2009 – A fascinating documentary on the creation of Dance of the Auroras – Fire in the Sky – a poetic odyssey through space from the Sun to Earth. Showcasing an evening-length performance of dance, music and virtual art, this international project reclaims the connections between science and art, technology and the natural world, drawing the audience into a ritual both ancient and new. Dance of the Auroras traces the research and development of the project through interviews, rehearsals, and performances in Finland, Norway, Russia, and the USA. Movies and images of the Sun and the Earth’s auroras from orbiting spacecraft and special ground-based cameras are featured along with original music performed live by the Global House Band, Norway.  Dancers using the wireless mouse alter and manipulate, in real time, large-scale projected cyber worlds created by Tania Fraga, Brazil. Dance of the Auroras – Fire in the Sky premiered on Research Channel January 30, 2009.

Written by MRW by mistake on the word document.
Data to Dance (2009) Documentary FILM (28:30) Research Channel, Seattle, WA;  The documentary traces research on the science, history, mythology for development of the film and also set the path for creating Dance of the Auroras – Fire in the Sky, stage work.  The research includes interviews with professors and scientists, on-site experiences with on-site auroral research on location. Interaction and Aurora “watching” was an important aspect…..the art and magic of the Aurora.  To begin, Maida rented a car in Finland and travelled alone to the “top of the world” before driving down the coast to Tromso, Norway. At the time, scientific posting online was in somewhat infant stage. Four cameras monitoring the SUN were just put in place. The documentary includes rehearsals for choreography and structure development to tell the story of varied perspectives of Auroras. It was truly an honor to premiere the performance of the complete evening-length stage work in Tromso, Norway at a Northern Lights Festival.   There is the science aspect and then, personal experience, of the diverse and astonishing appearance of Auroras.  Norway provided a foundation and history of Auroras being situated where the mythology and magic of nature’s expression is so present and dominant.  From the earliest research, I was searching for a composer and musicians who had lived with the magic and power of the Auroras.  For the American perspective, time spent in Alaska was most helpful, comparable to the University in Tromso.  Research was a major influence (both the science and the art) in the development of the four-part work.  Rehearsals and performances occurred in Finland, Norway, Russia, and United States.  http://maidadance.com/works/dance–of–the–auroras–firein–the–sky/

Selected for showing:  Research Channel, Seattle, Washington; III Sao Carlos Video Dance Festival, Sao Carlos, Brazil.

Documentary Footage
Nordly’s Festivalen – Tromso, Norway, January 2001
Lisner Auditorium – Washington, DC, USA, February 2001
Dukabristov Theatre – St. Petersburg, Russia, May 2000
Dance Place – Washington, DC, USA, September 2000
On Location in Finland, Norway, Russia, and Alaska, USA, 2000

See “Dance of the Auroras – Fire in the Sky” stage Work page for additional information  and credits on performers, collaborators, scientists, and other production aspects.