(2005) ICE August 11, Ice House Series – Live Arts, Gloucester Massachusetts New Arts Festival: Maida Withers and Vincent Cacalano performed  an improvised duet, ICE, a site work that took place in the refrigerator/storage room (Cape Pond Ice) with dancers performing on large blocks of ice used by fishermen. Gloucester is a fishing harbor in Gloucester, Massachusetts on the sea.  Six foot long ice bars were stacked in the refrigerator room for seamen to keep their catch healthy and vibrant for daily fishing in the sea.

During ICE, 2 or 3 audience members would join the dancers in the refrigerator storage room and, generally, each group stayed less than 20 minutes in the ICE HOUSE due to the frigid temperature.

During ICE, Maida held, in her COLD raised hand, a tiny “open” umbrella, an umbrella that often comes with a drink at the bar.  The umbrella was so tiny and so delicate…..a rescue for Maida in her “frigid” situation while performing in the ICE storage room, a “cool” duet with Vincent.

Vincent has performed in several Maida Withers Dance Construction Company dance projects:  Thresholds Crossed (Russia and USA), Utah * Spirit Place * Spirit Planet * Tukuhnikivatz, dance improvisations in DC International Improvisation Plus Festival performances, others.  Vincent sponsored Maida Withers in a residency in England.  Vincent is noted for his ease and power in moving.  Vincent has danced extensively in Amsterdam and Europe and been a university professor, author, choreographer in England.

Gloucester New Arts Festival, a free festival in the coastal city of  Gloucester, Massachusetts, was created and produced by Sarah Slifer, dance artist and educator.  The Festival specializes in site-specific performance, art, and music on the street and in various locations in the community including theatre performances.  Sarah Slifer, dance artist and teacher, is a BA GW Dance Alumni.  Sarah performed with Vincent Cacalano  in Amsterdam.  She performed and toured with MWDCCo internationally in Brazil and Korea. Sarah is the founder of the important MAGMA Center (Movement Arts Gloucester Massachusetts).

(No photos of ICE)