Bowerbird Presents Gate
(almost) every Third Friday
Situated at the forefront of artistic experimentation, Bowerbird is a Philadelphia based nonprofit organization that presents music and interdisciplinary events by local and internationally recognized artists at a variety of venues across the region. The mission of Bowerbird is to raise the public’s awareness and understanding of provocative and divergent music traditions by providing numerous and diverse opportunities to directly experience the work of today’s leading artists.
Founded in late 2005, Bowerbird presents over 70 events annually, including many important world and Philadelphia premieres and rare appearances, and has emerged as a vital forum for the most disparate forms of creativity. Championing local, national, and international artists, as well as the work of significant historical figures, Bowerbird provides an important platform for understanding and critique of broader conceptual and global trends and seeks to enhance society’s understanding and appreciation of these artistic contributions by not only presenting artists and their ideas, but also discussing them openly and critically.
A key component of the Bowerbird community is an active group of Philadelphia based artists who participate both as performers and in the audience. In addition to giving these artists a greater voice, Bowerbird is particularly interested in helping them realize special projects and bringing their work into dialogue within a wider cultural context.
While much of the music presented challenges the physical and cognitive limits of both the performer and listener, Bowerbird fosters an openness for new concepts and perspectives and encourages artistic expression and exploration. Many of the events are presented in intimate and friendly spaces, frequently dispensing with the formality of a concert hall or the distractions of a jazz club, to present the music in a focused but open and accessible environment. By working with a variety of organizations, Bowerbird is able to present these events, at little or no cost to the public, at a variety of unique spaces all over Philadelphia.
Bowerbird also acts as an important bridge between artists, audiences, and many cultural institutions in Philadelphia, and works regularly with very diverse organizations including major cultural institutions – the Gershman Y, the Institute of Contemporary Art, International House Philadelphia; community oriented organizations – the Rotunda, University City Arts League (UCAL), the Community Education Center (CEC); small galleries – Vox Populi, Nexus, Pageant Soloveev, Slought Foundation; faith-based organizations – Circle of Hope and Broad Street Ministry; and local promoters and record labels – Badmaster, R5 Procuctions, Breathmint, and High Two. Bowerbird also participates annually in the Kimmel Center Summer Solstice as a featured presenter and has presented major events in collaboration with the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. Among the organizations most innovative partnerships is the critically acclaimed Bowerbird@Landmarks, a partnership with the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks that brings Bowerbird’s cultural offerings to a number of historic 18th and 19th century museum homes.
Upcoming Shows
Past Shows
- Jun 21 2024 - In-person! Bowerbird presents a special screening of John Cage Meets Sun Ra: The Complete Concert
- May 17 2024 - In-person! Bowerbird presents the Music of Moondog performed by the Arcana New Music Ensemble
- Apr 19 2024 - In-person! Bowerbird presents David Grubbs and Eli Winter playing electric guitar duets
- Mar 15 2024 - In-person! Bowerbird presents MAFFE KAFFEWS with Spectral Forces
- Dec 15 2023 - In-person! Bowerbird pres. THE MUSIC OF SARAH HENNIES Arcana New Music Ensemble With Sarah Hennies
- Nov 17 2023 - In-person! Bowerbird presents two solo performances by Natacha Diels and Levi Lu
- Oct 20 2023 - In-person! Bowerbird pres. The Lepidopterans: Tom Boram (Synthesizer, Sitar), Jason Willett (Electronics), and Toshi Makihara (Percussion)
- Jun 16 2023 - In-person! Bowerbird presents interdisciplinary artist eddy kwon
- Jun 9 2023 - In-person! Bowerbird presents Sawt Out
- Mar 17 2023 - In-person! Bowerbird is pleased to present Ikue Mori and Charmaine Lee at The Rotunda for an evening featuring solos from each artist as well as a duo performance.
- Mar 15 2023 - In-person! Bowerbird is pleased to present the TAK Ensemble in Philadelphia. Painting a portrait of new American composition through intensely virtuosic and visceral works TAK Ensemble will perform works by Tyshawn Sorey, Natacha Diels, Ashkan Behzad
- Feb 10 2023 - In-person! Bowerbird pres. Ensemble Terrain (Jacob Cooper, Jodie Landau, Ashley Bathgate, Thann Scoggin)
- Dec 16 2022 - In-person! Bowerbird presents Matt Davis’ Aerial Photograph. The ensemble will perform Davis’ recent compositional suite, The Sway of Rivers, exploring the elusive nature of time: how it is inconsistently felt, marked, and expressed in sound.
- Nov 18 2022 - In-person! Bowerbird pres. the Bismuth Quartet w/ special guests Tom Kraines & Matt Engle
- Oct 22 2022 - In-person! Bowerbird pres. GEORGE STAVIS with Elkhorn
- May 20 2022 - In-person! Bowerbird presents JJJJJerome Ellis
- Apr 15 2022 - In-person! Bowerbird presents Sound Mechanic Sneak Preview Screening
- Feb 18 2022 - In-person! Bowerbird pres. FRANCK VIGROUX & ULRICH KRIEGER + Julius Masri
- Apr 2 2020 - POSTPONED! Bowerbird presents ALASH
- Mar 17 2020 - POSTPONED! Bowerbird presents Fennesz and Britton Powell
- Feb 21 2020 - POSTPONED! Bowerbird presents George Stavis and Elkhorn POSTPONED
- Jan 17 2020 - Bowerbird presents Ikue Mori + Charmaine Lee
- Dec 20 2019 - Bowerbird presents Sarah Hennies: Contralto plus Flourish with Ashely Tini
- Nov 15 2019 - Neil Feather: Sound Mechanic with Arcana & Shizuka Duo pres. by Bowerbird
- Oct 18 2019 - Bowerbird pres. Laraaji with Chris Powell
- Jun 21 2019 - Bowerbird pres. New Perplexity: Daniel Fishkin, Cleek Schrey, Ron Shalom
- May 17 2019 - Bowerbird pres. The Magic Sun (Sun Ra) and other AV shorts
- Apr 19 2019 - Bowerbird pres. a double bill of fingerstyle and American primitive guitarists Yasmin Williams and Daniel Bachman
- Mar 15 2019 - Johanna Beyer: Music of the Spheres – Night One, Arcana New Music Ensemble and friends
- Feb 15 2019 - Bowerbird pres. the world premiere of Greg Brown’s Fall and Decline performed by Variant 6
- Jan 18 2019 - Bowerbird pres. the Arcana New Music Ensemble
- Dec 14 2018 - The Music of Ben Patterson with Arcana New Music Ensemble
- Nov 16 2018 - Bowerbird pres. HPrizm: Pressure Wave
- Oct 19 2018 - Bowerbird pres. HOWARD STELZER: CROSSING PARALLEL and David Kessler's Lopapeysa
- May 18 2018 - Bowerbird pres. LONG/GONE
- Apr 20 2018 - Mauricio Kagel's "Ludwig van" film pres. by Bowerbird
- Mar 16 2018 - Bowerbird pres. Wild Combination: A portrait of Arthur Russell
- Feb 16 2018 - The music of Pauline Oliveros with Arcana New Music Ensemble, pres. by Bowerbird
- Jan 19 2018 - Audrey Chen + special guest with Daniel de Jesús pres. by Bowerbird
- Nov 17 2017 - Bowerbird pres. EMMA RESMINI works for flute
- Oct 20 2017 - Voice of the Eagle: The Enigma of Robbie Basho: film screening and performances by Andy McLeod, Eva and Jesse Sheppard
- Jun 16 2017 - LONG/GONE: Erik Ruin and Ominous Cloud Ensemble
- May 26 2017 - in the sanctuary! Bowerbird Presents: Julius Eastman: That Which Is Fundamental: Prelude to Joan d’Arc + the Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc + New Work by Devonté Hynes
- May 19 2017 - in the sanctuary! Bowerbird pres. Julius Eastman: That Which Is Fundamental: Crazy + Evil + Gay Guerilla
- May 12 2017 - in the sanctuary! Bowerbird Pres. Julius Eastman: That Which Is Fundamental - Macle + Thruway + Buddha + New Work by Moor Mother
- May 5 2017 - In the sanctuary! Julius Eastman: That Which Is Fundamental - Stay on It + Feminine + In Memory of Julius
- Apr 21 2017 - Morton Feldman's "Three Voices" performed by Juliet Fraser
- Mar 17 2017 - Community Futurism: An Evening Curated By Moor Mother
- Feb 17 2017 - Loren Connors & Chris Forsyth and Taiwan Housing Project! Pres. by Bowerbird
- Jan 20 2017 - THE PINE BARRENS screening + live score w/ The Ruins of Friendship Orchestra; pres. by Bowerbird
- Dec 16 2016 - Svitanya, women's vocal ensemble specializing in folk music of Eastern Europe
- Nov 18 2016 - Bowerbird screens Shirley Clarke's 1985 film Ornette: Made in America
- Oct 21 2016 - CAGE, TUDOR, RAUSCHENBERG: 9 EVENINGS, 50th anniversary documentary screening
- Jun 17 2016 - The Music of Moon Dog with the Arcana New Music Ensemble
- May 20 2016 - Bowerbird pres. LE RÉVÉLATEUR, live score by Mary Lattimore and Jeff Zeigler
- Apr 15 2016 - Bowerbird pres. Glenn Jones, Laura Baird, Elkhorn duo
- Mar 18 2016 - Bowerbird pres. PRISONER'S SONG: performance about the prison experience
- Feb 19 2016 - C. Spencer Yeh: Video On Demand; TRAVELOGUE: CAIRO EGYPT; pres. by Bowerbird
- Jan 15 2016 - AF·FIXING CEREMONY: Four Movements for Essex, A presentation with Tiona McClodden; pres. by Bowerbird
- Dec 18 2015 - ECSTATIC & WINGLESS: Bird-Imitation on Four Continents - A presentation by Ian Nagoski
- Nov 20 2015 - NO IDEAS BUT IN THINGS A film about Alvin Lucier
- Oct 16 2015 - Julius Eastman's █████ ██████
- Jun 21 2015 - Keroaän + Bhob Rainey pres. by Bowerbird
- May 15 2015 - Bowerbird presents: Begin Anywhere 3
- Apr 26 2015 - In the Sanctuary! Morton Feldman: For Philip Guston (1984) performed by Either/OR
- Apr 17 2015 - New Works: CINÉ-ROMAN pres. by Bowerbird
- Feb 20 2015 - Trefoil performs 14th century Italian Love Songs
- Jan 16 2015 - Bowerbird pres. SPACE IS THE PLACE - Sun Ra sci-fi musical
- Dec 19 2014 - Bowerbird pres. A NIGHT FOR JACK: remembering Jack Rose
- Nov 21 2014 - POSTPONED UNTIL JAN 16!!!! Bowerbird pres. SPACE IS THE PLACE - Sun Ra sci-fi musical
- Jul 22 2014 - Bowerbird pres. TECHNE + GIRLS ROCK PHILLY: Bonnie Jones & Suzanne Thorpe in collaboration w/ young women from Girls Rock Summer Institute.
- Jun 20 2014 - Bowerbird pres. ALL SOUND IS QUEER
- May 16 2014 - Nakatani Gong Orchestra; Bowerbird Presents GATE series
- Apr 18 2014 - Bowerbird pres. Gate feat. AXON LADDER by Bhob Rainey & Catherine Pancake - world premiere sound-video collaboration
- Mar 9 2014 - Bowerbird pres. Gate - XENAKIS: The Complete String Quartets, performed by the JACK Quartet
- Feb 21 2014 - Bowerbird pres. Gate - MEETING MOOG: The Early Electronic Music of Andrew Rudin
- Jan 17 2014 - Bowerbird pres. Gate Feat. TREFOIL performing "Fleur de Valeur"
- Nov 15 2013 - Bowerbird pres. Gate Feat. CHRIS FORSYTH & THE SOLAR MOTEL BAND perform "SOLAR MOTEL" with live video by MARIA DUMLAO plus MIND OVER MIRRORS
- Oct 18 2013 - Bowerbird pres. Gate feat. GENE COLEMAN and ENSEMBLE N_JP
- Oct 9 2013 - Bowerbird pres. Gate feat. CLAIRE CHASE, flute and electronics performing works for flute & electronics by Reich, Lucier, Varese, & more
- Sep 24 2013 - Bowerbird pres. Gate feat. CHARLES CURTIS, cello performing works by Alison Knowles, Alvin Lucier, Eliane Radigue, Tashi Wada, Christian Wolf
- Jun 21 2013 - Bowerbird pres. JACK QUARTET perform works by Nono, Lachenman, and Berenson.
- May 17 2013 - Bowerbird pres. THE WIDOW'S JOY listening & talk with Ian Nagoski
- Apr 19 2013 - Bowerbird pres. SOUND EFFECTS POETRY CATALOG w/ live performances curated by Danny Snelson
- Mar 15 2013 - CHRONOPOLIS & other experimental animated films
- Feb 15 2013 - Alash + beat boxer Shodekeh and double bassist Garth Stevenson; part of Bowerbird pres. Gate
- Dec 9 2012 - VARIATIONS & MIXES, part of Cage: Beyond Silence
- Nov 16 2012 - Bowerbird pres. Gate series feat. Ben Vida & Eli Keszler + Mary Lattimore & Jeff Zeigler
- Oct 19 2012 - Bowerbird presents KALISHNIKOV (Jamie Saft / Mike Pride), EARTHEATER (Eli Litwin, Eric Slick, Travis Woodson), TRISTAN DAHN
- Jun 15 2012 - Bowerbird presents Bernard Parmegiani's De natura sonorum
- May 18 2012 - JACK WRIGHT /EVAN LIPSON /ALBAN BAILLY / JOHAN NYSTROM + THE CHAZ AND DIGBEE SHOW (Charles Cohen + Logan Higbie) + UNGUENT; Bowerbird pres. Gate series
- Apr 20 2012 - Diamond Terrifier, Femme Tops, Wait (Robert J), Patrick Higgins; pres. by Bowerbird as part of Gate series
- Mar 16 2012 - Inventing the Machine-Man: a multimedia Raymond Scott exploration; w/ Jeff E. Winner; pres. by Bowerbird
- Feb 17 2012 - Bowerbird pres. Lichens w/ Jean-Sebastien Truchy, Tom Carter, Daniel Bachmann; part of Gate series
- Jan 27 2012 - Ian Nagoski, presenting extraordinary songs from around the world and the stories of the long-gone people who made them; pres. by Bowerbird as part of the GATE series
- Dec 16 2011 - Bowerbird pres. Gate feat. Cian Nugent, William Tyler, Zillions
- Nov 18 2011 - Bowerbird pres. the Gate series feat. sound experiments by Sergei Tcherepnin + Woody Sullender, FUN, Scott Allison, Sam Cusumano/Eugene Lew, Joo Won Park
- Oct 21 2011 - Bowerbird presents POWERS OF TEN and other Experimental Documentary Shorts
- Jun 17 2011 - Bowerbird pres. Nakatani Gong Orchestra + Tatsuya Nakatani solo