Title: Dragontree, Waterfall, Tea

Premiere: February 15 & 16, 2003, Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory, University of Michigan, Pt. II of “A Triptych of Site-Specific Dance Works”

Funding: The University of Michigan School of Music, Dean Karen Wolff; the UM Matthaei Botanical Gardens; and Arts at Michigan/Course Connections.

Sound design: Greg Laman

Costume Design: Jessica Fogel

Performers: :  Shirley Axon, Anna Beard, Kelly Bowker, Rapheal Griffin, Patricia Martin, Kiesha Minyard, Annabel Weiner, Beth Wielinski, Jack Wu

Order of Scenes and Music:

1.  Koi Pond:  Ensemble

 2. Stones/Path:  Patricia Martin, Jack Wu

Music: Mushi Ondo (Insect Rhythm), by Michael Gould

3. Dragontree/Coffee Tree:  Kelly Bowker, Beth Wielinski, Anna Beard

 4. Chocolate Tree:  Rapheal Griffin, Patricia Martin, Shirley Axon and Annabel Weiner

 5. Bridge:  Kelly Bowker, Kiesha Minyard, Beth Wielinski

 6. Waterfall:  Anna Beard

 7. Under the Bridge:  Kelly Bowker, Rapheal Griffin, Patricia Martin,

Kiesha Minyard

 8. Frieze: Kelly Bowker, Patricia Martin, Kiesha Minyard with Rapheal Griffin

Music:  Excerpt from Layali & Mawwal,   Sami Nussari, quanun

 8. Chaste Tree:  Beth Wielinski

Music:  Captain Candishe His Galyard, by John Dowland

 9. Bonsai:  Anna Beard and Annabel Weiner

Music:  Jahla and Beverly's Troubador Piece from Suite No. 2, by Lou Harrison

 10.  Papyrus:  Kelly Bowker, Patrica Martin, Kiesha Minyard

Music:  Excerpt from Taqasim on the Beat, performed by Simon Shaheen & Samir Khalil

 11.  Tea:  Shirley Axon and Jack Wu, with ensemble

Music:  Waltz for Evelyn Hinrichsen from Suite No. 2, by Lou Harrison

 12. Koi Pond:  Ensemble

Description: This is how I described the work in 2003: “Dragontree, Waterfall, Tea is Part Two of a triptych of site-specific dance performances I am choreographing over the course of this year.  Part One of the triptych, entitled Heathdale Celebration:  The Restoration of a Glen took place in June 2002, and was performed in the UM Nichols Arboretum. Part Three of the triptych will take place in June 2003, in an outdoor performance in Ann Arbor. In creating the triptych, I allow each of the performance sites to suggest moods and scenes, to inspire movement, and to shape flow and structure….

In Dragontree, Waterfall, Tea, the dancers generate expressive movement in response to the texture, form, and uses of the familiar and esoteric plants on display in the UM Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory--dragontree, coffee tree, chocolate tree, chaste tree, bonsai, camellia, papyrus.  Coming into the lush conservatory from the bitter cold this past December and January to rehearse was a bit like entering the land of OZ, and I have tried to build this feeling into the work.  We felt transformed by the setting, and the extreme contrast between inside and outside supplied some of the impetus for the work.”  Full statement here

Triptych overview video

Radio interview with Tamar Charney, National Public Radio, WUOM

Program

Press release