The Mercy Velvet Project: Super Sweet Fundraising Gala
The 1999 album, Live in Vain by Mercy Velvet, exists on zero streaming platforms, and few people have heard it. But its legacy is as relevant as ever. The Mercy Velvet Project is a rock opera, a re-creation of the album. The work explores what makes us human, our collective need for community to survive—with musicians and dancers moving as one. Through nine songs, a queer and femme cast explore different barriers to experiencing love. Learning that by giving and receiving the gift of mercy, we are able to find the bridge to survival, wholeness, and hope.
kamrDANCE, a dance and music company that prioritizes multidisciplinary musical storytelling, is hosting their first fundraising event for their multidisciplinary rock opera in progress, The Mercy Velvet Project. Join Choreographer/Artistic Director/Producer Alexis Robbins, Musical Director Christie Echols, and lead vocalist Aster Rhys at Katalina’s Bakery in Downtown New Haven for an evening of sweet and savory treats, drinks, performances, a silent auction, and more! All proceeds go towards the creation, production, equipment, and touring of The Mercy Velvet Project.
Your $50 ticket includes: unlimited sweet treats by Katalina’s bakery, savory dishes, two drinks (alcoholic or non), performances by Mercy Velvet Project cast members, the chance to bid on extremely cool silent auction items (like personal training, voice lessons, private performances and more), and networking with New Haven community members. Yes, there are vegan and gluten free options! All drinks after your first two are $5 per drink.
What to expect: *other than eating and drinking throughout the evening!*
6 PM doors open (food is first come first served)
6:45 PM presentation
7:15 PM silent auction bidding
7:30 PM performance
8 PM more bidding
8:30 PM more performing
9 PM silent auction winners announced
Silent Auction Items (be ready to place your bids!):
- 2 private, hour-long tap dance lessons with Alexis Robbins, minimum bid: $65
Either in Hamden, CT or on Zoom. Absolute beginner to advanced. All ages. Value: $200
- 1 private, hour-long personal training/corrective exercise session with Dr. Rob Palmer, MD, minimum bid: $80
In person at mActivity in New Haven, CT. Winner will be connected with Dr. Palmer to schedule. Any level, all ages. Value $120
- Paint and Sip Basket, minimum bid: $40
Gift card to the Giggling Pig, 2 bottles of wine, variety of fun art supplies. Value $150
- Private 2-hour upright bass and vocals performance concert with Christie Echols, minimum bid: $500
Within 45 miles of Hartford, CT. Can be a personally tailored performance. Value $1500
- 1 hour of consulting and/or conversation with Dr. Matthew Goldberg, PhD, minimum bid: $100
On Zoom or anywhere in Greater New Haven, value $300
Dr. Goldberg is an expert in social psychology, climate change communication, experiments, surveys, and more.
- 1.5-hour private drum lesson with Mark Robbins of the original Mercy Velvet band, minimum bid: $500
Within 100 miles of Wakefield, RI or on Zoom. Beginner-intermediate level. Value $2000
- 2-hour private birthday party at Katalina's Bakery OR a private French macaron making class, minimum bid: $200
Winner will discuss details with Katalina of Katalina's Bakery. Value $450
- 1-hour private voice lesson with Fernanda Franco of Fernanda and the Ephemeral, minimum bid $50
Located in Milford, CT. Winner will be connected with Fernanda to schedule. Value $100
- 1.5-hour private jazz concert with Click Tracks jazz trio, minimum bid $800
Anywhere in Greater New Haven. Baritone sax, upright bass, and tap dance. Standards and originals. Value $2000
More silent auction items TBA very soon!
Over twenty years after the albums’ release, kamrDANCE and their collaborators expand upon Mercy Velvet’s legacy through their personal identities and today’s political realities. The show tells the story of the album through tap dance as percussion, contemporary dance, original text, and instrumentation via bass, guitar, vocals, and electronics—highlighting our vulnerabilities, learning together how to find the antidote that is mercy, and in turn lead meaningful lives.
Live in Vain by Mercy Velvet is the music that Choreographer Alexis Robbins grew up with, the percussive rhythms and lyrics that inspired living room dances. Her father, Mark Robbins, was the drummer and co-composer for Mercy Velvet, alongside lyricist Deb Lili, and guitarist Lou Lili. Her fathers’ love and direction has deeply influenced the music Alexis listens to and the music she creates as a tap dancer. Now, Alexis, Musical Director Christie Echols, and their collaborators bring Live in Vain to audiences for the first time.
*Parking: There is FREE parking in the lot behind Katalina’s Bakery at 425 Temple Street, New Haven, CT (enter this address into your GPS as it is different from the bakery). If you park in the lot at 425 Temple, walk through the alleyway, then turn left to enter the bakery. You can also find street parking on Whitney Avenue, Trumbull Street, and Temple Street. There is one step up to enter the bakery. If you have any specific needs regarding accessibility, please email us at kamrdanceco@gmail.com so we can appropriately accommodate you.
More show information: home — kamrDANCE
More ways to donate: donate — kamrDANCE