This is a very special year for the Center for Symbolic Studies and The Vanaver Caravan--and we need your support. Please consider making a contribution to our campaign to Build the Caravan Center at Stone Mountain Farm. Your donation will help build a new forever home for The Vanaver Caravan and a much-needed four-season creative space for a myriad of wonderful classes, workshops, performances, and local/international artist residencies.
The Vanaver Caravan celebrates their 50th Anniversary this year with a series of events that highlight the best aspects of their impactful work; both past and present. Join founders, Livia and Bill Vanaver, and the Caravan community as they reflect on their legacy and imagine a bright future – handing the leadership torch to the next generation and building a home dance center in the Hudson Valley. . . READ ON.
Excerpt: I don't know about you, but I could use some good news! So I'm making. My mom, Lexi, published an incredible in-print homeschool newsletter for over a decade. My favorite activity as a kid (aside from dancin') was getting to submit my own artwork, advice, recipes, and writing to a "Real Newsletter"! It was a genius idea, conceived by parents who chose to educate their kids at home. You may not have chosen to educate your kids at home, but here we are! If you’re looking for activities to do at home, scroll through our Good News feed or send in your own submissions.
I’m looking for submissions such as . . .
From July 3rd-8th, the Company will be on tour in Germany, performing at Germany’s premier folk festival, Rudolsdadt. The Vanaver Caravan performed at Rudolsdadt in 1996 and 2007. We can’t wait to go back! SCHEDULE. If you happen to be in Germany, come find us (or plan a fun stop in Germany for your summer vacation).
“I am a Vanaver Caravan alumnus, having danced in the Company for fifteen years. My last Company performance was with Pete Seeger in 1996, in the original creation of "Turn, Turn, Turn". Now, I have returned to the community as a member of the Board of Directors, investing in The Vanaver Caravan Mission.” — Ted McKnight, Company Member from 1981-1996 and current Vice President of The Vanaver Caravan Board of Directors.
This week we caught up with Marina Lopez, god-daughter of Livia and Bill, and life-long member of The Vanaver Caravan—playing every role imaginable within the organization. Marina wrote beautiful, intelligent, and moving responses to each question we asked her. By reading about her life with us, you will truly understand what it is to be educated and raised by an institution such as The Vanaver Caravan.
This week, we checked in with Adrienne Barr Chait, who stumbled upon The Vanaver Caravan at age fourteen, as the first Youth Company was forming, and fell in love with dance and movement. She now runs a holistic healing practice in NYC and is a mother of three. Read her beautiful insights on family, movement, motherhood, and how TVC influenced her on her path.
