Photo Credit: Joel Maisonet
From June 8-18, catch Collaboraction’s 25 year anniversary production, Moonset Sunrise, in Beat Kitchen’s new Bar Sol on Navy Pier. The production is designed to honor the significance and healing power of the time between the setting full moon and rising sun.
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Moonset Sunrise’s co-creators include Pilar Audain, Anthony Moseley, and Carla Stillwell. Each creator is a longtime supporter of the arts, with Moseley and Stillwell stage veterans themselves. Audain leads a Chicago-based nonprofit, WYBM, and serves as a leader for social change in a variety of community roles. All three lead artists have won multiple awards for their respective work.
The production boasts an incredible ensemble of poets, dancers, and performers. Audain will lead the experiential-based performance. Collaboraction company members Sandra Delgado and Sir Taylor will take the stage, as well as talented artists Coco Elysses and Ugochi Nwaogwugwu.
The opening performance will be a collaboration between the production cast and Aztec Dance Chicago, featuring Susana Ollin Kuikatl Tekpatzin Banuelos. The opener will include an African ancestral libation, a ritual pouring of a liquid (or grains) in memory of the dead.
Following the opener, the artists and audience will join for an immersive healing experience that aims for collective transformation. Act I will focus on the moon, featuring a moon ritual that is inviting to all. Act II will focus on the sunrise, celebrating its arrival.
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“As we come out of the isolation and emotional toll of the past two years, we conceived Moonset Sunrise as an experience of self care and wellness, and a communal first step to solidarity and racial healing,” said Anthony Moseley, according to Collaboraction’s press release.
Collaboraction, an ethno-diverse social justice nonprofit, exists to create social change in Chicago. The 24-year-old organization uses the theater to build equity in the city, pushing artistic boundaries to inspire positive change. Collaboraction works with Chicago neighborhoods that have been historically overlooked, such as Lawndale, Englewood, and Austin.
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Moonset Sunrise will be Bar Sol’s debut event. Robert Gomez, a longtime Chicago music venue owner, recently opened Beat Kitchen’s brand new bar and event space on Navy Pier. Bar Sol, a Latin inspired venue, has an impressive view of Lake Michigan while located in the heart of the city.
“As a Chicago native Latino, I started Subterranean 28 years ago and I am honored and excited to bring this Latin-infused location to Navy Pier… One of the most spectacular views of the lake and the city is from our second floor event space, which will be available for weddings, corporate outings and unique artistic events like Moonset Sunrise,” said Gomez, according to Collaboraction’s press release.
To take part in the special benefit performance, don’t miss Strawberry Moon Affair on Wednesday, June 15. Attendees will be treated to a live performance of Moonset Sunrise, appetizing food and drink by Bar Sol, and exclusive special guest performances.
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For more information about Collaboraction, visit www.collaboraction.org. Tickets for Moonset Sunrise can be found here. Tickets for Strawberry Moon Affair can be found here.
Photography by: Courtesy of Joel Maisonet
