Also this week, 'Latin History for Morons' in Oceanside, Sacra/Profana and more
The topics of what expected of women and who they really are tell only part of the story in "One Pie at a Time," a fluid and thought-provoking melding of dance, theater and commentary. The production conceived by Erin Kracht and Tina Carreras has, for me, been a highlight of this year's San Diego International Fringe Festival, which runs through Sunday at venues across the city.
"One Pie at a Time" is comprised of a series of interconnecting scenes, performed by an ensemble at the Light Box Theater in Liberty Station, that besides Kracht and Carreras includes Madelyn Embry, Kamil Richardson, Tem Albright, Lisa Strickland, Alexa Lopez Plush and Samara Rodriguez.
One segment may be performed in dance to recorded words or music; another may be more traditionally theatrical. All reflect on today's women, who reside in a patriarchy that dictates everything from duties they should perform to how they look and even think.
The use of dance and movement, costuming and even facial expressions during the performance can be as effective, even more so, than words that convey the weight of these gender expectations.
And yet "One Pie at a Time" is also about empowerment, and ultimately it takes a stand not only for women but for those in the trans community oppressed in many of the same ways.
Yes, there is pie in this production, and it makes more than a few cameo appearances.
"One Pie at a Time" will be performed again Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Liberty Station's Light Box Theater. Tickets at sdfringe.org.
The most polished and powerful act I've seen at the Fringe so far is Yvonne Brown's "hiphopera" titled "Fre3sty13." From its righteous, jazzy reinvention of the national anthem to its passionate cry-out about the elusiveness of the American Dream, Brown's self-written show mixes spoken word, movement and a rangy singing voice reminiscent of Minnie Riperton to create an hour of melodic and poetical social commentary.
Backed by a keyboardist (Dahani McFadden), two vocalists (Erin Vanderhyde-Gross and Brianna Grace) and on a looper, percussionist Q Ortiz, Brown sings and raps seamlessly her observations on race, the sexualizing of women, and the perceptions in media of Black Americans and Black women in particular, all of it reminding the audience that, in Brown's words, "Truth is brutal but crucial."
In performing her song "Feminine in the Soul," she accompanies herself on African drum and even does a handstand. I'm hoping this talented SDSU alum's meditative show finds audiences long after its Fringe engagement.
"Fre3sty13" will be performed one more time, today at 9 p.m. in the Light Box Theater at Liberty Station. Tickets at sdfringe.org.
It's been nine years since John Leguizamo rocked La Jolla Playhouse with his show "Latin History for Morons." The satirical standup act combined history and comedy while making sharp, even shocking observations about millennia of oppression. Leguizamo and "Latin History" returned to town in 2019 as part of a national tour.
Now "Latin History for Morons" is coming to North County, where Oceanside Theatre Company is staging Leguizamo's show, starring Rick Najera, beginning with a preview performance on Friday. Saturday is opening night and the show runs through June 8.
Culture Clash co-founder Herbert Siguenza is directing this show. If you haven't seen it, get there to laugh and learn. Tickets at oceansidetheatre.org/latin-history-for-morons.
I was disheartened to read in Union-Tribune Arts Editor Pam Kragen's recent story "San Diego Arts Organizations reeling after NEA grants canceled" that the longstanding local chamber choir Sacra/Profana is among those threatened by these critical cancellations.
A major city such as San Diego needs just the kind of artistry that makes Sacra/Profana the niche but integral entity that it is.
Who knows what the future may hold, but in the meantime the chamber choir has a performance coming up at 4 p.m. Sunday at Christ United Presbyterian Church on Fir Street. "Sliding Glass Doors" will feature music in the tradition of Black Americans including works composed and arranged by gospel scholar Brandon Waddles. Tickets at sacraprofana.org.
When a band's been around for almost 50 years you wouldn't expect all of its original members to be still in the fold. Even the Rolling Stones can't claim that. But The Damned, now on tour, at least boasts three members who were there at the start, in 1976: lead vocalist Dave Vanian, guitarist Captain Sensible and drummer Rat Scabies.
Vanian and company, which also includes longtime but not original bassist Paul Grey, are in town for a performance Saturday night at The Observatory in North Park. Punks young and old should be out in force. Tickets at observatorysd.com/shows.
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
"'Sometimes I Kiss Flowers,' with William Forsythe"
Enjoy this talk by William Forsythe, the 2024 Kyoto Prize Laureate in Arts and Philosophy, whose groundbreaking choreography has transformed ballet into a dynamic contemporary art form. He served as director of Ballet Frankfurt for 20 years, followed by the founding of The Forsythe Company, which he led from 2005 to 2015. From 2015 to 2021, Forsythe was on the faculty at the University of Southern California, where he played a key role in establishing the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Forsythe has redefined the boundaries of classical ballet, introducing improvisation techniques and innovative artistic approaches. His work spans stage productions, installations, and films, and has been featured in major museums worldwide, influencing dance education and contemporary art. '
"Afro Italians on Screen: Stories of Resistance, Renaissance and Community"
Filmmakers Daphne Di Cinto and Medhin Paolos join UCSB's Stephanie Malia Hom to explore the history and lived experiences of Black African communities in Italy. Their conversation centers on two short films: "Il Moro" by Daphne Di Cinto, which tells the story of Alessandro de' Medici, the first Black head of state in modern Western history, and "Asmarina" by Alan Maglio and Medhin Paolos, which documents Eritrean and Ethiopian communities in Milan. Together, they discuss the importance of expanding Afro Italian representation in media and culture, reclaiming overlooked histories, and challenging public stereotypes. Their work highlights the resilience, cultural continuity, and intergenerational efforts that shape the Afro Italian experience and call for a more inclusive understanding of Italian identity.
"Oxytocin's Pathway to the Origins of Speech and Dance"
Dr. Constantina Theofanopoulou studies how the brain controls sensory-motor behaviors like speech and dance, with the goal of creating new drug- and arts-based treatments for brain disorders. Her brain imaging work shows that the same areas of the motor cortex help control muscles used in both speech and dance. She's also found that the oxytocin gene -- sometimes called the "social bonding" hormone -- is active in important brain regions like the motor cortex and brainstem. By working with birds such as zebra finches and Bengalese finches, as well as humans, she's shown that oxytocin plays a key role in vocal communication. Her future research explores using oxytocin-based drugs and dance therapy to help people with speech and movement challenges.