On Saturday, March 28 East Shore Climate Action Ministry presented “For the Birds”, a jazz/multimedia concert showing the plights of birds due to climate change, with original music by Nelda Swiggett’s professional jazz quintet.
The format was to present critical climate challenges birds face (changing seasons, warming oceans, loss of breeding grounds and food sources), and give reflection on each of these challenges with live, original jazz pieces after each section. Also interspersed was some compelling poetry by East Shore’s own Jill McGrath.
The music, written by Nelda, was clear and compelling, swinging, unique jazz, relating to the themes of the messaging throughout. Pieces such as ‘the Pacific Flyway’, and “Tt’s Too Damn Hot’ expressed the graphical truths that Nelda presented before each piece.
The result was an informative and moving event, that held up the mirror to how our society’s excessive and uncontrolled energy usage is impacting, and killing, billions of birds in North America alone. Towards the end the audience was given a ‘pop quiz’ to bring home the message that we are not doing enough towards climate action, but also that there ARE solutions within our power. The overall effect was both entertaining but also disconcerting. For the Birds gives shape to how we are degrading our environment through its specific focus on one of the most vulnerable species on our planet. As such it gave a powerful message and motivation.
by John Chmaj, ECAM