Still Rush:  Open 41:51  – 52:47 End

1992 – Still Rush was performed in Washington, DC by Maida Withers Dance Construction Company as part of Rolling Thunder in the Dance for the Earth  concert.

Still Rush was first titled, Passage, but was changed for performance.  The concept is about Maida’s pioneer ancestors (1860, others) who left from Missouri and Illinois, other locations, and traveled by handcart, wagon, and on foot to what became known as the Salt Lake Valley.  At that time, the USA territory ended at the Mississippi River…further west was not officially part of the USA. This is one of the great “migrations of man” for religious freedom.  My ancestors were converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in Scandinavia, England, other locations who came to the United States looking to find a safe haven for religious freedom and a better life.  There were varied struggles and famines that were also motivating the move.  Ultimately these converts chose (under threat of violence, often,  to leave their countries,  but were also forced to leave the US (at a later time). Of course they were excited with the prospect of a better life.  Eventually the pioneers settle what became known as the State of Utah (Jan 4, 1896).