Performance Schedule 2010

>>LIGHT SOURCE

A CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE

Dec. 19 at 3 PM in the Toledo Museum of Art French Cloister

https://photos.buckeye-express.com/albums.cfm/5577

Music performed by: Jackie Leclair, professor of oboe at BGSU College of
Musical Arts, and by Ephra Rosales of Nightfire Dance Theater

Dance and theater by Nightfire performers (Irena Nagler, Paula Strenski, Jenna Owens, Jill Berkana, Frank McElhannon)
and by the Owl Girls (Dayna Dionyssiou and Claire Coder)

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year.  This performance will honor the darkness and delight in the joy of returning light.

The performance will end with an invitation to the audience to join in a
serpentine/circle dance around the Venetian well in the center of the cloister's courtyard.  No dance experience necessary.  All are welcome!

>>CATS IN THE GROOVE: TWO DANCE SESSIONS AND A HALLOWEEN PARTY

Saturday, October 30
1-3, 6-8 and 8-11 PM
AACT Studio, 322 W. Ann St., Ann Arbor

Sessions include:

"DANCING THE CAT : Express Your Inner Cat"
1-3 and 6-8 PM
$15 adult, $10 child, $20 family
Free to volunteer assistants

Discover your "Inner Cat" and express it! Join in a fun Halloween event of participatory dance and optional live performance.  Follow along and perform creative "cat" dancing with Irena Nagler of Nightfire & Dreaming Earth. For all ages, and all levels of experience & ability (beginners & first-timers are welcome.)

Session A is 1-3 pm, for adults & high-schoolers ($15 per person.)  Session B is 6-8 pm, for children, youth, & families ($10 per child/youth, or $20 per family.) All participants will receive optional free admission to "A Purrfect Halloween", an all-ages, family-friendly, costumes-welcome dance show & Halloween party from 8-11 pm, and have the option to perform in the evening show which takes place at 8:30 pm.

A PURRFECT HALLOWEEN: DANCE PARTY AND PERFORMANCE
8-11 PM
$5
Free for children 12 and under, volunteers, and participants in Dancing the Cat sessions

>>STORY OF THE SONG

by STORYDANCE with musicians and dancers from Nightfire Dance Theater

September 25, 4:30 PM
Rain date, September 26

Island Park, 1450 Island Dr.
(off Maiden Lane) in Ann Arbor

Cross the first bridge near parking lot & Meet at the Greek Revival pavilion

A leisurely stroll through Island Park,
with pauses in various places to present
small stories, some of them accompanied
by music, dance and movement.

Geared to adults, but children will enjoy it, too. Join us for a beautiful Autumn afternoon and refresh your creative spirit.

>>Play with the Machine!
September 26, 3 PM
Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St., Toledo, Ohio

Please join us at the Toledo Museum of Art's Great Gallery for a performance of "chance" music and dance.

This performance is a studied improvisation using live and recorded instruments based on the beautiful old dome of the observatory at the University of Toledo.  The dome's percussive voice will be the basis of both the compositions and  dances included in the program.  Nightfire dancers and musicians from BGSU College of Musical Arts will weave within and around the voice of the machine.  This is a completely collaborative piece of art.  We also invite the audience to try their luck at making some "chance" music of their own!

>>MOONRISE

Island Park, 1450 Island Drive, Ann Arbor

August 20, gather 7:30 PM, performance 8 PM until moon rises above trees
Rain date: August 21

Donations accepted

Join us for an eclectic performance and dance party with several opportunities for audience participation! This evening of enchantment will culminate with a greeting to the waxing moon of August as it becomes visible above the trees.

Performances will include belly dance, positive ritual, mythic and environmental dance theater, Native American dances, percussion, guitar and song. Performers include Richard Perry, Haleema, Frank McElhannon, Jill Berkana, Joseph Braveheart, Irena Nagler, Cindy Braveheart, Jennifer Kovach, Ephra Rosario and others TBA.

>>NOUVEAU GYPSY DANCERS
April 15, 8 PM
Espresso Royale Caffe, 214 S. Main St., Ann Arbor

Belly dance and eclectic dance theater with mythic overtones, performed to live Middle Eastern and African-based percussion, stringed instrumental music, and electronic drones by Alex Terzian and friends.

With:
Henna art by Julie of Arbor Henna
Environmental-fantasy face and hand painting
Intuitive card readings

A revival of a popular series from 2000-03, with a stronger emphasis on live music and opportunities throughout for audience participation, including a line dance and freeform dance party at the conclusion.

Celebrate spring
the end of tax day
the creative human spirit!

Dancers include Haleema, with Irena Barbara Nagler and Jennifer Kovach of Nightfire Dance Theater, and others TBA.

Donations accepted.

Download Event Flyer

"My heart is greener than green,
flowers sprout from the mud and water of my being.
Don't let me stand, if you are the enemies of Spring."
--Simin Behbahani

>>NIGHTFIRE PERFORMANCE:
INTERFAITH CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
FEBRUARY 28, 2010 - 10:45 AM
704 Airport Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI

Map to location: http://www.interfaithspirit.org/704.html

Nightfire will perform a dance with optional audience participation at the Sunday morning gathering of Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth in Ann Arbor, MI.

Audience will be invited to charge their dreams for the world and for themselves with energy through dance. 

Percussion and other music by Alex Terzian.  Dancers, Irena Nagler and Jennifer Kovach. 

Refreshments and child care are available.

>>Singing Life

Toledo Botanical Garden, Oct. 11, 3 PM
5403 Elmer Dr, Toledo, OH  43615-2803

Come join with us in celebration of the harvest.  A woman dreams the harvest from its beginning to its culmination.  Faeries, a shaman and shape-shifting forest animals work together with humans to create the magic of new life and bless its fruition.  Open dancing in celebration for all!

http://www.toledogarden.org/    (419) 536-5566

For more information about the performance:
Call Jill at (419) 841-3186 or email jberkana@bex.net

>>SUMMER EARTH CELEBRATION
JOIN US JUNE 28, 2009
between noon and evening,
at Tall Trees Community Farm!

7600 Hitchcock Rd. in White Lake, 48383
From M-59 by the White Lake Library & Police Station,
Turn North on Porter Rd & East on Hitchcock Rd.

Dress comfortably for the weather & the FARM,
Natural bug repellant will be provided,
Limited seating - feel free to bring a chair / blanket,
Primitive Tent Camping invited Sat. June 27th

For more info, to RSVP, volunteer, or offer a presentation:
Contact Terry ~ 248-515-7784, talltreescommunityfarm@gmail.com,
or Jennifer ~ jenlorakova@aol.com

July 11, 2009 8 PM Rain date, July 12
Island Park, 1450 Island Drive, Ann Arbor

A performance of environmental dance theater with mythic overtones. A scattered and alienated people reunites, following the pull of water and stars: the ancient sea beneath the ground, salt blood in the veins, the presence of the river and the bright flicker of distant worlds. Improvisation involving call and response between dancers, live musicians and elements in the environment is interspersed with choreographed segments. Performed by children and adults, with narrative and poetry, on land and in water, and followed by open dancing to live percussion music, and a meditation on the stars.

With musicians Alex Terzian and Kevin Coppock.

Dancers: Marina Benson, Carl Benson, Nicole Bishop, Kevin Coppock, Jennifer Kovach, Jill Berkana, Frank McElhannon, Irena Nagler, Raven/Matt Rogers, Irene Strenski.

Poetry and narration by Irena Barbara Nagler, performed by Jennifer Kovach.

Star meditation by Jennifer Benson.

Donations accepted
734 996-1772

For photos from one of the featured dances, go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdeye/1042542729/

>>HURON VALLEY EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
Sunday, April 19, 12-4 PM
at YMCA Grounds
300 Family Drive, Milford, MI  48381

Jennifer Kovach, Alex Terzian and Irena Nagler will present Community 
Drum and Dance, Environmental Dance sessions, and a Spiral Dance at 
this popular event.  All participatory! 

The Green Team of Huron Valley Flyer

Download flyer

>>BENEFIT PERFORMANCE FOR HUMAN AWARENESS INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER

Saturday, September 6, 2008 7:30 pm

Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth, 704 Airport Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Nightfire will participate in this benefit performance by opening it
with a dance.

Dancers: Irena Nagler and Jennifer Kovach; percussion improvisations
by Alex Terzian.

Admission: $15 suggested minimum donation; light refreshments for sale

For more information, including list of performers: email
scottmcw@umich.edu or call (734) 223-3025

For directions to Interfaith Center: www.interfaithspirit.org

>>RETURN: Nightfire Dance Theater

Sept. 13, 2008 6 PM Rain date, Sept. 14
Island Park, 1450 Island Drive

A performance of environmental dance theater with mythic overtones. A
scattered and alienated people reunites, following the pull of water and
stars: the ancient sea beneath the ground, salt blood in the veins, the
presence of the river and the bright flicker of distant worlds.

Danced by children and adults, with narrative and poetry, in the river as well
as on land, and including a candle ceremony with audience participation.

With guitarist/percussionist Alex Terzian.

Dancers: Marina Benson, Carl Benson, Aria Davis, Wendy Longmire-Davis,
Jennifer Kovach, Jill Berkana, Frank McElhannon, Irena Nagler, Irene Strenski,
Paula Strenski, and others TBA.

Donation
734 996-1772

>>10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONCERT INTERFAITH COUNCIL FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Saturday, June 7, 2008 7:30 pm

Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth, 704 Airport Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Nightfire will perform "Flame: a Fire Ceremony" by Wendy Longmire-Davis, Irena Nagler and Jennifer Kovach, with guitar and percussion improvisations by Alex Terzian.

Admission: $15 suggested minimum donation; light refreshments for sale

For more information, including list of performers, and for directions: www.interfaithspirit.org

>>INTERACTIVE FREEFORM DANCE
WITH JENNIFER KOVACH
AT 2ND ANNUAL HURON VALLEY EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
April 20, 2008, 1-6pm
Milford Central Park

Everyone welcome to our Community Earth Dance expressing our appreciation and heart-connection
with the Earth! Enjoy our interactive freeform dance with live heart-beat and healing rhythms, for the 2nd
Annual Huron Valley Earth Day Festival,  April 20th 1-6pm in Milford Central Park. See www.hvedf.org.

Jennifer Kovach, Carlos S. Fierro and Alex Terzian will dance and drum, off and on throughout the festival. Just show up and find us on the program!

>>TELLURIC

October 13, 2007 - 4 PM
Rain date, October 14

County Farm Park, Ann Arbor
Meet at Medford Pavilion, off Medford Rd. near Manchester St.

A performance of environmental dance that will include myth-flavored characters created by individual dancers, as well as some elements based in Russian folklore: Vasilisa, retriever of fire; the firebird; an androgynous enchanter; and the mythic sun, moon and stars moving through the forest in the tines of deer-antlers. Group improvisation involving call and response between dancers, live musicians and elements in the environment is interspersed with choreographed segments. The event will conclude with audience participation in a simple earth-based ritual, and in freeform dancing to live percussion. Telluric (the title used in its meaning of "Proceeding from the earth") is the second performance in a series named Rodinia/Mirovia, for the earliest named continent on Earth and its surrounding ocean.

Vasilisa is played by Marina Benson. Cast also includes: Irene Strenski and Carl Benson: Vasilisa's wise-urchin friends. Paula Strenski: Narration, environmental dance. Jennifer Kovach: Jealous stepsister, Stars, environmental dance and Narration. Kevin Coppock: Drumming sprite/goblin. Irena Nagler: Fox spirit, environmental dance, Firebird. Raven (Matt Rogers): Raven. Ed McNew: Baba Yaga. Jill Berkana: environmental dance, Sun. Frank McElhannon: environmental dance, Moon. Roberta Busard: Stickwoman. With guitarist/percussionist Alex Terzian, percussionist Kevin Coppock and hammered dulcimer by Charlene Berry.

Donation

Directions:

From Plymouth Rd. and Broadway St. in Ann Arbor: Take Plymouth to Huron River Parkway; turn right. Right on Washtenaw. Left on Manchester. Take Manchester to Medford. Near their junction is a chiropractor's office on Medford. The entrance drive to the Medford parking area is opposite. A sign will be posted there. Medford Pavilion is noticeable, painted red.

From S. Main St., Ann Arbor: At junction with Saline/Ann Arbor rd., go east on Stadium. Turn right on Washtenaw, right again on Manchester.

Directions from outside of Ann Arbor: From US-23, take Exit 37B, Washtenaw Avenue West. Merge onto Washtenaw Avenue and continue for 1.3 miles. You will pass Arborland Mall on your right, followed by Barnes & Noble (on your right, at Huron Parkway) and Washtenaw County Recreation Building (on your left, at Platt Road). The next traffic light after Platt is Manchester Road. From the left-turn lane, turn left onto Manchester Road. Take Manchester to Medford. Near their junction is a chiropractor's office on Medford. The entrance drive to the Medford parking area is opposite. A sign will be posted there. Medford Pavilion is noticeable, painted red. Park website: Alternative entrance to the park mentioned here is at the far end of it from the workshop meeting point. Website has a trail map with paths leading to Medford Pavilion.

http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/pavilions/cfp/pr_pkcfp.html

Contact: 734 996-1772

August 18 7:30 PM
Rain date: August 19

Bird Hills Nature Area, Ann Arbor
On hillside opposite the parking area on Bird Road

All woods emerge from and lead into the forest eternal. Oneness and
metamorphosis, roots and branches: the forest takes the form of mythic
beings, and returns to itself. And we all take part.

Begins with a reprise of the dance from They Walk at Night (from June 23)
followed by newer work and voluntary audience participation, ending with
freeform dancing to live percussion.

A sweet ephemeral performance, about an hour before dark ...
Catch the wind.

Percussion by Carlos Fierro, Bird Hills Woods, the wind, and dancing feet
and hands.

>>SIRENA (Water Spirit)

July 28, 8 PM

Island Park, Ann Arbor 1450 Island Drive-- at river's edge looking east

Rain date: July 29

A performance by and in the Huron River-- in its honor, and through it all the rivers of earth and sky. "Sirena" begins with a short performance in early evening light, followed by an intermission. Second short performance timed for when the rising full moon is about to become visible above the opposite riverbank. Moonrise begins on July 28 at 7:33 and on July 29 at 8:08.

Sirena is the first in a series of environmental dance performances named "Rodinia/Mirovia (Ancient Earth/Ancient Sea") for the earliest named supercontinent on Earth and the ocean surrounding it. These ancient elements are recycled endlessly, blending and exchanging with substances from elsewhere in the universe. We are always dancing with them and they are always dancing us. These performances will loosely incorporate some elements of Slavic folklore. Sirena is named for the spirit of the waters. Vasilisa, retriever of fire, and the firebird who guards the forest, might make an appearance in one guise or another, and maybe even the mother of all witches and tricksters, Baba Yaga.

Sirena is also danced in honor of Phyllis Jane Porter (6/20/26-7/16/07), one of the greatest hearts on the planet, a pioneer in open classroom education, and a person who always inspired and charged those around her with life-affirming energy.

Contact: birena@umich.edu.

>>DREAMING A PLACE - Environmental dance, story and art
Workshop with Irena

July 15, 2007 - 3:30-5:30 PM

>>THEY WALK AT NIGHT
June 23, 8:30 PM
Bird Hills Nature Area, Ann Arbor
On forested hillside opposite the parking area on Bird Road

You are in the woods. Dusk is breathing fireflies. White moths alight on bark. The electric trees step out of themselves-- Their song rises from roots to stars. Come and see who walks, made visible tonight by Nightfire Dance Theater and ethereal guests.

Percussion by Carlos Fierro and friends.

A sweet, ephemeral performance, approx. 1 hour before dark ... Catch the wind.

Nearest parking: Bird Road near Huron River Dr. (limited space) or Barton Dam, across Huron River Dr. If you know the woods, consider parking at Newport Road and walking through to Bird Road entrance. This is likely to enhance the experience of the performance, too. Follow the Raven's call.

Directions from Ann Arbor: Drive north on Main Street. Just before M-14 begins, turn left at sign for Huron River Drive, then immediately right onto Huron River Drive. Huron River Drive curves past woods on one side, river on the other. Barton Dam parking is on the right (larger, gated, second parking area, after small Barton Nature Area). Bird Road is on the left across from the parking lot. Walk up Bird Rd. to the entrance to Bird Hills. Enter the park at the Bird Road entrance on the left side, and gather a little way up the hill (you'll hear raven calls, and someone will greet you).

Directions from Detroit: Take M-14 West and get off at Exit 3 (Ann Arbor). At the end of the exit ramp, make a hairpin turn to the right onto Huron River Drive. From there, follow the above directions.

In case of heavy rain this performance will be postponed to June 24.

>>NIGHTFIRE PERFORMANCE:
INTERFAITH CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
JUNE 3, 2007 - 10:45 AM
704 Airport Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI

Map to location: http://www.interfaithspirit.org/704.html

Nightfire will perform at the Sunday morning gathering of Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth in Ann Arbor, MI. There will be opportunity for audience participation in a spiral dance. Refreshments and child care are available. The performance will include a reprise of the children's dance from "Ashen" (with Marina Benson, Carl Benson, Aria Davis, Anna Nagler, Irene Strenski and Owen Strenski; percussion by Chip Lind), and "Solar" by Wendy Longmire-Davis, Jennifer Kovach and Irena Nagler.

>> ASHEN: a collaboration between Beili Liu and Nightfire Dance Theater
March 15, 2007, Thursday, 7:30 PM

Vitosha Guest Haus Concert Hall
1917 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor

Doors open at 6:30 PM
Parking is available at 1833 Washtenaw Ave.

An evening of visual art combined with music, poetry and dance theater, held during the Celtic month of the ash tree. Beili Liu is an installation artist whose works fuse Chinese and Western influences, and often bear witness to how forms evolve in nature. Her video installation, "Ashen", is a tribute to the imperiled ash trees of the Great Lakes, that also examines the unexpected beauty of the ash borers' tracings in wood. A video of tree branches blowing in a storm wind is projected onto translucent white screens traced with borer markings taken directly from trees. Modified for this site, it will resemble a veil between worlds. Nightfire will perform a suite of dances, interacting with the art, cycling through symbolic seasons, inspired by the spirit, natural history and rich mythology of the ash, and the life cycle, patterns and motion of the insects. Ethereal, sensual, mourning, spooky at times, yet also a playful celebration of life on the threshold of springtime, the program encourages reconnection with natural environment and human soul.

The performance concludes with an invitation to audience to dance freely to live percussion. Includes percussion by Chip Lind, Andrew F. Anderson performing Poems for Piano by Soong Fu Yuan, cello improvisation by Abigail Alwin, and poetry/spoken word by Esther Hurwitz. Dancers: Irena Nagler, Jennifer Kovach, Paula Strenski, Stefanie Cohen, Patrick Soule, Katharina, Wendy Longmire-Davis, Sarah Misenheimer, Anna Nagler, Aria Davis, Irene Strenski, Owen Strenski, Marina Benson, Carl Benson.

All ages welcome. Suggested donation $3-15, children free.

Contact: 734 996-1772
www.beililiu.com
http://web.mac.com/estherhurwitz/iWeb/EstherHurwitz/Welcome.html

>>NIGHTFIRE PERFORMANCE:
INTERFAITH CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
NOVEMBER 19, 2006 10:45 AM
704 Airport Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI

Map to location: http://www.interfaithspirit.org/704.html

Nightfire will perform at the Sunday morning gathering of Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth in Ann Arbor, MI. There will be opportunity for audience participation in a spiral dance, as well as freeform dancing to live percussion by Chip Lind. Refreshments and child care are available.

>>LAND

Sunday, Oct. 29
Beginning circa 3 PM, University of Michigan Diag near Natural Science Bldg.

"When will you be landing?"

This performance piece begins with a structured improvisation on the Diag near the Natural Science Bldg. at the University of Michigan Central Campus; then proceeds from State St., to E. Liberty, to Main St., to E. Washington and Fletcher, and ends in the grove of trees by the Power Center.
Look for a group of people carrying, well, mobile phones.
Feel free to bring your own phone-- (Land line only-- Real appliance or toy!)-- and to join us anywhere along the route-- with or without a phone-- in walking the city streets.
The event finishes with live percussion and freeform dancing, divested of phones and fully present on the land among the trees.
Percussion by Chip Lind.
Music technician, Daniel Sheehan.
Dancers: Christina Guldi, Kim Brown, Irena, Jennifer Kovach, and anyone else who cares to join us.
Rain alternative: ALLEYCATS: masked drumming and dance in Nickel's Arcade by the State St. entrance. Possible rain date, Nov. 5; check back for information.

>>BRIDGE

7 PM Sundays, August 27 and Sept. 10

Bandemer Park, M-14 overpass bridge, on west bank of Huron River, Ann Arbor

A HUMAN INVASION AND HOMECOMING
DNA TIME TRAVEL
EVOLUTION IN TIMELESS MOTION

Spoken Word and Dancing with Fire Performance followed by freeform dancing for all.
Percussion by Kevin Coppock.

Some seating provided; feel free to bring a chair.

Directions:
From downtown Ann Arbor: Take Main St. north, turn right on Lakeshore Drive.
From Plymouth Rd. and Broadway: Take Plymouth Rd. to Barton Dr. Turn left and follow it to its junction with Whitmore Lake Rd. Bandemer Park entrance on left.

Directions from Detroit: I-96 West to M-14 West
Take exit #3/US-23-BUS onto N. Main St. toward downtown
Turn left on Lakeshore Drive - park will be on the right

>>GreenBreathing

4:30 PM Sunday, July 23

Eberwhite Woods and Zion Community Garden, Ann Arbor

From Main Street: take Liberty St. west. A few blocks past Seventh Ave., turn left on Soule, then right on Lutz, which ends in a parking area.

Gather by the Project Grow Zion Community Garden visible across the field.

The first performance of an ongoing work to be presented in wooded areas in July of any given year.

Dance that flows from the devic underpinning of what's visible to us in the green realm.

An intimately near and alien world, interpenetrating with ours; slow-moving, turning time to honey. Reaching for sunlight, drinking rain, and sharing breath with us.

Join us on a brief yet eternal journey into the halls of the green realm.

Then, infused with the sense of connection, return to the animal and human world, with its quicker heartbeat and red pulsing through veins-- for freeform dancing to world rhythms!

(Note: Dance performance will be near edge of the woods in an area with no vegetation except trees on the ground. If exploring Eberwhite Woods beyond this point, please stay on the trails; it is home to rare plant communities)

Rain date: August 6

Possible second performance August 6: check back here in late July for info

SOLSTICE
Sun., June 25 8:30 PM
Island Park
1450 Island Drive, Ann Arbor
by the river (look for colorful fabric in trees)
Dancers: Irena, Jennifer Kovach
Percussion by Carlos Fierro
Poetry/Spoken word by Laurel Reynolds
Tech/sound by Raven (Matt Rogers)
Rain date: Saturday, July 1st

Performance Schedule 2005

September 2005

June 2005

>>HELIX: SPIRAL TO THE STARS
Sundays, June 19 and 26, 2005 8 PM
Island Park, 1450 Island Drive, Ann Arbor

A dance theater performance, followed by open dancing. Nightfire weaves eclectic and gypsy-inspired dance, improvisational ceremony, live and recorded music, poetry, costuming, masks, and lighting in a tribal, dreamlike fusion. The title for this performance conjoins imagery of DNA, galaxies and stars. Two opposing tribes have a common origin, linked by a mercurial young girl. They perform dances of dissonance and harmony among peoples, nature, technology and art: integrating shadows, shapeshifting, and spiraling to reconciliation.

The African-percussion ensemble Solemnity I provide rhythms for dance theater, then for open dancing. With guitarist Geoffrey Esty, Native American flute by Gae Winn and compositions by Cassandra Stevens. The dance party is preceded by a simple group dance with audience participation.

Meet near the bridge entrance at Island Drive. All performance sites will be near the entrance and the Greek revival gazebo. Parking available near entrance, and at end of Island Drive by Cedar Bend Nature Area. In case of rain, gather inside Greek revival structure.

All ages welcome; costumes and masks encouraged.

Nightfire performers: Raven/Matt, Christina Guldi, Kiaura Clark, Sara Holwerda, Irena, Katharina, Chelsea Slagle, Cassandra Stevens (dance); Daniel Sheehan, Catharine Stevens, Gae Winn (Spoken word). Percussionists in Solemnity One: Richard Perry, Maggie Batts, Frank English, Penny Griffin, Xavier Moore, River.

Free admission; donations accepted.

Contact: 734 996-1772

Performance Schedule 2004

December 2004

>>INTERFAITH CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
DECEMBER 12, 2004 10:45 AM
Allen Elementary School, 2560 Towner St., Ann Arbor, MI

Nightfire will perform a suite of three dances at the Sunday morning gathering of Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth in Ann Arbor, MI. There will be opportunity for audience participation in a spiral dance. Refreshments and child care are available.

See map to the location at: http://www.interfaithspirit.org/map.htm

Contact: 734 996-1772 birena@umich.edu

October 2004

>>Liminal: Nightfire
Sundays, Oct. 3 and 17, 2004 4 PM
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor

A dance theater performance, followed by open dancing. Nightfire weaves eclectic and gypsy-inspired dance, improvisational ceremony, live and recorded music, poetry, costuming, masks, and lighting in a tribal, dreamlike fusion. The title for this performance stems from a Latin word for "threshold". The performers dance in doorways between nature and art, the urban and the wild, direct experience and human imagination. They draw on themes of interspecies shapeshifting, and of the mingled fear of nature and longing for a golden age in our relationship with the earth.
The West African percussion ensembles Sambani and Solemnity I provide rhythms for dance theater, then for open dancing. With guitarist Geoffrey Esty and poet/musician Cassandra Stevens. The dance party is preceded by a simple group dance with audience participation.

Meet near the smaller of two ponds near the entrance driveway, where a sign will be posted. All performance sites will be near the entrance, ending in the walled garden.

Open dancing 5:30 PM behind the walled garden near the main building.

All ages welcome; costumes and masks encouraged.

Free admission; donations accepted.

Contact: 734 996-1772 birena@umich.edu

June 2004

>>NIGHTFIRE PERFORMANCE
AT INTERFAITH CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
JUNE 6, 2004 10:45 AM
Allen Elementary School, 2560 Towner St., Ann Arbor, MI

Nightfire will perform two works at the Sunday morning gathering of Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth in Ann Arbor, MI. There will be opportunity for audience participation in a spiral dance. Refreshments and child care are available.

See map to the location at: http://www.interfaithspirit.org/map.htm

February 2004

>>Shapeshifting: Nightfire and Rhythm Family
Saturday, February 7, 2004 8:30 PM
Dance Gallery Studio, 815 Wildt St., Ann Arbor
A dance theater performance, followed by open dancing. Nightfire weaves eclectic and gypsy-inspired dance, improvisational ceremony, live and recorded music, poetry, costuming, masks, and lighting in a tribal, dreamlike fusion. This performance draws on eclectic themes of interspecies shapeshifting, linkage with ancestors, and timeless love. The percussion ensemble Rhythm Family provides rhythms for dance theater, then for open dancing and a drum circle.
With special guests Michael Gould, playing shakuhachi, and guitarist Geoffrey Esty.
The dance party is preceded by a simple group dance with audience participation.
Open drum circle at 10 PM.
All ages welcome; costumes and masks encouraged.
$5-20 sliding scale, at the door only. 12 and under and and volunteers free.
Contact: 734 996-1772

October 2003

WEND

Sunday, October 12 4:00 PM Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, MI
A dance theater performance moving on a thread through the northwest area of the Nichols Arboretum, from the riverside to Heathdale and the peony garden. The audience will journey on a thread through the Arboretum's river walk, Heathdale and peony garden, following dancers, musicians and unwinding yarn. This is an exploration of life cycles and the timeless webs on which they're woven; of eclectic myth and legend in which humans, animals and other beings merge.
The performance includes a spiral dance with audience participation.

Meet at the Nichols Dr. entrance leading from the M-29 parking lot below the UM Hospital; proceed along the Huron River.
Maps available at entrance.
Free admission.
Rain date: Oct. 19, same time.
Contact: 734 996-1772

April 2003

>>DanceFire, a Dance and Rhythm Jam: Nightfire
Saturday, April 5, 8:30 PM
AACT Studio, 111 Third St. at Huron, Ann Arbor
A dance theater performance, followed by open dancing in celebration of the season of seed-planting and beginnings. Nightfire weaves eclectic and gypsy-inspired dance, improvisational ceremony, live and recorded music, poetry, costuming, masks, and lighting in a tribal, dreamlike fusion. Spirit Rising, a Metro Detroit area percussion ensemble, provides rhythms for dance theater, then for open dancing and a drum circle. With special guests Gae Winn, playing Native American flutes, and guitarist Geoffrey Esty.
The dance party is preceded by a simple group dance with audience participation. Open drum circle at 10 PM. All ages welcome; costumes and masks encouraged. The audience is invited to energize heartfelt wishes and dreams through their presence and participation at this community-building event.
Nightfire performers: Irena, Kalaea, Nirupama, Jeannie Ballew, Jenneva Scholz, Anita Lee, Stephanie Mackres, Ben Rous (dance), Clifford Scholz, Gae Winn (spoken word). Percussionists in Spirit Rising: Maurice Evans, Frank English, Penny Griffin, Xavier Moore.

>>DANCE JAM
Friday, April 11, 9 PM
AACT Studio, 111 Third St. at Huron
$3-5 at door
Dancing to an eclectic mix of world music, techno, rock, soul and funk from all decades, and more. Smoke-free; all ages welcome. An alternative to the bar scene for people who love to dance. People are welcome to bring CDs and tapes with music requests. Open percussion jam at midnight.
734 996-1772