Play will aid cause in Kenya

• By ROBIN MILLER
• Arts writer
• Published: Jun 21, 2009

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Helping Hydrate Others, called H2O, will perform the play Speak Truth to Power at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 26-27, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Church of the Highlands, 17240 Perkins Road.

The play was written by Ariel Dorfman, who based it on testimonies from human rights activists collected by Kerry Kennedy Cuomo in her book, also titled Speak Truth to Power.

H2O is a group of area teens who are trying to raise $50,000 to build a well in Kenya. The students’ mission is to educate the public on the reality of the poor conditions in Africa, where more than 1 billion people have no access to clean water.

Speak Truth to Power is the group’s largest fundraiser. Admission for the June 26 performance is $15 in advance and $20 at the door; the June 27 show, $3 in advance and $10 at the door; and June 28, $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

A reception with a silent auction will follow the June 26 performance. The group also is selling T-shirts at $20 each as part of the fundraiser.

This is a ticket-less event, but reservations are being taken at (225) 610-6094 or H2ORSVP@gmail.com. To order a shirt or for more information, visit http://www.helpinghydrateothers@gmail.com.

Professor’s work in N.O.

Second Line, a new group of sculptures by Southern University Fine Arts Professor Martin Payton, will show through July 14 at the Heriard-Cimino Gallery, 440 Julia St., New Orleans.

Payton’s sculptures were inspired by a saxophone given to him by his wife, sculptor MaPo Kinnord, a professor at Xavier University in New Orleans. The gift has also inspired Payton to take music lessons. He has been studying the saxophone for about a year-and-a-half.

The Second Line series showcases Payton’s appreciation of music and reflects the legacy of African-American musicians.

Payton is a New Orleans native. He earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Xavier University and his master of fine arts degree from Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles. His art pieces are found in various public and private collections throughout the U.S.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment.

For more information, call (504) 525-7300.