About the Works:
Tina Croll + Company
Ancient Springs is inspired by Federico Fellini’s La Strada and poet Kathleen Raine’s Defending Ancient Springs. Comprised of vignettes— “short stories”— this piece examines abstract and non-narrative methods of storytelling through movement and sound, a little gavotte, a twisted convulsive solo, a stately waltz on some town square. A chorus of dancers swirls through – sometimes joining in, sometimes commenting on the action. The music is from various sources including – Tiny Tim, Glen Velez, Andy Teirstein, traditional music from Macedonia, Getatchew Mekuria, Lila Downs & Mariachi Juvenil de Tecalitián

Inspired by the Sanskrit saying: ”Sanghe Shakti Kalau Yuge” (In this Dark Age Strength is in Unity.) Full of intricate spatial patterns and rhythmic contrasts, the work combines the choreographer’s ongoing interest in Eastern European/Asian folkdance forms. Some ancient folk dances for women are danced in sublime unison. “She Rides a Tiger” refers to the Hindu goddess Durga, “The Invincible.” She is the warrior goddess depicted in the Hindu pantheon riding a tiger, with many arms, each carrying a weapon. Sensuous and beautiful, but the fierce form of the protective mother.

Ani Javian and Benjamin Roach
What are our stories and how did they come to be? When The Sky Separated From The Earth asks questions around fantasy and reality, deception and truth, and duplicity and multiplicity. When The Sky is a playground, gym, town plaza, church, bedroom, stage, and home. It is loud and out-of-bounds; it is against the rules; it is not exactly true, but it isn’t exactly false, either. And it asks, “How can we trust – in ourselves, in others, and in our world?” It works to reveal our humanity – full of faults, but always with the capacity to listen to our own unique truths and the truths of those around us with compassion, goodwill, and heart.