Armond Reginald Neal Memorial

9-17-48 to February 2022

I met Reggie at the Mayday Ceremony rehearsals a few years back and believe we did a few together over the years. We immediately made a great connection. Another one of those “haven’t I know you forever”? We reminisced about our admiration for the Last Poets with Gil Scott Heron. He from LA and me from Chicago. Reggie brought a new light to the understanding/disposition of Black Culture to In the Heart of The Beast Puppet and Mask Theater who hosted the annual Mayday Celebration in Powderhorn Park for over four decades. HOBT was a powerful community entity uniting all cultures of the Twin Cities to collaborate on an extrodinary annual event. However there was often a disconnect to Black Culture with Mayday even though HOBT had the best of intentions. And Reggie brought a new insight/light to HOBT of Black Culture with his gentle, sensitive, progressive and loving care of his culture and HOBT. This was transformative and enlightening. I don’t think HOBT even knew about his contribution but I did and one look at each other in our eyes could reveal the wonderful truth of “now ya get it ya all”?

Have a great new adventure Reggie.