The History of Joy: Generations & Sacred Rituals is PART TWO of Vanguard Culture’s 4-PART FILM SERIES inspired by the 8 pillars of joy outlined in The Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Doug Abrams. This segment explores generational trauma and healing through the lens of Humor & Acceptance.
The Book of Joy suggests that joy is not an external thing to strive for, but rather something that lives within us and which “can be accessed at any time in spite of life’s inevitable suffering.”
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The History of Joy was produced by Vanguard Culture, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to advancing San Diego’s creative industry workforce. This project employed a total of 37 creatives and was comprised of 62% BIPOC (Black & Indigenous People of Color), including 2 trans womxn. In addition to this full-length feature film, Vanguard Culture partnered with 22 arts organizations and facilitated dozens of conversations about the themes of the film with some of San Diego’s most notable creatives in dance, theatre, opera, puppetry, visual arts, and more. Produced in partnership with award-winning poet laureate nominee Gill Sotu and The Rosin Box Project. “Generations & Sacred Rituals” features creative content and conversations by the San Diego Shakespeare Society, Konstellation Press, Malashock Dance, Project BLANK, and PGK Dance Project.
Read what people are saying about this streaming event:
“The presentation was superb. I was truly moved by the entire experience. There was so much substance.”
“The Shakespeare Society segment was terrific. And Gill Sotu is a brilliant writer. Congratulations on work truly well done.”
“I can’t express how joyful tonight was. What talent we have here in San Diego, thank you for this evening. I was never bored for an instant!”
“I loved it..I was laughing and crying.. the mother and daughter scene was soooo good and I loved the other stories. Great work!”
“Bravo! A veritable virtual arts festival.”
“This event encouraged me to find joys in small ways.”
“The film was superb, beautifully acted, especially the mother-daughter segment.”
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT: Gill Sotu is a navy veteran, a multi-faceted poet, playwright, musician, DJ, and performing artist. He is a two time Grand Slam Poetry Champion, two time Raw Performing artist of the year, and a three time TEDx San Diego presenter. Currently, he is a teaching artist and a commissioned playwright with The Old Globe Theatre, a program director and teaching artist with Intrepid Theatre, Creative Director for TEDx San Diego, as well as the Artist In Residence at Makers Church. He has been commissioned to produce original pieces for leading arts and community organizations such as: The San Diego Symphony, The Unity Way of San Diego County, Feeding America, SD Fringe Fest, and the San Diego Opera to name a few.
JOIN US FOR THE WHOLE SERIES!
Social Justice: Featuring creative content and conversations by Pacific Arts Movement, artist Neil Shigley, North Coast Repertory Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, and the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts. The recording of this event is available for purchase at registration on this page.
WomXn: Featuring creative content and conversations by ART SAN DIEGO Contemporary Art Fair, San Diego Italian Film Festival, DiscoRiot, and the San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery. The recording of this event is available for purchase at registration on this page.
Our Earth: Featuring creative content and conversations by Improvisation Project Network, Institute for Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla Historical Society, Diem Jones & Dr. Carol Penn, and La Cocina Secreta. The recording of this event is available for purchase at registration on this page.
VANGUARD CULTURE is an inclusive 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to advancing San Diego’s Creative Industries. We provide quality arts journalism, cutting edge events, and professional development that create arts jobs, bring diverse communities together and inspire collaboration among industry professionals from the visual, performing, and culinary arts. CLICK HERE for more information.
