The Idea of Dance

A DANCE/POETRY PROJECT TO HONOR VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE

THE IDEA OF DANCE


Hello Friends and Family,

Angela Hayes (choreographer) and Wendy Labinger (poet), have received a grant (which requires a cash match) from The Iowa Arts Council and The National Endowment for the Arts to take their dance/poetry project The Idea of Dance  on the road to underserved communities in and around Johnson County, Iowa.

 
WHY NOW?

Wendy wrote the signature poem for this program, The Idea of Dance  immediately after the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Although the poem was written specifically with Pulse in mind, the horrible series of mass shootings since then makes it even more relevant. How is it possible that activities like joyful dancing, going to a garlic festival, or studying in a classroom can be shattered in seconds by someone with a gun? It is inconceivable, yet we hear about it almost daily. Wendy and Angela's collaborative piece will explore these harsh realities.

 
HOW WE MET

Angela and Wendy met at the University of Iowa in 1976 and have been best friends ever since. For many years they have talked about a collaboration. After Wendy moved back to Iowa City in 2018, this became a reality.

 
WHAT WE’VE DONE

Last April, they presented four collaborative pieces at the Iowa City Public Library which combined Angela’s choreography with live readings of Wendy’s poems. Recorded music for each piece was contributed by Grammy-nominated musician and record producer, Bo Ramsey. The program was received by a very enthusiastic audience.

 
THE GRANT

Angela and Wendy were awarded this grant to make their program more accessible to residents of small towns in Iowa. The performances will include the four previously-performed pieces, as well as The Idea of Dance  with music by jazz pianist, Jarrett Purdy.

 

   
OUR WORK

To know more about us, we have attached a sample of one of our dance/poetry pieces, and some musical clips by Bo Ramsey and Jarrett Purdy. 

Dance/Poetry https://youtu.be/XN-ouYgrUp4
Bo Ramsey Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nerq1tS25gw
Jarrett Purdy Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_lfVifIJ-M


 
HOW YOU CAN HELP

In order to meet our cash match, we are asking you, our friends and family, to contribute whatever you can to help us in this goal. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.