Subtle Changes Dance Company will present
a tribute to the influential poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron
at BRIC Studio this month.
Scott-Heron, who was born in 1949, is best known for "The
Bottle," "Johannesburg," "Winter in America"
and "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" – political
and African-American-centric works that were seminal to the Black
Power movement.
The tribute, "The Statement: 7th Draft," has been choreographed
by Subtle Change’s artistic director, Roger C. Jeffrey, a former
member of Twyla Tharp’s Tharp! and Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White
Oak Dance Project. For the 30-year-old choreographer, "The
Statement" seems to be an act of love.
"Heron was very brave," Jeffrey told GO Brooklyn. "The
questions he asked are very important. There is no one like him
in my generation."
It was Scott-Heron’s aggressive street poetry and songwriting
skills that inspired many contemporary rappers. Despite his contributions,
many young African-Americans don’t know about the man Jeffrey
calls "the godfather of hip-hop."
"He’s not what’s happening now," said Jeffrey. "But
his voice has more passion than most of my generation has today."
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," Heron’s most
famous song, is a polemic against the major media, which ignored
the deteriorating condition of the inner cities.
"In the ’70s we got so used to watching television, we did
not think we had to get out into the battlefield," said
Jeffrey. "But when the revolution begins, it will not be
televised. You’ll have to be there."
"The Statement: 7th Draft," which Jeffrey has choreographed
for 10 dancers, celebrates poetry and its unique relationship
with movement. It also relates to the subject matter about which
Scott-Heron wrote and sang. The evening-length work is comprised
of 12 vignettes laced with iconic quotes and music from Scott-Heron,
with additional music from Dick Gregory, Ryuchi Sakamoto, Donny
Hathaway and D’Bi Young.
"There is a duet about two brothers who fight against each
other because one brother believes the other isn’t black enough,"
Jeffrey said. "There is a solo about a woman’s personal
journey and her acceptance of her failures as well as her understanding
of the next step she has to take – moving past herself and realizing
she is her own worst enemy. There is a celebration of the group,
because we have to unite out of love and not out of hate. We
have to work together out of righteousness."
Guest artists participating in "The Statement" include
tap dancer Ayodele Casel, vocalist Sandra Jeffrey, MTV2 host
Amanda Diva and author-performer Carl Hancock Rux.
Founded in 1997, Subtle Changes is committed to effecting change
through performance and education in the arts. The company has
performed at Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Aaron Davis’ E-Moves
program, the Dancenow Festival, Judson Church, P.S. 122 and the
Riverside Church.
For Jeffrey, dance is "about whatever I’m feeling or thinking.
It’s about passion, rhythm and depth – what makes it interesting
to dance to." Scott-Heron’s anger and fervor have clearly
been a motivating force to Jeffrey.
"Gil Scott-Heron’s work has continuously inspired me to
question and seek answers beyond the common mediocrity. ’The
Statement: 7th Draft’ has become my most humble approach towards
thanking Mr. Heron for his courage, consistency and presence,"
says Jeffrey. Scott-Heron recently performed at Jazz at Lincoln
Center and performs twice a year at SOBs in Manhattan.
"I was taught to praise people while they are still alive,"
said Jeffrey. "What I’m doing is holding up a large horn
[as is traditionally done in Africa] to let people know what’s
going on, to let everyone know how important [Gil Scott-Heron]
is."
"The Statement: 7th Draft"
will be performed by Subtle Changes Dance Company on Feb. 18
and Feb. 19 at 8 pm and Feb. 20 at 3 pm. Tickets are $25, $50
(includes a post-show reception on Feb. 18). BRIC Studio is located
at 57 Rockwell Place, 2nd floor, between Dekalb Avenue and Fulton
Street in Fort Greene. For tickets and more information, call
(718) 527-2011, Ext. 1.
