Mama says: Put A Hat On!

February’s SWEET DEAL- buy two & get a delicious treat!

In honour of FEBRUARY festivities Mama says: Put A Hat On! is offering a sweet deal. BUY a hat in combination with another Put A Hat On! product (hat, pouch, body-pouch, wishmark card set) and receive a delicious chocolate surprise and a discount coupon from STEAM TEA HOUSE (aka Nolan the tea-guy). The custom Adinkra designs featured on the two hats above are Osram Ne Nsoromma “the moon the star” a symbol for love, faithfulness and harmony. West African Adinkra symbol influences are part of my original designs.

Happy New Year- Gung hay fat choy- Feliz Año Nuevo-Aide shoma mobarak- Bonne année – Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu- Xin nian yu kuai- Buon Capo d’Anno

AND…did you know that —FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Some events around town: 3 events via Vancouver Public Library, City of Vancouver BHM details, Black Dot Collective events, and at VIFF BHM films

Black Pioneers of BC

A Storytelling Moment- BC Blacks in History; one story at a time

2014 unveiling by Canada Post: Canada Post celebrates Black History Month by commemorating two distinctive and historic African-Canadian communities: Vancouver’s Hogan’s Alley and Halifax’s Africville. Dismantled in the 60s to make way for new construction, these small but vibrant neighbourhoods are gone but not forgotten.

Vancouver’s Hogan’s Alley, “a vibrant destination…”

Hogan’s Alley- Vancouver BC

The stamp features images of Fielding Spotts, a cooper by trade and the first Baptist in Western Canada, and Nora Hendrix, cook at Vie’s Chicken and Steak House and grandmother of rock legend Jimi Hendrix:http://cbc.ca/1.2516741

2013 Stamp:

2013 BHM stamp- Joe Fortes, Vancouver BC

• Mark the proud tradition of Black History Month with a stamp featuring early Vancouver’s beloved lifeguard, Joe Fortes.
• With period images of the watery playground at English Bay and photos of Joe swimming and interacting with the community, this OFDC depicts a man who carved a niche for himself in his adopted home.

some of the stats in this video are significantly dated (i.e. population now 1,000,000 vs 500,000 quotes) put the spirit of the message rings true. For another look at African-Canadian History: Reviving Black Strathcona, and via government PSA: Proud of our History – Blacks in Canada 

Mama RENEWS the triple challenge as a collective NEW YEAR’s resolution.

1. DO SOMETHING – random and kind for someone else (near or far)
2. GO GREEN- reuse/ recycle /repurpose EVERYTHING POSSIBLE (incl. wrappings)
3. BE MINDFUL- Make something or Buy something locally handmade (hint – hint)

WHERE TO FIND Mama…

Mama says: Put A Hat On! and book a home Mad-Hatter-Party (performance and product showing) with a Valentine, Un-Valentine theme throughout February. You can find Mama storytelling at various community events so contact us at  putahaton@gmail.com  listings as there may be some near YOU.

Mama’s fabulousness has been featured in an article at www.thelunchkitnews.wordpress.com, as a Mama entrepreneur with Mama says:Put A Hat On! Thanks Katrina Boguski for the great write-up!

continuing in– WHERE TO FIND Mama…

Hear ye hear ye- calling you to book a MAKE YOUR MARK; mancala & adinkra games and story workshop. This fun ALL AGES activity can be build to fit at 1-4 hour event in/out classrooms, community celebrations, festivals, and parties. It’s a great time to get competitive in the style of an ancient culture with a game so old it’s now new again.

story pouches with Adinkra designs

• West African Adinkra symbol chart. These symbols influences are part of my original designs

Mama says: Put A hat On! is open to taking NEW, custom, orders ready in 2 weeks or less. Contact us via email: putahaton(at)gmail.com