Musicality of Poetry Series IX - Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron
Guild Complex

Our Musicality of Poetry Series IX continues with a tribute to one of the spirited voices.influences of our time: Gil Scott-Heron. Gil Scott-heron redefined the role of the poet as activist and pugilist. His words shook up and entire nation when the now-famous”The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” hit the radios of teenagers of every ethnicity and put the focus on th icons of that particular time.


2/23/00 - 2/23/00


Our Musicality of Poetry Series IX continues with a tribute to one of the spirited voices.influences of our time: Gil Scott-Heron. Gil Scott-heron redefined the role of the poet as activist and pugilist. His words shook up and entire nation when the now-famous”The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” hit the radios of teenagers of every ethnicity and put the focus on th icons of that particular time. He is a major influence on many rappers/poets/writers because of his blunt overview and ability to see the world as it really is Tonight poet Chick Perkins will perform a tribute with his unique flair and style, with poet/lyricist Sherrille Lamb, actress/performance artist Tanya White, and poet Mark Heath from the Young Chicago Authors Program – all honoring the Voice, Gil Scott-Heron. The Musicality of Poetry Series is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.
*Note: Gil Scott-Heron is not scheduled to appear.
Chuck Perkins is a poet unafraid of addressing hard questions. Instead of defending sides, Chuck uses his poetry to judge ideas on merit. He has performed at the National Black Theater of Harlem, Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago), Chicago Cultural Center and Field Museum (Chicago). His work can be found in Kente’ Cloth-southwest Voices of the African Diaspora, (University of North Texas Press) and the Oyez Review, (Roosevelt University). He has been a member of two National Poetry Slam teams from Chicago Finishing as high as the individual semi-finals in Portland, Oregon (’96) and the semi-finals in Austin Texas with the Berwyn Slam Team (’98). Later this year , Chuck will be one of the featured voices on a new CD “Voices of urban Renewal” (guidance Records) with Mos Def, Mutabaruka and others. Sherrille Lamb hails from many points south, where her beginnings in the church choir led to classical training. An accomplished poet, vocalist and lyricist, she has been seen at House of Blues(Chicago), Museum of contemporary Art (Chicago) and with V103 (WVAZ_FM) at AN Expo for Today’s Black Woman. She is a member of the all-star musical unit 84124 and has completed a chapbook, Little Black Girl’s Lullaby. Tanya White’s acting credits include various roles with The Court Theater, The Goodman Theater, Victory Gardens, and Latino Chicago Theatre Co. As a director, her work has been featured at the Goodman Studio, Stage Left, Bailiwick Repertory, and DuSable Museum. Her Teaching Credits include Free Street Programs, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Academy of the Performing Arts, and Act One Studios. Tanya is currently at work on a play funded by the National Endowment of the Arts in conjunction with Northlight Theatre. Mark Heath, a sophomore and Forensics Team member at Thorton High School, is a member of Youn Chicago Authors Scholarship Program and a regular Presence at Guild complex/Chopin theater open mics. He was also a participant at Whitewater Young Writers Conference.

Performers
Chuck Perkins, Featuring Sherrille Lamb, Young Chicago Authors’, Mark Heath, performance by Tanya White

Tags: Literary, Rest Of The World, 2000