Brendan Duffy – Memphis Flyer

It’s the Year of the Dragon as many of you may know. As our metaphysical columnist Emily Guenther wrote a few weeks ago, “The dragon represents success, intelligence, and honor in Chinese culture. The dragon is a symbol of power and wealth.” We can all embrace the creature, she says, and though the Lunar New Year fell on February 10th, Off The Walls Arts is gearing up for an extravaganza celebrating the Year of the Dragon and the full moon.

The nonprofit gallery’s event will have an art show, live music from Marcella & Her Lovers, a tai chi fight demonstration with Milan Vigil, modern dance with Neile Martin, aerial performances with Ashley Keane, fire performances by Sara and Michael Fahr, acro with Wren and Starling, a “drag(on)” show by drag artist Blanca Flores, and a dragon procession and bonfire.

“At Off the Walls Arts, we really like to embrace different types of arts,” says co-owner Yvonne Bobo, “so we’re kind of combining sculpture, performance, music, live music, maybe some more traditional paintings, and bringing them together for the Year of the Dragon. … Dragons are powerful and fantastical creatures, right? So all the different performers and artists love the dragon, and we’re just out there to celebrate.”

For the visual art aspect of the evening, Bobo says the artists were prompted to create a piece inspired by the Year of the Dragon. The results have been varied, with artists interpreting the theme in myriad styles and mediums. “It’s fun to do something a little outside of what you might think of,” says Bobo, who herself is sculpting a piece with Colleen Couch. “We’re doing a full moon, sort of. It’s a lighting piece in the event space, and we’re projecting a dragon in the moon.”

The event will also double as a fundraiser for Off the Walls’ latest project: Off the Rails Art Line. “We acquired a railroad property that goes by our warehouse,” says Brendan Duffy, Bobo’s husband and co-owner of Off the Walls. “And so we’re trying to raise money to get a trail down for the future of neighborhood because we know that if we keep this trail surface down and we can build out from there, it’ll be a nice safe place for people to maybe walk from Sun Studio to Stax and then to Elmwood Cemetery, so there’s a lot of connectors on this trail that we’re trying to get put together eventually. And we want to have a sculpture walk where the artists in our space and other local artists can do some permanent and rotating installations on that so you’ll have some art on the trail.”

Admission for the night’s event will be based on donation. “We’re saying $20, but whatever people can give,” Duffy says. “We like to make it inclusive.”

EXTRAVAGANZA Year of the Dragon Celebration, Off the Walls Arts, 360 Walnut, Saturday, February 24, 7 p.m.-midnight.

There is a lot of talent under the roof at 360 Walnut — and one Bea Dawg.

“Bea Dawg is the star of the show,” says Neile Martin, one of the choreographers for the upcoming dance production of The Firebird. The affable, tail-wagging, tongue-lolling Off the Walls Art warehouse dog is limited to one talent — an overload of cuteness. But that’s okay. The talent pool is covered by the many artists working in the shared space.

Yvonne Bobo and Brendan Duffy had planned events for 2020 in their renovated mid-century 12,000-square-foot warehouse. Everything had to wait. Until now.

“Before and after the performances, we are having an art exhibition down here where my office is,” says Duffy. The basement office has a handmade, wall-length bar. “I’ll be back there serving drinks.” Upstairs, the dancers are practicing. Co-choreographer Ashley Volner steps in time with fellow dancers Grace Byrd, Aiyanna LaRue, and Conor Chaparro. Including Martin, the dancers have nearly 100 years of combined dance experience. “When I ran into Yvonne at Memphis Rox and she talked about a collaboration, I conferred with Ashley and said, ‘Put me in coach,’” says Martin.

A fiery bird wall mural created from an original sketch by local artist Melanie Pyron is the backdrop for the performance utilizing Bobo’s metal sculpture. Stravinsky’s score, adapted for modern dance, provides the music. “We wanted music that was well-known, beautiful, and could be adapted. Not only is Stravinsky’s musical score well-known and beautiful — it’s public domain,” says Martin.

The Firebird, Off the Walls, 360 Walnut, opens Saturday, July 31, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m., continues Sunday, 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. through Aug. 7, $12.