SYMPHONY SPACE
THE OFFICE has worked with Symphony Space regularly for decades, having initially developed and programmed its Just Kidding family program for over 10 years in the 1990s and 2000s. We have consulted on programming in a variety of contexts since then, coming on as interim programmers to curate the institution’s 2014-15 season, and co-producing its 2015 and 2019 Wall to Wall events.
Symphony Space is a non profit multi-disciplinary performing arts center where bold programming, presented in a uniquely warm and welcoming environment, forges indelible relationships between artists and audiences. Its fundamental mission is to connect art, ideas, and community through its programs and its commitment to literacy and education through the arts.
On its New York City stages, through its national broadcasts, and in the classrooms and communities the institution serves throughout the country, Symphony Space fosters access to the arts across disciplines.
WALL TO WALL JOHN COLTRANE 2019
Wall to Wall is Symphony Space’s signature music marathon, celebrating a different individual artist or a body of work each year with a multi-artist, multidisciplinary examination. In 2019 THE OFFICE curated and co-produced Wall to Wall John Coltrane, focusing on the life and legacy of the jazz icon and exploring the wide span of his career through music, dance, film, and conversation. An eight-hour free event explored early Coltrane through a multi-genre musical exploration of his world and a discussion of the “lots” album, classic Coltrane interpreted through music, dance, and discussion, and living legends going deep into Coltrane, weaving his most transcendent works with music and spoken word, concluding with the transcendent "A Love Supreme" in its entirety.
Artists included Soul Science Lab, John Robinson, Mykel Marai Nairne, Melissa McMillan, Kassa Overall, Abiodun Oyewole, Ashley Kahn, Ken Druker, Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Programs, Da'von Doane, Ben Allison Quartet, Melanie Charles, Raydar Ellis, James Francies, Ben Williams, Savannah Harris Trio feat. Michela Lerman and Maria Grand, Wallace Roney, Lakecia Benjamin and SoulSquad, Carl Hancock Rux, Jaleel Shaw Trio, Marc Ribot, Gary Bartz, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Reggie Workman, and Brandee Younger.
Drawing: Michael Arthur
WALL TO WALL JOHNNY CASH 2015
THE OFFICE co-produced and curated Symphony Space’s 2015 Wall to Wall, a celebration of the life and work of the Man in Black that featured artists from across NYC’s diverse music scene (plus a good contingent from Nashville). The day-and-night-long event was broken into thematic sections: LOVE, DEATH, PRISON, and a final extended set led by Grammy-winning banjo player Alison Brown called The Man in Grass, which explored Cash’s work through a bluegrass prism.
Performers included: Balthrop Alabama, Mike Barnett, Alison Brown, Sam Cohen, Christina Courtin, Michael Daves, Kat Edmonson, Howard Fishman, Trey Hensley, Marika Hughes, Sierra Hull, Dayna Kurtz, Lava, Morley, Mamie Minch, Eric Mingus, Bruce Molsky, Aja Monet, Nation Beat, Janine Nichols, Morgan O’Kane, Parsonsfield, Plume Giant, Superhuman Happiness, Marc Anthony Thompson, and Jason Walker, with live drawing by Michael Arthur.