2025 at Journey Arts: Pianos, poetry, and epic performances.
Here’s what I’m excited about in the year ahead.
April 2025: Eight Eight Time
Eight Eight Time. Photo by Tshay Williams.
That sound. Sitting in rehearsal for Ruth Naomi Floyd’s gorgeous and moving The Frances Suite, I couldn’t see the pianist who was enveloped by the grand piano and tucked behind a historic column. But wow, could I hear the flood of sound, the wash of emotion, and the crisp articulation that the pianist embodied.
That was my introduction to Kendrah Butler-Waters, the dynamo pianist and composer who was the initial driving force behind Eight Eight Time. When Kendrah came to Marla and me with the seeds of this 4-piano and 4-pianist project, we jumped on board with an enthusiastic yes.
Almost two years later, Eight Eight Time is getting ready for its April premiere. The powerhouse pianist quartet at the center of the work features Kendrah alongside Terry Klinefelter, Suzzette Ortiz, and Sumi Tonooka. Woven through the 12-movement suite is poetry from the extraordinary Yolanda Wisher, and visuals from talented filmmaker Lunise Cerin.
This project encompasses four story circles, a listening session, and many, many rehearsals, and over the past months, this compelling material has formed into a truly unique suite.
I can’t wait for you to experience these April performances.
June 2025: The Table Sessions
In a happy accident, this is a season of instrumental multiplicity. Four pianos grace the stage in April, and three cellos take center stage for two sweet summer evenings in June at Bartram's Garden.
Daniel de Jesús. Photo: Bryan Karl Lathrop.
The beloved Table Sessions return, this time with cellist-composer-vocalist Daniel de Jesús at the helm. They’ve created a lush sound world, drawing inspiration from poetry — by Federico García Lorca — that thrums with longing, and incorporating sound, poetry, and visuals with stunning effect. Paired with a meal that completes this full sensory experience, these evenings are magical — and that’s not just my opinion. It’s what you’ve said, too:
“Such a full and satisfying experience…. My heart, soul and belly are full and singing with happiness. Thank you! Can’t wait to join for the next show!”
“I love how the food and dance and story were combined. The spirit that they cultivated in sharing their culture. It was indeed magical. I wish more people in Philadelphia had the opportunity to experience it. I’ve lived in many places in the world, but this program was so unique and needs to be experienced to be understood.”
And, maybe the most important note, these evenings sell out. Take the chill out of January by snagging your summer evening Table Sessions seat soon!
Fall 2025: Miwa
Photos courtesy of the Miwa production.
Ready for a sneak peak of our lead performance next season? Fall 2025 is going to be stunning. You might remember Talie from her captivating set at Solomon Temple’s Table Session (Fall 2022) — or from the full-length Table Session Talie hosted in November 2023 at Bartram's Garden. Her rich, plaintive voice draws you in, spinning a world out of her subtle dynamics and intricate guitar riffs.
Talie is joined by her sister, filmmaker Lunise Cerin. Lunise has a beautiful way of seeing the world: she finds moments of intimacy and connection that might seem every-day, and she lifts them up into the luminous.
The visual and musical languages of this sibling collaboration are so exquisitely in sync. The sisters are distinct and exceptional in their own creative styles, but in their work together they go even deeper. They have created a joint aural-visual world -- no easy feat -- and watching them weave this long form exploration of Haitian diaspora and connection has been remarkable.
We’ll share more about the creation of the work over the course of the year. And look out for November 2025 event dates and details about where you can experience this immersive performance.
And that’s just one year at Journey Arts. I can’t wait to experience it with you.