Saturday, December 9, 7:00 pm
TICKETS HERE
Celebration of Human Rights
Not One Real MF by Radical Reversal
Radical Reversal explores music and language through a social justice lens and will performing original compositions from their project Not One Real MF, which weaves a necessary critique of the criminal justice system using instrument and poetic voice.
Randall Horton is a writer, poet, artist, and the recipient of the 2022 Creative Capital Award, two American Book Awards, a National Endowment of the Arts Fellowship in Literature, a Poet-in-Residence at the Civil Right Corpse, and a Soze Foundation Right to Return Fellow. Devin B Waldman is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and music producer. Melanie Dyer performs and composes in creative, improvised and through-composed music spheres. Taru Alexander is an esteemed American jazz drummer whose award-winning career span over three decades. Brendan Regan is a guitarist in New York and is the founder of the group Of_Ethare and performs with the musical group Radical Reversal.
The Box by Tina Bararian Dance Company
Solitary confinement, a deeply distressing ordeal for political detainees in Iran, takes a toll on their mental and physical health. In this state, their auditory experience is limited to the "Azan" call to prayer, the distressing cries of fellow prisoners, or an eerie silence. Their movements and space are limited within a confined environment. This piece will delve into the transformation of human instincts from natural to survival mode. Some prisoners, like Toomaj (an Iranian rapper), endure severe torture, while others, like Vahid Afkari, have been in solitary confinement for 1000 days. "Azan" is the call to prayer; it's a beautiful, eloquent singing of praise to God. "Allahu Akbar" means God is great. The government employs these prayers as a form of torture for these political prisoners. Dancing to prayers is considered a sin by extremists, as these prayers are deemed divine and should not be associated with any dance or artistic movements.
Tina Bararian is an award-winning modern dancer, choreographer, actor, and film director. After obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at York University, Tina relocated to New York City to further her studies at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. In 2023, she established her own dance company in New York and premiered her first piece, 'Not Here,' at Spoke The Hub residency.Tina is the visionary curator and founder of "Dancers Of Iran," a global artistic project and platform dedicated to showcasing dancers of Iranian descent. Rebecca Pelleri was born and raised in Florence, Italy. She attended the Martha Graham School, where she was enrolled in the Independent Program from 2021 to 2022 and the Teacher Training Program from 2022 to 2023. Rebecca has participated in workshops with renowned companies such as Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Buglisi Dance Theater Company, Hofesh Shechter Company, and GALLIM, among others. She works as a freelance dancer and also as a dance teacher at Greenhouse Arts Center.
Sibling Sperm by Imperfect Productions
When a queer couple decides to get pregnant, they must agree on a sperm donor before they start a family.
Tova Hopemark (Playwright) is an NYC-based writer, actor, and filmmaker best known for earning the award for "least likely to engage in petty drama" in the 12th grade. Lee Hannah Conrads (Director) is an LA-based theater director, raised and trained in the Midwest, whose productions ask big questions, wrestle with paradox, and stage impossible things. Julia Gu she/they, a NYC based performer, proudly made in China. ig: @shihuiyy. Anya Krawcheck talks for a living and giggles aspirationally; actor, voice actor, mover & shaker ig:@kranya.
The Ciba Reading by Chinese Artists and Organizers(CAO) Collective离离草
Invited by Chinese Artists and Organizers (CAO) Collective, a group of Chinese queer feminists will read collectively written poems addressed to diasporic experiences of grief, rage, empowerment and transnational care. This performance is a new iteration of our Ciba Punch performance in 2022 where twenty-two performers punched on sticky rice to make the traditional Chinese ciba rice cakes while chanting poetry in Manhattan Chinatown. These poems were newly written in the collective poetry workshops that we have hosted since the Ciba Punch, using the Exquisite Corpse method of random reassignment. Where CAO’s process of writing already explores co-authorship and community narratives, this reading/performance will further highlight the multivocality of the pieces by choreographing the live reading with audio recordings from the Ciba Punch.
Chinese Artists and Organizers (CAO) Collective 离离草 is a queer feminist group that creates art to empower relational community healing in the Sinophone diaspora.
The Inferno by Eleanor Klein
Grace and Alice, the two lone surviving astronauts of a nuclear Armageddon on Earth, await the coming of the Alien Red Queen - culminating in a shocking finale.
Eleanor Klein is new to playwriting, and excited for her first production! Catherine Gold (Director) is a director, actor, writer, and mixed media artist based in New York City. Eliza Vann (Alice) is an actor and artistic collaborator based in NYC. Miranda Plant is a Canadian actress and filmmaker in NYC. Alex Silverman (Stage-manager) is very excited to be stage-managing at The Tank.
Inconceivable by Blessed Unrest
Inconceivable is a a quest to discover how our past experiences, individual and collective, marry with our present realities. What do we value in ourselves
and our communities? How does this manifest in raw and authentic ways through the body?
Julie Becker is a theatre artist based in New York City. Perri Yaniv* most recently worked with Blessed Unrest in this past spring's Misconceptions and Refuge in 2019 which was devised with Kosova's Teatri Oda. Ronnie Williams spends his day creating art on raw canvas, which evoke a strong connection to humans. Cloteal Lee Horne (Her/She)*, is committed to collaborative processes that illuminates humanity through the craft of storytelling. Jessica Burr (Director) is the founding Artistic Director of Blessed Unrest, and recipient of the 2019 Kennedy Center ACTF Commendation for Distinguished Leadership. Jenn Allen (Assistant Director) is a writer, director, and devisor, originally from Richmond, Virginia who concentrates on new ways of creating theater. Michael Gene Jacobs (Stage Manager) has been a member of Blessed Unrest since 2017. Sera Bourgeau (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be designing for Blessed Unrest again, where her previous design credits include Refuge, Battle of Angels, Misconceptions, and Chasing the Tides or Exposure. *These Actors are appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association
Struggles and Hope by Àkójọpọ̀ Music Foundation
'Struggles and Hope' is a poignant song cycle by composer and singer Ongama Mhlontlo. This 15-minute set explores the universal themes of resilience and the indomitable human spirit of hope. Through a unique fusion of piano, voice, and strings, we invite you to embark on an emotional journey that celebrates hope in the face of adversity. “With every tragic story, there is also a story of hope”
Movements
1. Hope
2. I Remember lyrics by Ntando Ngcume
3. Purity
4. Today note by Ntando Ngcume
5. Emachibini
Ongama Mhlontlo, a versatile musician and recent Mail and Guardian '200 Young South Africans' awardee, has performed regularly at Carnegie Hall. Audrey Jellett: Cellist. Audrey Jellett is in her last year of studies at the Manhattan School of Music, and enjoys playing throughout New York and North America for recitals, educational concerts, private events and more as a soloist and chamber musician. Nini Giordadze: Winner of the W. A. Mozart international competition violinist Nini Giorgadze has been playing since age 6 in her native Georgia. She started violin lessons with Eka Giorgadze and since 2010, she became a member of The Art Academy in Georgia. In 2012, after winning the 5th national competition of Georgia, she received a special prize from Liana Isakadze and a stipend from the Embassy of Japan.In 2015 she received 1st place in the ‘’future Stars international competition’’ in Italy and played with Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma. She performed on a tour with the Georgian Sinfonietta Orchestra in cities of Georgia – Kutaisi, Tbilisi, and Telavi. Currently, Nini is studying at Manhattan School of Music with Nicholas Mann. Sally Yapto: As an Indonesian pianist, Sally Yapto is the winner of numerous competitions and has performed in seven countries. Her musicality and convincing interpretations have been enjoyed by audiences around the world.