Spiral Dance Collective members pause during rehearsal of “Marigolds Downriver,” which they will perform on Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, at three public spaces along the Kennebec River waterfront. The River Studio in Hallowell is home to the intergenerational dance troupe. Dancers, from left, are Dalziel Lewis of China; Barbara Oesterlin-Heath of Whitefield; Kristy Ferran McNaughton of Sidney; Judith Zink of Skowhegan; Kay Mann of Hallowell; Sophi Reiter of Hallowell; Christine Little of Hallowell and Shae O’Connor of Hallowell. Submitted photo by Kristy Ferran-McNaughton

The public is invited to attend – and participate if desired – in one or more outdoor dance performances on the banks of the Kennebec River on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. The free intergenerational dance performance of “Marigolds Downriver” by the Spiral Dance Collective involves three individual sections, each performed at a different location along the Kennebec River Rail Trail, so that after the first dance is complete, the next begins, and then the next, so that the dance literally moves down the river.

The dance will begin at Augusta Waterfront Park at 10 a.m., will move to Granite City Park in Hallowell at 11 a.m., and the final performance will take place at 12 pm. at Waterfront Park in Gardiner. Community members are welcome to travel together with the dancers to each location via bicycles along the Kennebec River Rail Trail.

Members of the public interested in participating in the dance are invited to attend Spiral Dance’s free, pre-performance Community Dance Workshop at 9 a.m. at Waterfront Park in Augusta. Participants will work with the group to create their own dance phrase to weave into the set choreography as the dance proceeds down river, thus incorporating the community into the dance. No dance experience is required.

“Marigolds Downriver” explores how one action impacts another, how what happens upriver has an effect downriver, how each individual action creates a ripple effect of impact in their community.

The Spiral Dance Collective is an intergenerational group based at The River Studio in Hallowell that offers itself as a vehicle for choreographic exploration focusing on site specific choreography. Members include Christine Little, Jenny McKendry, Kay Mann, Shae O’Connor and Sophi Reiter of Hallowell, Dalziel Lewis of China, Barbara Oesterlin-Heath of Whitefield, Kristy Ferran McNaughton of Sidney and Judith Zink of Skowhegan.

For more information contact Christine Little at The River Studio by email at riverstudiohallowell332@gmail.com or by phone at 207-272-3418.

If you go:

What: Marigolds Downriver Dance Performance

When: Earth Day, Saturday, April 22

Where:
9 a.m. pre-performance Community Dance Workshop at Waterfront Park in Augusta
10 a.m. “Marigolds Downriver” begins at Waterfront Park in Augusta
11 a.m. “Marigolds Downriver” continues at Granite City Park in Hallowell
12 p.m. “Marigolds Downriver” final performance at Waterfront Park in Gardiner

Cost: Free and open to all

For more information visit the events page at Augusta Downtown Alliance online at augustadowntown.com/events. Or contact Christine Little by email at riverstudiohallowell332@gmail.com or by phone at 207-272-3418.