your story, my story, our stories

I have managed to catch more of the Savannah Black Heritage Festival in this past month than I have in perhaps the last five years.
I really think so!
I would have to go back through my journals and blog posts to be sure...
but the one performance I recall most vividly from years past was that of Savion Glover -
and that was back in 2009!
However, for this year, when it would be celebrating its 31st year -much like the Savannah Music Festival is doing! - I needed to be present for more, I resolved.
After all, this is my 62nd year, which is simply 31 + 31, right?
(smile!)

I've already written about Althea Sumpter and her lecture at the Jepson about the importance of genealogy for knowing one's genetic history.
After all, I once thought I was I-C-E, and delighted in telling folks that.
Then, last year, I sent a sample for tesing and discovered that I have been wrong about that for most of my life.
Still, it's better to know the truth!
I like her message here:
"We owe it to the future

to make sure we tell the stories of the past."
I'll second that motion!
I Have learned that listening to stories from the past helps to illuminate the present and guide actions for the future.
The #art912 painter, William Kwamena-Poh, certainly knows how to get that message across, too.
"FEED YOUR SELF" is such a multi-level lesson on a fishing boat!
(smile)

On Valentine's Day, if not for ushering duties at the Lucas, I would have been at the Fine Arts Auditorium to hear these two brothers again!
Sons Of Mystro (get the joke?)
are violin masters Umoja (on the right) and Malcolm McNeish.
These twenty-somethings are an absolute delight to hear and to watch as they cover everything from classical to reggae to pop...
and more!

I did make it to that venue at GaSoU on the 16th, which turned out to be a day full of 31SBHF events, both official and unofficial!
This set was for a brand-new show, "Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey" - and it was about a young man who literally had himself shipped to freedom!
Nationwide, only six performances were granted - and my little town was one of those six.
I am blessed to have been there,
and to have been on time after

the choral concert at AMUMC
(with 31SBHF-inspired finale)!
Not only was this musical very well done, but it told a true piece of history I had never heard.
I'm sure few had, so I'm very glad there was a question-and-answer session afterward with the cast and crew, including the writer.
I like that they had some local talent mixed in for this show - I know that opportunity was appreciated!
But was this day of 31SBHF events yet done?

No, it was not!
PFS was showing a special Sunday screening at the 'Bean, and, as it turned out, the documentary was right at home as a "mystery" entrant of the February festival.
"Recorder: The Marion Stokes Story" told of the woman who had captured thirty-five years, day in and day out, of network television on videotape.

On the previous day, I was at a new venue for me: the Crusader Center, in Coffee Bluff.
There, two members of the Bright Star Children's Touring Theatre held sway for two hours with "North By Night: More Heroes Of The Underground Railroad".
What fascinating stories of many, including Robert Small, Sojourner Truth, Louis Napoleon, John Fairfield, and Frederick Douglass.
I am so very glad I was there before my second shift with "Seussical" at the Lucas!

After all of that, I took Monday off.
Then, I was up and running again, with 'Tina Tuesday', special dancing edition, with the bfrb, an impromptu visit and dinner with my nephew and the twins, then a special steak and the Masquers with the bfe.
Good thing I'd taken Monday night off!

Last night, for my final event of this festival, I was treated to a dance 'concert' at the Kennedy Building on the SavStU campus.
"The Year Of Return", with the students in the Obsidian Dance Repertory, wordlessly told the story of the first black slaves brought to the United States from Africa.
What an excellent way to come full circle back to concepts in Althea Sumpter's talk and photography!
Now, I'm off to a rare lunch with the Peace Guy!
i thank You, God!