| | Published June 22nd, 2022
| Cal Shakes hosts summer performances at The Bruns
| | | Submitted by Kevin Kopjak | | |
California Shakespeare Theater will host a series of outdoor performances this summer: AlterTheater's "Pure Native"by Vickie Ramirez (July 15-24); the return of Jackie Keliiaa's"Good Medicine: A Night of Live Native Stand-Up"(July 16);and?Paper Moon Presents' second annual "Measure for Measure Music Series" (July 29-31).
 AlterTheater's "Pure Native" and Jackie Keliiaa's "Good Medicine: A Night of Live Native Stand-Up" are part of California Shakespeare Theater's Shared Light Initiative, which was created in response to systemic issues that Cal Shakes identified over the past several years as they evolve institutional priorities towards right relationships with the community.
In "Pure Native," when a prodigal son returns to the reservation, his business proposal to bottle the tribe's water sparks a heated debate in the community with his childhood sweetheart leading the opposition. Premiered by Native Voices at the Autry, the nation's premiere Native American theater company, "Pure Native" received developmental support from Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Brown Swan Lab and from New York's Eagle Project.
"Good Medicine: A Night of Live Native Stand-Up" is a one-night-only event featuring top Native American stand-up comedians. Keliiaa began producing "Good Medicine" virtually in May 2020 as a way to showcase Native comedians and fundraise for tribes impacted by COVID-19, raising over $11,000 for charitable causes. Last summer sold out in just a couple weeks. For more information, visit calshakes.org/good-medicine/.
The "Measure For Measure Music Series" brings three nights of concerts back to the Bruns Amphitheater. Paper Moon Presents features Asian-American MC Lyrics Born, with support from singer Destani Wol on Friday, July 29 at 7 p.m.; folk/pop singer and songwriter Brett Dennen, with support from singer/songwriter Megan Jacobs on Saturday, July 30 at 7 p.m.; and an afternoon of bluegrass, folk, and other great string-band music, including Sam Bush, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Tony Furtado, and Nat Keefe on Sunday, July 31 at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.papermoonpresents.live/.
All performances will take place on the grounds at the Bruns (100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda). Tickets for "Good Medicine" are available now by visiting calshakes.org or by calling (510) 548-9666 (Tuesday to Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.). For tickets to "Pure Native," visit www.altertheater.org/purenative or call (415) 454-2787. For more information on Cal Shakes' Shared Light Initiative, visit: www.calshakes.org/shared-light-initiative/.
For information on Cal Shakes' COVID safety policies, visit www.calshakes.org/cal-shakes-2021-covid-19-safety-precautions/ |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA