With a performance ritual, „Trancestors“ conjures up the queer trailblazers. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of trans activist Sylvia Rivera's groundbreaking 'Gay Power' speech in New York and the activist movements surrounding the Stonewall uprising, this dance evening also pays tribute to Swiss LGBTQIA+ history, in particular to trans icon Coco.
Together with Aaa Biczysko and composer Lou Drago, Jules Petru captures the raw energy of queer resistance and explores the intersections of identity, (non-)belonging, resistance and collective memory from a queer perspective. Combining dance, sound and performance, the piece transforms the personal and political struggles of queer, non-cis bodies into a sacred ritual of self-discovery and empowerment.
Choreography, Performance: Jules Petru
Performance: Aaa Biczysko
Sound: Lou Drago
Audience discussion following the performance on 25 January
Following the final performance of Trancestors – on the paths of our queer trailblazers on 25 January, we cordially invite you to a artist talk. Cultural journalist and dramaturge Heinrich Horwitz will talk to the artistic team about the creative process, research and artistic decisions behind the production.
The discussion will focus on the extensive archival work that underpins the production: research in the Duberman Papers at the New York Public Library on key figures in the trans* and queer liberation movements, such as Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, whose voices and struggles have had a lasting impact on the play. This international perspective was complemented by local research on Swiss LGBTQIA+ history, in particular on trans* icon Coco, known from the SRF documentary Traum Frau Coco (Dream Woman Coco).
The artistic development process during the ATLAS programme at ImPulsTanz Vienna, which explored key aspects of the work in greater depth, will also be discussed. Another focus is on the collaborative nature of the project: the in
volvement of Lou Drago (sound/composition), Aaa Biczysko (performance) and Bendik Giske (live saxophone) and the question of how these different artistic practices were brought together in a shared performative ritual.
The discussion offers insights into the connection between archive, body and present, into collective working processes and into the translation of historical materials into contemporary performance practice. Questions from the audience are expressly welcome.
Duration: 50 min
Language: English, Swiss German
Supported by the City of Zurich Department of Culture, Aargauer Kuratorium and Pro Helvetia.