“Speak-Easy” boosts 11th St. creds with depth, meaning and flow
by S. Rotan Hale
Due to a lack of connection and communication, 11th St. (Northwest) is generally understood to be the ghetto, the “hood” and basically an undesirable area that for the most part is characterized by misconceived notions.
On a cold rainy night Friday, Feb. 15 people filed into 11th Street Village Center, a small venue in northwest, where the sounds of a jazzy quartet played between a line-up of emerging spoken-word artist.
It all felt much like an improv night at a New York night club. Billed as a “Speak-Easy,” the house was packed and the racially diverse crowd of all ages, stood about the newly refurbished center respectfully intermingling between the acts. Some attendees, with eyes closed as though in a trance, swayed with the cadence created by the artists who stood before them gripping the Mic while boldly telling their truth. Several artists read their lines, others recited (rote) to the occasional sounds of snapping fingers that signaled audience approval of particular messages that touched the crowd–hungry for depth, meaning and flow–elements that circulated in no short supply.
“Considering the feedback I’ve received since the event, everyone loved it and can’t wait until we have another,” said Xavier Duckett, who produced the show and served as one of the main organizers.
“The environment was pure love and expression. I want people to feel the vibe of something like this being held on 11th Street.”
Duckett’s shows have the feel of something different in this area. The first of this type was called “Humble Holiday” held late in December 2018 at the same venue. A third is scheduled for March 29 (same place) with Danielle Morton as featured artist.
“I think that doing this on 11th Street in such a stigmatized area and considering the influx of the racially diverse crowd, with everyone feeling comfortable, indicates there are people here in Roanoke that are looking for places and things that are different. We just have to provide that.”
On stage that night were 11 artists. Joining the local performers were several from Lynchburg, Danville, Martinsville and other neighboring localities.
Duckett, is a Northside HS graduate who later received a BS in human services from Old Dominion University (ODU). At the ripe age of 28 he has traveled extensively to 11 countries. Such experiences have rounded his knowledge–allowing him to embrace life with a broader vision. Unlike many who simply grow up and leave the area, Duckett with his innovative vision, chose to return home and pursue his mission to lift the areas consciousness on several levels.
One of the night’s most interesting performers was Monique “The Plus” Poet who delivered a compelling account of the trials of living through a failed relationship complicated with incarceration and a terminal illness.
With amazing conviction she broke it down…
“Dreams down the drain, hopes gone to hell, reconstructed jaw, dad died of cancer…why me. I guess this is my only answer…
It’s funny that, even though I didn’t have anything left to give I was still a writer inside (finger snaps). It was the only thing that I could make possible and true, but hey what can you do. The doctors say I have a year maybe two. If I’m lucky I’ll be out of hear real soon.”
As she finishing, Monique proclaimed her piece “the story of inmate #678-12” and dedicated it to “women who’ve lost their life on love and the heart of a dream that shines in the darkness.”
Monique’s impressive delivery and her timing of such impactful lines woven into this perilous tale, left the audience totally captivated and brought the house down.
“The Speakeasy is what Roanoke needs in the NW area. The goal was to organize a night one would usually have to travel out of city or states limits to experience. To have that energy right here on 11th street is amazing,” said Ashley Rhame, one of the major organizers of the event.
As MC, Rhame, a dynamic and creative artist herself, closed this incredible night on 11th St. with a couple of originals that proved her talents and understanding of the medium and the mission.
“I believe that poetry and music minister to our souls and we are choosing to take the first steps in connecting our community. It is by using our voices to speak up and speak out about issues or situations in life that we create space for change,” she concluded.
Events like this are proof that poetry and prose have the ability to unite people cross-culturally. Much like music, it links us to the universe and is the language that inextricably connects one soul to another. Young visionaries like Xavier Duckett are humble champions who breathe life back into their communities. He’s a young man living his mission–fearlessly taking a chance on the people he refuses to leave behind.
