New York, NY – The Indeterminacy Festival marks its 10th anniversary by inviting audiences of all ages aboard an 18th-century whaling ship—figuratively speaking—with Into the Charmed Churned Circle, a large-scale, family-friendly immersive performance inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, David Grann’s The Wager, and the evocative sounds of whales. The performance will take place May 30 at the Waterfront Museum in Red Hook, Brooklyn and Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Newhouse Center at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on Staten Island.
Into the Charmed Churned Circle features a cast of professional, community, and youth ensembles. Co-composed by Stanzi Vaubel and Philippe Treuille, the performance is staged with choreographic direction by Melanie Aceto. The work blends live music, choral arrangements, and choreographed sequences designed to spark the imaginations of both children and adults. Commissioned by Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the work was made possible in part through the generous support of New York State Council of the Arts and Neuberger Berman.
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Travel
For travel to Snug Harbor we are offering round-trip shuttle service that will depart from Brooklyn and Manhattan at 6 PM. To reserve a place, please donate $30 at this link:
Let us know on our sign-up page if you would like pick up from Brooklyn or Manhattan:
The music of Into the Charmed Churned Circle draws its inspiration from the history of the site, as “snugs” were the affectionate term for the residents who were retired sailors. The performance features a consortium of ensembles including:
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Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra, led by Dorothy Savitch, Music Director
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Brooklyn Youth Choir Bass Ensemble, led by Scott Semanski, Choir Director
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Brooklyn Treble Choir, led by Liz Geisewite, Artistic Director
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Grace Chorale of Brooklyn, led by Jason Asbury, Music Director
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New York Choir Project, led by Charlie Adams, Founder and Director
Rather than a stationary concert, the performers will move throughout Snug Harbor’s Newhouse Center, making full use of its architecture and acoustics to deliver a unique, immersive musical experience. The piece is both educational and theatrical—encouraging young audiences to think about the ocean, resilience, and how stories shape our understanding of nature.
