PleiadesFest is an extension of the monthly Pleiades series, dedicated to showcasing the diverse talents within the femme, trans, and nonbinary performance community.
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The festival aims to reflect and further celebrate this mission, creating a space to build community and connection between women and gender nonconforming improvisors and creative performers from diverse backgrounds.
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The festival spans three days with nightly performances and daytime improvisation workshops and open sessions. Each night features an opening presenter/performer, two improvised group sets from our lineup of improvisors, and a closing artist or group from Chicago’s creative music scenes including the DIY, punk, noise, folk, metal, and electronic communities.
Festival schedule
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Friday, June 7
Initiator - Sojourner Zenobia
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Set 1 - Mabel Kwan, Maja Radovanlija
Set 2 - CK Barlow, Emily Beisel, Dorothy Carlos ———
Heet Deth
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Saturday, June 8
2pm, Elastic Arts (Free)
Improvisation Workshop/Session with High Zero Foundation members: Shelly Purdy, CK Barlow & Bonnie Lander
Initiator - Julie Meckler ———
Set 1 - CK Barlow, Bonnie Lander
Set 2 - Ingrid Laubrock, Mabel Kwan, Shelly Purdy, Dorothy Carlos
Movers: Cristal Sabbagh, Irene Hsiao, Julie Meckler, Rin Peisert ———
Circuit des Yeux
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Sunday, june 9
2pm, Elastic Arts (Free)
Improvisation Workshop/Session with Ingrid Laubrock
Initiator - Rin Peisert
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Set 1 - Ingrid Laubrock (solo)
Set 2 - Maja Radovanlija, Shelly Purdy, Bonnie Lander, Emily Rach Beisel ———
easygoingtech with 16-channel CLEAT system
3 day Festival PAss
GRAB YOUR 3-DAY PASS TODAY FOR GUARANTEED ACCESS TO ALL PERFORMANCES + WORKSHOPS
artist spotlights
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ingrid laubrock
Saxophonist & Composer
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Circuit des yeux
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CK Barlow
Live Sampling & Electroinics
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Cristal Sabbagh
Movement and Dance
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Irene Hsiao
Movement and Dance
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Shelly Purdy
Percussion
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Maja radovanlija
Guitar
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Mabel Kwan
Piano
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Bonnie Lander
Voice
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Rin Peisert
Interdisciplinary Artist
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Dorothy Carlos
Cello & Electronics
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Emily Rach Beisel
Bass Clarinet/Woodwinds
more about the fest
Festival Improvisors:
All improvisers are invited as individuals and will perform on two out of the three nights of the festival. Each evening performance will include two improvised sets, curated by the organizer. These sets are designed to create unique groups, allowing improvisers to encounter and exchange with each other in different settings. There will also be an option to be involved with the festival’s improvisation workshops and open sessions.
Workshops/Improvisation Sessions:
A core part of the Pleiades series is the free improvisation jams for femme/trans/nonbinary performers which take place after many of the curated monthly performances. These sessions serve as an access point for those wishing to be more involved with the free improvisation community. This will be reflected in the PleiadesFest programming through daytime workshops and open improv sessions during the three days of the festival. Sessions will provide a platform for the community to engage and take part in the festival.
