The Pop-up Project and SoundCorps announce a joint fundraiser, Abandoned Arts, featuring a performance and dance party in an abandoned warehouse on May 12 at 7:30 p.m. at 1612 Cowart.
Musicians, dancers, songwriters, actors, poets, visual artists, videographers, sound engineers, costumers, make-up artists—imagine a world where these diverse artists routinely collaborate. A world where professional artists are free to push their own boundaries. A world where paid performers infuse their community with high quality art for everyone. The Pop-up Project and SoundCorps envision that world and are striving to make it a reality in Chattanooga, said officials.
"The Pop-up Project and SoundCorps have similar missions that support local artists, generate fair wages for performers, and provide access to the performing arts,” said Pop-up Co-Founder Jules Downum. “We support the growth of Chattanooga’s culture by creating high quality and diverse experiences that enrich our community,” added Co-Founder Mattie Waters.
The Pop-up Project works to expand professional opportunities for performing artists through collaborative site-specific live shows, performance videos and enrichment programming. And SoundCorps seeks to strengthen and grow Chattanooga’s professional music industry, encouraging live venues, recording studios, record labels, retail outlets and industry services firms.
"We believe that Chattanooga is most healthy, alive, and vibrant when its performing arts communities are thriving,” said SoundCorps Executive Director Stratton Tingle. “Supporting these organizations helps ensure a future for Chattanooga musicians like those who perform for the children at Erlanger Children's Hospital every week through SongScripts, dance teachers pushing students toward personal excellence through discipline and physical expression, and all of the technical staff needed to pull off events of this caliber.”
The fundraiser, billed as an anti-gala, will kick off with cocktails and desserts followed by a performance at 8 p.m. The dance piece features an original composition by local musician Carl Cadwell and original choreography created by the Pop-up co-founders along with seven dancers from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Fitting for the industrial site, the music, titled “This Machine,” was composed from sounds made by sewing machines, and in true collaborative fashion, the textiles of designer Maggie Pate will also be incorporated into the performance. Her fabrics are hand dyed with food waste and foraged plants from the Tennessee mountains in her Chattanooga studio, Nade. Local videographer Tim Cofield will produce a video of the performance, which will be shared later with the public for free on social media.
After the brief performance, the evening will shift into full dance party mode with tunes supplied by Synaptic Flow. In addition to a $10 entrance fee, the organizations will raise money through a silent auction, raffle and general donations. Ms. Downum and Ms. Waters said they are excited about the evening and the artistic momentum the funds will provide. “For the arts to thrive in Chattanooga, we must have community investment,” said Ms. Downum. “Both financially and by people showing up to events,” Ms. Waters agreed.
To learn more about these organizations or to donate to their efforts, visit SoundCorps.org and ThePopupProject.org. Better yet, Mr. Tingle encourages the public to bring a donation in person to the event on May 12. “See what kind of magic happens when our arts community pulls together to collaborate for the greater good.”