We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marsae Lynette a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Marsae thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful projects I’ve worked on were my first dance film titled Reflect. Black. Times (2020) and my thesis concert titled Reconnecting Currents: Women of the Rivers (2022). Reflect. Black. Times featured songs and interviews from Nina Simone as well as some original poetry and choreography. Nina Simone once said, “It is an artist’s duty to reflect the times.”
One of my favorite songs used in Reflect. Black. Times is titled Images. Images is a poem originally written by William Waring Cuney and later set to music by Nina Simone.
“She does not know her beauty. She thinks her brown body has no glory. If she could dance naked under palm trees and see her image in the river she would know.”
This poem has inspired my current research and MFA Thesis concert which took place September 30, 2022 at the Detroit Yacht Club with the Detroit River as the stage backdrop.
Reconnecting Currents: Women of the Rivers explores the brown feminine mind, body, and spirit’s inherent connection to fresh water sources which consequently connects us to one another. My research and artistry explores these connections through healing properties of water: Reflect, Release, Restore, Rejoice.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Marsae Lynette I am a melanated, queer, interdisciplinary creator, activist and scholar. I curate and create movement, music and poetry to tell our stories and Reflect the Times.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I am blessed to research, curate, create, and teach that which I’m passionate about. Working in my purpose and doing what I love is so fulfilling.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to curate and create stories that will unite or Reconnect the African Diaspora near freshwater sources such as the Great Lakes Region. I plan to continue to curate site specific festivals and concerts in Flint, Bay City, and Chicago to start.
Contact Info:
- Website: Marsae-Eleda.com
- Instagram: @Sae_mi_name
- Facebook: Marsae Eleda
Image Credits
Ieisha Self, Kirk Donaldson, Nerd Swag Visuals