Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s triumphant L.A. debut coincides with forthcoming doc about his dementia

As a longtime admirer and follower of Glenn’s extraordinary journey, I find myself profoundly moved by their inspiring story. From the moment I first heard their music, it resonated deeply within me, echoing my own experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Beverly Glenn-Copeland recalls, chuckling, that it took approximately three decades for him to fully compose “Prince Caspian’s Dream.” He explains that he received fragments of the song every ten years, beginning from the 1990s.

A room of fans and artists wearing their red-carpet best in a downtown L.A. loft hung on Glenn (his preferred name) and his creative and life partner Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland’s every word and note Saturday afternoon. Zooming in from their home in Hamilton, Canada, they shared stories, songs and sacred objects: cherished photos, a Christmas mouse, even a sacred pickle. “This is my alter ego,” Glenn said, holding up a picture of a turtle, “it takes me a very long time to get to any place in my life.”

2015 saw Glenn’s self-released 1986 album “Keyboard Fantasies” gain widespread recognition and critical acclaim, thanks in part to Ryota Masuko directly importing tapes from him to collectors in Japan. This was the focus of a 2019 documentary. Since then, Glenn has transformed from a local artist to an internationally respected genius. This year, he’s collaborated with Sam Smith and Devendra Banhart, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his queer activism, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto. While Glenn is grateful for the broader audience his work now reaches compared to 1986, he never sat idle, waiting to be discovered.

On Saturday evening, the Glenn-Copelands, joined by pianist Alex Samaras, graced Level Ground Company’s 10th Anniversary Gala. This creative collective and production company specializes in telling compassionate and innovative stories, championing diverse artists, especially those who identify as queer, transgender, or of color. The aim is to foster a vibrant artistic “ecosystem” and community, as stated by co-director Yétúndé Olágbajú. Level Ground Co. collaborated with artist Josephine Shetty of Pride Month Barbie to ensure the event reflected these values; they used indigo dye for napkins, sourced cakes, drinks, and food from artists, booked DJ Jihaari to blend Glenn’s music with dance tunes, creating a memorable experience.

The event served dual purposes: it was not only a time of festivity, but additionally functioned as a setting for “See You Tomorrow,” a fresh documentary by Samantha Curley and Chase Joynt, co-founders and co-directors of Level Ground Collective. This film chronicles the couple’s experience coping with Glenn’s dementia diagnosis, as they ponder tough choices regarding his care and welfare, all while attempting to safeguard his artistic legacy. The documentary also traces their efforts to create lasting artistic gifts for their loved ones and future generations alike.

In a career lasting seven decades, this was Glenn’s debut Los Angeles performance, which was met with an exceptionally heartwarming reception. Initially planned as an in-person event, Level Ground Co. adapted their plans when the Glenn-Copelands discovered they couldn’t travel to LA due to recent health issues. The occasion turned out to be a creative afternoon filled with singing songs, recounting stories and poetry, and showing unique, previously unseen personal and performance footage. The audience danced, wept, and joined in the singing, often mirroring Glenn and Elizabeth’s notes, maintaining both the physical and spiritual bond during the times when technical difficulties momentarily interrupted the event.

Joynt stated that by having Glenn and Elizabeth film from their respective homes in Hamilton and L.A., they create a unique, extraordinary chance for the movie. From the audience’s viewpoint, it will appear as if these rooms are interconnected, pulsating, and alive for each other. If done correctly, we aim to make the Zoom screen disappear. Curley finds this project one of the most inspiring she’s worked on, carrying a sense of urgency and gentleness. Being near Glenn and Elizabeth, being part of their world filled with deep, queer, chosen family, is an honor and privilege for her.

Glenn and his wife Elizabeth’s partnership began in the 1990s when she would often perform backup for Glenn at charity events. Their unique love story intensified in 2007, following a series of psychic visions in their dreams and an unforgettable night of passionate dancing at a friend’s wedding. Since then, they have been an indivisible duo. Their love is expressed through collaborations, social activism, music, and unwavering dedication to each other and their communities. A notable example of this is Kidplayhouse Productions, a non-profit theater school they established and nurtured for almost a decade on the Acadian Coast of Canada. This institution offered healing arts programs and education for both children and adults.

This year, Glenn and Elizabeth shared that they’ve been dealing with a challenging period in their personal lives, coupled with an extraordinary surge in creative energy. Glenn disclosed his diagnosis of dementia and confirmed that his 2024 tour would mark the end of his live performances. Despite this, they are actively developing fresh projects such as music, children’s shows featuring puppets, and a new book. Following the positive response from their recent event, there might be plans for additional hybrid shows in the future.

In Elizabeth’s words, “As human beings and creators, we have a lot to grapple with, but we are resolute in seeking out the vibrant aspects.” Speaking about Glenn, she noted that as certain parts of his brain deteriorate, other aspects seem more alive than ever before. This intricate blend of beauty and pain is palpable.

Glenn’s work has a history of being innovative, pushing boundaries in folk, ambient, and electronic music. His groundbreaking album, “Keyboard Fantasies,” was created using just a Roland TR-707 drum machine, a Yamaha Dx7 keyboard, an advanced Atari Computer, and Glenn’s remarkable three-octave vocal range. Themes of hopefulness and concern can be discerned from his music even without knowing the lyrics; the tender and cosmic melodies of “Keyboard Fantasies” evoke the rising sun, a message in a bottle discovered 30 years later by both its intended audience and the sender, offering clues and tools to help us navigate our constantly evolving world. On Saturday, Glenn and Elizabeth began their performance with the album’s “Let Us Dance,” dancing in harmony as Samaras played the instrumental finale on their home piano.

Glenn also sang an unaccompanied rendition of “Deep River”. His powerful bass voice and impressive falsetto brought the audience to their feet with snaps, whistles, and shouts. This spiritual, composed in the 19th century, contains hidden messages about the Underground Railroad, Glenn shared. “Jordan” stood for the Ohio River, while “Campground” referred to a safe haven for Black people who successfully evaded slavery. He concluded this song with an energetic djembe rhythm, transitioning through various time signatures.

Glenn and Elizabeth performed a series of packed shows in New York and Canada during fall, which Joynt and Curley recorded. In 2024, Glenn received the Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award from SAGE, an organization dedicated to advocating for and providing services to elderly members of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, both Glenn and Elizabeth were involved in Red Hot Org’s latest album “Transa,” a substantial compilation of work by over 100 musicians and artists such as Sade, Eileen Myles, Hunter Schafer, Clairo, Sam Smith, and many others. This album celebrates trans and nonbinary music while raising awareness and support for transgender rights.

In these times when trans rights are facing strong opposition, collaborating with Sam Smith on a new rendition of ‘Ever New’ felt incredibly meaningful and relevant, according to Glenn. They quickly bonded during their studio sessions, and as Elizabeth recalled, Copeland said, “I’m adopting you.” For Smith, singing alongside Glenn was one of the most significant and beautiful experiences in their musical journey. This week, Chase Strangio, an openly transgender lawyer, is making history by being the first to argue before the Supreme Court, challenging Tennessee’s ban on transgender healthcare. Regrettably, it is expected that this ban will be upheld, despite the Biden administration labeling it as unconstitutional.

The recently released documentary offers a fresh perspective by contradicting simple stories about dementia, fostering understanding of maintaining relationships through music and art amidst the realities of aging. Filmmakers and subjects involved found this project enlightening in its exploration of innovative ways to stay connected. Additionally, Saturday’s event opened up possibilities for redefining the role of supporters in nurturing elderly artists, whether as admirers or creators.

Instead of “See You Tomorrow” being a depiction of past events in transgender history, it serves as an ongoing narrative, a vivid representation of a diverse queer family. As Joynt explains, it offers a glimpse into an extraordinary love story that continues to evolve day by day.

Queer and trans musicians are frequently characterized as being ahead of their time or living creatively outside the norms set by mainstream society. Their innovative work often goes unrecognized financially, yet they continue to push boundaries and influence culture across various musical genres, from electronic to classical music. Artists like Glenn are pioneers who inspire change in both music and creative fields.

At the conclusion of their performance on Saturday, the couple was met with thunderous applause. In response, Glenn displayed a homemade sign towards the camera. The message, penned on a piece of white paper, proclaimed “I love you.” To numerous admirers, Glenn is revered as an icon within the queer community and his music serves as a heartfelt ode to upcoming generations.

As a devoted admirer, I express that Glenn’s life and his enduring legacy are invaluable, given the scarcity of trans elders. Sharing my spouse’s tale is crucial for us, as we aspire to depart this world having made an impact—stirring the dormant, awakening minds, and fostering a sense of unity. Throughout our journey, spanning years when our identities were unknown, we’ve consistently focused on building a community.

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2024-12-10 03:31