Earth Spirit Rising Concert
“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
(1990) EARTH SPIRIT RISING – CONCERT March 30 and 31
Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre / Arlington, Virginia
PROGRAM: Evening-length concert features
The Company: Cecily Carsky-Miller, aerialist/dancer, John Lancaster, Mark Thompson, Maida Withers
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. John Lancaster joins to create a trio.
Moving Earth/Dunes...first light of day (1988, LEDGE)
Features Withers in a contorted, sensual solo with undulating structures as if in sand…joined by The Company. Music by Michel Willis. Also available: https://maidadance.com/works/ledge
Mountain Birthing…a metaphor, a beginning (1988, LEDGE)
Maida Withers and John Lancaster engage in a “birthing struggle.” John is suspended – hanging freely by a rope tied to his feet, manipulated by Maida Withers circling. Music by Michael Willis.
https://vimeo.com/100503881/ Also available at https://maidadance.com/works/Ledge.
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.
Mark Thompson, In Earth’s Belly Deep….an emergence myth
Mark Thompson and Cecily Carsky-Miller enter (aerial descent on rope from above the stage).
Maida Withers, solo, 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
- Director / Choreographer/
- Aerialist Coach
- Composers
- Photographer
- Light Design
- Dancers
- Flyer Design & Artistic Consultant
- Technical Director
- Utah Film Footage
- Costume Design
- Set (Virginia or other?)
- Music
- Stage Manager
- Crew and Flyman (Amero)
- Photographs
- Technical Director
- Box Office
- Stage Manager
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- Crew - (Rico=flyman)
- MWDCCo Board of Directors