The end of an era

[trochee]

I just got back from a Sweet Honey in the Rock concert.

That was the last Bernice Johnson-Reagon Sweet Honey concert. Ever. Anywhere. She's leaving the group. I didn't know this until the day of the concert, and I think it's a good thing I didn't; her saying goodbye still made me tear up.

I've been to Sweet Honey concerts since I was old enough to remember -- the group is slightly older than I am -- and I think the group will persist without her. Ysaye Maria Barnwell has a force of personality as strong as Bernice Johnson Reagon, and they will survive. But it's truly a changing of the guard for this "unifying, communal force against oppression".

I have been lucky to witness such an inspiration -- artistically and politically. If they come to your town, don't miss 'em.

Comments

The era of Sweet Honey

[trombo2.livejournal.com]

You're a lucky man to have seen the last appearance of Bernice J-R with "Sweet Honey". Painful, I guess. But thanks for sharing the news. Mickey and I have tix to see Sw Honey on 28 Feb. It would have been a shock to discover that she was missing....

Their website, as of tonight, shows a picture of 6 women that do NOT include Bernice. It's a notable omission, although her name appears in the website text as "founder".

I hope that Bernice is finding plenty to do with her time (?). It won't be like her to just pick up her feet and coast.....