Mai Khoi - Bad Activist for Jazz Poetry Month - Alphabet City, North Side
Mai Khoi
Mai Khoi: Bad Activist
Bad Activist is an autobiographical performance piece, combining storytelling with state-of-the-art music performance. Watch in person or online from Alphabet City.
Her new sound is rooted in forgotten Vietnamese musical traditions fused with jazz and ripe with political song lyrics. Bad Activist explores both the actual historic events of the artist’s life, as well as the subconscious dream worlds that have fueled her work.
The narrative charts the extraordinary trajectory of Mai Khoi’s life—from renowned to Vietnamese pop star to dissident activist, fighting for artistic freedom in Vietnam and pitting herself against the strong arm of the communist government. Within this crucible of political titans, international powers, and constant surveillance and threat, Khoi develops a personal and unique art form.
Unable to safely live and work in Vietnam, Mai Khoi is currently an Artist Protection Fund Fellow at City of Asylum and the University of Pittsburgh. This performance of Bad Activist features collaborators from the University of Pittsburgh’s PhD in jazz, and all new arrangements for larger bands.
Country of origin: Vietnam
Language: English & Vietnamese with English subtitles
Covid-19 policies for indoor programs [at Alphabet City] as of September 1, 2021
To keep our audience safe, we will require proof of vaccination (physical card or photo) to attend all events at Alphabet City.
There will be special accommodations for children under 12 and people with medical conditions or religious beliefs preventing them from being vaccinated. These audience members will be asked to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the performance start time, or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time.
All guests will be required to wear masks.
Audience size will be limited to 60% total capacity and seats will be set up with moderate social distancing.
Please remember there is a restaurant, 40 North, inside our open concept venue. Diners will be required to show proof of vaccination but will not wear masks while seated at tables.