Dream Into Being Film Screening

Dream Into Being

Dates with showtimes for Dream Into Being

    1. 7:00 pm

    Event Runtime: 135 min.

    Starring: Brenna McDonald, DJ Anjali, Edna Vázquez

    FREE EVENT; TICKET REGISTRATION STRONGLY ENCOURAGED

    Doors 6:30 p.m.; Event 7 p.m.

    Click here to learn more about accessibility at the Tomorrow Theater. 

    This event is free as part of PAM’s Free First Thursday, thanks to generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

    THE EXPERIENCE

    Join us for this very special Portland premiere of director Ali Perrin’s film, Dream Into Being, a short documentary which tells the powerful stories of Edna Vázquez, DJ Anjali, and Brenna McDonald.

    Prior to the film the three subjects will perform starting with DJ Anjali spinning records at 6:30pm, followed by a musical performance from Edna Vázquez, a solo guitar performance from Brenna McDonald, and lastly a short collaborative comparison about clapping in flamenco (palmas) and in giddha from DJ Anjali and Brenna McDonald. Following the film there will be an in depth discussion moderated by special guest Jyothi Natarajan with Edna, Brenna, and DJ Anjali along with director Ali Perrin and editor and producer Raynee Roberts.

    ON SCREEN: Dream Into Being

    2025. Directed by Ali Perrin. Runtime: 38 minutes. 

    Dream Into Being tells the powerful stories of Edna Vázquez, DJ Anjali, and Brenna McDonald—artists who have made their mark in traditionally male-dominated roles within Portland’s music scene and beyond. In this 38-minute documentary, these three women share both struggles and triumphs, offering a vibrant celebration of creativity, tenacity, and the strength it takes to break down barriers.

    Created by The Trifecta Movie Project, the film was originally designed with classrooms in mind. However, its dynamic energy and engaging content make it a powerful catalyst for audiences of all kinds. It gives viewers tools to become empowered, encouraging them to overcome obstacles and thrive in the face of adversity.

    ON STAGE: 

    Edna Vázquez:
    Edna Vázquez is a fearless singer, songwriter, composer, and guitarist whose powerful voice and musical talent transcend the boundaries of language to engage and uplift her audience. She is a creative musical artist with a vocal range that allows her to paint seamlessly with her original material, an intersection of Mexican Tradicional, rock, pop and other genres. Edna’s passion for music and performance grew from her bicultural roots and, with songs deeply rooted in universal human emotion, she has traveled far and wide spreading her message of light, love and cultural healing.

    DJ Anjali:
    DJ Anjali is a DJ, dancer, and artist. Her work is primarily concerned with creating a collective memory through songs, dance, and imagery while pushing forward a working class, immigrant feminist agenda on the dance floor. As a DJ and dance floor instigator, she has worked to promote the future and vintage sounds of the South Asian and Desi diaspora within the larger Global Bass movement. She moves between two styles of performance, from behind the decks as a DJ to the front of the stage as a Bhangra dancer, all the while exploring her own identity and using the dance floor as a place to build solidarity.

    Brenna McDonald:
    Brenna McDonald is a flamenco guitarist, dancer, and co-founder of Espacio Flamenco, where she teaches flamenco dance, guitar, and children’s classes. As the musical director of Espacio Flamenco’s performance company, she works to create a supportive community that brings musicians and dancers together to learn, share, and celebrate the beauty of flamenco.

    Jyothi  Natarajan (moderator):

    Jyothi Natarajan is an editor, cultural worker, and artist living in Portland, OR. At Haymarket Books Jyothi runs a fellowship program that elevates the work of creative writers impacted by the carceral system. She spent nearly a decade working at the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, editing the literary magazineThe Margins and supporting emerging writers. Jyothi co-leads De-Canon, a literary and social practice art project centering the work of writers of color, and is the co-editor of the De-Canon collection A Mouth Holds Many Things (Fonograf Editions, 2024).

    Ali Perrin:
    With a background in education and a current career as a sign language interpreter, Ali Ray Perrin is a first-time filmmaker who has lived in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years. Despite having no formal training in filmmaking, Ali’s dedication and passion led her to create Dream Into Being, a documentary that reflects her admiration for the 3 featured artists and her deep love of community. Beyond her filmmaking work, Ali maintains a website dedicated to supporting mental health providers who work with the Deaf Community, offering essential resources to bridge critical gaps in care.

    Raynee Roberts (editor and post production producer):

    Raynee Roberts is a filmmaker, producer, director, and editor based on the Big Island of Hawaii. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she has contributed to numerous film sets and has curated a diverse range of music videos and short films. Drawing from her background in dance, theater and illustration, Raynee has skillfully blended her talents to establish her own brand and production company, Lost Portal.