Reflecting on our performances...

I recall Andres, the white-African music director of the Stollenbosch University event talking about how ten years ago this would not have been possible. Ten years ago they would have been arrested for talking to each other, for performing with each other. It was impossible to believe that people would be arrested for associating with people of a different race. I was not raised to see color, size or sexual orientation and while I have clearly seen racism throughout my life, it was hard to fathom systematic racism. In the choir, bringing together people of different backgrounds was the diversity we strived to achieve. We were a motley crew of all ages, sizes, colors and convictions. It was a badge of diversity that we all proudly wore. Andres said that he could actually see our bright, white light coming in the room when we entered and that he hopes through us he can teach others how to emulate it, that our spirit, our passion was tangible. As if our convictions were right there on stage with us, as fellow choir members, dressed and ready to sing.

I was surprised at first see some of the posters around the city that promoted our performance. Having experienced only a nominal level of notoriety back in the States, I thought about how I would never be able to describe to my family and friends the Beatlemania-like affect I felt we were experiencing. Whether the stage is Lincoln Center or in the basement of a local synagogue the sentiment is the same.

After hundreds of performances singing the music I love, I have become much better at knowing when to pull my voice back so that my vocals don’t crack in the intense, emotional atmosphere. It’s usually during or after key change when the song reaches its pinnacle, the payoff comes and I often get really emotional. It’s pull back or crack, baby. Like a dream that carries you away, almost an outer body experience, you can influence the crowd with your enthusiasm but the crowd mostly influences you. The audience is so important to a performance. Their vibe, their chemistry is absorbed on stage. The need for the audience to respond is so great. When they don’t its like reading your journal to a wall and expecting compassion and empathy in return. This was definitely not like shows they do back home. Sure, people buy our CD’s, attend our shows at New York’s major venues. But, here something transcendent happens. You become one with the audience. Everyone in the venue is contributing to the performance. They are responding to you, and you are in returned charged by them. Suddenly you are the catalyst for magical experiences. Everyone is on there feet, singing along, clapping and stomping to the beat. You can measure your success in the tears of others.

Tapologo Aids Hospice

Another early morning start in order to reach the aids hospice by lunch. We met with the staff and toured the hospice. It’s incredible what they have done, from the use of the adobe style building to save on energy, to innovative ways to cool down the air (make-shift A/C) to finally using light to constantly sanitize the hospice. Bishop Kevin Dowling is a lovely, humble man whom I met in NYC last Fall. He is both the innovator behind the hospice and the overseer of the hospice. He named it Tapologo after consulting a few local tribes who gave him the word which means ‘rest from suffering’.

After meeting with and speaking with some of the patients we sang a few songs and this day was really hard for me. There are very few men in hospice and on aids meds, as the younger men are in denial, not treating themselves and therefore continuing to spread the disease. Younger professional woman are choosing to have children but are refusing to married after they have their first child because infidelity is so rampant. So many people suffering. Maybe they liked the sound of your voice, maybe you jarred a memory, but either way, to receive tears as a thank you for something so small I found completely overwhelming.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Woke up really early to catch a flight to Jo’burg. We then had a estimated 3 hour drive to the Game Reserve. Yesterday morning a park ranger was malled at Kruger National Park--reminiscent of the grizzly mallings when I was in Glacier National Park. Weird.

The animals were out and about as the temperature had dropped after a late morning rain. Prides of lions, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, elephants, gazelles, rhinos and hippos were all gracefully inter-mingling...for now as it apparently wasn’t dinner time. Really, really beautiful. Surreal too.

We stayed at the Bakgatla Camp in cabins and ended the day with a group meditation service under the beautiful southern sky. The milky way lit the sky enough that flashlights were not necessary. After some star-grazing a few of us stayed up to the wee hours of the morning enjoying the unique environment within the park and secretly hoping we’d see a late night/early morning visitor!

Cape Peninsula and the African Penguins

We had the morning off and we went to the Cape Peninsula. It’s the southern most tip of the African continent and its where the two oceans meet. Amazing to see the light-colored, yet choppy Atlantic Ocean meet the dark, yet calm Indian Ocean. Quite beautiful. We had lunch at Hout Bay and afterwards we went to Boulder to see the African (or Jackass) Penguins. The below video was created by my friend and fellow choir member, Marshall Simon.

Harry Gwala School, Khayalitsha

The day started early with a drive through the tin shanties of the Capetown Townships. These shanties make our level of poverty in the USA look like palaces. It was very emotional and distributing to see people live this way.

We got to the Harry Gwala school around 9:30a. The students energy was very high as it was the first day back from Easter Break. They soon came to our warm-up room and wanted to have their picture taken. They posed endlessly, voguing constantly and we all gladly snapped away. The students sang unity and apartheid healing songs along with movements of struggle and resistance with profound discipline. I closed my eyes and listened to their mature sound that resonated with dignity. They are old souls who have seen a lot in their few years on this earth.

We took the stage shortly after and in my years of singing, never have I experienced such a frenzy. Without a microphone we sang our favorites and over 1,500 students were on their feet, wildly waving and dancing to our music. The female students went crazy for our male singers.

For our last song the students suprised us with singing our national anthem. 1,500 small voices singing, boldly, proudly for their American Guests. We were able to return the gift by singing NoKosi Sikelel, the People's Song, a beautiful, soothing song of healing which we all sang together in Africaans. The emotion griped my throat making it difficult to hit my notes. In the end, it took us almost an hour to leave as we wanted to get to know the students and spend some time with them.

A Cold February Morning

Just one of those amazing mornings when you wake up and wonder “What is THAT sound?” Turns out, it was the sound of the ice gently breaking and knocking against the dock and I guess it is....landfill? Either way, it’s it amazing??

A Family Dinner

My first major family dinner party. Three tables plus seventeen folding chairs made the night possible. This was a blast. Think they loved everything but the Brussels Sprouts. Add some Multipulciano, cheese and figs and a la familia contenta.