One night while out with my good friend Steve, I started chatting about how this show in New York I had just seen inspired me to put on my own show. I've had ideas, many ideas, which until then had only lived and stayed inside my head. I decided it was time to take action and play on the court in my own life. Steve offered his space to create and present this particular idea. That night Art for the Soul was born. 

The mission for Art for the Soul is to provide a platform for mulitple artists of all facets to share their art, collaborate and get paid for it! Often artists are expected to work for free.. I refuse to accept that as artists we have to choose between fulfillng our passion or paying our bills.

Every show will create a community each night where we give back and impact a community in another part of the world in need. Last year we raised 1625.00 which was donated to an incredible charity, Stand Tall International.  An organization, created by my friend Masha, that goes to Africa and enables children with high risk paralysis to receive spinal corrective surgery in Ghana. 

Lastly, each Art for the Soul will have audience participation somewhere within the night. Last year each guest was given a little bag of dirt when they entered. The opening piece started with the lights dimming as artist Re'Sean Pates, accompanied by pianist Harut Senekeremian, sang a song as he approached the stage, where I was lying in the corner, and poured his bag of dirt on me. This was the invitation for the audience to follow suit. In silence we waited. As the first guest came up, I could feel the tension in the air as a guitar strummed in the darkness. Once the last bag of dirt was poured the room went black and the show officially started. I find in having audience participation we can discover a sense of community within a room of strangers. Leaving everyone feeling uncomfortable, shy and/or excited in joining together to put some of their heart into Art for the Soul. 

This year we will be telling a story about isolation, heart ache and healing. Told with all Nina Simone music the audience will follow 8 dancers around the space with a few guest musicians integrated into different pieces. Six small acts in total with an ending transformed into a "new beginning". Featuring two different bands, two charities and a photo gallery, the second annual Art for the Soul will surely have more than something for everyone. Frustrated with the world right now I find it necessary to challenge ourselves to connect with others who are different, accept ideas we don't understand and be present to other humans who might be asking for help. Some of the biggest cries are silent. As Nina Simone said "As artists, it is our duty to reflect the times."

Last year as we got closer, knowing I was paying out of pocket, I wondered how I was going to pull it off. The world conspired and handed me a job which enabled the show to happen just as planned. I am prepared to contribute out of pocket to present a story, more personal than I have ever presented before. However this year being two nights, and a bigger production I am asking for your help.  I learned, from my friend and assistant director Taeko McCarroll, the idea behind the "art of asking".  By asking for help, the community can become involved in the above mission, not only by being in attendence, but knowing their contribution went towards everything the team behind Art for the Soul will be sharing with Los Angeles and beyond June 28th and 29th.

This show will be dedicated to my brother. Expressing, through my art, that I may not of been there then but I am here now. 

Thank you!
         Stephanie Kim


Charities Art for the Soul will be supporting this year :

Stand Tall International
http://www.standtallinternational.org/

#givecleanwater
http://generosity.org/