Civil Dusk: Performance by Artist Bethany Collins

Named after the first stage of twilight, Bethany Collins' Civil Dusk (2024-2025) will begin as sunlight fades. The performance consists of multiple versions of Auld Lang Syne sung simultaneously, while focusing on a version historically sung by soldiers in the trenches of war. The melody remains constant as the lyrics change, resulting in a familiar chaos. Despite moments of rupture, there are a few moments of synchronicity in the performance, where two voices nearly align. The performance will conclude at astronomical twilight, when the sunlight no longer illuminates the west-facing Charles Connick stained glass windows of Saint John's Cathedral. The ending is in darkness.

Civil Dusk by Bethany Collins is presented in conjunction with MCA Denver’s current exhibition, , on view through August 24, 2025.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

This event will be held at Saint John's Cathedral, located at 1350 N. Washington Street, not at MCA Denver.

About the Artist

Bethany Collins (b.1984) was born in Montgomery, AL and lives and works in Chicago, IL. Collins is a multidisciplinary artist whose conceptual practice examines the relationship between race and language. Centering language—its biases, contradictions, and ability to simultaneously forge connections and foster violence—her works illuminate America’s past and offer insight into the development of racial and national identities. Drawing on a wide variety of documents, ranging from nineteenth-century musical scores to US Department of Justice reports, she erases, obscures, excerpts, and rewrites portions of text to bring to the fore issues revolving around race, power, and histories of violence.

About the Performers

Allie Bradford is a Chicago, Englewood native and has graced the stage with a plethora of world-renowned musicians.  She has recorded with Grammy Award-winning artists like Chance The Rapper and Bobby McFerrin, among others. She has toured internationally and domestically with Jamila Woods, Theaster Gates, New Kids On The Block, Alice Cooper and many others. She recently released her first solo single “When I Met You” on all streaming platforms. The song is from her upcoming debut EP titled “On My Own” showcasing her journey as a classically trained R&B artist and the juxtaposition of blended genres.

Keanon Kyles, bass-baritone, has been praised by CNN for his beautiful voice and superb vocal technique. A native Chicagoan, he received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and his master’s degree from Roosevelt University Chicago Conservatory of Performing Arts. He has performed internationally, singing Betto in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and the Father in Hänsel und Gretel by Humperdinck in Italy, Colline in La Bohème and Leporello in Don Giovanni in the United Kingdom and the title role in Rigoletto in Glasgow, Scotland. His performance in the title role in Britten’s Noyes Fludde was broadcast live in Bogota, Colombia at the León de Greiff. He made his Chicago Opera Theater debut in the role of Daggoo in Moby Dick by Jake Heggie. He just finished up a tour of The Matchbox Magic Flute where he performed the role of Sarastro under the direction of Mary Zimmerman. Indeed, as an Associate Young Artist with C.O.T., he performed in several world premieres of new operas by Kamala Sankaram, Errollyn Wallen and Dan Shore. Kyles has sung with the Chicago Lyric Opera in their productions of The Scorpions’ Sting, The Factotum and Earth to Kenzie. He recently performed at Portland Opera as Morales in their production of CARMEN. Kyles has been front page news in the Chicago Sun Times, United Kingdom’s premiere music publication Opera Scotland, and has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, the BBC News and NPR. He is a two-time Reva and David Logan Foundation Award recipient, and the State of Illinois 2023 Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Humanity Award Winner. He currently sits on the voice faculty of Roosevelt University and LYRIQ Music School.

Host or Publisher Museum of Contemporary Art Denver