ARTIFACTS

Would you believe it? 2009 marks the 24th year of Jump-Start Performance Company! And on the first Saturday in January, just like every year, Jump-Start celebrates its birthday with a a multi-hour orgy cum (that’s right) fundraiser featuring SA’s beloved multi-media avant garde, from John McBurney to Urban-15, and ... the Jump-Start Fire-Eaters! For its 24th year, Jump-Start’s expanding its reach into time and space, and “going global” with an online live event they’re calling “24 Hours 24 Artists.” Company member Michael Verdi will jump-start the proceedings at 9:30 CST January 2 at 24hours24artists.com, so tune in. Each and every hour for the next turn of the planet, a different artist will come at you on the (virtual) stage from such diverse locales as Los Angeles, New Orleans, Colombia, El Salvador, France, Australia, and Costa Rica. The festival will culminate live on the Jump-Start stage during the Performance Party on January 3, emceed in part by Best of SA broads the Methane Sisters, said to be “ flying in from summer holiday in Australia.” Today Blue Star, tomorrow the world! Not enough? Methane sib Annele Spector is upping the 24 factor with a concurrent photo show revealing the “mundane and sublime” moments of your favorite experimental theater co. Details at jump-start.org.