BBL: Black Beginning Live

Curated & hosted by LEGACY, a Black Queer Production Collective (Garrett Allen, Kyle Carrero Lopez, Ashton Muñiz, Basit Shittu)

Saturday, April 30 @ 7PM
Ars Nova | 511 W 54 St
& Streaming on Ars Nova Supra

In Person Tix: $15
Ars Nova Supra Tix: $10
Become a Supra Subscriber
to stream this & other Ars Nova shows

Featuring:
Dai Burger
Kyra Cherie
Kalifa
Miss Boogie
Serena Tea

A multidisciplinary, variety cocktail sure to heighten your senses, raise your vibrations, and leave you anew.

Garrett Allen (they/them) is a Black, queer interdisciplinary artist and director working primarily in performance, video, and installation. Their recent projects include directing Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (Yale College), creating body100 with collaborator Nazareth Hassan (Prelude Festival), co-creating BLK MLK (blackmilk) with poet Kyle Carrero Lopez (Spectrum NYC), directing …When The World Is No Longer: by Dante Green (Ars Nova ANTFEST, Polyphone Festival), and devising/creating We Were All Rooting For You (Flamboyan). Their video and performance art works have been exhibited at The Invisible Dog, School of Visual Arts NYC, Harvard, Knockdown Center, Signal Gallery, The Deep End, and You Are Here. They are currently pursuing their MFA in Directing at Yale School of Drama. Garrett-allen.com

Kyle Carrero Lopez was born to Cuban parents in northern New Jersey. A writer, interdisciplinary artist, and producer, he is the author of MUSCLE MEMORY, the winning chapbook of the 2020 [PANK] Books contest. His work is published and highlighted in The Nation, The Atlantic, Best New Poets 2021, W Magazine, office, and elsewhere. He holds an MFA in Poetry from NYU, where he was a Goldwater Fellow. He is a 2022 Tin House Scholar and is represented by (but not related to) Ashley Lopez of Waxman Literary. Find him at kylecarrerolopez.com.

Ashton Muñiz (They/He) is an actor, performance artist, activist and emerging producer based in New York. Ashton’s artistic goal is to instill joy into the world by embracing the realities of the present. Acting credits include The Inheritance on Broadway (’21 Tony Award winner), Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music (Edward Kennedy Prize for Drama), and has been seen Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theatre, St. Anne’s Warehouse, and more. Recently, Ashton has collaborated with various artists and been featured in select works at The Guggenheim , Art Institute Chicago, Swiss Institute, New Museum, Lehmann Maupin & Pace Gallery. Additionally, Ashton has danced for Marc Jacobs FW 2020, A$AP Rocky, & Rihanna. Training: Ithaca College, Moscow Arts Theatre School, Shakespeare & Co, Hillman Grad Mentee ’21.

Basit Shittu is a non-binary Black Nigerian Brooklyn based Performance Artist, singer/songwriter, musician, and multimedia producer. Basit made their television debut in MTV’s first queer dating show Are You The One. Basit earned their BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Oklahoma, and some of their professional theatrical credits include, Sam in PILLOWTALK Off-Broadway, and Tribe in the European Tour of Hair! The Musical. Basit made their television debut in MTV’s first queer dating show Are You The One. In the fall of 2020, Basit released their debut single Fluid, a personal ode, love letter, and celebration of the fluidity in gender and sexuality.

Serena Tea is a Brooklyn based drag artist born and raised in the Bronx. Her fiery but gentle and graceful demeanor is sure to capture your attention when she hits a stage. She is also a self published Author and model.

Dai Burger is a Hip-Pop star, Fashion icon, Trend Setter and your not-so-typical  Role Model! Dai Burger’s lyrics boast of Woman Empowerment & sexual liberation for all. Dai masters the art of appealing to her core audience, all while entertaining &  gaining the attention of corporate Industry officials.  Fan base ranging from New York to Los Angeles, with headlining stages credtials Worldwide! Dai Burger’s growing success can be attributed to her numerous mixtapes & videos which drove the internet into Burger Frenzies! “Why the nameBurger?”, everyone asks. She’ll Tell you “Just look at me. Everything i do, i eat. Not to mention I’m all about my cheese, my lettuce & my Bread! I’m out here serving this up Daily!” It’s Lunch time Children, and Dai Burger’s here to feed you all until you’re full. Hope you’re hungry. . . .

Kyra Chérie grew up in Redwood City, California. She spent her youth dancing, singing, and acting. She attended the Boston Conservatory for Musical Theater. After Graduating she moved to NYC to pursue performing. Here is where she realized her passion for creating her own music and art without restrictions. She hopes to have a successful career in the music and acting industry.