March 20, 1pm “Reach” – This Land Oakland

This is an outdoor performance, so bring rain gear just in case! We will perform even in light rain, however in case of very heavy rain, we may need to cancel.

Venture into the hills for a different view and movement that embodies the efforts of trailblazing women who came before us.

Join us Sunday, March 20th for the second of our This Land Oakland series!

“Reach” a 20-minute site-specific piece choreographed by Sarah Bush. Performed by Nicole Casado, Chelsea Hill and Nina Wu. With live music by The Anita Lofton Project.

“Reach” honors the spirit of outdoor adventure and exploration of new territories. It is informed by the legends and language of three trailblazing women (Ina Coolbrith, Gertrude Stein, and Isadora Duncan) and the ways their lives intersected in Oakland. The piece is a 20-minute ascension of the large stone staircase on the hillside of Joaquin Miller Park. The three dancers slip in and out of the struggles of both the present and the past, their perspectives changing on their upward journey. The piece reflects on ways the ‘landscape’ of obstacles has changed for women in this country. And, how do we as Americans define ‘progress’? What does it take to ‘get to the top’?

Make a day of it!
Before the performance, enjoy a picnic lunch, visit the Joaquin Miller Park Ranger Station for park history and wildlife exhibits or to learn about the Native Plant Nursery (the park is home to over 200 species of native plants). After the show, explore the Redwood Bowl, hike the longer Sequoia Bayview Trail (dogs allowed on leash), or check out the nearby Chabot Space and Science Center–it’s just up the hill on Skyline Blvd and is great for adults and kids alike.

Woodminster Cascade is located on Joaquin Miller Road between Butters Drive and Crane Way in Oakland. The audience area is wheelchair accessible from Joaquin Miller Road. AC Transit bus #339 runs nearby. Check google maps for directions specific to you. Please be aware that some apps will direct you through the park to the top of the cascade. However, the performance will be at the bottom of the cascade close to Joaquin Miller Road, so adjust your directions accordingly.

This Land blog posts:

• Critic’s Choice – Dance Europe Magazine 2016
• Photos: “Reach” at SPF9 – ODC Theater
• KALW Radio 2016 – Interview on Open Air show
• Photos from This Land show at Laney Theater
• SF Chronicle – “Dance production to take a journey through Oakland”
• “Bringing the Outside In” – May 22 #ThisLand #Oakland
• KQED Arts video feature – This Land Oakland
• April 17, 1pm “Recall” – This Land Oakland
• This Land – Photoshoot at MLK Shoreline
• KQED Arts Dance Critic Review – ‘This Land Oakland’

Watch This Land videos.

Follow along.
@sarahbushdance #ThisLand

This project is supported by the Oakland City Council and funded by the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program.

Additional support from The Blum Family Foundation, The Zellerbach Family Foundation, The Clorox Company Foundation, and many individual donors. Special thanks to Oakland Parks and Rec, SAFEhouse for the Arts, The Embarcadero YMCA, and New Style Motherlode Studio.
Photo credit: Lisa Harding