Intersections Artist: Christylez Bacon

An Interview with Christylez Bacon and Director, Patrick Crowley

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
Christylez Bacon: I call myself a Progressive Hip-Hop Artist, mixing traditional elements of Hip-Hop, like Human-Beatboxing & Rhyming, with World-Music instrumentation.
Patrick Crowley: I am a director, deviser, writer, and agitator.

JL: Where were you born?
CB: I am a native Washingtonian, born & raised.

JL: Why did you want to be a part of intersections?
CB: I wanted to take-on this project with Patrick Crowley to merge my Hip-Hop Concert with his Theater Expertise, to create a totally new experience for myself and others.

JL: How do you feel your performance fits into the festival?
CB: The music itself will merge Hip-Hop, Classical, Jazz, & World Music, and the production as a whole merges Hip-Hop concert with Theater. This festival and I share the same mission statement!!
PC: In Pursuit of Me is going to be a Hip Hop/Comedia dance theatre mash up, and a contemporary, urban hero’s journey. If that’s not an intersection then punch me in the kidney.

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
PC: I’m looking forward to seeing a wide array of people rub elbows and experience art together. I’m especially hoping we get a generational alchemy brewing.

JL: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
CB: Czech Republic learning their folk music!

JL: What is your favorite quote?
CB: The usefulness of a cup is its emptiness, Be prepared to accept new knowledge and not be hindered or biased by old knowledge.
~~
In Pursuit of Me: The Story of Christylez Bacon, a world premier merging of music and theatre by one of Washington hip-hop's rising stars.
Saturday, Feb 27 at 9:30 PM
Friday, Mar 5 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, Mar 6 at 9:30 PM
Sprenger Theater
Tickets: $15
For audiences ages 13 and up.

Family Performance:
Saturday, Feb 20 at 1:30 PM
Lobby
Tickets: FREE

Dance Party:
Saturday, Mar 6 at 11:00 PM
Sprenger Theater
Tickets: $5

http://www.christylez.com/
http://www.itsthebeatbox.com/

Intersections Artist: The Folger Shakespeare Library

An Interview with Teri Davis Cross and Kim Roberts

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
Teri Davis Cross: I am a poet.
Kim Roberts: I am a writer, primarily of poetry, although I have also written plays and nonfiction.

JL: Why did you want to be a part of intersections?
TDC: It is such a great mix of artistry that I knew Folger Poetry could contribute something.

JL: Who are your heroes?
TDC: My mom, my grandmothers for all that they have been through and still manage to love and laugh.
KR: Walt Whitman, Marianne Moore, Gwendolyn Brooks.

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
TDC: I have no clue, perhaps a snake. I want some venom in my bite! And I want a sense of movement, ownership that would be all my own.
KR: I'd like to come back in another life as my cat. No one else has got it so good.

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
TDC: All the various performances, I think the energy will just be intoxicating and inspiring!

JL: What is your favorite quote?
KR: This is from John F. Kennedy, 35th US President: “When power leads a man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses. For art establishes the basic human truths which must serve as the touchstone of our judgment.”

~~
The Folger Shakespeare Library
When Words Collide, a poetic response to life in today's America by professional and student writers, including poets Kim Roberts and Sami Miranda.
Saturday, Feb 27 at 5:00 PM
The Loft
Tickets: $10
For audiences ages 10 and up.
www.folger.edu/poetry

Intersections Artist: Jon Carroll and The Jay Walkers

An Interview with Jon Carroll and Michael Shereikis

Jacqueline Lawton: How did you end up where you are now?
Jon Carroll: I began playing music at an early age, playing classical, boogie and gospel, and after a brief stint in college, studying Jazz, I accepted an invitation join a singing group. Linda Ronstadt recorded my song, Get Closer. Some other songs of mine have been recorded by Tom Jones and Kenny Rogers, among others. In 2006, I recorded and released my first solo work after many years called Love Returns, which won the Washington Area Music Association’s Wammie for Recording of the Year for 2006, along with Song and Songwriter and Musician of the Year. In 2007. I released a double CD live recording, Live Returns which I was proud to see become the recipient of 7 more Wammies, including Pop/Rock Recording of the Year.

JL: What type of artist are you?
Michael Shereikis: I’m a guitarist, songwriter, singer & producer, mostly of African music.

JL:Who are your heroes?
JC: In no particular order: Muhammed Ali, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Jerry Wexler, Little Richard, Martin Scorsese, Ahmet Ertegun, my wife, my mother, all my brothers and sisters.

MS: Truthfully, anyone who understands what respect means, and lives his or her life honestly and even courageously in that spirit.

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
MS: I am an animal, and if I could choose, I’d stick with my current species f’sho. Thumbs man, thumbs…

JL: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
JC: In India, where my son Ben will be for 2 more months or so. I miss him terribly. My favorite thing is playing duo shows with him. He is a sublime and beautiful talent, with a saintly soul.

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
MS: I like the openness of the thing. It’ll be fun and interesting to see what happens when artists come together over a project they wouldn’t normally undertake with one another.
JC: It promises to be a real celebration, an unleashing of creativity. My favorite album projects are the ones where a set group of players and singers are at the studio every day for a week or so. A touring company gets to explore a process that is seldom possible with one-off gigs and sessions. The circus bus pulls up, and all the clowns and acrobats come tumbling out to feel at home for a while. This is when magical things happen.

~~
Jon Carroll and the Jay Walkers

Jay Walkers at the Intersection, a concert explosion of stylistic connections among Grammy-winner Jon Carroll's signature pop and R & B, Nigerian artist Tosin Aribisala's jazz and Michael Shereikis' Afro-Funk.
Friday, Feb 26 at 7:30 PM
Sprenger Theater
Tickets: $15
For audiences of all ages.

Dance Party:
Saturday, Feb 27 at 11:00 PM
Sprenger Theater
Tickets: $5

Workshop:
Saturday, Feb 27 at 5:00 PM
Lab I
Tickets: FREE

http://www.joncarroll.org/
http://www.tosinmusik.com/

Intersections Artist: Delta Players

An Interview with Charles Clyburn

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
CC: We are a readers' theatre group of older Americans

JL: Why did you want to be a part of intersections?
CC: I wanted to be part of Intersections because the Delta Players are a part of the H Street community and as such need to be exposed to the greater community.

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
CC: The cool thing about the festival is the bringing together of over 400 artists of various disciplines.

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of...?
CC: We are intersection of older Americans, ranging in age from 60ish to 95 years young, who have come together to display their talents.

JL: Who are your heroes?
CC: My heroes are President Barack Obama, my sister, Elaine, and Samuel L. Jackson

JL: What is your favorite quote?
CC: The mission of the African Methodist Episcopal church "Loving God, loving self, and loving community."

JL: What is the best advice you have to give?
CC: Dance like no one is watching you.
~~
Northeast Senior Singers and Delta Players
A performance of songs and stories by H Street community elders, highlighted by selections from a stellar 20th century intersection-- Porgy and Bess.
Saturday, Feb 27 at 4:30 PM
Lab II
Tickets: $5
For audiences ages 8 and up.

http://www.levineschool.org/

Intersections Artist: Speakeasy DC

An Interview with Eva Salvetti

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
Eva Salvetti: A part-time one.

JL: Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
ES: Argentina. Long story, full of serendipities. Come to our SpeakeasyDC show and you will find out.

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
ES: I am a rat in the Chinese Horoscope, rats are sneaky and nasty. I take that.

JL: List five words that describe your personality.
ES: My name is Maria Eva.

JL: What is the best advice you have to give?
ES: I am terrible at giving advice. I usually go to “Carolyn Hax” for it.

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of…?
ES: Raquel and Tati (my parents).
~~
SpeakeasyDC
Wetbacks, Aliens and Towelheads: Stories from the First Generation, humorous and edgy autobiographical offerings by DC's popular company of storytellers.
Friday, Feb 26 at 9:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 27 at 7:30 PM
Sprenger Theater
Tickets: $18.50
For audiences ages 16 and up.
http://www.speakeasydc.org/

CLICK HERE to watch storyteller Vijai Nathan in"The Road Less Traveled: Stories about Being Different" - Sept 12, 2009

Wetbacks, Aliens and Towelheads: Stories from the First Generation

Intersections Artist: Sticky Mulligan

An Interview with Joe “Sticky Mulligan” Smith

Jacqueline Lawton:Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
Joe Smith: I was born in Washington D.C. I travelled the country and world, and now I'm back in the area reconnecting with artists from my past.

JL:Who are your heroes?
JS: Duke Ellington, Sweet Honey in the rock, unknown singers and unknown poets, banjo players, people who love to jam until 3:30am.

JL: What is your favorite quote?
JS: "Make it Funky!"

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
JS: It will be a wide variety of songs, expressions, and stories from people of all different backgrounds. Now is the time to intersect and dive into patience and respect.

JL: How do you feel your performance fits into the festival?
JS: I am bringing Irish lineage, and ethno-music influences together with a little bit of soul on the side.

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of?
JS: Ireland and Motown.
~~
Sticky Mulligan
Sink into the soulfulness of "the most exciting new artist on the scene" (Baltimore City Paper) . Sticky Mulligan is an Irish-American soul singer and multi-instrumentalist who just released his debut album, "Showtime," filled with soulful grooves and beautiful melodies that draw from Celtic, jazz and funk fluences. Relax in the festival café with this intriguing intersection of musical styles.
www.cdbaby.com/cd/stickymulligan
Friday, February 26
6:30 - 8:00 PM
10:30 - 11:30 PM
Lobby
FREE

CLICK HERE to Watch a video of Joe "Sticky Mulligan" Smith.

Intersections Artists: Rachel Grossman and Mitch Mattson

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
Mitch Mattson: Teaching Artist.
Rachel Grossman: DC-based creative and performing artist focused on theatre.

JL: Where were you born?
MM: We were both born in the Midwest (Mitch from Minnesota; Rachel from Michigan) and we both came East to be free.

JL: Why did you want to be a part of intersections?
RG: We believed the festival to be the perfect platform for a larger conversation about the relationships Teaching Artists, particularly white ones, have with the youth they interact with in area schools.

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
MM: A Narwal, because they are the unicorns of the sea.
RG: I can't compete with that.

JL: List five words that describe your personality.
MM: A Cancer (but what I really mean is indecisive), educator, people-pleaser, smiley, naïve.
RG: Bossy-pants, overly-sensitive, self-deprecating, thinker, lover (but what I really mean is naive).

JL: What is your favorite quote?
RG: "All power to the imagination." "Art saves lives." "Never be haughty to the humble or be humble to the haughty." "Army had half-day.” "Yes, and..." (We wish we used that last one more).

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
MM: Us. ... Really, though... all of it. We're both passionate about theatre and civic dialogue, and are on the look-out for more conversations about race and culture.
~~
Rachel Grossman with Mitch Mattson
All our Neighbors, a hands-on experience for artists who work in schools focusing on classroom cultural awareness.
Sunday, Feb 21 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Lab I
Registration: $10

http://www.intersectionsdc.org/

Intersections Artist: Capital City Symphony

An Interview with Victoria Gau

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
Victoria Gau: Classical Musician - Orchestra Conductor

JL: Who are your heroes?
VG: Marin Alsop, for bursting through the Women Conductors' glass ceiling, and Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama for bringing the idea of a strong woman more into the mainstream!

JL: What is your favorite quote?
VG: Eleanor Roosevelt: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

JL: What is the best advice you have to give?
VG: Make your own opportunities - don't wait for them to come to you.

JL: Why did you want to be a part of intersections?
VG: I love things that go out of the box and expand our perceptions of what we do.

JL: How do you feel your performance fits into the festival?
VG: I hope to show that classical music is made up of more than just dead white guys.
~~
Capital City Symphony and the Young Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Classical Connections, a concert highlighting connections among diverse classical composers – including Pulitzer Prize winning, Washington native George Walker.
Sunday, Feb 21 at 4:30 PM
Sprenger Theater
Ticket: $5 suggested donation
For audiences ages 5 and up.

http://www.capitalcitysymphony.org/
http://www.dcyop.org/

Intersections Artist: Politics and Prose

An Interview with Steven Roberts

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
Steven Roberts: I am a storyteller; I write books that use stories to help people understand their own lives and families.

JL: List five words that describe your personality.
SR: Adjectives are boastful so I’ll give you nouns: father, grandfather, husband, teacher, and friend

JL: What is the best advice you have to give?
SR: Believe in yourself, and stay in touch.

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
SR: Being part of a new idea that I hope will eventually become a tradition.

JL: How do you feel your performance fits into the festival?
SR: Every artist tries to explain what life is all about. Some do it with their voice or their hands or their feet; others with a horn or a lute or a brush. I use words to paint and play and sing.

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of...?
SR: generations. My grandparents were born in Europe, my children and grandchildren are fully American. I stand between them, trying to understand the past and the future, the journeys my family has made, and the journeys that lie ahead.
~~
Politics and Prose Bookstore
Steven Roberts: From Every End of This Earth, a reading and book signing by the New York Times best-selling author capturing the stories of thirteen immigrant families and their lives in the new America.
Saturday, Feb 20 at 5pm
Lang Theater
Tickets: $5
For audiences ages 14 and up

www.politics-prose.com

Intersections Artist: Ekene Okobi

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
Ekene Okobi: I am a multi-media story-teller.

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
EO: I'd either be an owl, because I'd get to stay up all night and fly, or a dragon, because I could fly and breathe fire.

JL: List five words that describe your personality.
EO: enthusiastic, impatient, stubborn, inquisitive, sensitive

JL: What is your personal theme song?
EO: It changes every day, today is "Frank Mills" from the musical Hair, but it usually alternates between Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and "That's Life"

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
EO: Access to so many amazing artists under one roof. Oh, and the dance parties!

JL: How do you feel your performance fits into the festival?
EO: It is about my immigration assimilation experience as a woman in limbo, haunted by the drums of my ancestors, but not always being able to understand what they're saying.
~~
Ekene Okobi
The Sound of the Drums, a documentary exploration of identity through drumming by a first generation Nigerian-American filmmaker.
Sunday, Feb 21 at 5:00 PM
Lang Theater
Tickets: $5
For audiences ages 12 and up.

www.ekeneokobi.com