Mason Artists-in-Residence

Field Trip: Versa-Style Street Dance Company

Get tickets for Silkroad Ensemble Percussion All-Stars

Get tickets for Versa-Style Street Dance Company

Learn more about the Mason Artist-in-Residence program

George Mason University’s Center for the Arts announces the full schedule of residency activities, including Great Performances at Mason appearances, for Mason Artists-in-Residence Silkroad Ensemble and Versa-Style Street Dance Company. Both groups will be in the D.C. area for several days, offering a variety of programming for George Mason students and the local community, leading up to their mainstage performances at the Center for the Arts on January 25 (Silkroad Ensemble) and February 15 (Versa-Style Street Dance Company).

“We are thrilled to welcome Silkroad Ensemble and Versa-Style Street Dance Company to the George Mason community. Their vibrant and diverse artistry will undoubtedly create new meaningful connections across our region, offering experiences that span musical traditions from around the world and the dynamic world of street dance. These residencies embody the arts’ transformative power to unite people and celebrate our shared humanity,” said Victor Adebusola, programming and engagement manager at the Center for the Arts.

Founded by Yo-Yo Ma and now led by Pulitzer Prize- and GRAMMY Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad Ensemble returns for a third year as a Mason Artist-in-Residence. Silkroad operates as both a touring ensemble made up of world-class musicians from all over the globe, and as a nonprofit organization working to make a positive impact across borders through the arts. They accomplish this work through the collaborative creation of new music; social impact initiatives in the places where they perform; and educational partnerships in public schools, universities, prisons, and indigenous and refugee communities.

Silkroad’s January 25 program, titled Percussion All-Stars, is a showcase of percussion and musical storytelling through the exchange of rhythm, pulse, and melody from musical traditions across India, Mali, Japan, Italy, and beyond. The program features original compositions by the virtuoso musicians of the Silkroad Ensemble, including the world premiere of GRAMMY Award-winning bassist Edward Pérez’s And The Walls Became The World All Around, inspired by the children’s picture book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

Founded in 2005, Versa-Style Street Dance Company was created to promote, empower, and celebrate the artistry of Hip Hop and street dance culture. Named “Los Angeles’ Best Dance Troupe for Hip Hop Empowerment” by LA Weekly, the Company is known for its electrifying performances and inspiring engagement activities for schools and local communities. Versa-Style Street Dance Company seeks to empower underserved and marginalized groups worldwide through the movement and culture of Hip Hop dance.

On the February 15 performance, Versa-Style Street Dance Company marks its 20th anniversary with Rooted Rhythms, a mixed repertory of its most popular works. The program pays homage to street dance styles such as whacking, popping, and house dance, as well as a blend of Afro-Latin styles including salsa and West African. The group’s unique blend of choreography and freestyle elements—representing the diverse experiences of the BIPOC communities of Los Angeles—provides an “uplifting and joyous” experience, according to Maryland Theatre Guide.

As Mason Artists-in-Residence, Silkroad Ensemble and Versa-Style Street Dance Company will engage George Mason University students and members of the local community through a range of classes, talks, and interactive workshops in the days ahead of their performances at the Center for the Arts. Details about these residency events are listed in the schedule below.

Launched during the 2019–20 season through George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Mason Artist-in-Residence program connects artists appearing at the Center for the Arts and its sister-venue the Hylton Performing Arts Center with on- and off-campus communities. Artists engaged at the Center for the Arts include Maria Schneider, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Indigenous Enterprise, Sphinx Virtuosi, Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Third Coast Percussion, Camille A. Brown and Dancers, Small Island Big Song, and Ballet Hispánico.

Open-to-the-Public Residency Events:

Silkroad Ensemble Lecture/Demonstration and Moderated Q&A

Thursday, January 23 at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

This special event, co-hosted by the Center for the Arts and the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, features a musical demonstration by Silkroad Ensemble musicians, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dewberry School of Music Professor June Huang. Topics include cultural understanding along the Silk Road, cross-cultural collaboration, and music as a tool for social impact. The event concludes with a Q&A.

This event is part of the Art x Peace series, co-sponsored with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Versa-Style Street Dance Company Lecture/Demonstration

Tuesday, February 11 at 7 p.m.
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

In this lecture demonstration, Mason Artist-in-Residence Versa-Style Street Dance Company introduces the audience to the electrifying world of Hip Hop and street dance culture. The session integrates both movement and discussion to explore the intersectionality between the arts, culture, and education using the lens of street dance. The dialogue will be moderated by Mazi Mutafa, founding Executive Director of Words Beats & Life, a hip-hop non-profit established in Washington D.C in 2002.

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and Center for the Arts at George Mason University.

Versa-Style Street Dance Company Lecture/Demonstration and Moderated Q&A with Global Representations of Women

Wednesday, February 12 at 12 p.m.
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

Versa-Style Street Dance Company members participate in a class discussion with students in WMST 100: Global Representations of Women and in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Beginning with a demonstration from the Company, the event continues with a moderated discussion led by Professor Holly Mason Badra, Associate Director of the Women and Gender Studies Program. The conversation will cover themes such as marginalization, the intersectionality of identity, body, sexuality, self-expression, art as resistance, visibility/invisibility, erasure, power, and community.

This event is part of the Art x Peace series, co-sponsored with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Rooting the Dance Series: Versa-Style Street Dance Company Workshop

Wednesday, February 12 at 7 p.m.
Dance Place, The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Theater (3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017)
FREE, registration required

This series brings together a diverse and multi-talented group of women artists who embody Hip Hop in the DMV. Pulling from their cultural roots and stories of transformation within Hip Hop culture, these artists will share Hip Hop dance as a form of community connection, soul connection, and joy. Jackie “Miss Funk” Lopez will lead a street dance fundamentals workshop. Participants are encouraged to stay for an open freestyle session with Versa-style Street Dance Company immediately after class. Open to all levels and experiences.

Friday, February 14 at 11 a.m.
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

Versa-Style Street Dance Company’s schooltime matinee, ORIGINS of Hip Hop, consists of high-energy, unadulterated street dance movement that will explore and push the boundaries of the origins and roots of street vernacular dances such as locking, popping, Hip Hop, and whacking. The matinee includes lecture/demonstrations throughout the show that explore the historical context of street dance forms and sections with audience participation where students are encouraged to get up out of their seats and dance with the company.

The registration deadline is Friday, February 7.

West Coast Street Dance Fundamentals and Q&A with Versa-Style Street Dance Company

Friday, February 14 at 7 p.m.
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

In this collaborative workshop with Lion’s Den DMV, a Filipina-founded organization dedicated to inclusion and positive wellness through dance/movement/fitness programming, Mason Artist-in-Residence Versa-Style Street Dance Company teaches fundamentals of street dance forms originating in California, including Locking, Popping, Whacking, and Krump. The workshop will explore the foundation of each respective style, including understanding the rhythm and timing of movements in relation to each style of music, the foundational grooves and vocabulary, and combining these fundamentals to develop a foundation for choreography and/or freestyle. The cultural and historical context for which each style was developed will be discussed to give students a deeper understanding of these street dance forms. The Q&A will be moderated by Lion's Den DMV founder Lauren DeVera.

Residency Activities for George Mason and Local Communities:

The events listed below are not open to the general public.

Wednesday, January 22 at 8:10 a.m.

Silkroad artists lead a composition workshop with students in the Music and Computer Technology I class at Fairfax Academy.

Wednesday, January 22 at 2 p.m.

Silkroad artists lead a masterclass with students in George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music Percussion Studio, which is led by faculty members and co-coordinators Professor John Spirtas and Professor Jonathan Bisesi.

Thursday, February 13 at 11:15 a.m.

Versa-Style Street Dance Company gives a performance and workshop to students at Hunters Woods Elementary School in Reston, VA.

Thursday, February 13 at 8 p.m.

Versa-Style Street Dance Company leads a workshop for Urbanknowlogy 101 students. Participants will learn the fundamentals of street dance forms, including Hip Hop, Popping, House, Whacking, and Krump. To give students a deeper understanding of these street dance forms, company members will discuss the cultural and historical context for which each style was developed.

Center for the Arts Performance Information:

Mason Artist-in-Residence

Silkroad Ensemble

Saturday, January 25 at 8 p.m.
$55, $47, $33; half-price for youth through Grade 12

A pre-performance discussion with Silkroad artists Kaoru Watanabe and Sandeep Das will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.

Mason Artist-in-Residence

Versa-Style Street Dance Company

Saturday, February 15 at 8 p.m.
$50, $43, $29; half-price for youth through Grade 12

A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.

Tickets for Center for the Arts performances are on sale to the general public and available for purchase in person at the Center for the Arts Ticket Office (open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to ticketed events in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall), by calling 703-993-2787, or through the Center for the Arts website (cfa.gmu.edu).

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

The Silkroad Ensemble residency is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

About Silkroad
Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998, recognizing the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration—for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a musical language founded in difference, thus creating the foundation of Silkroad: both a touring ensemble comprised of world-class musicians from all over the globe and a Boston-based non-profit organization working to make a positive impact across borders through the arts.

Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens and Executive Director Ben Hartley, Silkroad leads social impact initiatives and educational programming alongside the creation of new music by the GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble. www.silkroad.org.

About Versa-Style Street Dance Company
Founded in 2005 by Los Angeles natives and co-artistic directors Jackie Lopez aka Miss Funk and Leigh Foaad aka Breeze-lee, Versa-Style Street Dance Company was created to promote, empower and celebrate the artistry of Hip Hop and street dance culture. Named “Los Angeles’ Best Dance Troupe for Hip Hop Empowerment” by LA Weekly, Versa-Style is recognized for its electrifying performances and inspiring engagement activities for schools and local communities. Consisting of committed, highly skilled street dance artists and educators representative of the diversity and beautiful complexity of Los Angeles, Versa-Style Street Dance Company harnesses the exhilarating energy of street dance onto the concert stage for an unforgettable evening of dance. www.versastyledance.org.

About the Center for the Arts
A Mason Arts venue, the Center for the Arts is the centerpiece of performing arts on George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. Each year, the Center welcomes hundreds of thousands of community members into its nearly 2,000-seat Concert Hall. The Center presents an annual season of national and international professional artists through its Great Performances at Mason and Family Series—offering the best of classical music, opera, jazz, global music, dance, theater, and more. Managed by George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Center hosts many student and faculty performances presented by the Schools of Music, Theater, and Dance and supports the events of the School of Art, Film and Video Studies, Computer Game Design, and Arts Management programs. The Center brings distinguished visiting artists as Mason Artists-in-Residence for extended engagements designed to engage and inspire diverse audiences both on and off campus. The Center for the Arts serves as a performance home for many community arts organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. area. cfa.gmu.edu.

About George Mason University
George Mason University, Virginia’s largest public research university, is located near Washington, D.C., and enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. George Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship.www.gmu.edu.

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Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

The Uniting Power of Versa-Style Street Dance Company

Laura Mertens — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:22:40 +0000

The Uniting Power of Versa-Style Street Dance Company Laura Mertens Thu, 01/16/2025 - 15:22

Get tickets for Versa-Style Street Dance Company

Learn more about the Mason Artist-in-Residence program

When Jackie Lopez (aka Miss Funk) and Leigh Foaad (aka Breeze-lee) met at UCLA in 2005, they didn’t know they were about to embark on two decades and counting of artistic collaboration. But that’s just what they’ve done. As the co-Artistic Directors of Versa-Style Street Dance Company—performing February 15 at the Center for the Arts—their Los Angeles-based troupe is committed to promoting, empowering, and celebrating the artistry of Hip Hop and street dance culture. Its power is so compelling, they content, that it transcends age, race, and other differences.

“The thing that brings us together is this music and this heartbeat that makes us just nod our head all at the same time, and we're all one for an instant second,” Lopez said in an interview with LAist.

To mark Versa-Style’s 20th anniversary, the troupe will perform Rooted Rhythms here at the Center for the Arts. It’s a mixed repertory program of their most popular works, paying homage to street dance styles such as whacking, popping, and house dance, as well as a blend of Afro-Latin styles including salsa and West African.

“Dance evolves because music changes all the time,” Foaad said in an interview with LA Splash. “From the roots of African and Latin music, it’s always mixing and changing. When we create a new sound, we also create a new movement.”

Versa-Style is one of this season’s Mason Artists-in-Residence, and will spend a week of meaningful engagement with George Mason University students, as well as community members. The planned events include a class at Dance Place, which will be open to the public; a speaking engagement co-hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict and the Women and Gender Studies program; and a lecture/demonstration co-presented by the City of Fairfax at the Sherwood Community Center on February 11.

We invite you to join in and come experience the energy and inspiration of Versa-Style Street Dance Company!

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Field Trip: Ballet Hispánico

Dance

Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico Returns to Center for the Arts, Leads Hispanic Heritage Month Events

Laura Mertens — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 19:35:55 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico Returns to Center for the Arts, Leads Hispanic Heritage Month Events Laura Mertens Fri, 09/27/2024 - 15:35

George Mason University’s Center for the Arts presents a full residency, culminating in a Great Performances at Mason program, featuring Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico this October. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the company will visit Northern Virginia for four days to offer a range of educational and interactive dance programs, leading up to its mainstage performance at the Center for the Arts on October 5.

“We’re excited to have Ballet Hispánico back in our community to help us celebrate Latino culture through dance and cultural enrichment activities. We will certainly feel the presence of this dynamic and fun group across campus, and I’m delighted to have them engage with so many different community stakeholders,” said Victor Adebusola, programming and engagement manager at the Center for the Arts at George Mason.

Recognized as one of America’s cultural treasures, Ballet Hispánico celebrates the ever-growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas through vibrant contemporary dance. The company was founded in New York City by dance luminary Tina Ramirez in 1970, on the principle that everyone deserves dance, quality dance training, and innovative performances. Since becoming its artistic director and CEO in 2009, Eduardo Vilaro has further built Ballet Hispánico to uplift the intersection of Hispanic cultures, pioneeringly breaking down boundaries and stereotypes.

The October 5 program at the Center for the Arts features: Sombrerísimo by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, inspired by the surrealist world of Belgian painter René Magritte; Buscando a Juan by Eduardo Vilaro, inspired by the life of Juan de Pareja, the Afro-Hispanic painter who was enslaved in Spanish painter Diego Velázquez’s studio for over two decades before becoming an artist in his own right; and Club Havana by Pedro Ruiz, which transports audiences through classic Cuban culture with the intoxicating rhythms of conga, rumba, mambo, and cha-cha-chá.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Ballet Hispánico will engage George Mason students and the local community through a variety of classes, talks, and interactive workshops in the days ahead of the company’s performance. Details about these events are listed in the schedule below.

Launched during the 2019–20 season through George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Mason Artist-in-Residence Program connects artists appearing at the Center for the Arts and its sister-venue the Hylton Performing Arts Center with on- and off-campus communities.

Open-to-the-Public Residency Events:

Friday, October 4, at 11 a.m.
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

In conjunction with the Great Performances at Mason series, the Center makes it easy for your class or group to attend field trips, which are all offered in person. From their seats, students will be introduced to dance, theater, and music from around the world.

Artists in Conversation: Latin Social Dance Workshop with Ballet Hispánico

Friday, October 4, at 7 p.m.
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

This Hispanic Heritage Month event celebrates the ever growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas, featuring an interactive social dance workshop led by the “smashingly theatrical” dance company (Chicago Sun-Times) Ballet Hispánico. Move to the rhythms of salsa, merengue, cha chá, and more!

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University

Residency Activities for George Mason and Local Communities:

The events listed below are not open to the general public.

Tuesday, October 1, at 9 a.m.

Ballet Hispánico and Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro will virtually visit the class “Survey of Latin American History,” taught by Associate Professor Joan Bristol from George Mason’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Vilaro will present to the students on topics that include the history of Ballet Hispánico and how the need for visibility for a community spurned rich innovation based on the intersection of Latin diasporas; colonization, the cross-Atlantic slave trade, and the legacy of movement throughout our history; and the history of Latin dance in modern dance and culture in the United States. There will also be a Q&A for the students.

Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a masterclass on modern repertoire to students in George Mason’s School of Dance.

Wednesday, October 2 at 1 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a masterclass on modern repertoire to local high school students in the Fairfax Academy.

Thursday, October 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro will join the virtual class “Introduction to Arts Management,” taught by Professor Sam Sinagra from George Mason’s Arts Management Program. Vilaro will present the history of Ballet Hispánico and how the company centers its mission when creating programs and initiatives. There will also be a Q&A for the students.

Thursday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will lead a Latin Social Dance Workshop and Community Party, hosted by the Latin Student Association and Mason Dining at Southside Dining Hall. This event is open to George Mason students, faculty, and staff.

Friday, October 4 at 1 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a dance workshop to a limited number of participants from the school time matinee.

Center for the Arts Public Performance Information:

Mason Artist-in-Residence
Ballet Hispánico
Saturday, October 5 at 8 p.m.
$55, $47, $33; half-price for youth through Grade 12

A pre-performance discussion with Ballet Hispánico’s Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro, moderated by George Mason School of Dance Professor Lawrence Jackson, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

About Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico was born from a bold vision to transform the world through the power of dance and reimagine how Latinx culture is celebrated on the global stage. Since its founding in 1970 by the trailblazing Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico has been breaking barriers and reshaping expectations, using dance as a dynamic force for cultural expression, empowerment, and meaningful change.

Today, Ballet Hispánico proudly stands as the largest Latino cultural organization in the United States and an acclaimed "America’s Cultural Treasure." Through our three core pillars—the professional Company, School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnerships—we lead with purpose, uplifting the vibrant, diverse voices of the Hispanic diaspora. Our Company brings the work of visionary Latinx choreographers to life, delivering groundbreaking performances that ignite cultural dialogue and challenge artistic boundaries.

Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro, who began his journey with Ballet Hispánico as a dancer in 1985, the company continues to chart new paths forward. Building on Tina Ramirez’s legacy, Vilaro has expanded the company’s impact, amplifying the intersectional stories of Latinx identities. Programs like Instituto Coreográfico, the Latinx Leaders Summit, and Diálogos foster innovation and leadership, nurturing the next generation of Hispanic artists and cultural leaders.

A true trailblazer in the world of dance, Ballet Hispánico has performed for more than 2.5 million people across three continents. As we look to the future, our unwavering commitment is to empower communities, inspire through the beauty of dance, and continue elevating Latinx voices on the world stage.www.ballethispanico.org.

About Eduardo Vilaro
Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico since 2009, has revitalized the company with his vision of dance as a reflection of America’s diverse cultural tapestry. Born in Cuba and raised in New York, Vilaro’s choreography explores the Latin American experience and its intersections with other cultures. He previously founded Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, promoting Latinx artistry. Vilaro’s work has earned him numerous awards, including an honorary Doctorate from Adelphi University, recognizing his leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.

For more information, please visit:
George Mason University’s Center for the Arts

In This Story

Get tickets for the October 5 Ballet Hispánico performance

Learn more about the Mason Artist-in-Residence program

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College of Visual and Performing Arts

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

Campus News

Episodes of "My Music with Rhiannon Giddens," Filmed at the Center for the Arts, Air on PBS

Laura Mertens — Fri, 03 May 2024 13:45:42 +0000

Episodes of "My Music with Rhiannon Giddens," Filmed at the Center for the Arts, Air on PBS Laura Mertens Fri, 05/03/2024 - 09:45

Learn about Silkroad Ensemble's Percussion All-Stars program in the 2024–25 season.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens returns to PBS this May with six new episodes, two of which were filmed at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in November 2023, in conjunction with Silkroad's American Railroad performance. The world premiere of this program was presented at Mason as part of the Silkroad Ensemble’s three-year residency with us.

This second season of the show focuses on the MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient, Pulitzer Prize and GRAMMY Award winner Rhiannon Giddens’s work with the groundbreaking, GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble on American Railroad, her flagship program as Silkroad’s artistic director, which had its world premiere at the Center for the Arts on November 5, 2023. One of the most important technological and economic achievements of the 19th century, the transcontinental railroad helped shape our cultural identity. However, the diverse immigrant groups and formerly enslaved people whose labor built the railroad have not been duly recognized. The American Railroad project, and therefore this season of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens, aim to highlight those communities.

In each episode of Season 2, Giddens hosts a half-hour performance and conversation with an accomplished musician representing one of the cultures integral to the creation of the transcontinental railroad. Featured artists with episodes filmed at the Center for the Arts include renowned pipa musician Wu Man, whose episode aired May 2 and is currently available for viewing and Japanese percussionist Haruka Fujii, whose episode will be available for streaming starting May 29. Fujii is also a featured artist in the world premiere of Percussion All-Stars, which the Silkroad Ensemble will perform at the Center for the Arts on January 25 as part of the 2024–25 season.

Watch Season 2, Episode 1 of PBS's My Music with Rhiannon Giddens, filmed at George Mason's Center for the Arts in November 2023, featuring pipa player Wu Man.

Additional episodes feature other Silkroad musicians who have been involved with the residency, including Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist (streaming from May 8), violinist and improvisational conductor Mazz Swift (streaming from May 15), tabla virtuoso Sandeep Das (streaming from May 22), and Tuscarora/Taino vocalist and lap steel slide guitar player Pura Fé (streaming from June 5). They play solo pieces as well as duets with Giddens, talk about their personal backgrounds and artistic journeys, and reveal the common ground of music’s global roots. All episodes will be available for free on PBS.org for four weeks following their streaming date, before moving to PBS Passport.

Learn more about the Silkroad Ensemble's activities as Mason Artist-in-Residence for American Railroad during the 2023–24 season.

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Arts

Small Island Big Song Connects with George Mason University and Local Community

Zoe Harr — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:38:19 +0000

Small Island Big Song Connects with George Mason University and Local Community Zoe Harr Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:38

In This Story

Adrienne Bryant Godwin

Learn About Mason's Artist-in-Residence Program

Right before Earth Day, Small Island Big Song (SIBS) presented an "impassioned" (Roots World) concert experience at the Center for the Arts on April 20, combining music, spoken word, and stunning projections of indigenous artists from Pacific and Indian Ocean island nations while shining a light on the devastating effects of the climate crisis on our world’s oceans.

After hearing the 5th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Small Island Big Song Co-founders and husband-and-wife duo, BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole, quit their jobs and spent three years visiting artists and the artists’ homelands, sharing and building upon songs from island to island. The outcome includes two award-winning albums, a feature film, educational programs, and a live concert that has toured all over the world. Billboard describes Small Island Big Song as “one coherent jaw-dropping piece that is likely the first time these traditional instruments have been mixed together… The result is breathtaking.”

Want to learn more about Small Island Big Song? Read more on the official website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Small Island Big Song also deeply engaged with the community through a series of education and engagement programs. Programming and Engagement Manager at the Center Vic Adebusola notes, “Small Island Big Song connected with academic classes, local nonprofits, and students from local K-12 schools in our community through demonstrations, panels, and arts activities. It was powerful to witness firsthand their ability to simultaneously shed light on the climate crisis of their artists’ Indigenous communities while building community through music, dance, and crafting. They are truly the full package!”

Meet the Participating Small Island Big Song Artists

BaoBao Chen (Taiwan) has produced and managed Small Island Big Song's two multimedia concert productions, two award-winning albums, documentary, as well as curating world tours across 18 countries in Europe, the USA, Asia, and Oceania. BaoBao is one of Taiwan’s most prominent producers of cross-cultural arts projects, an International Society for the Performing Arts fellow, and has been invited to speak at TEDx, WOMEX, APAP NYC, and Stanford Live. (Image courtesy of artist)

Tim Cole (Australia) is a music producer and filmmaker who’s produced numerous albums, films, and concerts for Australian aboriginal, Torres Strait islander and Pacifica artists including Archie Roach, Telek, and Shellie Morris. He was a senior music producer at CAAMA - Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association before beginning Small Island Big Song and has received a Churchill fellowship as well as invitations to speak at the United Nations HQ, APAP NYC, and WOMEX. (Image courtesy of artist)

Sam Roem (Wamena heritage, West Papua and Indonesia) is an Australian- based performing artist from West Papua. In 2006 with 40 other West Papuans he crossed over 600 miles of open seas to seek political asylum in Australia, sparking a diplomatic crisis. After graduating from Australia’s Dance Academy Sam has pursued a dynamic career in the arts drawing on his unique Papuan heritage, performing at The Sydney Opera House, Womadelaide, and BluesFest Byron Bay. (Image courtesy of artist)

Emlyn (Creole heritage, Mauritius) is leading a wave of performers across the Indian Ocean proudly reclaiming their unique rhythms and cultural mix. Written with a reactive pen and sung in Mauritian Creole, Emlyn brings the grooves of Sega with the sounds of her traditional frame drum, Ravann, which originated from the rhythms of African/Madagascan people during the slave trade. SIBS has been collaborating with Emlyn since 2020. (Image courtesy of artist)

Sammy (Merina heritage, Madagascar) followed his passion for Madagascar’s musical heritage by mastering and learning how to make most of Madagascar’s instruments. His efforts came to the notice of the UK’s world music scene as his band Tarika Sammy gained international recognition, becoming a regular on major festival stages and being acknowledged as one of the world’s “Best Ten Bands,” alongside U2, by TIME Magazine. He’s featured in both SIBS albums and concert tours since 2018. (Image courtesy of artist)

Yuma Pawang (Atayal heritage, Taiwan) is a multidisciplinary artist expressing her thoughts on "Atayal" cultural preservation, transformation, essence, and social equity in film, music, painting, and performance. With Taiwan’s respected Minang performance group, she was invited by Indigenous nations of Northern Europe for a cultural exchange. This experience along with studying film performance made her aware of the significance of cultural practice in the context of Atayal life, where written language was historically limited. (Image courtesy of artist)

Mathieu Joseph (Creole heritage, Mauritius) has been a professional dancer and choreographer since the age of 14 when he was discovered breakdancing on the suburban streets of Port Louis, Mauritius by renowned choreographer Stephen Bongarçon. Quickly embedding himself in Bongarçon’s SRDance, he won the gold medal for dance at "Les Jeux de la Francophonie'' in 2009. This led to a succession of shows and companies, including choreographing "Di Sel,” a tribute to the salt workers of Mauritius which won the "Les Jeux de la Francophonie” in 2017. (Image courtesy of artist)

Mea Joy Ingram (Motu heritage, Papua New Guinea and Australia) comes from a long line of drummers and dancers. She was taught by her father, master percussionist Airileke Ingram in the tradition of Manus Garamut, Cook Island Pate, and Gabagaba Motu Mavaru. The Garamut drumming of Papua New Guinea was traditionally an artform dominated by men, however Mea, having just turned 18, represents the new generation of female log drummers. (Image courtesy of artist)

Airileke Ingram (Motu heritage, Papua New Guinea) is a percussionist, producer, composer, activist, and, in the words of Britain's Songlines Magazine, "cause for celebration." Airileke is a master drummer with one foot in the world of traditional drumming of Melanesia and his other in the modern world of beat production and hip-hop. Tim and Airileke have been long-time collaborators; they met up again during SIBS’s field trip to Papua New Guinea in 2016. (Image courtesy of artist)

Richard Mogu (Magi, Papua New Guinea)—singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist—has spent many years as a solo artist and session musician, excelling in both traditional and contemporary style. While bass is his featured instrument, he is also adept at mambu (bamboo flutes), garamut drumming, guitars, and percussion. Mogu has also been involved as a producer of other PNG artists and toured internationally in the London Olympic cultural festival and in the U.S. as well as Australia. (Image courtesy of artist)

Small Island Big Song artists and Center for the Arts staff enjoy a welcome lunch together.

The residency’s activities commenced with an April 2 potluck lunch with Center for the Arts staff and guests from across campus, including Mason Dining Marketing and Sustainability Manager Sophia Nelson, to welcome artists of Small Island Big Song. The lunch included sustainable practices such as the use of reusable/compostable plates and cutlery, take-home containers, and local ingredients. SIBS co-founder BaoBao Chen explained at the welcome luncheon that creating community through the arts, similar to Mason Arts’ mission, was a goal of Small Island Big Song and its hope to take audiences to some places that “we might not have the courage of going alone, to celebrate, to confront, to inspire, to mourn, to feel hopeful.” During the event, members of the ensemble were presented with welcome gifts, including Mason merchandise and honey harvested by Mason’s own The Honey Bee Initiative, a program supported by George Mason University’s School of Business and operated by the Business for a Better World Center.

“What I loved about this welcome event was that we brought together people from across campus and the world to help build community and introduce our Mason Artists-in-Residence directly to our Center for the Arts staff and people across campus in a fun and casual way. I think everyone really appreciated the opportunity to interact with the artists and enjoy a delicious meal together."
-Adrienne Bryant Godwin, College of Visual and Performing Arts Director of Programming

SIBS artists Richard and Emlyn converse with audience members after Artists in Conversation event.

Later that day, SIBS artists Sammy, Yuma, Mathieu, and Co-founder Tim Cole visited Mason’s Dewberry School of Music program’s “Music History in Society III” course taught by Professor Gregory Robinson. With over 20 students, the artists led a discussion that shared traditional string instruments like the valiha, jejy, and kabosy; drums such as the kundu and garamut; and rhymes, songs, and stories. In the evening, Small Island Big Song hosted a Friends of the Center for the Arts Artists in Conversation event, Our Shared Seafaring Heritage, Alive in Rhythm and Song, at the Stacey C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, VA. Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and Center for the Arts, SIBS artists— Emlyn, Richard, Mea Joy, BaoBao, and Tim— led a lecture-demonstration that provided geographical and historical background about the great oceanic migrations that affected the featured island nations of the project. The event included musical demonstrations and an interactive Q&A.

In a Dancing Mauritian Sega workshop the following day, approximately 100 grade school students from Hunters Woods Elementary School were invited to learn the Sega dance from Mauritius, led by Mathieu Joseph and Sam Roem, who also provided drumming accompaniment. Both the national dance of Mauritius and a profound artistic embodiment of the historical and cultural memory of colonial slavery, Sega is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the capacity to create and express beauty out of nothing.

Small Island Big Song artists join “Folklore and Festival Management” course.

Small Island Big Song artists and co-founders BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole led a virtual discussion on the topic of “Artivism in Action - Managing Cultural Initiatives” with more than 20 students of Mason’s Arts Management and Folklore programs’ “Folklore and Festival Management” course, a collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Director of Mason’s Arts Management program and co-professor of the course, Dr. Karalee Dawn Mackay, notes, "Being able to hear about how their projects were funded, created, their goals for the performances, and the multi-dimensional aspect of their work were an invaluable experience for our students as they explore how to work with and create programming with cultural tradition bearers. Our students were able to ask questions that greatly enhanced their understanding of this project and how it impacts the Pacific Island communities, the artists, and the audiences that they share their work with through their documentary and concert performances."

“For students, this project exemplified folklore studies’ emphasis on community-based collaborative projects.” -Dr. Lisa Gilman, co-professor and director of the folklore program

BaoBao Chen joins Mark Cooley (middle) and Edward Maibach (right) for Climate Change: Our Response as Artivists.

On April 18, BaoBao Chen joined Mark Cooley, Mason School of Art faculty and Green Studio founder, for a special discussion entitled Climate Change: Our Response as Artivists. Co-presented with the Inclusive Collaborative Arts at Mason (ICAM) project and moderated by Distinguished Professor at George Mason University and Director of Mason’s Center for Climate Change Communication Edward Maibach, the conversation explored ways in which artists can use their voices to expand global conversation on political, economic, social, and cultural questions at the root of the climate crisis.

The following day, Small Island Big Song hosted a schooltime matinee performance for more than 800 local students, teachers, and parents. In a specialized, shortened version of the April 20 performance, SIBS artists brought students to their feet to dance and sing along with unique oceanic grooves and soulful island ballads. Adebusola recalls the meaningful interactions between the audience and SIBS, stating, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard this much excitement, laughter, and singing in our Concert Hall. The visiting students were enthralled with Small Island Big Song’s music and dance—likewise, the Small Island Big Song artists left the stage beaming with joy. It was truly an equal exchange of positive energy.”

Later that afternoon, Emlyn led a cooking demonstration at Ike’s Dining Hall, presented in partnership with Mason Dining. With assistance from BaoBao and Tim, as well as musical accompaniment from Sammy and Mathieu, Emlyn created a traditional island dish, fish curry, for the assembled Mason students and community members.

On the morning of April 20, SIBS artists Sammy led a “Trash to Music” workshop with the help of Richard, Yuma, and Nini, the ensemble’s company manager. Hosted by UpCycle Creative Reuse Center, the hands-on workshop demonstrated how to make musical instruments from trash, commonly recycled, and/or reused materials. Participants made a Malagasy-style berimbau, trying them out alongside the artists. Watch the video below to see SIBS’ Sammy play a berimbau in the first moments of the video:

That evening, audience members at Small Island Big Song’s culminating concert at the Center for the Arts, One Island, were treated to a plethora of pre- and post-show experiences including a performance from Mason’s Healing Arts Ensemble in the lobby. The ensemble is improvisatory in nature and includes unconventional, as well as common, instruments and voice. Led by Director Rita Gigliotti, students played instruments such as crystal quartz singing bowls, handbells, gong, and Tibetan flute.

Mason's Healing Arts Ensemble.

In Monson Grand Tier, BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole joined a pre-performance discussion moderated by Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies and Ethnomusicology for Mason’s Dewberry School of Music, Dr. Gregory Robinson. Prior to the performance, Vice President of Mason’s Native American and Indigenous Alliance (NAIA), Sara Jefferson, delivered a land acknowledgement from the stage. Small Island Big Song strives to amplify the voices of indigenous communities so by having local representation at the performance, SIBS continued to apply its mission to retain and recognize indigenous culture. After the Small Island Big Song performance, SIBS artists greeted the audience in the Center’s lobby, signing CDs and sharing handmade items from their respective islands.

Small Island Big Song touched the lives of Mason and its local community, proving that there truly is “one island” we all share. Adebusola elaborates, “It is very clear to me that Small Island Big Song prioritizes making an impact in the communities they visit. Every participant who interacted with them left the engagement or performance with a smile on their face. They use the arts to create community and inspire hope to address climate change--they are the real deal!”

Read more about the Center for the Arts’ Mason Artist-in-Residence program, including the upcoming 2024—25 visiting artists.

This engagement of Small Island Big Song is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

The Small Island Big Song residency is supported in part by Eloise Stinger.

Thank you to the City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Everybody Plays Grant program for making free tickets possible for the schooltime matinee program. This grant was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Just Announced: 2024–25 Season at the Center for the Arts

Zoe Harr — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:31:44 +0000

Just Announced: 2024–25 Season at the Center for the Arts Zoe Harr Tue, 04/23/2024 - 10:31

In This Story

Adrienne Bryant Godwin

Explore the 2024–25 season.

Lea Salonga headlines 2024 ARTS by George! (Photo Credit: Raymund Isaac)

The Center for the Arts at George Mason University announced its 2024–25 season of mainstage performances on the Concert Hall stage, featuring wide-ranging artists and acts across performing arts disciplines, as part of Great Performances at Mason and the Family Series. To view the upcoming 2024–25 season, visit the Center for the Arts brochure.

“You won’t want to miss the incredible lineup of artists and ensembles featured in the Center for the Arts’ 2024–25 season,” stated Director of Programming Adrienne Bryant Godwin. “Some of today’s leading artists will make their Center debut, including Lea Salonga, Arturo Sandoval, Branford Marsalis, and Jeremy Denk. In addition, we’ll welcome back favorites, including the Mark Morris Dance Group, Kodo, and Cirque Mechanics.”

Friends Priority Period Offers Early 2024–25 Season Subscriptions
Friends of the Center for the Arts are encouraged to order your subscription by May 14 to take advantage of the Friends Priority Period and secure your seats early to the thrilling 2024–25 season. Overflowing with star power from luminaries like GRAMMY Award-winning jazz icon Branford Marsalis and fan-favorite Cherish the Ladies, this is a season that can’t be missed! Choose three or more performances and save 15% today. For more information, visit the Friends website.

The Center also welcomes three 2024–25 Mason Artists-in-Residence: Ballet Hispánico, honoring the multifaceted Hispanic diasporas through dance with a Hispanic Heritage Month performance on October 5; members of the GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble in a showcase of virtuoso percussionists, performing original compositions and pieces by celebrated composers on January 25; and the Versa-Style Street Dance Company, marking its 20th anniversary with an evening-length, multidisciplinary work that shines a light on West Coast Hip Hop and street dance culture on February 15. Their Great Performances at Mason performances will be complemented by workshops, conversations, and outreach events, offering opportunities for the Northern Virginia community to get to know these artists.

For a preview of Mason Artist-in-Residence Versa-Style Street Dance Company's dance and teaching skills, watch the video below:

Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico (Photo Credit: Erin Baiano)

Godwin added, “The Mason Artist-in-Residence program continues with three trailblazing companies, each of whom celebrates vibrant cultural traditions with inspiring contemporary voices. Ballet Hispánico returns for their second residency and will present their signature educational programs highlighting Latino cultures, culminating in a performance that features choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Pedro Ruiz, and Eduardo Vilaro. Versa-Style Street Dance Company will make its Center for the Arts debut with Tribute: Guardians of Street Dance, shining a light on the company’s 20-year history by paying homage to West Coast Hip Hop and the street dance scene in their native Los Angeles. And we’re beyond thrilled to be continuing our multi-year partnership with the Silkroad Ensemble, presenting the world premiere of their newest program, Percussion All-Stars. Over the past two years our audiences have gotten to know this inspiring collective of musicians through their performances as well as their engaging work in the community, and we look forward to hosting them for a third year.”

Read more about the Center for the Arts’ Mason Artist-in-Residence program.

Subscriptions go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, May 15 and tickets for individual events go on sale Thursday, August 1. Additional details and information about the upcoming season are available at the Center for the Arts’ website.

The Center for the Arts thanks its 2024-25 season sponsors and grantmaking organizations: Didlake, The Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund, The Tom and Evelyn Kiley Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, and Sandy Spring Bank.

Topics

Friends of the Center for the Arts

Audiences Look Back on a Memorable 2023/2024 Season

Zoe Harr — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:24:05 +0000

Audiences Look Back on a Memorable 2023/2024 Season Zoe Harr Fri, 04/19/2024 - 12:24

Explore 2024-25 Season at the Center for the Arts

The 2023/2024 season at the Center for the Arts had something for everyone whether it was classical music that left audience members swooning or shadow puppetry that transported viewers to an ancient land. Looking back on the season, audiences share their favorite moments and memories below!

(L-R) Richard Martinez, Steven Golsch (ARTS by George! Co-Chair), Renée Elise Goldsberry, Nesa Amarlooi, Joe Dooley, Sherri Dalphonse, Colin Haynes.
(Photo Credit: Risdon Photography)

Renée Elise Goldsberry in Concert

“Absolutely superb performance!”
“AMAZING! Completely blown away. My son's first concert and a wonderful experience”
“This was absolutely amazing!! Thank you for the incredible experience. I left inspired, uplifted, and with a new appreciation for George Mason.”
"The performance was OUTSTANDING!”
“Fabulous show!”
"You can't beat someone of Renée Elise Goldsberry's caliber and she seemed well-prepared for the reason of the night and the location/audience she would have. Bravo to the Center for the Arts team on staging such a fantastic event."

Register for the annual ARTS by George! on Saturday, September 28, 2024! This annual benefit event supports student scholarships for George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Broadway superstar and Tony Award winner, Lea Salonga, headlines at the 2024 ARTS by George! event, promising an unforgettable evening.

Virginia Opera: Sanctuary Road's Conductor Everett McCorvery leads a post-performance toast with audience members in the Center's lobby, introducing the work's Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec.

Virginia Opera

Siegfried: “An excellent production and performance of the opera Siegfried. The production made full use of contemporary video and electronics to create an exciting, interesting, and very smooth and persuasive work of art. Once again, VA Opera did not disappoint.”
Barber of Seville: “My 6 and 9-year-old boys loved the show, almost as much as my husband and I! Thank you so much for the generosity in sharing access to this performance with us. We’ve found operas to be intimidating in our previous ignorance, but now that we’ve had some experience, we are looking forward to our next!”
Sanctuary Road: "Top marks for Sanctuary Road: beautiful, expressive score, sumptuously played by Virginia Symphony, and well conducted; accessible libretto; the five principal singers were outstanding, backed by a large and well-coordinated chorus. The story of the Railroad was by turns gripping, poignant, humorous (the two veiled mourners weeping for their nonexistent aunt), touching (the reunion of the Still brothers).”
Madama Butterfly: “It was an absolutely wonderful performance! The singers were exceptional and we loved everything about it. Best production this season and one of the best productions of Madama Butterfly we've ever seen!”

Silkroad Ensemble: American Railroad

“This concert was one of finest I have ever attended. The combination of voices with international instruments made this experience spectacular.”
“It was wonderful. Creative, imaginative, and introduced me to music I loved but never heard before.”
“The performance last night was absolutely amazing. I also appreciated the pre-performance talk and the opportunity in the morning to meet with three of the musicians in a discussion at the Harris Theater. Can't wait to see what Silkroad brings next year.”

Interested in learning more about Mason Artist-in-Residence Silkroad Ensemble’s three-year residency? Check out this article that captures 2023-2024's second year at Mason.

A crowd gathers to toast the world premiere of the Silkroad Ensemble's American Railroad. Attendees at the special post-performance reception in the Center for the Arts Monson Grand Tier included Silkroad artists and board members, Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, Executive Director Ben Hartley, as well as Center for the Arts donors and staff.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason

“Ms. Mason's performance was almost unbelievable- grace, power, and beauty! We have never seen RPO perform live, and we were so impressed with the orchestra as a whole, all of the soloists, and Mr. Petrenko. They played our favorites better than we had ever heard them before. Heavenly!”
“I had a season ticket to the Center for the Arts for several years until I moved from Springfield. This was my first visit in about a decade and what a wonderful reintroduction to the Center. The Royal Philharmonic and Ms. Kanneh-Mason reminded me of what I have been missing. I'll certainly be returning.”
“The guest pianist was fantastic. It was a virtuoso performance and she deserved the standing ovation she got. The orchestra did a wonderful job accompanying her and on the two selections they did alone.”

A family poses at Mutts Gone Nuts.

Mutts Gone Nuts

“This was an enjoyable and hilarious show for people of all ages. I enjoyed it just as much as my two children did!”
“The coloring, photo screen, and activities in the front lobby were great. Excellent job putting that together!”
"It was really cool to see world-class level dog trainers and their dogs perform at this event!"
“Great fun with the talented dogs and engaging commentary and comedy. Highly recommended, especially for youngsters (and old folks like us).
"Wow! This show was so much fun for all ages! Every one of us just loved all the dogs and were amazed at the performances."

The Center for the Arts thanks its 2023/2024 season sponsors and grantmaking organizations: Sandy Spring Bank, National Endowment for the Arts, Tom and Evelyn Kiley Fund, The Mather, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Woodleigh Chase, The Seeley Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, Eloise Stinger, Didlake, Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund, and Joyce Goche-Grimes.

Topics

Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song Leads Events Across Campus and Community

Zoe Harr — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 20:41:10 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song Leads Events Across Campus and Community Zoe Harr Fri, 03/29/2024 - 16:41

In This Story

Buy Tickets

Learn About Mason's Artist-in-Residence Program

Mason Artist-in-Residence Small Island Big Song will perform at the Center on April 20. Photo taken by Gelée Lai, Tony Tsai, Samra Teague, and Kimmi Cranes.

Right before Earth Day, Small Island Big Song presents a "jaw-dropping" (Billboard) concert experience at the Center for the Arts on April 20, combining music, spoken word, and stunning projections to showcase unique oceanic grooves and soulful island ballads, while shining a light on the devastating effects of climate crisis on our world’s oceans. Indigenous artists from Pacific and Indian Ocean island nations mix their diverse styles to establish a contemporary musical dialogue between cultures as far afield as Madagascar, Taiwan, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, and Indonesia.

Co-Founder BaoBao Chen joins Small Island Big Song at the Center on April 20.

“For us, the goal of Small Island Big Song is to bring the audiences to some places that we might not have the courage of going alone, to celebrate, to confront, to inspire, to mourn, to feel hopeful. Our performance goes to all these emotions and shares the stories of ‘Our Island’, but ultimately, ‘Our Island’ is the one we all share,” notes BaoBao Chen, co-founder of Small Island Big Song.

Want to learn more about Small Island Big Song? Read more on the official website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Small Island Big Song will also deeply engage with the community through a series of education and engagement programs, detailed below:

Open-to-the-Public Residency Events

Climate Change: Our Response as Artivists on April 18 will explore ways in which artists can use their voices to expand global conversation on political, economic, social, and cultural questions at the root of the climate crisis. This event is co-presented with the Inclusive Collaborative Arts at Mason (ICAM) project with panelists BaoBao Chen, Co-Founder and Producer of Small Island Big Song; Mark Cooley, Associate Professor and Director of New Media Arts, Mason School of Art; founder of Green Studio; Moderated by Edward Maibach, distinguished professor at George Mason University and director of Mason’s Center for Climate Change Communication; and is a part of the Artist-Activist Speaker Series, an initiative of the Inclusive Collaborative Arts at Mason (ICAM) project. This event is free, but registration is required.
Small Island Big Song artist Sammy from Madagascar hosts "Trash to Music" on April 20.
On April 19, Small Island Big Song invites local students to experience a schooltime performance that includes participatory dance and rhythmic activities, as well as an open Q&A with students. This performance is free, but registration is required.
Also on April 19 and in collaboration with Mason Dining, Small Island Big Song artists will introduce Mason community members to a traditional island dish, fish curry. Led by Emlyn from Mauritius, the Cooking a Traditional Meal with Local Twists workshop will include food samples and musical accompaniment. The event is free to Mason students, faculty, and staff, but registration is required.
Led by Small Island Big Song artist Sammy and hosted by UpCycle Creative Reuse Center, Trash to Music on April 20 is an inspiring hands-on workshop demonstrating how to make musical instruments from trash, commonly recycled, and/or reused materials. Participants will be making a Malagasy-style berimbau and shaker. Recommended for ages 10 and up, minors must be accompanied by an adult. Limit of 20 participants with waitlist to notify if spots become available.

Additional Residency Activities for Mason and Local Community

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and Center for the Arts, Small Island Big Song hosted a Friends of the Center for the Arts Artists in Conversation event, Our Shared Seafaring Heritage, Alive in Rhythm and Song, on April 2 at the Stacey C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, VA. This lecture-demonstration provided geographical and historical background about the great oceanic migrations that affected the featured island nations of Small Island Big Song, and included musical demonstrations and an interactive Q&A.
Small Island Big Song artists Sammy, Yuma, Mathieu, and Small Island Big Song Co-Founder Tim Cole will visit Mason’s Dewberry School of Music program’s “Music History in Society III” course taught by Professor Greg Robinson.
In this Dancing Mauritian Sega workshop, approximately 100 second grade students from Hunters Woods Elementary School are invited to learn the Sega dance from Mauritius, led by Mathieu Joseph (Mauritius) with support from Sam Roem (West Papua).
Small Island Big Song artists and co-founders BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole will lead a discussion on the topic of “Artivism in Action - Managing Cultural Initiatives” with students of Mason’s Arts Management and Folklore programs’ “Folklore and Festival Management” course.

In addition to these special residency events, a pre-performance discussion with Small Island Big Song Co-Founders BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole will take place in Monson Grand Tier prior to the performance on April 20. The discussion will be moderated by Center for the Arts Programming and Engagement Manager Vic Adebusola.

Buy tickets to Small Island Big Song on April 20 and be transported to the musical islands that are just around the corner.

This engagement of Small Island Big Song is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

The Small Island Big Song residency is supported in part by Eloise Stinger.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Arts Management Program

folklore

Friends of the Center for the Arts

Mason Dining

Campus News

Sustainability

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Engages George Mason University and Local Community

Zoe Harr — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:17:51 +0000

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Engages George Mason University and Local Community Zoe Harr Wed, 02/28/2024 - 15:17

In This Story

LaNitra M. Berger, PhD

Lawrence M. Jackson

Shauna Rigaud

Learn More About Mason's Artist-in-Residence Program

Mason School of Dance juniors and seniors with A.I.M artist, Gianna Theodore, at an A.I.M Movement Workshop.

On February 17, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham presented a thrilling collection of works by acclaimed choreographers, including its artistic director and MacArthur Genius Award-winning choreographer Kyle Abraham.This company aims to create a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history, featuring the rich tapestry of Black and Queer stories. In a recent San Diego Union-Tribune article, A.I.M’s goals are emphasized, noting, “In Kyle Abraham’s movement vocabulary, certain words are in regular rotation. ‘Purpose. Intention. Fearlessness.’ All are streams of thought that inhabit choreography meant to explore themes of history, identity and Black culture.”

A.I.M Movement Workshop with Dance Place in Washington, D.C.

Want to learn more about A.I.M by Kyle Abraham’s mission and core values? Read more on the company’s official website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, members of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham worked with Mason as well as communities within Manassas, Washington, D.C., and local communities in a variety of activities ranging from classroom visits to A.I.M Movement Workshops that brought participants up on their feet.

Programming and Engagement Manager at the Center Vic Adebusola notes, “A.I.M by Kyle Abraham was a pleasure to work with and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring them to our campus and local community. They facilitated several impactful workshops and participated in panels that fostered cultural exchange and understanding of the lived experiences of Black dancers and artists. I think it’s safe to say that A.I.M left a lasting impact on our community partners and audience alike.”

Putting the "Artists" in Artists-in-Residence: Meet the Participating A.I.M Artists

Jamaal Bowman (he/him) began his dance training at the age of 14 in Maryland, where he was born and raised. In 2021, he graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a Director’s Scholar, under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. Over the years he has collaborated with Nora Chipaumire, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Maleek Washington, Helen Pickett, Fana Fraser, Jocelyn Cottencin, Nacera Belaza, and Sidra Bell. His personal practices are centered around queer Black joy, theater, improvisation, and comedy. Bowman joined A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in 2022.

Donovan Reed (they/them), a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began their dance training at the age of 16. Soon after, Reed attended college at The University of the Arts where they received their BFA in May of 2016. They have performed works by choreographers such as Sidra Bell, Regina Van Berkel, Sharon Eyal, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Beth Gill, Andrea Miller, Tania Isaac, Meredith Rainey, and Helen Simoneau. Reed joined A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in 2018.

Gianna Theodore (she/her) was raised in West Palm Beach, Florida and began her dance training at Ballet East Studio under the direction of Susan Lyle and Chelsea Nasby. Gianna is a graduate of A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, and a three-time YoungArts Merit Scholar/Honorable Mention. She graduated with a BFA in dance from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program Class of 2020. She has performed professionally with artists such as Ebony Williams, Mark Caserta, Maleek Washington, and Jennifer Archibald. Gianna joined A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in 2019.

Kicking off residency activities on February 13 was a discussion and Q&A session with Professor Shauna Rigaud’s section of AFAM200: “Introduction to African American Studies,” moderated by Director of African and African American Studies (AAAS) and associate professor, Dr. LaNitra Berger. A.I.M members Gianna Theodore and Donovan Reed introduced themselves, providing background on their dance history and personal experiences as minorities in often predominantly white dance spaces. In addition to personal anecdotes, the artists discussed the intersection of art and advocacy, connecting those ideas to their participation as dancers in A.I.M. Students were given an opportunity to ask questions.

Dr. LaNitra Berger (left) with A.I.M artists, Donovan Reed (center) and Gianna Theodore (right).

Dr. Berger reflected on the time with the company, stating, “AAAS thoroughly enjoyed its engagement with A.I.M. and their talented dancers. We believe that art is an important vehicle for fostering mutual exchange and understanding. During the panel discussion with the AFAM 200 students, the A.I.M. dancers touched on many important issues of identity, community, and how movement can energize and empower people to make social change. Our students were thrilled to have multiple opportunities to get to know more about A.I.M. through dialogue and through attending their performance."

Later, in a classroom visit to Mason School of Dance’s “Senior Synthesis” senior students, Theodore was joined by fellow A.I.M company member Jamaal Bowman to discuss pursuing a professional career in dance. The conversation not only covered the logistics of making a living as a professional dancer, but also included the importance of self-advocacy and self-care. Theodore and Bowman shared stories from their career, expanding upon their own artistic journeys and advice that led them down their respective paths.

The City of Fairfax Theatre Company with A.I.M artists Jamaal Bowman and Donovan Reed at "Unifying Uniqueness" workshop.

The day concluded with a special visit to the Center for the Arts by the City of Fairfax Theatre Company where Bowman and A.I.M artist, Donovan Reed, led a part-conversation and part-movement workshop entitled “Unifying Uniqueness.” Adult students investigated ideologies surrounding uniqueness and applied the concepts to themselves, using these discoveries as point of discussion and dance inspiration. The group engaged in a dialogue centered around early memories, culminating in integrated movement with ideas of perception, family, and freedom.

A.I.M artist Gianna Theodore leads Mason School of Dance students at an A.I.M Movement Workshop.

The following three days consisted of A.I.M Movement Workshops with students ranging in a spectrum of age, skill level, and location. On February 14, Gianna Theodore led a Movement Workshop with 25 high school dance students at Fairfax Academy for Communication and the Arts. In a recent interview with Dance Magazine, Theodore states, “I learn so much about the dancers through teaching. I just love dance so much, so to transmit my love in this educational way is both challenging and fulfilling.” Jamaal Bowman led participants at Washington, D.C.’s Dance Place and Donovan Reed led approximately 25 high school dance students from Charles J. Colgan High School in Manassas (or Prince William County).

Mason School of Dance students from freshmen to seniors, totaling over 75 students of advanced skill level, participated in the A.I.M Movement Workshops led by both Theodore and Bowman. Adebusola notes, “I loved observing how shocked the A.I.M instructors were at the talent of our School of Dance students.”

In addition to Mason Artist-in-Residence activities with Mason’s School of Dance, Kyle Abraham’s Drive will be featured in the Mason School of Dance Gala Concert on March 22 and 23. Watch the video below to see the collaboration between Mason School of Dance students and A.I.M by Kyle Abraham company member, Jae Neal:

Prior to A.I.M by Kyle Abraham’s February 17 performance, A.I.M’s Rehearsal Director Jessica Tong joined Mason School of Dance Professor Lawrence M. Jackson for a pre-performance discussion in Monson Grand Tier at the Center for the Arts. After a moderated Q&A session, audience members were given an opportunity to ask additional questions. The performance’s program featured impressive pieces including Someday Soon (Keerati Jinakunwiphat), Just Your Two Wrists (Paul Singh), and MotorRover (Kyle Abraham) as well as a preview of a new work by acclaimed choreographer Andrea Miller titled YEAR.

“[T]he dancers’ relentless physicality and ability to morph between styles and movement qualities created a through line that ran the length of the performance,” notes Maryland Theatre Guide’s reviewer Justin Rustle. Read the full article.

In a recent Dance Enthusiast article, A.I.M’s consistently impactful performances are emphasized, stating, “Soul-stirring, heartfelt, and empowering, A.I.M. shares a message applicable to everyone: what it means to love. Dance is a professed love language and Abraham creates a script which is a love letter to the art of dance itself." A.I.M by Kyle Abraham not only succeeded in performing an awe-inspiring performance that ended in a standing ovation, but created a lasting impression on Mason’s community and beyond.

Charles J. Colgan High School students with A.I.M artist Donovan Reed at an A.I.M Movement Workshop.

Read more about the Center for the Arts Mason Artist-in-Residence program, including the upcoming 2023/2024 visiting artist, Small Island Big Song on April 20.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

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Small Island Big Song Residency Showcases Indigenous Artists with Earth Day Message

Zoe Harr — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:17:52 +0000

Small Island Big Song Residency Showcases Indigenous Artists with Earth Day Message Zoe Harr Mon, 02/26/2024 - 12:17

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Honor Earth Day weekend with Small Island Big Song on April 20 at George Mason University's Center for the Arts for a moving musical experience that combines music, spoken word, and stunning projections to showcase the sounds of various island nations of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, while shining a light on the devastating effects of climate crisis on our world’s ocean.

Small Island Big Song is the brainchild of Australian filmmaker and music producer Tim Cole and Taiwanese theater producer BaoBao Chen (pictured left), who traveled to 16 island nations to capture unique sounds and cinematic sights while working with over a hundred indigenous local artists, elders, community groups, and grassroots musicians. The result of this inspiring research and storytelling yielded two award-winning albums, a feature film, and a world-touring concert. For Small Island Big Song’s April performance, panoramic visuals will work alongside live musicians to highlight a shared seafaring ancestry with interconnected musical traditions.

Small Island Big Song establishes a contemporary musical dialogue between cultures as far afield as Madagascar, Aotearoa, Taiwan, Mauritius, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, and Rapa Nui.
(Photo Credit: Small Island Big Song)

To learn more about Small Island Big Song’s creation and its many artists involved, please visit the project’s website.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Small Island Big Song will also work with the community through classes and workshops during the week surrounding the performance, including an Artists in Conversation event and schooltime matinee, both of which are free offerings and detailed below.

Small Island Big Song performs at the Center on April 20. (Photo Credit: Tony Tsai)

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and Center for the Arts, Small Island Big Song will host an Artists in Conversation titled “Our Shared Seafaring Heritage, Alive in Rhythm and Song” on April 2 at the Stacey C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, Virginia. This free, open-to-the-public lecture-demonstration will provide context prior to the April 20 performance with geographical and historical background about the great oceanic migrations that affected the featured island nations. Additionally, the evening will consist of conversation and musical demonstrations from Small Island Big Song artists, followed by an interactive Q&A session with audience members. This event is free, but registration is required; additional information can be found on the event webpage.

On April 19, Small Island Big Song invites local students to experience a schooltime performance that includes participatory dance and rhythmic activities, as well as an open Q&A with students. In addition to this special truncated performance with participatory activities, Small Island Big Song offers a free Study Guide that includes an introduction to the project, useful links, and relevant historical information. This performance is free, but registration is required; additional information can be found on the field trips webpage.

Get tickets today and join “one very big, very happy family doing what they do best while helping get the word out on a most serious issue” (RootsWorld [US]), Small Island Big Song on April 20.

This engagement of Small Island Big Song is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund. The Artist-in-Residence program for this performance is sponsored by Eloise Stinger.

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