9. Midnight Moment: Midnight Train To Georgia

Times Square, with some of the most stunning billboards in New York City.
Times Square, with some of the most stunning billboards in New York City.

From July 1 to July 31, 2021, Times Square Arts and the Up Until Now Collective will present Georgia, a daily midnight screening in Times Square. Georgia will feature the collective’s American Sign Language (ASL) cover of Gladys Knight & The Pips “Midnight Train to Georgia.” It will be performed by Deaf actor and dancer Mervin Primeaux-O’Bryant and Brandon Kazen-Maddox, a hearing Grandchild of Deaf Adults (GODA) and native third-generation ASL signer. Every night in the moments leading up to midnight, 75 screens in Times Square will synchronize Georgia, elevating sign language from occupying a supporting role to being at the center of attention.

Included in O’Bryant and Maddox’s rendition of the classic 1973 song are elements of Black ASL and Visual Vernacular to embody an invisible train, bringing to life the song’s seductive lyrics. In addition, throughout July, the Up Until Now Collective will present weekly live performances in Times Square that incorporate music, dance, and ASL.