Composer in Concert: The Golden Door: an American immigrant song cycle
When:
Saturday, November 23 at 7:30PM
Sunday, November 24 at 2PM
Sunday, December 1 at 2PM
Sunday, December 1 at 4PM
Each performance will be about 60 minutes in length.
Cost:
Free and open to the public! Space is limited, so please RSVP here. Donations will be welcomed but not expected.
Where:
The Inscape building at 815 Seattle Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98134.
Free parking is available off of 6th AVE South, just around the corner (behind the fence).
The building is wheelchair-accessible (please use the load-in area and entrance on Seattle Blvd South).
Follow the signs to the Siquina room on the 1st floor.
What:
Experience an evening of music, storytelling, and oral history as composer and songwriter Shaudi Bianca Vahdat presents a solo version of her new project, The Golden Door: an American immigrant song cycle.
This intimate performance marks the culmination of Shaudi’s Inscape Arts residency, offering you the chance to be among the first to hear these songs in a casual setting before the project receives a full-cast performance in Seattle Center as part of the Artists at the Center program this spring.
Originally workshopped at Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain, as part of Shaudi's thesis project, The Golden Door draws from a series of interviews conducted by Shaudi with people who identify as members of a BIPOC immigrant community in the US, who want to share their stories. Using these interviews, historical documents, and her own identity as a second generation Iranian-American, Shaudi has crafted a series of songs which will be performed together as a song cycle honoring, exploring, and finding joy in these diverse tales of coming to the US.
The historical venue of Inscape, which from 1932-2004 served as Seattle’s detention and processing center for immigrants, adds another layer of emotion and history to the performance.
The music draws from American folk and jazz traditions while staying deeply connected to musical theatre. Each song is told from the point of view of a different character, each based on a real interviewee. Expect humor, heartbreak, and true stories of creating a life in the US.
Follow the signs to the Siquina room on the 1st floor.
*Performances on December 1st are part of the Inscape Open Studios day, from noon-6PM. Before or after the show, audience members are free to explore the other studios in the space that day.
FAQ
Is there free parking?
Yes. Free parking is available off of 6th AVE South, just around the corner (behind the fence). If the fence is locked, don't worry, a security person will open it for you.
What kind of seating is provided?
We'll have folding chairs and a couch. If you prefer to stand, you're welcome to do so in the back.
Is the space accessible?
Yes, the building is wheelchair-accessible (please use the load-in area and entrance on Seattle Blvd South). If you have any specific access or accommodation requests or questions, please reach out to us via email ahead of your performance.
What should I wear?
Please dress however you feel comfortable. This event will be laid-back and relaxed, and casual attire is welcome.
What is Open Studios on December 1st?
Performances on December 1st are part of the Inscape Open Studios day, which is from noon-6PM. Before or after the show, audience members are free to explore the other studios in the space that day. The artists in the building include painters, sculptors, printmakers, and more.
Are there bathrooms at the venue?
Yes, there are bathrooms at the venue. There are gendered bathrooms on the 1st floor (the same floor as the performance space), and gender-free bathrooms one floor up.