Sweet Honey In The Rock
by Terri Ricci
Sweet Honey In The Rock
is an capella ensemble that has shaken-up, inspired, healed
and transformed audiences for over 32 years. As a product of the
civil rights movement, Sweet Honey’s members
recreate history and explore contemporary issues through breakthrough
harmonies, innovative improvisation, and stunning vocal acrobatics.
Their songs celebrate diversity, promote freedom, and cry out
for justice.
In an effort to have people with disabilities into the performance,
Sweet Honey has included an American Sign Language interpreter into
their act. For people experiencing difficulty hearing, music and singing
are often perceived as a foreign media. The belief is that music is
instrument of discrimination. Here, the interpreter makes sure All
audience members are included in the conversation, not merely an add-on
portion of the performance. As Sweet Honey In The Rock opens in song,
the sign language interpreter moves her hands to sign. As the lyrics
exclaim their message they are paralleled by the poetry and power of
the visual language of American Sign.
In Shirley Childress
Saxton’s use of American Sign Language,
the interpretation of a song is not an exact word-to-sign
translation, but a full and vibrant visual depiction of the
message. Each song is an expression of the self with a story
line and personality.
Saxton has been a sign language interpreter since 1980. She learned
ASL from her Deaf parents. Shirley teaches sign language classes and
conducts master workshops on interpreting music.
The performance for
yourself on Saturday, April 23rd at 8:00 p.m. at The O’Shaughnessy
Auditorium at The College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. For tickets
or more information, contact Arlana Vaughn by phone 612-673-9230
or by e-mail at avaspecial@avaspecial.com.
