June 24 | 6:00pm

JALEN BUNCH

WORLD PREMIERE of “Finding Joy: A Celebration in Dance” - Depicting Exuberance Through Movement

This event is presented in collaboration with Celebrity Series of Boston Neighborhood Arts.

"Jalen Bunch are a talented, engaged, and innovative emerging artist who have chosen dance as their primary creative medium to influence their audience." – Luisa Harris

Bunch (They/Them) is a multi-disciplinary Black, queer, non-binary, artist from New York, currently studying to receive their B.F.A. in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory at the Berklee School of Music.

They have been exploring the arts since age 10 in various community/regional theaters, and notable stages like Radio City Music Hall, opening for the Christmas Spectacular, and Carnegie Hall, singing alongside the rock band Foreigner. In 2020, they received a Certificate of Artistic Achievement from Dance Up!, a national platform for emerging teen choreographers for their work with the Trinity Dance Company. The award was given in recognition of the dance’s theme, development, composition, invention, and performance of their original work “The Giving Tree”. They are most known for their role as Lucas/Demogorgon in the original off-Broadway cast of Stranger Sings!, The Parody Musical. Most recently, they directed The Vagina Monologues with their dear friend, Eli Douglas, in collaboration with V (formerly Eve Ensler) and the V-Day Team, at the Boston Conservatory.

For their performance at the Mission Hill Arts Festival, Bunch has welcomed the challenge to depict exuberance through movement. Bunch invites their audience to ask themselves where they find joy and how do we find our own?

Bunch desire to be a modernizing artist brought him to partner with Instruments of Things, the pioneer creators of the SOMI-1, a wearable sensor that transforms movement into sound in real-time. Bunch’s performance will unfold a unique and exceptional day of exuberance and dance like no other!

In the words of Bunch:

“For many people all over the world, the emergence of COVID-19 stole the exuberance from our lives. It separated families and friends, took away loved ones and brought a shadow of grief and loss on a global scale. However, we, humans, did what we do best: survive. We found a reason to smile and come together and laugh and dance— even if it had to be 6 feet apart. Finding Joy is a celebration of triumph and survival. It is about laughing together, crying together and sharing together.”

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Advanced tickets are recommended (no service fees)

Doors open 15 min ahead of starting time

Food and alcohol are not permitted

No smoking or vaping of any kind permitted

You can bring your own chair

Performances may be canceled or rescheduled due to rain. Full refund will be issued.

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A few words from the festival curator, Luisa Harris:

I would like to extend a very special and heartfelt thank you to YOU, the audience, because through your attendance, ticket purchase, and commitment to the arts and community, you are truly making the festival possible and treasured!

Highly valued and appreciated is the philanthropic contribution of ARTS TALKS in curating and organizing the Festival. In coordinating these gatherings, this organization aims to encourage the discovery or application of one's artistic essence.

A very meaningful recognition is CELEBRITY SERIES OF BOSTON NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS' choice to CO-HOST this event. Throughout the years, this organization has demonstrated a consistent commitment in support of the arts and the artists, always in meaningful and effective ways, and inspiring every neighborhood in Boston!

Additionally, to date, we would like to recognize these organizations for their noteworthy commitment in support of the Festival:

- TOBIN COMMUNITY CENTER, providing the welcoming location of THE YARD for the Festival’s events

- BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL, administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, with its steady pledge to strengthening our communities through the awarding of grants in support of artistic performances

- MISSION HILL MAIN STREETS, committed to revitalize its local business district and strengthen the community. Its assistance in securing additional support has been key to the realization of the Festival from the very beginning

- DAN VLAHOS DESIGN, author of the exclusive and compelling branding identities for each Festival’s series, based on his interdisciplinary design practice as well as his thoughtful guidance of student interns through creative learning

- THE RECORD CO., committed to bringing equity and sustainability to Boston’s music community, has shared needed equipment and knowledge

- NORTHEASTERN OFF CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, committed to connect students who live off-campus with their community and so adding a positive contribution to the neighborhood

- FOXFIRE CREATIVE DESIGN, dedicating time and creativity to add flair to the Festival’s mementos

- LONGWOOD PROPERTIES, providing helping hands for some of our production efforts.