Po'Chop : The Feed

How can we build rest into our art practice? Since the start of this pandemic we’ve been holding space for this question while studying the work of Tricia Hersey’s @thenapministry. Tricia says, “Rest is resistance. Rest is reparations.” We’ve taken to carving time outta our studio practice to find stillness and gratitude at @houseofthelorde. Sometimes our rest looks like disrupting a burlesque show with some history before resting in silence as reparations are paid. Finding space to dream of new worlds is an intentional practice that holds so much information. Thank you Tricia for challenging us to lay down and dream. (at House of the Lorde) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf4stfbvAyf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

as we prepare for the next session of burlesque classes at House of the Lorde this moment from Audre Lorde expressed during an interview with Blanche Cook comes to mind Lorde says, “Teaching really meant examining the things you most of all need to know. . . " 🙌🏾ain’t that the truth🙌🏾 this session we’ll continue to hold space for expansion. for pleasure and joy. for the glorious shimmy and quake of our thighs and jiggly bits! Join us on Sundays and Wednesdays via #linkinbio at @houseofthelorde! #itspochop #chicagoburlesqueclasses #burlesque #blackburlesque #houseofhtelorde #chicagoburlesque #itspochopmuthafucka (at House of the Lorde) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfKgnd2rvUU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Who’s ready for Notes on Masculinity tomorrow at 8 PM @californiaclipper? Drop a 💪🏾🔥💵 if you’re ready for @travis.fiero, @luc.ami, @jeezloueez, @laurenlikepolo, @your.matt.adore, @switchtheboi, and myself to blow your 🧦 off! $10 at the door (holla if you money barriers are keeping you away). We kindly ask that you wear your mask unless enjoying a beverage and come ready to tip the performers! #chicagodrag #nom #notesonmasculinity #itspochop #chicagodragking #dragkingsofinstagram #dragkingshow 📸 x @greg_inda for #clippercabaretchicago (at The California Clipper) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ced-W1SL91a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT Saturday June 4th | @houseofthelorde | 2:00-3:30 PM | Grant writing for cabaret artist #linkinbio to register As a recipient of over 100k in grant funds to support their burlesque and drag practice, Po'Chop shares a wealth of knowledge in this workshop. From how to write a compelling project narrative to selecting and framing work sample Po'Chop's hare their experience as both a grant recipient reviewer. Gain insightful approaches to finding, applying and winning local and federal funding. Let’s get this schmoney! Two scholarship slots per class are reserved to accommodate Black, Indigenous, People of Color and Queer folks who want to enroll in class but money is a barrier. Apply at www.houseofthelorde.com/scholarship (#linkinbio) Masks are to be worn at all times. #itspochop #itspochopmuthafucka #classeswithpochop #houseofthelorde #chicagoburlesque #grantwriting (at House of the Lorde) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeV_FF8LOpK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

✨WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT Saturday June 4th | 12-1:30 PM | Lessons from The Brown Pages #linkinbio to register Algorithms have your posts hidden in the shadows? Spend more time in Facebook jail than actually facebooking? Sick of mindlessly scrolling through a feed full of junk? Perhaps it is time to build your own online platform? Tracing the creation and development of The Brown Pages, an interactive newsletter, Po’Chop demonstrates how innovative performers can take advantage of affordable and user-friendly website platforms to create consistent and engaging content and more meaningful connections with audiences online. 👉🏾Swipe to for a peek of the 23rd edition. (Read the full thing via #linkinbio) ABOUT 📜THE BROWN PAGES As an innovator, Po’Chop pushes the expectations of what and how to provide content through The Brown Pages. Unlike anything on the inter-web, The Brown Pages are an interactive blog-zine that are the home to artist reflections, news, bts videos, digital artwork, history lessons and memes. The Brown Pages are a purposeful place to learn, share, and explore. Two scholarship slots per class are reserved to accommodate Black, Indigenous, People of Color and Queer folks who want to enroll in class but money is a barrier. Apply at www.houseofthelorde.com/scholarship (#linkinbio) 😷Masks are required. #itspochop #itspochopmuthafucka #classeswithpochop #houseofthelorde #chicagoartclasses #chicagoburlesque #thebrownpages #digitalart (at House of the Lorde) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeUqE3Iri2I/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Aye! The second installation of Notes on Masculinity is coming in hot🥵. So excited to announce this stellar line up of folks! Join @travis.fiero @luc.ami @your.matt.adore @jeezloueez @switchtheboi @laurenlikepolo and myself next Tuesday at @californiaclipper! You already know...bring those 💵 . We request that you wear your mask when not getting your drink on. We are working very hard to get a virtual option up and running! More details on that soon. #chicagodrag #dragking #nom #notesonmasculinity #chicagodragking #itspochop #itspochopmuthafucka (at The California Clipper) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeOnFt5L6mA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Next Saturday, June 4th, I’m offering up a variety of workshops. From building virtual worlds to grant writing to burlesque dancing I’m serving up a buffet of workshops @houseofthelorde! ⛓#linkinbio #itspochop #itspochopmuthafucka #houseofthelorde #chicagoburlesque #chicagoburlesqueclasses #chicagoburlesque (at House of the Lorde) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeCBr00JktP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

🔥TONIGHT🔥 The debut of Notes on Masculinity at @californiaclipper. 8 PM! $10 cover!! ✨SHOW STOPPERS: @tenderoni88 @itspochop @dustybahler @yur.unkle an featuring pyro poet @tiff_beatty! 📸 x @greg_inda for #clippercabaretchicago (at The California Clipper) https://www.instagram.com/p/CciRTXrrJJk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

New Session of classes start April 24th. Reserve your spot today by signing up at www.houseofthelorde.com/gatherings or via #linkinbio. #burlesqueclass #chicagoburlesqueclass #chicagoburlesque #itspochop #itspochopmuthafucka #houseofthelorde https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb2n9asrwHH/?utm_medium=tumblr

So excited to be returning to my teaching practice in my very own space, @houseofthelorde. 🕺🏾✨ Added a later session of Burlesque Movement 101 due to demand. Slots are filling up quick. Details & registration at the #linkinbio. #itspochopmuthafucka #itspochop #chicagoburlesque #chicagoburlesqueclass #blackburlesque #blackburlesqueclass https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ0J09bLNcN/?utm_medium=tumblr

Dippin’ my toes back into teaching with my first 6 week session of classes at @houseofthelorde. 🕺🏾Classes start February 27th. ⛓ in bio for the deets. #burlesque #blackburlesque #burlesqueclasses #houseofthelorde #itspochop #itspochopmuthafucka https://www.instagram.com/p/CZfxWUdLDG4/?utm_medium=tumblr

Ya girl was selected as an 2022 @unitedstatesartists fellow!!! When I tell you I screamed and hollered and cried. What an incredible honor to be among such dope, inspiring, talented, artists. WOW! 🙏🏾 [ 📸 description #1: A portrait of a Black woman with an asymmetrical afro, standing in front of an apricot-colored wall. Her eyes are closed and adorned with purple eyeshadow. She appears to be breathing in, mid-inhale. Her fingertips lightly touch her neck, her face glowing, and her lips spreading into a big smile, giving a look of both serenity and joy. White text reads “Jenn Freeman | Po’Chop, 2022 USA Fellow, Dance, Multidisciplinary Artist and Burlesque Performer, Chicago, IL, Unbound, celebrating visionary artists.”] photo x @anjalipinto [📸 description #2: Multi-colored sparkling purple background reads “2022 USA Fellows, celebrating visionary artists, Dance: luciana achugar, T. Ayo Alston, Jenn Freeman | Po’Chop, Rosy Simas, Pramila Vasudevan, Viveca Vázquez, Netta Yerushalmy, Wondertwins."] https://www.instagram.com/p/CZNEerNJXce/?utm_medium=tumblr

Questions I asked myself when creating the latest edition of The Brown Pages: 👉🏾What does a digital altar look like? 👉🏾Can grief be captured virtually? 👉🏾What can I let go of? Link in bio to experience my latest work. Also don’t forget to subscribe cause I’m not consistent on social media. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMC8wKLhlcg/?igshid=dq06whnc2ylw

The latest edition of our blogzine, The Brown Pages, is here. The fourth in our series that takes a look into our film, LITANY. This edition pays tribute to newly made ancestors while giving you an inside look into LITANY | Pt. IV | Ebony. ⁠⁠ https://www.itspochop.com/edition-xxv-vol-iii⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #linkinbio #thebrownpages #litanyeditions #litany #itspochop #pochop https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAXYwSFc2C/?igshid=jm9zo47cjv45

Portrait of a homebody joy filled after receiving a bouquet of flowers while her 🐱 begs a whiff. ⠀ Y’all, I’ve unlocked a new level to my homebodiness to be voted the #10 Most Influential Burlesque Figure in the 🌎 in 2020. I hardly left the 🏡 . Thank ya’ll so much for seeing me. For experiencing, sharing and engaging with LITANY and The Brown Pages. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I do not take for granted the blessing it has been to have the resources, support and energy to create during such a transformative, messy, sad year. It has always felt complicated for me to celebrate accolades and lists but excuse me if I don't relish in a dose of joy. I need it.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Shoutout to @jeezysjukejoint fan(who I ain’t gonna tag cause it’s too many of ya’ll) and all the dope ass BIPOC and Queer folk who are finally getting y’all’s shine. We’ve got much work to do before we are truly inclusive but this is a start. This is the new standard. If your yearly roundup ain’t predominately BIPOC & queer I don’t want it. PERIODT.⁠⠀I MEANNN IT. (Collage by @xomattfinish) (at The House) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6zK3nhDZ5/?igshid=bjbecg1tlpr

LITANY | PT V | DYNAMITE is available for viewing at www.itspochop.com/litany.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ REFLECTIONS ON DYNAMITE:⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Watching DYNAMITE now after experiencing loss, I can't help but find knowledge where my past self would've found imperfections. Dynamite has always been a physically taxing piece for me to perform. With a live run time of 30 minutes, this piece has a steady build from stillness to visceral shaking that leaves me tender and gasping for breath every time. Capturing Dynamite on film meant multiple full runs on a hot summer day in a sweltering gym wearing polyester and burlap. 😅The majority of the film is of our last take. I am visibly tired, sweaty, panting, and moaning. This is where past self would've been embarrassed, believing I coulda pushed my body just a little harder. I shoulda wiped some of that sweat off. I now know as I process the recent loss of my brother and nephew that these moment are the realest. Palms on thighs, heaving chest....Grief is exhausting. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ As you watch Dynamite I hope that it may lead to reflection and healing of your own grief. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ So much appreciation to all who have experienced and shared LITANY. ⁠⠀ https://www.instagram.com/p/CJWvLarB3xU/?igshid=1s6evs4yyw4f9