Dreams of Seasons Passed

This post is dedicated to this dreamy dancing life and some key performances that have arisen from soul, imagination and sensation during the past 5 moons (except Memorial Dance which was a homage to WW II veteran Kazuo Ohno presented on 5/31/10 with live video released publicly on 6/1/11 in memory of sensei's passing 1 year ago).

Memorial Dance was performed at Langley Middle School as part of the poetry of veterans shared for VRC Annual Memorial Day Tribute event.

http://youtu.be/nwQETuSnTbU

People Get Ready was an improv performance offering by facilitators Melinda Harrison and Maureen Freehill, to close the Significant Other butoh & LifeArt Mastery workshop at NatureMoves studio in Boulder. Music is Vanilla Fudge's "People Get Ready."

http://vimeo.com/24731981

Significant Others Final Dance Offerings: Meha & Momo

Cottonwood Sunrise was a dancing gift after the Significant Other workshop in Boulder, CO offered by WilderDancer Christine Palafox. A homage to sunrise and the presence of her neighborhood cottonwood tree. David Harrison accompanied, we danced and she directed the score. Camera by John Lorette & Momo. The full piece is included here to get a sense of actual sunrise time/light shifts.

http://youtu.be/ZFxqaJSYBcQ

Lady of the Lake on MayDay was an event directed by accordion player Jason Webley for one of his four "death rememberings" on cross-quarter days in 2011; leading to a culminating performance on 11/11/11. Only participants in these events will discover the location of a final performance on 11/11/11. This dance happened on MayDay eve on Boat Street in Seattle from 11:11pm till late into the night during about 11 trips as about 11 passengers headed out on a 100 year old boat to drink and offer healing medicine tea into the lake. Maureen was the "Lady in White" while Rick was "St. Joan's" captain and Lee Atwell filmed.

http://youtu.be/FkSYgoiciz8

Hitobashira is a piece that Maureen has been creating since 2001 with imagery from Japanese history stating that human sacrifices/suicides were common when building bridges or castles or when lovers were wanting to be together for eternity. Most commonly the accompaniment is a score composed by sound artist Pamela Z specifically for this piece. This performance was at 11:11 on 3/11/11, the morning of the Japanese tsunami and improvised with dancer Delisa Myles under a bridge in the snow melt in Prescott, AZ. Camera by John Lorette.

http://youtu.be/PyS3oXjNZQQ

Dream Lake was a solo piece in Rocky Mountain National Park at an alpine lake of that name. Filmed by Momo & Richard Shane.

http://youtu.be/rDLfpTMbhms

Still Moment(s) Rising is a edit mash-up of 3 different performances of the same short piece about a spring shoot rising from the cold ground into the sunlight. One is at Unitarian Universalist in Freeland, Wa; one at Unity Church in Langley, Wa and one at BeBe Theater in Asheville NC for the Fools Butoh Festival there in April.

http://youtu.be/He2Xm3504Ms

Thank you all for watching and offering reflections below. The spaces for the Somatic Building Internships are steadily filling. Contact Momo soon if you are interested in joining us sometime this summer. It is so wonderful here....a dream coming true!

The Elements Project: Flocking in Wind

SCORES with WIND & SPACE

Like a lifetime friend or family member, like our homes and our body itself; we often take The Elements and the vital role they play in our lives for granted. This past week with the full moon, lunar eclipse, winter solstice and a 4 day retreat with the Grandmothers to practice deepening our connection with AIR; I was reminded of the profound debt I owe to all of The Elements; but especially to AIR. I do not know any being who has given me, and all humans, as much as AIR. Just think that our life itself would not be possible, no atmosphere, no breath, no motion, no sound, no voice. If we lost AIR, even for 15 minutes, nothing as we know it would BE! Grandmother encouraged me to think back upon how air brought me to where and whom I am now. I envisioned the windy storm that brought my Irish ancestors headed for New York off course to New Orleans instead and led them up the Mississippi to begin farming in the mid-west. I remembered that it was "Spirit Wind" that led me to find Butoh when I was painfully forcing myself to complete a Broadway track theater MFA at an acting conservatory in Florida. I honored the relentless and unnerving gales in Port Townsend that blew me back to live on Whidbey Island where so much richness, healing, knowledge, love and balance that is my current life would never have been possible otherwise. I could not have flown through the air on the great metal birds that brought me to Japan, New York, Costa Rica, Hawaii and so on. If it were not for the motion of the AIR all of my travels and transformations would have stagnated.

I owe a great debt to my relation the AIR for sure. Grandmother asked my proposal of how I would take responsibility for that primary relationship. My answer involved daily dance, prayer and meditation practices recognizing and offering to The Elements AND....this project, the YearOfCo11aboration with MomoButoh Dance Company because it is one way I can publicly uphold and celebrate my lifetime commitment to love, honor and cherish The Elements with my words/thoughts/actions, till death do us continue to intermingle.

Last week at Centrum in Port Townsend, I attended the annual 3 day Contact Improvisation Jam. The spaces, events and company to dance with all day and night were so refreshing. After a good long lab session about the techniques of falling with grace in partnership, we scooted out to catch the wind and last rays of dusk on the bluff overlooking the Straight of Juan de Fuca. This Flocking Score was very spontaneous, totally not rehearsed or even spoken of before hand--as you can see by our actions; that our director Michal Lahav called "Beautiful foolishness." We were certainly influenced by the strong presence of the AIR in our shifting and waving flock going to and fro together as well as this vast venue of unbounded SPACE. The music was added afterwards as the wind sounds on the film were deafening and the dance matched so well with this live jazz.

Music: Ethiopiques Mulatu Astatque'

After the group flocking, I celebrated and gave thanks to our unseen partner, the WIND, with a short solo/duet just between us. It is strange how much enjoyment and love I feel for the wind on one hand and on the other hand my unsettled feelings with this very same wind that drove me away from living here in Port Townsend. I guess that kind of ambiguity and paradox is the nature of any long term committed relationship, and certainly with this one I have with the WIND.

Ca11 and Response

What does it take to survive? What is our most precious resource? Basic questions like this applied to The Elements Project are what stimulates me to action today....and every day (thanks to attending a "Dance Making for Performance" workshop with Karen Nelson using the Tuning Score this past weekend).

I would say that it takes paying ATTENTION to survive.

I would say that our most precious human resource is ATTENTION. Think of how often a child calls its care giver to attention. Think of how short life would be if we did not PAY attention. Ask yourself: To what and whom to I PAY ATTENTION? What and whom contains that sort of value for me. Where are my preferences and why?

Then in the context of the CALL that I made to you to join this current MomoButoh project about The Elements; notice what draws, hooks and holds your precious attention. How can you CALL, hook and hold the precious attention of others? What RESPONSE can you offer that would be worthy of that precious gift?

Our entire YearOfCo11aboration will be based upon this simple act of CALL & RESPONSE. One of us will send a message, others of us will pay attention and reply as we are moved.

One of our company members mentioned how collaboration is inevitable as her attention to something actually can manifest it in real-life experience. I wholeheartedly agree. This week, as I was preparing to initiate The Elements Project, I began to spontaneously receive (or maybe just notice more) offerings directly related to this theme. Here are two dance responses to Elements that arrived in the past few days. In this case the dancers placed themselves in proximity to the element and responded authentically and physiologically to it. Interesting they were both on RED EARTH.

Sent to Boulder Contact Improvisation community by Lindsay Sworski.

Sent to me by Juri Schmidt.

I believe we can actually MAKE REALITY by how we choose to PAY our ATTENTION. If we give our attention to the news of gloom and doom that is so overwhelmingly present in the main stream media; that IS the REALITY of the world we are living in. If we create our own NEWs Channel--ca11 it channel 11 if you like--that broadcasts daily reports (like the two above) of a good, true, beautiful & positive nature; an artful & abundant universe; the power of love and so on; then THAT will be our REALITY and daily (dance) experience. I am so grateful to be living an authentic, rich, soulful, creative and joyous life connected with many other body/soul friends who are beaming very similar channe11s to this one. What are your favorite news channe11s? Will you please become a trusted source; a news correspondent if you will, with us by sharing what you pay attention to during the YearOfCo11aboration?

There are infinite scores that can be developed to explore each theme for each moon of this YearOfCo11aboration. I have posted a possible score on the "Current Projects" page of this site. Some possible scores exploring The Elements are more imaginary, others more sensual. For example, take an imaginary journey through the channels that air travels in your physical body and be moved in response to the sensual experience of that. I hope that YOU will report on the scores that you devise so that WE can also try them and post our experiences with following those scores.

Here is a co11aboration that arose from the 5Rhythms class I attended this morning. There was a live trio playing percussion and fiddle, there was a room full of fellah dancers and there was a rare and fiery sun beaming outside the window. After 3 days of non-stop pouring rain and dancing inside a studio; I could not ignore the call to dance with the beams of our greatest FIRE in the sky. This is the resulting film from today's experience of exchange and channe11ing fire light and energy between earth & sky; between passing vehicles and breath; within & without the building and my body; between musicians & dancers....

If you enjoy the NEWS you see on this YearOfCo11aboration channe11 please "pay (ATTENTION) it forward" by offering comments; posting this site on FB, Twitter, your blog or wherever you usually get your updates on reality. Thank you & keep dancing freely!

"Fire in the Sky"

Live music by Joseph, Rachman & Elaine

11/11 Ritual Performance with Spawning Salmon

For the past 3 years, journeys to make butoh offerings honoring spawning salmon at Mile 11 had very little prior preparation. I sent out a "call" to anyone who felt drawn to join, we grabbed some costumes & a camera and headed out. Often the going was tough to just make it there through the landslides, wind storms, power outages, ferry cancellations and so on but we had the salmon's endurance to inspire us and the results were amazing each time. This 4th year, because I have been working with an indigenous spiritual leader who teaches of the incredible power and value of intention and preparation when embarking on ritual and prayer, I began studies, prayers and preparation for this 11/11 journey months in advance.

Most all the members that I coach at a distance through skype (in Virginia, Toronto, Boulder, New York) agreed to gathering in person at Mile 11 so that we could all participate in an event together at least once this year. I began research about indigenous tales of salmon/human relationships locally and all around the Pacific Rim. Amazingly, I happened upon a book packed with stories, images and inspiration that would become like a "script" for our process called First Fish First People: Salmon Tales of the North Pacific Rim. We met at the studio and created the performance score, self-portraits, costumes and ritual offerings during the days prior. It was a huge logistical feat, not to mention the depths we were touching creatively, emotionally and spiritually by gathering in this way.

We were blessed that two talented and soulful musician/singers; Loraine Bays and Deborah Koff-Chapin felt called to play and sing during the journey. It was a complex and lengthly score that spanned from gathering for ceremonial clearing/costuming; continued with offering the prayer boats to the jumping salmon at 11:11 am; dancing non stop through the entire life/death cycle of salmon; till our conclusion with a swim in the sound at 1:11 pm; and followed by a great potluck feast at the graces of our host Susan who lives on this sacred site.

Thanks to photographer/videographer/witnesses; we can now share some glimpses into our trans-body experience. As you bear witness, I suggest you open your mind/heart to remember this is not about the dance form or style. Rather, it is about authentic & unabashed prayer offering from our hearts and souls through our flesh and our exchanges with one another, the land and all beings present there. We are so grateful for this opportunity to pay attention to the grace here and humbly restore this precious salmon habitat to a thriving HOME for mating, dying, birthing and perpetual return.

11/11 Initial Offering

More films to come soon....there are 11 in all, of course.

Thank you for witnessing and offering your comments.

11/11 Spawning Upstream

11/11 A Witness Reflects

There were many non-human witnesses at our ritual butoh pilgrimage on 11/11. Here is one reflection from a human one:

I came to the ll-ll event as witness, with only a conceptual awareness of its messages & form. These are fragments of my reflections.

The experience was both moving & a visual feast. The dancers proved a valuable bridge to connect me with the salmons efforts & experiences. The gauze masked faces removed the distraction of the dancers humanity, rendering them more as salmon spirits.

The wriggling travel prone to the ground gave tangibility to the difficulty of the salmons journey home. The presence of the roadway reminded me of the dams & obsticals our species places befor them.

In the forest I stood with the dance on my left & the stream with salmon struggling on my right. This was a profound moment as I seemed to stand in two worlds and belong to both at once.

The frenzy of the spawning ground & final death was a sobering time emphisized by Debra's contributions. Death at the end of such struggle, with the gains of the spring rebirth remote, seemed a sad waste of such effort.

JOY! BIRTH! INFANT HOOD ! GROWTH ! STRENGTH! BEAUTIFUL LIFE!

The awakening dance said all! To be a child again!

Arrival at the burn site & homage to its meaning was very moving. I felt sorrow & shame for the dark shroud our species casts over all other life forms, over the salmon.

Thru-out the dance the presence of salmon & eagle acted as exclaimation points to the dance.

Return to the sea was especially impactful as Momo closed the silver skin around her & sank into the water, seeming to become salmon & sea, the beginning of lifes journey into the open world to continue the ageless dance again.

Thankyou All !!

John Lorette

Cycle of Life & Death: 11/11 Ritual Pilgrimage

It is time to initiate a new cycle of life with the MomoButoh Dance Company. Our new group blog at MomoButoh.net, co-created & authored by our "Inner Circle" of member/practitioners is the external blossoming of a deep rooted and long developing inner practice. With the guidance and facilitation of Artistic Director, Maureen "momo" Freehill, this company grew from the hearts, bodies and souls of a committed group of individual artists. In the tradition of Maureen's long time sensei (mentor) Kazuo Ohno, each of us seeks to engage in soulful creativity, communication and transformation through our butoh dance offerings to the world. We have vowed to intimately unite our butoh dance practices with all aspects of our cycles of daily life & death. We hope you will subscribe to this blog as a gateway into our thriving community and consider diving in and becoming an active member yourself. We invite you to join our ongoing projects, training, performances and activism that enrich our lives and world with the good, true and beautiful. Feel free to contact Maureen "momo" anytime for a free introductory MomoButoh Dance session (in person, by phone or skype) to explore whether this might be the appropriate co-creative path for you.

The cycle of Life/Death is unmistakable when intermingling with spawning salmon. This is why MomoButoh engages in our annual ritual butoh pilgrimage to dance for and with the spawning salmon at Mile 11 on Highway 11 on 11/11 @ 11:11. For the past 4 years, MomoButoh Dance Company has spent most of 11/11 on a grueling journey of spawning, death and rebirth at Oyster Creek. In past years we braved storms, road closures, landslides, ferry cancellations, equipment failure and more to share our dance here. The event featured a 2 hour butoh dance ritual performance with 6 dancers and two musicians offering prayers, dances, stories and songs to the non-human beings of this sacred site. MomoButoh Dance Company Inner Circle members arrived from all four directions with participants from Toronto, Virginia, Colorado and British Colombia joining our local Washington State contingent from Seattle, Bellingham, Bellevue, Port Townsend and Whidbey Island. We were especially happy to be visited by salmon leaping with us along the shoreline as bald eagles and crows swooped all round our swimming bodies. We feel blessed by this opportunity to continue the Oyster Creek/Mile 11 Salmon Habitat Restoration Project. We were so grateful for the hospitality of our host who's home rests cozily at this powerful intersection of road, creek, shoreline and railroad--a crossroads of the living, mating, dying and birthing that provides a nourishing foundation for us all.

Thank you for taking time to be with us here; to witness and explore this journey. We hope you enjoy these reflections through photo, video and word about our experience this time around. Please help our process by leaving your own reflections and aesthetic response, this butoh ritual/rite of passage cycle is not complete until the offering is received by our greater community--that is you.