‘Makin’ Cake’ an analogy on American class and race issues

UTICA Wisconsin Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton will present “Makin’ Cake” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, 310 Genesee St. Admission is $25; members are $20. Hamilton uses baking as an analogy in a multi-layered 50-minute performance exploring American exceptionalism, class and race. With rapid-fire alliteration, Hamilton’s performance is a history lesson combined with a real-life onstage demonstration of making cake. She speaks of “the three layers of America,” cleverly drawing comparisons between baking and privilege. Common folks sweetened their cakes with honey, applesauce and boiled raisins, for instance. The wealthy had pastry teams of slaves to spend days sweetening their cakes with real sugar. “Makin’ Cake” was originally commissioned by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Wisconsin as a strategy to engage a community-wide conversation about race. The show features vignettes, digital media, live bakers and Hamilton owning the stage and its stories. And, of course, cake. For more information, visit www. mwpai.org.