FIAF to Debut Annie Dorsen's SPOKAOKE as Part of 'Crossing the Line' Festival, 9/21–10/13

The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents the U.S. premiere of Annie Dorsen's Spokaoke, as part of its acclaimed Crossing the Line 2013 festival. Spokaoke is a participatory art event that invites spectators to perform speeches, both well known and obscure, rather than songs, in a karaoke bar.

Conceived by Obie Award-winning director Annie Dorsen, Spokaoke features 100 texts loaded into a karaoke machine and arranged in a catalogue that audience members can peruse. The texts include political speeches, philosophical writings, and even eulogies, and range from the iconic (Reagan's "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall," Jesus's "Sermon on the Mount") to the ironic (George W. Bush's "Mission Accomplished," and "Should All Oppressed People be Allowed Refuge in America," from the 1995 filmClueless). Spokaoke gives participants a chance to play with our shared legacy of spoken artifacts, treating snippets and snatches of public address like a Top 40 radio of our collective discourse.

The catalogue of speeches from Spokaoke will be available for rent from September 22-October 13 at Karaoke Cave (11 East 13th Street), which is open Monday-Thursday 5pm-1am, Friday 5pm-3am; and Saturday 6pm-3am. Normal package and bar rates apply. Visit karaokecave.net/rooms for more information and to make a reservation.

On September 21 from 9pm-midnight, Lorin Stein, editor of The Paris Review, will host a free opening event at Karaoke Cave. The public will be encouraged to deliver speeches in the main bar. This free event is open to the general public age 21 and older.