Composer Spotlight
Erin Lau
Wed., July 13 @ 7:30pm
Jack Straw Productions
4261 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle
map FREE
Inspired by her grandmother's journey from China to Guatemala in the 1930's, Erin Lau will perform and discuss her original songs and illustrations as part of The Graciela Project: Fading Tales of the Chinese Diaspora. In 2009 Erin was awarded an Individual Artist’s grant from 4Culture to create and perform her songs and illustrations for a live audience at the Chapel performance space. During late 2010 to the beginning of this year, she created a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund the recording and producing of the songs at Jack Straw Productions, and the creation of the physical chapbook of illustrations. She is now eager to share the behind the scenes stories of how her project came together and what her inspirations were.
The Graciela Project is based upon the story of Graciela Chang de Lau, Erin’s paternal grandmother, who in 1939 fled war in China. She boarded a ship with her husband to Guatemala and there they spent the remainder of their lives. Graciela was suddenly displaced in a foreign land as a young mother in a new marriage. The circumstance of having one’s fate determined by uncontrollable external situations, versus by one’s free will, compelled Erin to explore the feelings of loss and frustration along with those of hope and opportunity through songs and colored illustrations. Erin seeks to give expression to Graciela’s experience that would otherwise become lost with the passage of time. She will project her illustrations, which lend visual narration to her grandmother's story, and will be joined by several talented guest musicians on flamenco guitar, cajon and vocals.
Erin has a diverse artistic background, bringing influences from her study of Flamenco and Hindustani vocals, harmonium, and Chinese folk songs. She invites you to visit her website for more information and song clips. more
Supporters
Jack Straw Productions gratefully acknowledges The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, 4Culture King County Lodging Tax Fund, Washington State Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, PONCHO, ArtsFund, Seattle Foundation, and individual contributors for their support of Jack Straw Artist Programs.