'Basetrack Live' explores the real impacts of war through music, film, images, and social media
Experience the stories of those stationed abroad and their families as they cope with the uncertainties of war with “Basetrack Live.”
Presented by the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, this gripping performance features live music, film, engaging images, and social media exchanges to create a powerful narrative about the impact of war on veterans and their families and communities.
The performance will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Moss Arts Center’s Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.
Most don’t know what it’s like to serve in the military — what it means when soldiers leave for extended periods, live lives filled with uncertainty, and work to overcome obstacles as they try to reintegrate into civilian life. In the current decade, more American soldiers have returned home from war than we have seen in a generation, yet less than one percent of the population understands the realities of military service.
“Basetrack Live” shares these stories using photos and video from photojournalists embedded with Marines in Afghanistan; a live, contemporary score; and text adapted by Jason Grote, a writer for productions such as “Mad Men” and “Smash.” Post-deployment veteran film makers punctuate a performance drawn from verbatim text from social media exchanges and interviews.
“Basetrack Live” grew out of the 2010 Internet phenomenon of the same name. Its Facebook page and associated website served as vital repositories of photographs and stories among photojournalists in Afghanistan, soldiers on the ground, and their families abroad. More importantly, these online hubs offered an accessible avenue for communication among those parties.
The Center for the Arts will also offer several engagement activities in conjunction with the performance. The “Basetrack Live” photo installation and display will be featured in the Moss Arts Center’s Grand Lobby. Patrons can view captivating images and participate in an interactive lobby exhibition on Friday, Nov 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An additional event, “Stories We Carry,” aims to start conversations that create community. This guided conversation brings together veterans and civilians to openly share their stories, misperceptions, and experiences about war. The center will host this discussion in the Moss Arts Center Cube on Friday, Nov. 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by Virginia Tech’s Center for the Study of Rhetoric in Society.
Finally, a special panel comprised of local veterans, servicemen and women, mental health professionals, and faith leaders will facilitate a public forum on the impacts of war. This panel will be held in the Moss Arts Center Cube immediately follow the “Basetrack Live” performance on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are $25 for general admission and $10 for students and youth 18 years old and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center's box office, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300.
Parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Limited street parking is also available. Parking on Alumni Mall is free on weekdays after 5 p.m. and on weekends.
