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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
