Event
Lady Zen Benefit Show
This performance will feature all new work from lady Zen's new manuscripts with her jazz band 'Acronym', in celebration of the artist's upcoming performance at gay Pride in Amsterdam in August 2013. Please join us for this event in helping her raise money to make the Pride performance possible!
Lady Zen is a jazz poet, a radiant talent, a visionary force. Recognizing her duty to be seen and heard, she has channeled the power of her voice to tell her story. She has performed on every coast in the United States, and has roamed from stage to stage across Europe and Brazil.
Born in Brazil, Alzenira Quezada was adopted as an infant, and her family eventually moved to Arkansas. She was a vocal prodigy, singing at church and revivals. Between the ages of 7-18, she won 60 performance competitions.
After being awarded a J. William Fulbright Scholarship for Opera Performance, Lady Zen performed alongside William Warfield and Daisy Newman of "Porgy and Bess." She has also shared the stage with such notable musicians as Kurtis Blow and Gil Scott Heron. Recently, she was commissioned by the Maine Center for Creativity for an inaugural gala honoring Glenn Close and David Shaw. Lady Zen had had the honor of being asked to sing the national anthem for President Obama, and attained a semi-finalist spot on the X-Factor.
Lady Zen was the principal writer and lead vocalist fronting her first band, Liquid Blue. They produced seven full-length recordings. She was also a member of the Female Hip-Hop Alliance in Olympia, Washington. From there, she sang in several different outfits in major jazz houses while working with at-risk youth. After moving to Portland, ME in 2007, her creative focus was renewed. Developing her talent as a slam poet, she performed as a part of the Port Veritas lineup. She also integrated into the Portland music scene, and released a five-track EP entitled "Poverty to Poetry" in 2010.
She continues to evolve as a writer, classically-trained singer, DJ and activist. She holds a B.A. in Marketing and Arts Management from Evergreen State College. Currently her focus is poetry, and as a Social Action scholarship winner, she works towards a Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Southern Maine.
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LocationSt. Lawrence Arts (View)
76 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
United States
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