This month, Fire Over Heaven presents imaginative solo sets by BongoWattZ and christelle bofale. Curated by isabel crespo pardo, this edition of FOH features artists inviting us to be attentive to the histories in our bodies and aware of how we move through the world. From isa: “Witnessing both christelle and shamar is entrancing. I’m continually struck by their gentle strength, distinct voices, and ability to draw on far-reaching lived experience to weave new worlds.”

shamar watt aka BongoWattZ is an experimental multidisciplinary artist born in Kingston, Jamaica, raised in Miami, and based in Miami and New York City. He has worked as a multidisciplinary performer with Nora Chipaumire since 2015. He was nominated as one of the top 25 performers/choreographers to watch for 2019 Dance Magazine. watt was the recipient of the prestigious Bessie Award for Outstanding Performance 2019. Watt collaborated and worked alongside Matthew Barney in ‘SECONDARY’ premiered in 2023. watt challenges the way we perceive form through sound and the Body. He interrogates the forms of spiritual entertainment. Watt is currently pursuing an MFA at NYU Tisch in interdisciplinary research.

construction zone of phantoms: . excavation site

the dark side of our subconscious

...where love resides.

#phantomstudies series

christelle bofale (they / them) is a songwriter / cat parent / person whose sounds blend soul, jazz, soukous (a congolese style of dance music), and indie rock. Originally from San Antonio, bofale made their debut in 2019 with the release of their 5-track EP ‘Swim Team’ via Father/Daughter Records, which focused on loss, broken hearts, and mental health struggles. christelle's songs are like journal entries, exploring the various nooks and crannies of their lived experience.

christelle is looking toward the future with their new writing, which sits with similar themes along with a new focus on family, childhood, and the person they have found themself to be thus far. A frequent user of the voice memo app, christelle wishes to give a small window into their life through song that hopefully can transform into a small mirror for whoever is on the receiving end.

Artists links:
https://www.instagram.com/bongowattz
https://www.instagram.com/christellebofale