The world premiere of
presented by IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre
June 4-7 and June 11-14
7:30 pm.
Skygate at Honolulu Hale
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: JOURNEY THROUGH A COSMIC CIRCUS WITH IONA CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEATRE’S NEW WORK, THE LIVING EARTH IONA Weaves Together Dance and Spirituality to Present a Theatrical Dialogue of Universal Concerns Honolulu, HI (April 7, 2009) – Cultural, spiritual and environmental issues will be the cornerstone of IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre’s newest work, The Living Earth, which will make its debut at Sky Gate, on the grounds of Honolulu Hale, in June, 2009. More than 20 dancers will portray bodhisattvas (enlightened beings), prophets, animals, constellations, and elements of nature and humanity in a cosmic circus featuring empowering movement, extreme costumes and conceptual exploration. The interactive performance will revolve around a Living Altar of sacred statues surrounded by nine separate performance areas designed to honor and bring awareness to the current state of the planet and human consciousness. The nine performances will include interpretations of world peace, biodiversity, animal rights, Mother Nature, metamorphosis, nuclear disarmament, cultural and religious diversity, global warming solutions, and environmental protection; each punctuated with surreal choreography and woven together to create a theatrical dialogue of universal concerns. Prior to the show, audience members will choose their individual “fate,” or order in which they watch the performance evolve as they visit each of the nine themes, including such paths as bliss, change, idea, matter, spirit, and motion. “The Living Earth will offer an artistic call-to-action, eliciting a deeper awareness among the audience, while providing hope for the future of the planet,” said award winning choreographer, artistic director and founder of IONA, Cheryl Flaharty. “A dramatic mix of stimulating movement, unique sound and intimate interactions with audience members will layer the show’s depth, creating a poignant community experience and emotional reverie.” Inspired by the evolution of IONA’s previous work in Japanese Butoh, a highly visual form of contemporary dance, the world premiere of The Living Earth will mark IONA’s 11th new work in 19 years. The Living Earth will be held Thursday, June 4 – Sunday, June 7 and Thursday, June 11 – Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket sales begin on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. Advance tickets are available for $30 at the Hawaii Theatre Box Office. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $40. Seniors and students will receive a $5 discount on ticket purchases with proper identification. For additional ticketing information, call 528-0506 or visit www.hawaiitheatre.com. This program is supported by a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts through the Mayor’s Production Grant Program. The Mayor’s Production Grant Program was created by the Hannemann Administration in 2005 in response to the needs of the performing arts community seeking support for the creation of newly developed works of art. It is the only grant in state of Hawaii that is dedicated to the creation of new and original works in the performing and literary arts and short film. Additional support comes from the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (HSFCA), The McInerny Foundation, and The Cades Foundation. IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre is dedicated to the creation and performance of innovative dance and theatre works that provide transformational imagery and messages. IONA’s mission is to effect a positive change in the community while providing opportunities for artists to evolve. IONA aspires to create high quality work that inspires social, personal and spiritual growth, bridges cultural experiences, and provides a greater understanding of how the arts affect all of our lives. For more information, visit www.iona360.com. # # # other versions of this release Click here to download a PDF; |