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About the event

Small Island Big Song is a collaborative multi-platform project uniting indigenous musicians across the Pacific and Indian Oceans through song in the face of climate change and cultural loss. Spanning from Taiwan to Aotearoa/New Zealand, from Madagascar to Rapa Nui/Easter Island. Eight profile musicians across the oceans unite on stage, supported by multimedia projection shot over three years across 16 island nations. In these cultures, before the written word, songs held the power, passing on the cultural knowledge, like how to live on an island with limited resources. And the fact is, we are losing these songs, when we need them the most. 

The Small Island Big Song self-titled album was released in September 2018 internationally (receiving Best Album 2018 from Songlines UK), preceded by an official invitation to launch the concert at SXSW in the United States, followed by headlining festivals in Europe and Asia. 

 

Climate Crisis: Our Response As Artists | Panel Discussion

Following the Small Island Big Song performance, join us for this special panel discussion.

Our islands are on the frontline of sea level rise. The tragic irony is that the people whose cultures have sustained communities in fragile environments with limited resources for countless generations will be the first to lose their homelands due to the unsustainable lifestyles of the greater global community. As the climate crisis quickly rises to the top of world concerns, different sectors scramble to figure out ways to respond to its impending pressures. The elephant in the room puts the onus on governments and corporations. But we all have a vital role to play.

During this panel, we will explore ways in which artists can use their voices to push the needle on political, economic, social and cultural questions at the root of this global concern. The discussion will be moderated by young Marshall Islands spoken word artist and activist Selina Leem, lauded for the stunning eloquence of her historic address to the COP21 panel for Paris Agreement. Local panelist Napoleon Marrietta will join the visiting artists from Small Island Big Song.


 

Title Sponsor

Virginia G Piper logo

 

Presenting Sponsor

The Dayton Fowler Grafman Endowment for Classical Music logo

 

Signature Sponsor

 

Presenting Partner: 

location

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | Virginia G. Piper Theater
7380 E 2nd St
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

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Panel Discussion

Climate Crisis: Our Response As Artists | Panel Discussion

Following the Small Island Big Song performance, join us for this special panel discussion.

Our islands are on the frontline of sea level rise. The tragic irony is that the people whose cultures have sustained communities in fragile environments with limited resources for countless generations will be the first to lose their homelands due to the unsustainable lifestyles of the greater global community. As the climate crisis quickly rises to the top of world concerns, different sectors scramble to figure out ways to respond to its impending pressures. The elephant in the room puts the onus on governments and corporations. But we all have a vital role to play.

During this panel, we will explore ways in which artists can use their voices to push the needle on political, economic, social and cultural questions at the root of this global concern. The discussion will be moderated by young Marshall Islands spoken word artist and activist Selina Leem, lauded for the stunning eloquence of her historic address to the COP21 panel for Paris Agreement. Local panelist Napoleon Marrietta will join the visiting artists from Small Island Big Song.

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