CROSSROADS: Honoring Janet Wong, featuring Sugar Vendil, Pioneers Go East Collective, Alexa Grae and Symara Sarai

Join in for the presentation of the inaugural Luminary Award to Janet Wong and Annina Nosei, with live performances by Alexa Grae and Symara Sarai with Pioneers Go East Collective and Sugar Vendil, delicious bites and good company, and a silent auction where you can build your current collection, or start one!

The event honors multi-hyphenate curator, choreographer, and producer Janet Wong; and gallerist Annina Nosei with the inaugural Luminary Award on May 10th, 2026. The Luminary Award honors fearless artists and arts workers whose vision, generosity in community, and daring have made a major impact on the arts field at large.

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCES
Antonym: the opposite of nostalgia by Sugar Vendil

A memoir of a Filipinx American childhood that interweaves chamber music, dance, and nonlinear theater in an interdisciplinary performance. Choreography and music by Sugar Vendil. Premiered at the Out-FRONT! Festival 2026 in partnership with Pioneers Go East Collective and Judson Church

A Sea in Motion by Pioneers Go East Collective
In collaboration with Alexa Grae (composer), Symara Sarai (choreographer), and Gian Marco Riccardo Lo Forte (director/ filmmaker)

A Sea In-MOTION symbolizes social change, reflecting the unrest and unpredictability we all experience in today’s world. The project is deeply influenced by Françoise d'Eaubonne’s Eco-Feminist insights and Guattari’s LGBTQ+ theories. Developed with residencies at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park (2024); and Socrates Sculpture Park Fellowship 2025-26)

About Pioneers Go East Collective
Pioneers Go East Collective is an artist-driven arts and cultural hub inspiring a lively exchange of queer art and feminist culture by connecting people to ideas and experiences. Thus far this season, they held their fourth annual NY Times Critics’ Pick Out Front! Festival; provided opportunities and professional development for the NEXT! Mentorship Fellows; continued to offer free educational initiatives to youth in the LES, Brooklyn and Queens, and piloted a new NEXT! program that brings multiple generations together in the community.

Their benefit plays a large role in allowing them to fulfill their mission. Upcoming programming includes the Crossroads Series at La MaMa Moves! and Socrates Sculpture Park; the NEXT! Open Call, providing fellowships for eight artists; the Out Front! Fest 2027, returning to Judson Church and one more outstanding partnership (to be announced soon!).

Tickets can be purchased on the La MaMa website, or if you’re feeling extra generous, you can make a contribution here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crossroads-luminary-award-honoring-annina-nosei-janet-wong-la-mama-tickets-1983816382202?aff=oddtdtcreator#location

Photo: Sugar Vendil by Steven Pisano / Janet Wong by Stephanie Crousilla