This performance will bring together the moving poetry of the late June Jordan, the piano and compositional artistry of Adrienne Torf, and the powerful spoken word of Lansing’s own Voices of the Revolution. Special guests Rose Jangmi Cooper and Shelia Burks will add vocal alchemy to the performance. This is the first time that a selection of Jordan and Torf’s collaborative works will be performed in this format — a program honoring June Jordan’s legacy, including performances of the collaborative works along with poems by Jordan and other poets.
Tracks from Jordan and Torf’s Collaboration: Selected Works 1988-2000 written and recorded by Jordan and Torf and released in 2003 will be featured. The poetry performed is for an adult audience. The content includes images of misogyny, racism, violence, and other intersections of oppression.
Listen to the original album here:
Voices of the Revolution is an eclectic collective of feminist voices telling truth through spoken word. Based in Lansing, Michigan, they perform in libraries, community centers, art galleries, or wherever they’re invited. Their work features their own poetry as well as poets such as Pat Parker and June Jordan. Formed in 2018, their collaboration is based on love and respect that goes back decades. The group includes Kim Griffin, Susan Harris, Laurie Hollinger, Tari Muñiz, Lisa Sarno, and Ruelaine Stokes. This performance also features singers Rose Jangmi Cooper and Shelia Burks.