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Opening night at EVA

Echoes of Contemporary Surrealism Alabama Exhibition Opening Ceremonies & Performances began on Friday March 15, 2024, at East Village Arts (EVA) in Birmingham Alabama.

The evening’s festivities began with a dance and music improvisation using electric instruments by Jean-Jacques Gaudel, dance by Cilla Vee as a Mystery woman in red as a dream character exploring a 12 string experimental slide bass by the Jean- Jacques Gaudel as LaDonna Smith explores the Jean-Jacques Gaudel electric viola sculpture.

Facebook Live Stream

Master of Ceremonies

LaDonna Smith, Master of Ceremonies introduced other participants in the audience followed by a solo improvisation using Jean-Jacque Gaudels’ electric viola.

Master of Ceremonies LaDonna

Susan Hefner, Shelley Hirsch and Bruce Golden

The opening was followed by a performance by Susan Hefner (Brooklyn/Birmingham) and Shelley Hirsh (NYC) vocal & performance artist, and Bruce Golden (Mississippi Symphony Orchestra).

Ruthlessly Killing

Next LaDonna Smith (viola) & Taylor Rouss (game calls) performed Ruthlessly Killing.

Conjunctive Reality of the Universal Belly

Following LaDonna and Taylor, LaDonna read her treatise Conjunctive Reality of the Universal Belly or “data of the damned” as Cilla Vee the Mysterious Lady interacts in the space.

Vaudeville Birds in The Fur Purse

Next came a performance by Vaudeville Birds in The Fur Purse by Mary Foshee & Rachel Inman

Si and ‘U’u

Si and U’u performed a free improvisation on electronic wind synths.

Doctor Khlurr

Doctor Khlurr (Clifford McPeek) performed chances alterations on the electronic drum buddy.

Si Reasoning Short Films Trilogy

I.  The Pre Before (Cilla Vee, U’u’)
II. The Before with U’u’, CillaVee, LaDonna Smith, Si Reasoning in the caves.
III. Spirit Encana with LaDonna, Si, U’u’ CillaVee, and Jim Reed.

  1. Ouija Yoga with CillaVee, LaDonna, and U’u’.

Michael Flash Mills Feature Film

Panic of the Arts
Actors: Clifford McPeek, LaDonna Smith, Lee Shook, Delphine McKenzie, Johnny Williams, Dora Hembree

A full collection of all video and audio will be available summer 2024.