Discovering New Voices at the Downtown Urban Arts Festival

June 18, 2026June 18, 2026 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

One of my favorite things about living in New York City is having access to so many incredible arts and cultural events. This month, I’ve been spending a few evenings at the Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF), and I can confidently say it has been one of my favorite discoveries. So far, I’ve attended:

June 4
- Fried Live Skin by Edwin Rivera-Arias
- Amendable by Cris Eli Blak
June 11
- A Lesson in Captivity by Daniel Damiano
- Gin & Milk by Antony Raymond
June 17
- Whiskey, Hope, and the Climate Clock by Marissa Raine Carlin (Book, Music, & Lyrics) & Carter Quinn Tanis (Book & Music)
- Sing Truth to Power by Howard Ho

Now in its 24th season, the Downtown Urban Arts Festival is dedicated to amplifying multicultural voices through theater, poetry, music, and performance art. Since its founding in 2001, DUAF has provided a platform for emerging and established artists to share stories that reflect the diverse experiences of our communities.

As someone who attends a variety of conventions, cultural festivals, and live events throughout the year, I always appreciate opportunities to experience storytelling in different forms. What immediately stood out to me about DUAF was the passion and authenticity behind every performance. Each evening brought together artists who were eager to share meaningful stories, and audiences who were equally excited to support independent and diverse voices in the arts.

No two nights felt the same. Every visit introduced me to new playwrights, performers, and perspectives. Some productions made me laugh, others encouraged reflection, and many sparked conversations long after the curtain call. There is something special about experiencing new works in development and witnessing the creative energy that fuels New York City’s theater community.

One of the festival’s greatest strengths is its commitment to representation. The stories presented at DUAF highlight cultures, identities, and lived experiences that are often underrepresented in mainstream entertainment. In a city as diverse as New York, festivals like DUAF play an important role in ensuring that a wide range of voices have the opportunity to be heard.

Beyond the performances themselves, I also enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a dedicated theatergoer or someone looking to explore the arts for the first time, DUAF creates an environment that feels accessible and inclusive. It’s the kind of event where you can simply show up with an open mind and leave having discovered something new.

As I write this, I’m preparing for my fourth visit to the festival on Friday, June 19 to see the play my father could not read or write by Kevin Powell. After three consecutive weeks of memorable performances, I’m excited to see what the next evening will bring.

Kevin Powell – Photo Credit: Evangeline Lawson

If you’re looking for a unique cultural experience in New York City, I highly recommend checking out the Downtown Urban Arts Festival before the season concludes. Supporting festivals like DUAF means supporting artists, storytellers, and the continued growth of diverse voices in the performing arts.

For more information about upcoming performances, tickets, and the festival schedule, visit the Downtown Urban Arts Festival website. You may just discover your next favorite playwright, performer, or production.

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“Lili/Darwin” – A Poetic Solo Show of Trans Identity- NYC

August 13, 2025 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

New York, NY — I had the opportunity to attend Lili/Darwin, a powerful solo performance, at The Tank. This show was written and performed by the talented Darwin Del Fabro. I first discovered Darwin from the queer slasher horror film They/Them, and was thrilled to be invited to this show. If you didn’t have the chance to see Lili/Darwin yet, it runs through August 23, 2025 so you still have time to check it out!

Lili/Darwin brilliantly merges two intimate journeys: that of Darwin Del Fabro, and of Lili Elbe—the transgender artist whose diaries from 1907-1930 inspired the narrative. If you know who Lili is prior to the show, you’ll love the pieces of history from her diaries sprinkled throughout the show. If you don’t know who Lili is, this is a great introduction! Darwin portrays Lili and herself with sensitivity and strength, moving seamlessly between eras, personas, and emotional landscapes.

Let’s talk about the staging: it was cool to see how the identities were differentiated in a visual manner— Lili Elbe appears on one side with a vintage chair, Darwin on the other with a stool. There were also moments where the lines were blurred. It was visually stunning and I loved the use of lighting and shadow underscore shifts in mood. My eyes were also drawn to the beautiful Dior heels as a symbol of femininity.

The show was brimming with emotional honesty and I felt myself tear up multiple times during the performance. At its core, Lili/Darwin is a testament to the power of authentic storytelling. It’s a deeply personal tribute to visibility, resilience, and the often-overlooked courage of trans narratives—spoken directly by a trans artist herself.

Details & Ticket Info

Where: The Tank, 312 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018
When: Performances are Thursday to Saturday evenings through August 23, 2025.
Tickets: Available here.

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Stranger Sings

March 10, 2023 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

Are you a Stranger Things fan? If so, you should definitely check out the Stranger Sings musical! This is a parody off-broadway musical. Recently, they announced the show has been extended through April 30, 2023. You can still grab tickets if you want to check it out!

The Stranger Sings musical is at Playhouse 46 at St. Luke’s (308 W. 46th Street) in NYC. Jonathan Hogue wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the show, and it’s a fun experience. The theatre is on the smaller side, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to see. The way the show is set up has the audience surrounding the stage on all four sides. It’s very immersive! If you’re looking for a serious show, this is not it. It’s very campy and funny. I also don’t think you need to be a Stranger Things fan to enjoy the show, although being a fan definitely helps since you’ll get the references. It might be confusing if you aren’t familiar with Stranger Things (plus there may be spoilers for you!). If you’re worried about being spoiled but have started Stranger Things, you should be good as long as you finished Season 1.

The most surprising thing about this musical is the puppet! The character Will is portrayed by a puppet, performed by Caroline Huerta, the same person who plays Joyce. This was really unique and memorable for me. Some of the other actors also played multiple characters: Kyle Mangold played both Steve and Jonathan, and Harley Seger played both Eleven and Nancy. I was impressed by how quickly Kyle and Harley were able to change wigs and costumes! They were definitely skilled at quick changes.

I don’t want to spoil the show, so I won’t be going into detail about plot and specifics. You’ll have to check it out for yourself!

Here are some of my favorite things about the musical without spoilers:

The music is lively and cute!
They break the fourth wall (which was one of my favorite moments — Winona Ryder deserves an Emmy!)
Also — justice for Barb Holland!!!