Instinct and Extinct

🌱 When your home is changing, how do you stick to your life's purpose?

Multidisciplinary artist Dominique Francis Grogan explores this concept through the lens of America’s critically endangered species: the Whooping Crane (Grus americana), the Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and the ʻĀkohekohe (Crested Honeycreeper). This self-produced show features compelling alternative music and provocative arias, showcasing a unique musical identity.

With a background in classical vocal performance, Dominique seamlessly blends this with their modern musical project e-voque, which boasts over 25 releases. Collaborating with naturalists, Grogan sourced recent field recordings of these animals, using them to narrate their stories in an increasingly hostile environment.

At the heart of this work lies an urgent political reality: the Trump administration's proposal to redefine 'harm' in the 1973 Endangered Species Act, potentially excluding habitat destruction from legal definitions of harm. Science confirms that habitat destruction indirectly leads to the death of animals and ecosystems.

INSTINCT AND EXTINCT also highlights the beauty of these creatures and their habits, reminding us of the stunning rhythms of nature. This premiere solo opera, performed entirely by Dominique, lasts 25 minutes and follows their previous piece LIQUESCENT, which explored climate change and animal rights.

🎶 Stay for More!
After the performance, join Elise Silvestri and Elise Pricer from 2-5 PM for an afternoon of reconnecting with nature's sounds. Record ambient bird calls, wind, and laughter on Governors Island, crafting a composition that reflects the musicality of nature and our relationship with the earth.

🌍 About the Climate Imaginarium
The Climate Imaginarium is a cultural hub for climate, community, and culture in New York City, located on Governors Island. It serves as a destination for artists, scientists, advocates, and storytellers to collaborate towards a more resilient future.

💵 Suggested Donation: $10 to support the community space, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

⛵ Getting to the Climate Imaginarium
For the weekend ferry schedule to Governors Island, check here. Ferries run every 15 minutes from Lower Manhattan (10 South Street), Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6), or Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Arrive 15 minutes early with your ticket ready.

Ferry tickets are $5 round trip, free for adults over 65, children 12 and under, and Climate Imaginarium summer volunteers. All passengers ride free before 11 AM on weekends. Cars are not allowed.

Governors Island is also accessible via NYC Ferry by transferring at Wall Street/Pier 11, with tickets costing $4.50 each way.

Once on the island, disembark at Soissons Landing (from Manhattan) or Yankee Pier (from Brooklyn). The Climate Imaginarium is located in Building 406A, in the middle of Colonels Row, with a visible sign outside. Our address is 406A Comfort Road.