Velvet Monkey is a music ensemble founded in 2008 by Marc Jackson and Jennifer Li, and features a mix of musicians and performers from varied artistic backgrounds. Velvet Monkey produces an eclectic sound, bending conventionalism.
Featuring Hassan Christopher, Erika Jensen, Marissa Labog, Kiersten Morgan, Uma Nithipalan
and Velvet Monkey, of course
Choreographed in collaboration by Hassan Christopher, Marissa Labog & Jennifer Li
Lighting & Set Design by Laura Mroczkowski
Costume Design by Jamie Hebert, Ryan Heffington, Abby Nieto & Vanessa Porter
Puppets by Michelle Zamora
Produced by Heleya de Barros
About DIRTY MEAN TRICKS:
"Writer-director Jennifer Li's fusion of live music and dance theatre is an intriguing, cirque nouveau-style fantasy, running slightly less than an hour. Accompanied by the band Velvet Monkey, dance artists Hassan Christopher and Marissa Labog collaborate with Li to choreograph Li's imaginative circus of the mind."
"Beginning with the song "Who Goes There," Velvet Monkey adds its funky sounds to the proceedings...Their music is rhythmic and distinctive, using entire-band instrumentation and vocals, as well as Jackson's and Jendrzejewski's significant solos and duets."
~Backstage West