TD INCUBATOR at Arts Commons Wakefield Brewster Presents Part 1: I Puzzle We, PoeThree…
Poster Photography: Sam Obadero & Motif Photography
Since 2020, I have been receiving wonderful worldly gifts from putting 25 years of my life into Poetry, Spoken Word, The Arts, and Community.
One of the greatest elements of my vocation is possessing the capacity to effectively mentor other Artists, regardless of career, regardless of discipline.
I have solidly sidelined a career in Artistic Counseling through Page2StageProductions Inc. However, I have never facilitated at the level of my latest charge, as the new Fellow of the TD INCUBATOR at Arts Commons.
I am left to the task of guiding and further inspiring 45 Artists in various disciplines, in any way, and in every way, that I positively, and possibly can.
I’m having the time of my life, learning from whom I’m leading - and it’s my belief that this is the way.
Here is the lesson that I learned the first and fastest from them, but I won’t be fast about it.
So…
Buckle in.
The theme of my mentorship is: Puzzle People.
The following is my Artistic Vision for the TD INCUBATOR COHORT, 2023-2024:
“All that is full, entire, and complete - is the sum of many parts.
Pangea
Pyramids
Policy
Projects
Politics
Power
People
Wake and Alex
In the spirit of sensing and seeing how these many parts may present themselves, one may visualize their person, a person, any person – as a puzzle.
Living our lives, we learn to seek completion in a collection of contexts and in doing so, discover that we are complicated, complex, and compact.
As we journey, we lift the cover from the puzzle-box of life to reveal that we are simple, we are a sum, and the true number of pieces to our personal human puzzles – is merely moot.
The intrinsic parts of our puzzles, well naturally, we are born with a few pieces.
We grow out of some pieces, and into others.
Some pieces expand, others contract.
We manifest more from within to fill in the spaces, along with the passage of time.
The intrinsic pieces – ones most easily acquired and placed – are curated by the closest of connections, forged in a foundry of familiarity.
Wakefield with Joshua Dalledonne
However, the extrinsic parts of our puzzles come from farther regions, the nether regions, the peripherals, the orbits, the ellipses, the unknown.
They are produced and procured in unexpected spaces, places - and people.
For one to finally complete one’s personal puzzle, one must look outside the box.
Such is the direction for the 2023-24 Season of TD Incubator: a journey defined by connection, creation, cooperation, and collaboration – artists extending outwards in search of a piece to finally complete a part previously under construction.
The picture on this particular box will be shaped by artists delving in disciplines defined by differences and diversities.
We seek expressions, forms, ideas and intentions that are so unique, they may easily engage their opposites, their “un-alikes”.
They are rigid enough to hold their artistic distinction, yet flexible enough to bend their artistry, essentially becoming creative bamboo.
This results in simultaneous singularity and duality – a presentation of expression, an exhibition of performance harmony.
Take note and be prepared, for there is some assembly required, and when this puzzle is truly complete, you will find:
Some pieces may be damaged.
Some pieces may be broken.
Some pieces may be missing;
And all these pieces will fit your puzzle -
Perfectly.”
(Written in partnership, with Josh Dalledonne, Associate Director Creative of Arts Commons)
Fast forward from the inception of our travels, to the first of our four cabaret-style steps and stops: Wakefield Brewster Presents, Part 1.
Essentially, the entire creative process from impetus to exhibition, is on the INCUBATORS, each Artist.
When it comes to doing what they do, I stay out of the way, as much as possible, as they already know very well how to “art”.
Furthermore, with fervor and fever, these INCUBATORS embraced my 4C-Facilitation:
Connect
Create
Cooperate
Collaborate
They spent the time, and they did the work.
Now, the cabaret was upon us, and as the other Fellows in the past had done, I intended to make a small, introductory, artistic contribution to the cabaret, most likely, with a poem -
All by myself.
The way I almost always do it.
Another soliloquy.
Hmmmmmmmm……..
That’s not a far reach for a new puzzle piece.
It’s in fact, not a reach at all.
This glaring epiphany urged me to follow my own lead, do as the INCUBATORS do, and walk my talk.
Hence, I present to you:
On Drums, Professional Percussionist, TD INCUBATOR Alumni: Jonathan McCaslin
On Upright Bass, award-winning musician, educator, and composer, Jeff Gammon
On Keyboards, twenty-year, internationally touring, session master, Chris Tauchner (Tock-ner)
On Vocals, Professional Poet & Spoken Word Artist, Rapper, PoEmcee, Wakefield Brewster
We four: are PoeThree.
Calgary’s Premier and only Spoken Word Funk-Fusion Jazz Quartet.
After I encouraged this cohort of INCUBATORS to reach out of the box and get some pieces together, I did the same, I made the final pushes on an 8-month-long-behind-the-scenes-hush-hush-hustle;
And a band that I’ve been attempting to create for the last two decades, was born on the stage of The Engineered Air Theatre in Arts Commons, as the opener for Wakefield Brewster Presents, Part 1.
Featuring:
INCUBATOR ALUMNI, Poet and Spoken Word Artist: aloT Of Poetry
Groundbreaking and Futuristic Flautist (flute) Virtuoso: Jiajia Li
Modern and Contemporary Dancer: Jocelyn Mah (Bringer Of Cheesecake)
Renowned children’s Singer Songwriter Entertainer (doing grown up shit!): Mandy Morris
Violin Sensation and INCUBATOR ALUMNI: James Watson
Experimental and Avantgarde Trombonist: Thomas Dundas, aka: Tombone
I wish to congratulate you all on a fantastic showing of what the TD INCUBATOR is all about.
I want to fully recognize that the gravity of being the first group to present of the entire cohort, is akin to being the first reader, aka: “The Sacrificial Poet” at a Poetry Jam - setting the bar ain’t easy - and set it, you all did.
Finally, I need to Thank You, for if we hadn’t come together, it would be year 21 coming up, waiting on a band that might never have been.
The very first lesson learned from these great teachers, called INCUBATORS:
“Walk Your Talk”
As far as continuing TD INCUBATOR performances go:
Wakefield Brewster Presents Part 2: February 9 & 10, 2024
Wakefield Brewster Presents Part 3: April 26 & 27, 2024
Wakefield Brewster Presents Part 4: June 7 & 8, 2024
Each cabaret will feature a new select group from the cohort, and each show shall open with a performance by PoeThree.
Spoken Word Funk-Fusion Jazz Quartet: PoeThree From left to right: Keyboard Chris Tauchner , Drums, Jonathan McCaslin, Upright Bassist Jeff Gammon, Vocals, Professional Poet & Spoken Word Artist, Rapper, PoEmcee, Wakefield Brewster
Putting puzzles together.
The picture has never been more complete.
Until next time, WordWizard out, and WarmestRegards,
~W🧙🏾♂️🎙️
Photo Credits:
INCUBATORS on stage: Shannon Clarke
Wake and Josh: Joshua Dalledonne
Wake and Alex: Wakefield Brewster
Poster Photography: Sam Obadero & Motif Photography