Lakshmi has been selected to be a Resident Artist this year at ACRE, a residency in Steuben, WI. To learn more about ACRE, head to http://www.acreresidency.org/application/
"A Half-Light Chorus": A New Sound Installation by Lykanthea
Lakshmi is pleased to announce "A Half-Light Chorus," her new sound installation for Chicago-based Experimental Sound Studio's Florasonic series. Set in the greenery of the city's Lincoln Park Conservatory, the installation explores birdsong and memory with a four-channel recording of vocalists imitating the songs and calls of birds from Indian and Sanskrit literature. The installation opens on May 6 at 3pm with a performance by Lakshmi and violinist Lucy Lucy, and closes on July 22 at 3pm with an ensemble performance featuring musicians and dancers. Read more about Lakshmi's spectacular first work of public art here.
Lykanthea at MCA Hearts Chicago: the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Lykanthea has joined the lineup for MCA Hearts Chicago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. From 10-11am on October 21, the public will be treated to a free, hourlong performance of new songs and arrangements. The full weekend lineup includes Lupe Fiasco, Jamila Woods, Billy Corgan, and more. Head here for details.
Ensemble:
lead vocalist; composer and arranger; creative director:
Lakshmi Ramgopal
chorus:
Adele Nicholas
Olivia Hickner
Bindu Poroori
Lisa Mishra
violin:
Lucy Little
percussion:
Collin McCanna
movement:
Rosé Hernandez (Burning Orchid)
Efrén Arcoiris (Burning Orchid)
select costumes:
Rebirth Garments
Maalai: A Sound Installation
Maalai is a sound installation by Lakshmi Ramgopal at Chicago's Comfort Station. The installation uses Hindu iconography; written and photographic materials; and Tamil and English recordings of women in Ramgopal's family and conversations between Ramgopal, her mother, and grandmother to explore diaspora, colonialism, and intergenerational trauma. Grappling with historian Antoinette Burton’s claim that the memories of home narrated by the women of India’s Late Colonial Period created “an archive from which a variety of counterhistories of colonial modernity can be discerned,” the installation asks how South Indian women in pre- and post-1947 India preserve their personal histories and when they choose to self-erase.
The installation closes with a short improvised performance by Ramgopal which incorporates the Sanskrit, Tamil, and Hindi hymns and lullabies on Sunday at 8:30pm.
ACE OF CUPS
Lakshmi has curated a two-part series featuring music and readings called ACE OF CUPS. Come through Chicago's Elastic Arts on June 14 and July 19! Flyer by Marissa Malik.
New Interview with LOUD Lotus
Read Lakshmi's interview with LOUD Lotus on Indian American identity and how it shapes her music here. Photos by Thumy Phan.
Record Store Day Bundle with Marissa Malik
Lakshmi has teamed up with London's Marissa Malik of Bad Hands for a limited edition bundle in honor of Record Store Day 2017. Each bundle includes Migration on cassette and TIGRESS TEMPTRESS, a 17” x 11” hand pulled screen print by Bad Hands with metallic gold detailing. Each bundle comes with a free download of Migration, and 20% of profits from each order will be donated to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. All orders ship May 1.
Chicago Reader Contribution
Chicago Reader has published an important story this week about how the impending loss of the Affordable Care Act will impact Chicago's music community. Read it here for testimony from Lykanthea and other musicians for whom the ACA has been critical.
Lykanthea Performs at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art
As a woman, the daughter of immigrants, a musician, and professor, Lykanthea is honored to speak and perform at the Museum of Contemporary Art's "Self-Care as Warfare" on January 24 at 6pm. This event is free for IL residents. Photo credit: Sierra Thompson
Lykanthea at SPELLBOUND
Lykanthea will perform from 7-8pm at Asrai Garden's SPELLBOUND event at Freehand Chicago on October 22. The evening includes brews by Nandini Khaund, temporary tats by Black Oak Tattoo, palm readings by Theresa Principe, a smudge stick station courtesy of Asrai Garden, and DJ sets by Heather Gabel and John Biggerovksi. Last year's event was packed from the start, so show up early and party late. 🔮🌙
Discrimination in DIY
Read Lykanthea's Medium post about discrimination in the DIY scene and how white allies can be helpful.
Lykanthea performs for Lucien Shapiro's "Fear Collecting Rituals"
Sasvata: a new project
Lakshmi is honored to share Sasvata, a new project co-founded with the inimitable Billie Jean of Akosuen. Part improvised, part composed, Sasvata draws on noise, ambient, Carnatic and electroacoustic music to create something totally different from Lakshmi and Billie's respective solo work. Check them out live at their debut performance at Chicago's Elastic Arts on May 20! Details here.