Finally, I did not send any invitations for Yankee Bajan to anyone after all. And I am sorry for that. I just forgot, in the fog of a flue I caught from Gwylène! The antibiotic acted more like a sleeping pill! Too bad though. It was a good play, obviously put together by a professional with social activism in mind. Linda Parris-Bailey the writerdirector, is a founding member of Alternate Roots. She is clear in her purpose; in her values and mission! She is accountable. The way the movable/foldable skrims I made were choreographed was beautifully, despite their size. Only the big plywood cubes were a bit clumsy. Actors and text kept us curious for two hours. It was a treat. And the way the cast introduced itself at the end was very friendly and personable. Half of it American, half Barbadian, Bajan that is – accent and all. Gwylène and I even got our share of thanks for the skrims! I took the compliments with a bit of humor though. From the start, I could not believe that the original ones were not collapsable. How could anyone imagine transporting 8X8 frames from Barbados to Charleston without having to pay a ridiculous price? So, to me, there was a basic goal: portability. That’s where the challenge was. And the fun. But that’s also where it (the fun) ended though! It exhausted me. 8’X8′ is not 2″X4′ or 6″X6′! It is huge and very hard to maneuver, even in my big studio! But … now it is done and done well, I think. Linda can collapse everything and carry it away by herself in her van. It actually was transported, from my studio to the Dock Street theater in the Volvo. And rebuilt there, in about one hour.

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Taking advantage that there were many ROOTERs in Charleston Saturday and Sunday to see Yankee Bajan, there was a rhizome at the African-American Museum yesterday. It was a typical ROOTS blend of stretching, singing and concentrated work. Too bad Rayn and Pam did not make it. Very good that Marcus did though. And Arianne, and two folks from Columbia, and Omari, and Elise, who spent two nights and one breakfast at the house. I believe Victoria did well, wooing the bunch into the Charleston rhizome’s peculiarities. Too bad we could not find a time for an open invitation on Devereaux. Everybody has gone already. Only Lauren, the stage manager from ROOTS will be back soon to organize the move of theYankee Bajan set to Florida.

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Yesterday we had the pleasure of receiving a WhatsApp from Phinias! He seems to be doing so well! It’s great, after the very hard time he and his family had since covid hit South Africa. I am back to dreaming of a long journey which would lead us, Gwylène and I, from Charleston to Japan, via Cape Town – of course!

Imagine! Phinias came to Charleston as an artist, invited to participate in ‘The Future is on the Table’! He is the one who had middle school students make clay models of African huts, then had them imagine, together, what to do with the pieces. He guided them into creating a circular village, so direct and symbolic. It was one of the best pieces in the show at the City Gallery.