Originally from Tampa, FL, Donyale resides in Chattanooga, TN where she is involved with several charitable efforts. As an artist, her work is displayed at Graffiti Gallery and Gallery 301. As an actress she has been involved in the Muse Project and most recently as an actor in Monster at Theater of the New South. This will be her debut as a performance poet.
Story Teller
Ginnie Sams
is a writer, a poet, a storyteller, and a passionate supporter of the arts.
Her repertoire of original stories includes fairy tales for all ages, tall tales, adventure stories, and dark shadow stories. Ginnie is one of the original Trenton Beatnik Poets, and a frequent performer at Barking Legs’ Wide Open Floor. She has told stories to audiences as far ranging as Zimbabwe and Costa Rica, and within the United States in Chattanooga, Atlanta, and California.
Ginnie lives in Rising Fawn, GA where she is on the boards of the Trenton Arts Council, the Friends of the Library, AARP, and the Optimist Club. She loves hiking, travel, and adventure. She recently celebrated her birthday by hang gliding at the Lookout Mtn flight park. Her motto is “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Musicians
Rick Rushing and The Blues Strangers
Steve Muse is Native American and plays with soul and drive. Aaron Nash the California native adds consistent low end to the Blues Strangers sound. He compliments the sound by playing what's needed and holding it down. Originally a guitar player but jumped at the opportunity to be in an established original working band.
Rick Rushing learned the blues down South and comes from a musical heritage most notably Blues/Jazz Legend Jimmy Rushing vocalist and musician for Count Basie’s Big Band Orchestra. Singing/Songwriting, creating music, riffs, jam cores, improvising put the whole experience together of Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers. You will hear something you have never heard before, because each experience with Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers is a new experience.
Performance Poet and Musician
Breacon in the Valley
I met this poet last month after the June show. He walked up and asked to audition, then and there. Pulling a guitar out of his travel case he proceeded to recite a poem and then sing the song he had written to go along with it. You are going to be amazed at the energy this poet and musician brings to the stage.... I promise!