Karen Ponzio Photos
Movimiento Cultural
The world-renowned Shubert Theatre was home to some of New Haven’s own on Saturday night, as a show entitled Elm City’s Finest brought artists performing everything from bomba to dramatic monologues to rock ‘n’ roll to this first-of-its-kind event. The evening also included work displayed by local visual artists, food from local restaurants, and wares from local vendors.
Anthony McDonald, the Shubert’s executive director, began by welcoming everyone and explaining how this event came to fruition.
“Elm City’s Finest was born out of the idea that the Shubert could do better at bringing local and amazingly talented folks to our stage,” he said, to much applause. “And we really wanted to make sure that we honored that, found a way to do just that.” He acknowledged and thanked the City of New Haven’s arts department, the crew, staff and board, as well as business development associate Azaria Samuels, who produced the event. He then turned over the rest of the program to WNHH host and Inner City News editor Babz Rawls Ivy.
Host Babz Rawls Ivy dazzled the crowd all night.
“How many parents are in the house?” Rawls Ivy asked the crowd, and got a healthy response. “I want you all to feel special, and I want you to feel special because these are your babies and your relatives and your friends and your community that’s going to take this stage.”
The first act to the stage was Movimiento Cultural Afro-Continental, Inc., with their bomba music of resistance and healing. Eleven members strong, the singers and percussionists created a vibe that made it almost impossible not to move along, and that was indeed encouraged.
“Bomba is a music of community and movement,” said founder Kevin Diaz as he invited the audience to get up and dance. “Remember, music and dance is a universal language. It crosses barriers. It’s about feeling.”
The group’s ecstatic and enchanting set ended with a medley that saw another member come out on stage to dance in a mask and gown with the colors and pattern of the Puerto Rican flag. If the audience response was any indication, everyone was feeling the universality of bomba that afternoon.
Rawls Ivy introduced the next two performers: Lelia Hyder, a junior at Hopkins School, and Julia Weston, a junior at Watkinson, who would each perform a monologue, preparing the audience of what they were about to witness.
“It takes a lot of energy to be an actor, and these young sisters are ready to step into that role, to those roles,” she said.
Julia Weston.
Weston performed “The Recurring Dream” by Psalameyene 24, where she describes a dream to her teacher Mr. Jefferson, one that confronts race and identity and that leaves her conflicted and restless every time she has it. Hyder performed “Eat” by Candace Jones, which finds her as a mother trying to feed her son, conflicted about her job in a gun factory, and balancing her need to be both mother and provider. Both actors brought the audience to utter silence and received rousing applause for their dramatic and impactive turns.
Leila Hyder.
“I see Tae Fetty already has fans,” Rawls Ivy said in response to the applause he received after she mentioned the Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School graduate would be coming to stage next. Those fans kept that momentum going throughout Fetty’s fun and vibrant set, where he showed off his smooth moves along with his vocal stylings.
Jacqueline Brown — Coop High graduate, actor, and playwright — performed “The Trial of Lucy Gunnes” by Joy Harris, a 20-minute tour de force that kept the audience enraptured as she embodied the story of a woman, her family, past and present, and the decisions made in the name of being both a mother and a child. Brown received a standing ovation that brought her to both smiles and tears. Rawls Ivy responded after Brown left the stage: “You just witnessed the beginnings of greatness.”
Jacqueline Brown
Jelin Tyler, who Rawls Ivy said was an ECA graduate, brought his soulful songs and funky moves to a responsive crowd that he joyfully interacted with. Heads nodded along throughout the set, whether he was serenading the crowd or offering a hip hop vibe. “He’s going on my Spotify list!” Rawls Ivy commented afterward.
Yexandra “Yex” Diaz shared five pieces of her spoken-word poetry with an audience who ate up every bit of pieces such as “Skipping Stones in Muddy Water” and “God Body.” “This is church,” she said, and at that moment the Shubert truly felt as if it was, with Diaz offering her testimonies.
“I have such a soft spot for spoken word artists because they are the real revolutionaries,” said Rawls Ivy. “They give voice to how we are feeling in these moments. They give voice to things we don’t know we even want to consider until we hear them spit out those words.”
The final act of the night, Robot Monster, began not only with an onslaught of sound, but with an older gentleman walking out on stage and banging his cane on the ground to their sound. It brought laughs from the crowd, but soon many of them were banging their heads along as well. Guitarist Will Brennan and drummer Logan Sidle ended the night showing off all of their strengths, from their melodious yet intense instrumentals to their version of a good old rock ‘n’ roll power ballad.
Rawls Ivy thanked everyone one more time and reminded everyone to check out the visual arts in the lobby, curated by Creative Arts Workshop, which included pieces by Eric March, Moshu Olagunju, Kim Weston, Noel Muse, Aileen Ishmael, Christian Curiel, and Ruby Gonzalez.
A sample of the visual art presented in the lobby.
Vendors upstairs included Elm City Candles and Skeletons in My Closet, among others. Samples of Rhythm Brewing Company’s red and blue lagers were also being served at the upstairs bar by owner Alisa Bowens-Mercado, who told this reporter that in two weeks her locally made products would be in all 27 Whole Foods locations in New York, including two upstate.
Skeletons in My Closet
Downstairs in the suite, local restaurants shared samples of some of their fan favorites. This reporter sampled Anchor Spa’s everything biscuit (which was fluffy and buttery, everything a biscuit should be), fresh as can be skewers with grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella and grape tomatoes from Jack’s Steakhouse, and selections from Chacra Pisco Bar that included a rice dish called chaufa and a potato-based dish called causa limenas. I will not rest until I have once again eaten this in full entrée form.
Selections from Chacra Pisco Bar aka the cause of my unrest.
A long line formed for the offerings of Fest Faves, which had an array of choices, including corn dogs, pretzels, fried dough, cupcakes, and candy.
One of those guys waiting is my husband getting me food while I work. He's a good dude.
As we walked to our car, my husband Joseph, who had joined me for the evening (and was partial to the steak skewers from Jack’s), remarked on how lucky we were to have a city so full of talent and so much great art and food. As an arts reporter my views might be considered biased, but we agreed: let’s keep celebrating them in these communal and festive ways.
What an incredible display of New Haven TALENT! They all commanded the stage with such maturity and professionalism! High-FIVE to the Shubert for paying attention and giving some shine to local talent! I look forward to seeing this grow!
Thanks Karen Ponzio for capturing the spirit of the night!