FRESH INK IS BACK… VIRTUALLY!

If theater has taught us anything, it’s that art is resilient and adaptable. It must be for our work to remain remarkable and relevant. With that in mind, it’s with great pride that we’ll be moving our Fresh Ink New Work Series online this summer. In this Moment is three weekends of new work responding to the Twin Cities’ centrality in the Black Lives Matter movement and the current Covid crises’ effect on performance, conceived and curated by T Mychael Rambo, Carlyle Brown, Keno Evol, and Illusion’s Producing Directors Bonnie Morris and Michael Robins.

T. Mychael Rambo said it best: “This moment we're in, reminds us that we are called to do more than simply bear witness. We are summoned to be forces of action creating, calculating and cultivating spaces where we can find peace… A peace where our voices in song and poetry, in photograph and painting, in narrative and nuance illuminate with authenticity, agency and abundance what only art can excavate. And that is hope.  We need hope in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, nation, on this planet and in our hearts. May you find some potent portion of hope In This Moment!"

While the performances are free, we are hoping you’ll consider a $15 donation. We hope you’ll join us!

THE SHOWS

In This Moment

Artists Aimee K. Bryant, Fred N. Cheng, Brittany Delaney, Kimberly Elise, Michael Keck, Peter Macon, T. Mychael Rambo, Katie Robinson, Lester Purry Regina Marie Williams come together "in this moment" to respond, in their various mediums, to the current climate of affairs impacting our country and our planet. Their performance and visual art provide a sense of context and clarity welcomed and needed "in this moment!"

Acting Black 

Carlyle Brown will show his much-lauded one-person solo show Acting Black and lead a live discussion with patrons immediately following the play. Acting Black was created in 2015  but is sadly still relevant to the United States treatment of Black artists. Tracing the roots of minstrelsy to bearing witness to heated exchanges, Carlyle Brown’s thought provoking piece is meant to inspire tough, reflective, but very necessary conversations.

Serving Black Futures; Loving Black Artists

Since 2015 Black Table Arts has been raising volume in black life through the arts to uplift black lives in Minnesota. Join us for an evening of poetry from Black writers who remind us why poets are needed when thinking about a more equitable and just future. Keno Evol of Black Table Arts hosts this evening that will include poets Lester Batiste (He/Him), Donte Collins (They/Them), Sarah Ogutu (She/Hers) and Antonio Duke (He/Him).

While the performances are free, we are hoping you’ll consider a $15 donation.

CALENDAR

IN THIS MOMENT     

Thursday, August 6               7:30pm  opening night

Streaming EXTENDED THROUGH September 8

 ACTING BLACK

Thursday, August 13                  7:30pm
Friday, August 14                        7:30pm
Saturday, August 15                   2 pm

SERVING BLACK FUTURES: LOVING BLACK ARTISTS

Thursday, August 20            7:30pm opening night
Streaming until September 8

While the performances are free, we are hoping you’ll consider a $15 donation. We hope you’ll join us!