Black Label Movement & Sod House Theater's "Swede Hollow Ghost Sonata"
SEPTEMBER 14 - 29, 2019 | Swede Hollow Park - St. Paul, MN
Directed by Luverne Siefert, Darcy Engen & Carl Flink | Choreographed by Carl Flink
SWEDE HOLLOW GHOST SONATA
An outdoor, immersive performance experience using theater, dance, movement, and original music to explore the continuing histories of immigration to St. Paul’s Swede Hollow neighborhood.
Audiences set off on an outdoor, guided, theatrical promenade through Swede Hollow Park in St. Paul, stopping along the way to experience moving vignettes within a recreated world that evoked the early history of Swedish immigration to the area in the 1850s. Using Swedish playwright August Strindberg’s play The Ghost Sonata as a starting point of inspiration, this stellar cast of local, multidisciplinary performers brought to life the community that once lived in the park, sharing tales that resonate with the ongoing, current day stories and experiences within St. Paul’s East Side. Working closely with local businesses and organizations, this project also included additional community events designed to spark conversations about the rich history of this incredible neighborhood.
AUXILIARY COMMUNITY EVENTS
FREE EVENT - RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED
Monday, August 26th 7:00-9:00pm
Co-presented by and at the East Side Freedom Library 1105 Greenbrier St, St Paul, MN 55106
Join members of the cast, artistic team, and the local community as East Side Freedom Library creates and leads a gathering space for residents, artists, and attendees to share stories about their lives and experiences around early and contemporary communities of immigrants.
FREE EVENT - RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED
Sunday, September 15th
4:00-5:00pm (pre-show)
Indigenous Roots Cultural Center 788 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55106
Panelists will discuss the area now known as Swede Hollow; its histories, the cultural communities connected to the land, and its continuing significance in the life of the city.. After the panel, attendees can explore shops and restaurants in the area before making their way to that evening’s performance only a few blocks away.
TICKETED EVENT - RESERVATIONS REQUIRE
Saturday, September 21st
3:30-5:00 pm (pre-show)
Begins at East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier St, St Paul, MN 55106
Led by the East Side Freedom Library's co-executive director Peter Rachleff, tours start at ESFL and use Payne Avenue as a spine along which to follow the experiences of such 19th century immigrants as Swedes, Irish, Germans, and Italians, to those of our contemporary neighbors, such as Hmong, Somali, Mexican, and Karen. After the tour, attendees can explore the area before making their way to that evening’s performance in the park.
FREE EVENT - RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED
Sunday, September 22nd
4:00-5:00 pm (pre-show)
Co-presented by and at the East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier St, St Paul, MN 55106
Panelists will share personal, historical, and contemporary stories of immigration to St. Paul’s East Side. Following the event, attendees can explore shops and restaurants in the area before making their way to that evening’s performance only a few blocks away.
FREE EVENT - RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED
Saturday, September 28th
8:00-9:00 pm (post-show)
St. Paul Brewing
688 Minnehaha Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106
After the performance, patrons and guests are invited join us at St. Paul Brewing for our panelist conversation exploring contemporary issues surrounding immigration to the state and the country. How do the histories of immigration to Swede Hollow speak to the challenges that current migrants face as they move across borders and boundaries? Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, and all are welcome.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
This activity is made possible in part by the Knight Foundation, the David and Leni Moore Family Foundation, the City of Saint Paul Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization, and by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
BLM and Sod House Theater, under Luverne Seifert & Darcey Engen, received a 2018 Knight Foundation challenge grant to create a site specific set in St. Paul’s Swede Hollow Park - examining the park’s history as a cite for Swedish immigration to Minnesota. This collaboration conducted an initial performance workshop on the grounds of the American Swedish Institute in May 2018 and will culminate with three consecutive weekend performances at Swede Hollow Park in September 2019.