Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents Show Me LOVE: Bringing Beauty & Love to a Hurting World in Review

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents Show Me LOVE: Bringing Beauty & Love to a Hurting World in Review

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents Show Me LOVE: Bringing Beauty & Love to a Hurting World
The Lincoln Gospel Choir, T.H.I.S. Movement Players; Darcy Reese, director
Tonia Hughes, Darnell Davis & The Remnant, special guests
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
June 17, 2016

 

Today’s world is fraught with what seems to be an endless cycle of violence, intolerance and polarization. What is to be done? A group of incredible passionate and talented youngsters believe there is an answer – Show Love. These two simple words were the unifying theme for what proved to be one of the most impassioned performances this reviewer has heard and seen. On June 17, 2016, Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presented Show Me LOVE: Bringing Beauty & Love to a Hurting World at Alice Tully Hall, featuring the Lincoln Gospel Players from Thief River Falls, Minnesota, with the T.H.I.S. Movement Players, all led by Darcy Reese. Special guests Tonia Hughes, Darnell Davis & The Remnant, were also on hand to lend their considerable talents to the mix.

DCINY live-streamed this event and made it possible to hear (or re-hear) it by visiting their Facebook page ( DCINY Facebook page).

This was not a conventional concert by any definition. It could be called a Gospel oratorio, but I believe the best way to describe this performance might be to call it an experience. This listener decided almost immediately that any “typical critic” remarks would be meaningless, so it was time to sit back, go on the journey, and experience the power and the energy that abounded. It was an easy decision to make.

The nearly two hour Show Me Love consisted of three parts (without break). The first, The Crisis, presented the reality of today’s world. There was a montage of audio clips from actual events in recent times, highlighting the violence and the tragedy. The second, The Remedy, spoke of what needs to be done to address the crisis. The third, The Cure, told of the actions being taken.  Each section was filled with songs appropriate to the message. There was also “slam poetry” in the first section, with small sermons in the second and third sections.

These youngsters came to rock the house, and rock it they did. The energy never flagged, and the movements and choreography were astounding. It was obvious that there was complete commitment and belief in their mission; there was none of the pasted on smiles and robotic group movements that one so often sees. Their faith was the “secret sauce” that put them over the top. Their director, Darcy Reese, has the energy of twenty people. She invested every ounce of her being as she swayed, jumped, clapped, and cajoled the singers with her infectious energy, which the singers radiated right back. T.H.I.S.  (The Hero Inside Shines) Movement Players provided able support, the quiet heroes of the night. The audience was filled with people dancing, waving their hands in celebration, and clapping along. Many appeared to be completely overcome with emotion, in what is really the true Gospel experience.

Darnell Davis was a double threat, both as a soloist and singer with the amazing vocal group, The Remnant, and as a preacher of two mini-sermons. The second sermon, which I will call “The ONE person,” brought the house down. One simply must view it, because trying to describe it here would not do it justice. Watch, and you will agree! Tonia Hughes has a voice that soars in the heavens, in what had to further inspire both the young singers and the audience.

Special recognition to Narrators/Soloists/Readers Elise Kalsnes, Hannah Brickson, Richard Sather, Samantha Buckley, Matt Johnson, Ethan Halvorson, Claire Naslund, Cooper Sorvig, Lauryn Thune, Bethany Fanfulik, McKayla Erickson, McKenna Blaine, Brandi Hannon, Richmond McDonald, Lindsey Van Elsberg, and Sam Buckley. You were all stars!

It all ended in a fever pitch, with all audience members on their feet, and they continued to roar their delight even as the members of the chorus exited the stage, row by row. The afterglow of all this energy is still with me days later.

The message is clear: don’t give up. There is hope yet. Show love.

 

Share
by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents “Dream a Better World . . . Ignite the Spirit!” in Review

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents “Dream a Better World . . . Ignite the Spirit!” in Review

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents “Dream a Better World . . . Ignite the Spirit!”
Lincoln High School Gospel Choir, T.H.I.S Movement Players
Darcy Reese, Director
Darnell Davis and The Remnant
Tonia Hughes, special guest
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
June 14, 2014
  

Good news! Gospel is alive and well in Minnesota. “Gospel” means “good news,” so this is particularly appropriate. Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presented a thrilling evening of mission-inspired music in a concert entitled “Dream a Better World…Ignite the Spirit!” at Alice Tully Hall on Saturday, June 14, 2014.

Once in a very great while, all critical apparatus simply must be thrown out the window in favor of a totally emotional “surrender” response to music-making that is so energetic and joyful that words would only diminish it. Nevertheless, I must try with a few words to convey a portion of what took place.

This is the very best of what American youth looks like, in an era when the din of school shootings and bullying threatens to absorb all our attention. Not only was the dedication of the students bursting forth, but the obvious glory of their fine teacher, Darcy Reese, and the supporting musicians and the community that gives rise to the group. The choir celebrates and emphasizes diversity. You can see the joyful commitment on every face. They move and respond naturally to the music in a way the canned antics of the television show Glee can’t equal. This is the real thing: glee.

I was seated amid many Minnesotans, who were beaming with pride. I heard their stories of cancelled flights, and four-, ten-, twelve-hour delays in getting to New York. It was all worth it for them and for the audience. Their children sang a two-hour program of excellent, mostly gospel, arrangements, all from memory. Many solo turns were taken by members of the choir, and they all performed with exquisite poise and sincerity. A few of the pieces were more like “soft” belief-oriented rock, and there were also a few readings made over background music.

The T.H.I.S. (The Hero Inside Shines) Movement was particularly inspiring, with its mission: “We refuse to let the world be as it is. We refuse to blind ourselves by excuses and lies. We are determined to have an effect on the world. We will persevere and change our world, one action, one note at a time.” The students have raised thousands of dollars for worthy causes, including Haiti, Africa, and the “Bully Bench” for children to sit on if they have no one to play with at recess, from a hometown of only 8000 people. If they had blown the roof off of Alice Tully Hall more than metaphorically, I’m certain their life-affirming energy would have spilled over the city, healing and transforming.

Special mention must be made of the heaven-bound singing of the guest artist Tonia Hughes, and one incredible pianist, Aaron Fagerstrom, whose understanding of authentic gospel style goes way beyond his young years. He made me smile when he finished a certain phrase using his wrist as a shock absorber, tapering beautifully and sensitively in the best “classical” manner.

In the words of Ms Reese: “Take the journey, experience the music, and pass it on.” Mission accomplished.

 

Share
by Frank Daykin  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY