Studio Zero feels as if it could host an intimate fashion show or be a multimedia art gallery at first glance. As the crowd makes its way through the nondescript grey entrance of Ciel Creative Space on this Thursday night to the event space complete with a speakeasy bar, a chandelier displays a figure walking then running and next transforms into an array of water falling.
Bay Area native Julissa Leilani, takes the stage to a packed room of roughly 100. Leilani sets the vibe of the night: chill, thoughtful and emotional. With some coaching, the singer-songwriter shares her background and pitches her accounts and website. But that’s the thing about Ciel Sessions. It highlights indie up-and-coming artists with a message. And Leilani speaks of her BIPOC background and experience hearing about her uncle being released from prison where he was incarcerated in his teens.
Gayathri Krishnan starts her set off meditatively harkening to her Carnatic roots—literally leading a meditation to transition to one of her fan faves, “Fuck Shit.” It’s one of those songs that catch you in a mood. At surface level it’s mellow, but the chorus builds to a more participatory anthem. Towards the end, she invites her father on stage for a traditional Carnatic song—whether or not you understood the words, the melody was both beautiful and moving.
Ciel Sessions brings an artist that’s used to a room of 30 and elevates them with production and coaching to a bigger but not overwhelming scene. An intermediary between the small and big stage—a graduation of sorts.
Ciel Creative Space, a 50,000 square-foot complex, houses multiple studio spaces for photo, film and event productions along with co-working offices and was founded by Cecilia Caparas Apelin and Alexis Laurent. The complex, located on 2611 Eighth St. in Berkeley, opened in 2019 and became a Bay Area leader in virtual events during Covid.
In 2020, Ciel Creative Spaces hosted the first Ciel Sessions. Held virtually, the event raised over $60,000 for Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp to support The People’s Conservatory, an arts education organization for youth. The event featured Bay Area artists, musicians and storytellers—among them Leilani.
The return of Ciel Sessions produced by newly formed Ciel Media comes full circle for Apelin, Bo Carper and RomeDigs. The trio, all with diverse backgrounds in creative production, hopes to mentor and support indie artists by providing fully produced events. The sessions are carefully curated and hosted in Studio Zero, a dedicated venue within Ciel Creative Space complete with immersive audio/visual capabilities. The team anticipates once a month events but there has yet to be a next event date. Stay tuned for upcoming Ciel Sessions.
For more info visit cielcreativespace.com.
