The Greene Space at WNYC and WQXR Welcomes Artist in Residence Toshi Reagon
Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician kicks off three-part event series,
“Now That We Are Here,” on Wednesday, May 15
Residency examines the parallels between the dystopian future depicted in Reagon’s
opera based on Octavia E. Butler’s Parable novels and the environmental destruction,
racism, wealth inequality, and growing violence of today
(New York, NY – May 13, 2024) – This Spring, award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Toshi Reagon will present three events exploring some of today’s biggest challenges as part of an Artist in Residence series at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space.
Reagon, who has been performing since 1996, has made an unforgettable mark on the world of music, theater, and activism. She is the composer and co-creator, with Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, of a congregational opera based on Octavia E. Butler’s novels, Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. Her residency at The Greene Space, “Now That We Are Here,” will present a fusion of music, storytelling, and conversation to examine the parallels between the dystopian future depicted in the Parable novels and some of today’s most pressing challenges: climate change, racism, wealth inequality, and growing violence.
Channeling the spirit of Butler’s protagonist, Lauren Oya Olamina, and her Earthseed Belief System, Reagon empowers audiences to explore their ability to hold on to society in the face of both crises and the incredible technological advancements that seem to go beyond the ability to contain them. She promotes the power of collective action within our communities to navigate the uncertainties ahead.
“My collaboration with Octavia E. Butler resulted in works like “Parable Path” and “Songs of the Living,” which act as communal pathways for audiences to connect with Butler’s legacy and to build community with each other,” said Reagon. I’m a firm believer in the power of gathering; singing together fosters collaboration and connection. The Greene Space series exemplifies this, paving the way for my upcoming sing along at Lincoln Center in June, which itself links to another project in October. It’s all a continuous thread.”
“Toshi Reagon’s performances go beyond entertainment; they are simultaneously a joyous call to action and a space for reflection and they leave a profound impact on all who experience them,” said Kristina Newman-Scott, Executive Director, The Greene Space. “Her unwavering dedication to social change and powerful storytelling perfectly aligns with our mission of sparking meaningful conversations. We can’t wait to share her impactful work with our audiences live in The Greene Space and Everywhere else.”
SONGS FOR THE JOURNEY
Wednesday, May 15, 7-8:30
Reagon invites audiences to participate in an intergenerational Freedom Songs journey, immersing themselves in the significant music of the Songs of Freedom movement and the Parable Opera. These pieces explore powerful themes of resilience, hope, and the unyielding human spirit.
THE PARABLE PATH: WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OCTAVIA E. BUTLER
Tuesday, May 21, 7-8:30pm
Reagon leads a discussion and performance based on the themes in Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, including climate change, urban resilience, and the importance of community in the face of adversity.
2024 DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU’RE VOTING FOR
Wednesday, May 22, 7-8:30pm
The world Butler created suggests a broader weaponization of technology to surveille the population and control information which leads to a society rife with distrust. How does the use of technology today mirror that of the Parable books? The question is especially relevant this year as more voters than ever in history will head to the polls in at least 72 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world. Media activist and filmmaker, J. Bob Alotta, explores options for agency and accountability in the age of disinformation.
Since its debut in 2017, Reagon’s opera has traveled to three continents, captivating over 45,000 audiences worldwide. Reagon also developed the Parable Path, an initiative that fosters collaboration among artists, community activists, and creators across various disciplines, and Songs of the Living, an initiative that builds community choirs.
Reagon, is a 2024 NY Women’s Fund Honoree, has showcased her immense talent through residencies at prestigious institutions such as Carnegie Hall and the Paris Opera House, as well as numerous festivals and venues worldwide. She performs with her band, BIGLovely.
The Greene Space’s Artist in Residence (AIR) program welcomes NYC’s most innovative artists, cultural institutions, and community organizations as partners in curation and programming. The AIR program prioritizes the creation and advancement of socially conscious and relevant works by artists and organizations that help promote a more equitable society in NYC and beyond.
Information and tickets for each event may be found at: https://thegreenespace.org/events/. All events are available as a live webstream at www.thegreenespace.org.
Lead philanthropic support for The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space is provided by The Jerome L. Greene Foundation. Additional support for The Greene Space comes from the Howard Gilman Foundation and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. The Greene Space Artist-in-Residence Program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
ABOUT TOSHI REAGON
Toshi Reagon has been described as “a talented, versatile singer, songwriter and musician with a profound ear for sonic Americana—from folk to funk, from blues to rock” by critic/blogger Eva Yaa Asantewaa (InfiniteBody). “She masters each of these genres with vocal strategies that easily spiral and swoop from the expressively sinuous to the hard-charging, a combination of warmth and mischief.”
While her expansive career has landed her comfortably in residence at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House and Madison Square Garden, you can just as easily find Toshi turning out a music festival, intimate venue or local club. Toshi finds home on any musical stage. Toshi has had the pleasure of working with Lenny Kravitz, Lizz Wright, Ani DiFranco, Carl Hancock Rux, Nona Hendryx, Pete Seeger, Chocolate Genius and many other amazing artists, including her favorite collaborator, her mom, Bernice Johnson Reagon.
Yaa Asantewaa writes, “Toshi knows the power of song to focus, unite and mobilize people. If you’ve been lucky enough to be in Toshi’s presence, you know you can’t walk away from her without feeling better about yourself as a human being. She aims for nothing less.”
Toshi has been the recipient of a NYFA award for Music Composition, The Black Lily Music and Film Festival Award for Outstanding Performance. She is a National Women’s History Month Honoree, and is the 2010 recipient of OutMusic’s Heritage Award.
ABOUT THE JEROME L. GREENE PERFORMANCE SPACE
The Greene Space is New York Public Radio’s intimate performance space and multiplatform production studio with a mission to channel the collective genius of New York City to produce forward-looking live art, theater, and journalism that sparks change. It provides a space for fostering artistic experimentation and exploration, convening challenging conversations and forging connections between New York City’s diverse communities. Since 2009, The Greene Space has hosted luminaries including Janelle Monáe and The National, actors Frances McDormand and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, writers Nikki Giovanni, Hilton Als, and Roxane Gay, and newsmakers Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chelsea Manning, among many others. For more information, visit www.thegreenespace.org.