Let’s Do a Thing is a quarterly, curated series designed as a platform to showcase new and in-progress work by local and regional artists specializing in experimental performance and video-based art. This Saturday, Oct. 24, Canopy Collective hosts the second installment of this themed series.
“I am excited that the last event was very successful and I'm elated to see that the performance community is growing through crossover collaborations among experimental musicians, theater artists, dancers and visual/installation artists,” says series founder Marcia Custer. “Most artists who have performed and who will perform at Let’s Do A Thing work in other artistic disciplines as well.”
This particular event focuses around the theme of “The How-To” – how to do something, how to do nothing and how to do anything.
“This is a chance for artists to try out the live performance experience and create work in response to a theme, which provides framework for both the maker and the audience,” Custer explains. “There's something really essential and special about the live experience that often we miss through well-crafted and pre-planned mediation. Live performance is a unique kind of risk-taking that connects audience to performer, and performer to their work. It is essential to enact and showcase these performances as much as possible to foster growth in this discipline.”
The evening begins with a reception and special screening of How to Skin a Groundhog by Ben Bennett from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by performances and video-based art from 8 to 10 p.m.
Each performance and video was created in response to the theme and performances and videos typically last 10 to 15 minutes each. All works must incorporate at least one directive for audience participation at the beginning or end of the piece. Each performance and video is modular, with each piece smoothly transitioning into each other through these directives.
Participating artists include Ben Bennett (Philadelphia), Meglouise Dance (Cleveland), Nolan Buck Drinkard (Kent), Maggie Duff (Akron) and Free Beet Thinker Theater (Cleveland).
Admission is $6 at the door.
(Canopy Collective) 3910 Lorain Ave., 216-309-1090, canopy-collective.com/
