Join a range of Armory artists and partners for an enlightening and interactive afternoon of open studios, workshops, activations, and discussion for people of all ages to explore dance, poetry, music, and more.
Session One: Performance and Plenary Discussion
12:00pm–2:00pm
Veterans Room
The day’s proceedings open with a performance by cellist Ethan Philbrick, followed by a roundtable discussion led by Columbia University Professor Jack Halberstam focused on the state of mutual aid and the arts communities in New York, the US, and globally. Participants include Racial Justice Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia Law School’s Initiative for a Just Society Che Gossett; costume designer and founder of Black Trans Liberation Qween Jean; and actor and founder of Anticapitalism for Artists Chris Myers.
Session Two: Open Studios, Workshops, and Salons
2:30pm–5:00pm
Second Floor
Inspired by the tradition of artists helping artists, artists from across the Armory offer opportunities for those in attendance to explore dance, poetry, music, and more through open studios, workshops, and salons in the Armory’s historic second-floor company rooms. Hosted by a range of Armory artists and partners, these activations hold space for artists and audiences to connect, collaborate, and rediscover what it means to create in community after such a long period of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Company A: Maria Herron and Matt Peterson of Woodbine Collective: Surviving the Disaster
Woodbine Collective organizers Maria Herron and Matt Peterson moderate a discussion on experiments with neighborhood self-organization, mutual aid, and coalition building in Ridgewood and Bushwick addressing the acute and extended temporalities of crisis through the last two and a half years of COVID-19 pandemic.
Company C: Karen Finley: Intuitive Guide / Intuitive Studio
In one-on-one sessions of Intuitive Guidance, participants will receive words and images from legendary artist Karen Finley that will unlock their creative spirit. Participants can also choose to take repair to the adjoining Intuitive Studio, with a mandate to collaborate.
Company D: Kavita Shah
Composer-vocalist Kavita Shah revisits her work “Folk Songs of Naboréa” (premiered at the Armory in 2017) in conversation with opera director Mary Birnbaum, with whom she is currently collaborating on a new interdisciplinary opera about child migration. Shah will lead participants through collaborative vocal and spatial games intended to express our inner creativity and increase awareness of our relationship to ourselves and others. No prior musical knowledge is required.
Company E: Cassils and Kristen Cabildo
Visual art performance warrior Cassils uplifts the practice of martial arts instructor and coach Kristen Cabildo. Together they lead self-defense workshops for trans, nonbinary, Queer people and folx who identify as women, with co-teaching by artist and martial artist Caroline Garcia. This is an optional, physical class requiring movement such as striking, foot work, impact, and drills. Please wear loose clothing, sneakers, bring a water bottle, have eaten, and be prepared to hit targets and experience impact if participating in this workshop. Self-defense can be triggering. This workshop may be inappropriate for those who have deep trauma. This is an introductory workshop and an opportunity to start a journey to self empowerment and self-defense.
Company F: Reggie (Regg Roc) Gray
Armory Artist-in-Residence and flexn pioneer Reggie (Regg Roc) Gray hosts a dance rehearsal and dance off.
Company G & L: Park Avenue Armory Teaching Artists and Youth Corps
This active/participatory creative workshop invites participants to experience first-hand the creative process-driven, multi-disciplinary, intergenerational pedagogical approach that is at the center of all Armory Arts Education initiatives by exploring the artistry of Carrie Mae Weems.
Company H: National Black Theatre: Josiah Davis and a. k. payne
National Black Theatre showcases an excerpt of a new play called Amani by a. k. payne directed by NBT Soul Directing Resident Josiah Davis. The play will have its world premiere in February 2023 as a co-production with Rattlestick.
Company I: Fabian Almazan and Linda May Han Oh
Jazz pianist Fabian Almazan and bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh offer musical performances and share their work with Biophilia Records, a record label that promotes environmental awareness.
Company K: Carmelita Tropicana and Ela Troyano: “Sister Acts,” On Collaboration
A masterclass on collaboration with Armory Artist-in-Residence Carmelita Tropicana and her sister, interdisciplinary filmmaker Ela Troyano, followed by a Q&A.
Company M: Ethan Philbrick: Mutual Aid Among Animals: A Live Taping
Cellist Ethan Philbrick leads a participatory reading of an excerpt from Peter Kropotkin’s early 20th century writing on mutual aid and animals with collaborators mayfield brooks, Dorothy Carlos, Jennifer Miller, Justin Wong, and Anh Vo.
Session Three: Kitty Kaleidoscope Disco
5:00pm–6:00pm
Board of Officers Room
The day ends with the Kitty Kaleidoscope Disco, the world premiere of a roving disco dance tea party created by Karen Finley, featuring performances by the legendary Carmelita Tropicana, DJ Jesús Hilario-Reyes, and more.
Photo © Da Ping Luo
August 21, 2022
Sunday, August 21, 2022
12:00pm–6:00pm
Tickets: $25 (plus fees)
Health and Safety Protocols
All ticket-holders must be fully vaccinated. “Fully vaccinated” means that you received your final dose of an FDA or WHO-approved vaccine at least 14 days before your performance date. At check-in, ticket holders will be required to show proof of full vaccination (the New York State Excelsior Pass or a hard copy or photo of your vaccination card) and a government-issued photo ID.
All patrons and staff are required to wear masks while inside the Armory except when actively eating or drinking in designated areas (N95, KN95 or KF94 masks are recommended). To view additional COVID-19 Policies, please visit our FAQs page.
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