A phenom of the 1980s in Milwaukee – the New World Griots, a collective of writers – is back. The group will read from their new book of poetry at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Ayzha Fine Arts Gallery & Boutique in the Grand Avenue mall in downtown Milwaukee.
The book – New World Griots: The Legacy – features the works of Faye Jackson, Reggie Finlayson, Charles McClain and Folami Abiade. Jackson, Finlayson and McClain will read, along with Nicole Newson, a high school student who will handle Abiade’s works as well as read some of her own. Abiade died in December.
The poetry – warm, potent, sensitive – springs out of the black cultural revolution that shook the nation in the 1970s, but reflects universal themes. The New World Griots were formed in about 1981 and continued into the ‘90s. Four of its members decided to re-group and to put out the book, which will be available to buy on Saturday.
Ayzha Fine Arts is on the second level of The Shops of Grand Avenue, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. Opened in October, the gallery and boutique sell original art works, prints, cards, jewelry, books, and organic hair products.
