Working with Myerhoff’s ideas in this form deepened my belief in the necessity of moving together in community. The body’s natural language is such an overlooked resource for reflecting on experiences, espe- cially when words are at a loss. We will con- tinue to bring this important process to older adult groups coping with transition and loss, which are so prevalent in later life. Kaethe: This past September we worked with an intergenerational audience when we participated as one of five artist projects chosen for the Oakland Museum’s Around the Block: A Day of Neighborhood Stories . We created an interactive performance and installation for a plaza at Laney College titled HOME IS WHERE . Greacian: We wanted to highlight the vital issue of housing in Oakland – to acknowl- edge the stress of living under the threat of displacement and loss of a safe home, par- ticularly for elders. And to provide a creative way to reflect on it. Kaethe: We also wanted to seed the idea that experiences of home are rooted in more than the physical space – they are built from relationships, shared time, and memories of feeling at home.
we would choose to dance in a cemetery. But it is precisely here, in this beautiful place, looking directly at mortality, where we feel most alive. We hope those who see us mov- ing feel something similar.
at the downtown Center for Elders Independence, where I have taught a movement and music class for many years, to ask the question: “ home is where…? ” Kaethe: We transformed the responses into haiku- like gestures as the basis for an easily learned move- ment chorus. On the day of the event we worked with our visitors’ thoughts about home in the same way, cre-
Special thanks to Ingeborg Weinmann for work on an early draft.
Upcoming Witnessing Movement Labs : Dec 9 & Jan 27, 2-4pm, Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland. For details: ggoeke@mac.com or kaethew@gmail. com. facebook.com/Walking-in-Wit- ness-204557733231890 Kaethe Weingarten, Ph.D , is a clinical, peace and community psychologist. She was on the faculty of Harvard Medical School for thirty-six years. She has written or edited seven books and published over 100 articles and essays. Learn more about The Witnessing Project at witnessingproject.org Greacian Goeke is the Orff Schulwerk Move- ment and Music Specialist at Mills College Children’s Preschool. She is among the early adapters of the Orff approach for the creative well-being of older adults, as embodied in her ensemble, Impromptu No Tutu. She received the Community-Engaged Practice Award from California College of the Arts for this work. Learn more about Impromptu No Tutu at facebook.com/GreacianGoekeImpromptuNoTutu
photo by Liz Wiener
ating “instant dances” knitted together with the movement chorus. Later visitors could leave additional thoughts on postcards that decorated the trees in the plaza. Greacian: We definitely sparked a deep con- versation that allowed diverse people and age groups to interact. I think this project is the start of something that will thread through our work in other forms and venues. We’ll bring this theme into future movement labs in the cemetery as well. We recognize we are working in a time of great national upheaval affecting everyone. People need a place for safe freedom of expression and we offer that. Kaethe: Besides our annual Memorial Day “re-membering,” we observe occasions such as the solstice, new year, and significant local
and cultural events. Our weekly explorations and now this recent project have given rise to many percolating ideas about what we will do next. Greacian: We’ve been so busy talking about our work, I want to make sure to say how grateful I am for our collaboration—twin rivers of rigorous creative inquiry and exhil- arating freedom of movement! This is one of the main things keeping me hopeful in this political moment. Kaethe: Yes, our creative dialogue keeps us focused on what matters most. And I think there are more visitors to the cemetery these days. It seems that others also find it a place to ground in what matters most. Of course, there are probably some who wonder why
Greacian: To incorporate voices of long-time Oakland residents, I met with participants
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago music dance theater Performances Cal U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A , B E R K E L E Y
2018/19
S E A S O N
The 7 Fingers Reversible
Montreal’s award-winning contemporary circus troupe presents its latest creation, a playful and poignant exploration of the role ancestors play in the shaping of modern identities. Through astonishing acrobatics, aerial stunts, and dynamic dance movement, the artists build an intergenerational bridge between past and present, then and now. “The collective virtuosity of this troupe is something to see —and, crucially, to feel.” — Boston Globe
Featuring works by Alejandro Cerrudo, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, and Crystal Pite; plus new choreography by Emma Portner and Teddy Forance, with music by Dev Hynes, performed live by Third Coast Percussion.
GERALD CASEL DANCE / photos by Robbie Sweeny
Feb 22–24 ZELLERBACH HALL
Akram Khan XENOS A Cal Performances Co-commission Meaning “stranger” or “foreigner,” XENOS explores the shell-shocked dreams of an Indian colonial soldier during the First World War. Combining classical Indian kathak and contemporary dance, Khan grapples with personal mythology, otherness, and the lucid reality of a world set aflame. “This is a work of defining greatness.” — The Guardian , London
“This is the kind of dancing one always hopes to see.” — Los Angeles Times
Jan 18–20 ZELLERBACH HALL
Mar 2 & 3 ZELLERBACH HALL
calperformances.org/tickets
Season Sponsor:
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in dance DEC 2018
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