IDRIS ACKAMOOR
RHODESSA JONES 
Today, "The Love Project" had a matinee show at 7 Stages, with an artist/audience "talk back" session after. I was in attendance for the performance, as well as, the "Red Hat" ladies, an anonymous group of mature sophisticated women. Cultural Odyssey's, Idris Ackamoor and Rhodessa Jones stole my heart with their delectable performances. They first won me over, in the opening act/scene, when Jones and Ackamoor, with nurturing opposition, came to the collective conclusion that they were to be the examples in encouraging love in a time of war. The interactive show even had me, "the stage frightened performer", ready to join the perusal of love with an inspirational song.
I chose to volunteer, when Jones called upon the audience for shared love songs, near the end of the acts. When watching Cultural Odyssey perform I was passionately inspired and wanted to share what I had learned from the experiment's ethical message of infusing love in everything and for everyone! In my submission of open love, I was compelled to sing a song by Alicia Keyes, which gets me through hard times, "No One". I thought that the selection of this song would be good therapy for me; keeping with the perusal theme of turning negative (war) to positive (love).
Though I have been on a stage before, I never SANG in front of a live audience (FYI: Singing in the bathroom shower doesn't qualify someone as a singer). After being, introduced to the audience by Jones, yet, just before beginning to crack a tune, literally, I was interrupted by another compelled seated-audience member, who also wanted to share. I obviously appeared nervous, when she offered out, "I have some advice, for you." "Okay, give the advice," I said, humbly, after the random gesture. I hadn't sang a tune yet, but I thought with the ideal of perusing love let me allow her the freedom to express her thoughts. She blatantly continues, "I think you should take some speech classes, or something...because you don't seem like you want to be up there." I have to say I was taken aback, as a professional communicator, I know writing is a skill of continued development, but I highly doubt I lacked effective communication skills, all in all. So, I was stunned that she would give me such unwarranted criticism, in a show that was entirely based on celebrating human love, in it's power to eradicate hatred.
Well, I am just thankful that Jones is a solider (as she promised she would always be) in the war on love.I appreciated her coming to my defense; simultaneously helping me to accept love for what it is; not everyone is going to give it. Ackamoor also, with saxy style could teach the new school, a thing or two about his realistic perceptions of a universal love. His character reminded me, that no one is perfect, but, we can find comforting satisfaction in sharing and giving love, even when it's unrequited. Ackamoor added love with his saxy-swagger, which makes the ladies hang close to his happy feet, as he puts seasonings of love into a herbivore's treats, in which he prepares live on stage. This show is stellar for those who understand, demand, give, misconstrue and are long overdue for LOVE, and I was blessed to be apart of it.
(In 7 Satges Theatres until March 8th.)
For more information:
http://www.7stages.org/cgi-bin/MySQLdb?VIEW=/plays/viewone.txt&myplay=305
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