Supported by The Performance Project at University Settlement
This is saraikaTIA
FUNDRAISING SHOWCASE
FOR SENIOR IMMIGRANT WOMEN IN NYC
An evening of dance, creativity, and international collaboration, a dynamic showcase featuring works by Katia Tubini, LPP Dance Company’s Executive & Artistic director from Italy, sarAika movement collective and Lo Poppy.
Katia Tubini's premier show
sarAika’s new duet “Skin Deep”
Lo Poppy's ““fracture””
DATE: 1/18/2025 7:00
Place: Speyer Hall(184 Eldridge St, 2nd floor, NY 10002)
An captivating evening of dance, creativity, and international collaboration in “This is SARAIKATIA”, a dynamic showcase featuring works by Katia Tubini, LPP Dance Company’s Executive & Artistic director from Italy, sarAika movement collective and Lo Poppy. Experience LPP | Katia Tubini’s premier show collaborating with professional NYC-based 10 dancers, sarAika movement collective’s new duet “Skin Deep”, portraying queer love between two women, emphasizing tenderness, acceptance, and resilience, and Fluid Creature Collective | Lo Poppy’s “fracture” inspired by The Art of Kintsugi.
While the evening promises incredible artistry and collaboration, it also plays a pivotal role in the creation of a new work dedicated to and about immigrant senior women. This production, set to premiere in May 2025, will be presented by sarAika movement collective with a playwright Federica Bolrenghi. This work is part of University Settlement’s residency program, through which we have been building strong connections with their immigrant senior women’s community—participating in their activities, sharing dance steps, engaging in conversations, and fostering meaningful exchanges.
Our aim is to amplify the voices of those who have historically held essential roles as parents, workers, teachers, and so much more in the fabric of New York City. Their contributions have been integral to the city’s growth and vitality, and without them, the immigrant communities that make up NYC would not exist as they do today. In recognition of their invaluable impact, we aim to honor, thank, and celebrate them through this project.
To ensure the success of this important work, all ticket sales and donations from this event will directly support the production. We invite you to be a part of this meaningful journey and help us bring this story to life.
Program
“fracture”
Choreography & Music editing
Lo Poppy
Creative Collaborators
All performers
Performers
*Sadi Weir, *Jess Lemcke, *Gary McCall, *Lo Poppy, Zoey Barnes, Zoe Farago, Mary Lynn Gonsorcik
(*Fluid Creature Collective)
“fracture: a work in progress” (Inspired by The Art of Kintsugi)
Kintsugi is an art form in Japanese culture that honors what has broken by mending the pieces back together with gold. It carries a heritage of wisdom that lends to caring for something through its imperfections, its inevitable transformation of form and illuminates the power of repair over disposal. “fracture” is crafted together with creation remnants from years past; appreciating what is already within our grasp, and uniting the pieces that are broken from their original form. By approaching art through a sustainable lens, this work takes functional segments of material that seek to be upcycled; brought together by the lacquer of dynamic human connection.
It is to weld that which can be cared for instead of replaced that brings this chronicle to the stage.
Remnants from
“Who’s to Say Which is Which” (Steps Conservatory, 2024)
“A Slice of Life” (Green Space Residency, 2024)
“e X ertion” (Steps Beyond Foundation: Fall Choreography Lab, 2023)
“G li. T ch” (Tisch Undergrad, 2022)
Music
“Saxo” René Aubry, “.Breathe.” Travis Lake, “Describe” Handle, “Number 3” Pamela Z, “It’s So Good” Jamie xx, “Spindrift” Colin Stetson
“Skin Deep”
Choreographers & Performers
sarAika movement collective (Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima)
Music Editing
Aika Takeshima
Description
“Skin Deep” explores how creativity can advance justice for queer love. The duet, performed and choreographed by two queer immigrant women artists, addresses themes drawn from their personal LGBTQIA+ experiences. It celebrates women and women in power while reflecting on identity and social justice. It portrays queer love between two women highlighting tenderness, acceptance, and resilience in the face of adversity. Through subtle gestures, touch, partnering, an intimate physical connection and eye contact, the performance delves into deep explorations of identity and love. This depth makes the question, “What do these women see in each other?” resonate with complexity and meaning.
Music
“I Fell In Love” Gidge
“Just keep waiting”
Choreographer
Katia Tubini, LPP Dance Company
Performers
Rylan Joenk, Emilia Hamburg , Viviana Graciela Moreno, Griffin Lockette, Brigitte Manga, Jehee Yoo, Jackie Dodds, Nadia Benes, Erin Morrisey, Liz Westbrook, Aviana Goodman-Fish, Kaede Hibara
Description
A premier of “Keep waiting” created by Katia Tunini, LPP Dance Company’s Executive & Artistic director from Italy, with 10 NYC-based dancers.
Choreographers
LPP Dance Company
from italy
Katia Tubini
LPP Dance Company is a contemporary dance and show production company from Verona, directed by the choreographer Katia Tubini. The company has gained professional recognition throughout the region and has presented its repertoire in Italy and abroad. Over the years, they have participated in well-known events and competitions and have performed in important theaters across Verona, Italy, and other countries.
sarAika movement collective
Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima
sarAika movement collective is a contemporary dance collective, founded by immigrants and queer women Aika Takeshima and Sara Pizzi in New York. sarAika advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the dance ecosystem. The collective is known for creating multidisciplinary collaborative performances that highlight topical issues and personal insights. Through multidisciplinary performances and community programming, they raise awareness on relevant social issues and offer accessible arts opportunities. Their mission is to foster authenticity and inclusivity, using collaborative art to connect and empower communities. sarAika’s performances break traditional norms, amplifying underrepresented voices and speaking on behalf of personal insights and rights. In 2022, sarAika made a significant impact with over 50 performances, including the debut of their evening-length show Stella, Come Home for Et Alia Theater and a performance at The Museum of NYC. In 2023, they received a Spoke The Hub award, created their first solo production, completed a RedTail residency at JCAL, and toured Japan. Recently, they were commissioned by IATI Theater to create another evening-length show and awarded Artist-In-Residence from University Settlement to create a full evening show in the Spring of 2025.
Fluid Creature Collective
Lo Poppy
Lo Poppy is a queer, multifaceted artist, facilitator, and experimentalist based in movement practices. Their creative life deconstructs familiarity, while inverting ideas with dreamscapes and alternate realities. Inspired by humanness, imagination and athleticism, the crux of their work embodies playful instincts and integrous collaboration.
They hold a BFA in Dance from Tisch School of the Arts where they studied and learned from Pamela Pietro, Sean Curran, Jeremy Nelson, Indah Walsh, Giada Matteini, Cameron McKinney and many others.
In 2023, they worked as an adjunct professor for the Tisch Summer High School Program teaching contemporary and floorwork. In 2024, Lo was a commissioned choreographer for the Steps Conservatory Program, and had the honor of being a guest artist with their conservatory work in The Steps Beyond Spring Choreography Lab. Lo continues sharing their practice as an alternate instructor at Steps on Broadway.
Lo initiated the New York based Fluid Creature Collective and is the creative director and choreographer. The collective includes artists, friends and collaborators that are near and dear. At the center of FCC, process is vital; it is the space, exchange and relationship between members that creates its foundation of integrity, community, and intentional challenge to generate growth.
They have presented at The Deans Tisch Orientation at Town Hall, Steps Beyond Foundation: Fall Choreography Lab, and Green Space: Digging in Group Residency and will continue expanding and exploring into 2025.
Katia Tubini's NYC Dancers
Rylan Joenk
Emilia Hamburg
Ve Moreno
Griffin Lockette
Jehee Yoo
Jackie Dodds
Nadia Benes
Brigitte Manga
Erin Morrisey
Liz Westbrook
Aviana Goodman-Fish
Kaede Hibara
Special Thanks
The Performance Project at University Settlement
This event is supported by University Settlement Performance Project.
Cristiano Zanus Fortes
Yoga instructor during the international performing intensive week.
Carol Prud’homme Davis
Resident Artist. Documenting the international performing intensive week through her art works.
BECCAVISION
Photo/Videography
- Mariko – Ticketing/Front desk
- Stine Walde – Ticketing/Front desk
