Posted on August 13, 2021 by Heather Adams

New Dance and Music Collaboration Harvests the Past Year in Film

by JCWK Dance Lab

New Dance and Music Collaboration Harvests the Past Year in Film

JCWK Dance Lab presents “Harvest Moon” a new virtual dance, music, and film collaboration as part of the 2021 Fringe Festival by FringeArts, Philadelphia, PA. Performances will be live streamed September 18-26 in conjunction with the astronomical calendar’s Harvest Moon.

Over the past 7 months, dancers and musicians employed the serendipitous and unpredictable nature of the internet to engage Zoom as a compositional and choreographic tool. This process resulted in a 30 minute dance film that reflects on lunar cycles, cultural anthropology, the spiritual philosophy that human bodies are microcosms of the universe, and the Covid-19 pandemic. After the film, audiences are invited into a communal reflective experience, either through a group poetry creation or a conversation after each performance, completing the hour-long event.

“The playful and frustrating nature of Zoom so aptly reflects the possibilities we experienced through Covid. The Moon – with her constant cycles of shadow and light has been a vigilant observer and companion through the past year and ‘Harvest Moon’ collects these experiences and metaphors,” said JCWK Dance Lab Director Jessica Warchal-King. “We’re bringing together so many elements of artistry through dance, music, film making, technological engineering, poetry, and theatre, creatively using the resources that have been available to us in isolation.”

The Reading Musical Foundation provided support for musician Jill Haley’s composition. Additional music is by Paul Fejko. Founder of Poetry that Works, Dr. Phillip Tietbolh, will lead three of the post-film engagements in a Group Poetry Creation. Alvernia University Theatre Director, Dr. Nathan Thomas, will moderate a more traditional post-film talk-back for the remaining three experiences. Dancers include Sarena Kabakoff, Kalila Kingsford Smith, and Warchal-King.

Tickets are pay-what-you-can sliding scale.

JCWK Dance Lab is Warchal-King’s ongoing research project combining education, physical dance practice and performance. JCWK Dance Lab investigates the ways that dance can be a vehicle for non-violent, positive social change by creating Joy, Connection, and Wellness through Kinesthetic stories.

For more information, visit www.jcwkdancelab.org/harvestmoon

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Community Testimonials

Wish my town had a channel like this, very cool idea to bring the community together and give people a platform.

James

I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity you have created for our kids.  This experience is more than the TV show.  Eight students who probably never would have talked to each other were excited to execute a plan. Know that you make a difference.

Kristi

Thanks for your commitment to communication far and wide, for your technical support, and tireless efforts to bring fresh programs to BCTV. Bravo!

Liz

Thank you for always being receptive to my ideas. All of your efforts help me to help others and that is a blessing to me.

Adrean

Fantastic work and thanks so much for the quick turnaround!  Always a pleasure to work with you and the rest of the BCTV team!

Jim

Thank you and your staff for all you do to accommodate so many different shows, personalities, etc.!  Can’t be easy, but we really do appreciate it.

Martha

I am happy and proud to be a part of such a dedicated assembly of talent and purpose. Thank you for being a part of my efforts to promote theater and the arts in this region.

David