Rusalia
As indoor performance continued to feel weird in 2021, Galina Shevchenko and Dani Chё abandoned indoor spaces to create this omni-media, site-specific performance saga, that wields together the archetypes of pop-culture and slavic demonology. Each performance features a mer-being emerging from the murky backwaters of Lake Michigan or Humboldt Park ponds, singing disturbing collections of songs featuring scenes of love and violent crime with creative improvisational action.
Rusalia 2.0
10.16.2021 Montrose Breakwater
As the Hunter Moon wades in the waves of Montrose Beach, another mer-being comes out to tell their side of the story. The colder, the deadlier version.
Dani Chё and Galina Shevchenko present the extended episode in the omni-media, site-specific performance saga, that wields together the archetypes of pop-culture and slavic demonology.
Performance/Singing/Objects - Dani Chё, Video Art/Projection - Galina Shevchenko. Makeup - Dorian Taylor. Music: Lucia Thomas (violin), Sam Hyson (accordion), Suvik Zvodinsky (guitar), Anna Kreinina and the Ivushka Russian Choir.
Mermaid Vibes/Rusalia
9.19.2021 Humboldt Park Ponds
Unique community event/performance art piece by Dani Chё and Galina Shevchenko, fusing elements of cheesy pop concerts, drag, slavic demonology and video art. While musicians play on shore, the artists swims and dives, performing songs about love and horror from the bottom of the Humboldt Park pond. Featuring Sam Hyson (accordion), Lucia Thomas (violin), Suvik Zvodinsky (guitar) and Anna Kreinina and Ivushka Russian Choir. Makeup by Anna Shifrina
“Alalalalalay! Attention! As the harvest moon bathes in the dark ponds of Humboldt Park, desperate mermaids come out to sing their Equinox swan song. Come prepared. Dress warmly, wax your ears and tie yourself to the mast. Please be forewarned that singing, making eye contact, splashing, kissing, and tickling people to death is strictly prohibited, but Slavic mermaids do it anyway! Proceed with utmost caution!”