An interdisciplinary conference of scholars, activists, and artists engaged in rethinking alternative societies. Performance and Populism responds to the global escalation of neoliberalism, the crisis of democratic institutions, and the rise in demands for popular sovereignty at the turn of the 21st century. This period is defined by the persistence of extraction economies, racialized violence and the narrowing of democratic rights; an emphasis in security and law enforcements to ensure private property and the accumulation of capital. At the same time, we are witnessing an upsurge of people reclaiming power over institutions placed in the hands of the banking and business elites that dominate public services, communication systems, manufacturing industries, centres of knowledge production, and other systems of geo-political, social, and cultural life. Registration & Schedule: tdps.berkeley.edu/performance-and-populism Keynote Speakers: When the Body Speaks Before It Even Talks: Populism and Synecdochal Representation María Esperanza Casullo (Universidad Nacional de Río Negro) in conversation with Yannis Stavrakakis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) Revolution After the Apocalypse? Srećko Horvat (Philosopher, Author and Political Activist) in conversation with Vijay Prashad (Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research) Keynote Roundtable: Commune: Mobilizing Popular Power from Geo-Political Souths Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson (Highlander Research and Education Center) Meyby Soraya Ugueto-Ponce (Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research) Charlie Braxton (Poet, Playwright, Journalist) Geo Maher (Global Centre for Advanced Studies) Moderated by Rebecca Struch (University of California, Berkeley) Accessibility: Live transcription will be enabled for all Zoom webinar sessions. If you require an additional accommodation for effective communication in order to fully participate in this conference, please contact us with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7-10 days in advance of the event. Registration for this online conference is free and open to the public.