THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013
PAGE 7A
CAMPUS
Theater production brings awareness to cultural issues
KATE MILLER
kmiller@kansan.com
The Lied Center will present "Red, Black and Green: a Blues" this Saturday evening, a hybrid-theater production that focuses on bringing awareness to various issues in today's culture.
The show was, written by Marc Bamuthi Joseph for the Living Word Project and directed by Michael John Garces, employs the use of spoken-word poetry, storytelling, music, dance and movement to present the issues of race, culture, class and environment in the eyes of black America.
"It's a one-of-a-kind, moving piece," said Michele Berendsen, marketing communications director for the Lied Center, "and the fact that it's here is amazing."
The show travels through four cities during four seasons to explore the challenges of building a socially
conscious arts festival that will help people from all classes of society. One of these challenges is "browning the green movement," or promoting the green movement among black society.
"You don't see a high level of diversity at green conferences," Joseph said.
"The idea of the green movement [promotes] practices we need to collectively move to a relationship with the planet that is healthier to preserve it for generations to come." Joseph said.
In addition to its lack of diversity, Joseph was also inspired by the green movement itself and its goal to engage communities in the conversation of environmental stability.
"The variation [among the show] comes from the audience," he said. "The art and the audience aren't separate."
improvisation from show-to-show comes from the interaction between the audience and the actors.
EMILY WITTLER/KANSAN
Joseph described the show as one that "creates an instant community" among the actors and the audience. While Joseph's script remains a grounding point for the show, the
The show actually begins with the audience being onstage with the set and actors, something that Joseph says is one of the most unique aspects of the performance.
Marc Bamuthi Joseph, top center, the writer of the play "Red, Black and Green: a Blues" leads a round table discussion yesterday. The play focuses on race, culture, class and environment in black America and will start at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
inner set is amazing," Berendsen said. "The interactive quality of the piece is something, I think, that can relate to almost anyone who goes... You're not going to see anything else like this."
Since it first premiered two years ago, "Red, Black and Green: a Blues" has played in more than 20 major cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. The show will be performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., this upcoming April.
Before the performance Saturday night, the Lied Center and the KU Center for Sustainability will host a Sustainability Expo the same day from 6 to 7 p.m. Groups involved with issues such as renewable energy, social justice, and environmental and social responsibility will be present to spread awareness.
The Lied Center also presented a roundtable discussion with Joseph yesterday, encouraging creative
and environmental action on campus. The community roundtable addressed how the local creative ecosystem can thrive and promote local change, connecting to the upcoming performance of Joseph's work.
These events, as well as the performance, are made possible by a National Endowment for the Arts grant that the Lied Center received last April.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and tickets cost $21-24 for adults and $11-$12 for students and children, depending on the price level of the seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Lied Center Ticket Office or online at lied. ku.edu.
Edited by Sarah Kramer
Former E Street Band member to perform at the Granada
CONTRIBUTED FROM MATTHEW CARASELLA
CALLIE BYRNES
cbyrnes@kansan.com
Jake Clemons had his first saxophone performance when he was 13 years old. Like most kids his age, he had been nervous and according to him, only "alright for his age". However, unlike most 13-year-old musicians, Clemons' audience was a bit larger than what most are used to. He was playing for the whole country at Bill Clinton's inauguration.
"It was crazy, because I woke up the next day with money in my pocket and face on the front cover of newspapers all around the world." Clemons said.
Though it may have been his first gig. Clemons wasn't completely new to the world of live music. His uncle, the late Clarence Clem-
ons, was the saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.
"When I saw my uncle play for the first time, it rocked my world," Clemons said. "That's when I knew I wanted to play music. He was a huge supporter of ambition, and it was something I really wanted. I was hungry for it."
ton week.
"There are moments that don't seem real." Clemons said. "You're
from that point on, Clemons worked hard to develop his music career. During his early teen years, he created a band that would play for empty venues around Virginia in hopes of attracting customers to their audience. Throughout his career, Clemons has started several bands, performed solo acts and toured around the world, including playing for New York City's Fashion Week.
Clemons made his biggest debut after the death of his uncle. When Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band needed a saxophonist to stand in for their Wrecking Ball Tour, Clemons stepped up to take his uncle's place in the band.
pretty sure there's no way this is happening, but you're breathing and moving so you go ahead and do it anyway. Before you know it you look back on yesterday and it's the strangest moment when you think, "Wow, that really happened."
After two years of playing in the E Street Band, Clemons got back to work on his own music. He recently released his single "You Must Be Crazy," and his EP "Embracie
"There was so much significance to it when I played his saxophone on Bruce's stage for the past few years," Clemons said.
"Performing is a lot like sitting down for coffee with a good friend and you have a fantastic conversation that you don't want to walk away from because it's honest and earnest and deep." Clemons said. "That's what this is about. You're in a room with a lot of hearts and souls of people who want to be part of that conversation."
Life" is soon to follow.
This Friday Clemons will be performing closer to home. Clemons will play at The Granada along with Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Tickets are $25 at the door and the performance begins at 8 p.m.
Edited by Jessica Mitchell
Nov.10 at Liberty Hall Doors at 8 p.m. Show starts at 9 p.m.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW @ Liberty Hall, 644 Mass. St.
and the Programs Box Office, Kansas Union, Level 4. "Make sure you bring your KU ID to Liberty Hall for the show.
SUA Student Saver: $5
KU Students w/ID: Advance $10 | Day of show $13
General Public: Advance $15 | Day of show $18
suaevents.com | kjhk.org | (785) 864-SHOW
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