Project Love ATL’ brings diverse artists together

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Atlanta Ballet company dancer Alessa Rogers plucked some of Atlanta’s brightest artistic talents — dancers, musicians, visual artists, actors, poets, even opera singers — and created an opportunity to blend mediums, each contributing their talents to create unique pieces. The result is Project Love ATL.

Now in its second year, Project Love is effectively a talent show for professional artists in Atlanta. In organizing this annual one-night-only event, Rogers created an intentional space for artists to experiment and play, and all for a great cause to boot. Project Love showcases not only local artistic talent, but highlights charitable efforts going on in the city, as well. Proceeds from this year’s installment will go to Lost-n-Found Youth, a nonprofit benefiting queer homeless youth in the Southeast.

In its inherently flexible format, Project Love facilitates an intimate viewing into the personalities and personal interests of Atlanta artists. Each artist — or “lover” — performs a short piece they developed.

“I said do whatever it is that you do best, whatever compels you,” Rogers says. “You have between four and seven minutes to get on stage and do what you do”.

Rogers says she’s received an overwhelming response from artists down to participate and help support local charities.

“Artists are isolated in our bubbles of our art, give so much of ourselves to our art, that sometimes it’s hard to step back and see what’s going on in our community — to be able to give to our communities through art which is the thing that we do every day,” she says. “I think that really spoke to our artists and resonated with them.”

This year’s line-up features powerhouses in the creative scene, including Grammy-nominated performer Deborah Bowman, 2016 Guggenheim Fellow poet Jericho Brown, Dance Magazine’s 2015 “25 to Watch” dancer Kiara Felder of Atlanta Ballet, and many more — all local — talented dancers, actors, musicians, and creators.

Project Love has also provided an opportunity for meaningful and lasting collaborations within the artistic community. Atlanta Ballet’s Kiara Felder and Staibdance’s Emma Lalor are co-choreographing a piece for this year’s Project Love. Last year’s “How to Be a Person”, choreographed by Atlanta Ballet’s Heath Gill and Benjamin Stone, was so well received that it toured around Atlanta this past year.

“I’m really excited about the new pieces that are happening”, Rogers says, after attending a practice jam session of SO13, a newly formed group that will be performing at this year’s event. SO13, made up of Atlanta Opera soprano Jayme Alilaw, Jazz pianist O.J. Harper, and visual artist Dakoro Edwards, will be playing a unique adaptation of “Habanera,” the famous aria from Carmen. This performance will feature live painting by Edwards, as well as improvisation by Atlanta Ballet dancer Devon Joslin. The painting created during SO13’s live performance will be one of many prizes up for grabs at the event’s silent auction, all proceeds of which will benefit Lost-n-Found Youth.

With all the enthusiasm Project Love has received, Rogers says she hopes to eventually expand the project to other cities. For now, she’s content creating a platform for artists to blend art forms and get involved in their community.

“It’s all very, very Atlanta”, Rogers says. “I love that we’re representing the Atlanta arts community.”

Project Love ATL. $25-$30. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Oct. 10. Park Tavern, 500 10th St. N.E. 404-249-0001.