Edge Of Shelter

CONTACT: Sophie Webber/773-307-8252/ webber.sophie.c@gmail.com

Iddo Aharony/812-325-4302/ iddo.aharony@gmail.com

Fused Muse Ensemble, in collaboration with the Youth Empowerment Performance Project, and guest artists Kevin Lee, Steven Boone, and Amanda Asque, present

EDGE OF SHELTER

AN EVENING OF MUSIC, VIDEO, THEATER & DANCE, DEDICATED TO AMPLIFYING VOICES OF THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

www.fusedmuseensemble.com

(poster design credit: Andrian Pawluk)

Following highly successful 2013-14 performances dedicated to trafficking, domestic violence, and environmental issues (“On the Streets” 2013, “Breaking Ice” 2014) and a two-year incubation period, Fused Muse Ensemble is excited to return to the stage to present its 2016 culminating performance event, “Edge of Shelter,” dedicated to shedding light on different aspects of homelessness in Chicago.

CHICAGO – Following a series of lead-up performances at Hyde Park Salon Series, the Midwest Buddhist Temple, and Evanston Ecology Center, along with shelter volunteer work and numerous arts education workshops at locations such as St. Martin De Porres House of Hope, Sr. Jean Hughes High School of St. Leonard’s Ministries, and the Chicago Lights Urban Farm, Fused Muse Ensemble is excited to present its culminating 2016 performance, Edge of Shelter on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19 at 7:30pm at Buchanan Chapel (Fourth Presbyterian Church, Michigan Ave).

FUSED MUSE ENSEMBLE, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PERFORMANCE PROJECT AND NUMEROUS TALENTED GUEST ARTISTS, LEADS AN ARTISTIC EXPLORATION INTO THE “BEHIND THE SCENES” OF BEING HOMELESS IN CHICAGO, COLLABORATING WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED OR ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

FUELED BY THE CHASM BETWEEN THOSE WITH AND THOSE WITHOUT A PLACE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT, EDGE OF SHELTER AIMS TO SUBSTITUTE STEREOTYPES AND STIGMAS WITH A HUMAN FACE, AND FEATURES NEW MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS, THEATRICAL PIECES, DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY AND VIDEO WORKS BY ACCLAIMED CHICAGO ARTISTS.

Tickets are available online through BrownPaperTickets: $20 general admission; $10 for students, seniors, affiliation with homelessness NPO; $0 for individuals w/o permanent residence. Tickets to all events will also be available at the door.

In addition to new compositions by acclaimed Chicago musicians Iddo Aharony and Sophie Webber, the performance will showcase new video essays and artistic video-renderings by Kevin Lee (Chief Video Essayist at Fandor), Steven Boone (New York-based freelance Writer and Filmmaker) and B Rich (DePaul University Professor of Multimedia and Cinematography), as well as new contemplative and challenging theatrical and dance choreography by the talented young artists of the Youth Empowerment Performance Project.

Fused Muse Ensemble will also present an Edge of Shelter press preview performance at Nichols Hall on October 21st at 7pm, 1490 Chicago Ave, Evanston, with free admission. This event will showcase snippets from our upcoming Edge of Shelter performances in November, in addition to a silent auction and meet-and-greet with our collaborators, providing an in-depth look into the rationale and process behind each collaboration — all while sipping a glass of wine (or two).

Please email to confirm attendance: fusedmuses@gmail.com .

THE EVENING SPEAKS TO FUSED MUSE ENSEMBLE’S ONGOING MISSION TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF THOSE TOO OFTEN LEFT UNHEARD, THROUGH PERFORMANCES OF MUSIC AND MIXED MEDIA.

THE COLLABORATIONS

A bird’s-eye view of the pieces that will be presented at Edge of Shelter (November 18th and 19th):

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PERFORMANCE PROJECT (YEPP) COLLABORATION: Individual YEPP artists and FME musicians come together to create short pieces which reflect on various aspects of homelessness, and integrate some combination of music, theater, and dance.

NEW COMPOSITION WITH LYRICS BY FORMER STREET YOUTH, CHAEL WELLS (former street youth and YEPP member): Composed by Iddo Aharony, with input from the YEPP artists, this song will be sung by a small group of current YEPP members.

KEVIN LEE AND STEVEN BOONE VIDEO ESSAY : Inspired by a winter of sleeping in Chicago ATMs, Steven Boone, with co-filmmaker Kevin Lee, explore this experience on many levels. Sound design for the video is directed by Iddo Aharony.

MUSIC VIDEO TRIBUTE TO AMANDA ASQUE : Amanda is an inspiring example of someone who has completely turned her life around — from being a victim of substance abuse and many other traumas, she has become a substance abuse counselor and advocate for women enduring similar hardships, and has won many prizes in recognition of her leadership and teaching. Composed by Sophie Webber, this piece is a tribute to her story and incorporates Amanda’s own singing, breathing, along with electronics with pre-recorded and live cello.

EDGE OF SHELTER TRANSMEDIA WEBSITE

DePaul University School of Design professors LeAnne Wagner and B Rich, with the help and support of Adjust Creative (a local experience agency where LeAnne is a partner), have generously committed time to help develop an Edge of Shelter transmedia website and support materials. The site will not only serve as a repository of documentation of the performances and media created during events, but more importantly will act as a catalyst for ongoing discussions and a resource for education and aid on the topic of homelessness.

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