Scratch Night Destinos Edition is featuring Ellas y Yo Mexicanas (Them and I, Mexicans) a solo by Silvita Diaz Brown with Lani Montreal on October 20th at 7:30pm (tickets in bio). Ella y Yo Mexicanas is a dance-theater triptych inspired by historical figures who defied colonial and patriarchal expectations: uncompromising painter Frida Kahlo, feminist writer and philosopher Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and a contemporary character, “Silvita,” based on my own lived experience as a Mexican woman and artist transplanted in the U.S. The newest section, Silvita, is still in development. Rooted in autobiography, it draws from my childhood experiences of racism growing up in Puebla, Mexico, the early loss of my mother, and the journey of carving a creative identity in diaspora. To ground this process, I commissioned a poem from playwright Lani Montreal, who interviewed my family, close friends, and collaborators. The resulting text became the backbone of the solo piece you will see tonight which will be part of a bigger ensemble piece that will be presented this November 14 and 15 as part of my Body Passages Residency at Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble.
Monday October 20  7:30 pm.

With the support of my Individual Artist Program grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) as well as a Dance Studio Residency at Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble  I am creating the third section of my project/research Ellas y Yo Mexicanas: Silvita section. Sildance/Acrodanza team has been working this fall at CDE and we will share the work as part of Body Passages. 

Performances on November 14 & 15 7:00 pm.