Leroyfest 2016 To Take Place Throughout June
Leroyfest 2016 is getting set to take place at a number of island venues, with “violin Leroy and his human Taylor Rankin” to perform on six dates in June.
Leroyfest 2016 will open with shows on June 4, with additional shows on June 9, June 11, June 22, June 24, and June 25.
A spokesperson said, “Leroyfest is about pushing the boundaries, the 2nd annual multi-sensory performance festival returns.
“Leroy the violin and his team are creating a world that is part fantasy and escape yet is full of essential truth; a world rich in story, a Soulwash surprise, and in celebration of our senses and surroundings.
“At the core of each evening are Leroy the violin, his human Taylor Rankin and Dwight Hart on drums. Our guest curators are the spectacular; Yesha Townsend, Joy T. Barnum, Alexander Winfield, Derek G. Simmons and Adrian Kawaley Lathan.
“Five unique locations, five themed and skillfully curated shows with over 25 surprise guest creators. Tickets are $55 for adults and $35 for those 18 and under.”
Waves & Wonder – Bermuda Aquarium
June 4th / Shows 7 PM & 9.30 PM
“Leroyfest 2016 opens with a show designed to honor our oceans and sea creature friends. Submerge yourself as local creators perform together in a celebration of our oceans. Come early, park, ride in on the adventure shuttle and enjoy the exploration of human installations and funky creatures roaming the Bermuda Aquarium grounds. Your eyes, ears and taste buds shall be stimulated.”
Within – Grotto Bay Cave
June 9th & June 11th / Shows 7PM, 8PM, 9PM
“Descend into a hidden netherworld within the caves of Grotto Bay where a sensory soul wash awaits. It is here you will encounter the story of Zander, a child born with his senses heightened times a thousand.
“As you emerge and untie tense knots within, your senses will be further awakened with beachside performances and a Leroyfest 3-course dining experience, uniquely curated by the chef and culinary artist of Grotto Bay. The enchanting world of Leroyfest includes street-food stands, Activityville, Leroy’s favourite drinks and a Zen Zone, because one always is in need of a magic touch.
“Team Leroy advises to show up with an empty stomach.”
Intimate – Bermuda National Gallery
June 22nd / Show 7.30 PM
“Meet Violin Leroy and his human Taylor up close and personal. This show is an invitation to experience their growth with one another, through foreign world journeys, emotional discoveries, musical creations, collaboration and improvisation.
“The Bermuda National Gallery becomes the setting for an INTIMATE moment, where practices of the enigmatic Leroy will be uncovered and your soul can dive into the depths of a jumbled yet very rewarding world of creation.”
Salt Of The Earth – Botanical Gardens
June 24th / Show 8.30 PM
“An ode to our precious Bermudian soil and all which blossom from it. Leroyfest heads outside to bridge the gap between human and nature. The Botanical Gardens provide us with fertile grounds to reconnect with our roots and reimagine our stories.
“Explore the sustainable, homegrown installations, yummy earthly treats and a myriad of performers at this deep-rooted and thoughtful show.”
Hidden Spaces
June 25th / Show 7.30 PM
“In the belly of our island’s metropolis lies an outstanding location that one easily could fail to notice. The scenery of Hamilton becomes the host for the final installment of Leroyfest 2016, where you will delve into the folds of uncertainty. This is where you come to dance, to listen, to lose self in the awe of the city. Surprise will be the guide, the only rule is to trust, and embrace the wonder that is change. Come ready to move!
“Leroy the violin and his human Taylor Rankin, together with our Leroyfest team and curators welcome you.”
Curators include Yesha Townsend, Joy T. Barnum, Alexander Winfield, Derek G. Simmons, and Adrian K. Lathan.
“Yesha Townsend is a writer, educator, musician and illustrator. She has written across genres, actively blending them together and allowing the technical aspects of each to inform another. Her craft is an exploration of the technical connections that separate genres of art, and actively tries to bridge those separations.
“She has performed as a rapper, poet and prose writer, overseas and in Bermuda, most recently at TEDxBermuda 2015, and at the Women of the World Poetry Slam in Brooklyn, NY 2016. Yesha, whom at last years Leroyfest, blew us away with the grasping winds of her words, joins us this year as a destined curator. She skillfully inhales the world of Zander and exhales the unfolding story of Leroyfest.
“Bermudian Joy T. Barnum began her musical journey in childhood, when her natural talents as a poet and singer earned her recognition from her teachers and peers. She was to hone her talents at Oakwood College where she completed a B.M. in Vocal Performance/Pedagogy with Ginger Beasley.
“Joy is the essence of her name and also what she delivers to Leroyfest. Her harmonious way of treating everyone with kindness and respect yet with a strength second to none is welcome in this years Leroyfest. Joy is our first guest curator, a performer extraordinaire and one of Bermuda’s finest humans. This year she enriches our shows with her local talent discoveries and her very own soulful sweet and spice.
“Alex Winfield was born in Bermuda. By the age of five he was hanging up bedsheets, hiring actors (the actors were teddy bears and socks) and producing his own puppet plays. He hasn’t quit since. Inspired by the traditional Bunraku theatre of Japan and the Hun Lakhon Lek puppets of Thailand, Alex emphasises improvisation and immediacy in his puppetry.
“He has lived and worked in Canada, Bermuda and Europe, training with the War Horse puppeteers, Complicite theatre and renowned puppeteer Stephen Mottram. Together with Leroy the violin and Taylor Rankin, Alex collaborates, creates and manifests a vision of Zander’s netherworld within the caves of Grotto Bay.
“Raised in a musical household, Derek G. Simmons has been playing music since age 4: first mastering african drums, then moving on to the bass guitar, and now advancing in the field of digital production and audio engineering.
“He’s produced music and soundscapes for some of Bermuda’s top recording artist and has worked on stage and Front Of House for numerous acts locally and internationally including Barrington Levy, Collie Buddz, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Shabba, Byron Lee and Earth Wind & Fire just to name a few.
“Derek brings his island swag to Leroyfest and mixes together a tincture of acoustic flow. There is no doubt, that the beat doctor’s savvy enhances our whole multisensory experience.
“Adrian Kawaley-Lathan has been involved in the Arts for most of his life, starting dance at the age of four. He began with ballet and tap and over the course of his life expanded to Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, hip-hop, Swing, Contact Improvisation, Break Dance, Capoeira, Fire Dance and Argentine Tango. His Combined Honours BA in Peace Studies and Theatre and Film, simply amplifies his given talent.
“Adrian and his rockfire performers are a core element of Leroyfest. This year he sparks life into the magical world of Zander with performance creations dreamt from a distant universe.”
For more information, visit the website.
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