A Different World

Charleston seems a different world from Winston Salem. Driving in, even the smell of the air changes. I am in the "real" south, with it's plantation houses, fishing boats and old American institutions. Laura explains how the concept of duality can be sensed everywhere, as we walk by monuments to war heroes and memories of slavery, pineapples carved on the doors and entrances of houses as signs of hospitality, juxtaposed with various signs of the Confederate history. Here, rivers grow brackish, as they mix with salt water, before pouring out into the sea.

During the day, Laura takes me on a tour of her city, and we talk about art and how we will commence our collaboration together. We walk for miles, stopping sometimes, to look out over the water, or the marshes, sit in the park or a small coffee shop. We explain aspects of our current practice together, and I get to show Laura a little piece of the micro movement I've been working on.

Later in the afternoon, we go to the The Library Society for a pick-up rehearsal before Laura's performance. Laura performed last evening! The space is amazing: the highest ceilings, stacked with old and new books, marble floors and big windows which let in lots of light. As Laura opens her mouth to sing, her voice easily fills the space, bouncing off the walls with a soft reverberation. I tell her later that I think all the paper absorbs the echo, as a space like that without books would sound quite different. Laura agrees, and we're happy this space has been chosen for the evening's event.

At 7pm, about 80 people are sitting in chairs, awaiting the beginning of Laura's performance, which is a collection of songs reflecting the American experience generations ago. She sings about cowboys and about Billy the Kid, she sings songs about going off to war and songs that made it to America through its immigrants. She ends with a beautiful rendition of "Dixie," which she prefaces with a metaphor. She says that South Carolina is like a rose, which has thorns on its stems, and can be difficult to take care of, but ultimately the sum of these parts produce a rich smelling rose. Laura's voice is as smooth as silk, and washes over the audience like a soft blanket.

In addition, Laura has brought in a string quartet to play some Dvorak, which was gorgeous. Laura tells the audience that Dvorak was inspired by both his eastern European roots, as well as the rhythms of slave songs. Each song in the collection was rousing and had many layers to listen to.

All in all, a beautiful day and evening! Back home this evening!

~Cara