The Symphony, The Winspear and Da Wizard…
In November 2022, I was fortunate enough to experience a career PoeticPeak…
Winspear Centre, Edmonton
Upon invitation, I travelled to Edmonton, “Cleaned-Up-Good”, and performed at the Winspear Centre - with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
The Guest Conductor was Cosette Justo Valdés, and together, we co-curated a joint performance with the theme being “Dreams”.
Dear Winspear Centre, Thank You for inviting me back for another Harmonic Collaboration.
In November 2023, I was summoned to Edmonton and the Winspear Centre, once more.
This occasion featured Guest Conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, and we joined forces over the theme of “Time”.
There was more than performance that drew me back to Edmonton - there was also the call of Community.
To YONA - Youth Orchestra of North America - I was simply Elated, Flattered, Grateful, and Honoured to have been asked to Keynote Speak, and perform for you.
The next generations are everything, and a lifetime in The Arts is a wonderful thing.
May we all keep positively progressing, ever-strongly, as we invest in our greatest natural resource.
To the Parents, Partners, Participants, Sponsors, Volunteers, Supporters, please do always remember: “there’s no Youth, without YOU.’
Winspear CEO Anne-Marie Petrov, I am humbled by every little thing that you secured to ensure that I was taken care of, in every single way.
Not an element was missed nor in want of, as I was truly in the greatest, and most capable companies.
Your care and compassion are of the utmost classiest.
Left: Anne-Marie Switzer, Right Wakefield Brewster
Conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser has been a hero of mine from the onset of my discovery of him.
I began a life in The Arts at age 6, not in Poetry, but as a Classical Organist, then, Pianist. I played for almost two decades and attempted a BFA at York University.
Alas, a goal never achieved - indeed, a goal forever unrequited.
Seeing this Brother on the podium - literally “Conductin’ Thangs” - he made me feel like I was with him, right there - for I’ve never borne witness of a Brother right there.
MyMan, you’re a Hero, you’re my hero, StraightGoods.
Left: Conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, Right: Wakefield Brewster
Below this Blog is a piece that I wrote impromptu, for the conclusion of this wonderful production.
To each and every one of you from the airport and back, including Rob McAlear, Annemarie Switzer, Jerrold Eilander, and Diamond Executive Car Service:
Thank You, for assisting me in my aim to Poetically Represent Provincially, for even outside of Calgary, I have begun to connect community -
And I couldn’t do this without all of You.
Until next year, (hopefully!) or sooner, (gasp!)
WordWizard out.
~W🧙🏾♂️🎙️
Honourable Mentions:
Edmonton Poet Laureate 2021 - 2023, Titlope Sonuga
Edmonton Poet Laureate 2023 - 2025, Shima Aisha Robinson
Thank You both so very much for attending.
It means everything to have you Sisters at this performance, Laureates supporting a Laureate.
May we all share the stage soon…
~W🧙🏾♂️🎙️
TIME OUT OF TIME & TIME AGAIN
Energy
Life
Time
I can’t see any of them
But
I believe in them all
For so many
Seeing is believing
So
Perception is reality
And
That reality
Roots
Beliefs
Religion is a belief system
Politics is a belief system
Philosophy
Morals
Values
They are all
Belief systems
I believe in
Energy
Life
And Time
Energy, which can neither be created, nor destroyed;
But may transform its life;
Through time
And over time
We have come to be
And over time
Here we are
Therefore
In the reality of this HumblePoet
Energy is all we are
And
Time is all we have
So
I ask all of you
With the energy
That you are
What shall you do
With
Your
Time
?
Wakefield Brewster
Poet Laureate YYC
Da WordWizard
November 2023