Yea, A.W.O.L. is the bomb. (And they “keep it TIGHT”)

Last week I had the pleasure of being the last person in this office to visit the A.W.O.L. offices downtown on Drayton Street. I know, lame…what took me so long? I have no idea, but I’m glad I finally stopped procrastinating and dropped off our “donation” of two (optionally functional) LaCie hardrives with Tony. As usual with these guys, my expectations were blown.

Studio Door

Never heard of AWOL? Well, either you’ve been living under a rock, or aren’t very cool. Sorry, but its true.

AWOL (All Walks of Life) is one of the coolest non-profits in town and has stirred themselves up a bevvy of followers, a killer program and a good deal of grant money in the last few years. Their mission is pretty simple: “to promote and provide self-awareness through the use of poetry, hip-hop and life.” Basically, they provide young people and at-risk youth with safe afternoon and night-time youth programs. Programs that, though spoken word (poetry) and hip-hop, encourage education, respect, creativity and most of all, nonviolence.

And trust me, they’ve done a first rate job. They’ve already put out an album, are working on their second, and oh-by-the-way happen to put on a Hip-Hop History play (with a cadre of passionate local youngin’s) every year that will completely blow your mind. The last time I went I took a friend who had never even heard of AWOL and thirty seconds after the closing curtain she practically tackled DaVena (AWOL’s first lady and head grant-writing badass) and begged her to let her volunteer. It’s that moving, and that good. (Just go next year…you won’t be disappointed.)

Plus, what other non-profit has a tagline on their website that says “We are the non-profit that keeps it TIGHT.” I mean, really?

At any rate, Tony gave me the grand tour and I took (albeit blurry and cellphoney) pictures. Check it out…

Get your record on…

Sound room

Their swanky recording studio (complete with foamy walls and stuff). Apparently they got Comcast to donate all of it (thanks Jerry Avery.)

Their training room…

Training room

This is where the kids learn how to use video and sound editing and production software (and whatever else AWOL feels like teaching.)

Ready, set…action!

Tony

Tony telling me about their film stuff. They do story boards and teach them fundamentals of film production, etc. Their latest graduate applied to SCAD, got in and is now attending!

Like a simile

Notes on a Wall

AWOL teaches the kids about the fundamentals of spoken word (looks like my english class)

Tony also gave me the skinny on AWOL’s main program, dubbed “The P.R.O.J.E.C.T.S.” – Positive Reeducation of Juveniles Everywhere Concerning The Streets. (Quite an acronym.) It’s a 22-week sound design and music literacy program that aims to promote growth and self-awareness in its students. They do so by trying to open the kids’ minds to different types of music and teach them a mixture of music history and hands-on experience (with music production software like Reason, Garageband, Fruity Loops and Protools.) Whoa.

In the process, the students get to learn about everything it takes to produce an album, from recording and production to songwriting and marketing. Kinda makes me want to sit in on the class.

The Outcome (their first album – check out a song to the left) is exactly that – an album of student collaborations, the best work done during that class. As always, the message is important: “to change the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding hip-hop in the local community by providing a unique flavor of music that displays their lyrical and musical talents while describing the life experiences of the talented, but often-neglected youth of Savannah.”

You can see why these guys have done so well and continue to exceed expectations. They’re a great, positive force in Savannah and they’ve become good friends of TCCa over the past few years. If you like what you’ve seen so far, check them out at www.awolinc.org and get involved.

Bob the Elder says:

March 9, 2008 at 7:30 pm

I don’t know jack about hip-hop, but I must say this makes me want to.

Maybe it would even help me soak up some cool in my old age.

Or maybe not.

Fitz Haile says:

March 9, 2008 at 7:52 pm

Well Bob, some people are just beyond help, but I’d venture to say that getting involved with A.W.O.L. would be a step in the right direction.

Who knows, you might even uncover a hidden talent. MC Elder in the house…?

leigh says:

March 10, 2008 at 9:19 am

It’s definitely worth checking out! The annual Hip-Hop Play has blown me away two years in a row.

These guys are a perfect fit for Savannah and I know we will continue to see them flourish for a long time!

Josh says:

March 10, 2008 at 10:33 am

That is way cool…we have something similar to AWOL here in Camden but it seems like you guys are a little farther ahead. Way to go!

Tony says:

March 12, 2008 at 10:35 pm

Fitz thanks for showing my good side lol …..For those who would like visit our office call me at 912-341-8306, I would be honored to show you guys the BatCave!!!!!

Chris says:

March 13, 2008 at 1:35 pm

Yup, its all true. Tony is the guy I want to be if I ever grow up! Fitz, glad you finally made it. (told ya so :-)

Seriously, these folks just simply ROCK (er…. I mean RAP!) Tony, Davena and crew are doing amazing things in a way that only makes everyone they touch better; not the least of which is out community. T&D, take a deep bow!

March 13, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Amen…and yes, you told me so.

P.S. It seems you’ve got yourself a new website…and sans FrontPage 2.0 no less! (Google Apps?) And, if you need any help, I know a great web guy. ;)

NickL says:

March 16, 2008 at 10:08 am

Why are comments closed for the IDSA article?

March 16, 2008 at 5:34 pm

I’m not sure…I think we were hacked over the weekend…I’ll need to keep an eye on it. Thanks for the heads up…I’ve re-opened comments so feel free to comment away.

March 17, 2008 at 11:10 pm

Hackers back?

March 18, 2008 at 8:49 am

Grrrr…I guess so. I re-enabled comments. Now I just gotta figure out what the heck is going on…