Marc Bamuthi Joseph Previewing 'Life is Living' with Presentation, Performance

The green movement continues to move in new directions and find new voices. Thanks to "Life is Living," urban communities are now being heard in the ongoing conversations on environmental pride and awareness.

This national campaign uses hip-hop and urban arts to celebrate sustainability. Houstonians can learn more about "Life is Living" and its founder, University of Houston artist-in-residence Marc Bamuthi Joseph, during a presentation and performance at 7 p.m., May 12 at the El Dorado Ballroom (2310 Elgin St.). This event is free and open to the public.

As part of his Mitchell Center residency, Joseph is developing a new performance work titled "red, black and GREEN, a blues" and coordinating a major "Life is Living" festival that will be held Nov. 6 in Houston's Emancipation Park.

"I am of the belief that the movement for social change and environmental accountability are one and the same, and that focusing on steps to sustain the planet ultimately forces us to envision a pathway to sustaining humanity," said Joseph.

In fall of 2007, Joseph graced the cover of Smithsonian Magazine after being named one of America's Top Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences. He is the artistic director of the HBO documentary series "Russell Simmons presents Brave New Voices" and an inaugural recipient of the United States Artists Rockefeller Fellowship, which annually recognizes 50 of the country's "greatest living artists." A gifted and nationally acclaimed educator and essayist, he has lectured at more than 200 colleges and universities. He also has served as a commentator for National Public Radio and has carried adjunct professorships at Stanford University, Mills College and the University of Wisconsin. Bamuthi's also works with Youth Speaks, where he mentors teen writers and curates the Living Word Festival for Literary Arts.

Other partners participating in "Life is Living" in Houston include Project Row Houses, Aerosol Warfare, Youth Advocates, Last Organic Outpost, Workshop Houston and various other departments at the University of Houston.

WHAT: Mark Bamuthi Joseph - "Life is Living" performance and presentation
WHEN: 7 p.m., May 12
WHERE: El Dorado Ballroom
2310 Elgin St.
Houston, Texas
WHO: UH Mitchell Center for the Arts