Music/Live Reviews

Who: Priscille Bukasa, KTheChosen, Uyemi, Zaire Ink, Jae Sterling
Where: Arts Commons, 205 8 Ave. SE, Calgary
When: Sat., Feb. 26
Vibe: Rebellious optimism; while these multidisciplinary artists are ordained for the stage, the audience is very much a part of the show, responding to every solemn, playful and witty moment delivered through rap, spoken word and song. This cabaret is worth every earnest word, lyric, backdrop and dance move.
Highlight: As KtheChosen closes the show with an anthemic rap performance, the audience witnesses a moment of camaraderie, a job-well-done moment of celebration, where all performers meet on stage to take a bow.

On a recent Saturday night in Calgary, as hints of spring break through an evening’s blue sky, even a threatening pile of slush laying in wait as I make way to Arts Commons can’t dampen my expectations for what will turn out to be a night of inspiration and spoken-word magic.

Once inside the Engineered Air Theatre, a rhythmic ambient groove with keys reminiscent of Lauren Jauregui’s Don’t Wanna Say gently stirs the anticipation of the promise of an “intimate night” delivered by four up-and-coming Black Calgary poets as a lonely Motif XF8 Yamaha keyboard sits waiting on stage.

A few minutes after 7 pm, the lights dim and the voice of Jae Sterling, show curator, narrates what resounds, through the theatre’s speakers, as the inner existential musings of an artist with a larger-than-life purpose.

Soon after, Priscille Bukasa walks onto the stage immediately commanding our attention with a powerful spoken-word piece. Her shadow is perfectly positioned in a yellow candle flame projected onto the large screen behind her.

Zaire Ink is up next, sharing the stage with Afuhmbom, both members of the Two World Creatives project. They perform Wait — sonically and lyrically setting a liminal atmosphere. The song is a message on harnessing ambition and slowing down.

KTheChosen is first introduced with a spoken-word performance. In an all-black outfit, his serious delivery contrasts with the defiantly unbridled joy of Black Twitter, Instagram and TikTok combined that he delivers in a later performance. His dougie-ing and crip walking send a current through the crowd — the audience cheering and swaying along with him.

When songstress, poet and dancer Uyemi takes the stage as the fourth artist, she stands in front of the audience with a composed determination. Her first offering is a poem inspired by water, read wearing a blue crop top from what looks like her journal or diary. In one of many stand-out moments of the night, her poem transitions into an interpretive dance break in blue lighting, showing off fluid, sensual and precise moves; she truly is multi-talented. With a vocal timbre reminiscent of Erykah Badu, she later wow’s us with a neo-soul tune accompanied by a pianist.

Throughout the hour, the cast rotates on and off stage. There is an unspoken “welcome back” from the crowd with each return. The spirit of determination, despite historical trauma, makes its way through my immune system, like I showed up for a dose of “I deserve to be happy.”

The night ends with an energizing rap performance by KTheChosen, creating a unifying atmosphere in closing. Toward the end of the song, all performers gather on stage for their comradely farewell. Finally, we get to see Jae Sterling, who thanks the crowd for fostering a safe space for the artists to showcase their work. After expressions of gratitude from cabaret producers and a land acknowledgement, it’s time for us to peel ourselves off our seats. As the chatter swells, I hear someone behind me rave, “That was so good. That was ridiculously good.”