“sanctuaries and fortresses” is an evening-length disco ballet directed by Anicka Austin.

What does it mean to gather and listen to the stories of women?
sanctuaries and fortresses (a phrase from the Audre Lorde essay, “Poetry is not a Luxury”) is the culmination of a year-long interest in the relevancy of myth making and the ancestral practice of gathering for collective listening in contemporary, mainstream culture.

“sunday morning at 7” upends the myth of Cupid and Psyche, looking at it through the eyes of a diverse cast of women, and through the lens of the disco era. A time when the lights of club life and funky bass lines meant sanctuary, refuge and acceptance for marginalized and ostracized people.

This work is an investigation into the politics of sensuality, femininity in a myriad of forms, and the passing on of traditional methods of coping through the use of storytelling, disco! and the radical recontextualization of existing myth.

Performances are live streamed and later partnered with the striking images of a narrative dance film titled “Birth of Pleasure” by Lev Omelchenko that will translate the live work to the screen. We hope to promote inclusivity by making the work as accessible as possible through digital representations, ticket pricing and venue selection.

*live stream link available on March 16th at www.anickaaustin.com/sundaymorning

**please note that this performance contains nudity

DATES
May 17-19th doors open at 7:30pm, performance at 8:00pm
May 20th doors open at 7:00pm performance at 7:30pm
Tickets $0-$20

LOCATION
The Bakery
825 Warner St. SW
Atlanta, Ga 30310

Abundant parking at venue. Marta accessible. Wheelchair accessible.

sunday morning at 7 is a year-long project that includes the initial developments of an educational tool with aims to inspire young people to continue pursuing careers in the theatrical arts. We aspire to bring dance to wider audiences by using the technology available (live-streaming and film) to make digital versions of our disco ballet sanctuaries and fortresses as vibrant as possible. We believe in the transformative power of collectively experiencing art and are determined to create accessible dance experiences that connect people to their inner voices and to each other.