RED, BLACK, & GREEN: A BLUES Makes NYC Debut at BAM's Next Wave Festival, 10/31-11/4

Marc Bamuthi Joseph's red, black & GREEN: a blues (rbGb) is an interactive installation and performance that blends spoken word, music, film and contemporary and hip-hop dance to re-imagine a green movement that is inclusive of black and brown voices, and posits that valuing LIFE is the first step to valuing the planet. The critically acclaimed theatrical piece will make its New York debut during BAM's 30th Next Wave Festival from October 31 – November 4, 2012.

Developed during a three-year community-based civic and artistic process, rbGb takes place within a modular set of row houses made from repurposed materials, designed by visual artist Theaster Gates. These houses represent four American cities -- Oakland, New York, Houston, and Chicago -- where rbGb's narrative grew out of the stories and energy cultivated at Joseph's signature Life is Living Festivals. Within and among the houses, distinctive characters share personal stories through poetry, monologue, song, and movement that reflect on poverty, violence, racial consciousness -- and how we, as a collective society, can invent and navigate sustainable survival practices in urban America. Immersing audiences in a new mode of kinetic performance, rbGb strives to unite communities around a broader definition of "sustainable living" and to be a catalyst for cultural and creative engagement.

Directed by Cornerstone Theater's Michael John Garcés, Joseph is joined on stage by an ensemble cast, including actor/dancer Traci Tolmaire, musician Tommy Shepherd, aka Emcee Soulati, and vocalist Yaw.

Performances are at 7:30PM from Wednesday, October 31 through Saturday, November 3 and at 3PM on Sunday, November 4. Tickets to all performances are $20. There will be a post-show artist talk on Friday, November 2. To purchase tickets, visit www.bam.org/theater/2012/red-black-and-green-a-blues.

red, black & GREEN: a blues premiered at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in October 2011. For additional information about Marc Bamuthi Joseph, rbGB or the Life is Living Festivals please visit www.lifeisliving.org.