Edna Manley celebrates Black History Month

Hasani Walters, Sunday Gleaner Writer

The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts recently celebrated Black History Month through the staging of 'From Museum Pieces to Colour Museum', a collection of cultural pieces in dance, music, drama, and the visual arts, which was held last Thursday at the college's Dennis Scott Studio Theatre, and which provided great entertainment for those who were in attendance.

In one very interesting exhibit, several female students became 'museum pieces' as they posed as still as statues among other pieces of artwork.

Speaking about the whole concept, Tamara Thomas told The Sunday Gleaner, "... it's the idea of us, individuals, as museum pieces, and they're props given to the exhibit goers, intriguing them along the lines of the evolution of our going from being exhibits which were 'exoticised', poked, and prodded, to being exhibitors." Thomas lectures in dance at Edna Manley.

The most exciting part of the night's proceedings was the Dinki Tori piece, which was performed by Danceworks. A myriad of dancers pranced around the stage doing variations of the Dinki Mini folk dance, infusing energy, excitement and vibrant steps into each move.

Striking gold

Earlier in the night, a number of pieces also struck gold with audience members.

The dub-poetry piece, 3/5 Human, 2/5 God, written by Victor A. Brady, was met with cheers and applause.

A dramatic song by Samantha Thompson and Shannon Mason did well in providing laughter for those in attendance as a grandmother told her granddaughter stories.

"Death before slavery!" was bellowed by Shayne Powell as he did his 'Sam Sharpe' piece with fitting vocals and dance added by Kerry Ann Lawrence, Samantha Thompson, and Sophia McKain.

Among the other pieces were, Working ... Doing ... Staying, Rhythm of the Drum and M Level 12.