No Visas

NO VISAS brought together five renowned hip-hop artists to perform both individually and collectively, with the culminating performance coming after a multi-month collaborative artistic process.  The Dayton Sister City Committee spent almost a year working to bring to the Dayton area Neta Weiner and Samira Saraya of Beit System Ali, a cultural educational movement based in Holon, whose activity is based on the belief in the power of artistic action to promote equality and generate socio-political change.  Ultimately, Neta and Samira’s in-person tour in Ohio, including a performance at the Levitt Pavilion, was cancelled in August 2025 due to no visas being issued for them by the federal administration at that time. The project hence pivoted to a remote collaboration with three Ohio hip-hop artists: Jayswifa, Tronee Threat, and ArtGod. Partnering with Mad River Theater Works, the artists met remotely,  sharing inspiration and beats, and discussing what it means to make art in times of political unrest and turmoil.  These five artists pushed themselves to create music together that speaks to the realities of life in America, Palestine, and Israel.