Imagine a brisk November day in Siler City. The folks in the Love’s Creek community are getting home from work, unloading groceries from the car, starting dinner. Kids are playing in yards, riding bikes, shooting hoops, when suddenly the sounds of an ordinary Tuesday afternoon are interrupted by a new sound . . . a strange and beautiful sound. It’s the sound of a West African kora and the stirring voice of West African musician Diali Cissokho singing out, as he travels through the neighborhood on the back of a truck-and-trailer. The 2021-22 season’s first Truck-and-Trailer Roving Performance has arrived in Love’s Creek.
But Diali is not alone! Following his trailer are members of the Takiri Folclor Latino Dancers, decked out in brilliant colors, moving up the street gracefully, effortlessly. And last, but certainly not least in this mini-arts parade, Geoffrey the Bubble guy has strapped himself into the back of a truck and is creating person-sized bubbles to the delight of a growing crowd, as the entire ensemble glides through the neighborhood.
When kids can’t get to the art, Chatham Arts Council brings the art to them! Our Truck-and-Trailer Roving Performance is yet another idea born out of the pandemic. When schools closed down last year, and kids were stuck at home, we decided the art must go on. Our first Roving Performances happened in the spring of 2021, and we are thrilled to bring them back in our 2021-22 season. Kids are back in classrooms, but what could be more fun (and impactful) than having the arts show up outside your door?
The families of Love’s Creek gave us a warm welcome.
“He came running because he remembered when you all were here in the spring. He was so excited that you came back,” one mother described her fifth-grade son’s reaction.
“They love anything creative–all kinds of arts stuff–so this is great for them. We want them to see this kind of thing,” exclaimed Love’s Creek parents about their Virginia Cross Elementary students.
“We like this thing you’re bringing here. You can come back anytime,” shouted a couple from their porch.
By the end of the afternoon, with the light fading fast, the parade had to end, but when the wheels stopped rolling, the kids weren’t ready for the music to stop. A couple of boys jumped on the back of Diali’s trailer to join in the fun of an impromptu jam session!
“Can we keep these to remember you by?” one of the boys asked Diali, referring to the pile of worn-out drumsticks lying on the floor of the trailer. “Of course!” was Diali’s delighted reply. The whole afternoon was magical, from beginning to end, and we cannot wait to do it again.
The Chatham Arts Council couldn’t have brought this Truck-and-Trailer Roving Performance to Chatham County without the support of our sponsor, Blue Cross NC. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
We’re hoping to expand our performances in the coming year. If you’d like to help us make some more magic, join us here today!
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful art experience with us. I love this idea!