If one had to pick just one word to describe New York's Vision Festival, it would be consistency. This late May 2018 event, which has been presented annually since 1996, has consistently offered exciting and inspired improvised music, poetry, and dance executed by both seasoned, well-established artists as well as younger, emerging talent. They all have one goal in mindto produce art that is challenging, stirring, and most importantly, new. In recent years, the Vision Festival has honored one artist who has, over a lifetime, succeeded in achieving a level of excellence through assembling a solid body of musical work. This year's honoree was
Dave Burrell, a pioneer whose original, innovative endeavors since the 1960s certainly qualify him for the Lifetime Achievement award. Burrell was featured in three performances where he assembled musicians with whom he has been associated over the years, including
Archie Shepp, who performed with him,
William Parker, and
Hamid Drake to a sellout crowd on opening night. Founder and Artistic Director Patricia Nicholson Parker and Executive Director Todd Nicholson are to be commended for their sustaining efforts in providing a platform for ongoing artistic expression at the highest level.
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