📚🦇Ancestral Performance Art Events🦇📚
If you, like me, are looking for ways to stay grounded, and dare I say channel JOY, during these very hard days and nights, perhaps you can put on some Ancestral Performance Art sunglasses and look at things a little differently. How are you embodying the dreams of those who came before you? How are you shifting those dreams so they are in service to a world where all can thrive?
In my latest book Ancestral Performance Art, I share the intimate work of witnessing and holding space with my dying mother; uncovering and reinterpreting racist and separatist practices within my white Jewish family; and the twinning and untwinning and twinning again I experience with my mother. There is a Workbook section at the end of the book that offers tools and prompts to help you make your own Ancestral Performance Art.
When I shared the question “What is Your Ancestral Performance Art?” a few weeks ago, one of my favorite responses was, “Mine is waiting in line at the deli.” I love the noticing that ordering bagels and lox or whatever was being patiently waited for can lead to a feeling of connection with folks that came before you. Or that by standing in line you’re engaging in a ritual of nourishing yourself, your ancestors, and your currents.
It’s also been great hearing how the book is impacting folks:
Your book is moving, poignant, brave and true.
I love the way you write. It feels familiar, and you write about performance --the way the body moves, reacts, loves, cares, and holds space-- so clearly.
Your characterization of the language, relationships, and overt and covert forms of racism within Ashkenazic communities—whether large or small—is stirring and, of course, deeply troubling.
--Barbara Simon, Professor Emerita, Columbia University
Get your ancestral energy on and join me in celebrating the launch of Ancestral Performance Art! Over the next few months, I am hosting interactive readings and performances that include sharing an ancestral drag piece by my persona Po$ter Chylde, engaging in accessible ritual to connect with our ancestors, and spending time reflecting and discussing how we each can remember, reimagine, and speculate about our ancestors in service to social transformation.
Here’s the lineup so far:
July 1* Bishop & Wilde Books, Portland, Oregon
August 9 The Center at Orchard Hill, East Alstead, New Hampshire
October TBD, Brooklyn, NY (with several additional ancestral drag guest performers!)
*Here’s a few pics from July 1! After performing, Patrick read a passage from the book while I wiped off my makeup to become Alissa again for the rest of the evening.
Po$ter Chylde embodying my father professor
Wiping off makeup while Patrick Barber, my book designer and publisher, reads a passage
Finally, check out the Rolling Stone article about the drag class I took, which includes incredible stories about and pictures of my classmates and me!
I hope I will see you at one of these events, or if you have an idea for a workshop/reading, let me know!
The practice of Ancestral Performance Art utilizes familial and ancestral history for the purpose of communal thriving and liberation. It is the examination of family stories told and retold, and the surfacing of ones never recounted. Order the book for inspiration, prompts, and support or come to an interactive reading/performance/workshop.