In this week’s round-up of new works, we hope you will find a moment to reflect on the events of the last few weeks and the history of oppression in this country. We also hope you find a moment to refresh, as the work is far from over…

In Case You Missed It

Late Night Snacks | Emyne |  Fringe Festival 2019  Emyne is a singer-songwriter and performer from West Philadelphia. She has performed at The Apollo Theatre and venues across Philadelphia, and last fall, she took the stage during The Bearded Ladies Cabaret’s Late Night Snacks.

Antigone Sr./Twenty Looks or Paris is Burning at the Judson Church | Trajal Harrell | Fringe Festival 2014  Trajal Harrell is a dancer and choreographer whose work has toured the world. Antigone Sr./ Twenty Looks or Paris is Burning at the Judson Church reimagines a meeting between the early postmodern dance that originated at the Judson Church and the voguing dance tradition of Harlem. 

We 💙 FA Alumni

Slowness with Okwui Okpokwasili, Tina Campt, Saidiya Hartman, and Simone Leigh | Danspace Project  The Platforms were launched by Danspace Project in 2010 as “exhibitions that unfold over time” shaped by guest artist-curators. Platforms 2020: Utterances from the Chorus is co-curated by MacArthur Award recipient Okwui Okpokwasili and Danspace Executive Director & Chief Curator, Judy Hussie-Taylor. 

Here, four scholars, writers, and artists discuss the implications, textures, and politics of slowness as it pertains to the current moment of global pandemic, quarantine, shut-downs, cancellations, and physical distance.

Okwui Okpokwasili is a performer, choreographer, and writer creating multidisciplinary performance pieces that draw viewers into the interior lives of women of color. Tina Campt is a writer, black feminist theorist, and one of the founding researchers in Black European Studies. Saidiya Hartman is a scholar of African American literature and cultural history whose works explore the afterlife of slavery in modern American society. Simone Leigh is a celebrated contemporary artist working in a variety of media including ceramic, video, installation, and bronze; her work explores issues of identity, race, beauty, and feminism.

Anthologia 01 | Moor Mother   Moor Mother is a poet, musician, artist, and activist from Philadelphia. She presented her first theatrical work, Circuit City, in last year’s High Pressure Fire Service series, and Anthologia is her latest EP.

NYU Tisch School of the Arts Dance Talk | Brenda Dixon Gottschild  Brenda Dixon Gottschild is an author, scholar, choreographer, dancer, artist, performer, and historian. She has worked with FringeArts several times, most recently moderating discussions following 2017’s presentation of We Shall Not Be Moved. Here, Gottschild talks with NYU’s School of Dance about her book “The Black Dancing Body.” 

Where to Watch

ARTS.BLACK  ARTS.BLACK is a journal of art criticism from Black perspectives predicated on the belief that art criticism should be an accessible dialogue – a tool through which we question, celebrate, and talk back to the global world of contemporary art. The journal is edited by Taylor Renee and Jessica Lynne.

Stream Here

Digital Rally for Philly Arts!   In response to Mayor Kenny’s budget proposal cutting all funding for the Philadelphia Office of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, organizations throughout the city are calling on YOU to show your support, share your story, and amplify the value of art by participating in a Digital Rally for Philly Arts! 

For a period of 24-hours over two-days, a livestream of testimonials, performances, music, dance, and more will be simulcast via the social media networks of Philadelphia arts organizations to oppose the defunding of arts and culture!

We’ll see you for next week’s Curators’ Choice, but in the meantime, stay connected with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!