On the first dark night of spring, tucked in amongst the sightless roller doors of auto electricians and panel beaters, one-by-one they came, to this nondescript door in Langridge Street. The poster, curling at the edges announced “Chalkboard Concert!” Clearly, this is what attracted them, this disparate group of spasmodic, jerky poets and clowns, jugglers and sword swallowers.
As they entered, welcoming words were exchanged followed by the obligatory cup of tea and slice of cake. It was only then that the mysterious group gathered in a circle of chairs, patiently waiting until the MC announced the first act. The list of acts played out from the board behind her, presented in no particular order:
As they entered, welcoming words were exchanged followed by the obligatory cup of tea and slice of cake. It was only then that the mysterious group gathered in a circle of chairs, patiently waiting until the MC announced the first act. The list of acts played out from the board behind her, presented in no particular order:
• A political haiku
• A frighteningly realistic impersonation of James Cagney
• The spirit of ABBA was channelled, and threatened to invade the circle throughout the night
• Laughter class – the students were extremely unruly
• Tai Chi class – the students were remarkably graceful
• Coin toss – take one elbow, 24 coins add gravity and duck!
• Stories from Estonia
• Estonian language class
• Monty Python was TV channelled
• Poems of the sea and loss
• Poems of butterflies and dappled wings
• Stories of floating, drowning and redemption
• Blindfolded third-person art charades
• A limerick that made no mention of Nantucket!!
And so it went, until the night called them back into the street, where they disappeared into the darkness, followed by ghostly cries of “Tere õhtust” and the faint strains of “Dancing Queen”………
