On this episode of Center Stage with Mark Gordon, filmmaker Christine La Monte discusses her new documentary Ai Weiwei’s Turandot, which follows artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he makes his operatic directorial debut at the Rome Opera House.

Known for his fearless art and political engagement, Ai Weiwei reimagines Puccini’s classic opera Turandot as a reflection of today’s world, where freedom, identity, and resistance collide. La Monte shares insights about working with Ai Weiwei, navigating the impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, and creating a film that explores how art can challenge, provoke, and inspire.

🎧 Center Stage with Mark Gordon is produced in Los Angeles and features conversations with the filmmakers, artists, and storytellers shaping culture today.

Ai Weiwei’s Turandot: Art, Activism, and the Power of Opera

Text written by Goswami Tulsidas
Music written and performed by VanDeRocker

This Chalisa is a musical offering to promote well treatment, healing, and protection for women and children around the world. It is also meant to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking, particularly in India and to offer insight on how we can help. Click on the links below to learn about what a few organizations in India are doing to help victims and survivors, and if you can, please make a donation of any amount to help support their efforts.

www.sanlaap.org
www.womensinterlinkfoundation.org
www.madebysurvivors.com


A prayer infused in this Chalisa:

May each woman on this Earth be lovingly revered, respected, and protected so that she may reach her highest potential and share her gifts with others at her own discretion; for each woman is a mother (regardless of whether she bears children or not) and should be treasured; as she holds the seed to love, intuition, creativity, and grace that is dearly needed for the highest and best good of every being on this Earth.

May each child be lovingly and sufficiently cared for. That their lives, their health, and their innocence be fully protected, and that they receive all the love, shelter, wisdom, and support they need to grow into their highest potential as adults. These children are the future. They must be treated with the greatest care.

Do your best. Love everybody. And remember how incredibly loved you are in return.

*Special Thanks to dear Srutih Asher Colbert for being a living discipline and inspiring me to face this issue by her own beautiful example. This one has been hard for me to look at, being one of man's ugliest deeds in this realm. I believe if each person holds himself accountable for his actions, realizes that with every action there is an equal reaction (karma), takes good care of themselves, and chooses to truly do their best with what they've got, that there would never be a need or desire to contribute to the harm of another. Issues like this could be replaced entirely with goodwill and loving kindness. Love.


Hanuman Chalisa: Healing Heart

Give me some love on Hypem <3

http://hypem.com/track/2hsxn/The+Knocks+-+Classic+feat.+POWERS+%28Dulsae+Remix%29

Mixed by Chris Wallitsch (@chriswallitsch)
Mastered by Drew Lavyne

[Free Download]

The Knocks - Classic feat. POWERS (Dulsae Remix)

World War Joy...Takeaway

Takeaway (feat. Lennon Stella)

Martin Garrix, Dean Lewis - Used To Love
♫ Used To Love is out now: http://stmpd.co/MDTL

So excited that Used To Love with Dean Lewis is finally out, worked so long on this one and we both love it! Can’t wait to hear what you think! ❤️

Follow Martin Garrix:
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Used To Love

Listen / Download

Martin Garrix & Dean Lewis - Used To Love

Martin Garrix & Matisse & Sadko feat. Michel Zitron - Hold On
♫ Hold On is out now: http://stmpd.co/_k7Fx

We wrote the lyrics and recorded the vocals for Hold On the same day as I premiered it at my THE ETHER show in Amsterdam RAI 2019 during Amsterdam Dance Event! Let me know if you like it and an early happy New Year to you!

Follow Martin Garrix:
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Hold On

Martin Garrix & Matisse & Sadko feat. Michel Zitron - Hold On

This is a short (44 secs) "modern" acoustic guitar piece (open tuning, percussive smacks, slapped harmonics, tapping, etc.) I quickly wrote and recorded as a "sample" for a collaboration opportunity with an A-list film composer, back in August 2017. At that time, his film was incorporating "progressive fingerstyle acoustic guitar" quite heavily--at least that was the plan. Sadly, as far as I know, no actual score was ever recorded; it (the score, per the director's wishes) started leaning more towards "orchestral" anyways (i.e., no more guitar), and (for some VERY unique reasons) the film got shelved. Would've certainly been great for me though, to be involved (in ANY capacity) with such a project! Some of my favorite actors EVER were/are in it... and I LOVE the composer! Oh well...

CHRISTENING - by Dale Turner

Every Color

Every Color (with Foster The People) (DNMO Remix)

Be Kind [Surf Mesa Remix] - @MarshmelloMusic x @HalseyMusic
Download/Stream: https://marshmello.lnk.to/BeKindSurfMesaRMX

Follow @SurfMesa:
instagram.com/surfmesa
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spoti.fi/2MPX8EI

Download

Marshmello x Halsey - Be Kind [Surf Mesa Remix]

All My Pals

Poison

Center Stage pulls back the curtain on the creative minds shaping film, television, music, and the arts. Join host Mark Gordon as they sit down with award-winning directors, groundbreaking writers, legendary performers, and rising talents for deep-dive conversations that explore the passion, struggles, and triumphs behind their work. From behind-the-scenes stories to creative breakthroughs, each episode brings you closer to the heart of the storytellers who move us. Whether you're a fan of unforgettable films, gripping documentaries, powerful performances, or innovative storytelling, Center Stage is your front-row seat to the art—and the artists—who inspire us all.