The Soul of East Liberty | Fall 2022
Let me tell ya what I’ve got
That nobody’s gonna take away
I got my tongue, I got my chin
I got my heart, I got my soul
I got my back, I got my sex
Got life, I got my life
– Nina Simone, Ain’t Got No, I Got Life
After the High Priestess of Soul belts a long list of what she ain’t got in Ain’t Got No, I Got Life, she ends with adamant ownership of what she does — her entire body and soul. Throughout her career, Nina Simone unapologetically wielded what she had through her music in order to shift and shape the future. Like the work of artists who reflect the times, the spaces where we create, share experiences with, and care for one another hold the soul of our community. They lift up what we value and express new possibilities for our collective futures.
The Fall ‘22 KST Presents season celebrates The Soul of East Liberty by exploring what communities need to thrive — control over our stories, our bodies, and our futures. We are overjoyed to support artists who unapologetically claim their right to possess their stories and own their futures, and look toward a future in which we’re all thriving where we live.
This September marks the debut of BOOM Gallery, a new partnership through which BOOM! Concepts curates visual art for the gallery at Kelly Strayhorn Theater with work from J. Thomas Agnew, D.S. Kinsel, and J.L. Mallis. On Saturday, September 17 we present Fully Expressed, a concert of local emcees curated by and featuring Adam “FRH” Golden. The following week we welcome California and Brooklyn-based 7NMS / Marjani Forté-Saunders and Everett Saunders back home to KST with PROPHET: The Order of the Lyricist, a new dance-theater work tracking the journey of the Emcee as a literary figure. The Alloy School is also back in September with an 8-week session of classes including Hip Hop, West African, Jazz Ballet, Creative Play and DanceFit. Learn more at the Orientation for Participants and Caretakers on September 17.
October kicks off with a Freshworks showing from Alyssa Velazquez. Join us at KST on Saturday, October 29 for our family-focused Halloween Mayhem, then get ready for a packed November featuring world premieres on November 11 – 12 from Fail-Safe. The month continues with Boston-based The Theater Offensive’s Gow of a Rosde on November 18 – 19. November’s creative momentum peaks at Suite Life, KST’s annual celebration of our namesakes Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly, curated by Con Alma’s John Shannon. Finally, in December we welcome Freshworks artist Michelle Johnson to close out the season.
It is more vital now than ever that Kelly Strayhorn Theater stoke creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. This fall, join us in celebrating The Soul of East Liberty and owning what we’ve got.
Joseph Hall, Executive Director
For information on our COVID-19 policy and protocols, please visit this page.
DANCE | MUSIC | COMMUNITY
Welcome Dinner & Artist Talk
7NMS | Marjani Forté-Saunders & Everett Saunders
Monday, September 12
7:00pm
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $0 – $25
DANCE | MUSIC | WORKSHOP
The Spaces: Mvmt, Word, & Sound
A Meditation and Movement Workshop with 7NMS
Wednesday, September 14
9:00am – 10:15am
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $10 – $25
VISUAL ART
Marking this Moment: BOOM Capsule
J. Thomas Agnew, D.S. Kinsel & J.L. Mallis
Saturday, September 17
6:00pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $0 – $25
MUSIC | COMMUNITY
Fully Expressed
The Lyricist’s Journey
Saturday, September 17, 2022
8:00pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $35
DANCE | PERFORMANCE | FILM | MUSIC
7NMS | Marjani Forté Saunders and Everett Saunders
PROPHET: The Order of the Lyricist
Friday & Saturday, September 23-24
8:00pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $35
DANCE | COMMUNITY
The Alloy School
Fall 2022 | Eight-Week Session
Saturday, September 17 – November 19
10:00am – 1:00pm
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Classes starting at $10 with full season registration or $12.50 for single class drop-in
THEATER | PERFORMANCE
Alyssa Velazquez
It is from her these seeds are sown
Friday & Saturday, October 7 – 8
8:00pm
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $10 – $25
COMMUNITY | PERFORMANCE | MUSIC
Halloween Mayhem
A Day of Frightfully Fun Activities
Saturday, October 29
12:00pm – 3:00pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $0 – $25
DANCE | PERFORMANCE | VISUAL ART
Fail-Safe
Los Angeles x Pittsburgh
Friday & Saturday, November 11 – 12
8:00pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $35
MUSIC | PARTY
Suite Life
A Celebration of Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly
Saturday, November 26
6:00pm VIP Reception
8:00pm Concert
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $25 – $200
MUSIC | PERFORMANCE
Michelle Johnson
Music from the Heart: A Diana Ross Tribute
Friday & Saturday, December 2 – 3
8:00pm
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $10 – $25
ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER
Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a non-profit community performing arts center in East Liberty, advancing live art through strategic vision and community collaboration with two venues running along Penn Avenue. KST’s Alloy Studios is a cultural hub in the heart of East Liberty, and the historic Kelly Strayhorn Theater is located in the thriving business district. More than 20 years after its founding, KST continues to use its broad reach to impact the contemporary arts and the community. KST’s mission is to be a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. Welcome to The Soul of East Liberty!
Photo Credit: Beth Barbis, Beth Barbis, Beth Barbis, Kitoko Chargois, unknown, unknown, Kitoko Chargois, Courtesy of Legacy Arts Project, Kitoko Chargois, Kitoko Chargois, Kitoko Chargois, Kitoko Chargois.