Introducing Weekend Residencies

About this time last year, we launched a fundraising campaign for something new we wanted to try: a weekend residency program where, three times a year, we would invite an improvising musician from the greater global scene to Seattle to present a masterclass, a concert set, and a Racer Session. Our community responded and gave their support to help us launch the first round of residencies, and we couldn’t be more excited to share that the first Weekend Residency will be taking place January 13th-15th, 2023!

In the 12 years since we began organizing, the programming we’ve presented and the work we’ve done has changed to suit the needs of our community, who has grown and evolved alongside us. The throughline is that we are still a volunteer-powered group of musicians and performers, dedicated to making more space and opportunity for improvisers and fans of left-of-center music of all walks of life.

We’ll be sharing more specifics on the January residency soon, but in the meantime, more on the January resident! We’d like to introduce you to Mingjia Chen, who will be visiting us from Los Angeles, California.

Born in Beijing, raising in Toronto, and based in Los Angeles, Mingjia Chen is a vocalist, composer, improviser, & multi-instrumentalist.

Mingjia writes music that is equal parts ethereal and relatable, and performs it with courage and honesty. She makes music across a wide range of genres as a solo artist & as the vocalist and bandleader of the tortoise orchestra. An avid collaborator, she is a member of synth-pop duo uoou, GRAMMY award-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth, and post-punk band Pleasure Craft.

Mingjia has performed at venues and festivals across Canada, China, Europe, and the US, premiering works by Juliet Palmer, David Occhipinti, & Michael Davidson, sharing the stage with the Regina Symphony Orchestra as a soloist, and seeing her compositions premiered at Mass MoCA, The Art Gallery of Ontario, & Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Composition at the USC Thornton School of Music. Mingjia has produced four releases as a band leader, and her debut solo full-length is in the works!

Now: mark your calendars for the following events:

Friday January 13th - a masterclass (time and location TBD)
Saturday January 14th - a concert featuring Mingjia at The Good Shepherd Center Chapel, 8pm
Sunday January 15th - a Racer Session led by Mingjia at Cafe Racer, 7pm

We look forward to sharing this rad artist and experience with you in the new year!