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Art plus passion plus adversity equals magic

Somewhere Between (which has its world premier this Friday at the Railyard Performance Center) is the very definition of concept performance, a theatrical, autobiographical solo tale told through the eyes of trans singer-songwriter Cidny Bullens. Bullens' story begins in '74, back when he identified as female, and covers the sojourn from no-name troubadour to Grammy-nominated champion of musicianship. We'll watch and listen as songs and narratives weave their way between real-life tales such as Bullens' work with Elton John and Bob Dylan, the release of several acclaimed records, losing her 11-year-old daughter Jessie to cancer and the eventual decision in 2011 to transition from female to male, from Cindy to Cidny.

Since then, Bullens has remained relatively quiet, but the upcoming event, described as a "one wo/man show," will be a return to form for the hard-working songwriter. Bullens exists someplace between legendary working-class heroes like Springsteen and Hiatt, but with a passion born of adversity the likes of which most of us can't even imagine that propels him into an arena all his own. There is a rawness to Bullens' fearless exploration of his own experience and grief.

"I'm pretty transparent with my feelings, and I've had a very interesting life," Bullens tells SFR. "There's a lot of pathos, tragedy and interesting experiences, so I thought this was a really great vehicle for me to put all of what I do best, which is to perform and write, into a very personal story."

These difficult life changes tend to fuel the very best songs, those relatable and painful tales that show us our purveyors of music are not just working through a committee process or after our money via the worship of market research; they create true art by pouring their very souls into the work and providing us a fleeting glimpse into the good and bad that shaped them.

Bullens says that thousands have reached out to say his music touched them, and that's moving and powerful, perhaps frightening now and then, yes, but ultimately the triumphant resilience to which we all aspire and a sincere and tactfully delivered declaration that yes, you are going to be OK—no one is ever truly broken beyond repair. Proceeds for the fundraiser on Friday go to Southwest Care Center, an excellent resource for New Mexicans living with HIV; Bullens also repeats the performance Saturday evening for $20.

Somewhere Between:
A One Wo/Man Show by Cidny Bullens:

6 pm Friday, Feb. 26. $100.
Railyard Performance Center,
1611 Paseo de Peralta,
982-8309

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