Futurism + Food (a Sunday night in Brooklyn)

Last night I participated in a reading of Futurist and Neo-Futurist texts.  It was the second of four such evenings - each exploring a different "-ism" -  in a series called Disembodied voices, all taking place at Jack in Brooklyn. 

It was a fun event - three of us Neo-Futurists plus two actors we'd never met before our one rehearsal two days prior, read excerpts from The Futurist Manifesto by Marinetti, Italian Futurist plays by several different authors, and three of our own Neo-Futurist plays. 

Additionally, there was a recorded sound piece that incorporated a visual in the form of two static sculptural pieces and then an electronic musician who creates improvised pieces using a series of small, battery-powered motors and then adding different additional pieces which would vibrate and create the sound. 

After there was a great group discussion about Italian Futurism, its relationship to Fascism (the politics of the time), Neo-Futurism and the future in general.  The audience was rather academic - smart and engaged - and it was a gratifying and illuminating conversation.

The whole thing was super nerdy in a really great way.

Then, the other two Neo-Futurists and I went to Locanda Vini e Olii and had a memorably delightful and delicious time eating together at the bar.

The next two Disembodied Voices evenings are going to be on Dadaism and Surrealism and I really encourage you to check them out.  While you're at it, think about making a reservation at Locanda Vini e Olii. If you go, keep an eye out for Daniel the bartender who I like to think of as Italian Joseph Gordon Leavitt.