Free Assembly

Music will move us forward — our debut digital festival

On October 27, 2020, Metropolis Ensemble, House of YES, and (le) Poisson Rouge, presented our debut digital festival, pairing creators of diverse musical aesthetics and innovative media to create an infinity pool of video performances.

Major underwriting provided by The New York Community Trust and the trustees of Metropolis Ensemble.

On The Program

Yellow Trace*
Composed, created, and performed by Lauren Cauley (violin), Qasim Naqvi (synthesizers), and Moscelyne ParkeHarrison (dance/visuals)

Live Performance*
Created and performed by Shayna Dunkelman and Du Yun (live from Pioneer Works)

Pillar V
Composed by Andy Akiho; Performed by: Sandbox Percussion

We Walk with the Wind: Ode to John Lewis*
Composed and created by Jen Shyu & Keita Ogawa; Text from John Lewis' essay "Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation," published July 30, 2020 (The New York Times)

Soft Encounters*
Composed and created by: Ganavya Doraiswamy (vocal composition, performance, poetry); Liana Kleinman (movement, co-cinematographer); Rajna Swaminathan (poetry); Darian Donovan Thomas (composer, violin, director, editor)

Sooner and Later*
Composed, created, and performed by Ayane Kozasa, Kweku Sumbry, and Paul Wiancko

between dust and the smell of moonlight*
Composed and created by Paula Matthusen; Performed by: Lauren Cauley, violin; Jacqueline Kerrod, harp; Ian Rosenbaum, percussion; Chorus and Supplemental Footage from: the collective artists of Free Assembly

The Game*
Composed, created, and performed by Charmaine Lee and Nappy Nina

Inflection Point*
Created and performed by Vijay Iyer

Battered Prophet (for John Lewis)*
Composed and created by: Ambrose Akinmusire and Wadada Leo Smith; Performed by: Ambrose Akinmusire, Wadada Leo Smith with Lauren Cauley (violin), Colin Brooks (viola), and Mariel Roberts (cello)

Free Assembly (visual animations)*
Created by Marie Lavis; Music composed and performed by Joey Chang and Katherine Kyu Hyeon Lim

*Metropolis Ensemble World Premiere Commission

Special Thanks

We are grateful to our presenting partners, patrons, artists, hosts, broadcast team, and each of you for joining this broadcast.

Our deepest appreciation to Daniel Anastasios, Armistead Booker, Christopher Botta, Stuart Breczinski, Kyle Bruckmann, Justin Cantor, Erika Dohi, Ryan Francis, Kate Gilmore, House of Yes, Molly Joyce, (le) Poisson Rouge, Leo Leite, Jared Losow, Candice Madey Gallery, National Independent Venue Association, Bobby Nicholas, Cecile Nielson, Jacqui Rabkin, Brett Tabisel, Immanuel Wilkins, and Stuart Wolferman.