November 4, 2022, saw the return of Salone, the Society of Fellows’ flagship multimedia performance event. After a successful launch in 2021, SOF was delighted to present a program featuring musicians, composers, choreographers, and artists from among the Academy’s alumni. This year’s program included poetry by Samiya Bashir (2020 Fellow); theater and video from John Jesurun (2020 Fellow); video and music collaboration between Catherine Wagner and Eric Nathan (both 2014 Fellows); music and visual image collaboration from Min Kwon and Laura Migliorino (both 2017 Affiliated Fellows); puppetry by Basil Twist (2019 Fellow); theater from Colin Gee (2012 Fellow); and dance by Molissa Fenley (2008 Fellow).
Held at Roulette Intermedium in New York, Salone was an opportunity to reconnect with friends while enjoying first-class performances. Thanks to the generosity of the SOF community, area students were invited to attend Salone cost free. This introduction to AAR will hopefully inspire future Rome Prize applicants. Fenley, one of Salone’s organizers, summed up the event: “Enormous thanks to all who attended or contributed. Salone will return in the spring of 2024!”
Leaving Rome can be disorienting—especially after a year or more in the Eternal City. This year, SOF debuted a program called Welcome Back & Reconnect. Margaret Holben Ellis (1994 Fellow) graciously hosted an event at her home in New York. A companion event took place at a restaurant in Ann Arbor. “The Welcome Back events connect newly returned fellows with other SOF members in their communities,” commented SOF President Phu Hoang (2017 Fellow). “We want to provide an opportunity for fellows to meet and to organize follow-up events.”