PleiadesFest is an extension of the monthly Pleiades series, dedicated to showcasing the diverse talents within the femme, trans, and nonbinary performance community.  The festival aims to reflect and further celebrate this mission, creating a space to build community and connection between women and gender nonconforming improvisors and creative performers from diverse backgrounds.  

The festival spans three days with nightly performances and daytime improvisation workshops and open sessions. Each night features an opening presenter/performer, two improvised group sets from our lineup of improvisors, and a closing artist or group from Chicago’s creative music scenes including the DIY, punk, noise, folk, metal, and electronic communities. 

GRAB YOUR 3-DAY PASS TODAY FOR GUARANTEED ACCESS TO ALL PERFORMANCES + WORKSHOPS

PleiadesFest 2024 is made possible by the generous support of New Music USA.

LINEUP

DAY 1 EVENT PAGE / TICKETS
June 7 - Friday 8pm 

Initiator - Sojourner Zenobia

Set 1 - Mabel Kwan, Maja Radovanlija
Set 2 - CK Barlow, Emily Beisel, + TBD 

Closer - Heet Deth 

DAY 2 EVENT PAGE / TICKETS
June 8 - Saturday  2pm 

Improvisation Workshop/Session with High Zero Foundation members: 

Shelly Purdy 
CK Barlow 
Bonnie Lander

June 8 - Saturday 8pm 

Initiator - Julie Meckler 

Set 1 - CK Barlow, Bonnie Lander
Set 2 - Ingrid Laubrock, Mabel Kwan, Shelly Purdy, + TBD 

Movers: Cristal Sabbagh, Irene Hsiao, Julie Meckler, Rin Peisert 

Closer - Circuit des Yeux

DAY 3 EVENT PAGE / TICKETS
June 9 - Sunday 2pm 

Improvisation Workshop/Session with Ingrid Laubrock 

June 9 - Sunday  8pm 

Initiator - Rin Peisert  

Set 1 - Ingrid Laubrock (solo) 
Set 2 - Maja Radovanlija, Shelly Purdy, Bonnie Lander, Emily Rach Beisel  

Closer - easygoingtech with 16-channel CLEAT system 

Festival Improvisors: 

All improvisers are invited as individuals and will perform on two out of the three nights of the festival.  Each evening performance will include two improvised sets, curated by the organizer.  These sets are designed to create unique groups, allowing improvisers to encounter and exchange with each other in different settings.  There will also be an option to be involved with the festival’s improvisation workshops and open sessions.  

Workshops/Improvisation Sessions: 

A core part of the Pleiades series is the free improvisation jams for femme/trans/nonbinary performers which take place after many of the curated monthly  performances.  These sessions serve as an access point for those wishing to be more involved with the free improvisation community.   This will be reflected in the PleiadesFest programming through daytime workshops and open improv sessions during the three days of the festival.  Sessions will provide a platform for the community to engage and take part in the festival.