What Else? Comedy About the Solidarity Economy

What Else? is a series of co-created solidarity economy themed comedy shows. laughter, humor, might teach us to refuse suffocation; they might guide us towards the political and spiritual transformation of ourselves, relationships, ways of moving resources that are needed now, as we’re facing down the 6th great extinction of species, multiple genocides, climate catastrophe and fascism.

in the coming year (from fall equinox 2024 to fall equinox 2025) I will be gathering folks together to create four comedy shows about the solidarity economy. these gatherings can make real, hilarious, and visceral the present and future in which we live in a solidarity economy.

sooooo what do laughter and this vision and possibility of the solidarity economy have to do with each other?

they both offer spaciousness, they allow us to breathe easier, make more room in our lungs, chests, nervous systems, lives; they do so especially when we’re together.

economy is how we manage and share the resources that we need to live. we can change how we do this! we can ~economy~ such that we focus on the wellbeing and dignity of all people, such that housing, food, healthcare, education, mental and spiritual care, art, adventure, and communal care are guaranteed. that’s what we all need and deserve.

the solidarity economy includes cooperatively run businesses, land trusts, time banks, credit unions, community gardens, and more. Read more about the solidarity economy here, and about the role artists can and are playing, here. there are countless examples across space and time! you can find more examples in our very own new york city, here.

the shows will hold a practice of shared laughter as we answer the questions: what can the solidarity economy offer us, after and instead of capitalism, humorously, breathfully? how can humor make the solidarity economy compelling, inviting, appealing? what’s funny and beautiful about it?

i’m thinking we roast the shit out of capitalism and laugh our heads off at the beauty and power of economies that work for US. What are the failures, embarrassments, heartaches of capitalism? what’s funny, silly, hilarious, goofy, lovely about the solidarity economy?