In 2010 poet and activist Joel B. Tan approached me to collaborate on an audio procession project centered around the 35th anniversary of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Easter Sunday in San Francisco’s Dolores Park. He was completing his novice or ‘understudy’ to become a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. It is customary to present a project to complete your entrance into the group. Joel (aka Sister Barbra Ganesh) tasked me to soundtrack an hour long hybrid poetry, meditation, and history lesson he had written.
The audio podcast was to be heard on earbuds as listeners walked a procession through San Francisco’s famous gay neighborhood, the Castro, where the Sisters famously formed in the ‘70s. The procession would pass by several historical landmarks of the activist organization. Joel referenced these places in the podcast script and included interview snippets with elder members of the Sisters talking about the significance of these locations.
Joel and I worked in tandem on the unique challenge of timing the hour-long piece to an ‘average walking pace.’ The audio and walking pace would need to by fully synced for the entire procession. The procession and its corresponding audio has been performed many times since its premiere in 2010.
The audio podcast was to be heard on earbuds as listeners walked a procession through San Francisco’s famous gay neighborhood, the Castro, where the Sisters famously formed in the ‘70s. The procession would pass by several historical landmarks of the activist organization. Joel referenced these places in the podcast script and included interview snippets with elder members of the Sisters talking about the significance of these locations.
Joel and I worked in tandem on the unique challenge of timing the hour-long piece to an ‘average walking pace.’ The audio and walking pace would need to by fully synced for the entire procession. The procession and its corresponding audio has been performed many times since its premiere in 2010.
Castro Procession
Audio Walking Tour
role: musician, producer
︎2010
︎︎︎
Audio Walking Tour
role: musician, producer
︎2010
︎︎︎
︎
I love processions.
The inspiration comes from my Manila childhood of Saint Days + Dia de los Muertos + all the surreal ways Pilipinos interpret Catholicism.
As you can see, I have my
own Queer take on processions.
- Sister Barbra Ganesh
