Earth Spirit Rising Concert

Earth and Environment, Expansion (80s and 90s), Installation / Visual, Live Music, Metaphysical/Spirit, Original Music, Stage Works, Work
Original Performance on March 30, 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.

Video above:  https://vimeo.com/93606130/1990
Cecily Carsky-Miller, aerial artist, and Mark Thompson:
Dancers entering from batons above the stage, suspended on ropes, descend to the stage.

(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, 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. The Company.  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 (also referred to as 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.
For further information:  https://maidadance.com/works/path-yellow-springs-residency/

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.

scanMarkStand
Mark Thompson, In Earth’s Belly Deep….an emergence myth

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

LEDGE – Work in progress   (Early, short version of the above work….LEDGE).

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
Artists and Collaborators
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Aerialist Coach
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