Throughout a efficiency at The Chapel a pair years in the past, singer Astu was in the midst of performing the music “G for U” when their band broke right into a gospel melody. Nonetheless in efficiency mode, Astu referred to as people to the entrance of the venue — and the group responded.
“We had all these Black gay girls twerking to gospel music,” Astu displays, on a latest telephone name. “I’m like, ‘This is church, literally.’ People were just totally free. It was an incredible feeling.”
That feeling impressed the brand new play ‘Sanctuary,’ a two-hour musical journey by way of church and spirituality that’s steeped in Afro-fantasy and queer pleasure. The story, written by Astu and Lovey and made attainable by a grant from the 18th Road Arts Heart and assist from SF LGBT Heart, options authentic music from Hugo de la Lune, AroMa and 3lise.
“The message,” Astu says, “is that we start in victory. On top, in the church.” A part of reimagining spirituality by way of the church, they clarify, is uplifting the thought of coming from abundance, not from a deficit. And with that, the methods by which we join with the divine can shift.
“Well bless their hearts.”
