Award-winning artist Cliff Notez takes over the Museum of Science planetarium

Celina Colby

Celina Colby is an arts and travel reporter with a fondness for Russian novels.... VIEW BIO

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Award-winning multimedia artist, musician and filmmaker Cliff Notez has been breaking genre and medium boundaries for years in their artistic practice. Fusing visual arts and music that pulls from hip-hop, folk and soul traditions, Notez tells stories in a unique and powerful way. At their upcoming performance “Live Under the Dome: Cliff Notez” at the Museum of Science planetarium, visual art and music will come together in an interactive experience.

This is Notez’s second time performing at the Charles Hayden Planetarium and they consider this a further developed version of last year’s show. “Live Under the Dome: Cliff Notez” will include Notez’s “Wiild” project, which features a series of visual artworks following original characters paired with musical compositions inspired by the characters.

Cliff Notez performs at last year’s “Live Under the Dome” show at the Museum of Science planetarium. COURTESY PHOTO

One of the characters, Ollie Melon, is a skateboarding watermelon. He’s part of an anarchist crew of skateboarders made up of other creatures and inanimate objects. In this way, the characters are whimsical but speak to real emotions and contemporary issues.

“Most of these songs are written from the perspective of somebody who lives in the universe that these characters exist in,” said Notez. “So, you’re getting narratives that are still relatable as us being humans, but they’re written from the perspective of these characters.”

There’s also an interactive element to the show, something of a scavenger hunt. Without giving too many surprises away, Notez encourages attendees to pay close attention because they can win prizes for recognizing certain Easter eggs in the performance.

Creating interactive, engaging experiences is important to Notez. The artist has long spoken out against streaming services, both for their poor treatment of artists and for the passivity they create in listeners.

“I think in order to grab people’s attention you have to literally build the world for them to exist in,” said Notez. “I’m hoping that folks can come to this show and realize, ‘Oh, there’s something more happening here outside of just music and I can spend more time here if I’d like to.’”

Multimedia artist Cliff Notez PHOTO: COURTESY MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

Notez is a Boston native, but their talents have been celebrated far beyond the Hub. They’ve been recognized by The New York Times and NPR and praised by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Notez was also named Best Musician and one of the 100 Most Influential Bostonians by Boston Magazine.

In addition to making music and visual art, Notez runs the broadcast and production company HipStory and We Black Folk, an annual festival celebrating Black folk music. Their work advocates for social justice, community empowerment and representations of the Black experience.

“Cliff Notez isn’t just a performer — they’re a visionary,” said James Monroe, creative director of strategic partnerships at the Museum of Science. “Every show is an experience, and that’s exactly why we’re thrilled to welcome them back to the museum and into the planetarium.”

“Live Under the Dome: Cliff Notez” will be performed on Aug. 7. Tickets are $20 and the event is for audiences 18 and older. Attendees can expect an evening of community, music, art and storytelling.

“This performance will offer something truly unique, an atmosphere and energy you won’t find anywhere else in the city,” said Monroe. “It’s a night you won’t want to miss.”