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WELCOME
Welcome to the 2018 Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF), a five-week multi-disciplinary arts showcase that explores urban life through cultural offerings in theater, film, music and poetry. “One of the world’s best festivals for new works” - Theater Festivals, Lisa Mulcahy (Allworth Press, 2005) The 2018 season kicks off Saturday, April 7 at Joe’s Pub @ The Public with a much-anticipated, onenight-only live performance featuring Wé McDonald, the show-stopping The Voice finalist from Season 11. Other highlights include new editions of our acclaimed Theater Series, now in its 16th season, and our bold, groundbreaking Short Film Series with cinematic works from filmmakers from around the world. Join us for a festival like no other in the world, at some of New York City’s most historic and innovative venues in the heart of lower Manhattan. Keep the arts alive and vibrant!
MUSIC: WÉ McDONALD Saturday, April 7 Joe’s Pub @ The Public 7:00pm • $30
The Voice finalist Wé McDonald brings her jazz and pop artistry in a much-anticipated, one-night-only performance. Opening Season 11 of The Voice with a four-chair turn, Wé went on to represent Alicia Keys in the finals and finish third place for the season. Wé McDonald’s star-making turn on her show-stopping blind audition on the hit NBC TV show The Voice drew national attention in 2016, but it was the kind of momentous debut she had been preparing for her entire life. Blessed with a righteously robust voice, she’s been singing since the age of 12, attending the Harlem School for the Arts after school and on weekends, where she studied theater and piano. A thoughtful teenager who learned to respect and value difference at an early age, she revealed on The Voice that she experienced bullying in middle school, and has become an advocate for young people facing similar challenges when impacted by bullying behavior by their peers. Her self-released debut EP will be released in 2018, featuring a diverse slate of songs written by Wé that showcase her soaring vocal presence. Wé also has two books on tap for 2018: Make It Happen! Wé McDonald: Singer, part of the Make It Happen! series of books that helps middle school students build skills to reach their own goals; and Little Girl With The Big Voice, written by Wé for younger children. Wé’s captivating story as a singer and as a teenager courageously embracing her uniqueness is sure to resonate with kids looking to expand their own understanding of themselves and the world around them. 2
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THEATER
New York Live Arts 7:00pm • $20
8:00pm • $20
Friday, April 20
The Strong Man by J.E. Robinson
Friday, April 13
Decades ago, at the head of his gang, Pearl Crabtree was strong enough to kill any man. Is he now strong enough to kill one of his own?
The Vast Mystery of Who You Are is an irreverent, hard-hitting exploration of love via sex parties and philosophical sparring about the nature of relationships.
Corporatesthenics by Baindu Dafina Kalokoh
The Vast Mystery of Who You Are: Part One by Kim Yaged
Saturday, April 14
Gay.Porn.Mafia by Joe Gulla Bronx, LA, SoHo to Ibiza! Porn Stars, Gay Priests, Mafia Dons and Abstract Expressionists! Smart! Fun! Funny! Fearless! “Gay.Porn.Mafia” has it all! Grab your ticket! Leave the gun! Take the cannoli! You’ll feel like “family” and laugh out loud (emphasis on “out”!) It’s the same-sex, Italian-style, x-rated offer you can’t refuse!
Theatre 80 St. Marks 8:00pm • $20
Wednesday, April 18 Sublet by Alisa Zhulina
Christy, an overworked hospital resident, new to New York City, sublets a room from an artist working on a mysterious sculpture. Things start to get scary, or is it just Christy’s imagination? What’s really going on in this express journey to NYC roommate hell fueled by outsized artistic ambition.
American Tranquility by Daniel Damiano A southern retiree, an Iranian subway station poet and percussionist, a talk-radio show host and a Brooklyn existentialist reflect on the human divide in 21st century America.
Thursday April 19
Strings by Charles Curtis
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Theatre 80 St. Marks
A detective turned modern day vigilante, a lawyer with an ulterior motive, and the strings that bind them both. They each find that neither is truly innocent, and that no matter how fast we run our past catches up with us eventually.
From unsuccessfully climbing the corporate ladder to fearlessly summiting Mount Everest, Black Television Network’s favorite physical trainer premieres the newest edition to her record selling fitness program. Her unique strength and conditioning techniques are essential to breaking glass ceilings in every profession.
Saturday, April 21
Help Me Get Over You by Rollin Jewett John is in love with Phyllis. Unfortunately, he only realizes it after he breaks up with her. Now she’s moved on and John can’t seem to get her out of his mind. What’s a lovestruck fool to do? Ask her to help him get over her, of course. The question is: What’s in it for her?
A Civilized World by Anghus Houvouras An opioid addict is sentenced to death in the near future where being an unproductive member of society is a capital offense. The play centers on the condemned, Eleanor Reed, and her final conversation with Andrew Goodman, a life long government shill tasked with explaining the value of her sacrifice.
Wednesday, April 25
Blood Orange by Marcus Scott Blood Orange explores the fetishization of black male bodies, hook-up culture, the nature of interracial gay relationships and sexual encounters, power play and upward mobility.
Mirrors by Azure D. Osborne-Lee Mirrors is the story of two women mourning the death of a loved one while sifting through the secrets of a shared past.
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Theatre 80 St. Marks 8:00pm • $20
Thursday, April 26
Trash Talk by Alano P. Baez Trash Talk is a taut and troubling tale of two dregs of society who rap, scrap, quip and play craps while slowly suffocating under the weight of wasted lives.
Sailing Stones by Juan Ramirez, Jr. At rock bottom, Jaime forces his god-fearing best friend, Charlie, out into the Death Valley desert to finally prove once and for all if a god exists. Who will save them?
Friday, April 27
The Fan by Adam Seidel A famous novelist sits on a park bench reading when she is approached by a fan who wants more than just an autograph.
The Diplomats by Nelson Diaz-Marcano Two days before election night 2016, close friends Annie and Carlos are having a little reunion on his first visit back in New York City. It can only take one person to change world events, but at this reunion two days before the 2016 Presidential election - it’s world events that do the changing.
Saturday, April 28
Atacama by Augusto Federico Amador Thirty years after the dirty wars waged by the General Pinochet regime on the Chilean people. Two strangers; a mother and father, search the Atacama Desert for their buried loved ones and discover there are darker truths awaiting them underneath the hard sands of the Atacama.
POETRY
Saturday, May 5
Nuyorican Poets Cafe 7:00pm • $10 Words Matter Poetry Slam Repair! Reform! Transform! Calling all poets with poetic words about today’s social issues and social conscious people. Hosted by Nuyorican Poetry Slam winner Jaime Lee Lewis with special guest poets include Reg E. Gaines, Tony nominated writer/poet, and Miguel Algarin, the founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Sign up for poetry slam starting at 6:30PM.
FILM
Tribeca Film Center 7:00pm • $15
Tuesday, May 8
Fremont (Oregon/7 min.) Directed by Ryo Jepson Inspired by the numerous news headlines in late 2016 and early 2017, Fremont examines the repercussions of an exhausted police officer’s split second decision while pursuing a suspect. Following the suspect’s capture the nature of the crime and the suspect’s role in it reveals both the profound and unexpected effect it has on everyone involved in the case.
The Rehearsal (France/7 min.) Directed by Léa Frédeval Stephane dreams to become a comedian. Carole dreams of a pay raise.
The Suitcase (Canada/12 min.) Directed by Philip Leung Discover how a little girl uses her imagination to conquer the darkness during a turbulent journey inside a suitcase. 6
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Tuesday, May 8
Vagabonds (USA/Niger/16 min.) Directed by Magaajyia Silberfeld A homeless African student in LA meets a washed-up movie star whose life is surprisingly similar to hers.
Starring Magaajyia Silberfeld, Robert Ri’chard, Daniel Marley, Danny Glover
Wednesday, May 9
Elena (Costa Rica/22 min.) Directed by Ayerim Villanueva Some people irreversibly change your present.
Almost Saw the Sunshine (United Kingdom/30 min.) Directed by Leon Lopez Rachel is a young aspiring transgender woman. After a series of coincidental encounters with a handsome man, she impulsively takes a chance on a one-night stand that will change her life forever.
Aysha (Costa Rica/20 min.) Directed by Fon Cortizo Aysha is a young energetic voice emerging from the Middle East. Poetry and creativity are her weapons with which to change an expectant post-Arab-Spring society.
Thursday, May 10
Soñadora (California/10min.) Directed by Maria Altamirano A hardworking high school senior faces circumstances beyond her control that may hinder her path to college.
Songs of Wild Animals (Mexico/12 min.) Directed by Mara Weber Songs of Wild Animals is the story of a young girl who lost her brother, best friend and mentor. With a lot of fantasy she relives him in another dimension as the eagle he always dreamed to be. 8
The Virgin And The Prostitute (Florida/16 min.) Directed by Maria Jose Noriega Pedroza A nun who works at a hospital and a prostitute who’s visiting her diseased child get trapped together in an elevator. While their prejudices drive them apart, at first, their similarities will ultimately bring them together.
The Second Province (New York/19 min.) Directed by Zorinah Juan Two estranged Filipino-American siblings are forced to reunite when their offbeat mother elects death with dignity before the end of the week.
And Still We Love (New York/8 min.) Directed by Erika Santosuosso Amidst a tumultuous political climate, a couple fights to find the beauty in the face of an indefinite separation.
Friday, May 11
Spin (France/15 min.) Directed by Leticia Belliccini One evening in Autumn, Mallard and his wife are assaulted at the corner of a street. There ensued an infernal race where he will be successively the witness, the author and the victim of what would prove to be the key of its existence.
Asylum Park (India/20 min.) Directed by Shanu Sharma A chance meeting in a park in Berlin proves to be fortuitous for two strangers, faced with uncertainty of their immigrant status and scraping circumstances.
9.58 (France/15 min.) Directed by Louis Aubert Djal is sixteen years old. Like his idol Usain Bolt, he dreams of running. 9
Three Time Waltz (France/16 min.) Directed by Caroline Pascal When a man and a woman meet on a tune of the 50s. A musical interlude in three stages, to see this man and this woman fall in love, separate and finally find each other back.
Mechanism Or: How to Take Care of Yourself (Germany/11 min.) Directed by Michael Chlebusch This is a story about solidarity and the fine line between selfsacrifice and individual responsibility.
Saturday, May 12
Bob, Jr. (California/23 min.) Directed by Dilek Ince After losing his wife and developing an unhealthy attachment to her goldfish, Bob makes an unexpected connection that changes his life.
Brothers (California/15 min.) Directed by Troy Elliott
Jessica Afton (Filmmaker, And Still We Love) - Afton is an alumnus of the LAByrinth Theatre Co. Ensemble Workshop, T. Schreiber Studio, and The Freeman Studio in NYC. Her films have shown at festivals around the country. Off-Broadway: Queen Latina and Her Power Posse (LAByrinth Theater Co./Cherry Lane Theatre); The Death of Bessie Smith (New Brooklyn Theatre); Leni & Joseph (The Shelter NYC/New Ohio Theatre)
Maria Altamirano (Filmmaker, Sonadora) - Altamirano is a Peruvian-American writer, director and producer, whose work has been featured at various festivals around the world, including Cannes, Cinequest, Outfest, Sarasota and Florida International. She is currently a thesis student in the M.F.A. graduate film program at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she was awarded the 2017 Media Services Award for Producer of the Year and First Run Film Festival Graduate Craft award in producing.
Augusto Frederico Amador (Playwright, Atacama) - Amador was born and raised in the Silicon Valley. He has recently been awarded the prestigious Lincoln City Fellowship from Speranza Foundation for his upcoming play, “The Sunset Room.” Amador is a member of the Dramatist Guild. Louis Aubert (Filmmaker, 9.58) – Aubert worked for several years in the movie industry, first as location manager then assistant director to finally become scriptwriter. During the last two years, he developed his own projects and is today preparing is first feature called Café des Poètes.
When war hits the California coast, a 19-year-old takes desperate action to get his little brother to safety in the final hours before his deployment.
Alano P. Baez (Playwright, Trash Talk) - Baez, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico was raised in
In Private (New York/14 min.) Directed by Clem McIntosh
Leticia Belliccini (Filmmaker, Spin) – Belliccini has directed the short films, “The Principe
Two couples get together for Christmas dinner, and are put at odds when a texting error reveals more than intended
The Bracket Theory (New York/20 min.) Directed by Katia Koziara Lucy longs for love: a perfect, equal partnership that she’s never had. But she’s not a hopeless romantic - she’s rational, logical, and determined to find her objectively best match. So she has crafted a foolproof theory: The Bracket Theory. 10
ARTISTS
NYC (East Harlem and the South Bronx). He is a community activist, poet, MC, graffiti writer, actor and teacher. He has released several independent music albums and published a book of poetry.
Premier”, “Spin” and “Hölty”. She is currently working on writing her first feature film, “Girl’s Walk” and is developing Hölty, the series.
Michael Chlebusch (Filmmaker, The Mechanism or: How To Take Care of Yourself) – Chlebusch is a director and writer, known for Die Mechanik oder: Wie man auf sich Acht gibt (2017), Das Kaninchenproblem (2013) and Hammerthal – Kapitel 1: Das Jugendzentrum (2017).
Fon Cortizo (Filmmaker, Aysha) – Cortizo is working on the documentary series, “Border Poetry,” a journey through the voice of poets over the realities of Amman, New York, Galicia and Montreal. His films include “Letter Through the Wall”, a work-in-progress documentary, and “Contrafaces” (2016), his first feature film where the fiction and reality of Quebec, Iceland and Galicia construct views on themes such as creation, identity or languages.
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Charles Curtis (Playwright, Strings) - Performance and teaching artist, Curtis’ work has
Rollin Jewett (Playwright, Help Me Get Over You) - Jewett is an award-winning
been featured at the National Black Theatre Festival, Atlanta Black Theatre Festival and Fresh Fruit Festival. His credits span from opera to film, and outside the performing world, he lectures on using Hip Hop to teach life skills.
playwright, screenwriter, singer/songwriter, author and poet. His feature film credits include “Laws of Deception” and “American Vampire.” His short stories and poetry have been published in numerous magazines and his plays have been produced all over the world.
Daniel Damiano (Playwright, American Tranquility) - Damiano is an award-winning playwright, award-nominated actor and published poet. He recently appeared in the revival of “The Elephant Man” (Gallery Players Theatre) followed by his solo play, “American Tranquility” (PIT Loft, Solocom). His play, “Harmony Park” will receive its premiere with Detroit Repertory Theatre in 2018.
Nelson Diaz-Marcano (Playwright, The Diplomats) - Diaz-Marcano is an award winning Puerto Rican-born playwright based in NYC. Production credits include: “Rabiosa” (The Dirty Blondes Pa’ Puerto Rico); “Mami’s House” (Step1 Theatre Project AUxPR); “Promised Lands” (Stable Cable Lab Co’s Livewire); and “Radical” (Winner of Best Play DUAF 2016).
Troy Elliott (Filmmaker, Brothers) - Elliott is a Los Angeles based filmmaker. His dream is to be adopted by Spike Jonze, but in the meantime he is focused on telling interesting stories with themes of empathy and hope.
Zorinah Juan (Filmmaker, The Second Province) - Juan’s work often explores the themes of cultural identity, belonging, and failure. In 2018, Juan completed her first feature, “When We Grow Up.” Zorinah’s travel show, “Don’t Be A Tourist”, which she writes, directs, edits, and hosts was nominated for best lifestyle/reality show at the 2011 International Television Festival. “Don’t Be A Tourist will be distributed by Dreaming In Red Films to air on Amazon Prime early 2018.
Baindu Dafina Kalokoh (Playwright, Corporatesthenics) - Kalokoh, a native of Brooklyn, NY, uses various mediums of the performing arts to conduct storytelling. She has performed solo shows to sold out audiences and received numerous awards. Katia Koziara (Filmmaker, The Bracket Theory) - Koziara is a NYC-based writer and
Léa Frédeval (Filmmaker, The Rehearsal) - Frédeval wrote and directed her first short
director of theatre and film. Her short film “The Bracket Theory” premiered at the 2017 Manhattan Film Festival where it won Best Short: Romantic Drama. She recently directed a new short film entitled “Out to Lunch” to be released in 2018.
film, “The Rehearsal”. She is currently focused on the film adaptation of her first book, “Les Affamés : Chroniques d’une jeunesse qui ne lâche rien” (“The Hungered : Tales of a never bending youth”).
Philip Leung (Filmmaker, The Suitcase) - Leung is a filmmaker and writer whose work
Joe Gulla (Playwright, Gay.Porn.Mafia) - Gulla won two Audience Awards at DUAF with
has appeared on CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, Metro Morning and Exhibitionists. His works span shows that air in Japan, Singapore, Canada, and United States. Presently, Philip is an Associate Producer at CBC radios Because News and Podcast Playlist. He is also a director at Folkstar Productions.
“Garbo” in 2017 and “The Bronx Queen” in 2016. His acting roles include: “Joey” in San Francisco’s “Tony & Tina’s Wedding” and “Frankie” in off-Broadway’s “My Big Gay Italian Wedding”. He also starred on NBC’s “Lost.”
Anghus Houvouras (Playwright, A Civilized World) - Houvouras has been writing for screen, stage and the printed page since 2003. His recent stage work has included “Dine and Dash” featured as part of the DUAF and “Penmanship” which won best comedy at the Equity Library Theater Festival in NYC.
Dilek Ince (Filmmaker, Bob Jr.) - Ince began working in television production at Channel D and
Leon Lopez (Filmmaker, Almost Saw The Sunshine) - Lopez set up Brown Boy Productions in 2014 in order to make his feature film ‘SOFT LAD’, which premiered at The East End Film Festival in 2015 and gained distribution through Peccadillo Pictures. His documentary “Let’s Talk About Gay Sex And Drugs,” premiered at BFI Flare Festival in 2016, and his short, “Crossroad,” competed for the Iris Prize 2016 and selected for distribution by Peccadillo as part of their “Boys On Film” series.
Ryo Jepsen (Filmmaker, Fremont) - Jepsen was born in Japan and raised in Singapore. He
Clem McIntosh (Filmmaker, In Private) - McIntosh has appeared in a multitude of TV shows, films and off-Broadway plays. He reoccurred as “Wellman” on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and has also appeared on “The Lottery, Person of Interest” and Hulu’s “The Path.” Along with acting he also produces and directs his own content, and he is currently in post-production on eight different short films. Last year, he appeared in and produced the comedy feature, “Ghost Team.”
gained his first film industry experience as a Production Assistant at Roger Corman’s Concorde-New Horizons studios and is currently working as an editor at midu creative in Hillsboro, Oregon. Fremont, is his first short film.
Maria Jose Noriega Pedroza (Director, The Virgin & The Prostitute) –
TRT, Turkey’s most popular television channels as a Director Assistant. She directed and produced multiple films and is in the process of completing a feature documentary. Her focus so far has been on shedding light on social issues as well as writing original screenplays.
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Noriega Pedroza is a director and actress known for “The Virgin & The Prostitute” and “Genius.”
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Azure Osborne-Lee (Playwright, Mirrors) - Osborne-Lee is an award-winning Black queer theatre maker from south of the Mason-Dixon Line. In 2017, his play “Crooked Parts” was presented at Cherry Lane Theatre as part of the DUAF, and his full-length play “Glass” received a workshop production at JACK in Brooklyn.
Ayerim Villanueva (Filmmaker, Elena) – Villanueva has worked as a producer, director,
Caroline Pascal (Filmmaker, Three Time Waltz) – Pascal is an actress, writer and director known for telling stories and feeling the characters emotions, either in front or behind the camera.
Maria Weber (Filmmaker, Songs of Wild Animals) – Weber was born in Nuremberg, Germany and now in Mexico where she studied Audiovisual Arts at Universidad de Guadalajara. “The Songs of Wild Animals” is her second short film.
Juan Ramirez, Jr. (Playwright, Sailing Stones) - Ramirez is a writer, actor and director. His works were developed at Dixon Place, The Cherry Lane Theatre with DUAF, Theatre Row, IATI, the Studio at the 14th Street Y, The Bronx Repertory Company and others. He’s a Dramatist Guild member and received his MFA from NYU Tisch. J. E. Robinson (Playwright, The Strong Man) - Robinson’s play “Spades” received second-place in the Best Short Play category in the 2015 DUAF. He lives in Southern Illinois, near St. Louis. Marcus Scott (Playwright, Blood Orange) - Scott is a playwright, musical theater
editor and sound artist in several short-films and feature-films, in documentary and fiction. In 2016, she worked as part of the Mezcal Jury in the Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara (FICG) in México and also as jury member of Icaro Festival Internacional de Cine in Guatemala.
Kim Yaged (Playwright, The Vast Mystery of Who You Are) - Yaged received the Kennedy Center’s Meritorious Achievement Award for “America” and four Ann Arbor News Awards for www.love (New York City Opera). “Hypocrites & Strippers” is included in The Best Women’s Monologues for the 21st Century.
Alisa Zhulina (Playwright, Sublet) - Zhulina is a playwright and Assistant Professor/Faculty Fellow in Drama at NYU Tisch. Her plays have been produced by Exquisite Corpse Company, at Dixon Place, New Perspectives Theatre, the Theatre Project and elsewhere. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Harvard University.
writer and journalist. Plays include: “Tumbleweed” (finalist for the 2017/2018 Humanitas Play LA Workshop, Playwrights Foundation’s Bay Area Playwrights Festival) and “Cherry Bomb” (Drama League’s First Stage Artist In Residence) and “Malaise” (2017 DUAF).
Adam Seidel (Playwright, The Fan) - Seidel is a New York-based playwright. His plays have been produced by and featured at Cherry Lane, The Road in La, the Milwaukee Rep, Rattlestick playwrights and many more. His play, “Catch The Butcher” was 2015 NYT critics pick.
Shana Sharma (Filmmaker, Asylum Park) - Sharma has worked in both TV and advertising, writing, directing and producing for a span of almost 15 years. She has worked with top television channels in Mumbai, India such as Star TV India Ltd. as well as in ad film production later at Stillking Films, Prague, Czech Republic. She is presently at Holy Cow Films, a film production company based in Mumbai, and works in the capacity of Producer and Director. Magaajyia Siblerfeld (Filmmaker, Vagabonds) - Silberfeld is an actress and filmmaker from France, Poland and Niger. At the age of 18, she directed her first short film, “*Me There” and then produced and co-directed “Ride or Die” starring Piper de Palma and Roxanne Depardieu. She also produced the short, “After School,” which recently won the Rhode Island Directorial Award. She is now promoting her feature film debut, “Zin’naariya! The Wedding Ring,” directed by Rahmatou Keita.
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PARTNERS
VENUES & INFO Joe’s Pub @ The Public 425 Lafayette St. NYC 10003 joespub.publictheater.org
Theatre 80 St. Marks 80 St. Marks Place NYC 10003 theatre80.wordpress.com
New York Live Arts 219 West 19th St. NYC 10011 newyorklivearts.org
Nuyorican Poets Café 236 East 3rd St. NYC 10009 nuyorican.org
Tribeca Film Center 375 Greenwich St. NYC 10013 tribecafilmcenter.com
Tickets and info at duafnyc.com 16
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DUAF Team T. Marc Newell Producer Reg E. Gaines Artistic Director, Theater Desmond Hall Film Committee/Jury, Chair Rossen Ventzislavov Film Committee/Jury, Member Tamar Lopez Festival Coordinator Neyda Martinez Film Committee/Jury, Member Patricia Arthur On-Site Festival Supervisor Tony Mann Production Manager, Theatre 80 St. Marks Bill Toles Production Manager, Joe’s Pub @ The Public ATN Etienne Stadwijk Music Director, Joe’s Pub @ The Public Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez Creative Director/ Graphic Design Jay Michaels Press Representative Gaspar Marquez Photographer
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illustration by Kelsey Borch
I N T RO D U C I N G T H E V I L L AG E VO I C E ’S N E W F I L M A N D T V N E WS L ET T E R Subscribe http://bit.ly/thevoicereview
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