NWA Writer Debra Johnson performs "Ritual of the Chicken Coop"
On Saturday, December 4, NWA writers performed “On the Tip of My Tongue,” a fantastic performance based on their own writings on food and personal memory. Our audience, filled with familiar and new faces, congregated snugly at Gorilla Tango Theatre despite the snowy weather. Affrilachian Poet Parneshia Jones, the artistic director and host of the event, began the performance by inviting the audience to the table to be filled with the rich words of the writers.
NWA Writer J. P. Marsch performs "Astro Mike"
The nine performers all approached the topic of “food and memory” from unique perspectives. Mabel Manning Branch Library writer Pennie Brinson opened the show by sharing a story about being underestimated because of her disability at a family buffet. Hall Branch Library writer Sharon Warner’s poem “Gardener of Dreams” used gardening as a metaphor for social justice and civic engagement. Other writers described working the family farm as children, remembering lost friends and family through shared food memories, and trying to recreate the type of unforgettable, overindulgent junk food experiences that sometimes characterize childhood. After the performance, attendees had an opportunity to talk to the writers and ask questions about what inspired their writing. The afternoon was a fulfilling feast indeed!
NWA Writers Pennie Brinson and Barbara Sims chat with audience members after the show
This was such an amazing presentation on so many levels. We were still talking about it on the way home. I thought it was especially interesting that almost all of the NWA writers this night talked about food with such nostalgia, conjuring so many powerful memories about how nurturing food was for them growing up– in more ways than just the obvious way of filling the stomach! It was about kinship, family, tradition (individual and community). I left thinking (because there were too many hands up eager for the ask/respond!)– how has this all changed? Have we lost something in the power that food, meals or just snacks for our souls? I think JP alluded to this when talked about trying to recall a time before disposable income during his fantastic “Astro Mike” piece. In all the modern day conversations about sustainable food options for sustainable communities, I wonder how much people are thinking about what else has been lost with the massive assault of fast foods, quick meals and even an increasing concern over “healthy foods?” Like, walking down the hill with my grandmother to cut down the bananas and the leaves to make pasteles. Our assembly line that ended with me to tie them patties together. The beautiful aguinaldos playing in the background. My crazy uncles bringing home the parranda at 1am– the children falling asleep under the tree because the grown-ups had no intention of closing down the conversation or the bottle of pitorro. Yes, there were negatives too but those are still around. Do we still have ownership of the empowering qualities of food for families? Thanks for the philosophy NWA.
I live in California. Barbara Sims is my cousin, I am thrilled to be “almost there” for her performance. I am going to bookmark this site and when I come to visit my cousin I can visit your the NWA.
Peace
Hi Sandra, thanks for joining us virtually for On the Tip of My Tongue! As you start to follow our blog you’ll see that you can connect our community here; we’re always putting up new content from writers and sharing other program highlights. We’re eager to hear your thoughts! You can subscribe to get the posts automatically in your inbox at this address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/EveryPersonIsaPhilosopher
The group as a whole was superb with a few more shows under thier belts I think the road should be next, A few more shows and practice they will be a force to reckon with.
That Dee Johnson was very energetic on stage and her performance was memorable, I can taste one of them barnyards chickens write now, as a matter of fact I’m going to go to KFC right now, Thank’s Dee Johnson thanks.