Skip to main content
Pivot Arts Pivot Arts
  • Get Updates
  • Donate
Pivot Arts
  • Programs 
    • Digital Works
    • Site-Specific Performances
    • Podcast
    • Games
  • Festival 
    • 2021 Festival: Reimagining Utopia
    • About the Festival
  • Residencies 
    • New Works Development
    • Incubator Program
  • About 
    • About Pivot Arts
    • News
    • Press
    • Hire Us
  • Support 
    • Support
    • Get Involved

Pivot Arts Festival

The ninth annual Pivot Arts Festival: Reimagining Utopia will take place May 21 – June 6 in both live and virtual spaces! A celebration of contemporary performance, this year’s festival presents 12 selected artists and artistic groups commissioned to create video installations or small, live works responding to the theme of reimagining a better world post-pandemic.

After a year of isolation and a reinvigoration of the Black Lives Matter movement that has brought long-term historical injustice to light, what is the future that we as a society wish to create? 

We are committed to bringing small groups of artists and audiences together in live spaces while prioritizing safety. Events include: a “performance tour” where masked audiences will be led through spaces as if moving through a gallery exhibition; an outdoor all ages puppetry show; an outdoor presentation of a string quartet; and video works to be presented at Rivendell Theater and on our website.

Tickets will be available for purchase April 30th on this website page.

A Performance Tour: Live, Multi-Arts Experience

Multi-Arts

Take a "Performance tour” where small groups of masked audiences will be led through spaces as if moving through a gallery exhibition. Featuring live performances and video installations by:

  • Christin Eve Cato
  • Danielle Ross
  • Ishti Collective
  • Maggie Kubley and Minnie Productions
  • Propelled Animals
  • SolAR* (Nefertiti Abdulmalik)
This LIVE event will take place on weekends from May 21st through June 5th.

Learn More

Far Within: A Contemporary Dance Production – Laksha Dantran

Dance

A visualization of a trans woman's nightmare during an isolating global pandemic. Presented by Laksha Dantran. This LIVE video event will premiere at the Rivendell Theater.

Learn More

KAIA String Quartet – Live Performance

Music

Experience the rich and colorful musical tradition of Latin America performed by KAIA String Quartet. One of 2018 "Top Ten Musical Recordings" - Chicago Tribune. This all-ages, LIVE event will premiere outdoors at Colvin House on Sunday, June 6 at 5:00pm and at 6:00pm.

Learn More

Nostalgic Buds – Sami Ismat

Film and Video

Sami Ismat's premiere video work explores the nostalgia of immigrants when shopping at ethnic food stores after moving to the U.S. This VIRTUAL event will premiere on Pivot Arts' website Wednesday, May 26 at 7pm with a watch party.

Learn More

The Puppet Wonder Wagon – Live Performance

Puppetry

Large-scale, abstract puppets in performance, followed by an outdoor puppet-building workshop for families to create their own imaginary creatures. Co-Created and Co-Curated by Will Bishop, Samuel J. Lewis, II, and Grace Needlman. This all-ages, LIVE event will premiere at Colvin House on Sunday, May 30th at 2:00pm and 3:30pm.

Learn More

The Real Dance: A Micro Reality TV Show – Nora Sharp

Dance

The true story of five dancers who, forced to dance in their houses (mostly) alone, tape their improvisations in order to explore truly authentic movement. Presented by Nora Sharp.  This VIRTUAL event will premiere on Thursday, May 27 at 7pm with a special event with the artists. Link will be sent in advance to ticket holders. 

Learn More

Utopian Views – Perceptions Theatre X Ndgo Blk

Film and Video

Experience this searing video performance exploring the concept of utopia and the changes Chicago would have to make in order to understand how our actions impact one another. Written and performed by Ndgo Blk. This VIRTUAL event will be available on the Pivot Arts website beginning Tuesday, May 25 at 7pm.

Learn More

Support Pivot Arts

Support Pivot Arts

Your donation helps pay artist fees and production expenses. Thank you for your support of Pivot Arts!

Donate Now

Join Our Mailing List

Join Our Mailing List

Be the first to know about upcoming performances. Sign our mailing list to stay updated on how we're pivoting.

Learn More

  • Programs
    • Digital Works
    • Site-Specific Performances
    • Podcast
    • Games
  • Festival
    • 2021 Festival: Reimagining Utopia
    • About the Festival
  • Residencies
    • New Works Development
    • Incubator Program
  • About
    • About Pivot Arts
    • News
    • Press
    • Hire Us
  • Support
    • Support
    • Get Involved

Adventurous and multidisciplinary

performance events often in unusual spaces.

Pivot Arts info@pivotarts.org

Copyright © 2021 Pivot Arts. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.