Brian Lobel

What an HONOUR to host the 10th Annual Wick Awards @wickaward this last weekend. Hackney Wick Awards “helps good things happen in South Hackney” and have been giving grants to local orgs to make amazing things (free lunches, gardening projects, community stores, etc). And this the second time I’ve gotten to host their yearly celebration. They aren’t the most online group, but this is a little snippet from my “Tin Foil Hat Making Runway Competition” where I asked participants to make a tin foil hat in honour of a) the 10 year anniversary (which is Tin/Aluminium) and b) to celebrate the innovations of the past 10 years. Tin Foil Hats are often a pejorative to describe crazy… but we made it a celebration of Innovation, of Forward-Thinking and of Imagination. Posted with Permission, obvs. LOVE HACKNEY WICK AWARDS!

Today was the final day at #BlackjackSunrise. I got up 30 minutes earlier so I could get to one of my other favourite London 24hr spots - the Beigel Shop - and grab a dozen bagels and some millionaire biscuits to bring. I am so glad I did, as I’ve spent so much time going east, I forgot that going west to Brick Lane is also amazing early in the morning (future project? I’m on it). Knew everyone working at 7am at Beigel Shop which made me happy. 18.5 years in, I’m a Londoner. Arrived at Casino, A. was on roulette and D. [who I had such luck with previously] was washing his cards. It’d be a while. And there was a table playing. Dealer I knew, but who I hadn’t played with… one hand… £10… got a 19, dealer stuck on 17. Woohoo. Exchange the £20 chips, and go. It was an ordinary BlackjackSunrise day… I was sad not to see Z., the cleaner I adore (wasn’t working today) or L., the woman behind Guest Services who I love… but I’ll be back. Just not at 7am. I had said that I would play £50 only, but it was yesterday (30 Jan) that I got to £50 in losses, and so I allowed myself one final hand to complete the month. And I’m glad I did. I would have been annoyed to lose £60, but losing £40 over the month of the experiment feels a reasonable price to play. ______________ I’m not sure the overall meaning behind #BlackjackSunrise, but I’ve learned so much. I’m currently working on two projects which feature late night/early morning work. I worked the door at clubs for many years so I know the vibe from 10pm-4am… but 5-8am London was still mostly a mystery. It is less of one now. Watch out for my new installation with the amazing @robinette.jones (coming this summer) about Night Labour/Night Labourers. And my upcoming novel/film/amusement park/franchise (2027? 2028? 2029?) about a cat that works all night in East London. Thanks for reading about and following Blackjack Sunrise. Thanks @gentingcasinosuk (your people at Stratford are great!) I’ll miss it.

Happy Week 3.5 of #BlackjackSunrise! Today… was a pretty miraculous blackjack sunrise day, after 6 days of pretty consistent losses. On January 1st, I put £50 in my wallet as my blackjack sunrise float - that was as much as I would lose. And if I lost that, I’d be done (lesson number one from my father about gambling: put in your pocket what youre prepared to lose and that’s that) This week… I was down -£35. And when I arrived today it was a £15 minimum! (It fluctuates, but usually Friday morning has been still £10). I was not ready for thinking today would and could be a final hand. Lots riding on my 5 + 10 (which is a hand you really want to take a card on, even though he was showing a two) and I’m glad I held… cuz now I’m back. Dealer busted at 22! Down just £20, which is basically like the price of a cocktail in Hackney these days… And next week I feel like it’s my week. I’m kinda obsessed with #BlackjackSunrise but not because of the gambling. I love being up and cycling across Olympic Park, seeing the energy of the waking up. Love the older woman whose back I see as I cycle towards the mall, or her smile as I cycle away from the mall. Love the cleaner (Iris) at the casino, who I think likes me too. Today I missed Alan (it musta been his day off) but everyone deserves a day off. Not me, though, not for Blackjack Sunrise. 8 days left. Happy weekend to you! A reporting: 1/23 - Won - £15 - 5 + 10 (held) against dealer’s 2: dealer busted on 22. 1/22 - Lost - £10 - 6 + 10 (held) against 20. 1/21 - Lost - £10 - 9 + 10 against dealer’s blackjack. Because he was showing an Ace, I could have surrendered (and lost only half) but I didn’t know what #BlackjackSunrise’s policy was on surrender. Now I know… it’s #NeverSurrenderSunrise 1/20 - Won - £10 - 7 + 10 (held) against 3: dealer busted on 23. 1/19 - Won - £5 - Blackjack! And then 8 + 6 (took one) busted on 24. 1/18 - Lost - £10 - 10 + 3 (took one) busted on 23. 1/17 - Lost - £10 - 10 + 3 (took one) for 18: dealer got 21. 1/16 - Lost - £10 - 6 + 3 (took one) or 18: lost to dealer’s 19. 1/15 - Lost - £10 - Jack and 3. Took against the dealer’s 5, and busted. : (

Best thing about 2016/2026 is that in both years, I had performances at Sydney Opera House. The first was mine - "You Have To Forgive Me, You Have to Forgive Me, You Have to Forgive Me" - for the All About Women Festival (on a bill with Miranda July and Piper Kerman and Carrie Brownstein, among others) - and the second, HAPPENING NOW - is EXXY by @dandaw_creativeprojects which is SMASHING IT AT THE SYDNEY FESTIVAL (for one more day). Proud to co-write and dramaturg on such a superb project. Other amazingness about 2016 includes our first Fun with Cancer Patients research trip in Kanazawa (career highlight), Lagos Fringe (career highlight), Cruising for Art in Helsinki (career highlight), performances in Melbourne, Auckland, Singapore, and all over Europe. And of course, Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer at National Theatre (career highlight… especially my name being on the ticker). And of course, 2016 was made more magic with two people who are no longer with us, Gia Jones and Lara Veitch, who were truly icons amongst icons. Happy 2016/2026.

“Being on a roll, being in a rhythm, and being in a rut are all the same kind of illusion.” This is the first big takeaway as I’ve entered Week 2 of #BlackjackSunrise. This week was a WEIRD week on this project, after the first week went without incident. I had my first blackjack(!) this morning so played a second hand (which I also won). I also had my first blackjack sunset - but only because there was a group of roulette players who had been there all night one night, so there was no one to deal blackjack. And I also had my first real annoyance with myself - I bumped (which means that the dealer and I got the same card) and instead of leaving, I’ve played (and lost). I should have realised that the outcome of No Change was an outcome, but I didn’t action that in the moment. I was annoyed (especially cuz I lost) but will accept a bump/no win/no loss as an outcome for the future. Many have asked to accompany me - no one has yet woken up to be there for 7am. And I really like the employees at the casino. I think they like my weird project too. Happy 2nd Week of BlackJackSunrise for all who celebrate.

Today I completed day #7 of #BlackjackSunrise, in which I play a singular hand of blackjack at dawn, after cycling through the Olympic Park to the 24hr casino. I’m not sure the purpose of this morning ritual (yet), but I was down, up, up, down, up, down, up, meaning that after a week of it, I’m £10 up. I only play a singular hand (unless I get a blackjack, which hasn’t happened yet). I’m not sure if it’s about luck, or about accepting fate, or the fact that the pit boss is a older man named Alan (my father’s name), or what.. but one thing I do know is that the sunrise over the Olympic Park is heart expanding, and the cold of the first week of January has been energizing. And I finally feel like I’ve done something useful with my crazy early-rising. One week in and I feel committed to the week. See you at 7am at the mall! #BlackjackSunrise

En 2024, Mariana Gándara conoció en Londres al artista @blobelization , cuyo trabajo aborda el cáncer, y sus conversaciones se convirtieron en un apoyo clave durante la escritura de su obra “Días así”. En su visita a México para el estreno, compartió su experiencia con el grupo: “When I first read Days Like These, I was immediately struck by how profound and moving a text it is, not only about cancer - and living with chronic or terminal cancer - but also about the body, connection, home, family, disappointment, love and joy. Mariana Gándara’s text belongs among the canon of work around illness, so innovative in its theatricality and heartbreaking in its story. After the passing of Mariana in August 2025, I thought it might be impossible to bring this text to life. But the brilliant Colectivo Macramé have done the impossible: they have created an experience which both honors the text, honors the playwright and her passing, and moves audiences in completely new, immersive and unspeakably beautiful ways […] Special shout out to Abril (@pinedo.abril ), my actress and guide, who performed Mariana’s text with great care and wonderful commitment. The stories of cancer are most often stories of survival, because of the simple fact that survivors have the capacity to write their own story. With Days Like These, Mariana Gándara and Colectivo Macramé have given profound insight into the dual aspect of both living with/dying from cancer, and what it means to mourn and remember. […] Muchas gracias to all the artists responsible for Days Like This, and especially Mariana Gándara. What a gift to have known her work and the brilliant collaborations which she fostered in her oh-too-short lifie.” Una creación de Colectivo Macramé en colaboración con @teatrounam . Proyecto realizado con apoyo del Sistema de Apoyos a la Creación y Proyectos Culturales.

Content warning: mortality. Today, I was invited to the Pediatric Cancer Centre at Hospital General in Mexico City, and was overwhelmed by emotions when we passed their ofrenda, featuring pictures of so many children and colleagues from the centre. I am new to understanding Mexico City and Dia de Muertos but not new to understanding grief, loss and working in contexts that are tragic in even the best of times. But I was so moved to see this on our way to deliver Pan de Muertos to the children in the ward. May all our lives be remembered with such care, color and love. And gracias to the Hospital General for having me today. (Posted w permission, obvs). Remember someone with color and care and love today and this weekend. Xx

Tomorrow I’ll be a full half a keyboard. 43 was a year of growth, reset, sadness, joy, inspiring friendships, fun work, and creativity. I’m not on socials so much these days, so a quick recap. *I’m brewing three new projects which, if you’re a curator or programmer, we should talk about namely: ‘Mole Checks for Singles Over 40’ ‘The Do-Overs’ and ‘DJ Invisible Labor’ (seriously.) *I’m still in London, Professor-ing half time at RBC, and dramaturging/artisting/celebranting the rest of the time. EXXY (new Dan Daw Creative Projects show) opens next week! *I’m celebrant-ing and leading weddings & funerals & babynamings, so don’t be shy if you got something you’d like me to do. I’m writing my first novel which y’all gonna be obsessed with - so if you know any cool publishers… My father passed away this year, and I think of him most when I exercise, especially when he used to encourage people to push just a bit more. This led me to my biggest new thing this year: swimming in as many lidos as I could find. In London, in the UK, in Italy, in Finland. So thankful to have swum so much, and had so many meals with friends afterwards. Long may it continue. In Jewish tradition we say the “shehecheyanu” prayer as thanks for how we have been sustained to reach this point. And though I’m still amidst the hard work of disentangling my love for my heritage with the horrific militaristic forces which claims to speak on my heritage’s behalf, I’m trying to find a Judaism which is loving, justice-focused and reparative. That said, thanks to all for helping me both feel and be sustained this year. Shecheyanu Vikiyemanu Vehigiyanu Lazman Hazeh.

✨ Marta Keil, Camille Barton, and Brian Lobel form the ANTI Live Art Prize jury // Marta Keil, Camille Barton ja Brian Lobel muodostavat ANTI Live Art Prize -palkintoraadin ✨ The ANTI Festival International Prize for Live Art will be awarded for the 11th time in its history! This year, Marta Keil (PL/NED) is the chair of the jury. The other members of the jury are Camille Barton (UK) and Brian Lobel (UK/US). The international jury considers the nominees’ work from the past few years and experiences their works during ANTI Festival 2025. The nominees for the 2025 ANTI Festival International Prize for Live Art are: Chiara Bersani (IT), Harold Offeh (UK) ja SJ Norman (AU). The winner is announced at the Festival Club on Saturday 13th September. ➡️ Find out more: antifestival.com or in linktree in bio. ✨ ANTI Festival International Prize for Live Art jaetaan jo 11. kerran! Tänä vuonna palkintoraadin puheenjohtaja on Marta Keil (PL/NED). Raadin jäseninä toimivat lisäksi Camille Barton (UK) ja Brian Lobel (UK/US). Kansainvälinen raati tarkastelee ehdokkaiden työtä viimeisten kolmen vuoden ajalta ja kokee myös heidän esityksensä ANTI-festivaalilla. Vuoden 2025 ANTI Festival International Prize for Live -palkinnonsaajaehdokkaat ovat: Chiara Bersani (IT), Harold Offeh (UK) ja SJ Norman (AU). Voittaja julkistetaan festivaaliklubilla lauantaina 13.9. ➡️ Lue lisää: antifestival.com tai linktreestä biossa. ✨ The Prize is supported by the Saastamoisen säätiö - Saastamoinen Foundation. @saastamoinenfoundation #antifestival #antifestival2025 #liveartprize #liveartprize2025

Well. We didn’t get to swim but it was a fabulous summer day with @blobelization who is the best company. And lovely to see @bryonykimmings

O. ❤️ Theater Walhalla: Ontdek maar liefst negen verschillende, unieke grensverleggende voorstellingen met opera en muziektheater!🎶 📍 Kantine Walhalla In 24 Italian Songs & Arias vieren twee bekroonde mislukkelingen het falen. In One Man Show fantaseren twee vrouwen over hoe het is om een man te zijn, terwijl er in I’d rather dance alone wordt gezocht naar balans tussen familie en carrière. 📍 Werkplaats Walhalla BEYOND THE BALL brengt een nieuwe barok-wave musical en in De Sont of Mjoezik gaat jonge vrouw in duet met het witte doek. Paradise Circus Island vraagt zich af wat er gebeurt als je een eiland wordt. 📍 Kleine Walhalla In Cornflakes, no pornflakes verandert de kijk op je alledaagse ontbijt. Two Across toont de spanning tussen kijken en bekeken worden. Taking Down Clara F. Gorge biedt een ontroerende zoektocht naar de rol die je speelt in je eigen leven. 📅 Zaterdag 24 t/m zaterdag 31 mei ✨Haal nu je ticket via o-festival.nl ✨ #O. #theaterwalhalla #voorstellingen #programma #festival #opera #music #theatre #rotterdam #muziektheater #event