Video above:  https://vimeo.com/93606130/1990

“It is my desire to bring to life, through dance, music, and visual imagery, the extraordinary physical and spiritual powers experienced when visiting the land of the four corners area in the Southwestern United States and to express the mystery and power of this exotic land and its inhabitants.  This work is a quest for the spirit that resides there, a search inside the world of contemporary and ancient myth and legend.”  Maida Withers, Choreographer.

The concerts were supported in part by Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation, and Community Resources Cultural Affairs Division.

(1990)  EARTH SPIRIT RISING – CONCERT  March 30 and 31
Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre / Arlington, Virginia

PROGRAM:  Evening-length concert features:

In Earth’s Belly Deep…an emergence myth
Cecily Carsky-Miller and Mark Thompson slowly descend from above the stage in an aerial duet on ropes.

Moving Earth/Dunes…first light of day – (1988, LEDGE) The Company, features Withers in a contorted, sensual solo with undulating structures as if in sand.  Music by Michel Willis.

Mountain Birthing…a metaphor, a beginning  (1988, LEDGE) Maida Withers and John Lancaster a “birthing struggle.” Music by Michael Willis.

INTERMISSION

**Path/Migration…the journey…the perfect courage   The Company;  Music by Michael Willis; Photographs by Bruce Hucko
**Quartet created during a residency at Yellow Springs Institute outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 9 – 21, 1989.

(Note see Maida Withers and Mark Thompson duet:  Spirit Path/Migration, dancers and vocals, at Dance Place, 1990) with Native American musicians and Adam Peiperl, Kalidoscope Art (45:51):  https://vimeo.com/101653079)

She was a Visitor…the spirit of place  The Company; Music by Urban Sax; Film by James Byrne and Maida Withers; Set Design by Brian Siegel.

Maida’s search for a Marvin Center Performance of Earth Spirit Rising???
History (Must check archives):
1989 Path/Migration (Yellow Springs Institute, Philadelphia, PA) – quartet;
1990 (video) Program EARTH SPIRIT RISING
1990 (video) Path/Migration (Dance Place), duet with Native American singers and Adam Peiperl Kaleidoscope.
(???)  Maida remembers a performance at Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, but no evidence yet of such an event.

Concept and Choreography: Maida Withers with Dancers
Dancers: Cecily Carsky-Miller, Mark Thompson, John Lancaster, Maida Withers.
Music: Michael Willis, William Christie, Rogelio MaxWell, Urban Sax,
Light Design: Carl F. Gudenius
Costume Design:  Mark Thompson
Consultant: Brook Andrews
Utah Film:  James Byrne and Maida Withers
Set:  Brian Siegel
Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, Washington, DC. (Arlington, VA, perhaps)

http://maidadance.com/works/earth-spirit-rising/

Cecily Carsky-Miller, aerial artist, and Mark Thompson.
Dancers entering from batons above the stage, suspended on ropes, descend to the stage.

For further information:  https://maidadance.com/works/path-yellow-springs-residency/
Mark Thompson, In Earth’s Belly Deep….an emergence myth

Mark Thompson and Cecily Carsky-Miller enter from above stage.

Maida Withers, solo, Moving Earth / Dunes

What the press is saying

"Maida Withers is not part of mainstream modern dance -- she is leading it. Withers has always been ahead of her time, experimenting with lasers, collaborations and multimedia. Movements Withers designed 10 to 15 years ago are now standard fare. But the restless searching Withers has already moved far beyond others' grasp." Linda Dinsmore

"My instincts are on the experimental edge. My fantasies take me to unconventional places."
As usual, Withers is way out in front, leading the migration." Linda Dinsmore