HAIR @ Invisible Show

One of the projects I am participating in this year is the Invisible Show, a show that deals with societal issues from the perspective of women and looks at vulnerabilities they face. Organized by Connie Jakab who created the Something to Say show which I was a part of last year, Invisible brings together local dancers, choreographers, and spoken word artists, as well as featured guests such as Dianna David from Vancouver, to explore some issues that women struggle with today.

My artistic director Nicole, founder of J'ouvert Playhouse, is also doing spoken word in addition to choreographing for the show. Below is a funky piece she composed, to be spoken by one of our dancers, which I love and have received permission to share with you here.

Spoken word gets its name from the fact that the pieces are meant to be "spoken" and the pieces are typically much stronger performed aloud, but I think the content and words in this piece work well enough that you can appreciate it even in written format.

Over the past couple weeks I managed to watch every spoken word piece in our show, and they are all incredible. The beloved piece below is one of the lighter pieces, but all of the spoken word we have in the show is strong, and very emotional. If you are in Calgary, dare to see the show on Friday, June 14th and Saturday, June 15th at Theatre Junction GRAND.


Tickets are available at:
http://www.invisibleshow.com/#!services/c1h6a


- Additional links -

Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/115625788633512
Website:  www.invisibleshow.com
MPact: www.mpactdance.com



★★★



HAIR

Ladies let's talk hair shall we
Yes let's talk about our hair
I'm talking to all the ladies
You know how we do
Mmm hmm
It's our outer crown and glory
We like it long
We Like it short
We like to put some more on
Or take that clip out
Give it a little twirl
Bounce those little curls
Scissor it up
Razor it down
Strip it
Dye it
When the hair stylist is God him/herself
Oh holy stylist
Work those hands
Sparkle those fingers
And they do create magic or
Tragic
Tears may flow
But honey you got to get out of that chair and go!
Strut your stuff
Flip that hair
Shake it around
That my lady is your crown
Rooted strands from thy perfect head
Grow strong
Just ask Rupenzel
A damn prince and a nasty selfish woman climbed and down those strands of hair
Don't you wonder what she used on her hair?
We wash and condition it with any and everything under the sun that we hope will achieve the perfect hair commercial look
You know what I'm talking about
The ones with the chick with the luminous, free flowing, loooooong hair
Oh and don't forget strong
They even show one girl with her hair tied in a knot and pull!!!
To testify how strong the hair is when you use their magical product
Not my hair you won't
Pulling hair that hurts!
Ah yes the perfect wind blown, shiny hair
That's called good lighting and a big huge fan
By who's standards is the perfect head of hair?
When did a good head of hair become an extension of a woman's character and identity?
When I see a sister with a banging Afro
Some people think its too natural, it's not clean or beautiful
But I think she's amazing, confident, embraces her natural hair
If a woman has very short hair
She maybe called a lesbian
When did having short hair make someone a lesbian?
If a girl with a Mohawk graces your presence
Why do you automatically want to pretty her up and make her look more like a "lady"?
But when a woman with long flowing hair walks by you go wow...beautiful
What had me in tears is seeing a young black child Participating in an experiment was asked to pick a doll, a white doll and a black doll and she chose the white doll
Why
Because she though it was prettier and she had good hair
What has happened to our society when a young girl is already conditioned to what "good hair" should be and how she will be accepted in society
We have become conditioned by our own stereotypes, commercial representation, social expectations and male preferences
Thousands of strands of hair
Attached to the head
We curl it
Straighten it
Cut it
Grow it
Weave it
Braid it
Twist it
Cover it
Put a wig on it
Crimp it
Wave it
Wrap it
Bun it
Wash, condition, deep condition it, sit under a dryer, blow dry it, style it
For who?
You?
Me?
Mary Jane across the hall?
My boss?
My sweetheart who says baby I like it when you wear your hair that way.....
Society too brainwashed from watching too many makeover shows
Hair our crown and glory
Where so much emotion is attached to a few thousand strands
Damn
And you wonder why we take so long to get ready.


Written by:
Nicole Pemberton
Artistic director, J'ouvert Playhouse