Abrazo: Words / Film / Music

"My friend Andrei in Mexico City tells me that the Spanish word abrazo means so much more than a hug..." So begins the stunning presentation from Nick Jaina, a poetic film essay called "Abrazo" that explores the affection missing in the world. In a unique performance, Nick projects the film while playing electric guitar soundscapes and narrating the film live, all while beautiful videos from the streets of Mexico City flicker behind him. It is a uniquely hopeful experience of soul and body. Nick Jaina was an Oregon Book Award finalist in 2015 for his memoir Get It While You Can. His writing has appeared in Atlantic Monthly, McSweeney's Quarterly and more. He also co-founded and was music director for a ballet company in NYC that involved dancers from Juilliard and the New York City Ballet, garnering praise from The New York Times.