Tones Live

Title: What Happened To My Arm?- Vilson Duarte Dong

2024

On 26 October 2024, Tones brought together 100 young people to celebrate their talents in front of an audience of 250. Taking place during Black History Month, the event specifically aimed to highlight young Black talent and Black stories. None of these individuals had ever performed before, and I wanted to give them the confidence and opportunity to do what performers aspire to most—perform.

In society, often find that we wait for our “red carpet” opportunity, our big break, but we thought, why wait? Let’s create our own opportunities. Imagine a red carpet, everyone dressed to impress, restaurant catering, and limited-edition hardback books detailing the stories of the performers. Picture red-carpet interviews, and not just a live show, but a cinema-grade filmed production.

Salome was tired of seeing creatives constantly put on the back burner or relying solely on public or council funding to sustain their work. Creativity should be celebrated and highlighted; it forms the foundation of our society. We wanted to create a space for the talented people —true, authentic, raw talent.

We told the story of Vilson, a 23-year-old ex-gang member who turned his life around after serving a six-year prison sentence. Vilson's story anchored the show and introduced each section. From his journey, we explored the themes of Lost, Identity, and Hope, with each performer responding to these themes by sharing their own personal stories through singing, dancing, spoken word, acting, and even a fashion show.

To top it off, everything was brought together in a short, unreleased film (scroll to see).

It all begins with an idea.

What happens when 100 young performers, none of whom have ever set foot on a stage, are given the chance to share their untold stories? Guided by Salome, a 22-year-old visionary, this powerful production celebrates Black creativity weaving together tales of resilience, transformation, and hope.

At the heart of the story is Vilson, a 23-year-old ex-gang member and convict who overcame loss, trauma, and a life-altering car accident to find redemption. As his journey unfolds, themes of Lost, Identity, and Hope resonate through heartfelt performances of song, dance, spoken word, and fashion. This cinematic experience shines a light on the struggles and triumphs of a generation determined to redefine success on their own terms.

"What Happened to My Arm" is more than a live show—it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of community to uplift, inspire, and heal.

Red Carpet BTS.

Red Carpet BTS

As guests and performers arrived on the day, they were interviewed to share their thoughts and expectations for this one-of-a-kind show. No one knew what to expect. Inspired by the met gala, their fashion choices were also captured during the interviews.

The interviewers were none other than Elisa Garcia and Victoria Sesay Felix, stylists and co-creative directors of the fashion show that also took place within the show.

Fun fact: we hand made the press wall for the show by using iron on Vinyl!

To accompany the show, we developed and printed a limited-edition hardback book, which completely sold out on the day. The book featured biographies and detailed stories of everyone who performed, offering a deeper insight into their journeys.

A young man sitting on a director's chair, with a blue background and plants on either side. The image promotes a voice actor named Tones by Salome, highlighting Vilson, with quotes and details about a 2024 event.

Book titled 'The Voice of Gen Z' with a cover featuring a young girl with curly hair sitting on a purple background, surrounded by smaller images of diverse young people in different settings.

Open book on a wooden table with a bold quote that reads: "How bad things can truly go when the creator of the universe is with you every step of the way?"; a portable speaker and another closed book can be seen nearby.

Vilson's Story

Theme 1: Lost
At 22, Vilson lost part of his arm in a car accident. That night, speeding down a country road, overwhelmed by personal struggles, he felt detached from life and indifferent to the consequences. Losing control, he crashed.

Upside down in the wreckage, Vilson saw red flashes against the window, realizing it was his blood, spurting from his arm with every heartbeat. This shocking clarity drove him to act. Crawling out of the car, he wrapped his arm with his shirt to slow the bleeding and stumbled onto the road, seeking help.

Several cars passed without stopping, wary of his appearance late at night. Desperate, he stood in the middle of the road, ready to risk being hit. The next car reversed and drove away. Exhausted and defeated, he slumped to the roadside, waiting for the inevitable.

Theme 2: Identity
Vilson’s earlier life helps explain how he reached that moment. Losing his mother young, he became involved in gang activities as a teenager. By 18, he had served six years in prison for a knife-related incident, receiving a severe sentence.

After prison, he started turning his life around. He pursued education, earned a first-class degree (1:1), reconnected with his faith, and secured a job at a respected restaurant. Yet, despite these strides, the weight of his past lingered, contributing to the personal turmoil that led to the crash.

Theme 3: Hope
Back on the roadside, at his lowest point, Vilson heard a voice urging him to get up and walk. With no other choice, he obeyed, navigating the dark, empty road.

Eventually, he saw a distant light, which turned out to be a house. Knocking on the door, he collapsed as it opened. In a remarkable twist, the woman who answered was a former NHS trauma nurse. Her expertise saved his life and marked the start of his physical and emotional recovery.