All Feature Articles

STREB SEA: Sensational Engaging Art at OZ in Nashville

by Rich and Laura Lynch

STREB-SEA presented its "Singular Extreme Actions" at the OZ Arts center for two days of Sensational Engaging Art on January 27 and 28, 2018. Music City, USA has never seen anything like this. SEA is a bold blend of art, dance, hardware, humans and music. Although there is a structure to SEA the show has the flexibility to fit in a myriad of traditional and alternative performance spaces with Action Events mixed and matched to suit a specific audience and/or venue.


STREB SEA squeezed in a lot of action over two acts.

SEA was created by Elizabeth Streb an action architect and choreographer who has dived through glass and set herself on fire among other extreme exploits. For more than three decades STREB's company of daredevils have performed around the world mixing death-defying moves with machines and music. SEA is a "wild kaleidoscope of Action Events and music; human bodies careening through, around, and above invented hardware accompanied by local guest DJs and STREB's resident DJ & Emcee."

OZ Arts is a unique complex with art both inside and outside the venue. A case of humidors and pipes are on display there to honor the Ozgener family who are the founders of this unique arts center which is only a few miles from downtown Nashville. The main event room can be configured for a variety of uses. On Saturday, January 27th it was ready for SEA. Comfortable, GA stadium seating provided a clear view for all of the stage that was filled with apparatus. Green mats were set-up on the edge of the stage where children sat to experience SEA up-close. Before the show a number of the Action Heroes all clad in red for the occasion were warming-up as one of them wrote on a blackboard encouraging the audience to get loud. After a few announcements the performance began.

The muscular Action Heroes were well versed in a number of disciplines including dance, circus, gymnastics and stunt work. In celebration of the 100-year anniversary of flight the troupe presented "AIR" which was a mix of well-timed flips, jumps, twists and what appeared to be painful body slams onto mats on the side of the Olympic trampoline they were utilizing. Next, the stage crew quickly shifted a few things for the Action Heroes to examine gravity and form on a "TILT"ed 8-foot square.


Singular Extreme Actions was for the most part dangerous and daring.

"SQUIRM" was a humorous homage to Harry Houdini. Eight dancers stacked themselves on top of each other in a tight, plexi-glass box as a ninth performer snaked his way through them to enter and escape the claustrophobia confines. The Action Heroes needed nerves of "STEEL" to skirt a heavy moving I-beam. Timing was key in this stunt. The first half of SEA conclude with "SLAM" where the dancers confronted a vertical wall.

The second half built on the excitement of the first with the high speed of "QUAKE", "LITTLE EASE" a big test of flexibility and "FALLING." "ROCK" and "SILVER" were breathtaking tests of balance, grace and strength on moving apparatus where again perfect coordination and timing were essential. SEA kept us on the edge of our seats with a show that was Sensational Engaging Art.

"OZ Arts is an inspiring destination for world-class, innovative contemporary art experiences." This non-profit organization supports both visual art in addition to unique live performances such as STREB-SEA. OZ Arts was launched by the Ozgener family who formerly ran a well-respected cigar company in Nashville that was also recognized for humidors and Meerschaum pipes. When the Ozgeners sold their business they converted their former headquarters into OZ Arts a modern performance and installation space that can also be used for special events and exclusive performances which now includes SEA.


Prior to the performance we took refuge from the rain inside OZ Arts Nashville.

Related Links: For more information on OZ ARTS NASHVILLE and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- OZ Arts Nashville | STREB SEA Singular Extreme Actions


.









Carter Vintage Guitars Makes a Big Move in Nashville



Roy's Meat Service - It's All About BBQ and Community in East Nashville



Taj Mahal Remains a Blues Wonder of the World at Grimey's in Nashville



Brother Rock Is On a Roll at Rhythm In The Village in Old Hickory



Upper Deck Golf Drives Into Nashville



John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band Cruise Into with Nashville with a Memorable Debut Fifty Years in the Making



Cat Power's Curious Night of Music at the CMA Theater in Nashville



Celtic Woman: Third Time's a Charm at the TPAC in Nashville



The NRB Turns a Grand Ole Eighty in Nashville



John Oates Delivers Songs and Stories with a Smile, Some Tears and a Few Laughs in Franklin



The Tina Turner Musical Is Simply Terrific at the TPAC in Tennessee



Trustworthy Documentary Seeks to Heal the Deep Divide in America With a Deep Dive Into Media Bias at Belmont University



Music City Animal Rescue Seeks New Fosters and Volunteers as Second Decade of Regional Service Begins in Nashville



The Nashville Sounds Score Big with Well Attended Sound Check Fan Fest at First Horizon Park



The Wandering Hearts Still Beating Strong on WMOT's Finally Friday at 3rd & Lindsley



THE CHOSEN Season 4 Offers Nashvillians a Whole Lot to Choose From with Fathom Events



Girl From the North Country Lights Up the Nashville Skyline at the TPAC



Mr. Big and The Smithereens Rock the Ryman in Nashville



CMT's Next Women of Country Celebrates Female Empowerment with a Dynamic and Diverse Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony at Nashville's City Winery



The Antique & Garden Show of Nashville Was a Beautiful Thing to Behold at Music City Center



Garth's Place Is a New High Point On Lower Broadway in Nashville



The Nashville Predators Come Out Lifeless On Grateful Dead Night at the Bridgestone Arena



The Earl Scruggs' 100th Birthday Celebration Is An All-Star Banjo Bash in Nashville



The Southern Festival of Books Turns the Page in Nashville



© 2024 MusicCityNashville.net
All Rights Reserved