Choreographed and produced by James MahKween, CAT CALL, I’m not yours to call will premiere at the Sacred Fools Theater in Los Angeles on September 10, 2021 at 7:00 pm (PDT) with two more performances on September 11, 2021 at 4:30pm and 7:00pm. Early Bird Tickets are $25 until August 23 and $35 if purchased at the door.
Catcalling is a type of sexual harassment commonly associated with wolf-whistles or uninvited sexual comments directed at women, gays and transgenders by men in public places. The term encompasses so much more, however, and can sometimes lead to touching, indecent exposures, stalking, rape and in extreme cases, death. While the recipients of sexual harassment involve people of all genders, women are primarily the victims of sexual harassment by men.
James MahKween – Photo by Mathais Foley
MahKween describes himself as a feminist and a womanist, and describes his new work CAT CALL as a show that “discusses different situations of harassment physically, verbally, and spiritually. The goal is to promote Healing, build connections, break the chains of toxic masculinity and to reclaim/empower the female energy or women!”
After training with the amazing Lula Washington, MahKween soon found himself performing with and choreographing a new work for her company, the Lula Washington Dance Theatre. He has performed with Jazzantiqua Dance & Music Ensemble, and choreographed a new work for Eternity Dance Theatre. As an independent choreographer and dancer, MahKween has participated in numerous festivals throughout southern California. In addition, he is the founder of The MahKween Method.
In a February 3, 2021 interview with Santiago Charboneau in FORTHE (a Long Beach Arts+Media collective) MahKween described The MahKween Method.
“The MahKween method is me. That’s how I can best explain it; it’s the creative aspect of how I move, and live. I feel like I can live in many realms that feel comfortable to me and bring a new light to them. Half of the dances I create are emotional, sorrowful, and deal with ugliness, even though people think that “beautiful dancing” means “happy and cute.” But I feel like I make sorrowful work because that’s what I want to release and discuss right now. And I think that me being me is helping to show others how to be themselves.” MahKween stated.
In that same interview he said, “I’m also in the midst of creating a six episode series, called “CATCALLING” which is about how men, women, and gender queers are being harassed and attacked by masculine energy, or that idea of toxic masculinity. I believe in bringing it to the forefront and breaking those chains; allowing feminine energy to live in its full being without being harassed by toxic masculinity. Each episode will focus on a certain topic around catcalling.”
The cast of dancers performing in CAT CALL include: James MahKween, Abron Suttles, Taylor Michelle, Juquari Baskins, Malcolm Dunbar, Jennifer Bulger, Daisy Epperson, Jessica Luevanos, Christina Morales, Arrian Maze, Adrianna Vieux, Ajah Muhammad, David Sheppard, & Khiantaey Watts.
The Production Staff includes: Choreographer/Designer/ Producer/ Director: James MahKween; Make-Up: Chondra Bacon; Styling: Katt Vita Blu; and Lighting: Michael David Ricks
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WHAT: CAT CALL, I’m not yours to call
WHEN: September 10, 2021 at 7:00 pm & September 11, 2021 at 4:30pm and 7:00pm
WHERE: Sacred Fools Theater. 1076 Lillian Way Los Angeles Ca 90038
TICKETS: Tickets are $25 till the 23rd of August and then they will be $35! You can purchase your ticket at the door or via Eventbrite or Goldstar
To visit the James MahKween Method website, Click HERE.
To follow James MahKween on Facebook, click HERE. To visit his Instagram page, click HERE.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: CAT CALL – Photo: Honey Dove Photography
