What woman doesn’t enjoy the Spirit of T time? That special time when you gather with the girls over T. Elegant music playing in the background, your special lunch of the day, as you converse with the girls. You have your china and T set all in hand. Laying it out for visitors entering into the T shop. What if after dealing with the hectic day, that is found with any city (and the vivaciousness of the urban sector) that you have T time at the nighttime?
What is even more exciting about T time is when you have those special women friends; especially, women Spirits, who bless those spaces with their artistry of music. So, on April 3, 2019 (7:00pm) at the Maadi Public Library ( located in the Maadi District of Cairo, Egypt), a performance of T time would begin. These band of sisters, began their performance with an acapella serenade. One of intricacy and a sound, where a call for peace was transpired. The words were adamant and heavy. Glacing the audience of the weariness it takes to sing about the ills and oppressions of society. Their message? It’s much more holistic to sing about love. Nuf’ said. Performing their cultural ambassadorship as part of the US Embassy in Cairo’s initiative for reviving such collaborative artistry at the Maadi Public Library, showcased the pleasantry of sound. Its a wonder to the very essence of attending a concert at night. In a place, which has one of the most sacred spaces and temples-in the celebration of sound.
The selection and category of different catalogues of songs, highlighted the US painting of her myriad landscapes and authentic quilts. Entertaining a predominantly Egyptian-Arab audience, with speckles of American faces (and other nationalities), allowed one’s imagination to jump around with excitement. What were they thinking? How did one sound of the United States, provide them with a different perfume and sight? Curative pictures of a country that a nation has heard about and yet. . .knows so little of. How had their Spirits perceived these authentic sounds of US soiling? And to smell them live and in person?
Sitting back and watching this triplet of angels, one’s mind felt relaxed and comforted in knowing that for once, you are being re-stored (and re-nourished) in the holistic sector of song. Being a violinist and singer, one understands the dynamics of how music is the voice of the Universe. The soothing words of the Sisters brought love and healing to my Spirit. Dealing with my grandfather’s then status, while trying to get home, was a great concern. Yet, during that time, the Spirit of peace and harmony covered me like an American quilt. A quilt of the cotton fields of cotton wields.
Country. Bluegrass. Pop. Disco. These were just a few of the musical sounds of the United States of America. As a Blackened flower of USA soiling, the sounds of the Sisters were familiar and peculiar. They were natural and spoke of my own matrilineal herstory in the United States of America.
The time of seeing the Sisters was also a musical masterpiece of creativity being painted. And the fact that they truly are sisters is one of those angelic moments-where the number 3 is in a full view performance. Seeing the musical dance of 3 was spectacular.
A night of music in Cairo, Egypt is akin to a celebration of the heavens. To experience this moment (or these myriad of moments) is as if they are sending kisses of love to the heavens. Receiving their blessings, so that land can be healed and blessed. Feeling a sense of love and re-awakening of my purpose in this land, was validated when having T. There was truly balance in the air.
One of the fascinations of the presence of T Time was one image of Americans. Having that engagement provided the opportunity to see Americans as people. Seeing us as having a culture and Her/History. Observing in the flesh that the US is more than television images and prominent stereotypes. Through the work of the T Sisters (and those American volunteers for the American Corner at the Maadi Public Library), the mythological fascination of the United States becomes a reality. Such important work highlights the humanity of the United States of America. A taste of sweetness for American songs.
The final song of that evening’s performance is one of a hip nature. And it’s one shining a candle on those peculiar flowers, who grew cotton in midnight skies. A rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” had us boppin’ our heads, with a few snaps. Well, those of us who know the song–at least. *snicker*
Clink! Clink! T Time was a blast. Bring your gal pals next time in a flash. Who knows when T Time will come back around? Until then, get ready as music is the rhythm, and lets hope that our Sisters come back to town.
