(1992)
Dance for the Earth, an evening-length program, a collection of “earth consciousness dances” premiered at Thomas Jefferson Community Theater in Arlington, Virginia, February 7 & 8, 1992.

Three dances from Dance for the Earth were performed  by MWDCCo and Brazilian dancers in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro in conjunction with the United Nations Earth Summit (Eco ’92).

Dance for the Earth:
Sky Cloud: Metaphoric dance – the wind, the voice of the Earth, collaboration with Hilda Thorpe, sculptor, paper maker, painter. (1992) (00:00 to 18:45, video above)
Prologue – Cowboys and Indians Play 1991) Dance and spoken text, Maida Withers (19:04 – 28:23, video above)
Messenger Eagle (1992) Sacred icon, male solo, Dana Tai Soon Burgess (29:28 – 36:02, video above)
Spirit Figures (1992) Each dancer carried a large sculptural figure on a tree limb or bamboo stick with large heads created from discarded items (trash, plastic, old fabric,  junk; Brazil used rubber), items that cause harm and destruction to planet earth’s oceans and all life.  (36:15 – 41:50, video above)
Still Rush (1991) Immigration passion for self-determination (41:51 – 52:49, video above) Rolling Thunder “Transformation” (1992)
Warning ritual – need for change (01:06:57, video above)

Rolling Thunder “Transformation” was performed in Rio de Janeiro, on a large beach stage with American and Brazilian dancers who had rehearsed nightly at midnight – a convenient and wonderful time for all in Brazil.

Dance for the Earth dances are individually posted:

Sky Cloud

Prologue – Cowboys and Indians Play by Maida Withers

Messenger Eagle (See Dance for the Earth)

Spirit Figures

Rolling Thunder – “Transformation”

An open call for dancers took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for dancers to join with MWDCCo dancers to perform Rolling Thunder – Transformation as part of the cultural offerings during the United Nations Earth Summit, Eco ’92.  Rolling Thunder – Transformation was presented, with Brazil and American dancers, on a large outdoor stage on the beach in Rio sponsored by the City of Rio de Janeiro.Performance USA:
Rolling Thunder & Messenger Eagle

Sky Cloud

Sky Cloud

What the press is saying

In order to choreograph her recent works, Withers spent days/weeks as a "landsite" - a cave, a rock, sand dunes. "I've developed an understanding of a landsite process here I go to the landsite and I work with the people who live there." she explains. Especially I'm interested in the indigenous people that live there and the history and mythology of that earth." Thus, Withers lives and sleeps outdoors, waking at sunrise in her chosen area of study (New Mexico, Utah, Arizona). That ay, she explains "the earth is the inspiration; it is also the process, it is also the subject." Kim Friedman