Surge team up with Calgary poet laureate Wakefield Brewster to create First Dance
The Calgary Surge unveiled a unique collaboration this week between the undefeated CEBL team and Calgary's own poet laureate, Wakefield Brewster.
It's called "First Dance", and it's a visual and lyrical exploration of the unique role the Surge play in the city's sports community.
The Surge are drawing fans from every corner of the city, and every age group, which Brewster captures in his lyrics.
Curating camraderie, creating community, there's a new circuit in the city, lighting up the four quadrants with new hopes, new dreams, new life, there's a buzzing in the wires/
Sense that new vibration in the air/That's what's unifying Calgary
In an interview with CTV News, Brewster said the Surge's vice-chairman and president Jason Ribeiro reached out to him about creating what he calls "A poetic interpretation" of Surge basketball.
"I read so I could gather language," Brewster said. "I take his (Ribeiro's) notions, their language, and created a piece built around the language of the organization.
"I speak your language in my accent," he said. "Poetry."
In a way, what Brewster does is custom-design a bit of "Alphabetic Afrobatics" or "Wake-Words" that are personalized to fit the individual, institution, team or community he's writing for.
Putting passion from the street on the level of elite/
There is a change within the charge/
There is victory on the verge/
It is time to feel the power/
Of the Calgary Surge
Ribeiro shared his thanks to Brewster on social media.
"My brother Wake instantly understood that @CalgarySurge was more than just a basketball team," Ribeiro said. "Community. Art. Belonging."
Brewster also recently composed a poetic interpretation for the Calgary Academy and has been talking with a range of local institutions – everyone from Enmax to the Pembina Institute to the Blackfoot community.
"I can occupy a lyrical niche in any of the worlds they wish to reach," he says. "That wasn't supposed to rhyme."
Brewster's also continuing his appointment as the city's Poet Laureate through 2024, a role he has fully embraced.
"Art is the great translator," he says. "I believe I am here to help – especially being a Black man on Blackfoot land.
"They (the Blackfoot) say your words are appreciated."
The Surge are in action Saturday night in Vancouver, where they take on the Bandits.
They return to WinSport next Friday, to take on the Ottawa BlackJacks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.