BLOG

Week 2 starts

by Karen Louis, Pioneers co-director

When we last left our Lions, Christian had found his jig, and quickly leapt (or chugged) his way into spreading his message.

Meet Dana Dardai, resident music therapist-turned-clown-turned-actor-turned-dancer-turned-awesome. Dana turns a lot with incredible ease and precision. She joined Striding Lion with our ‘07 production of “Gerrymander: the Good, the Bad and Tom Delay,” and continued with both the recording (’08) and staging (’09) of Birdsongs our original CD and stage production of the same name.

As we continue in our process of exploring the themes, movement and voices of the Pioneers, we’ve entered the path of storytelling through tall tales, legendry, the music of the time, and the ongoing theme of “what you take with you on the journey.” Inspired by a photograph of the interior of a covered wagon, packed full of musical instruments, rugs, clothing, small furniture, a lantern, and worn work boots suspended from the ceiling, and the evidence of entire families packed in for travel is immense, begging the question, “What would you bring with you?”

This is a common question for our us, as multidisciplinary artists creating original collaborative work. Dana will clearly bring her violin.

Don’t be fooled by the photographs, however. Dana is not always attached to the violin, although it does appear to get a bit jealous when she deviates, keeping a watchful eye(string?) over her.

So much so, that sometimes, she has to turn (see? Always turning, that Dana!) to hide in order to confess the lists of what she will bring as she continues along on the journey.

To see Dana’s video click here

Don’t fret, little violin, you are coming along, as well!