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So what now? Nine months after the inaugural RESPONSE show, it has become apparent that America’s new reality is here to stay. Even the nicest guy on late night TV, Jimmy Fallon, cannot escape it. So what now?

Resilience. We connect, organize, and keep going. Twenty-five artists converge at Crosstown Arts to create original works that explore today’s America. Up in Arms Collective was born out of the need for the dance community to respond to what is happening in America in an open and affirming environment. What originally began as a community of diverse Memphis dance artists has since grown to include local filmmakers, musicians, and artists.

Performing artists include Sheri Bancroft, Orixa Bowers, Travis Bradley, Burton Bridges, Katie Bug, Marie Dennan, EmiLy Dison, Jill Guyton-Nee, Stephanie Mei Hom, J Tbj Jones, Jenn King, Louisa Koeppel, Kristen Osborne Lucas, Daniel Stuart Nelson, Jade Primicias, Wayne Smith, Lauren Stallings, and Noelia Warnette along with musicians SJ Bennett, Steve Fox, and Kyle Statham, filmmakers Joel Rose and Laura Jean Hocking, and photographers Yasmine Omari and Stephanie Wexler.

“We are stronger when we come together—united,” says dancer and artist Marie Dennan. “Up in Arms provides an environment for artists of all kinds to share ideas and support one another.”

Through community collaboration, artists are empowered, and through RESPONSE 2, Up in Arms Collective hopes to leave others empowered. Art has the power to change us all and transform the world.

Our responses are candid, personal, and as diverse as the artists themselves and explore power, fear, truth, boldness, self-determination, activism, love, support, protection, humor, and revolution.

Up in Arms Collective presents RESPONSE 2 on Friday-Sunday, December 1-3, 2017, at Crosstown Arts, 430 N. Cleveland, in Memphis, TN. All performances begin at 7:00 pm. Each evening’s performance will be one-of-a kind and feature different performances. Tickets are $10 cash only and available at the door. Seating is general admission and on a first come, first serve basis.

To find out more about RESPONSE 2, like Up in Arms Collective on Facebook. Donations will be made to ACLU (Tennessee Chapter), Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, and Planned Parenthood – Greater Memphis Region.