Before saying a word, April C. Turner began dancing to the music of African drums. The vibrant beat soon filled the gym at Lingerfeldt Elementary School in Gastonia. Laughing and clapping along, students energized Turner’s performance.
That’s just the excitement she’s seeking. The Charlotte entertainer let the musical beat lead a presentation Wednesday afternoon, stopping briefly to tell stories before starting the music again.
Turner caught the attention of most students as they entered the gym. Dressed in yellow African costume, she danced as she told stories of fostering friendships, African heritage and cultivating crops.
Students soon found themselves lifting arms, waving hands, and swaying back and forth in a harvest dance, symbolizing the concept of planting to reap results. “It celebrates the idea of giving and receiving,” Turner said.
Musical sounds: Turner’s presentation celebrates black history but it isn’t limited to African heritage. She played percussion instruments native to South American countries including Brazil and Colombia, giving students a taste of what music sounds like there.
Gourds wrapped in beads brought a new sound to the mix. The Links Inc., a nonprofit service organization in Gastonia, sponsored the event, along with three others at local schools this month.
A theatrical production celebrating the life of late baseball player Jackie Robinson is set for next week at Warlick Academy and Southwest Middle School. The Links brought a program about the history of African-American music to York Chester Middle School on Tuesday.
It excites Links project coordinator Ann Neal to see students participating in the events. She watched the presentation at Lingerfeldt while clapping to the beat.
“When they see the chants and dancing, they share with their brothers and sisters what they did today,” she said.
You can reach Wade Allen at 704-869-1828 or twitter.com/GazetteWade.