Friday, February 5, 2010

Haitian-American, Kathleen Gonzales, dedicates her festival performances to Earthquake Relief

A Letter
On January 12th, 2010 a 7.1 magnitude earthquake ripped the lives of millions of Haitians apart, killing approximately 200,000 people and injuring thousands more. You've heard Anderson Cooper talk about the "stupid death" he saw all around him in the days following this horrific event. People who survived the earthquake were dying of infection and lack of medical care all around. People who had no injuries were on the way to death with no food or water.

My initial reaction to this event, as a Haitian person with strong ties to my native country, was to find out if my family was ok. We heard from some right away, thanks to the internet. Others, we waited days to find out their status. Miraculously, no one in my family was injured, although what they have witnessed has changed them forever.

I felt so helpless. I wanted to do something for my people. I dropped everything to be able to help with the relief efforts. I knew I had no medical skills to contribute, so I busied myself with what I could do here in the US to impact my country -- volunteering for the earthquake kit drive at the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti, translating SOS text messages from Haiti so that relief workers who only spoke English could understand and respond to them, and finding flights for doctors, medical supplies and food, etc. January went by in a strange "too fast, yet not fast enough" way. Before I realized it, the end of January had arrived and February began, and I received an email reminding me about a meeting that was scheduled for the preparation of my one woman play THE BRIDGE OF BODIES, scheduled to be performed starting February 19th in Washington, DC!!!!! For a split second the words "I can't" popped into my mind. Those words were quickly replaced with "I MUST". I must perform my play which is about the journey a young woman takes to rediscover herself, her culture and her country of origin- HAITI.

So it is officially on -- again! I have re-focused my relief efforts towards performing my play in order to raise money for the people of Haiti. As an artist, it is my responsibility, my obligation and I gladly and humbly demand it! Please come and see Haiti through the eyes of Marie-Therese, a Haitian-American woman, who returns to her native country after leaving at the age of six, to uncover the mystery of why she left.

I thank you all for your support. I ask that you continue to support the relief efforts by coming to see this play. Proceeds will go towards Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

In Service,
Kathleen Gonzales


THE BRIDGE OF BODIES
A Haitian-American Tale of Self and Cultural Discovery

February 19-21 and 26-28 @ Intersections - A New America Arts Festival
Atlas Performing Arts Center
Washington, DC


For Tickets click HERE
www.KathleenGonzales.com

Intersections Staff: Jennifer L. Nelson

An Interview
Jacqueline Lawton: What is your job for the INTERSECTIONS Festival?
Jennifer L. Nelson: I served as a consultant in the planning phase and as one of the proposal review team that selected participants.

JL: Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
JN: I was born in Cleveland. Came to Washington from California in the 70's to work with the Living Stage Theatre, Arena's former community outreach program. Didn't intend to stay more than 2 years....

JL: Who are your heroes?
JN: My heroes include Paul Robeson, Langston Hughes, Elizabeth Keckly, Robert Alexander (Living Stage), my parents, my sister, Abe Lincoln, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger....artists who care as much or more about others than themselves.

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
JN: Maybe an elephant or a humpback whale: big, smart, compassionate.

JL: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
JN: Somewhere warm near the ocean.

JL: What is your favorite quote?
JN: “What a wonderful privilege, to be allowed to breathe. To see. To feel. To smell. To love. It’s baffling, the sweetness of what we’re allowed.” Jack Gilbert

JL: Why did you want to be a part of INTERSECTIONS?
JN: I'm a believer in the arts being an active part of community life for people of all ages and backgrounds. I love that the Atlas has that as part of its mission.

JL: Finish this sentence:
JN: I am an intersection of history.

Intersections Staff: Kara Barnes

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What is your job for the INTERSECTIONS Festival?
KB: I am the Director of Development for the Atlas Performing Arts Center, so I help build financial support for the Atlas and its INTERSECTIONS Festival.

JL: Who are your heroes?
KB: My Dad (I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true!), the Vietnamese Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh, and the late Samuel Mockbee, the architect/teacher who created the Rural Studio in Hale County Alabama …there are many more, but I’ll stick with the first three that came to mind!

JL: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
KB: I’d be in Rome at a trattoria in the Trastevere neighborhood.

JL: What is your favorite quote?
KB: Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? – from the poem The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

JL: Why did you want to be a part of INTERSECTIONS?
KB: I love that INTERSECTIONS puts forward in a significant way the extraordinary and diverse artistic talent in the DC area. These are the performers I want to see and celebrate.

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
KB: Seeing crowds of people of diverse races, ages and cultures enjoying the numerous Café Concerts in the Atlas’ Kogod Lobby…the innovative programming occurring on the Atlas’ stages…audience members being inspired by some of DC’s finest emerging artists

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of ...
KB: small town America girl and global citizen or apple pie and baklava.

Intersections Staff: Paul Douglas Michnewicz

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What is your job for the INTERSECTIONS Festival?
Paul Douglas Michnewicz: I am the Festival Manager. I handle all the contracts and technical needs of the participants and help schedule the productions.

JL: Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
PDM: Wichata Falls, TX. I grew up in Chicago, IL and spent time in Connecticut as well.

JL: Who are your heroes?
PDM: Xena

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
PDM: A duck. They fly and swim and float and have a good sense of humor.

JL: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
PDM: In the woods.

JL: List five words that describe your personality.
PDM: Relaxed. Funny. Big. Kind. Clear.

JL: Why did you want to be a part of INTERSECTIONS?
PDM: To work with very cool people.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Intersections Staff: Scott Kenison

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What is your job for the INTERSECTIONS Festival?
Scott Kenison: I manage all the spaces at the Atlas and work to keep them filled with music, dance, theatre and anything else the arts community can think of and at the same time, make sure that we meet our operating costs with rental income.

JL: Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
SK: New Jersey. After living for 20 years in New York, I moved to DC when my partner was appointed Head of School at Edmund Burke School.

JL: Who are your heroes?
SK: George Clooney – because he does the right things and with a great deal of humility and flair (and being George Clooney doesn’t hurt)

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
SK: A dog – it’s a dog’s life – lazing and being loved.

JL: List five words that describe your personality.
SK: Shy, Irreverent, Funny, Helpful, Caring

JL: What is your favorite quote?
SK: “But maddest of all - to see life as it is and not as it should be.” – Cervantes in Man of LaMancha

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of ...
SK: business and the Arts.

Intersections Staff: Jen de Mayo

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton:
What is your job for the INTERSECTIONS Festival?
JM: I am the Communications Director for the Atlas Performing Arts Center, which means for Intersections I am intersecting with the festival staff to ensure the festival in well-publicized, understood and attended.

JL: Why did you want to be a part of INTERSECTIONS?
JM: I am thrilled for any opportunity to help showcase the Atlas and its mission. I am so excited for the festival because I believe it is Atlas' moment to shine!

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
JM: The number of performances, the variety, the spotlight that will shine on the Atlas and H Street NE I can't wait to see ALL of the performances!

JL: List five words that describe your personality.
JM: Enthusiastic, humorous, idealistic, loving, and also wee bit sarcastic

JL: What is the best advice you have to give?
JM: Always remember you are a beautiful, unique individual who is just one of 6 plus billion beautiful individuals sharing this planet....

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
JM: A house cat of course. They are clearly the superior species.

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of ...
JM: the dowdy, boring Mommy and H Street hipster; of the insular, old-school NYC Italian with the contemporary and worldly DC.

Intersections Staff: Doug Yeuell

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What is your job for the INTERSECTIONS Festival?
Doug Yeuell: I was a part of the adjudication panel, responsible for selecting artists for inclusion.

JL: Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
DY: Tuscaloosa, Alabama – I moved to DC after college.

JL: What is the best advice you have to give?
DY: Always take the road least travelled, it makes for a much better story in the end.

JL: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
DY: On a beach in the Caribbean.

JL: What is your personal theme song?
DY: All That Jazz

JL: Why did you want to be a part of INTERSECTIONS?
DY: To be a part of something thing new.

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
DY: All the many different talents that will be connected through the festival

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of...
DY: I am an intersection of the creative and purposeful self.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Intersections Staff: Mary Hall Surface

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What is your job for the INTERSECTIONS Festival?
Mary Hall Surface: My job is to create an event that will bring artists and audiences of all races, ages and cultures together to see where we meet, collide, cross, collaborate, intersect -- and discover the energy that is fueling the changing of America.

JL: Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
MHS: Bowling Green, Kentucky. My father is a third generation Washingtonian. I spent every August here as a child. I began touring here in the early 80s with my theatre from California to the Kennedy Center. Then I was asked to write/direct for the Kennedy Center, so we moved here as our "base" and have stayed.

JL: Who are your heroes?
MHS: All those who live their lives with integrity and purpose.

JL: What is your personal theme song?
MHS: Imagine (if I'm feeling deep) or more often anything off of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra's first album (look it up!)

JL: What is your favorite quote?
MHS: "Be honest. The results will be sensational." Virginia Woolfe

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
MHS: All the coming together of people, art forms, genres, traditions, ages and perspectives.

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of ...
MHS: hopes, visions, art and a lunatic work ethic.

Intersections Staff: Jane Lang

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What is your job for the INTERSECTIONS Festival?
Jane Lang: I originated the concept of the INTERSECTIONS festival, and then turned it over to Mary Hall Surface and the program committee to fill in the interstices. They’ve given it life!

JL: Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
J. Lang: I was born in New York City, in the boroughs of Queens at Kew Gardens Hospital. I came to DC after graduating from University of Pennsylvania Law School, because I got a good job with a law firm here. I was excited about living in DC after having spent a summer here.

JL: Who are your heroes?
J. Lang: My mother. My husband. All non-violent protestors.

JL: List five words that describe your personality.
J. Lang: Basically hopeful, caring, anxious, grateful, awed.

JL: What is your favorite quote?
J. Lang: "Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss

JL: What is the best advice you have to give?
J. Lang: Giving up is not an option.

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
J.Lang: The collaborations and intersections of artists.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Intersections Artist: William Adair and Chapuchi Bobbo Ahiagble

Artisans at the Intersection
Interact with two artisans, William Adair and Chapuchi Bobbo Ahiagble, in projects inspired by the Atlas’ Art Deco style – an internationally renowned gilder-conservator and a master weaver from Ghana.

Interactive Demonstrations
Saturday, February 27 from 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, February 28 from 1:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Kogod Lobby & Cafritz Promenade

Workshop: Try Your Hand at Gilding
Saturday, Feb 27 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Lab 1
Free
For all ages

For more info, CLICK HERE
www.goldleafstudios.com

Intersections Artist: Music Meets Film

Three musicians of extraordinary skill and international renown join forces to salute the romance and beauty of Carmen in an exquisite prelude to Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura’s stunning resetting Bizet’s opera.

Soprano Anastasia L. Robinson; Versatile tenor Peter Joshua Burroughs; and Venezuelan-born pianist Carlos César Rodríguez, will present a program of selections from Carmen and Zarzuela as well as the Carmen Fantasie. Saura’s Carmen (1983) spins a story with passionate dance as a Flamenco company reinterprets the opera as the choreographer (Antonio Gades) and his alluring leading lady (Laura del Sol) fall in love. Enjoy a night at the opera like never before!

Music Meets Film: CARMEN at the Intersection

Inspired serenade by soprano Anastasia Robinson, tenor Peter Joshua Burroughs and virtuoso pianist Carlos César Rodriguez paired with a screening of Carlos Sauro's film that resets the world's most famous opera in the passionate world of flamenco dance.
Sunday, Feb 28 at 5:00 PM
Lang Theatre
Tickets: $15
For ages 12+

Intersections Artist: Og Ceol with Oran Sandel and Tom Teasley

An Interview with Jamie Sandal, Malinda Malineka Reese of Og Ceol and Oran Sandal

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?

Jamie Sandal
I'm an unformed artist - one who is constantly looking for "his art". I create visual pieces, act and play music in order to improve myself and communicate with those who share my passions.

Malinda Malineka Reese:
Irish flute player, singer, actress, dancer/choreographer, film maker. I like doing lots of things.

Oran Sandal:
I am primarily a theater artist, which is why playing Irish music with young people is such a special new focus for me.

JL:Who are your heroes?
JS: Those who create incredible pieces of art or processes of creativity that speak to people's emotions, and at the same time serve to educate them or motivate them. Musical theater visionaries like Jonathan Larson and Lin-Manuel Miranda accomplish this, as well as people like my parents.
OS: Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Martha Graham, Rebecca Rice, Roberta Alexander, Leonard Bernstein, Viola Spolin, Keith Johnstone, to name a few.
MMR: Matt Malloy, Eva Cassidy, Karan Casey, Sam Tsui (The Duke's Men of Yale), Sutton Foster, my parents and lots of other awesome artists.

JL: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
JS: I'd love to be anywhere on the cliffs in Ireland. It's a country that can always inspire you, no matter what.
MMR: I would either be in New York because I love the action in the city, or I would be taking a break in Dingle or Doolan, Ireland, jamming with the musicians there. And watching out for the "hilly sheep" on the cliff sides "that look like they're going to drop right on to your car."
OS: Brazil, state of Bahia, city of Salvador.

JL: What is your favorite quote?
OS: To be nobody-but-yourself, in a world which is doing its best, night and day,to make you everyone else, means to fight the hardest battle any human being can fight and never stop fighting.
-EECummings
JS: "Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing." - Oliver Wendell Holmes.
MMR: "We're theater people. We understand everything.....except math....2+2......stage left?


JL: How do you feel your performance fits into the festival?
MMR: Jamie, Oran and I will be playing with Tom Teasley, who apparently plays the Irish drum, the bodhran, but he uses a middle eastern fingering technique. We also play some non-Irish stuff as well.
JS: I'm an amateur musician, but I carry a different perspective of an old tradition. I feel like the music I play still holds great weight in a contemporary setting, and I think that it can help other performers look at their own art in a different way.

~~
Og Ceol with Oran Sandel and Tom Teasley
Two Café Concerts featuring a duo of young traditional Irish Musicians intersecting with guitarist Oran Sandel on eclectic acoustic sets. Look for world percussionist Tom Teasley to sit in, too.
Saturday, Feb 27 at 4:00 PM & at 6:00 PM
Kogod Lobby
Free
For all ages