Global Gala VIII Artists
Support the Arts by Supporting Our Artists
Global Gala thanks all of the incredible performers and asks that audience members continue to support their artistry through patronage of the many events they perform at and organize. Below you'll find information submitted by the artists, including website links, background information, or original texts, and possibly translations.
Producer's Note
I am so honored you have decided to join us in this unique program. I am so honored that I was a part of something that has become bigger than any one single member. This concept kept surfacing over the course of the full year preparation for this program. Whenever I would "meet" with the Gala crew through our Thursday zoom calls, or message one of our directors for direction, or walk an artist through the process and concepts we were going for, I recognized that each constituent I was talking to represented a small piece of the puzzle. No one knew the full picture.
This "bigger than one" synergy reverberated throughout this last year, because to many of us, the year itself has been bigger than any one of us. It will be educational and artistic malpractice to not mention the pandemic, the economic constraints, the disruption to school, to work, to family and friends, the political and social movements that history students will point back to.
For all of that, something equally big needed to be created. This is the result of that attempt.
This would not be possible, of course, without the individual contributions of the artists (listed below, and for that matter the seven years worth of artists who joined us since 2014), but more than that, this would not be possible without those who built those performers up.
I'd like to make special mention of Corona Music Festival, a facebook group that exploded on the scene to support quarantined artists and offer them a platform to perform their art, Artists Standing Strong Together, a group that goes well beyond creating art, but offers assistance to artists in need. On top of this, I am grateful for the support received from The American Z theatre in Virginia Beach, who regularly facilitates intriguing conversations about the issues of the day, and to my webinar co-conspirator, Lizzy.
Well beyond the confines of the Global Gala, there are many inspirational figures impacting the lives of those around them. My college theatre friends Andréa Moser and Matthew Huebsch, for example, continue to inspire arts orientated students with their hard work and commitment. Hartford Union High School (WI) turned the negative cancelation of their annual musical into a positive by writing, producing, editing their own soundtrack and movie: Pandora's Jukebox: A Mythical Musical (music by Ernest Brusubardis III from a very musical family). Such creative problem solving shows yet another reason why the arts are so important. They are just one example of many around the globe who are finding creative ways to survive as a professionally.
This list would not be complete with the most important people in my life, my beautiful family, who, since the inception of this program in 2014, almost by instinct knew when the Gala Season really took a hold of me. I cannot express fervantly enough my thankfulness for their patience and their love.
Through all of this, I discovered that compassionate people find their path in a chaotic world. Reagan Young and Mahesha Ekanayake are prime examples, both working tirelessly to help the most vulnerable populations. It has been my good fortune to be surrounded with compassionate people (check out the "About" page to see who I'm talking about) who have helped create tonight's performance so that we can build a phoenix like community from what may seem like the proverbial ashes of the last two year. To each of them, I'm proud to call them my artistic partners and my friends.
Thank you.
EDM
This "bigger than one" synergy reverberated throughout this last year, because to many of us, the year itself has been bigger than any one of us. It will be educational and artistic malpractice to not mention the pandemic, the economic constraints, the disruption to school, to work, to family and friends, the political and social movements that history students will point back to.
For all of that, something equally big needed to be created. This is the result of that attempt.
This would not be possible, of course, without the individual contributions of the artists (listed below, and for that matter the seven years worth of artists who joined us since 2014), but more than that, this would not be possible without those who built those performers up.
I'd like to make special mention of Corona Music Festival, a facebook group that exploded on the scene to support quarantined artists and offer them a platform to perform their art, Artists Standing Strong Together, a group that goes well beyond creating art, but offers assistance to artists in need. On top of this, I am grateful for the support received from The American Z theatre in Virginia Beach, who regularly facilitates intriguing conversations about the issues of the day, and to my webinar co-conspirator, Lizzy.
Well beyond the confines of the Global Gala, there are many inspirational figures impacting the lives of those around them. My college theatre friends Andréa Moser and Matthew Huebsch, for example, continue to inspire arts orientated students with their hard work and commitment. Hartford Union High School (WI) turned the negative cancelation of their annual musical into a positive by writing, producing, editing their own soundtrack and movie: Pandora's Jukebox: A Mythical Musical (music by Ernest Brusubardis III from a very musical family). Such creative problem solving shows yet another reason why the arts are so important. They are just one example of many around the globe who are finding creative ways to survive as a professionally.
This list would not be complete with the most important people in my life, my beautiful family, who, since the inception of this program in 2014, almost by instinct knew when the Gala Season really took a hold of me. I cannot express fervantly enough my thankfulness for their patience and their love.
Through all of this, I discovered that compassionate people find their path in a chaotic world. Reagan Young and Mahesha Ekanayake are prime examples, both working tirelessly to help the most vulnerable populations. It has been my good fortune to be surrounded with compassionate people (check out the "About" page to see who I'm talking about) who have helped create tonight's performance so that we can build a phoenix like community from what may seem like the proverbial ashes of the last two year. To each of them, I'm proud to call them my artistic partners and my friends.
Thank you.
EDM
Global Gala VIII Artists
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Bridging the Divide
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Storytellers pt. 1
Storyteller Jo Radner joins us from Western Maine and has been studying, teaching, telling, and collecting stories most of her life, performing in venues from Maine to Hawaii, to Finland, and is a past President of the National Storytelling Network. The story shared with us tonight was first learnt from Pleasant DeSpain. Tracy Chipman (she/her pronouns) resides in NW Wisconsin occupying land belonging to the Oceti Sakowin and Anishinaabe peoples. She stepped on the path of storyteller 26 years under an Oregon hazel tree and has never looked back, persistently telling stories all over the country and beyond. She believes storytelling is a co-creative act forging deep transformation and unprecedented connections. Deep listening, wild imaginings and getting out of the way for the story to tell itself are the tools of her trade. |
LYNX
LYNX is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that amplifies diverse voices through song, bringing communities together through inclusive recitals and educational programming. LYNX's Amplify Series (formerly Autism Advocacy Series) commissions classical composers to take the text of neurodiverse writers and set them to music. This series advocates for the voices of neurodiverse individuals and adds important new repertoire to the classical vocal music genre. To date, LYNX has featured the poetry and prose of 15 young writers through the Amplify Series and is proud to provide a global platform for these voices to shine with its upcoming Amplify Anthology print publication and album release. Please join LYNX for the "Amplify Series 2020-21 Commissions Concert" on May 21 at 7pm CT. This concert will feature new songs by composers Nico Gutierrez, Michelle Isaac, Liza Sobel, Pierce Gradone, and Mike McFerron. Soprano Kristina Bachrach, mezzo soprano Leah Dexter, baritone Nicholas Ward, and pianist Daniel Baer will interpret the work of writers who identify as neurodiverse, including Aiden Levy, Pablo Hernandez, Mitchell Robins, and Benjamin Smidt. This free pre-recorded concert, aired via Zoom, will be followed by a live Q&A with the writers, composers, and performers. This concert is being presented by the Poetry Foundation. |
From Ancient Shores
*Note on HaKfar Hayarok Music School piece The quote "ki ha'adam etz hasadeh" means "for man is like a tree in a field" and is a declaration that Hebrew soldiers must not destroy trees on conquered land. |
Yasmin Williams
Check out the press on Yasmin Williams, and pick up a copy of Urban Driftwood through Yasmin's website. Rolling Stones Magazine New York Times Washington Post |
To New Horizons
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Morgan McCoy
Morgan McCoy is an actress and filmmaker who works on stage and screen bringing stories to life. She's passionate about telling stories that teach historical truths, advocate for the underserved, and address mental and physical health issues. |
Forging a New Past
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Throughout the world, Covid 19 has affected programmes dependant upon a tourist industry, an industry that has come to a screeching halt, making a difficult situation nearly impossible.
Two individuals highlighted in our program are working tirelessly to provide education for the youngest and most vulnerable, through the selling of art and through the offering free lessons in her preschool. Sponsorships can help immensely. Message the organizers directly for more information. Help if you can here (Uganda) and here (Sri Lanka) |
Celebrating Future Hope |
And Distant Sunsets
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Storytelling pt. 2
Global Gala is proud to bring to our individuals who've dedicated much of their professional lives to continuing the tradition of passing on stories to the next generation. Donna Washington, coming to us from Durham, North Carolina, is an master storyteller and author who has been sharing stories with audiences of all ages for 33 years. Similarly, Sheila Arnold, from Hampton, Virginia, is no stranger to the stage, first performing at the age of 8. She loves telling a good story, especially stories about justice and stories about faith. Ms. Arnold has been professionally telling stories for 18 years. We welcome both to our stage. |