SAN FRANCISCO – A Wider Bridge, the LGBTQ advocacy group building connections between the Israeli and North American LGBTQ communities, announced the U.S. tour of c.a.t.a.m.o.n., the innovative dance group that is part of a new and pluralistic cultural revival in Jerusalem.
“Something profound is happening in Jerusalem, and c.a.t.a.m.o.n. is a key part of the city’s cultural renaissance. The movement is fueled by a new generation of Jerusalemites, many from the city’s LGBTQ community, who are seeking change through the medium of art,” said Arthur Slepian, executive director of Wider Bridge. “Through arts and culture that challenge the boundaries of religion, race, gender, and sexuality, these young artists are cultivating a new and hopeful environment of pluralism, diversity and understanding in a city that has seen much tension and division.”
A Wider Bridge is presenting c.a.t.a.m.o.n.’s North American tour as they introduce Urfa, a performance that brings Middle Eastern culture to the forefront and captivates audiences with its exuberance, humor and sensuality. The dance group is founded and choreographed by Elad Schechter and seeks to take modern dance out of performance halls and into the streets, creating a meeting point between art and everyday life in open urban public spaces. Each performance showcases c.a.t.a.m.o.n.’s unique performance style that breaks down cultural boundaries and creates a new spirit of understanding through art.
The c.a.t.a.m.o.n. tour continues A Wider Bridge’s tradition of sharing cultural experiences to build meaningful relationships between the Israeli and North American LGBTQ communities. Through this cultural exchange, A Wider Bridge and c.a.t.a.m.o.n. bring together communities with art and stories of the human experience.
The upcoming tour premieres on June 3 in Brooklyn, NY. The c.a.t.a.m.o.n. tour then moves to the following cities:
- June 3 & 4, Brooklyn, NY (together with Chez Bushwick)
- June 11, San Diego, CA (presented by the Leichtag Foundation)
- June 13, Los Angeles, CA
- June 15, San Francisco, CA
- June 18, Chicago, IL
- June 21, Washington DC
This tour of c.a.t.a.m.o.n. is also being made possible by support from Chez Bushwick, The Leichtag Foundation, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Noemi Masliah and Associates.
