sept. performances + musings
get your tickets now!
Hey friend,
How are you holding up? I hope you are doing well.
I want to tell you about these two shows where I am sharing a work in progress:
Working title is… “POV: JOYBOY has an existential crisis”
Kiss My Face (21+)
Thurs, Sept 12 at 3 Dollar Bill
Doors at 8:00PM EST
Get tickets here
(I’m sharing an excerpt of the piece here… if you are older family or not 21+ I do not want to see you here!)
Beyond the Black Box
Wed, Sept 18 at Triskelion Arts
Show at 8:00PM
Get tickets here
(I’m sharing the full work in progress here)
This piece is a solo…making a solo is NOT for the weak!!! And this time, I’m full out dancing in it! *que the horror queen screams*. Anyway, I’ve been pondering on the history of theater in America: minstrels, vaudeville, clowning, the legacy of racist tropes in the entertainment industry, the appeal of fame, the unseen hard work of performers and their (often) exploitation, the glamour. These are many themes to try to cram into a 15 minute piece so, I’m not expecting myself to touch on all of them. This has also served as a way for me to explore how these themes have affected me personally and that feels like a gift.
I feel very lucky to have been invited to perform and share my character JOYBOY in these venues. I’m a bit terrified though as these scenes contain my entire dance community, friends, and colleagues. There are voices in my head that say, “What if people hate it or worse… what if people are indifferent to it and feel nothing!!!” I’m really putting myself out there right now. This work being presented is not complete and I won’t act like it is. My hope is to understand it better, get good documentation, and use that to apply for residencies and grants to support the work further. Maybe by the time I’m 30 (when people will probably hear me better) I’ll have a full on solo project *fingers crossed*.
So, yeah, if you are looking for something to do these next couple weeks, maybe I’ll see you there.
P.S. These shows fall before and after my bday so, if you want to give me a priceless gift, consider coming to the show and giving me feedback? I’ll have a notebook available… lemme emphasize the word FEEDBACK … not critique. There is a difference!!
XO
P.S.S. I have had the honor of getting to know a young man from Gaza, Ibrahim Abu-saqer, who life is under the constant threat by Israel. He is raising funds to protect his family and provide basic necessities. Things for survival like water, food, shelter; the prices have been hiked due to this genocide. People still have to pay rent in Gaza… let that sink in…
If you have any money to spare, please consider donating to his Go Fund Me. While the fundraiser states that he is raising money to use once him and his family find refuge in another country, the border on Rafah has been closed for 100+ days now with no news of it being opened soon. He has accepted that the money raised will need to go to help them survive violence right now in Gaza. Again, anything helps.