PHILADELPHIA —From hip-hop dance to cultural storytelling, the fall 2013 season of Family Style Open Mic at Asian Arts Initiative features local guest performers who are known for inviting audiences to personally interact with history. Open to the community at 7:30 p.m. every third Friday from September through December and February through May at 1219 Vine St., Family Style Open Mic promotes open dialogue between Asian Americans and extended “family” of all cultures, and opens the floor to all community members to share their experiences in a 5-minute spot through original stories, song, dance or poetry. A free pre-reception for all open mic guests and performers offers refreshments starting at 7 p.m.
On October 18, the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) and its executive director, Samip Mallick, will debut as open mic guest hosts. The archive is the only independent nonprofit working to document, preserve and provide access to the rich history of South Asians in the U.S.; since its 2008 founding, SAADA continues to encourage conversation about diverse cultural experiences, undertaking community forums and collecting first-day stories of South Asian Americans in their new country.
SAADA has curated a diverse lineup of local performers, including singer-songwriter and Pakistani native Umer Piracha, company dancers from Usiloquy Dance Designs, and Unsung Theater Company. Julie Myers and Mira Adornetto from Usiloquy Dance Designs, a Philadelphia nonprofit dedicated to Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam, will present an excerpt from their Indo-Caribbean production Chandroutie. Unsung Theater Company, a student group at University of the Arts, is creating a theater production based on stories from SAADA’s archive. Their performance will be an excerpt of monologues from the piece, due to debut in May 2014.
The November 15 open mic guest host is Mark “Metal” Wong, a hip-hop artist and breakdancer originally from Bermuda who calls Philadelphia home. The Haverford College graduate has a decade of experience in performing with and mentoring other dancers, first in co-founding Philadelphia’s Repstyles Crew that is dedicated to the art of dance battling, and in founding Hip Hop Fundamentals in 2011. In just a few years, the artist has been recognized nationwide for Hip Hop Fundamentals’ success in traveling to schools to present assemblies like “Civil Rights Movements: The Power of Youth Engagement as Seen Through the Eyes of Dr. King.” The dance crew’s participatory approach teaches students about the civil rights movement while empowering them to make a positive change in their communities.
The final session for 2013, on December 20, will be hosted by Family Style’s co-founders, Michelle Myers and Catzie Vilayphonh of the spoken-word duo Yellow Rage.
Family Style Open Mic: Schedule of Events*
Friday, October 18
7:30-9:30 p.m., $5-$10 (sliding scale)
Pre-show reception begins at 7 p.m.
Hosted by the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) and its Executive Director Samip Mallick
Friday, November 15
7:30-9:30 p.m., $5-$10 (sliding scale)
Pre-show reception begins at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Mark Wong, Philadelphia-based hip-hop artist and breakdancer
Friday, December 20
7:30-9:30 p.m., $5-$10 (sliding scale)
Pre-show reception begins at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Michelle Myers and Catzie Vilayphonh of Yellow Rage
*Family Style Open Mic participants are highly encouraged to sign up in advance online.
The Family Style Open Mic series takes place at Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. In addition to these monthly programs, Asian Arts Initiative hosts artists’ residencies, exhibitions, and ongoing youth workshops. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12-6 p.m., and by special appointment. Admission to the gallery is free. For more information, call 215-557-4055 or visit www.asianartsinitiative.org.
