Let ‘im Move You – Series

History

In 2009, jumatatu m. poe (r) and Jermone “Donte” Beacham (l) began an artistic relationship, initiated by jumatatu’s interest in Donte’s sharply rhythmic approach to J-Sette. J-Sette is a call-and-response dance form originated in the early 80’s by Black southern US majorette lines at various historically Black colleges. Leagues of Black queer men, prohibited from trying out as majorettes, would create competitive teams to practice the form in gay clubs and pride parades. Choreographic phrases are extremely set, confidential until they publicly premiere, and strategically “call”ed by a captain to be “respond”ed to by their squad. Searching for satisfaction and subversion within J-Sette’s team-oriented call-and-response structure, the Let ‘im Move You series houses jumatatu and Jermone’s projects together.

About the series

Primarily duet structures, previous works in the series have been performed in black box theaters, white box gallery spaces, and outdoors in predominantly Black neighborhoods with significant foot traffic (small marketplace districts, public transportation hubs, areas proximal to block parties). The series also includes visual installation work that is intended to be presented in partnership with performance work. The latest (and possibly final) performance work in the series is This Is a Formation, performed by 7 dancers, a DJ, a lighting designer, and a variety of new friends in tour locations to which the work is invited.

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