Rhythmic Sounds Rock Unity Opening
by Vonetta Booker
Unity 99 Convention Online Staff

Tap-tap-tap.  The sound of drumsticks tapped rhythmically to the Peruvian rhythm pumping through the speakers, as hundreds of audience members bobbed their heads to the beat and waited for Unity 99's Opening Ceremony to begin. If the size of the vast auditorium was any indication of what was to come, this was going to be something big. 

Reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones at The Paramount Theatre. photo by Vonetta Booker

And it was. The two-hour long ceremony marked the official start of Unity '99, and it kicked off with a "Heartbeat of Culture" performance that represented the various cultures of Unity's attendees.

Narrated by Mona Lake Jones, Seattle's Poet Laureate, the performance was kicked off by Native American dance troupe Tsimshian Haayuuk.

Next up was Percusionisimo, Latin percussionists from the Seattle area. Adding salsa flavor to the ceremony with a delicious melody of timbales, congas, and hand percussion, the members didn't even break a sweat in their crisp white shirts and khakis.  "In the Latin influence, there's also a strong jazz contingent," said the bandleader between songs. Likening the various influences to a melting pot, he said, "That's what makes the sabor; that's what makes the salsa."  

The drummers of Uzume Taiko gave audiences a taste of Asia with their hot combination of martial arts-like movements and wildly intricate drum combos that made one think, "Just how long did they have to practice that?" Ghanaian drum master Obo Addy also rocked the audience with a masterful performance on the Obonu drums, which are the royal drums of the Ga people of Ghana.

Opening remarks were made by Unity '99 president Catalina Camia (also AAJA president), Nancy Baca (NAHJ president), Vanessa Williams (NABJ president) and Kara Briggs (NAJA president).  Much emphasis was put on (of course) unity, and people of color joining together to fight discrimination. "We are a powerful alliance; one that will not wait for others to tell our story-because we will tell our story," said Camia. 

While pointing out the contributions of Latinos, Washington State Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney took a more humorous approach.  A mother of 10 and grandmother of 17, she quipped, "I think I've done my share of contributing to the Hispanic community!"

And now that things have officially begun, many convention-goers mean business. Syracuse graduate Chanel Lee said that her goal is to network, socialize-and land a job.

"If I get time to sightsee, that would be nice-but my focus is on job hunting!"