The Mercy Velvet Project: Fundraising Gala!
DELICIOUS FOOD, SWEETS, + DRINKS. LIVE DANCE & MUSIC PERFORMANCE. PARTY. COMMUNITY.
Have you ever seen a rock opera with tap dance as percussion?
kamrDANCE, a dance and music company that prioritizes multidisciplinary musical storytelling, is hosting their second fundraising event to benefit the 2026 premiere of their feminist rock opera in progress, The Mercy Velvet Project. Join Choreographer/Artistic Director/Producer Alexis Robbins, Musical & Associate Director and bassist Christie Echols, and cast members Isabella Serricella, Maria Clara Laet, Maya Harrison, and Demiah Latreece at City Seed (162 James Street) in the Fair Haven neighborhood of New Haven for an evening of food, treats from Katalina's Bakery, drinks, a performance excerpt from The Mercy Velvet Project, a silent auction, and great vibes! All proceeds go towards the creation, production, personnel, equipment, and touring of The Mercy Velvet Project.
Your $75 ticket includes: extremely yummy food (buffet/cocktail hour style throughout the evening), sweet treats by Katalina’s bakery, two drinks (alcoholic or non), 30-minute performance by Mercy Velvet Project cast members, the chance to bid on extremely cool silent auction items (like personal training, voice lessons, an ORIGINAL Mercy Velvet "Live in Vain" CD, and more), and networking with New Haven community members. Yes, there are vegan and gluten free options! All drinks after your first two are $5 per drink.
What to expect: *other than eating and drinking throughout the evening!*
6 PM doors open (food, drinks, sweets, sick playlist, fun vibes, silent auction items to bid on)
7 PM presentation (but keep eating and drinking!)
7:30 PM performance excerpt of The Mercy Velvet Project!
8:10 PM Raise the Paddle - let's raise money!
8:30 PM more eating, drinking, and being merry
9 PM silent auction winners announced!
*Parking: There is FREE parking in the lot next to City Seed (to the left on Exchange Street)!
There are two small steps up to enter City Seed. If you have any specific needs regarding accessibility, please email us at kamrdanceco@gmail.com so we can appropriately accommodate you. The fundraiser will be held on the first floor and there is an ADA accessible bathroom.
Silent Auction Items (more to be announced soon!):
- One (1) copy of the ORIGINAL Mercy Velvet album "Live in Vain" on CD, minimum bid: $75
-One (1) private, hour-long voice lesson with Fernanda Franco of FATE, minimum bid: $40
In person in Milford, CT. Winner will be connected with Fernanda to schedule.
- One (1) private, hour-long tap dance lesson with Alexis Robbins, minimum bid: $40
Either in Hamden, CT or on Zoom. Absolute beginner to advanced. All ages.
- One (1) private, hour-long personal training/corrective exercise session with Alexis Robbins minimum bid: $40
In person anywhere in Greater New Haven or at Alexis' studio in Hamden, or online via Zoom. Any level, all ages.
Show Description:
The 1999 album, Live in Vain by Mercy Velvet, exists on zero streaming platforms, and few people have heard it. But its legacy is as relevant as ever. The Mercy Velvet Project is a rock opera, a re-creation of the album. The work explores what makes us human, our collective need for community to survive—with musicians and dancers moving as one. Through nine songs, a queer and femme cast explore different barriers to experiencing love. Learning that by giving and receiving the gift of mercy, we are able to find the bridge to survival, wholeness, and hope.Over twenty years after the albums’ release, kamrDANCE and their collaborators expand upon Mercy Velvet’s legacy through their personal identities and today’s political realities. The show tells the story of the album through tap dance as percussion, contemporary dance, original text, and instrumentation via bass, guitar, vocals, and electronics—highlighting our vulnerabilities, learning together how to find the antidote that is mercy, and in turn lead meaningful lives.
Live in Vain by Mercy Velvet is the music that Choreographer Alexis Robbins grew up with, the percussive rhythms and lyrics that inspired living room dances. Her father, Mark Robbins, was the drummer and co-composer for Mercy Velvet, alongside lyricist Deb Lili, and guitarist Lou Lili. Her fathers’ love and direction has deeply influenced the music Alexis listens to and the music she creates as a tap dancer. Now, Alexis, Musical Director Christie Echols, and their collaborators bring Live in Vain to audiences for the first time.
More show information: home — kamrDANCE
More ways to donate: donate — kamrDANCE