I first heard Helga at Philip Glass/Robert Wilson’s Einstein on The Beach during BAM’s Next Wave Festival in 2012. I didn’t know her personally and was incredibly fortunate to meet her a few months later. Helga is a beacon and this song captures her incredible artistry and vocal intensity.  I am very excited that Helga is a National Sawdust Artist in Residency this year and will perform in our opening night on October 1st.

The original song, sung and composed by the late great Lou Reed, was on my “mix tape” (remember those—the ones on cassettes!) when I was studying abroad in Rome and when one could have a Perfect Day. With this version it’s as if past and present combine into a perfect…

Helga Davis sings Lou Reed’s Perfect Day