by Eugene Poku and Jessica Goldberg

To all our people that passed away...............................................................

...............Andre Newman

I first met Andre in 2010 at our first Mexican retreat. We bonded instantly. He came to our Montreal teacher training in 2011 with some of the Fight School crew (Natalie, Serena, Christoph, Emily). Serena and him taught some Capoeira at the teacher training and then at our Acroyoga Fusion Throwdown where we explored the fusion of breaking (break dance), capoeira and Acroyoga. Our first creative collaboration was at our 2nd Mexico retreat in 2013. He told me about Esteban the explorer so we named the pieces “The Soul of Esteban”. The history and documentation of Esteban was one of his main passions and work. At the beginning of 2020 he sent me a major grant proposal he was working on for a VR 3d film documentation of Esteban’s work and travels. “If I get the grant, I want you to come to Tucson and be part of the film” he said. At the end of July 2020, he contacted me about collaborating on another project, a VR video dealing with the history of the black circus/ragtime dance/Harlem Renaissance cabaret. I said “yes let’s talk”. He never replied, so I messaged him on August 11th and asked him if the black circus project was still a go. He replied “My bad. Been taking a break from social media for the last lil bit. Avail to chat this afternoon? 2hrs or so?” We never got to talk….

Andre “my brother from another mother” was respectful and genuinely human with all individuals he connected with regardless of their ancestral makeup. Andre never did Art for Art's sake, everything he did in my presence was about and for the liberation and salvation of the black Nation. He knew the roots of the physical systems he engaged in on a daily basis and always gave props and respect to the lineage & the ancestors. He never, I repeat NEVER CLAIMED to have developed anything he had learned from someone else unlike some new Jack “know it alls” who learn a move or two of an old system and then repackage it as something new that they have created.

I have never not wanted to do anything so badly as this. I do not want to write a memorial for Andre. How can you write a memorial for someone who is always in your mind and your heart and your soul? Every time I move, I feel Andre. Every time I hear music, I feel Andre. Every time I think of my people and our struggles, our accomplishments, and our history I feel Andre. How can you put to rest something that is in you, still alive, the presence the essence of a being whose path you have crossed many times in this life? And when we did cross paths we always created. Creation expression was our soul mold of communication. From creation expression, we bonded, plotted and brought forth what was within us to others so others could experience our reality. Our sanity. Our hopes. Our dreams. Our fears. Our life. Andre, I wish you were here my brother Andre I wish you were here my brother I miss you so much. Serena, Savan, Natalie, Sula thank you for bringing Andre into my life. Thank you for being true to the struggle
-Eugene Poku

I was coming home; Lemoyne said that daddy was crying on the couch. Since then, the surreal under water claw that is grief is in our house, in so many houses. Andre is a true friend to our family, he is our student, collaborator, and he is our teacher. When the Tucson crew and the Montreal crew first got together in 2010, we knew this was a life bond. Eugene & I knew that this human being and his family and community were the real deal, a creative and ideological force we wanted to join with. I have a million words and none will do. Tucson crew, I wish I could wrap my loving arms around you. Heart out to the family.
-Jessie Goldberg