Turnpark Summer Festival 2026: Myth

Every year, TurnPark becomes a laboratory for creative collectives to develop and test their boldest ideas, the results of which are often presented at the Summer Festival. 

Among the most commonly mentioned highlights of the TurnPark Summer Festival is its magical and creative atmosphere. But we need you to help create it! Join the festival, bring your friends, and become part of the magic!

“I don’t have enough words in my vocabulary to describe how beautiful, amazing, and breathtaking it was there on Saturday. Visionary, delicate, phantasmagorical, Pagan… a sense of space merged with nature. The power of creativity, the depth, the space. Luminous, kind, strange, wondrous, funny, and scary (but in a good way) - captivating. All these art projects, everything - just came together."     Yura Astakhov, festival goer

Start your summer with TurnPark! Let it be a summer of growth, harmony, and a deeper perspective.

TURNPARK SUMMER FESTIVAL 2026: MYTH

In the Myths We Make, Our Souls are Reflected.

PROGRAM

3PM - Greeting guests, photo opportunities, coffee station (Brussels Square)

3PM – 7PM (with breaks) - Legend of Lemons

Legend of Lemons is an interactive storytelling piece inspired by "A Lemon" poem by Pablo Neruda. The audience contributes to the creation of the Myth about Lemons through interaction with two yellow characters who transform a simple lemon fruit (actually technically it is a berry) into a cosmic and sacred object. 

Created and performed by SolLab

Performers: Natasha Mirny, Liza Yanovich 

3.30PM, 5PM, 8PM - Zephyr Horns (in 3 movements) by Stefan Zeniuk

Drawing on the unique space and environment, the music will pull from the natural acoustics and sounds of the park, creating a natural dialogue between musician and space, sound and nature.

Musicians: Stefan Zeniuk (clarinet, composition), Josh Sinton (bass clarinet), Dan Brantigan (trumpet), Jen Baker (trombone), Joe Exley (tuba)

4PM – 5.20 PM (with breaks) The River by OR Dance (Quarry Lake)

Through exploratory movement and dance, performers delve into the essence of Quarry Lake waters and its surroundings, embodying its rhythms and textures.

Choreography: Olga Rabetskaya

Dancers:  Carl Ponce Cubero, Emma Weiss, Elliana Lynch-Daniels, Evelyn Dugan, Ohad Mazor

Artist: Alex Bard

Musicians: Mariya Vasilevskaya, Slava Yasser, Aliya Kamenshikov, Dmitry Umansky 

4PM – 7PM (with breaks) – The God of Many Tongues by Uta Bekaia

The show is anchored by the concept of a performance that celebrates America as a cultural "melting pot" and a direct response to contemporary anti-immigration sentiment. Embodying a single deity that synthesizes the diverse mythologies brought to this land from every corner of the Earth, the performance features “The God of Many Tongues”, a costumed figure stationed at a shrine to receive offerings from the public. Once honored, the deity performs a ritual dance and recites poetry and tales in a multitude of languages, symbolizing the continuous rebirth and intertwining of global traditions within the American landscape.

Choreography: Uta Bekaia, Natasha Mirny

Artist: Uta Bekaia

Performer: Herschel Bay

7PM - Jam Side Up! by The Kif-Kif Sisters

The Kif-Kif Sisters will present Jam Side Up! which explores themes of adulthood and imagination, and was partly inspired by Amélie Nothomb’s idea that “we are all children living in the myth of adulthood.”  The performance tends to resonate beautifully in sculptural or open-air environments, where the physical environment becomes part of the dramaturgy.

The Kif-Kif Sisters are identical twin sisters from Montreal, Canada. Since 2007, they  have been creating visual shows for both the stage and outdoor public spaces. Their  humor is both tender and intelligent, accessible to children and adults alike. Their works weave together physical theater, circus arts, music, robotics, puppetry, and performance. They have presented their creations more than 1000 times in more than 20 countries. They were created for organizations such as the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec and Cirque du Soleil, and to perform at numerous international festivals in Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America.

The Kif-Kif Sisters’s creative approach is based on play, the unusual, and the repurposing of everyday objects. With this approach, The Kif-Kif Sisters encourage children to experiment, to bring their ideas to life and to envision themselves as adults who will continue to play and explore. Inspired by their experience in non-conventional spaces and the delicate magic that is unique to street performance, they build a close relationship with the audience. The Kif-Kif Sisters always involve them in our performances, allowing them to be a part of the fun while experiencing a unique and intimate event.

Performers: Françoise Lépine, Josette Lépine

8PM – Portal (The God of Many Tongues – Finale)

Zephyr Horns, OR Works, SolLab, Herschel Bay
Musicians: Stefan Zeniuk (clarinet, composition), Josh Sinton (bass clarinet), Dan Brantigan (trumpet), Jen Baker (trombone), Joe Exley (tuba)

8.30PM – Chingiz Dub (Amphitheater)

Chingiz Dub is a unique musical and visual experience, led by Sasha Drey. Chingiz Dub mixes traditional Tuvan throat singing with experimental electronic music, intertwining mythological and fairy tale elements with psychedelic trance, costumed performance, and rock concert energy to create a new tincture for the senses.

The musicians will also host a Sound Journey station during the day, with the playing of ethnic instruments, singing, and guided meditation.

Interactive experiences: 

4-7PM - Mirror Magic: Crafting Your Myth with Johanna Merfeld and Caroline Kelley (Big Meadow)

Berkshire Art Center invites participants of all ages to take part in a multigenerational arts activity exploring myth-making as an act of creativity and reflection. Inspired by the idea that myths mirror their creator, and that we, in turn, reflect one another, this hands-on experience encourages participants to become both storytellers and subjects of their own evolving stories.

Participants will explore visual and symbolic reflection using small mirrors incorporated into wearable art, such as headpieces, badges, or other imaginative forms. The activity offers a playful way to consider how identity, community, and creativity intertwine, inviting participants to see themselves and each other as part of a shared, living myth.

Open to all generations, this activity fosters creative expression in a welcoming, collaborative environment through artmaking!

Berkshire Art Center invites participants of all ages to take part in a multigenerational arts activity exploring myth-making as an act of creativity and reflection.

5.20 – 6.45 – Sound Journey with Sasha Drey, Dima Klim, Aliya Kamenshikov, and Slava Yasser. Various musical instruments and sound technic from different cultures. (North Meadow)

Outdoor visual installations:

Icedial - Led by Estonian - American artist Jaanika Peerna

Led by Estonian - American artist Jaanika Peerna, Icedial is a multi-sensory art installation that transforms the silent process of ecological decay into a rhythmic, amplified heartbeat.

A massive block of ice hangs suspended above a large, resonant drum. As the ice succumbs to the ambient temperature, droplets fall, striking the drum skin. Equipped with a contact microphone and amplification, each drop - normally a whisper - becomes an impressive percussive event that echoes through the space.

The title, Icedial, positions the melting ice as a modern clock, marking the passage of time through loss. The installation serves as a stark sonic metaphor for the climate crisis: the quickening pace of the drips reflects the urgency of global warming, and at the same time invites viewers to pause and appreciate the transient beauty of our time on this planet. It is a meditation on what remains, what is being lost, and the loud silence that follows.

Adam and Eve by Ann Krasner

Fatal Things by Luna Go

Portal by Maidibor

Photowall - outdoor photo exhibition marking TurnPark's 10th season. 

WANDERING CHARACTERS

Festival goers are invited to interact with the whimsical and humorous characters, and learn something new about themselves in the process. The fairytale characters will help the visitors navigate the park and be active participants of the festival.

Costumes by Luna Go 

Performers: Livia Yeaw, Andrew Stout, Dima Erkin

WANDERING MUSICIANS:

Throughout the day, wandering Musicians Dmitry Umansky and Mariya Vasilevskaya of MooBox, along with Slava Yasser, and Luke G fill the grounds with music!

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Los Lopez Taco Truck, SoMa, Queensboro Wine & Spirits 

PARTICIPANTS

Françoise Lépine

This multidisciplinary artist studied cello at the Conservatoire de musique in Rimouski. She and her sister Josette created their theatre company in 2007. It has led her to perform in many national and international events. She studied theatre and circus arts, notably with Avner Eisenberg, Aitor Basauri and Francine Côté. Curious and interested in many different subjects, in 2009 she completed a Master’s degree in theoretical physics at the same time as her twin sister. This experience has nourished her creations, which always attempt to stimulate your logic as much as imagination.

Josette Lépine

Josette studied piano at the Conservatoire de musique in Rimouski. After her studies she became an accordionist and a street performer in 2001. That versatile instrument allowed her to work with all kinds of artists and actors. As she pursued the performing arts she developed skills in physical theatre, dance and the circus arts, including at the École de Cirque de Québec, while also completing a Master’s degree in physics. Her multidisciplinary acts feature playful and enveloping atmospheres. Twinship and interactivity are key to her creative process.

Uta Bekaia is a Georgian-born multimedia artist currently based in Brooklyn and Tbilisi. His artistic practice revolves around the speculative recreation of ancestral rituals, reimagined for a Queer utopian future. Drawing inspiration from traditional crafts, Bekaia creates elaborate wearable sculptures, ceramics, tapestries, and objects, which are assembled into immersive installations, films, and live performances.

Natasha Mirny (she/her) is a stage director, performer, choreographer, and founder of Happy Theater. Her background is in pantomime, puppetry, and physical theater. Natasha is a teaching artist at Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Inspired Child, and Arts for Learning Maryland. Natasha is a faculty member at National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, where she teaches voice, movement, puppetry and Mikhail Chekhov technique and leads a theater laboratory Sol Lab.

Liza Yanovich (she/her) is an actor and teaching artist. She has been performing with Experiment Theater since 2011 and has trained with a range of artists and companies exploring diverse approaches to theater. Liza currently works as a teaching artist with Arts for Learning, Imagination Stage, Inspired Child, and Educational Theater Company, integrating theatre and creative arts into educational programs.

Stefan Zeniuk is a New York City-based musician, composer, and animator.  He has been featured in the New York Times; has appeared on Saturday Night Live, NPR’s Tiny Desk, and Europe’s Arte Live; his films have been featured on Billboard.com and NPR.com, as well as at the Venice Film Festival (2023).  As a composer, he has been a recipient of two Meet The Composer grants, and a Jean A. Edson award for composition; he has been commissioned by MoMA, CIMA (center for Italian art), The Collective Museum, Tideland Institute; and the United States Air Force Europe (USAFE), among others. As a saxophonist and multi-reedist, he is known for specializing in low-horns, including the bass saxophone and bass clarinet, and has performed and/or recorded with The Violent Femmes, Vampire Weekend, Father John Misty, and Hal Willner.  He leads his long-running band, Gato Loco, which has toured extensively throughout Europe. More info is found on his website, stefanzeniuk.com

Olga Rabetskaya (she/her) is a New York–based dancer, choreographer, director, and photographer originally from Belarus. She was a soloist in the Contemporary dance troupe of the State Youth Theater of Belarus from 2014 to 2019 and has worked with various choreographers across US and Europe. Her dance works and dance films have been presented at international festivals in the United States, Germany, Poland, Belgium, United Kingdom, Portugal, China, Brazil, Bolivia, and Belarus. She has been awarded residencies at the Watermill Center, Adams Theater, Ardsley Residency, Monira Foundation, The Cell Theater, School of Visual Arts, Gallim Moving Women, El Camp, Fellowship at SMUSH Gallery in Jersey City, Kunstraum and Residence for Young Choreographers in Moscow. She is the founder of OR Works.

OR Works has presented work at various venues including New York Live Arts, Delphi Theater (Germany), The Watermill Center, MASS MoCA, Mark Morris Dance Theater, Alvin Ailey Theater, Adams Theater, The Tank, Dixon place, The Cell Theater, Catskills Arts Space, Houston State University, University of Michigan (USA) and ACUD Theater (Germany) and many more throughout Europe and USA.

Carl Ponce Cubero (they/them/siya) is a first generation Filipinx American movement artist/creative, originally from California’s Central Valley, currently based out of New York City. While studying at University of California, Irvine, they had the amazing honor and privilege of dancing under the late Donald McKayle. They have performed domestically and internationally with Ailey II from 2018-2020 and was a guest artist with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the Spring of 2022. Carl Ponce has had the opportunity to dance works by Donald McKayle, Alvin Ailey, Aszure Barton, Jessica Lang, Lar Lubovitch, Andrea Miller, Rena Butler, Omar Román De Jesus, and Olga Rabetskaya.

Elliana Lynch-Daniels (she/her) is a New York City–based dance artist originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She currently freelances and performs with various project-based dance companies. Elliana received her early training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and went on to earn a BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She has performed works by Kyle Abraham, Laja Fields, Rena Butler, Kayla Farrish, Camille A. Brown, Alyssa Myers, and Olga Rabetskaya. Her artistic practice is deeply rooted in improvisational movement research.

Emma Weiss (she/her) is a freelance performing artist currently based in NYC, performing in staged work, film, music videos, and musicals.   She has had the honor to perform works by Austin Goodwin, Eamon Foley, Akira Uchida, Olga Rabetskaya, Victor Quijada, Peter Chu, Madi Hicks, Gregory Lau, and Kevin Pajarigilla. She currently dances for OR Works, Annie Rigney, and Loni Landon, and works closely to assist choreographers Eamon Foley, and Stephanie Troyak. Some credits include moving for ARRI’s newest camera release, dancing in the ACE awards, and moving for Amarildo Ruçi's fashion week presentation, and performing a new solo work at the Dance Lab NY Gala. Emma graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and BA in Arts Management from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, SUNY.  Emma’s first evening length piece premiered at Green Lung Studios this January. She has rehearsal assisted at Marymount Manhattan, Columbia/Barnard, NYU Tisch, Alvin Ailey/Fordham, and MOVE NYC.

Evelyn Dugan is a multifarious experimental mover, performance artist, and choreographer born and based in NYC. Evelyn began performing with OR Works in July 2025. Evelyn has also performed work by Robert Wilson, Ruth Childs, Molissa Fenley, Lenio Kaklea, Netta Yerushalmy, Gregory Dawson, among others. Evelyn was an artist in residence at the Watermill Center, premiering her work “Taut Nature” and performing in Robert Wilson’s “Ubu” in 2023. She returns regularly as an artist and now as a member of their production team. Dugan graduated summa cum laude with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Business from Marymount Manhattan College (May 2025), and trained at Alonzo King Lines Ballet and The Graham School on scholarship. She won Food Network’s Chopped Junior in 2016 and continues her passion for culinary arts.

Ohad Mazor

Alex Bard is a U.S. based interdisciplinary artist, whose works span a range of mediums including sculpture, costume, performance art, photo and video. Anthropology, mythology, comparative religions and psychology inspire his work. He strives to explore universally understood symbols that transcend cultural, historical and political boundaries, and speak to audiences from all backgrounds. Each piece presents archetypal images that reflect different facets and levels of human consciousness, encouraging self-awareness and reflection. 

The goal for his art is to help people know and understand themselves better. Alex Bard aims to remind viewers of their own innate strengths and qualities, empowering the deeper meaning of their own lives.

Aliya Kamenshikov. Soprano, originally from Tatarstan, began her journey in liberal arts and jurisprudence with a passion for performing arts and sports. It wasn't until her move to the USA that she discovered her true calling in singing and acting. After graduating from Hunter College, where she studied psychology and classical music, Aliya embraced her passion for the performing arts, which led to a successful career as a professional opera singer, actress, and model, with her work spanning across New York and nationwide, encompassing various genres and modalities. Currently, Aliya is deepening her musical path as a Sound Healer, integrating her professional expertise with ancestral gifts, a profound connection to her soul and nature, and her ongoing personal healing journey. In addition, she is pursuing a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, aspiring to be a therapist who harmonizes art, science, and spirituality to guide others on their healing paths. 

KlimToT & Drey project

The musicians bringing the "KlimToT & Drey project" to life are Dima Klim and Sasha Drey - multi instrumentalist artists with a passion for ethnic, ambient, and meditative sound. Currently residing in New York (originally from the Soviet Union), they refined their musical skills through years of live-performance experience, including theatrical projects and work in the underground experimental music scene. As performing members of Petroglyph, AB OVO, Yantra, and Chingis Dub, Dima and Sasha’s music is a reflection of eclectic taste and artistic vision. It is a creative blend of shamanic, trance, and electronic sounds. Dima and Sasha presented the Chingiz Dub program at TurnPark’s Summer Festival last year, and now return with their latest project, KlimToT & Drey, which showcases the production skills and creativity of both artists, demonstrating their potential as an emerging force in combining live instruments with electronic sounds. The program is intended to be performed with a collective of other artists, providing the audience with a more immersive and shamanic experience.

Luna Go is a multimedia artist and costume designer, who specializes in unexpected and colorful costuming decisions. Luna has worked with theater companies, outdoor performance venues and collaborators, including Krymov Lab NYC in their critically acclaimed run of Big Trip at LaMaMa ETC in the East Village, several performance groups at TurnPark Art Space in the Berkshires, and multiple theater companies in New York City. Luna's past experience includes set and costume design as well as hair and makeup for theatre and opera productions, independent sculptural work, abstract costume design and fiber-arts work, as well as installations and collaborations with other artists such as Uta Bekaia and Doug Fitch and Tommy Nguyen. She continues to work on costume and puppet design for Krymov Lab NYC, as well as designing for upcoming productions of Anna Karenina in New York, Pinocchio in Boston, and developing several of her own costume collections for the 2024-2025 seasons.

Maidibor (Sergey Aniskov) is an award-winning animation visionary and former Moscow Maly State Theater set designer, whose animated films have been featured in film festivals worldwide, including Cannes and the Sundance Film Festival. His work ranges from classic animation, to documentary film, to groundbreaking projection design for avant garde performances and theatrical productions. Sergey studied under the maestro of classical Russian theater set design - Yegeniy Kumankov, and brings his theatrical background to each project, injecting experimental productions with the fairy-tale graphics, signature to Sergey's artistic style. His experience in children's animation provides an additional layer of lighthearted whimsy to his projection works. Maidibor has developed creative property concepts and produced pitch reels that greenlighted productions for AOL, BBC Kids, Cartoon Network, Handmade Films, Lionsgate, MTV Networks International, Nickelodeon US and Australia, TV Ontario, and YTV Canada, among others. Sergey also directed and produced numerous episodes of animated broadcast and cable network series as well as online and mobile gaming and learning content for AOL, MTV, Harcourt-Mifflin, the US Department of Education, and the National Science Foundation. He is the owner and founder of the production company Sorka Enterprises.

Costumed Characters: Andrew Stout, Dima Erkin, Liviah Yeaw, Hershel Bay

Wandering Musicians: Dmitry Umansky, Maria Vasilevskaya, Slava Yasser, Luke G

Visual Installations: Luna Go, Maidibor, Ann Krasner