Humankind: A Sacred Dance Experience

Humankind, a 45-minute dance performance piece focused on the experience of refugees and immigrants; is a response to the world crisis of more than 117 million displaced people.

The dance piece is the creation of Marilyn Green of New York City, Artistic Director of the Trinity Movement Choir. It is a collaboraion with the Sacred Dance Guild (see www.sacreddanceguild.org) with Wendy Morrell, Ottawa, Canada and Debbie Donaldson, Gananoque, Canada. The music was created by Debbie Danbrook - Toronto, Canada.

A projected banner over the performance quotes Leviticus 19: 33-34 "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."

The piece begins with four "gatekeepers" reverently bringing in and rolling out a 30' cloth symbolizing the chosen community. There are many people outside of the established community who try to enter; they are accepted or rejected by Gatekeepers. The gatekeepers initially allow only FIVE individuals in who become the desired residents of the chosen community. These five only see each other and the gatekeepers keep all others out. There are five holes in the cloth - the "chosen" people put their heads through these holes and experience community - where what one does affects everyone else in the "cloth". They experience first the joy and then the challenges and responsibilities of community. At a moment in the piece those inside begin to see the others trying to gain entry and they are moved to "open" the community and embrace the others. The relationship among the group in the cloth, the Gatekeepers and the outside dancers transforms dramatically - both individually and collectively.The dance between the people in the cloth, the Gatekeepers and those outside become ONE interconnected and interdependent community.

This piece was originally offered via video at the Parliament of the World's Religions virtual conference October 16-18, 2021. It was subsequently performed in person at the historic St. Paul's Chapel in New York City in September 2022. This performance was offered in person in Ottawa at Britannia United Church on December 2nd & 3rd, 2023. Next we will be offering Humankind in Gananoque on June 22nd at 2 pm. We are open to ALL who would like to dance on in and be part of sharing this important story.

ALL ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE

Contact Debbie Donaldson (613) 453 4190 or email dancindeb.gma@gmail.com.