Monique Martin books Randolph Matthews for New York
Published 11 April 2012
Randolph Matthews performs Voce Solo - Photocredit: Nick Gurney
Among the delegates to attend decibel Perfroming Arts Showcase 2011 were nine high profile arts professionals on an International Connections bursary programme. Monique Martin, Director of Family Programming of New York’s CityPark Foundation tells us about her experience of Showcase and how it has led to her booking Randolph Matthews for two dates in New York’s parks this summer, as well as co-comissiong new work for decibel 2007 circus company Upswing.
“I am and remain forever committed to diversity as an integral tenant of my curatorial process. Decibel Showcase left me inspired by the depth and breadth of UK artists. The showcase was well organised and there was a healthy balance of panels, symposiums and performances.
“Of the performances I saw, there were a few that really stood out as exceptional, including Randolph Matthews, Arun Ghosh, ESKA and Tomorrows Warriors.
“On my return to New York, I shared my findings from showcase with colleagues to a very warm reception. While at first, I didn’t think I would be able to programme any of the acts I saw for my departments, I happily passed on my finding to those colleagues who I thought there may be a good fit for.
“I maintained a dialogue with Randolph Matthews, who I was immediately impressed with at Showcase. I found his performance vocally amazing as well as being both engaging and accessible for all ages. On a practical level, a one person act like Randolf is enticing as it is an achievable booking and a step towards demonstrating our commitment as an organisation of presenting international artists that may not be known to our core audience. Additionally, Randolph’s command of an audience, ability to collaborate and his wide appeal for workshops, from children, to teenagers, to senior citizens means he has huge potential for community engagement. Since Showcase we have continued to develop our relationship and I have now booked Randolph for two dates, plus a workshop, in New York this July.
“Showcase isn’t just a chance to view work by artists who are showcasing, it also provides opportunities to meet other bookers, presenters and artist between performances, at networking events and on the buses between venues. The international delegate contingent is in frequent dialogue around partnership.
“At Showcase I was introduced to Victoria Amedume, an aerialist and Artistic Director of Upswing. I have a real passion for contemporary circus, but have often had a challenge in booking work that is culturally diverse. I visited London to meet with Victoria immediately after Showcase, and then returned on a grant to investigate the circus scene in the UK. We are now co-commissioning a new work by the company entitled “Love Bites” that explore love through the lens of teenagers.
“After another meeting at Showcase, I have since partnered with Tamsin Ace of the Southbank Centre on a program around death. I provided research and direction on New Orleans funeral tradition called The Second Line; which they subsequently included in the “Death” Festival, held at the Southbank Centre in January 2012.”
Click here to watch Randolph Matthews perform Voce Solo at Showcase
Click here to find out more about the International Connections programme
