The Blue Room in Perth hosted an inspiring evening of African poetry, showcasing the richness of African talent in Australia and storytelling with an immersive experience fusing the spoken word, rap, singing and live acoustic music.
The event drew a diverse crowd, lead by MC Kuda Ndlovu into an intimate living room setting. Percussion instruments were given out and the crowd began to jam! An eager crowd has now sat down to experience the powerful performances, which were both personal and political.
Acoustic music is played continuously by various cast members as they listen to the voices of their ancestors to open the night of storytelling. You are part of the circle as you listen to stories of the homeland, situational hardships, effects of colonialism and growing up in a foreign country.
Being of African descent, I was constantly watching the crowd to see how they would react to some of the stories being told. I could relate to many of the stories but I wasn’t sure how it would be received by others. Fortunately, it seemed like a safe space as those who attended participated with great enthusiasm, regardless of ethnicity. It was a privilege to be jamming in the lounge with a few young members of the African diaspora as they expressed ultimate vulnerability, raw, honest emotion and life through their own eyes.
The somewhat intense stories of assimilating, struggles with race and colour in a foreign country were balanced with a celebration of their cultural pride and togetherness. The boys rapped and the girls sang with angelic harmony which lifted the mood at the right times. The performance allowed for reflections on identity, migration, and social justice and were both moving and thought-provoking.
The night ended with an acknowledgment of the spirits of the ancestors who are never forgotten. The mood of the room is lifted once again, by an invitation for all the crowd to get up and celebrate the spirit which brings people together, through music and dance. The bravest of us got up with our instruments and danced to what looked like the electric slide. I would have liked to see more of this in the show!
The African Poetry Night was a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural expression in bridging gaps and building empathy, leaving the audience with much to reflect on.