EARTH SONG featuring works by Starr Muranko & Michelle Olson

Photo Credit: Kristel Saan  

RAVEN SPIRIT DANCE presents  

 

Earth Song; A double bill of contemporary Aboriginal dance Two visionary choreographers bring their diverse voices to the act of connection. Moving from Spirit to form through currents of spatial tension, these are the songs of the land and body, deeply rooted and ever reaching. Starr Muranko’s Spine of the Mother and Michelle Olson’s Northern Journey traverse territories of impulse, memory, and landscape.

Photo Credit – Chris Randle

 

Spine of the Mother

Photo Credit Renzo Babilonia  

 

Spine of the Mother is an innovative collaboration with Indigenous artists in Canada and Peru. Tracing the inner terrain of our bodies as women through breath, impulse and memory unlocks kinetic energy creating ritual, which spans the spine of the mountain range we have shared for millennia.

Women, Mountains, Moon Tumbling Rocks, Bones, and Stories

Breathe and I am here  

Choreography by Starr Muranko

in collaboration with performers Tasha Faye Evans (Canada) and Andrea Patriau* (Peru)

* Also performed by Olivia Shaffer

Dramaturge: Alvin Tolentino and Alejandro Ronceria Cultural Advisor: Jhaimy Alvarez-Acosta Mentor: Michelle Olson Sound design: Edgardo Moreno Lighting Design: John Carter Length: 30 minutes Watch 5 min excerpt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f78TFypyOwY

 

Northern Journey

"We inherit our bodies from those who came before us and our work is to carry ourselves forward to offer ourselves to

those who will come after." – Michelle Olson H

   

Northern Journey is inspired by the land we carry inside of us. This internal landscape carves out the pathways that lead to our animal instinct and lead us to images that hold our human experience. This duet follows a trail back into memory, personal and collective history and gathers the remnants that will help us move forward.

Choreography by Michelle Olson

in collaboration with performers Jeanette Kotowich and Brian Solomon

Music Composition: Wayne Lavallee Lighting Design: John Carter Length: 30 minutes Watch 5min excerpt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPTAbDCuG3o

Photo Credit – Chris Randle

 

Tech Requirements: Space: A minimum performance space of 25 x 20 feet. Surface: A sprung marley dance floor is preferred, however a glazed masonite surface is also acceptable. Lighting: Standard lighting grid design & side shins. Dressing Rooms: Dressing room(s) to accommodate 4 performers. Sound: Soundtrack runs off 1 CD or MP3 on datastick. Props: none Personnel: 1 Director, 1 Stage Manager, 4 Performers. Fees: Please contact RSD for booking fees.

Audiences: RSD actively reaches out with a wide range of audience development activities to engage directly with the community in which the work is shared. The company focuses on the creation and realization of outreach programs that take as their mandate mentoring people in their own creation and expression while broadening access and interest in creative practice. Community Engagement:

• Artist talk and panel discussion on the creative process how material is sourced from traditional songs and teachings and the overall context Contemporary Aboriginal Dance.

• Community outreach activities giving voice to Indigenous artists, creators and performers.

Workshops & Classes:

• Creative movement • Contemporary dance practices • Metis jigging

 

           

                                               

                       

Raven Spirit Dance creates and produces contemporary dance that is rooted in Aboriginal worldviews and honours the communities and artists we work with. We share stories through Indigenous perspectives and practices while creating a platform for others to do the same.

 

RSD Values: Generosity Openness Engagement Integrity Honoring

For more information or booking inquired please contact RSD #250 – 111 West Hastings St Vancouver BC V6B 1H4 e: info@ravenspiritdance.com p: 604.646.0010

Raven Spirit Dance @rsdancecompany

Raven Spirit Dance gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our funders: