Okwui Okpokwasili and Peter Born will present “adaku, part 1: the road opens” at REDCAT from May 25 to 27, 2023. The performance explores the dynamics between ancestors, future generations, and the significance of ritual in a precolonial African village.
REDCAT presents a “adaku, part 1: the road opens,” captivating cross-disciplinary performance titled featuring the skilled performer, choreographer, and writer Okwui Okpokwasili, in collaboration with director, visual artist, and sound designer Peter Born, based in Brooklyn. Join us at the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT) from May 25 to 27, 2023, for this innovative production that explores the dynamics between ancestors, future generations, and the significance of ritual in a precolonial African village.
Transporting audiences to a precolonial African village on the brink of a significant transformation, this first chapter of a larger speculative mythology delves into a communal dispute that holds the power to shape the destiny of all its inhabitants. Through a collective exploration, “adaku, part 1: the road opens” delves into the intricate dynamics between ancestors, future generations, and the significance of ritual. A captivating sonic and visual landscape, comprising reflective textures, contouring shadows, and pulsating rhythms, fosters an intimate connection between the performers and the audience.
Okwui Okpokwasili, a Bronx native and the child of Nigerian immigrants, is renowned for her innovative and multidisciplinary performance pieces.Her performances prominently incorporate the rich histories of these locations and the stories of the resilient girls and women who call them home.Among her notable productions are the “Bessie”
Award-winning “Pent-Up: A Revenge Dance,” “Bronx Gothic,” “Poor People’s TV Room,” “When I Return Who Will Receive Me,” and “Adaku’s Revolt.” Okpokwasili has collaborated with esteemed film and theater directors such as Carrie Mae Weems, Ralph Lemon, Arthur Jafa, Terence Nance, Josephine Decker, Charlotte Brathwaite, Jim Findlay, Peter Born, and many more.
Peter Born, a versatile artist skilled in directing, composing, and designing for both performance and installation, is known for his frequent collaborations with Okwui Okpokwasili. Together, they have created remarkable installations and performances, including “repose without rest without end” in Trondheim (2021), “Swallow the Moon” at Jacob’s Pillow (2021), “Poor People’s TV Room” (SOLO) at Peter Born has collaborated on various remarkable works including “Poor People’s TV Room” (SOLO) at the New Museum and the Hammer Museum (2021), “Sitting on a Man’s Head” (2019) at Danspace Project, “At the Anterior Edge” (2018) with the Barnard Dance Department, “When I Return, Who Will Receive Me” (2016), “Bronx Gothic” (2013), and “Pent-Up: A Revenge Dance” (2009).They have also collaborated on the album “day pulls down the sky” (2019).
Don’t miss the extraordinary collaboration of Okwui Okpokwasili and Peter Born in “adaku, part 1: the road opens” at REDCAT, running from May 25 to 27, with performances at 8:30 pm each evening. General admission tickets are priced at $25, while REDCAT members and students can enjoy a discounted rate of $20. Additionally, CalArts students, faculty, and staff can avail tickets for just $13.
Experience the mesmerizing world of “adaku, part 1: the road opens” as it unfolds on the stage of REDCAT. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable evening of dance and storytelling!
News Source: https://danceinforma.us/articles/redcat-presents-okwui-okpokwasili-and-peter-born-adaku-part-1-the-road-opens/