Office of Campus Community Relations

October 20, 2004
California Aggie

Let their voices be heard: Ill-Literacy performs "Approaching Twilight"

By ELIZABETH MARXEN

"Riot is the voice of the unheard/ Let's all be heard." These words served as the introduction of Monday night's Ill-Literacy production of "Approaching Twilight," setting the tone for the night's events.

As a collective of poets, Ill-Literacy's members use the spoken word as means of self-expression. By organizing and promoting poetry performances on campus, Ill-Literacy provides an outlet for UC Davis students to confront and discuss controversial issues in an entertaining setting.

"Approaching Twilight" was presented by the campus book project, which currently features Anna Deavere Smith's Twilight. The book, about the 1992 Los Angeles riots, was the inspiration for the themes of the performance.

Kicking off the show was a beat-box jam session by Leejay Abucayan which included a rendition of N.E.R.D's "Lapdance," and a crowd pleasing version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It." Fans of the rhythmic vocal style would have been in awe from the beginning.

Following this introduction, the members of Ill-Literacy presented deeply emotional pieces on topics ranging from slavery to self-hatred. Each performer had their own unique delivery style - some singing their poems to a pulsing guitar line, others shouting at the audience. But all were effective.

Particularly stirring was a series of poems about black identity. Amid audible gasps from the audience, Dahlak Brathwaite delivered a no-holds-barred performance examining what it means to be a black person in America.

Ruby Veridiano also presented an emotion-laden piece on Filipino "princesses" and their struggles with Americanization and objectification.

Ill-Literacy will be bringing their lively and emotional performance to campus again with their upcoming event, "In this Flesh." Presented by Filipino Heritage Week, it will be held Oct. 26 in the Main Theater. For more information visit ill-literacy.org.

ELIZABETH MARXEN can be reached at arts@californiaaggie.com.