jackie's groove thing

i went to the jazz fest solo. parking a few blocks away from the theater-N. i got hit on twice on the way down there (it really creeped me out.) i eventually move my car right infront of the building

i showerd before the event and dressed nicely (with tall shoes and all.) i walked upstairs and asked for tina bets-- the director for cultural affairs. here was her description:

"I'm a fairly tall, and I hate to admit, middle-aged Black woman
sporting natural hair. See you there."
TinaB

i talked to her and met another lady. tina gave me the idea that id be working with the performers, the other lady needed me with merchandise. (i guess i'll be selling t-shirts.) oh well, i'll make the best of things and learn what i can.

the performance was amazing (there was footage of some thelonius monk documentary in the background...later, a poet gave a performance on monk.) i never really appreciated the power of poetry until last night. W. oree of the oree trio said that "Jazz is like the ocean, its got many many fish." he also said that "it takes great courage to present jazz in america."

prior to the poets, he wanted to prove a point-- that everyone has music within them. he requested that the least musically inclined person take the stage and play the cow bell. one rhythmn again and again-- Jackie's groove thing, he called it. i must say, it was pretty hip.

the first poet performed with jackie's groove thing in the background. she spoke about jazz and how it fills every part of her body, then she talked about how its the kind of feeling that makes you want to be a better person, and about inner strength. the poets demonstrated humor and intensity and spirituality, and even the gospel. the second one said that jazz is synonomous with cool and proceeeded to ellaborate in his poem.

a song played by the band was immitating a ship a sea. with a heavy lean towards avante-gaurde jazz, they simulated ship experiencing turbulence. the last lady gave one reading on jeremiah and ended her final poem with "my blues be black."

inthecompanyoipoets.com

i came back and went to sleep, b/c i hadnt slept the night before and i spent the whole day landscaping. now it was 4:00am and im still up. i'll talk about the sacred concert tomorrow (i mean, today when i wake up)

this group will be performing in philly (i want the scholar program to go see it.)

:)