UC Irvine Professor Joe Lewis Joins Genre-Defying Musical Performance

de las sombras / from the shadows blends sound, story and social commentary in an urgent call for justice

Joe Lewis, professor in UC Irvine’s Department of Art and former dean of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, joins a powerful live performance of de las sombras / from the shadows, an experimental musical triptych that amplifies narratives left in silence. The performance is on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Charles Gaines Studio in Vernon, California.

Presented by the ensemble Three Black Bungalows, composed of guitarist John Chiodini and Lewis with special guests Marisabel Bazan and Charles Gaines, de las sombras / from the shadows weaves together song, spoken word and immersive soundscapes to confront systemic injustice. Each of the work’s three parts tackles a distinct but interconnected social issue: immigration, civil rights and substance abuse. The performance draws visceral connections between historical trauma and present-day crises, centering the voices and experiences of those often pushed to the margins.

A non-media-specific artist whose work spans performance, photography, and music, Lewis brings decades of experience exploring the intersections of art, activism and identity. From his early days in New York’s downtown art scene to his leadership in higher education and nonprofit service, Lewis has championed interdisciplinary practice as a means to engage civic consciousness and cultural memory. His participation in this project reflects his enduring commitment to socially engaged art and public dialogue.

Text RSVP to 607-382-5561 to attend the show.

To learn more about Lewis’ work, visit his Department of Art bio page here.