Stellar Masses

Curated by Yolanda Wisher

group of individuals sitting, wearing white
three people in head wraps smile and sing joyously
person stands at a podium with the spotlight on them, the rest of the room is black
man with hands up with projections of start behind him
woman croons poetry into a microphone under projection mapped ceiling of the night sky
hands turn knobs of mixers as a person djs
person stands at a podium reading poetry

Organized as a series of gatherings that explore the sacred roots and interstellar potential of spoken word practices, Stellar Masses upholds the spoken word as at once ancient and futuristic, capable of testifying, time traveling, and spellbinding. The site-specific events will feature writers, musicians, and filmmakers, guiding attendees through a mind-expanding continuum of ritual and performance. 

Projects

stellar mass I

FIRMAMENT

Blessing by Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Husnaa Hashim
The Stellar Mass Choir directed by V. Shayne Frederick
Performance by Sirius Juju
Film shorts by Terence NanceFrances BodomoJohan Grimonprez, and Saya Woolfalk
Moor Mother delivers The Word. Featuring Rasheedah Phillips of Black Quantum Futurism.

stellar mass II

HEAVEN

Benediction by Philadelphia Poet Laureate Raquel Salas Rivera
The Stellar Mass Choir directed by V. Shayne Frederick
Samuel R. Delany and Alexis Pauline Gumbs deliver The Word
Performance by Bethlehem and Sad Patrick
A book signing, with Samuel R. Delany, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, and Raquel Salas Rivera, will follow.

stellar mass III

EARTH

Libation by Ursula Rucker
The Stellar Mass Choir directed by V. Shayne Frederick
Marvin K. White delivers The Word
King Britt presents Fhloston Paradigm
Star show by Madison McFerrin
Film shorts by Renee Cox and Will Haughery & Kris Harzinski

hive revival

A STELLAR MASSES GET-DOWN

Blessing by Marvin K. White 

Featuring music by WORLDTOWN