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EarthDance Muse - Fall, 2002
| NEWSLETTER INDEX |
- Director's Letter
- Western Mass Moving Arts Project
- The numbers...what do they mean?
- Demolition and Renovation...
Director's Letter
Moment to moment...I sing with my muse
I pray for peace to use me for Her purpose in the world
Moment to moment...life is an art
the path of the heart is clear,
though it's somewhat bent and curled- Linda Worster; Songwriter
Each year my muse is filled with reflections of, and hopes for, the Earthdance evolution.
This year, with my heart torn by current events, I begin using this precious platform to address the context in which Earthdance exists. Two days ago Congress gave the President the right to declare war on Iraq. Yes, an unacceptable horror was perpetrated last September, but I believe it is juvenile for our country to lash out to protect ourselves from our unproven fears. The more we take military action the more we will foster violence and destruction.
We must find ways, individually and collectively, to fortify the practice of compassion and respect for humanity. We can do this in our dancing-being present with ourselves while embracing, and seeking to transform, the dissonant and conflicting movement impulses of others. We can do this out in the world, listening to our heart, listening to others, and seeking shared understanding. And we can do this at Earthdance, creating a sanctuary together for self-expression and the love of life.
I now turn my gaze toward Earthdance. In its second year, I have seen a steady stream of young, talented and determined volunteers forming and reforming the community of the Volunteer Program. Living and working together has had its joys, and its challenges, but with time we continue to become ever clearer and more refined.
I see three staff people completing their time here in the next two months, and the thorough review that has begun. Farewell Shakti Smith, our Operations Manager, who has caringly developed the Volunteer Program. Farewell Bonnie Greenwood, our first Cook/Kitchen Coordinator, who has become a notable chef. Farewell Dan Bear, our first Outreach Project Coordinator, who has made extraordinary manifestion through the Western Mass Moving Arts Project.
I see the shift of our program focus inward, toward better serving the local community in the hilltowns of western Massachusetts. In March, we held a "Lift Off!" for the Western Mass Moving Arts Project, and have since hosted a wide array of performances, concerts, art showings and festivals. I have seen our attorney, our grocer, our printer and our many neighbors discover Earthdance for the first time, mystified by the possibilities of creative expression.
Looking into the near future, I see our one and a half story old farm house left bare between the expansions of more recent years. Next Fall, after two years of respite following the completion of the new dance studio ("the umbrella"), we will rip off the worn, old roof and replace it with a full second story and functional attic. Our renovations will enable us to better accommodate our guests, and provide us with office space to support our evolving team of staff.
While the organizational development of Earthdance continues to challenge us with its bends and curls, the guidance of our improvisational spirit remains true. I pray that this wisdom be carried out through our bodies, hearts, and voices, and help to foster more peace in the world.
Andrew Gaines
Western Mass Moving Arts Project
I arrived at Earthdance a year ago, fresh off of a long road trip and not really knowing what to expect. What I found was spaciousness, a strong connection to nature, and a vibrant community unlike any I had previously witnessed. I was amazed by the skills and abilities of both the people who live here and the Earthdance extended family living in the surrounding areas.
Along with this excitement came some questions: Why aren't these skills and talents being shared more? Why aren't these studios being more constantly utilized? Why don't the neighbors know what Earthdance is?
I raised these questions and, from them, The Western Mass Moving Arts Project was born. The WMMAP refers to a set of programs designed to make the cultural and creative resources thriving Earthdance available to our local community. In March, we held the Lift-Off Celebration, a dinner and performance designed to raise seed money and spread the word. It was a joy to see Earthdance old-timers mingling with the neighbors and others who had never before set foot here. After dinner we watched an incredible aerial performance by Jym Daly and Chantal McCormick from Ireland and music by Stephen Katz, who plays your heartstrings on his cello. The Project was launched with magic and inspiration!
In the eight months since, we have had a slew of successful events. We've had a Performance Series featuring international artists like Eiko & Koma, Lume, BodyCartography, Andrew Harwood and Chris Aiken. We've created an incredible monthly open performance for local artists called Eclectic Offerings, where you can see a mother and her six year old son singing, back to back with a professional dancer, back to back with a performance by break-dancers. The Earthdance Improvisers offered a few performances in local venues introducing people to improvisation. We've had Weekday Classes in everything from Contact Improvisation, to Belly Dancing, to Capoeira. We've had kids events, Community Sings, Art Gallery openings and a folk concert. All summer, an Outdoor Sculpture Show decorated the land, culminating in an all day Outdoor Performance Festival. I remember looking between two pine trees to see a massive iron landscape sculpture with a dead tree stump behind it, and emerging from the mass of weeds a spirited Pipoca the Clown-red nose and all. As volunteer, Jana Filcich once said so eloquently, "Earthdance-more art per square foot!"
What this program has been about for me, more than anything, has been creating the space for what was already here to flourish, inviting people to come and share what they do and what they love. Seeing new faces come into this magical place, discover this community, and discover new ways of relating to the world...this has been a blessing. For this I am thankful. Thank you Earthdance!
Dan Bear Davis, Outreach Project Coordinator
The numbers...what do they mean?
The Earthdance budget had steadily risen since 1997 when the move toward creating a more rigorous and clearly structured program at Earthdance was initiated. Last year presented an anomoly, a backslide. Due to a dip in workshop attendance and last minute rental cancellations, our income fell; our expenses, concurrently, climbed with the initiation of several new paid staffing positions.Fortunately, this year has been an astoundingly strong financial year for Earthdance, in stark contrast to the national economy. Our income has risen some 15% over 2001, and our expenses have risen only slightly. Some of the reasons for this include:
- increased use of the facility through "double bookings," made possible by our additional studio;
- initiation of special events fundraising;
- steady use of our Fiscal Sponsorship program; and
- additional income from the rental of the newly acquired house
Several transactions early this year supported this revitalization of the Earthdance economy. We refinanced our mortgage, reducing our interest rate and procuring additional funds. These funds allowed us to purchase a house Andrew Gaines had built on the land, which we subsequently rented. As a result, our mortgage payment increased only slightly, and we now pay a significant portion of it with new rental income. This translates into more income going directly into our operating budget.
In the next six months, we will reach out to you with request for assistance in two areas. First, we hope to be able to provide fair and equitable salary and benefits for our staff. Our intention is to truly support the people who provide the extraordinary amount of time and energy to keep the center ever-more beautiful and well serving. Second, we will call for your assistance with our "Rip Off the Old Roof" building project outlined in this Muse. We are astounded by this novel idea of giving ourselves a year of planning and prep time, and we plan to keep our community well informed.
This all said, our bottom line is that your presence here and participation in our activities are at the heart of what we need to continue the thriving Earthdance spirit. Come back, come back, come back!
Demolition and Renovation...
Five years ago, we constructed a second story addition to the South side of the house, above the kitchen, topped by a green metal roof. Three years ago we constructed a two-story addition to the North side of the house, also topped by a green metal roof. This year, the 11/2 story 1812 asphalt roof between the two is visually and actually falling apart.So, in the Fall of next year we will rip off this roof and raise it to meet the ones on each side. On the second floor, we will rebuild and expand the current dorm spaces and add a few privates. In the attic, we will build two large multi-purpose workspaces, one to two offices for managing staff, and a bathroom.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
- Make a tax-deductible contribution to our "Rip Off the Old Roof" Building Fund
- Join our workforce for this two-month "work weekend": September 22-November 13, 2003!
- Contribute professional support, appropriate building materials or furnishings for the new spaces
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