Contemporary arts center OZ Arts Nashville presents its Third Annual Brave New Works Lab, a development program for innovative new artistic creations that transforms the organization’s expansive warehouse into a laboratory for local artists. Performances span across disciplines, as creative minds specializing in dance, theater, music, multimedia, and interdisciplinary collaborations will debut their newest artistic ventures Thursday, May 16, Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18 at 8:00 p.m. nightly.
Focusing on multimedia experimentation and collaboration, this year’s program features 4 unique performance pieces, including a high-velocity work for seven dancers by choreographer Asia Pyron and PYDANCE; a collaborative blend of music, multimedia, poetry, and movement by Sarah Saturday, Dan Hoy and Garage Collective; an evocative dance and visual performance by Arelys Hernandez and Sandy Perez; and a rap, Hip-hop, poetry and music collaboration by Nashville writer Cam-eron Mitchell and national award-winning writer Idris Goodwin (Def Poetry Jam).
“This year’s line-up is more ambitious and larger than in the past, with diverse artists who are really pushing beyond normal artists’ disciplines to break new ground and confront timely issues,” says Mark Murphy, Executive and Artistic Director of OZ Arts Nashville.
The Brave New Works Lab lets local artists boldly premiere new creations and works-in-progress in a welcoming and safe space designed to bring together creators and art lovers for three evenings of artistic expression. OZ provides them with the resources needed to bring their creative ideas to life, aligning with OZ’s focus on producing and presenting the work of local artists who reflect the city’s diverse society, utilizing new artistic forms and technology in creative ways and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement with audiences. Asia Pyron/PYDANCE presents God’s Country. With explosive energy and jolting precision, seven of the city’s most intensely physical performers channel the post-punk fury and passion of a young generation at a boiling point in choreographer Asia Pyron’s high-velocity work set to the epic music of cult rock band Chat Pile.
Dan Hoy + Sarah Saturday present The Galaxy Cut. Cinematic projections create an otherworldly setting for this intoxicating blend of sublimely cool music by Sarah Saturday, incisive writing from Dan Hoy, and evocative movement by the dancers of Garage Collective.
Using a blend of multimedia and live- action performance, a deconstructed and re-imagined film script is spliced together before our very eyes.
Cameron Mitchell + Idris Goodwin – Regicide. A live band sets the stage for this highly theatrical work from poet and lyricist Cameron L. Mitchell and national award-winning playwright Idris Goodwin (Def Poetry Jam).
Five performers, under the direction of Jon Royal, mix rhythm, rap, and rapid-fire raconteuring to explore legendary, infamous, and influential leaders from throughout history who were lost to violence while at the helm.
Arelys Hernandez with Sandy Perez — Gorrión. With projected images invoking her homeland of Cuba, choreographer Arelys Hernandez partners with collaborator Sandy Perez to confront the meanings of home, origin, tradition, and community through highly kinetic movement drawing on their contemporary experiences and traditional influences.
Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at: www.ozartsnashville.org
