Created Commons is an expansive multi-agency initiative that centers, engages, and employs BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists, communities, and cultural workers to activate public space for community connections, resonance and resiliency.

As part of Creative Commons, the performance, production company,Lelavision, has been tapped to provide a platform for the BIPOC centered performances, wellness offerings, and science panels with their kinetic sculpture, Interspecies Communication, a 50ft whale and 32ft wingspan bird flying over the top.

Performances, workshops and talks will take place through the 9 days, exploring the theme of “healthy eco systems, micro and macro” and “the intersection of social justice, racial justice and climate justice" with an intention of cultivating liberative moments for all who join us at the park.

Lelavision is collaborating with the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association/Arts in Nature Festival, Jack Straw Cultural Center, dani tirrell , Alexia Jones/R2ise, Dr Sinead Younge/Morehouse & Andrew Young Center for Leadership and Dr Seema Clifasefi of UW's HaRRT Center.

Performer & Schedule Information:

An Indigenous-centered opening will kick off the event on Friday, August 27, at 6pm. Orca Annie & Odin Lonning, UW Tacoma Students from the Pacific Islander Student Association, will share stories, music, and tales of their activism on behalf of the resident Orcas in the Salish Sea. Duwamish Tribe representatives Ken Workman, Nancy Sackman, and Billie Jane Lakey will also be present. Donations for Real Rent Duwamish will be collected throughout the event to honor the Duwamish Tribe and acknowledge the unceded land the event will take place upon.

On Saturday, August 28, 12pm - 8pm, the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) (https://dnda.org/festival/) will present an Arts in Nature Festival Showcase, a condensed version of the well-loved annual Arts In Nature Festival that has offered an eclectic experience of art and performance in a local park for 22 years. Starting at noon, the park will be full of art on the paths, fun in the field, sound bath, roving dancers, and more. Between 3:00 and 8:00 pm, poet LASH will co-MC the main stage performances, with movement artists Danza Symbiosis, Seattle Capoeira, and Noelle Price with cellist Gretchen Yanover. Music features include Troy Osaki, Jennifer Moore, and Holy Pistola.

Sunday, August 29, from 12pm to 3pm, the park will come alive with activities and eco-arts in the field and with trail animations. From 4pm to 8pm, the festival will feature performances curated by artist and activist “dani tirrell” (https://danitirrell.com/) and a science panel on healthcare access. Panelists include Candace Jackson of the African American Health Board of Seattle and Dr Sinead Younge, Director of the Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis Institute in the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership at Morehouse College. Performers Dandy (David Rue & Randy Ford), Northwest Tap Connection, Majinn (Michael O’Neal), J Mase III, Kutt’N’Up, and Malicious Vixens will take the stage following the panel. The evening’s finale will be a community dance party with DJ dark_wiley. Pop-up vaccines will be available on site.

On Tuesday, August 31, from 6pm-8pm, the festival will create a community event in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day in collaboration with artist and counselor, Alexia Jones, the Executive Director of R2ise (https://r2isetheatre.org) and Dr Seema Clifasefi of UW’s Harm Reduction Research and Treatment (HaRRT) Center (https://depts.washington.edu/harrtlab/) . Vaccines will also be available on this day.

Friday, September 3, 6pm-8pm will feature a drumming/percussion/chant filled circle with rhythms of the African Diaspora with artist Sumayya E. Diop. Some drums will be provided, or participants can bring their own percussion (including clapping, stepping, and heartbeat).

Saturday and Sunday, September 4 and 5, 3pm-8pm Jack Straw Cultural Center (http://www.jackstraw.org/) joins Lelavision in presenting BIPOC poets, musicians, and dancers, including Hula Halau O'keala'Akua Naniloa Mana'oakamai; Jack Straw Writers, hosted by Anastacia-Renee; and music by JR Rhodes. Sunday’s presentations will include a Community Bon Odori; music by Nic Masangkay, Trio Guandalevin, and Seattle Kokon Taiko, and Jack Straw Writers, hosted by E.J. Koh.

Throughout the event Lelavision will share their signature, hybrid performance of music and dance on kinetic musical sculptures. Interspecies Communication, the centerpiece sculpture for the event, was designed and fabricated by Lelavision co-founder and co-director, Ela Lamblin. Festival attendees wil be able to animate the sculpture by “flapping the bird” from 12pm to 8pm each weekend of the event.