Early this semester, MCLA’s Venable Theatre was transformed by the dynamic and thought-provoking performance called “Dizzy Spellz”. Dizzy Spellz is an Afro-Futurist production blending music, theatre, dance, visual art, and history. The show, presented as part of the MOSAIC programming here at MCLA, offered students an immersive experience that challenged traditional performance boundaries and enriched the cultural life on campus.
The highly talented artists, Sean Jones, Brinae Ali, and Wendel Patrick, brought the theatre to life with their soul and charisma. Jones, a renowned jazz trumpeter, filled the space with electrifying melodies that paid homage to the legendary Dizzy Gillespie, while Ali’s powerful tap dance routines and spoken word performances infused the show with rhythm and intensity. Wendel Patrick, a master of live electronic music, added layers of sonic texture, blending traditional jazz with contemporary beats that resonated with the audience.
The director of MOSAIC, Jeremy Winchester, describes how “MOSAIC’s programming leans heavily into the liberal arts tradition of expansive and intersectional exploration, and Dizzy Spellz was a great example of how this programming can enrich campus life. The show was a cutting-edge blend of performance modes and Afro-Futurist ideas. By blending music, theatre, dance, visual art and history, it pushed against the boundaries of traditional performance and created something new and unique.”
The performance, which explored the intersections of jazz, history, and contemporary Afro-diasporic thought, was a captivating experience. Featuring live music that drew from the works of the aforementioned jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, Dizzy Spellz tackled Black identity, historical legacy, and future possibilities through an Afro-Futurist lens. This innovative approach resonated deeply with the liberal arts focus at MCLA, encouraging students to think critically about the ways in which art and history inform each other.
The performance exemplified art serving as a vehicle for deep social and historical commentary. Dizzy Spellz embodied MOSAIC’s mission of fostering expansive thinking, introducing students to new perspectives and ways of understanding identity and history, via dance, art, theater, and music.
The fusion of different art forms in Dizzy Spellz—from jazz to movement, visual design to narrative storytelling—showcased the possibility of breaking out of traditional artistic frameworks; an important lesson for students to take away as they navigate their own creative and academic endeavors. Attendees noted the impact of the performance, broadening their understanding of how art and culture serve as powerful tools for social reflection and activism.
Karen Yamada ‘25, a senior here at MCLA, as well as a production associate of MOSAIC, said Dizzy Spellz was a transformative experience for the campus community, noting: “seeing the behind the scenes that went into the performance and then seeing it come to life on stage was a really unique and memorable experience to be a part of.”
As MCLA continues to grow its commitment to inclusive and thought-provoking programming through MOSAIC, performances like Dizzy Spellz offer students more than entertainment. They serve as an important reminder of the ways education, culture, and art intersect to shape both individual and collective identity.
Through its innovative blending of performance modes and challenging themes, Dizzy Spellz not only captivated the MCLA audience, but encouraged students to push beyond conventional boundaries in both their academic and personal lives. The performance, with its Afro-Futurist focus, left a lasting impression on the MCLA community, emphasizing the importance of art that engages critically with the past, while envisioning future possibilities.
If you missed this performance of Dizzy Spellz, keep an eye out for future events showcased by MOSAIC. You can follow the Instagram @mosaic_mcla to stay up to date and learn more about upcoming performances and events!
