Nature has acted as artists' muse for centuries.
Illustration by Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre to perform an earthy dance production
Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre to perform an earthy dance production
On Friday, it will be more than just inspiration for the Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre inspiration, it also will act as stage and arena.
For the first time, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is hosting an event organizers hope will inspire everyone from outdoors-lovers to art-patrons.
Internationally recognized choreographer Sean McLeod is designing the dance piece, made up of several movements, called “Of This Earth: A Walk With Nature.”
Sara Ford, project coordinator for the refuge, addressed the initial misconception with the cooperative project.
“The dancers are not imitating nature,” Ford clarified. “It's their reactions to exploring nature.”
The event is a first all around.
The refuge has never hosted an activity aimed at attracting people who aren't necessarily interested in learning about wildlife.
For their part, the five dancers will forgo their usual set-up - a stage, lights, sound system - to get down to earth. The troupe will dance on a field between the refuge's visitor center and the parking lot.
“Part of the experience of the event, (which we) purposely put outside is a risky thing being in upstate New York ... is dancing in the grass, bringing the audience to us in that space,” said Lorienne Beals, director of services at the New York State Institute of Dance and Education. “They will be hearing the birds chirping and seeing the trees ...”
The dancers and the audience has to abandon the normal urban space and face what nature has to offer, she said.
The Friends of the Montezuma Refuge is funding the activity, so there's no cost. Accessibility was key to the dance studio to break down as many barriers as possible.
“It's really about getting people there and whatever people are able to offer that's great. That money will go to the refuge and certainly continue to provide more opportunities,” Beals said.
Ford approached a few dance troupes about the idea of bringing art and wildness together, but McLeod and his Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre were the most enthusiastic.
“I had a lot of confidence he could take the artistic vision I had in the right direction,” Ford said.
Her main goal is to bring more people to Montezuma, perhaps a crowd that won't naturally think of going to the refuge.
“I hope people will be a bit more open, that those interested in wildlife will take more interest in the arts and that it will have a reverse affect,” Ford said.
The dancers will illustrate people's first impressions and reactions when they don't usually interact with nature. The exciting part is the audience members will watch this happen while it is literally happening to them, Beals said.
The performance will be a modern piece, but Beals is reluctant to put a label on it. She prefers the observers draw their own interpretations and conclusions.
“For me to define it, I think robs people of discovering what it will be all about,” Beals said.
But one thing she promises.
The performance's caliber will not only meet observers expectations, but blow past them, she said.
This isn't the first time the dance troupe performed commissioned work, but the setting and situation are a new challenge.
“The dance movement will draw an audience who won't normally come to the refuge and you have the demographic that come out and support Montezuma,” said Beals. “It's the new experiences for everybody which makes it really fun.”
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or at jessica.soule@lee.net
If you go
What: “Of This Earth: A Walk With Nature”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 3395 Routes 5 and 20, Seneca Falls
Cost: Free, donations welcome
Rain date: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
For details: Call 252-4420
For the first time, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is hosting an event organizers hope will inspire everyone from outdoors-lovers to art-patrons.
Internationally recognized choreographer Sean McLeod is designing the dance piece, made up of several movements, called “Of This Earth: A Walk With Nature.”
Sara Ford, project coordinator for the refuge, addressed the initial misconception with the cooperative project.
“The dancers are not imitating nature,” Ford clarified. “It's their reactions to exploring nature.”
The event is a first all around.
The refuge has never hosted an activity aimed at attracting people who aren't necessarily interested in learning about wildlife.
For their part, the five dancers will forgo their usual set-up - a stage, lights, sound system - to get down to earth. The troupe will dance on a field between the refuge's visitor center and the parking lot.
“Part of the experience of the event, (which we) purposely put outside is a risky thing being in upstate New York ... is dancing in the grass, bringing the audience to us in that space,” said Lorienne Beals, director of services at the New York State Institute of Dance and Education. “They will be hearing the birds chirping and seeing the trees ...”
The dancers and the audience has to abandon the normal urban space and face what nature has to offer, she said.
The Friends of the Montezuma Refuge is funding the activity, so there's no cost. Accessibility was key to the dance studio to break down as many barriers as possible.
“It's really about getting people there and whatever people are able to offer that's great. That money will go to the refuge and certainly continue to provide more opportunities,” Beals said.
Ford approached a few dance troupes about the idea of bringing art and wildness together, but McLeod and his Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre were the most enthusiastic.
“I had a lot of confidence he could take the artistic vision I had in the right direction,” Ford said.
Her main goal is to bring more people to Montezuma, perhaps a crowd that won't naturally think of going to the refuge.
“I hope people will be a bit more open, that those interested in wildlife will take more interest in the arts and that it will have a reverse affect,” Ford said.
The dancers will illustrate people's first impressions and reactions when they don't usually interact with nature. The exciting part is the audience members will watch this happen while it is literally happening to them, Beals said.
The performance will be a modern piece, but Beals is reluctant to put a label on it. She prefers the observers draw their own interpretations and conclusions.
“For me to define it, I think robs people of discovering what it will be all about,” Beals said.
But one thing she promises.
The performance's caliber will not only meet observers expectations, but blow past them, she said.
This isn't the first time the dance troupe performed commissioned work, but the setting and situation are a new challenge.
“The dance movement will draw an audience who won't normally come to the refuge and you have the demographic that come out and support Montezuma,” said Beals. “It's the new experiences for everybody which makes it really fun.”
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or at jessica.soule@lee.net
If you go
What: “Of This Earth: A Walk With Nature”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 3395 Routes 5 and 20, Seneca Falls
Cost: Free, donations welcome
Rain date: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
For details: Call 252-4420
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