Photo Credit: Bart Weiss
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Takin' It to the roots |
“Waves never hit the shore the same way twice.”
"That second line elicits joy among diverse participants...it is a testament to its efficacy as a healing, celebratory agent in myriad social/cultural |
Takin’ It To The Roots is a one woman touring production, but be forewarned, there are no mere observers in the Second Line Culture! Choreographer and performer, Michelle N. Gibson has created a dance/theater work that is truly inspired by the historic African American communities of the Algiers and Uptown areas of New Orleans along with gospel and jazz music. That means come prepared to interact!
This work relies heavily on what Michelle calls her “Second Line Aesthetic” with improvised movement, brass music, and the embrace of communal ritual. Takin’ It To The Roots is a story told with a fearless conviction that the communal restores what adversity destroys. . Takin’ It To The Roots is a multimedia performance incorporating video, audio and live performance. It was written in collaboration with award winning playwright and dramaturg, Jonathon Norton with original live music composed by the late Brent Nance. The music vibrates as a brass band sourced from the local communities where this work is performed plays alongside cast members Len Barnett and Alejandro Perez with compositions by the late Brent Nance. Together, they help usher into the performance space the spirit of New Orleans and power of perseverance. Takin’ It To The Roots truly presents a communal experience for all audience members!. Takin’ It To The Roots is currently available for touring as either a standalone performance or as a residency/performance. Residencies include a community engagement activity and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the presenter’s community. To book Takin’ It To The Roots, contact: michellegibsonmfa@gmail.com. Takin’ It To The Roots is a National Performance Network (NPR) Creation Fund Project co-commissioned by the South Dallas Cultural Center in partnership with the Ashé Cultural Arts Center and NPN. The Creation Fund is supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). For more information: www.npnweb.org |
“This is NOT ANOTHER STORY about a storm…it’s a story about A STORM but NOT the STORM YOU THINK”