Orpheum Annex
This dance tells the story of how the relationship between the Sun and the Moon came to be. It is a story about their love and the arc it paints in the sky. The sunrise, sunset, eclipse – the meetings of these two beings – remind us of the mystery and beauty of love and hope for an evolving world.
This is a contemporary dance based on Snuneymuxw author Celestine Aleck’s children’s book of the same title. The work tells the story of the love between the Sun and the Moon. The story, rich with potential for imagery and metaphor, is the basis for the dance. The work speaks to all ages while also opening doors for dialogue regarding creative exchange between Indigenous and non-indigenous artists. The story unfolds as a poetic telling in which the artists transform characters, bring to life visions, and embody the landscape. Costumes, bones, feathers and Snuneymuxw art by Cole Good – within landscape imagery by Chimerik – fill the stage as the world expands and creation evolves toward love, yet not without love’s sacrifice.
HOLLY BRIGHT
Holly Bright’s professional dance career began in 1986. She is a movement educator, producer, dancer, choreographer and instigator. She holds a BA in Dance, a BSc in Human Physiology, Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis certification and is licensed to teach GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Movement practice. Holly is the founder and director of Crimson Coast Dance Society, an organization that supports contemporary dance in Nanaimo, BC. For more information on the society visit www.crimsoncoastdance.org.
In 2010 Holly was recognized by the City of Nanaimo with the Excellence in Culture Award for her contribution to the cultural fabric of the city. Her youth program, Body Talk, was nominated for the 2015 Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Award for Cultural Vitality – The Arts, She received the 2017 Canada Council / Saidye Bronfman Family’s John Hobday Award for excellence and accomplishment in Arts Management and to revitalize her career through the exploration of developing meaningful relationships with Indigenous people as well as curation, criticism and dramaturgy. She has worked with musical theatre directors, choreographers and companies including; Margie Gillis, Genevieve Johnson, Susanna Hood, Judith Adams, Jeremy Tow, Senta Driver, Hanya Holm, Agnes de Mille, Nina Weiner, Maureen Fleming-Odo, Lynne Taylor Corbett, Helen Myers, Chick Snipper, Kokoro Dance, Judith Marcuse, Lee Eisler, Deborah Dunn, Judith Garay, Jennifer Mascall and Cheryl Prophet.
CELESTINE ALECK
Celestine Aleck, Author whose book this work is based on, descends from Snuneymuxw First Nations and has been an artist most of her life. Her grandfather Ron Aleck began teaching her stories at the age of four. Being a carver had taught her to be a storyteller because every carving was a storybook. Celestine began working in the school districts as a resource worker telling stories and demonstrating art from the age of 13 and up. She soon began to write her own stories and has published and illustrated with Strong Nations. Working on the Sun and Moon project has reminded her to start her day off with love and end it with love.
I would like to thank our dear precious elders Lorraine Good and Melvin Good for being there with their guidance when seeking out the use of Hul’qumi’num and the use of bones that have been found that will be used within the Sun and Moon performance.
Celestine Aleck: Author, resource, contributor, vocals
Holly Bright: Choreographer, project manager/director
Genevieve Johnson, Nicola Jackson: Dance artists and creative contributors
Wayne Lavallee: Composer
Chimerik 似不像: Video Designer
Cole Melvin Good: Drawings
John Carter: Lighting Design
Mary Downes and Crystal Hanson: Costume Construction Sandy Cumberland: Stage Manager Elders Lorraine and Melvin Good
