luciana

Movement Research Studies Project, "Dance and Labor"

April 29, 2015

Organized in dialogue with Movement Research, luciana achugar, Abigail Levine and Kathy Westwater

With panelists David Thomson and Yve Laris Cohen

How is dance labor valued? How has it been valued? How might it be? And how can we affect the value assigned to this labor? These questions were considered across a spectrum of contexts, including individual and institutional, organized and spontaneous, and historical and anecdotal to explore how performance and dance function within our current artistic, economic and labor realities. 

On today's show, I talk to Sergio Pérez and Luciana Della Villa of the Spanish band SVPER. Originally from Northern Spain and Argentina respectively, Sergio and Luciana formed SVPER when they met over a decade ago while living in Barcelona. A keyboard duo, SVPER combines Krautrock with pop and are reminiscent of bands like Broadcast. Their first album Brillar is an international hit (and rightly so - it's GREAT), and they're currently working on their sophomore record.

Check out the website for Beginnings, subscribe on iTunes, and follow me on Twitter! Also look for a live streaming episode of the show tonight (April 21st) at 8pm with Josh Gondelman of John Oliver's new show, vlogger Franchesca Ramsey and musical guest Lady Lamb the Beekeeper.

Performing the Changing City
Organized by Abigail Levine and Paloma McGregor
With panelists luciana achugar, Randy Martin, Jenny Romaine, and Niegel Smith

Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics, March 19, 2013.

"...careening astronauts and bank clerks glancing at the clock before lunch; actresses cowling at light-ringed mirrors and freight elevator operators grinding a thumbful of grease on a steel handle: student riots; that dark women in bodegas shook their heads last week because in six months prices have risen outlandishly; how coffee tastes after you've held it in your mouth, cold, a whole minute." --Samuel R. Delany, Dhalgren

Hurricanes, transit strikes, planned and unplanned explosions, occupations... Bike lanes, bus lanes, protest pens, command centers... Pedestrian zones, redevelopment zones, disaster zones... How is the landscape of our city changing and what are the possibilities for creative response? Looking at the shifting social, economic, and literal topography of our city through the frame of transformative events and policy decisions, we ask the question: what is the role of artists, activists, and all citizens in conceiving, creating, and defending (a notion of) public space? And conversely, what is the role of public space as a partner in creative expression and action? luciana achugar, Randy Martin, Jenny Romaine, and Niegel Smith reflect on our shifting urban landscape and offer opportunities to imagine how we might enact our city in the future.

Sandwiched between our regular silly pop culture banter is a new song from superstar gay rapper Cazwell and international electro pop queen Luciana called, Guess What? It's a fun new track to heat up your summer.

Before the song, the boys talk about the SCOTUS news that still hasn't come; whether or not the hosts are going to screw everything and start their own country; a prominent religious group apologizes for trying the pray the gay away; a homo is now running the U.S. Air Force; two lesbian chicks get hitched across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church; a blogger threatens to out three anti-gay politicians; and, GLAAD and American Apparel team up for Pride. After the song, we're talking about the Abercrombie model who's suing for forced masturbation; the wonderful return of our favorite cream filled snacks (Twinkies, you dirty minded people!); Disney gets some gay neighbors; and Madonna's secret project.

Hey, people. It's tons of useless information from Dale, Scott & Steve...your new best friends in Washington, DC. Come soak up the fun with us!