Souls and Solos, Duets and Dream by Serendipity Institute

SOULS AND SOLOS DUETS AND DREAMS BY CHRISTIAN “CUBS THE POET” DAVENPORT FOREWORD BY PAWLET BROOKES

SOULS AND SOLOS DUETS AND DREAMS Published by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage Serendipity 21 Bowling Green Street Leicester LE1 6AS +44 (0) 116 482 1394 info@serendipity-uk.com www.serendipity-uk.com Serendipity Artists Movement Limited Company registration number in England and Wales 07248813 Charity registration number in England and Wales 1160035 Copyright © Serendipity Artists Movement Limited 2022 Design © The Unloved Text © Pawlet Brookes, Christian Davenport Photographers © TBC Editor Pawlet Brookes MBE Additional Research © Lauren Eaton, Amy Grain, Heather Saunders, Ashly Stanly, John Diehl, Georgina Payne, Laura Wilkinson ISBN: 978-1-913862-16-9 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Whilst every effort has been made to provide accurate information, Serendipity cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies contained within this publication. The views expressed are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced except for purposes of research, criticism and reviews, without prior permission from the authors and publishers.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

6 FOREWORD 10 ORIGIN STORIES 30 HEALING IS MORE THAN A FEELING 46 THE GUARDIAN OF OUR GARDEN 62 WATER. THE EXAMPLE OF CHANGE 74 WHEN ALL WE WANTED WAS TO DANCE 84 UNCOVERING THE DANCE WITHIN 86 ROLL CALL 90 BIOGRAPHIES

PAWLET BROOKES

FOREWORD

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Souls and Solos, Duets and Dreams is a collection of poetry written by Christian “Cubs the Poet” Davenport, whilst in residence at Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2023 (LDIF23). LDIF is a dance festival that takes place annually in Leicester, UK, produced by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage. Launching each year on 29 April, International Dance Day, the festival is known for the particular attention it pays in amplifying dance from the African, African Caribbean and Latin America Diaspora. One of the challenges that presents itself during LDIF is documentation, something which is essential in establishing legacy for Black art and practitioners. Film and photography are fantastic mediums to ensure that performances are recorded, presentations encapsulated and as a witness in recognising the wealth of people who contribute to the festival each year. • • • • • •

But what of the spirit of the festival? What of the motivation that drives each person? What of their passions? Their fears? What does it mean to be in a Black space? To create a space of no othering and no otherness?

where everyone is part of a reasoning that reaches far beyond dance practice and into the thoughts, theory and connectivity. Having seen Cubs the Poet perform alongside Maya Taylor in Shape|Shifter, incarnations of which were presented digitally and in person in LDIF21 and LDIF22 respectively, I felt that he would be a good candidate to take on this responsibility.

8 Foreword

LDIF23 was inspired by the theme Uncovering the Dance Within: Origins and Authenticity, with the festival exploring embodied practice and artists seeking inner authenticity to map their dance practice beyond the confinements of “tick box” identity and geography. During LDIF, Cubs the Poet became the glue that joined professional dance productions,impromptu performances and conference presentations with informal networking. It is his practice as interdisciplinary artist and thinker that provided a bridge between the observer and the observed, a reminder that each expression of dance carries the lived experiences of the artist. Taking a seat with his typewriter in the corner of a rehearsal studio, theatre foyer or bar, Cubs the Poet gently asked people to share something of themselves. His gift is in the gathering of those pieces and giving them back. As a result, some of the poems in this collection were inspired directly by encounters with artists and participants, some draw on the greater collective experience, and others are spontaneous personal reflections. Unless specifically identified, we have chosen not to attribute any individual to any poem, an intentional act of collectivity. Instead, we have included a list of names at the back of this publication, a roll call of those present. I hope you enjoy Souls and Solos, Duets and Dreams and embrace the wisdom within.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

ORIGIN STORIES

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

some of us are more than Black meaning majorities are all we see meaning we are the majority. some of us are more than Black we’re mixed, racing towards a finish line of blurred lines. some of us are more than Black we are dance moves which were never chained. the wind rushes the pain pulls, some of us are more than Black, we are battling wars disguised as love stories and

12 Origin Stories

origin

the heartbeat of water

the pulse of mother earth.

raised by oracles bathed in the flavour dreams are attracted to the authentic the heartbeat of belief

the core of a tree

the bridges between roots are branches the heartbeat of the ripest fruit –

the origin story of

resilience, is the heartbeat of our strength.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Image Credit: Christian ‘Cubs the Poet’ Davenport with attendees at the Uncovering the Dance Within: Origins and Authenticity Conference 2023. Photographer John Diehl.

14 Origin Stories

authenticity sunlight on soul, warming warrior where shadows battle he is there a bridge for some a floatation device for others by never there to swim for another, in the sun, warming, tending to the flame blooming bringing up seeds which need to breathe to dance in the sunlight given.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

independent islands engulfed by love. four names explore roots of family of feelings, of tribes. this lion dances a dance that roars outside the halls a dance that has four names this lioness embodies the language of rebellion of healing of determination her pawprints push soil closer to the roots, her pawprints are proof her path represents the fight she struggles yet her screams around like roars. this island isn’t alone yet it’s strong enough to float over the troubled waters her journey is aviation a direction this island is home to love.

16 Origin Stories

one match left in the box to think outside of it, - he had to enlighten himself burn melt, ignite the brain to span the thoughts to heal a family, to push forward, to inspire those around. warmth becomes hot, ash absorbing the darkness this one match thought outside of the box and found his own light.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

renewable we knew you were able transit translate energy move through your mind. your superpower is to empower to move through the webs to work miles and miles to find that the farthest distance of your heart to your mind is how you love yourself. how you speak energy to yourself. a curious mind is never contained to the cages most walk into a curious mind knows how to define a dream before it comes true, tell me about yourself how you renew the things you knew into the things you know.

18 Origin Stories

maybe maybe i’ve been this close maybe that reflection is me, maybe. maybe these shadows are battles maybe the light in my eyes see, saw, watch maybe my voice gives way to the truths i’ve seen. maybe, i’ve been here searching, maybe i’ve found it and it wants to remain hidden. maybe the scent of my own soul makes my heart beat faster. maybe these roots are finders and maybe that dragon fruit i’m holding is ripe, maybe life maybe love maybe somewhere in my presence i’m holding everything i need to let go.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

dents in my duality duel? dream grime across my mind genuine, the sounds of us gathering the way we commune over the sounds the way our words are rhythms

our words are culture

our words are worlds dents in my duality i am reading read, most mirrors are glass yet here, they are the eyes of those writing their own truths direct, reflect protect you are as water find solid, you are safety, you wanted what you are and so, you will be for us the ice of your truth doesn’t melt.

20 Origin Stories

rest cues. who takes care of authenticity what’s the origin of origins. rest cues a wise one said it’s easy being exhausted and not knowing what to do. rest cues. the sun sets to rest. the bird’s flight eventually builds a nest. the dancer rest in the sunlit side of the studio. rest cues. the curling iron sizzling the water from her eyes as she appears to be. rest cues. the water mark on the table from the empty rum glass. the wind against my clean shaven cheek. the daughters tug on hand rest cues. these dreams have a way of guiding. doors closing slowly, rest cues. the spirit in conversation with soul

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

how do we know we are living in a memory?

safe space is the shrine of love proof of soul is the expression of Black freedom

22 Origin Stories

the privilege will never know the

source, the source is for

the origin stories

the generous generation who will use their freedoms to respond and react without fear or need to know why. this generation of genius and genie of intelligence and spirit will heal will purify the source the streams, the dance they perform will reform the core, the centre

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

keys make sounds unlocking the doors we hide behind come back these keys sound like conversations wardrobe but not a war with what we wear awareness accustom to the costume what does it cost to design a dream? those keys sing as they await for locks, windows need keys, lips need keys, love is the key. not all totality needs equality raindrops are keys for the soil we are growing in.

24 Origin Stories

avoiding capture avoiding capture. rooting moving – runaway homes we’ve embodied.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

silence

is not a seal

your silences reveals

heals. your words

are sounds of home

your words are sound of here

i can hear your heart

i can hear your soul the vibrations of you voyages. what’s next sounds similar to what is here now silent as the birth of an idea silent as a dream becoming true i can hear the love in your dance. i can hear the pain in your smile, i can hear the joy when you allow us grace to face the sounds we take for granted. thank you for being here

26 Origin Stories

the origin of the genius and genie. gems generate generous genesis of generations. geocentric genre they gathered soul geographers generalised with the genteels genitive. the origin if the orator ordained to orbit the orbs

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

origin of exposure origin of refuge origin of surfacing facing the only reflection to be seen. the origin of sunlight and cold sweats. the origin of a smile, a scar intrigued by happiness. the origin of dirty cloths and wind that cleanse the origin of the ocean, tears from the origin of a mother. the origin of laughter the sound of a heart healing. the origin of fleeting freedoms the origin of loving yourself.

28 Origin Stories

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Image Credit: Black Dance Uncovered participants: Georgia Thompson and Holly Francis and Tunkanmi Akinfe. Photographer Georgina Payne.

HEALING IS MORE THAN A FEELING

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

jump off the mountain let the wind pull you closer to be grounded allow yourself to fall continued, reaching blindly for the floor, let go of perfecting the pursuit, release the fears as you fall, let go of the weight, waiting, let go of what you allowed us to see let the wind dance around what you’ve wished for let the wind take your breath away. healing is more than a feeling it’s the way home it’s the child like footsteps guiding you closer to the first dream your ever held onto let go of it, you are that dream come true. ah let the wind wander, let the wind massage the message of love from your mind and back into your soul. let the wind be your sail, fall until you realise falling is actually flying.

32 Healing is More Than a Feeling

i met the wind met us surrounded by colours we candidly converged into the centre of nature. stars fell to become seeds the wind breathes slowly as we danced as the curiosity channels – a comet speaks – where do you want to be when your last wish is asked?

in motion we responded tornados aren’t torn their tears tear – we washed, ah we bathed in the rain from our eyes the wind replied come closer your last wish will sound similar to the beating of your heart realising it can love all of it no for no reason.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

dizzy vortex surrounded in the centre we turn our scars into smiles. our joys journeys some of eyes can attain with closed eyes dizzy, spinning these rings became containers, symbols of completion. i am pieces turned peace i am homes fill of now made whole. these rungs turn my fingers into branches, red apples for the soul hungry enough to bare fruit, these rings on and off, push and pull keep me present.

34 Healing is More Than a Feeling

turtle drums the riddims of why patient it steps searching, moving

finding

giving light the first one in the room knows everyone else that enters the whys the answers this turtle

knows that if it moves

just slow enough

those answers

will be there. why knows where

why knows how, why knows when

yet why doesn’t know why…

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

angels with an angle beauty, blinding she gives all she is allow us to return you a token a gold for your goals i hear how you have what you need yet can’t receive what it means from another – suffering to love, fighting to be loved, can they see you how you see your self with closed eyes. most times i dance to the sound of your heartbeat – then silence spying into the soul you share.

36 Healing is More Than a Feeling

we cycle recycle the cycle dark art of a heart in enlightened wake, wait woke, spoke freely raise, rise reach through the ground sprout like a tree searching for the wind when the leaves breathe the being becomes a season.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Image Credit: Cameron McKinney. Photographer Georgina Payne.

38 Healing is More Than a Feeling

hold on whole here release reason the friction of fighting what you love do you love?

cool breeze smile calm in palm,

hold on who you are is where you are….. dig deep and you may find the root to your truth divine vine your mind is our ancestors’ wildest dreams. you are freer than they ever will be hold on you are almost able to grasp the rhythm of your heart.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

cut crease colour doesn’t actually separate is severe it’s exactly what is needed to help your eyes be seen. with tuba let’s talk about the tube the sound of warmth the horn bold enough to play the background we found the bass is a feeling opposed to nothing it supports exactly what the pulse is. adorned this horn cuts the creases of sound – the heart of the band the foundation of the band the realest is resilience cut the crease to find the belief.

40 Healing is More Than a Feeling

free fall fear falling who can hear the help in my voice – here to heal – who will be there for me

to help them. i found fear in my power to help.

frozen – times create – warmth the cocoon gives us room to grow – wings from the legs we once used.

during the fear i help myself

find myself – the beast brings winter to the point of melting i am here to help myself help the

fears out of the ones i love. the beast brings emotions

to the realm of spoke. realise release, i’ve caught enough to give pieces of my peace to you.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

me pulling windows in, i’ve found freedom in growth my branches strong, my branches home nests my branches help the wind find direction. me pulling windows. in. i’m holding to memories, more letting go of what i’ve become attached to, i am me pulling windows in, part of me isn’t here but hear now i’ve healed. what is love? me pulling windows in. what. is love – your voice being heard by little you. what is love? more than you imagine. what is love? a new question asked the patience for the answer me pulling windows in i see now the prism i am.

42 Healing is More Than a Feeling

brown sugar at that. a cup full of curiosity the balance of backing and forthing, rocking under rocks reminders – words are worlds for healers she moves mountains as she dancers her voice a voyage the diva dreamer on the scene, she is the nature of her mother her brown sugar skin is sweet enough to make the soil blush hush, another poem being born soul food lady soul full lady honey be what the bees bring yet the honey comb shares its sweetness with you.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

hate hold whole ah, wait the weight of knowing i am a slow moving hurricane hurry can’t hurt can i am moving though with force with freedom with no reason but to be caged, i hate the cages, the pages the need to be someone i am not i am wind blowing down the facades, the fake illusions i am here to knock down the moulds, i am here to push through and live a life that i want to live. blowing away the fake to feel the real a hurricane of pain turned paint.

44 Healing is More Than a Feeling

ready type ready present your presence character develops outside of cultivation truth is natural ready to be ready embody the word while your body is the world. language of life, living breathing, words are worlds for a reason. stuck to the script our lips are tombs when tongues aren’t speaking from native lands native palettes plums humming until the sunken words find treasure in annunciation, anointed – ready to be ready like hesitation healing in the moment, we fall not to fail we rise to not raise, we are ready to be ready for falling and standing the motion all is centred by the inspiration.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

THE GUARDIAN OF OUR GARDEN

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

flowerchild calm in palm more love i see how kind your heart remains water across your eyes i see the oceans you swim in flowerchild real as the roots which keep her here

spiring time chill dew on grass words like wind flowerchild your petals tell poems to the child that remains you’re here in the field of freedoms enjoy what you see and smell.

48 The Guardian of Our Garden

cherry tree rooted in the river the stream delivers, gentle

splashes as the blossoms bloom, they become tombs for the anguish and small ships for the relations gentle we’ve become our roots toes aging deeper into the soil our words once were seasons now they are stories, stones smooth enough to turn pillow for the dreamers too tired to continue this cherry blossom tree roots in the river of good knows, believes, the origin story of a cherry blossom.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

what the earthworm wants. touch earthworm dances through soul salsa snake dirt safe –

a smile that invites, here we are watching you move through the magic is there a tempo to the one who perseveres preserves, serves us tender ways to heal ourselves

earthworm your salsa makes the caterpillar envious, the rain falls to wash the soil yet you are made of the earth, ah roots are your family eyes wide i see the world in your stare they say stars fall to guide the earthworm towards the seeds of love

50 The Guardian of Our Garden

elena my child your smile warmth your light nourishes the soil i’ve come to cover my soul

flower, child the light leaves your eyes to shine onto the world, child you are my world, my tears water for your roots, your

words worlds, child you are the piano of my peace, play those keys

to unlock your heart my child you are loved.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

the seed an origin. absorption elder suns shining freedom onto into the soil. the seed nurtured by stories of ancient a dance begun. a break through a break up the seed become. sprouting, shouting screaming, liberation the growth had hope blossoming, blooming the seed became soul the scent of joy as is stretched out the authenticity of articulating pain, fear, power, love.

52 The Guardian of Our Garden

open life open heart the beat is in rhythm with the steps laughter lifts she’s still the child soulful creating distance only between what she guards and the garden she grows in, out, scent covers her as she moves through the truths we may have forgotten open life open heart her laughter is sound of why we will never not dance as we heal.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

cell breaking bodies. untied truths united uniting the universes we are living within. hopeful full of light both reflective and generative we are you are a star turned seed planted in your own heart, the garden you’ve grown in you now guard – allowing processing

the cell breaking to free the day.

celebration of conversation.

54 The Guardian of Our Garden

digging thoughtful the restful are full of dreams quiet not quitting his thoughts full before turned action digging deeper his life is the proof dedicated to fixing what’s missing in the mission, ambition aimed at the target digging until his roots reach through the soil his soul isn’t searching it is locked filling, full, digging until his dreams come true.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

a full heart does more than smile it shares it does more than journey it joins joy with pain, it allows freedom a reflection a moment to understand happiness is more than a feeling it is a fruit nurturing the youth to take root a full heart does more than love it lives it gives happiness a way to heal, a hand to hold and a garden to grow in happiness is the investment of an individual who uplifts his family.

56 The Guardian of Our Garden

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

green grass gardens the sound of the son’s steps deeper that the father a pace, a rhythm a solid soul searching for what to love bread and butter this brother isn’t bothered by the bargain he is here to break the barriers build the bridges i’ve seen these eyes before a sight, a roots strong enough to blossom into branches, they say roots like these become strong enough to break through chains of pain green guardian of the gardens some of us are growing in.

58 The Guardian of Our Garden

sunshine on papaya cheeks eyes wide as we transform pupil into mirror, mirror into a consistent containment of pain, permission, joys, love, we’ve stretched our roots envious of the earthworm we transform into caterpillars impatient we were so rather than a cocoon we became womb for the births we transformed into as our freedoms fought fled, shined back onto the ones too cold to feel their blood turns ember, papaya coloured hearts our love transforms out fears into independent expression of being becoming and been we once were scarred once were scared all to become sacred.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

green thumbs the gardener is home. her smile sunlight for the roots needing to sprout. green thumbs dreams under her fingernails the mother who nurtures our nature. who knew the guardian of our garden would protect us, uplift us allow us freedoms of our own creation. here in this garden we are home. full of life, full of love. together in this garden we are abundance.

60 The Guardian of Our Garden

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Image Credit: Soweto Kinch and Nick Jurd rehearsing for Dance Inside the Music. Photographer Ella Rogers Waterman.

WATER. THE EXAMPLE OF CHANGE

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

water on hands

we cried until

our eyes washed the fears from

the vision,

a nervous laugh lifts the doubt

we are able to dance descent, ascend, the peaks hide when we confide to another – loving myself as i love another who will reflect what when all that is wanted is more love. ah, in out wavelike, inhale exhale. our breath test our emotions we shield ourselves by the shyness yet when we are able to open we radiate our reason for being able to brighten the lights we are.

64 Water. The Example of Change

giver of breath i inhale hold give water these words are rivers

streams towards your dreams

these takes, taking time in my spirit i sway speaking, spoken golden words by the ancestors, we don’t rest, we replenish ripples, roaming around the centre deep breather, deep thinker diving past the past holding breath as we think beyond the traumas, the tides change as the moon sleeps, the stars sing for they know how to light the day and night

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

time

moon light water against sandy feet

the shells open up

you smell like home, smile

never the less forever the more

your floors are gardens

picture this you turn a prison into a prism pain into paint a scar into a smile pieces of fulfilment still find peace in being full.

night

66 Water. The Example of Change

the water brings back filtered water full of grime still full of salt still full of creative force still. still water run deep yet a collective source of love run deeper. tidal this water brings back inspiration, a means to help the youth float sink, breath deeper. these waters are warm cold heart can’t these waters change, bathe these waters are home for a chameleon in the world it adapts, home it articulates the world. these waters will save the thirst taken by society. these waters will support the tears these waters will save lives.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

protective others, negativity grey cloud straight drops of tears, tearing through we aren’t torn we are home for others, under our umbrellas

we ask questions as we listen to the stories falling from

lips like rain protecting they come close under our umbrellas some people arrive wet, tired, scared, afraid, under this umbrella are answers, energy under this umbrella love made this umbrella open as an umbrella during a storm closed as an umbrella awaiting a storm

68 Water. The Example of Change

trust cure arrived water over shell tell me why you don’t cry as much as the clouds will

are you shore, sure

do you believe in the depths you carry

womb, poem, birth

learning to walk

learning to live

love, again alone under the star these scars look of smiles alone, home in my heart

i’m learning how to grow as

i wait, the weight of knowing

i can trust myself

just as much as i love

myself. Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

across the waters the origin of these waters joy, we brought joy i am enjoy this journey join, my scars with my smiles. i am full across the waters i wash i bathe, i cleanse my spirit is water there is an ability to be calm before and after the storm. i am weather no weathered. across the waters the origins of tears tears of joy the ability to define my power. across the waters i wade.

70 Water. The Example of Change

wells water under ground roots thirsty fingers searching soil in our nails we’ve though enough wind blows the brain breathes rain washes my mind finds ways out of the moment, moon light guide my equal parts think as i breathe uncover discover duelling with the duality dreams don’t think love don’t think what of you think to think about who you are stars fall to become seeds. grow yourself into more ways to love yourself.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

under her umbrella mmm, home. love falls hitting knocking washing down the sides her eyes puddle no her eyes soil gardens hear voice when sung when hymns heals the roots allows the flowers to feel freedom ah, she holds her umbrella a flag, we know she’s on the go growing, a shield her beauty lives, is alive messy she listens as love knocks on her umbrella wondering if she’ll put it down and sing in the rain of love.

72 Water. The Example of Change

the example of

water. the example of change

the way power can empower.

wind to the flag we are.

hiding only when we feel home

the example of. a smile dancing across

the faces of light. the example of

living. the one to pull to grow, the one when needed can apply force – the example of evolution a script written by the soul allows the mind no surprise, yet your heart is the example of unconditional love. the example of a mirror being in the eyes.

as the clothes dry.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

loyal light light shower rain turn tears umbrella universe – protector of the wash

these waters wash, cleanse

bathe – the gemini has generated

more light, eclipsed

by evolution she moves where she’s loved she pushed to give, she pulls pieces until she has peace. loyal to the light she’s become as water, her light washes bathes and cleanses the souls we carry.

WHEN ALL WE WANTED WAS TO DANCE

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

i’ve seen roots become branches like locks unlocking the traumas

of being told

“sit still”

when all we wanted

was to dance.

76 When All We Wanted Was to Dance

i granted. planted roots don’t run they dance. ancestors wildest dream you are the freest example of the bloodline. we don’t save the last dance unless it is for more love. granted access to funding more freedom enriched, you been had the juice granted more fruit for your trees, granted they danced in chains then danced to break the chains we don’t dance for change we dancing to afford more we dance until we are able to give a chance to the next expression of freedom.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

you don’t see that your eyes exposed to the light of dance. the shutter meets studder shutter. the bulbs becoming shrines, the skin becoming shine, in time light can more at the perfect rhythm to appear as a posture. you don’t see that the rehearsal of shadow, the way timing the steps and pace of the lens. you don’t see that the focus to find the birth of light and the death of darkness. you don’t see that. i do.

78 When All We Wanted Was to Dance

circle of searching questing for vision make of the narrative, clearest is, here, suffrage your voice is the vote ah your dance is the ballot we are more than constant we show up small hat and all deep mover, flow like water making river, river running towards open ocean you are always there and here treasures not sunken but floating visible circle of searching you always find what you’re looking at. looking though when though you wind through the breeze is the answer to the quest for it allows rest, allows cooling, allows re heating, circle of search becomes circle of birth

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

oscar the business of dance dupont the point the balance of business and ballerinas. father of the flow forty years of fascination to how the bank and the brain still honour a movement a flow – accounts and the count the ability to control the only effort is to continue to love souls and solos duets and dreams a man inspired by his daughters his wife’s and the dancers who can express the movements of love.

80 When All We Wanted Was to Dance

flow fluid the wind dancers with the wings, wait the water laughs at the flight for the clouds love to hug the rain before it falls we laugh as we lift becoming ways up for the ones down, scars turned smiles because you are able to heal us, happiness needs humour, we need you flow, fluid, motion – the sway of a smile becoming a bridge. you are a bridge for us.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

guess i can finally put the feelings into speech. safe spaces. being seen. not needing to filter the feelings in the presence of “others” there were no others, we were authentically connected. spaces like these inspire becoming. becoming, more. becoming, enough. becoming, reflections. becoming, genius. becoming, genie. becoming, curious. becoming, attracted. let me also speak to dance. my thoughts dance around my mind. my words dance onto paper. in the presence of dancers i witness how pain dances. how joy dances. how freedom dances (shamel pitts). words like “rooting” and “avoiding capture” (courtesy of tia-monique uzor) are now dancing through my poetic perspective as i begin to do more in my community. do more for my family. do more for the collective. become more of myself.

UNCOVERING THE DANCE WITHIN

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

full like whole full like whole hold me close education isn’t escaping it’s evolving these colonisers mmm these colonisers these colonisers were confused; i belong where i fit in breathe, breath breathe, breath enough to not forget the rhythms of breaking the chains no slave, if we were it’s only the slaves to love master of the mmm master of the master of the moment heartbeat to the polyrhythms of the village voices are voyages these voices are voyages these words are worlds family funded my nurture my mother made me speak my mmm my mother made me speak the language of my mother made me speak the language of understanding my freedom full like soul full like soul in sync with the sound in sync with the dance in sync we are in sync with the dreams that are coming through we are in sync with the dreams coming true full like that

ROLL CALL

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Pawlet Brookes CEO and Artistic Director Tunkanmi Akinfe Keith Alexander Etian A Almeida Adrien Baron Yohana Bayekula Solomon Berrio-Allen Ludovic Bibeyron Elliot Blaize David Blake Kassy Bondoko Paul Brookes Brandon Brereton Ellis Brownhill Sheridan Charles Kendra Chiagoro-Noel Amelia Chinnock-Schumann Yos Clark Ariel Clarke Carl Clay Christian Davenport aka Cubs the Poet Alexandria Davis Sanaa Davis-McClain Kenza Deba Lucca Del Carlo John Diehl Antonio Disla Roges Doglas Lorrine Douglas Daniel Dumirier Brady Dye Kya Dykes Brenda Edwards

Sara El Moutaouaj Siham Ennajjary Nora Fagbemi Laura Ferretti Holly Francis Gladys M Francis Roxanne Fraser Tushrik Fredericks Kuan Frye Brice Gabiro Ruffin Gazon Adelie Geoffroy Anita Gonzalez Amy Grain Tony Graves Louis Hamilton-Foad Kizzy Holmes Freddy Houndekindo Ronnie Houndekindo Antoine Hunter Nick Jurd Fama Ka Betina Kashiama Soweto Kinch Shirley Laghelle Niquelle LaTouche Adhara Leal Nwabasili Audrey Leboutte Marie Charles Lee Marcella Lewis Myra Lewis Michiko Limanya

86 Roll Call

Judy Lipsey Tara Lopez Guy Losbar Wolman Michelle Lucciano Jonathan Man Francesca Matthys Cameron McKinney Kittie Mae Morris Francis-Williams MutshipayNkashama Nia Naylor Israel Ngashi Basanga Anaïs Nkoy Stinglhamber Cláudia Nwabasili Jonathan Nzouekeu Leyla Okhai Thayná Oliveira Correia Chris Otim Nasyah Oxner Roshni Parmar Georgina Payne Marc Pelissier Lauryn Pinard Shamel Pitts Thomas Talawa Prestø Joel Ramirez Kamau Richardson Marine Risec Ella Rogers Waterman Garima Rokaya Karen Russell Rose Aïda Sall Sao Wesley Freitas Santos Peixinho Mouss Sarr Oscar Sarrafan Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Heather Saunders Thomas Savage Jacqui Sealy Miguel Semedo Trézel Sergeant Kieron Simms Marlon D Simms Cayla Mae Simpson Rus Snelling Ashly Stanly Igor Tavares Jemima Tawose Chad Taylor Ziggy Taylor Michael Taylor Georgia Thompson Sydneé Thompson Tyhiana Tomlin Torian Ugworji Tia-Monique Uzor Annette Walker Keryn Warner Mahlon West Prentice Whitlow Laura Wilkinson Connor Williams Morgan Williams Ciara Williams Tahari Williams Aria Wilson Massinda Zinga and the many others that were a part of Let’s Dance International Frontiers 2023

BIOGRAPHIES

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

PAWLET BROOKES MBE Pawlet Brookes MBE is the founder, CEO and artistic director of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage. An experienced and highly respected senior leader and producer, Brookes has been at the forefront of the development of Black arts in the UK. Brookes pioneered the establishment of an annual dance festival in Leicester since 2011, Let’s Dance International Frontiers, and coordinates the high profile annual Black History Month Leicester. With Serendipity she has produced two National Lottery Heritage Funded initiatives and recently launched Unearthed: Forgotten Histories. Brookes has edited over 20 publications focusing on Black arts and heritage including Serious About Dance – Let’s Talk (2005), Hidden Movement: Contemporary Voices of Black British Dance (2013), Reflections: Irrepressible Voices of Black British Cultural Resilience (2020), Creating Socially Engaged Art: Can Dance Change the World? (2021) and BlackInk: Arts, Heritage and Cultural Politics, a magazine published annually for Black History Month. Brookes is currently a member of Arts Council England’s Midlands Area Council and an associate lecturer at Falmouth University; she has been a speaker at several international conferences, including being the UK representative at a UNESCO conference in Stockholm. Brookes was a finalist for the 2009 National Regeneration and Renewals Award for Cultural Leadership, recipient of BME Leader of the year at the East Midlands Women’s Awards 2018 and One Dance UK’s Outstanding Programme Award 2018 for Let’s Dance International Frontiers. Brookes was awarded an MBE for services to the arts and cultural diversity in the 2022 New Year Honours and made an Honorary Fellow of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2023.

90 Biographies

CHRISTIAN “CUBS THE POET” DAVENPORT Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA and raised in the DMV (Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia), Christian Davenport’s mother is from India and his father is Black. His upbringing was fundamental to informing his perspective today — he attended a series of catholic schools, yet each was predominantly of one race: All-Black Elementary, All-Hispanic Middle School, All-White High School, followed by HBCU (Dillard University). His belief is that over the course of this inculturation, he witnessed the effects of institutional education on all identifying races and classes in America. He eventually removed himself from college once he realised that he was studying other psychologists’ schools of thought and perspectives when he actually wanted to develop and understand his own way of thinking. He started typing customised poems for people in the New Orleans French Quarter as “Cubs the Poet” in 2010, and this is where he honed his expression of freedom and expanded how he communicates. Through poetry, he has worked with brands such as Crown Royal, Southern Comfort, Go Daddy, US Climate Action Network, The Four Seasons, and Le Labo. He has also given a TED Talk, discussing pivotal moments in his life. Davenport was named the inaugural Poet Laureate of Baton Rouge from 2019-2020 and self-published his first book of poems and art, What I Did With My Free Time, in July 2020. He currently writes custom books for weddings, funerals and events.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Additionally, as he’s continued delving into what he perceives to be the lack of intimacy and vulnerability between races, Davenport has discovered that paint helps him process when words fall short. His visual art exhibit Say It: I Love Black People digs into these concepts, whilst also discussing our collective struggle to develop self-love. Most recently he has developed a performance project called Free Therapy, in which he combines typewritten poetry inspired by exchanges with the audience with live, improvisational jazz music. He is a father, a coffee drinker and an unapologetic trailblazer.

92 Biographies

SERENDIPITY INSTITUTE FOR BLACK ARTS AND HERITAGE Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage’s mission is to centre perspectives from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora, embedded as part of cultural experiences for all. Serendipity’s programmes include the flagship dance festival, Let’s Dance International Frontiers (LDIF), Black History Month Leicester and the Annual Windrush Day Lecture. Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage has established a legacy through hosting the Living Archive documenting Black arts, heritage and culture, publishing the voices of Black arts practitioners and community activists, nurturing artists to create high quality new work, and mentoring young people.

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

Image Credit: Blake Arts performing as part of the Black British Dance Platform. Photographer Ella Rogers Waterman

Souls and Solos – Duets and Dreams

i’ve seen roots become branches like locks unlocking the traumas

of being told

“sit still”

when all we wanted

was to dance. by cubsthepoet