BeauteeZ’n The Beat
In enthusiastic tap fashion the audience cheered as Roxane Butterfly and her company BeauteeZ’n The Beat performed at The Cutting Room, a club in New York City. BeauteeZ, an ensemble of dancers, vocalists, and musicians presented serious fun. It was a night that began with poetry- written and recited by Roxane. Her poetry is about her life and what it means to be a woman. Her words, bold and immodest, express the pain and joy women have suffered as part of their gender related cultural experience.
Roxane then leaves the mic for the floor, testing power and speed with her feet in tough bursts. Thus begins the complete action enveloping the stage. The focus shifts to “Sweet” Sue Terry, on flute and sax, who plays melodious lines. The action is then passed to Michal Cohen, vocalist, who sings absorbing ethereal songs.
The show moves effortlessly from musician to dancer and back again in celebration of women performing their art- their talents, history, and voice. Tapster, Charon Aldredge steps with sweet dignity igniting the stage with precise steps. Goussy Celestin presents solid African dance in ebbing rhythm. Barbara Merjan, on drums, and Nicki Parrot, on bass, each play swinging solos. Guest vocalist, Kyra Gaunt, improvises a song about women and life. Guest tapster, Max Pollak gets down with Roxane, ending the show with challenging trades.
A peculiar spell of sound, rhythm and movement with important live words in support of women create an effect that is left in the imagination like images from a dream.
Emily Klemmer
"On Tap" Volume 13, Number 5 SUMMER PREVIEW 2003