ASU Gammage's The Local spring series brings artists together

Bringing in electronic R&B nuances in her production to singing soulful, raspy vocals, T R U V O N N E is a producer/songwriter/artist and has been compared to artists like Syd Tha Kyd, H.E.R., F.K.A Twigs and Jessie Reyez.

By Alexis Alabado |
March 12, 2021

The Local spring series will feature artists from the community as they perform live on the ASU Gammage stage.

Viewers will have the chance to tune into two remaining performances for the season. On March 17, the program will feature local artists T R U V O N N E and Roberto Cordero Jr., and April 14 will highlight Venus Clapback - Muse and Coco.

The spring series kicked off last month with singer/songwriter Alexis Janae and songwriter T. Harris.

“While there is something special about sharing your art from the comfort of your home, we listened to artists who also wanted to return to the venue,” said Fernanda Snellings, ASU Gammage Artist Liaison and Engagement Manager. “Observing safety protocols, we were able to make it happen.”

The Local interweaves timely, local artistic performances with a conversation between the performer and a second of their choice. In a time when artists are exploring myriad artistic resources, The Local explores artistic inspiration and opportunities that take form in metropolitan Phoenix.

Along with Snellings, The Local was conceived in partnership with Samuel Peña, community engagement coordinator for the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre and Maia Gomez, ASU Gammage arts education and engagement assistant collaborator.

Snellings said The Local supports creative agency and highlights the creative relationship. Centering the chemistry between the artists, the hope is to inspire viewers’ own creative energy.

“We ask both artists to present work that is sparking their sense of invention,” she said. “What do the artists need to hear from themselves? What does it mean for us to listen now?”

This digital program explores artistic inspiration and resources across the contemporary desert landscape in the fastest growing city in North America.

“Local artists trace our collective pulse,” Snellings said. “They are the neighborhood. They listen and make our shared stories even more palpable. Even when artists are transient, they carry fragments of the different worlds that they experience.”

The Local can be viewed live on the ASU Gammage YouTube Channel.

Roberto Cordero Jr. is a portrait/fashion photographer, cinematographer and actor based in Arizona. At 25 years old, he is the proud owner of RC Creative Media Co., and has been a serious photographer and videographer for six years.

Photo courtesy Roberto Cordero Jr.
Ebone “Muse” Johnson moved to the Phoenix area 10 years ago and has a great passion for youth, the liberation of Black women, racial justice, HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) advocacy, educating and volunteering with teenage girls of color and all things arts related.

Photo courtesy Muse
Collette "Coco" Watson is a singer, writer and creative who's opened for Boyz II Men and Lauryn Hill, duetted with Eric Roberson and been featured by Ebony, BET and the Oprah Winfrey Network. With two indie-soul albums under her belt, Watson's newest art involves multimedia exploration of justice, healing and Black futures.

Photo courtesy Coco
Alexis Janae , 21, is an independent singer/songwriter born and raised in Milwaukee. In 2017, Alexis moved to Chandler, Arizona, to further pursue her music career.

Photo courtesy Alexis Janae
T. Harris is from Milwaukee and is now currently living in Arizona. He plays several instruments, sings, writes and produces.

Photo courtesy T. Harris