Thanksgiving - Book Launch for Dr. Lyndersay and Mr. Gibbons on November 8th, 2012, at the NALIS audiovisual room in the National Library. Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
The book launch was an event that took the form of a Thanksgiving ceremony. And by 'thanksgiving,' Marvin George, organizer and director of the program, meant "borrowing from the Spiritual Baptist/African understanding of the performance." The first part of the event was animated by the Festival Ensemble Dance with a dance for the African goddess Oshun and the second part by the Theatre Production II class, with excerpts from Rawle Gibbon's plays. Both groups are from the Department of Creative and Festival Arts, Faculty of Humanities and Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. The Festival Ensemble was integrated by dancers Ardia Yearwood, Janelle Young, Lashawna McLean, Karissa St.Louis and Amanda Bertrand. The piece was choreographed by Dr. Jorge Luis Morejon. The dancers' makeup was done by Nikihsia Benjamin.
As noted by Mr. George in his produciton notes, Dr. Lyndersay and Mr. Gibbons both regard the occasion as their giving thanks for these works; fruits of their years of labour. Thus, the content of the two books was given a performance frame within which they could be located. Dr. Lyndersay's book surveys a range of Nigerian ethnic wear, from varying ethnicities that she made contact with in Nigeria. Mr. Gibbons' book is a collection of three plays, whose action, style and content are crafted from the poetics of traditional African cultural practices and narratives, as they are known in Trinidad.
Based on Mr. George's notes, the thanksgiving idea was used as the 'performance crucible' of this myriad of African and African Creole content. Thanksgiving was the device to give ceremony to the occasion, and by extension, to occasion the books' content at the ceremony. "Because possession is so important to these rites," says George, "the performance used its time-space shifting poetics, to move in and out of plays and images and speeches. Shifts happened simply with sound sometimes. " The players all woar white; pure white dresses, headties, trousers and shirts. "Strips of colour or traditional African wear - as provided by Dr. Lyndersay's collection/wardrobe, added an African touch to the sets displayed in the lobby of the space . "The images of traditional dress, from Dr. Lyndersay's research appeared... like a visitation, punctuating the programme" as they were projected on a screen that served as backdrop.
The programme's speakers were introduced via a 'pointer' (Edna) who, in trance, called the name of a presenter. The presenter entered, did as s/he was invited to do, and the pointer moved the programme further using the same method. At one point the theatrical chorus from the Production II class, enters the room to bring the event to a grand finale. There was a table on which, the books were placed. It was well decorated like an alter or table at a thanksgiving. The action took place around this table and the authors wigned copies of their books.
Comments
Thanks deeply for last night's launch. Not sure I said it quite as I should have, but the work put in by Marvin, Jorge and the students was truly impressive and moving. Every aspect of the event was thoroughly managed by the class and the event conceptualized and performed powerfully. We've done launches before, but I'm sure I speak on behalf of both Dani and myself when I say that now at the other end, it was new and special experience to walk into the space, relax and simply slip into the flow." Mr. Rawle Gibbons
The unique ThanksGIVING which you and your tremendously creative, sensitive and energetic team of dancers, actors, musicians, designers, ushers & well-wishers created last evening.... is a once in a lifetime experience!!! Thank you, and thank you, and thank youuuuuuuuuuu. “I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom.” (Anonymous) It also has endless love for all of you." Dr. Danielle Lyndersay
"Allow me to extend the Department’s gratitude and my own as well to Mr. George, Ms. Quamina and Dr. Morejon for the superb artistic direction and most importantly firing up the students with the enthusiasm to pull over the production with such energy and class." Mr. Jessel Murray
"Thanks for including me ( not a moment too soon ) as a witness to the "Book Launch and Thanksgiving" yesterday. It was special and lovely- as Gordon, Funzo and others hovered as ancestral guardians over the celebration while and the youth of DCFA took centre stage. The setting was just large enough to accommodate all, and intimate enough for the flow of events, sound and staging- some display of spatial skills for movement and audience-centering in the training at DCFA! The manifestation of visuals, spoken word, sound, music and chants were innovatively-woven into interspersing "book reviews", "reflection of community as central experience for the theatre here( This caused me to ponder on the techniques and engagement spiritually that you unobtrusively engage with- like Raviji's "Pichacaree", the Rada traditions and the Drum ceremonies, etc ( It will be interesting to hear your recall of Belmont and its environs as a point of significant influence in your birthing to community in T&T). As content, we were regaled with great insights intellectually, warm encounter, great artistic ( though unobtrusive ) representationof less publicly- acclaimed cultures, even counterposed ( in a positive sense ) by the authoritative welcome and headship lines of Jessel Murray. I felt appreciated to be made a witness, and am happy for both you and Dani- as every book sold would not hurt your penny bank." Mr. Roderick Sanatan
