WATER ALWAYS WANDERS
A RITUAL OF STORYTELLING
About thIS EVENT:
​Originally debuted and workshopped as part of the Tennessee Williams inaugural “Last Bohemia Festival” (2023) “Water Always Wanders” is an embodiment of remembered futures, a mournful celebration of failed prayers, a resurrection of forgotten dreams. This is a ritual of Hope in the tradition of Romani storytelling, and in honor of the poetic legacy of Papusza. Facilitated by Tsarina Hellfire, Bimbo Yaga, Moonbear & Milly Raccoon, with special guest LadyBabyMiss. Join us for an evening of object theater, shadow puppetry & music as we join our voices in prayer with our community and ancestors. With multimedia installations from Jezmina Von Thiele, Paulina Stevens, Baby Reckless, & Kiki Robinson. As we approach the Winter Solstice, we offer this performance as a blessing & a prayer for safe travels in our descent into the impending chaos and dreaming of midnight. The title of this show is taken from the poem, Water that Always Wanders by Polska Romani poet Papusza (BronisÅ‚awa Wajs; 1909-1987.) Produced by Bimbo Yaga, sponsored in part by Weiser Books & Romanistan Podcast
We’ll also have a mini-pop-up of Romani made wares to help raise funds for our spring festival, Welcome to Romanistan: An Intimate Celebration of Romani Art & Culture!
A few delights that we’ll be vending:
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“Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling”, the debut book from Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Stevens. The first book about Romani Fortune Telling written by actual Romani fortune tellers (Weiser ‘24).
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Handmade Shawls from Loly by Zita Moldovan
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The Living Altar Oracle Deck the first Oracle deck made by trans Romani artists The Living Altar
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“A Practical Guide for Witches” by Bimbo Yaga (Rockridge ‘20)
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Herbal Preparations & Ritual Wares from Moth Crone by Moonbear
ABOUT the Performers
Tsarina Magdalena hellfire
Tsarina Magdalena Hellfire (she/they) has been on, behind, and in front of the stage professionally since 2002. She is a queer, Sinti/Gitano/Kale Roma/Gipsy, witch and performance artist. She produces Les Vampyre Cabaret, Swing Night at Allways Lounge Cabaret and many other productions in the beautiful city of New Orleans. She is also one of the main Krewe members of the International Endless Night Festival, Babylon the inner Vampyre Court. Since 2011, Madame Hellfire has sung with The Slick Skillet Serenaders.
Bimbo Yaga
Ylva Mara Radziszewski (she/they) is Bimbo Yaga, the Trans MILF of your wet dreams. She is a traditional witch and artist of Romani and Eastern European heritage; residing in Bulbancha (New Orleans) the traditional land of the Chitimacha Nation. Their ritual and art practice are interwoven; for them magic is art and art is healing. Founder of the School Of Traditional Magic, author of A Practical Guide for Witches, co-creator of The Living Altar, with writing featured in WITCHCRAFT an anthology of modern magical tradition by TASCHEN, Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling by Jezmina Von Thiele & Paulina Stevens.
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Moonbear
Moonbear Aguilar (they/them) aka "Butylene O’Kipple," is a gender expansive, two-spirit artist and energy worker of Mexican, Indigenous North American, Romani, and mixed European heritage. Their 30+ years as a performer and musician continue to be fueled by curiosity and self discovery, while exploring the intersections of ancestor veneration, energy work, dance, mediumship and drag.
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MILLY RACCOON
Milly Raccoon (she/her) Trained by campfires and tavern jams all over the world, Milly Raccoon got her folk music start with traditional Turkish, Egyptian and Roma tunes for a belly dance troupe, honoring Roma heritage on her father’s side. Her current original music is influenced by classic country, early jazz, and other antiquated Americana. There is a connecting thread of spirituality, healing and liberation weaving through her work.
Jezmina Von Thiele
Jezmina Von Thiele (they/she) is a writer, editor, educator, podcaster, and fortune teller. They write poetry, fiction, & nonfiction published in Prairie Schooner, The Kenyon Review Online, Narrative Magazine, & elsewhere. Jezmina is of mixed heritage and reads tarot, palms, and tea leaves in her Romani family’s tradition, both online, and in-person. Jezmina specializes in teaching creativity, art, writing, and literature workshops; divination; and other spiritual topics. Jezmina also tells fortunes and performs with The Poetry Brothel—Boston. They are co-host of Romanistan, a podcast celebrating Romani culture, alongside co-host Paulina Stevens. Jezmina and Paulina authored their debut book, Secrets of RomaniFortune Telling.
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Website: https://linktr.ee/jezminavonthiele
PAULINA STEVENS
Paulina Stevens (she/her) was raised within her Muchwaya Romani family’s fortune telling and wellness traditions. She was inspired by the holistic health movement, and in 2018, earned a wellness coaching certificate, and later began collaborating with nutritionists and herbalists to serve clients. She opened Romani Holistic Healing in Newport Beach, CA, a spiritual shop that also offers readings, house cleansings, and coaching with clients. She is the co-host of Romanistan Podcast. Featured on the LA Times podcast, Foretold, which tells the story of Paulina’s decision to leave her arranged marriage and community, fight for custody of her children, and start a new life, walking between the Roma world and non-Roma world. She’s currently studying biotechnology at Miracoasta College.
Baby reckless
Baby Reckless (they/them) is a visionary artist, musician, and witch whose work is focused on self- actualization, myth, mystery, the occult, sexuality, and gender. On any given day they can be found bringing new worlds to life through the use of magic, music, and their paint brushes. Keep up with their adventures, art and musings on all socials
Website: www.babyreckless.com​
Kiki Robinson
Kiki Robinson (they/them) Kiki Robinson (they/them) is a multi-media artist, tarot reader, and healing arts practitioner. They are a queer and non-binary practicing witch with ancestral roots in Irish, British Isles, and Romani traditions. Their work focuses on embodying healing and magic through various creative mediums. Based on unceded traditional lands of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and bands of Chinook, now called Portland, OR. Kiki is dedicated to community healing and magical activism.
Website: www.opulentwitch.com
Ladybabymiss
Lady Baby Miss (she/her) Composer, singer and lyricist Olivia Klein, performs under the name LadyBabyMiss, a composite of how a stranger may address a femme someone in New Orleans. It is there that she has come into her own musically, taking on multiple roles in varying projects as an instrumentalist, bandleader, musical director, scorer, and producer. Over many years, she has built a local and dedicated following and is known for her banter and storytelling employed between each of the songs she chooses to share with the audience.
