On a day scripted perfectly by Mother Nature herself, with warm air, blue skies and gently rocking blue-green bay water in the background, the latest component of the Rising Tides project was performed at Seaplane Lagoon on Alameda’s West End. This first installment of the Rising Seas series was a moving collaboration of four performing arts groups with a single goal—to help guide our hearts and minds toward becoming better stewards of where we live. After introductory comments by Rhythmix Cultural Works Executive Director Jennifer Radakovich and City of Alameda Sustainability and Resilience Manager Danielle Mieler, the remarkable performances began.
First was a moving dance entitled, “Where Do We Draw the Line?,” choreographed by KT Nelson in collaboration with her dancers who, attired in facsimile black wetsuits and sporting colorful swim caps, moved about the stage area representing the water and water creatures, interacting with a stretch of kelp designed by Ginny Parsons and Janet Koike, all while music and voices serenaded and educated. To see such art in the context of the day’s natural beauty was a welcome and gorgeous redundancy.
Following the dance was an updated version of the original sketch written and performed last year, “Climate Detective of the Future.” With former Cirque du Soleil performer Jeff Raz as director, and legendary SF Mime alum Ed Holmes as writer/actor, supported by terrific actor Colin Epstein, one could argue that there has never been a greater nucleus of talent than this trio trodding the esplanade. The piece was clever in taking us from the feared future to the way-back past to see the key decisions that brought us to where we are now—living in a time where climate change is already disrupting our lives, with more to come.
Last was a sublime music performance beginning with Kanyon Coyote Woman Sayers-Roods speaking and singing about her people, who were the original local residents long before there was a city, state, or country. She gave way to Batey Tambó (Puerto Rican Bomba) who combined drumming, dancing, and singing that were both stirring and profound. These heartfelt performances compelled many in the audience to stand and sway and celebrate their good fortune to be present for this environmental, cultural, and spiritual celebration.
There is a strong element that links all of the Rising Tides events—from the photographs at RADIUM Runway to those performing this past Saturday to the BANDALOOP dancers back in September—and we can call it pro-climate proselytizing or perhaps more aptly, love. Love for where we live, love for one another, love for those who were here before, and love for those for whom we hope to preserve this sacred, magical, marvelous land for.
To learn more about this important project, visit the Rising Tides website, along with their partners RADIUM Presents and West End Arts District.
Or even better, attend the next Rising Seas event on Saturday, June 21st at 1 p.m. at the newly named Svendsen Maritime Park, formerly Harbor View Park, 2315 Stanford Street. This event will showcase Gamelan Sekar Jaya and Guest Taiko Artists.
Gene Kahane is the founder of the Foodbank Players, a lifelong teacher, and former Poet Laureate for the City of Alameda. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Gene-Kahane.
