The DreamYard Project Programs Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers Public Performance Series for June

The Guggenheim New York’s acclaimed rotunda exhibition Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers includes a dynamic series of live performances and public programs. Each month, a community partner curates spoken word, music, and live art events that bring to life Johnson’s two major installations—Sanguine, a monumental site-specific work on the building’s top ramp with an embedded piano, and Rotunda Stage, an interactive space for performances on the museum’s floor.

This June, the performance series features readings on Rotunda Stage by poets and writers programmed by The DreamYard Project, an organization committed to social justice through art making. A dynamic lineup of emerging and established voices from the Bronx and beyond include nationally acclaimed poets Aracelis Girmay and former Bronx Poet Laureate Haydil Henriquez, alongside educators and performers Daemond Arrindell, David Flores, Ellen Hagan, and Alondra Uribe, among others. They will engage with the work of Rashid Johnson and honor spoken word, performance poetry, and socially engaged art. Rising voices including Ayling Dominguez, Daad Sharfi, M. Ezra Zhang, and others will also take the stage. These readings offer the opportunity to experience poetry not only as an art form but also as a collective act of imagination and transformation.

In addition to the ongoing performance series, which is announced monthly, the Guggenheim will continue to host the after-hours event Late Shift  as well as programming specifically for teens every month. On June 19, The DreamYard Project’s Rad(ical) Poetry Consortium Fellows will activate the June Late Shift in celebration of Juneteenth.

 This June and July, the museum will also remain open until 8 pm on Thursdays, offering audiences extended summer evening hours.

June programming includes:

Museum Mile Festival

Tuesday, June 10, 6–9 pm

Free and open to the public

The Guggenheim New York is one of eight museums opening its doors for the 47th Museum Mile Festival. The Sanguine piano will be activated throughout the evening, with a variety of performers taking the stage.

Late Shift Juneteenth Celebration

Thursday, June 19, 5:30–8 pm

Reserve tickets

Taking place every third Thursday, Late Shift invites visitors to explore the galleries, participate in curated interactive experiences, and enjoy refreshments at a cash bar in Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic rotunda after-hours.

On June 19, in conjunction with Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers, The DreamYard Project’s Rad(ical) Poetry Consortium Fellows will activate the event with live programming.  The Juneteenth celebration will include readings and performances by Charlotte Abotsi, Nanya Akuki-Goodrich, Tristan André, Diego Bàez, Ayling Dominguez, Carlina Duan, e.jin, Lisa Green, Ellen Hagan, Dena Igusti, Seelai Karzai, Nikita Ladd, Juan Ospina, Andy Powell, Daad Sharfi, Simone Smith, Alondra Uribe, Jason Vanfosson, and M. Ezra Zhang.

Teen Programming

Coinciding with Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers, the Guggenheim New York has launched a new free membership program for teens ages 13–18. Teen Circle builds creativity and cultural connection for teens through art, community, and museum access.

Teen Tuesday

Tuesday, June 24, 4–5:30 pm

Free with admission

Learn more and register for Teen Circle

Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers June public performance series highlights:

Live performances are Fridays at 4 pm and Sundays at 1 pm (Sanguine piano), and Saturdays at 1 pm and Mondays at 4 pm (Rotunda Stage). Performances range from 15 to 40 minutes.

Sunday, June 1, 1 pm

Mannes Prep

Sanguine Piano

Ziqiao Qiu, a Mannes Prep student at Mannes School of Music at The New School, will play the piano situated in Sanguine.

Saturday, June 7, 1 pm

DreamYard Mentor / Mentee Reading Series

Rotunda Stage

Featuring Aracelis Girmay and former Bronx Poet Laureate Haydil Henriquez.

Monday, June 9, 4 pm

Poetry Reading and Prompts

Rotunda Stage

PS/MS 95 teen poets and Daemond Arrindell share poems and prompts from the DreamYard Poetry Slam season.

Saturday, June 14, 1 pm

DreamYard Mentor / Mentee Reading Series

Rotunda Stage

Featuring Andy Powell and Alondra Uribe.

Monday, June 23, 4 pm

Poetry Reading and Prompts

Rotunda Stage

Teen poets from Marble Hill School for International Studies representing the DreamYard International Poetry Exchange Program with Fariha Chowdhury.

Saturday, June 28, 1 pm

DreamYard Mentor / Mentee Reading Series

Rotunda Stage

Featuring Berry and Alanna Taveras.

Monday, June 30, 4 pm

Poetry Reading and Prompts

Rotunda Stage

Teen poets from Marble Hill School for International Studies representing the DreamYard International Poetry Exchange Program with David Flores and Ellen Hagan.

All performances require a general admission ticket to the museum.

Performances and events as part of the exhibition will be announced on a monthly basis; please visit guggenheim.org/calendar for additional information and additional updates. Event details are subject to change.

Sponsors

Lead support for Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers is provided by Ford Foundation.

Visionary support is provided by Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan, Edlis-Neeson Foundation, and Daniel Xu and Flora Huang.

Major support is provided by Neuberger Berman.

The Leadership Committee for this exhibition is gratefully acknowledged for its generosity, with special thanks to Hauser & Wirth, David Kordansky Gallery, Madeleine Arison, Heather and Felix Baker, Justin Bayless, Marie-Josée Coutu, Nancy and Steve Crown, Natasha and François-Xavier de Mallmann, The George Economou Collection, Anton J. Levy, Jennifer and Alec Litowitz, and David Shuman.

Additional leadership funding is provided by Candace and Michael Barasch, Allison and Larry Berg, Mahshid and Jamshid Ehsani, Alex and Greg Mondre, Dr. Daniel S. Berger Charitable Giving Fund, Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian and Ago Demirdjian, Nicola Erni Collection, Katherine Farley and Jerry I. Speyer, The Forman Family Collection, Paul and Dedrea Gray, John and Amy Griffin Foundation, Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia, Kathy and Mitchell Jacobson, Judelson Family Foundation, LaVon Kellner and Tom Roush, Amanda Precourt, Gary Steele and Steven Rice, George Wells and Manfred Rantner, Debi and Steven Wisch, Marilyn and Larry Fields, Bernard I. Lumpkin and Carmine D. Boccuzzi, Jessica and Brian Robinson, Carol and Lawrence Saper, Ann and Mel Schaffer, The Sherman Family Foundation, and those who wish to remain anonymous.

Support is also generously provided by The Kate Cassidy Foundation, The Robert Lehman Foundation, and The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Guggenheim New York’s 2024 International Director’s Council.

Yamaha Piano provided by Yamaha Artist Services New York.

About the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was established in 1937 and is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The international constellation of museums includes the Guggenheim New York; the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice; the Guggenheim Bilbao; and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A “temple of spirit” where radical art and architecture meet, the Guggenheim New York is among a group of eight Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the Guggenheim New York and the Guggenheim’s activities around the world, visit guggenheim.org.