Writer, actor, teacher, entrepreneur Omanii Abdullah on stage (and in character) at the Community Folk Art Center (circa 2012)
Posts Tagged ‘Omanii Abdullah-Grace’
Throwback Thursday
Thursday, September 1st, 2016Griot on Washington Street
Saturday, January 25th, 2014Thanks to The Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company (PRPAC) for choosing one of our photos for their most recent production. The PRPAC is producing “Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This” with Omanii Abdullah at Jazz Central. We saw a similar production when it was staged at CFAC. The shows were directed by Ryan Johnson-Travis.
Throwback Thursday: Brothers
Thursday, June 20th, 2013
Omanii Abdullah, poet, educator and businessman (performing at the former OnaJava Cafe)
Syracuse is a city of families. On this Throwback Thursday I want to give some dap to the Grace family. Each summer poet, educator and actor Omanii Abdullah sets up his hot dog stand near my office. He’s as famous for his country-style lemonade as he is for his spoken word performances. Omanii has specials at his stand, and one of my favorites is the Uncle Vince. It’s named for his brother Vincent Grace, who sadly passed away a few years ago. Vincent was a karate master who influenced a generation of fighters here in the city.
Sensei Vincent Grace (training at his studio, which was located on South Salina Street back in the day)
Elder Grace
Friday, November 30th, 2012
Performance poet Omanii Abdullah presented a one man show called New Shoes... at the Community Folk Art Center tonight. The performances continue through the weekend with new work such as "8:02 am" and classics like " I wanna be the kinda father my mother was." The show is directed by Ryan Johnson-Travis.
Legacy of Grace
Monday, October 25th, 2010
Giles and McGriff: Students of Grace
Keith Herring Muhammad and Brenda Muhammad, along with Focusing Our Resources for Community Enlightenment (F.O.R.C.E.) held a tribute for (Sensei) Vinson Grace on Saturday. The program included family tales, a short film, story-telling, and various martial arts demonstrations. SIF Advisory Board Member John Giles (left), a 2nd degree brown belt and Robert McGriff, a black belt, began martial arts training with Grace when they were children.