Still Rush – a migration story

Still Rush – an impassioned group work with a strong sense of urgency.  The concept relates to forced and chosen migrations of people.  Ancestors, pioneers, men, women, and children traveled by handcart, wagon, and on foot during all seasons of the year over lands known geographically as Territory of the Great Plains.  Many died, some were killed.  Ultimately they settled at what later became known as the Great Salt Lake Valley.  That area became a territory of the United States in 1848 and became a state in 1896.

Video above:  Still Rush Rehearsal, New York City
Maida was commissioned to create a work for Mino Nicholas Dance Company, New York City.  Withers created Still Rush, a migration story.

PREMIERE:  STILL RUSH  (video above)
(1991) Dance Place, January 12, 8 pm; January 13, 4 pm, Washington, DC
Maida Withers Choreography – New York City Dancers
The program also included Spirit Path / (Migration)/ Remains:  Dance Construction Company

Performances continue:

(1992)  Still Rush, February 7 and 8:  Dance Construction Company Dance for the Earth  Concert, Arlington Community Center Theater, Arlington, Virginia. (video above)

(1992) Still Rush, May 12:  DCCo and Brazilian dancers perform Still Rush as part of the Dance Construction Company evening-length concert, Omame Projeto Opening Gala, National Theater, Brasilia, Brazil – international conference related to the United Nation’s Earth Summit (Eco ’92), June 3 to 14, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (no video available)

Maida Withers was invited to create a new work for Mino Nicholas Dance Company, New York City, NY.  Maida commuted to NYC to audition and rehearse to create Still Rush. The performance was scheduled to premiere in the theater associated with the Maison de Francois, NYC, NY.  Sadly, without our involvement, the concert was cancelled without opening in New York City due to problems with the New York Company sponsor. The premiere, subsequently, took place at Dance Place, Washington, DC on a concert of works with Maida Withers and the Dance Construction Company.