Matrilineart: Self-portraits from the Milky Way

MATRILINEART: Self-portraits from the Milky Way

Parenthood comes as a shock. And many a new mother has quietly disappeared into postpartum oblivion. But what if a mother minds her muse while her inner-child plays with the children?

Song Nelson, Choreographer in Residence at The 418 Project, presents MATRILINEART (matrəˈlinē ärt): Self-portraits from the Milky Way. This multimedia performance paints a comedic yet poignant self-portrait of the unique inspirations and peculiar circumstances a woman faces as she attempts to integrate motherhood and creative practice. The show features paintings by Marie Haughton Spaeth (Song’s great grandmother), who’s self-portraits of her babies breastfeeding baffled the art world over 100 years ago. Speath’s legacy is revealed in the art of four generations of daughters to follow: Janet De Martelly, Taya Nelson, Jandy Bergmann, Siena Nelson, Lila Nelson, Eden Nelson and Song’s own daughters all share the stage. In a galactic whirl of art, song, dance and word, Song borrows bittersweet truth from ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings’. MATRINLINEART finds creative consolation in mother-child musings, dark lullabies, primordial wonder, bath-time, dreamtime, clothes line and life-line.

“So you inherit her odds and ends— tiny spiral fragments,
all conspiring to do your creative work.” — Song Nelson

Guest Artists and Collaborators include: Cynthia Strauss, Caitlin Johnston, Isa Stead, Miranda Janeschild, Shelly Adams-Stryker and Patrice Wallace.

Song Nelson is a choreographer, dancer, singer/songwriter, visual artist, and sound designer. She holds a MFA from Bennington College. Formerly Artistic Director for the 418 Project, Song has been performing and directing in Santa Cruz for over two decades. She has danced for Tandy Beal & Co., Nita Little, Company of Strangers, AXIS Dance Co.; performed and directed for Plan B, Dance Theater, Mixed Mobility, and the SC Fringe Festival.

Adults $15 in advance, $18 at the door
Children 12 and under $10, Lap Children Free
Tickets: eventbrite.com
The 418 Project, 418 Front St. Santa Cruz, CA
For more info: songnelson.net

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