DURHAM - This Valentine’s Day, a diverse and varied coalition of artists will present focused but unrestricted work around a single idea: that Sexy Is Important.We will unveil this evening-length performance manifesto at Motorco Music Hall in downtown Durham.

This project was inspired by a desire to bring Sexy into the Durham spotlight.Sexy is already here - at music and burlesque shows, in the halls of tobacco warehouses, and on the streets of the city - but art that explores the idea and enactment of sexy is not. 10 artists are taking a deep look at Sexy’s meanings, intricacies, provocations, and contradictions.

For better or worse, this show won’t be an all-night parade of scantily clad women onstage. While we expect (and hope) that skin will be shown, the Manifesto does not govern how to “be sexy”, but rather asserts that “owning sexy” is a risk that is always worth taking.

Sexy Is Important: A Performance Manifesto includes visual and performance art, dance, music, theater, poetry, and mixed-media pieces.Around the space, artists will have set up installations and hung their art on the walls; onstage and outside there will be live performances.The multifarious group of artists includes Renay Aumiller, Elliot Axiom, Big Remo, Nicola Bullock, Sara Phoenix, Kegan Dean Rushing, Jeni Smith, Khristian Weeks, and Dave Yarwood.

This Manifesto asks that we all open ourselves up to a new understanding of what sexy is and how to get it when you want it. We have faith that Durham is ready to take its own creative and inspired dive into this experience and claim its Sexy.

For more information, please visit http://www.sexyisimportant.com or contact Nicola Bullock (nicola@sexyisimportant.com)

Sexy Is Important: A Performance Manifesto 

Motorco Music Hall 

February 14, 2011 

8pm until …

$10 before / $12 at the door