IIWII: 000 (April/May?)
a beginning, of sorts
I would be lying if I told you I knew how to start this (again), after so long—and during an actual retrograde—
but that’s what process is for. Let’s chat.
For those new here, hi. I’m Jayson. I write. I dance. I make sounds. I curate. I host. I ask great questions. I teach. It’s a lot, so: I started it is what it is in order to mark a new timeline in my artistic practice—one where the pieces connect in real time. I’ll explain the rest as we go. Here are some sounds to get you through:
it is what it is (current + upcoming events, NOMAD)
I’m outside (again)—
Since last summer, I’ve been collaborating with choreographer Chris Masters on a piece called Mausoleum, which premieres at BAM this June! More about the piece here.
Reading poems on May 25 for the html.review—more details TBD. Take a look at their newest issue when you can (my poem is here).
Last week, NOMAD x Brooklyn College partnered for two readings funded by CUNY’s LGBTQ+ Consortium. Queer writers within the Brooklyn College ecosystem were paired with established writers for an intimate reading + conversation, called “the inlet”. Thank you eternal to Phillip B. Williams, Angel Nafis, John Keene, and Taylor Johnson for coming out—be on the lookout for more partnerships this year, & reach out to nomadreadings@gmail.com if you’re trying to make something happen in 23-24!
NOMAD is returning this Saturday for a really special one. Part celebration, part family reunion, join Tyriek Rashawn White & Nabila Lovelace as we celebrate the release of Tyriek’s debut novel, WE ARE A HAUNTING. Word is Change Bookstore will partner with us for book sales, & as always, we’re live at Grandchamps. Click the flyer below to get your ticket!
it is what it could be (a process journal, of sorts)
Talking about what I’m working on seems like an odd stunt during retrograde, so we’ll elaborate next month. Instead: an incomplete, inexhaustible book list, & the last time I talked about it—
females (Chu), wayward lives/beautiful experiments (Hartman), allegiance (Harris), farther traveler (Wilson), unexplained presences (Bryant), the she said dialogues (Oliver), a toast in the house of friends (Oliver), the color of kink (Cruz), yearling (Mei-en), optic subwoof (Kearney)
—this is all for a performance project i’m currently working on, called SiSS. I start talking at 24:53 (shoutout to Guggenheim, Harmony Holiday, Jaamil Kosoko, and Taylor Johnson for the space to muse).
Summer means I’m free(r) to hole up in some rooms to research + collaborate + chat more about this—if you have thoughts, I (might) have time. Hit me.
it is what it will be (outside, plans)
Jaylen Strong is starting A Tradition of Friends pretty soon & it looks very fly. The Burning World Book Club is also a fun place to be if you’re interested in community learning—the babes love rigor & the texts are strong, so go play.
Been writing + talking w/ the dolls a lot about rage + femmes, & stumbled upon this BIG MAD syllabus by Kiki Nicole which is so, so good.
Summer schedule for NOMAD next month + more updates. In the meantime, keep it cute, keep your boundaries, keep your heart.