More Information About Transblucency: Poems in the Key of Joy

Website

http://www.highwaysperformance.org/

Description

Transblucency is the title of a composition by Duke Ellington, whose birthday falls on April 29th. It is an appropriate metaphor for this series, whose poets and musicians transcend the blues we are living in by transmuting the boundaries between poetry, music, movement, and visual art. The performers weave spontaneous compositions rich in mood and nuance, innovation and joyous celebration and in the process, transform spoken word into something that Ellington himself would describe as “beyond category." Curated by Pat Payne.

Thursday, April 29th: “Blue Diamonds”
Showcases brilliant poets with rough edges; un-mined talents and cultured diamonds forged by the multicultural fissures of our time. Enhanced by master musician Danny Moynahan, poets Anthony Navarette, D.J. Watson, Dora McQuaid and [dance muse Erica Bowen] present seductive, incisive, powerful, and sparkling interdisciplinary works that transcend the definition of spoken word.

Friday, April 30th: “Stompin’ the Blues” feat. The Inspiration House PoetryChoir
Inspiration House PoetryChoir (IHPC) is spontaneous collaboration between a shifting roster of poets and improvisational musicians brought together by Artistic Director Peter J. Harris. In the tradition of call and response, poets select from their palette of original poems while musicians respond, blending words, intonations, audience amens and affirmations, and dynamic silence into an exhilarating sonic tapestry. In this incarnation the PoetryChoir combines Peter J. Harris, poets Pat Payne, Douglas Kearney and Saria Idana, with musical collaborators Derf Reklaw, Maria Elena Gaitan, Nailah, and Curtis Robertson, Jr.

About the Ticket Supplier: Highways Performance Space

Highways Performance Space is Southern California's boldest center for new performance. Founded in 1989, Highways continues to be an important alternative cultural center in Los Angeles that encourages fierce new artists from diverse communities to develop and present innovative works.

Highways promotes the development of contemporary socially involved artists and art forms. Our mission is implemented through four programs (the performance space, workshop/university program and two galleries). Annually, Highways co-presents approximately 250 performances by solo dramatic artists, small theater groups, dance companies and spoken word artists; curates and exhibits approximately 12 contemporary visual art exhibits per year with work that explores the boundaries between performing and visual art forms; commissions and premieres new work by outstanding performing artists; organize special events, curate festival, offer residency and educational programs that engage community members in the arts while providing access to professionally-directed instruction.