Art without the trappings: New leaders for the 5th annual SoLow Fest

Think theater or art needs to be created in a traditional auditorium or gallery? Think again. The SoLow Fest from June 18 through 28 features more than 40 performers creating a variety of experiences in people’s homes and in public spaces, with little to no overhead costs. That’s true for the audience, too — most shows are pay-what-you-can.

Everyone is welcome and the art happens anywhere the artist wants, organizers say. The annual event, now in its fifth year, features 11 days of “strange, creative joy” — experimental work and new genres by Philadelphia artists.

‘The Days After Tomorrow’

This year’s theme is “The Days After Tomorrow.” Organizers chose that theme because the leadership changed, but the group is moving forward and continuing to make art. Philadelphia performance artists Thomas Choinacky and Amanda Grove founded SoLow Fest in 2010. This year, they’ve handed the reins to a team of Philadelphia artists: Chris Davis, Lauren Tracy, Lena Barnard, and Meredith Sonnen, who is the Fest’s coordinator.

Sonnen fell in love with the Fest because it strongly encourages the making of art, and amazing work was being done, she said, without a theater or full tech needed. “I had fallen into this belief that you couldn’t make theater without all of the trappings,” she said.

SoLow reminded her, though, that the trappings weren’t required. “That was incredibly empowering as an artist,” she said. “I could write and produce my own show with my friends and it would be great. That feeling is sublime.”

An ‘interdisciplinary feminist joyride’

Sonnen hopes the opportunity to see varied creative works will make audiences feel sublime. This year’s lineup includes theater, performance art, dance, comedy, and even one performance billed as an “interdisciplinary feminist joyride.”

Fest events include themes like addiction, gender, race, porn and sexuality, the late 19th-century phenomenon of women’s so-called “Bicycle Face,” autism, nudibranchs, a colony on Mars, and a dark medical journey that asks how you thank a stranger whose death saved your life.

Organizers have no idea what the artists will create for each Fest. “We don’t curate, so I think the fun of it is seeing what Philly has to offer each year,” Sonnen said. She loves the “cross-pollination” of people merging mediums. She hopes for more of that in the future.

A nerd for art

It’s important to encourage artists to create and for audiences to see their works, which is SoLow’s mission. “Creativity is what makes progress,” she said. “Artists aren’t hemmed in or scared of taking a risk, and I think the world needs more of that.”

Art also creates change and lets people know they’re not alone. “Art drives conversations. It starts and maintains revolutions, and connects us,” she said. “Art is the best of humanity, to me. It’s striving to create beauty and connection. I am such a nerd for art.”

The SoLow Fest takes place at various sites throughout the city from June 18 through 28. There will be a launch party on June 17 at 6pm at Quig’s Pub, on the third floor of Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia. For the full lineup and reservation information, click here.