SUMMER/FALL 2021
OUTSIDE BAC IN LIVE OAK PARK
FREE RSVP REQUESTED
“The world loves a clone and a good knock-off. It cheats the artist... In the obsession for technical wizardry, people disappear; and if your voice isn't present in a relationship, you don't matter." — Alonzo King
Berkeley Art Center and MATATU performative think tank present the Lawn Chair Conversation Series Quitting the Self: On Embracing the Fragments I’d Yet to Center Within My Own Being.
The series navigates the vulnerabilities, fears, and privileges that canonize our internal sense of self, with the first sentiment of sitting with liminality and brutality, and living the approach of “ensemble thinking." The second sentiment focuses on how we bring one another together when we make the realization that the group we belong to resembles remnants of our intentional self after conceding to the demands of a group membership. The series ends holding on to how all the mourning can yield a new beginning for a sovereign self engulfed by love.
Each program includes an impassioned pitch presented by our guests for an idea less considered, concluding with convivial reflexivity to ponder our own vulnerabilities in proximity to the ideas and revelations presented.
This is an open-hearted exercise. Participants are encouraged to bring their fears, their vulnerabilities, their insecurities, and their willingness to consider other ways.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7
1PM–3PM
Sentiment 1
THE ENSEMBLE: ESSENCE AS A MECHANISM FOR HEALING
with MARTÍN PERNA, Grammy-nominated producer, musician, and creator of Antibalas & PAUL S. FLORES, playwright, producer, and bilingual community advocate
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
1PM–3PM
Sentiment 2
THE LINE: CHOOSING A PATH MORE DIFFICULT
with MICHAEL MONTGOMERY of Alonzo King LINES Ballet & facilitated by IRENE FAYE DULLER, campaign director/creator, An Otherwise Co.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
1PM–3PM
Sentiment 3
BEYOND MOURNING, A RETURN TO BEGINNING
The series ends holding on to how all the mourning can yield a new beginning for a sovereign self engulfed by love. ANGELA MICTLANXOCHITL with the support of RIMAQ PALMA will guide a sacred fire ceremony to honor the life force of this element and to invite the community to let go of what they desire to transform and heal in these times of change. RAS K’DEE will DJ the afternoon with sounds to ground and move the celebration of mourning.
