"It's a ground swell for the wells," says local singer Jasaga.

Water for the Wells kicked off its debut performance at Minas Gallery in Hampden on July 14. The next show will be "Thunder & Lightening" at Minas Gallery on Aug. 11. The group plans to raise $1,200 total to build a single well in Mali in East Africa.

Water for the Wells already has raised $130 in its first performance, and has five more shows scheduled between now and the New Year.

In some parts of the world people can afford to buy bottled water even though tap water runs right from the sink, says Jasaga, while in other parts people have to walk 10 to 25 miles per day to reach a well with safe drinking water. This is the absurdity of the trickle down effect, he says, alluding to U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s economic theory that wealth would trickle down from the corporate elite to the average person. Privatizing water--whether through bottled water or bottlenecked wells—has not solved the world’s water crisis.

Using poetry and performance to raise funds to build a well is a concrete way to make a different, says performer Elise Mignon. Mignon is ex-editor of Baltimore literary magazine Perpetuum Mobile, and wants to see art work "for the general good of society."

As performer Alan Barysh notes, “We do it for psychic wages.”

Water for the Wells began when local poet and poetry teacher Marcus Colasurdo called Jasaga and they began to research the idea. They both have worked before as part of Gimmie Shelter Productions, most recently to raise money to ship around 2,000 books to New Orleans libraries damaged during Hurricane Katrina.

Water for the Wells is partnering with Lutheran World Relief, which has built over 200 wells in Mali and Niger during the last three years, says Colasurdo. Both Jasaga and Colasurdo both say Lutheran World Relief is the best group that they have found in getting money directly to Africa. It costs $1,200 to build one village well.

Out of every dollar donated, 94 cents goes to building wells, says Colasurdo.

Water for the Wells has raised $130 so far and plans to continue performing until the full amount is raised.

Jasaga says part of this reading and music series is "to raise consciousness, and that “our consciousness brings us to do this." In past benefit readings for other campaigns, audience members have been moved enough to plug in and read at later dates, says Colasurdo. Each Water for the Wells reading features a different line up.

The next reading is scheduled for Aug. 11, 2007 at 4 p.m. Minas Gallery. It will feature the poetic duo of Auset and Marcus Colasurdo in “Thunder * Lightening” with music by Jasaga.

More readings are scheduled throughout the fall at Clayton Books, at the “2640” space at St Johns Church, and at the Load of Fun gallery.

A list of readings follows.



WATER FOR THE WELLS

Aug. 11, Saturday, 4 p.m. “Thunder & Lightening” at Minas Gallery on The Avenue, Hampden.

Sept. 29, Saturday, 2 p.m. Readings by Alan Barysh, Marcus Colasurdo, Susan Davis, and Gregg Mosson at Clayton’s Books in downtown Baltimore.

Nov. 3. Saturday, 7 p.m.: “Holy Water” – a poetic and musical play in four parts at 2640 @ St. John’s Church in Charles Village.

Nov. 10, Saturday at 2 p.m.: Ryan Coffman, Len Wildberger & Guests at Clayton’s Books.

Dec. 7, Friday at 8 p.m.: Poetry & Music at Load of Fun gallery.