In Our Theater

Family Style Open Mic
3rd Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17
 General admission: $5-10 sliding scale


Hosted by Michelle Myers and Catzie Vilayphonh of the spoken word duo Yellow Rage, Family Style is Asian Arts Initiative's dynamic and eclectic monthly open mic series where we invite the sharing of stories, song, dance, and poetry among Asian Americans and extended “family” of all cultures. Our stage is open to all who want to perform. Original work is especially encouraged. Don’t forget to come early for the popular pre-show reception with free food and drinks for all open mic guests!

Want to take the stage? Sign up for a 5-minute open mic spot here!

Food will be provided at each open mic event by Circles Thai Cuisine, Northern Liberties, Season Sponsor of Family Style Spring 2013.
Some of Spring 2013's Featured Performers:
 
Clockwise from top left: DC-based poet Gowri Koneswaran (February 15), hip hop gropu SNRG (March 15), and local singer/guitarist Jason Min (April 19).

SPRING PERFORMING ARTS RESIDENCY:
Hawaiian hula dance company Pua Ali'i 'Ilima comes to Philadelphia!
Feature Performance: Wednesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
Click here to buy tickets for the feature performance.
Hula Workshops: Adult Hula Workshop on Monday March 18, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Youth Hula Workshop on Tuesday March 19, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Click here to buy tickets for the workshops.
Photo of the Pua Ali’I ‘Ilima hula company by Taylor Crichton,
courtesy of Jacob’s Pillow Dance
Founded in 1977, Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima (“the Royal ‘llima Blossom”) is a school of traditional Hawaiian dance based in Honolulu that has performed in cultural festivals and events throughout the world. Building connections among communities in opposite ends of the country, during their Philadelphia residency Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima debuts a new piece E Hui Ana Nā Moku (“The islands will unite and rise”) that uses ancient-style hula movement to animate sacred ancestral chants to uplift and rally people in times of struggle and to call them to band together.
This project is made possible in part by support from the National Performance Network (NPN) Performance Residency Program. E Hui Ana Nā Moku is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation Fund Project co-commissioned by Asian Arts Initiative in partnership with PA’I Foundation, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club and NPN.

The She Book
Reading by Michelle Myers
Friday, March 22, 7:30 p.m.

Kicking off her 2013 book tour, Family Style host Michelle Myers takes audience members on an unforgettable journey through storytelling, spoken word poetry, and song celebrating the strength and beauty of women, especially in their most vulnerable moments. In giving shape and life to these meaningful, vibrant stories in her performance/reading, Michelle hopes to build a community united in the restorative energy of love, acceptance, and personal power.

$10 General | $8 Student Admission
FREE Admission for anyone who brings a copy of The She Book to the door

Copies of The She Book will be available for purchase for $15 each; purchase of the book includes admission to the show.

ABOUT MICHELLE MYERS
Michelle has been a professional spoken word poet for 13 years. She is a founding member of the spoken word poetry group Yellow Rage, a dynamic duo of Philly-based Asian American female spoken word poets. Yellow Rage is best-known for appearing on the first season of the critically-acclaimed HBO television series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry and performing in the first live Def Poetry Jam show in Aspen at the 2001 HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. As a solo artist, Michelle is dedicated to raising awareness about social injustices and building positive relationships across communities.

Proceeds from box office and book sales will be donated to Odanadi, an organization based in Mysore, India that rescues and rehabilitates women and children who are survivors of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

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