers will provide an uplifting opportunity for fellowship and community connection. Don't miss this chance to be part of a stirring moment where creativity and imagination meet activism and community engagement!
Dasan Ahanu is an award-winning poet and Hip Hop recording artist who has performed across the country and been featured on TV and radio. He is the Cultural Organizing Director for NC Climate Justice Collective, managing director of Black Poetry Theater, founder of the Jambalaya Soul Slam/Bull City Slam Team, the resident artist at Hayti Heritage Center, a visiting professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, and the 2023 Piedmont Laureate. Dasan sees the arts not just as a means of entertainment and inspiration, but also as a vehicle for lifting marginalized voices and fostering radical change.
Taína Asili is a New York-based Puerto Rican singer, composer, and activist carrying on the tradition of her ancestors, fusing past and present struggles into one soulful and defiant voice. Asili’s Afro-Latin fusion songs of love and liberation have inspired audiences at venues across the globe. Her freedom anthems and music videos inspired by social movements for racial, gender, and climate justice have been lauded by the likes of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Huffington Post, Paste, and NPR. Asili uses a multi-genre and multilingual approach to connect with a diverse array of audiences, confidently weaving between rock, reggae, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, and hip hop to give her music a texture that’s unique yet rooted. With powerful vocals and infectious rhythms, Asili’s music urges people to dance to the rhythm of rebellion.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Fundraising for WNC Just Recovery will be ongoing at all events.
Roadshow Tour Details:
Local Host: NC Climate Justice Collective
Location: Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St, Durham, NC 27701
Date: Friday, October 4th
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Local Host & NCCJC Hub Anchor: Robeson Co Cooperative for Sustainable Development
Location: Robeson Community College, 5160 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton NC
Date: Saturday, October 5th
Time: 11:00am-3:30pm
Special details: This tour event is part of the Wake Up & Vote gathering focusing on clean water, air, climate and energy; free lunch provided
Local Host: Mutual Aid Greensboro
Location: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1100 Curtis St, Greensboro, NC
Date: Sunday, October 6th
Time: 2:00-6:00pm
Special details: This tour event is part of the 3rd annual celebration of the Warnersville Freedom Fridge, a local food & economic justice project
Local Host: PowerUp NC
Location: College Lakes Recreation Center, 4945 Rosehill Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28311
Date: Monday, October 7th
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Special details: free dinner provided
Local Host & NCCJC Hub Anchor: Down East Coal Ash Environmental & Social Justice Coalition
Location: Dillard Goldsboro Alumni - HV Brown Center at 801 Poplar St, Goldsboro, NC 28530
Date: Tuesday, October 8th
Time: 6-8:30 pm
Special details: Opening Prayer & Song by community members; free dinner provided
Local Host & NCCJC Hub Anchor: Kinston Teens
Location: Rochelle Middle School, 301 N Rochelle Blvd, Kinston, NC 28501
Date: Thursday, October 10th
Time: 6-8:30 pm
Special details: Opening by local dance group Stage LYFE
Local Host & NCCJC Hub Anchor: Men and Women United for Youth & Families
Location: Ransom Activity Center 2696 General Howe Hwy Riegelwood, NC
Date: Friday, October 11th
Time: 6-8:00PM
Special Details: Opening by the Waccamaw-Siouan Tribe, Young and Strong Gospel Singers, Power To Vote NC, mime performance, raffle prizes, free dinner provided
Local Host: The Association of Mexicans in North Carolina, Inc. (AMEXCAN)
Location: Greenville Town Commons 105 E. 1st. Street Greenville, NC 27858
Date: Saturday, October 12th
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Special details: This tour event is part of the 21st Annual Latino Festival “Celebrating Diversity and Sharing Our Cultures.” This festival offers an opportunity to bring the community together to experience the rich and diverse Latino cultures and also learn about local service providers and organizations.