Lyric Opera’s Proximity Panel on March 26th Will Be Dedicated to the Memory of Joseph London Smith, Grandson of Chaz and Roger Ebert | Chaz’s Journal


The panel is being hosted by Lyric Unlimited and Tarah Ortiz Durnbaugh, director, creative engagement for the Lyric Opera, and will include four panelists. One of the panelists will be Barrett Keithley, a producer of culturally moving art experiences best known for his paintings/murals and nonprofit, Paint the City, which impacts social justice issues. The Lyric Opera of Chicago commissioned Keithley to create three original mural installations in the spirit of its other world premiere this season, “The Factotum.” 

Also on the panel will be William Estrada, an arts educator and multidisciplinary artist who explores power structures of race, economy, and cultural access in contested spaces. Shawn Wallace, a composer and arts educator who studies how music can enhance the story creation and storytelling process; and Karen Slack, an operatic soprano whose advocacy focuses on making the field more inclusive of people of color and women, round out the panel. 

“Proximity” is an inventively creative departure from the traditional opera form as it consists of three mini-operas with three different composers, but the structures intersect with each other. Each story tackles timely topics such as the difficulty to forge a human connection in a technologically driven world, the urgency in protecting our planet’s dwindling natural resources and yes, the shattering loss caused by gun violence in cities and neighborhoods across our country.

The three works featured in “Proximity” are “The Walkers,” composed by Daniel Bernard Roumain with libretto by Anna Deavere Smith; “Four Portraits,” composed by Caroline Shaw with libretto by Caroline Shaw and Jocelyn Clarke; and “Night,” composed by John Luther Adams with libretto by the late John Haines.

Joseph and his cousins during intermission at the theater in London during their special evening with Grandma Chaz.

Moderating the panel will be bittersweet. My grandson Joseph was a photographer and filmmaker whose life was cut short on August 3rd of last year while scouting locations for a music video in Atlanta. He was an innocent bystander in a random shooting. Joseph was only thirty years old. We honored the innumerable gifts he brought to the world here.

You can view the original article HERE.

Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
There is money being made in live music – give it back out to the people
There is money being made in live music – give it back out to the people
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!