Skillshare

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.

Company A

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

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

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

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

Armory Artist-in-Residence and flexn pioneer Reggie (Regg Roc) Gray hosts a dance rehearsal and dance off.

Company G & L

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 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

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

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

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.

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.