Souls and Solos, Duets and Dream

SOULS AND SOLOS DUETS AND DREAMS

BY CHRISTIAN “CUBS THE POET” DAVENPORT FOREWORD BY PAWLET BROOKES

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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.

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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

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PAWLET BROOKES

FOREWORD

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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.

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ORIGIN STORIES

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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

Photographer Georgina Payne.

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HEALING IS MORE THAN A FEELING

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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.

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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…

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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THE GUARDIAN OF OUR GARDEN

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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.

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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

in

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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

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Image Credit: Soweto Kinch and Nick Jurd rehearsing for Dance Inside the Music.

Photographer Ella Rogers Waterman.

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WATER. THE EXAMPLE OF CHANGE

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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WHEN ALL WE WANTED WAS TO DANCE

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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UNCOVERING THE DANCE WITHIN

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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

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ROLL CALL

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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

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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

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BIOGRAPHIES

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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