BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang: Soul Science Lab: The Renaissance MixTape at The Victoria

Feb. 9-11: Soul Science Lab: The Renaissance MixTape at The Victoria
The Apollo New Works World Premiere of Soul Science Lab: The Renaissance Mixtape will be presented at The Apollo’s Victoria Theater for four performances, Friday, February 9 at 8pm, Saturday, February 10 at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday, February 11 at 3pm. This is an evolving creation of a work in progress and is the first ever to run in the new theater. Originally built as a vaudeville house in 1917, the Apollo has created two black-box spaces in the building. For the first season, all tickets at the Victoria are only $20.
The Renaissance Mixtape is a musical that follows Soul Science Lab’s Asante Amin and Chen Lo, along with their bandmates in a live radio show - Renaissance Radio, where they grapple with questions of where Black music, art, and innovation has been and is going in the next 100 years.
Under the direction of Awoye Timpo and told through voices from history and allegorical stories of the complex questions and situations surrounding many aspiring artists, The Renaissance Mixtape crafts a tapestry of viewpoints in conversation with the voices of the past, present, and future of Black culture. With an original soundtrack featuring hip-hop, funk, and jazz influences, Soul Science Lab takes their audience on a sonic exploration of the philosophies of Marcus Garvey, W.E.B DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston and many more channeled through an outstanding cast and band! With digital projections and video montages, audiences can expect to feel immersed in the world of Renaissance Radio!
The Renaissance Mixtape is produced by Soul Science Lab and Korey Jackson; written by Chen Lo and Asante Amin; and featuring Music and Lyrics by Chen Lo and Asante Amin. The creative and design team includes Choreography by Adesola Osakalumi, Dramaturgy by Arminda Thomas, Scenic Design by Jason Ardizzone-West, Co-Lighting Design by Alan Edwards and Nic Vincent, Costume Design by Naana Badu, Sound Design by Aubrey Dube, Graphics Design by Ángel López, Projection Design by Abhita Austin with Production Manager Violet Tafari, Stage Manager Mandisa Reed and Assistant Stage Manager Siobhan Petersen.
The Renaissance Mixtape will feature a 10-piece band including Chen Lo and Asante Amin with Camerahn Alforque, Rheaume Crenshaw, Cinque Kemp, Jonathan Michel, Michael Pallas, DJ Scan, Matthew Thomas, and Paul Wilson.
This performance will take place at The Apollo’s Victoria Theater located at 233 W. 125th Street, Third Floor (between Adam Clayton Powell & Frederick Douglass Blvd).
This immersive multimedia theatrical concert weaves elements of hip-hop culture, original music, and narrative text to follow the story of two young artists who use music, images and choreography to reflect on compelling aspects of the Harlem Renaissance that parallel their contemporary experience.
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer, activist, documentarian and an Award winning filmmaker and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Lia is also the host and Executive Producer of BACKSTAGE PASS WITH LIA CHANG, an Arts and Entertainment and Lifestyle program that airs on Sundays at 6:30pm on FIOS 34, RCN 83, Spectrum 56/1996 and streams on MNN2. Lia was recently profiled on Asian American Life. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. www.liachang.com www.liachangphotography.com