Reforesting: An Homage to Gil Ott
February 3 – March 17, 2012
First Friday Receptions: February 3, & March 2, 5-7pm
Check out our Facebook photo album of the artists in action HERE.
To listen to the poetry of Julia Blumenreich CLICK HERE.
Reforesting: An Homage to Gil Ott is a collaboration between poet Julia Blumenreich and visual artist Wendy Osterweil. A multi-layered art installation includes a forest of silkscreened “spirit trees,” papercuts that conjure light and shadow in a forest environment, a wall of sycamore tree bark, “tea skin” composed of stitched and embroidered teabag papers, and an ethereal boat signifying passage to the next world. Reforesting represents a dialogue between Wendy and Julia, in response to Julia’s suite of 16 poems that investigate grief and loss. Gil Ott (1950-2004), a poet with over a dozen published books and a community arts activist, is the late husband of Julia.
Gil Ott worked at the Painted Bride Art Center for over 15 years and left a significant legacy. He was the driving force behind the Bride’s development of community-based programs, and he pioneered artistic practices that articulated the Bride’s work with communities.
His tall stature always reminded Julia of tree silhouettes. Through poetic images based on natural, historical, and mythological facts about trees, her poems evoke Gil’s final 10-month hospital battle and reforest the space his loss left in her life.
Julia and Wendy developed their artistic collaboration during the years since Gil’s death, finding mutual resonance in nature imagery. A group of women artists – Alia Tahvildaran, Nancy Agati, Julia Blumenreich, Jenni Desnouee, Marie Elcin, Carolyn Hesse, Tonia Hsieh, Charlene Melhorn, Willa Ott, Debby Pollak and Sarah Dekker, also created artwork for Reforesting.
Reforesting: An Homage to Gil Ott Poetry Event February 26, 3-4:30 pm
Book release party for Gil Ott’s, Arrive on Wave: Collected Poems and Fiction of Gil Ott
Poetry reading of Gil’s and Julia’s poetry
Readers include: Julia Blumenreich, C.A. Conrad, Eli Goldblatt and others.
Wed Jan 18 (7pm): New Choreographic work by Jodi Obeid and Beau Hancock
Thur Jan 19 (7pm): New Choreographic work by Daniele Strawmyre and Jung-eun Kim
Fri Jan 20 (7pm): New Choreographic work by Jodi Obeid and Beau Hancock
Sat Jan 21 (7pm): New Choreographic work by Daniele Strawmyre and Jung-eun Kim
Sun Jan 22 (4pm and 7pm): DanceHouse (a mixed bill of local choreographers)
Tickets: $15 for general admission | $10 for Dancepass holders, students, and seniors.
nEW Festival is a Philadelphia-based dance festival that offers a performance opportunities for emerging choreographers, a community for the exhange of ideas and future artistic alliances, and movement-centric master classes. nEW is led by a collaborative team of artists who are devoted to exploring innovative methods of dance curation, presentation, and training. nEW Festival 2012 received generous support from Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Dance USA/Philadelphia’s New Stages for Dance Initiative, The Silo Guest Artist Residency program, and University of the Arts. nEW Festival is a program of Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre.
Steve Bernstein’s MTO Plays Sly Friday, April 13 | 9pm $25 in advance/$30 day of show
*This concert is the culmination of our Black Cat Brew. Enjoy the show + dinner and festivities. More info HERE.
Ticket prices:
$100 – Black Cat Brew AND Steve Bernstein performance {BUY}
$75 – Black Cat Brew ONLY {BUY}
$25 – Steve Bernstein performance ONLY {BUY}
CLICK HERE for the chance to win a Jazz on Vine iPod Touch.
“When the time comes, Bernstein clicks an invisible switch and the band pops into semi-flawless unison. At that point, you might imagine yourself in Harlem in 1929…” —Village Voice
Tearing into witty and funky new arrangements of little-known jazz nuggets from the 1920s and ‘30s, as well as radically transforming songs by artists such as Prince and the Beatles, Steven Bernstein (Grammy-nominated composer/Sex Mob trumpeter) leads an improvisational nine-piece outfit playing irreverent 21st-century jazz. On this evening audiences can expect an ambitious, yet reverent take on Sly & the Family Stone’s music, spirit, and legacy.
The evenings STELLAR line-up:
Steven Bernstein-trumpet, slide trumpet
Curtis Fowlkes- trombone
Charlie Burnham-violin
Marty Ehrlich- clarinet, tenor sax
Michael Blake- tenor/soprano sax
Erik Lawrence-baritone/soprano sax
Will Bernard-guitar
Ben Allison- bass
Kenny Wollesen-drums
Jamie Saft-organ
Dean Bowman-vocal
InLiquid at the Bride presents ANIMALIA Work by Lynnette Shelley November 4 – January 6, 2012 Painted Bride Art Center Café Gallery First Friday receptions: November 4 and December 2, 5 – 7 pm Gallery Hours: Tues. – Sat. | 12pm – 6pm
Across cultures around the world the animal kingdom has remained a fascinating force throughout time. With ANIMALIA, Lynette Shelley’s rich illustrations take inspiration from the myth, magic, and mystery the many motifs used ubiquitously in legends and folklore. Individual narratives are nuanced within the tone of each piece. The works are intertwined through a contrast of bold, confident lines and ornamental, delicate detailing. This contemporary reinterpretation holds onto its primitive roots as much as it gives way to fantasy. Ultimately unfolding into a jungle of their own, these new founded allegories speak to our collective unconscious and explore our place inside them.
Lynnette Shelley is a Delaware native who moved to the Philadelphia area in 1999. Having a great love animals, fairytales, and world mythology, Lynnette fuses these influences into her unique illustrations. Her artwork strikes a primal chord in many viewers, with almost Jungian associations found within. Her animal art and creature illustrations are both primitive and sophisticated, and have been likened to images from an undiscovered ancient civilization or culture.
Shelley’s artwork has been displayed nationally as well as at various regional venues, including the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, the Nichols Berg Gallery in Philadelphia, and various space in the surrounding area. The appeal of Shelley’s creature drawings have ventured beyond gallery walls, from the Toronto Film Festival to the science fiction conventional, Dragon Con, in Atlanta, GA. In addition to her fine art pursuits, Lynnette is also the co-founder of The Red Masque, an original avant rock band signed to an experimental label based out of Colorado. Lynnette currently lives and works out of Ambler, PA.
InLiquid has chosen ANIMALIA to complement the world premiere stage adaptation of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, presented by Gas & Electric Arts and The Painted Bride. Director Lisa Jo Epstein brings puppetry and live klezmer music to create an imaginative, contemporary holiday performance.
November 26, 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 27, 4:00 PM
Sacred Journeys is a celebration of faith and the human spirit featuring new and revised selections from Kùlú Mèlé’s extensive repertoire of Afro-Cuban and West African sacred dance. Founded in 1969 by Robert Crowder, Kùlú Mèlé is known for infusing traditional African dance with urban American flair. The company has graced stages from New York to Guinea and throughout the African Diaspora, distinguishing itself with beautiful costumes, a thrilling percussion battery and dynamic choreography. General admission to Sacred Journeys is $20 in advance/$25 day of show; children under 12: $12 in advance/$15 day of show. For more information, visit www.kulumele.org.
An Evening of Contemporary Choreography by Nora Gibson Performance Project, Jennifer Morley, and Olive Prince Dance
About the works:
Jennifer Morley – “Bearing Fruit”
Jennifer Morley/Figments’ new work, Bearing Fruit, is loosely based on the Eskimo myth Raven the Creator. This supple and colorful quintet explores and embodies concepts of conception and fruitfulness.
Photo credit: Bill Hebert
Olive Prince Dance “Under Desire”
Olive Prince Dance presents Under Desire with original music composition by Chistopher B. Farrell and lighting design by Guillermo Ortega Tanus. Under Desire began by asking 100 people what they desire, what they must do before they turn 87, what they are tempted to do, what they crave, and what their passion looks like. Their answers are woven into a choreographic adventure where dancers intwine and relate to root-brown vines hanging from above. Olive Prince performs with Jennifer Rose, Jennifer Morley, Elizabeth Reynolds, and Caitlin Heller.
Nora Gibson presents the next phase of this contemplative and technical contemporary ballet inspired by the number 3. Original music score by collaborator mikronesia and re-envisioned light environment designed by Clifford Greer form the creative triad with Gibson for this work for three dancers.
To purchase tickets by phone call: 215-925-9914
Ties that Bind is supported by New Stages for Dance. The New Stages for Dance Initiative is provided by MetLife Foundation. New Stages for Dance is a program of Dance USA/Philadelphia.
Latin Fiesta presents Hispanos…Many Roots…Many Faces, the 5th Annual Festival of Music and Dance celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month!
Come enjoy Noche Tropical with a FREE pre-concert workshop where children and adults will have an opportunity to learn Salsa, Merengue, and the Cha Cha with an experienced teacher from the Latin Fiesta staff from 6:15-7pm and an amazing concert performance at 8pm with special guest performances by Jorge Maldonado formerly with Celia Cruz and La Sonora Matancera and Salsa dancers, Stephen Choo Quan and Sarah Davis from Cuba Libre in Atlantic City.
Don’t forget to stay after for a meet-the-artists reception with raffles and a silent auction in support of Children in the Philadelphia area- percentage of proceeds will go to the Philadelphia Children’s Foundation.
There is no where else to be for a Night of Nostalgia…Cuban Conga Line…Music from the Buena Vista Social Club…Dominican Merengue…Brazilian Fantasy…Favorite Classics and more!
Questions about the event, charitable donations, or Latin Fiesta in general please contact Samantha Salazar at info@latinfiestainc.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21| 7pm
BRIDAL SALON PLAYREADING | $5 (cash only)
How Insensitive Written by: James L. Cook
Directed by: Connie Norwood
We hear WAYNE and his younger sister, NICOLE arguing in the lobby/waiting area of the hospital after WAYNE’S ex-girlfriend, MARSHA’S near-fatal pill overdose. NICOLE believes WAYNE’S white trophy-wife AMANDA, married him for the convenience that money affords one, and her goal is to attain wealth for herself and her family members. We know that AMANDA is up to no good when we hear her talking on the phone with her “Dad” after having just returned from an extravagant Christmas gift shopping spree. “I know, Daddy, what we’ve agreed to, but I’m calling the shots, not you…”Unbeknownst to her, WAYNE is in the bedroom and over hears her conversation. When he confronts her about it, she plays it off by accusing him of eavesdropping in on her private conversation. FUSHY, NICOLE and TAMIKA ask the question “Do high-profile black athletes feel challenged by professional, college educated black women? When marrying a white cheerleader, a topless dancer, or video model is their choice instead of “HIS” own woman. Where did that come from?” Even so, the black woman’s wounded pride and feelings of being deserted by her man won’t let her call him out. She still feels that she has to protect him…as always.
*Next up: October 5th | Hypocrisy the Anti-sex Mystery written by Lisa Wilson
The Bridal Salon is a play-reading series that takes place twice a month on Wednesdays. The series was created to support the ever growing Philadelphia theater community. Actors, directors, playwrights and theater enthusiasts can all benefit. The Bridal Salon showcases 2 one-act plays or 1 full-length piece each evening. Audiences will have the chance to engage the directors, playwrights and actors in discussion about preparation and writing processes, inspiration, and character development.
The show “sTiTcHeS” would be described as Sketch Comedy at its BEST! Written by Philadelphia’s own Nakia Tabas Battle also known as Comedienne Lady Kee. Starring: Tia Mintz, Chico Robinson, LaQuanda McCoullum, Tahira Zumir, Harrison M Staley, Jolande N. Holmes, Jameel Sloan, Christopher Graham, Marcus Ebron and Nakia Tabas Battle. Think of shows like “In Living Color”, “Mad TV” or “Saturday Night Live” but “sTiTcHeS” has a Christian and Gospel comedy twist. The name of the show came about because you are guaranteed to laugh so hard that you may need stitches. Come out and enjoy some of the Tri State area’s best actors & actresses as they give you a performance like no other. This is good clean Christian fun for ALL ages sponsored by The Kingdom Agency and presented by Solboy Entertainment Music Group.
A message from the Painted Bride Art Center about tonight’s Sergent Garcia concert:
We regret to inform you tonight’s Sergent Garcia concert has been relocated to Media Bureau located at 725 N. 4th street due to a severe power outage on our residential block. PECO’s efforts to restore power were unfortunately unsuccessful.
If you have already purchased tickets they will be honored at the door of Media Bureau. You can also purchase tickets at the door.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. We apologize for this unforeseeable inconvenience.
Musically yours,
Painted Bride Art Center/AfroTaino Productions
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Painted Bride Art Center and AfroTaino Productions present Sergent Garcia Friday, September 9 | 8pm $20 in advance/ $25 day of show 20% off for patrons who are enrolled in Bride’s discount program – CLICK HERE to log in if you are a part of the program
Sergent Garcia, a massive star around the globe, is set to invade North America with a six-week concert tour starting this August. One of the pioneering figures in the global Latin Alternative movement, Bruno Garcia (a.k.a. Sergent Garcia) is bringing his uplifting and defiant sound to festivals and clubs across the US and Canada. A revolutionary at heart, Sergent Garcia takes stabs at the status quo with hard-hitting lyrics blended with funky grooves spiked with salsa, reggae, cumbia, ska, rock and hip-hop. Sergent Garcia’s albums have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, and his latest, Una y Otra Vez (Time and Time Again) is now available on the Cumbancha label. A critically-acclaimed tour-de-force, Una y Otra Vez offers a musical journey to the heart of Colombia, currently the source for some of Latin America’s hottest sounds. Having become enchanted with the country after a highly successful Latin American tour, Bruno returned to Colombia, deepening his friendships and musical connections through collaborations with the stars of the vital underground electrotropical scene, including Bomba Estéreo, La Mojarra Eléctrica, La-33, Sidestepper and others. About.com says of the album, “It’s fresh, it’s topical, it’s relevant, and it’s fun enough to blast from your car speakers ad infinitum until the warm weather subsides (and beyond).”
Sergent Garcia emerged out of the churning underground musique metisses movement of Paris in the 1990s where punk rock attitude, hip hop swagger, latin swing and reggae consciousness blended together to form a powerful sound. Having grown up in a house where Spanish, French, Algerian and West African culture overlapped, Bruno Garcia first earned fame with the French punk rock band Ludwig von 88. After falling in love with Latin and Caribbean music, Bruno created the Sergent Garcia persona and quickly became one of Europe and Latin America’s most successful artists. A stirring combination of grooving multicultural grooves and outspoken political expression continues to be the heart of the Sergent Garcia sound and the band’s live shows are renowned worldwide for their sense of celebration and conviction.
