May 2012

PHENOMENAL - an invaluable experience ! - Student after UC Riverside Artist in Residency with Jack Gray, Tanya Lukin -Linklater and Rulan Tangenat Culver Art Center

May 2012 DANCING EARTH has been selected by USA Projects for a special fundraising campaign, to develop a new eco-production highlighting Native perspectives on water issues, at the request of Indigenous grandmothers. We are excited to be able to have this opportunity to invite your support to help bring move this project from the stage of cultural research into community engagement as well as professional creative development with Native collaborating artists - to bring a dream to life!Any contribution you are able to make; even as little as $1, would make a difference and would be highly appreciated!CLICK HERE to view our campaign!Thank You for the consideration of this request. top 2 photos by Paulo T. Photography IN MAY In Peterborough Canada where Rulan will be teaching in June, Anishnaab eldersparticipate in a sacred water gathering:Sacred Water Circle. Next month Rulan will also perform at Trent University at the Ode’minGeezis / Sarwberry Moon Festival. Cuicacalli students will perform again at San Francisco’s carnival! In photo here isdirector Jesus Cortes with Daniel Arizmendi, at the Civic Center for Earth Day! Coming Up! Our summer program is ON! We have accepted 12 students from 4 states into the Santa Fe Indigenous dance training intensive. Students will work alongside company artistswith full day/night immersion with outdoor dance, hikes, museums, art galleries, andclasses in a diversity of forms at the beautiful National Dance Institute studios (thank you Michael, Allegra and Russell for helping us host this! For late application please contact -dancingearth2012@gmail.comVolunteers we are looking for donations of meals for hardworking dancers, airportpickups, and some home stays for instructors, please contact the above email if you can helpout! Southern-Ute, Durango CO / photo by Paulo T. Photography LAST MONTH Rulan attended the Big Time gathering at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA and was pleased to meet many community members with interest in participating in an extended dance residency that expresses local water perspectives. Stay tuned!Meanwhile she was mesmerized by the traditional dances and songs shared, such as the Brush Dance and the Flower Dance.UC Riverside’s Professor Jacqueline Shea Murphy brought in 3 choreographers: Tanya Lukin- Linklater of Alaska (now living in Canada), Jack Gray of New Zealand, and Rulan Tangen for UCR’s first INDIGENOUS CHOREOGRAPHERS RESIDENCY. The ICR was significantly impactful for all participants for the global scope of cultural exchange and intimate dialogue about the pathways of Indigenous dance.Tanya joined via dance film footage and skype lectures, Jack and Rulan bgan with Jaqueline leading them to outdoor exploration of Tahquitz Canyon, where they paid tribute to the first Cahuilla village site, later asking and receiving permissions from the Cahuilla people for permission to bring new dances to their land.Next came a dizzying constellation of lectures, workshops, master classes, choreographing on students , and DANCING EARTH’s Daniel, Eagle and Eric joining in the last 3 days for an intensive build towards a public showing that ended with full cast and audience in an interactive ritual at the gorgeous Culver Art Center, it was a powerful confluence!The seed for further international collaborations has been planted, and Jack will visit Santa Fe for the creation of the new water work, with Rulan heading to Aotearoa in the spring to finally accept a standing invite held over 10 yrs for cultural exchange! Thanks you Jacquie for your tireless vision in creating another first time opportunity in the USA for global Indigenous choreographers!A quote from Eric Garcia Lopez: “It was a powerful experience working with Indigenous Choreographers such as Rulan with all of her knowledge from all the travels and seeking out different ways to inspire our movements as well as share her dreams, (such as addressing) as the water crisis around the world. She also helps us individually by researching into our native roots to pull concepts and creative movements to help and better understand our importance in her work. Also getting to and experience Jack Gray - what a profound time of cultural exchange with songs, dance and concepts - which helps my own global Indigenous awareness."Daniel Arizmendi was accepted to NYU’s Hemispheric Encuentro of Performance and Politics in Mexico City, which was subsequently cancelled by the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana. With a non-refundable ticket already purchased, DANCING EARTH sent Daniel to Mexico on the company’s first International Fellowship. He ventured to Jalisco, Mexico to research indigenous water issues of the Huicholes for Dancing Earth's new water project. He discovered the Huicholes struggle to maintain their cultural tradition while learning to adapt to a modern capitalistic world. Special thanks to the McCune Foundation of New Mexico andBioneers Moonrise grant for their support!