Imagine… Etienne Charles’ Creole Soul Band, the New York Philharmonic and DJ Logic met at Lincoln Center on Saturday night. The result… history was made!
I’m talking about African drums, a full orchestra, and a DJ scratching beatbox beats, all together, making the grand opening of the David Geffen Hall not only an unforgettable experience, but one of the most fantastic joint presentations customers can have recently experienced.
Trinidadian Etienne Charles, a musician, genius, trumpeter, percussionist and composer, was given the task of commissioning the piece for this opening gala – bringing to life what had existed before Lincoln Center on San Juan Hill, a vibrant immigrant community and culture. – as David Dinkins would call this ‘beautiful mosaic’ that existed where Lincoln Center now stands.
Not only did Charles deliver a well-researched piece of history to a mixed audience, but the presentation also took us to San Juan Hill, a forgotten community that once stood where Lincoln Center currently stands. Images shared during the performance came to life on screen and took us back in time to what that neighborhood was and meant to the people who lived there at the time. We were reminded of people like Zora Neale Hurston, Percy Heath, among others.
Charles promised an immersive experience and that is exactly what he delivered. Super-imposed figures from the era were placed on buildings in Lincoln Center and surrounding corners to transport the audience back in time.
The black and white images of notable men and women of the time mixed with today’s New Yorkers walking the streets made it such a wonderful interplay between past and present. Some sort of combination that was needed and complimented the dive.
Add to that, the live musical accompaniment to every story from that era, and the story came alive.
Included in the multimedia performance were Harlem fashion icon Lana Turner and the voices of Ray Matias, Rasheed Ali, Cal Jones presenting celebrity stories. musicians and creators.
As a thoughtful introduction, artists from across the diaspora also played a major role in making this happen alongside Charles. There were poems by Grenadian poet Eljon Wardally, American poet Carl Hancock Rux, photographer Hollis King and members of EX Vandals, who created a mural in Brooklyn ahead of the anticipated show.
Saturday began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon to mark the opening of the David Geffen Hall, where a select few officials and community members came out to celebrate the completion of the project on time and on budget.
In attendance were Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Charles Schumer, Board members and community members who were excited to see the project completed.
As one attendee said, the grand opening was used to create awareness, some connection, but of course, some awareness of a. where are we, b. where we were and c. how should we move forward.
Jaap from Sweden, conductor of the NY Philharmonic, reiterated after the show how fresh and cool this presentation was, and we could see it. It was clear that the orchestra had fun.
It was also clear that the audience was thoroughly interested. It was a step between Charles’ band, The Philharmonic, and DJ Logic. All one move. A felt and seen celebration and from all points, the task given to this talented Caribbean-American, was well received and the sensitivity of the people was displayed in a concert at the center of New York’s cultural offer.
Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago Andre Leveau expressed his thoughts saying, “Saturday night, October 8, was one of the truly proud moments for Trinidad and Tobago’s culture to rise to the most dizzying heights. Etienne Charles, hailing from our little island nation, leading this remarkable massive orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, was an awe-inspiring.
experience once its importance hits you. What was flattering is that the Lincoln Center, this very prestigious deserving organization, after over half a trillion in the cost to improve the amazing David Geffen Hall, would choose “Baptize” it with the eclectic Caribbean musical mix of Etienne Charles. That this music would take us on the surprising journey from forgotten but clearly formative times to the exciting present in the great city of New York was also a great honor to witness.”
As Caribbean-Americans, there was not only a sense of pride, but a sense of coming out of the shadows, of coming out fully, of coming out center stage, of coming out with an international offering and full acceptance.
At the end of the day, we can say that the audience got it, the orchestra got it, and the Lincoln Center management got it.
Not enough can be said about his talent and how he moved, manipulated and brought to life a scene of musicians that everyone could relate to. It was an expression not only of music, but a connection that must be understood and prepared to face if we are to move forward.
The newly renovated David Geffen Hall will house the magnificent New York Philharmonic Orchestra, but it was an opening that had to be turned back to move forward, and so the Lincoln Center management team should be commended for this sensitivity to understand the dynamics of not just a community, but its culture, heritage and significance.
