Springtime Updates: Faces of the Caravan
As the Caravan continues develop new material for our performance repertoire, we have also added some new faces to our company. This winter we had the chance to catch up with renowned dance photographer and . . .
Fresh Photos Just In Time For Spring
As the Caravan continues develop new material for our performance repertoire, we have also added some new faces to our company. This winter we had the chance to catch up with renowned dance photographer and long-time friend, Lois Greenfield, at her studio in Manhattan. Check out our favorite pics below!
Lois Greenfield Photo Shoot 2017:
Dancers and musicians featured above: Livia and Bill Vanaver, Gustavo Caldas, Isabel Cottingham, Carla Davis, Joel Hanna, Brian and Samantha Lawton, Rafal Pustelny, Evan Stover, Toby Stover, Miranda Ten Broeke, and Emily Vanston.
For more info about our company members (old and new!), visit our company bio page below.
Don't Miss the Discount, Signup for SummerDance Now
ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT FOR TO GET YOUR 10% EARLYBIRD SPECIAL *Ends April 18*
Get Tickets For The 27th Annual Beltane Festival
Join our Dance Institute as we welcome in the May at the Beltane Festival. Enjoy games, Renn-faire characters, local food and craft vendors, may-pole games, giant puppets, dancing, horse-back riding, story-telling, and sword-play at the whimsical Stone Mountain Farm. Dress up, always encouraged.
- Saturday April 29th (Rain-date Sunday April 30)
- Gates Open at 12pm, the Pageant Begins at 3:30pm
- Stone Mountain Farm, 310 River Road Ext, New Paltz, New York 12561. Festival Parking costs $15 and is very limited - we suggest taking the shuttle from the Rosendale Rec Center.
- Tickets: General Admission: $15 / Seniors and Teens (ages 11-17): $5 / Children: Attend free
Looking for Something Good To Do with Your Tax Return?
Contributing to the Caravan has never been so easy, or important. Consider making a one-time or recurring tax-deductible donation this spring so that we can continue our efforts to keep the arts in schools, and educate, inspire, and create cultural understanding among all people, regardless of color, gender, belief, or means.
Wishing You A Happy Spring!
Happenings in the Caravan.
Everyone is back, safe and sound, from India, and we're dancing along on our next journey. Check out this video! . . .
Happenings in the Caravan.
Everyone is back, safe and sound, from India, and we're dancing along on our next journey. Check out this video!
We had a wonderful time (as always) hosting DanceFest! with nine other local dance schools. It was a beautiful culmination of dances from all walks of life, and we want to thank everyone who came out to support the local arts, and all the dance schools and participants as well.
*This DanceFest! was also the last DanceFest! for our youth company girls before they graduate and go off to college. Wishing them the best!* L-R: Neve, Morgane, Kaya, Alena.
Be a part of this cool project!
“Robert has been very much a part of helping us raise funds and awareness for Turn, Turn, Turn. This is a wonderful project. Tell your story! ”
"Dear Friends,
As some of you know I had the great pleasure of knowing and working with the late great Pete Seeger since the time I first met him back in 1978 at the first Hudson River Revival. The Germans have a tradition honoring wise old teachers with a written collection of reflections and remembrances they call a FESTSCHRIFT as a Celebration in writing of the scholars life and work!
As is the case with most of the books available about Pete they tend to be Scholarly in their basic approach. What I am suggesting is a popular collection of essays, poems, songs, photos, etc...from the folks whose life he profoundly touched in so may wonderful ways.
I had no greater friend and teacher than Pete and however poorly I have tried every day to follow his example. I know many of you have also been deeply touched by him and miss him daily.
During these times of dark fascism emerging in our land we need the memory of Pete and his courage and good deeds out there for folks to consider as alternatives to the Trumpkins and the elite.
So if you have a story or two, a song to share, some cool memories of what Pete meant to you, or just a fun story please send something into me at RVP121353@aol.com
I will put up the money to have the materials received into either a E BOOK or hard copy and see to its broad distribution. Any profits will be donated to support the Sloop Woody Guthrie owned and operated by the Beacon Sloop Club in the Hudson Valley as it continues to help keep Pete and Toshi Seeger's mission alive. Along this line it is hard to think of Pete by himself without his lifetime partner Toshi. So memories of her and the two of them together would also be most welcome and appropriate. In real sense the "Celebrity" Pete would not have been out there without her support and partnership!
Hope to hear from you all soon
Fair Winds
Robert V Peters"
Vana-life ~ Feb. 7th, 2017
"Wednesday night was such a special night being able to represent The Vanaver Caravan at the United Nations Youth Assembly. We’ve performed at their assemblies a few times in the past, and it has always been a true delight, but this time it really . . ."
Quick Update on everything going on in Vana-life.
Words from Sam:
Wednesday night was such a special night being able to represent The Vanaver Caravan at the United Nations Youth Assembly. We’ve performed at their assemblies a few times in the past, and it has always been a true delight, but this time it really hit home. A collection of permanent ambassadors to the UN were also there representing many countries and it was an absolute honor to perform for them of course, but what was even more remarkable was watching THEM perform! Ambassadors of Denmark, Kingdom of Thailand, Serbia, and the representative of the Secretary General and Head of UN Office in Belgrade formed the UNRocks Music Group and performed a collection of songs for all in attendance. Their first song was John Lennon’s “Imagine” and we couldn’t help but to become emotional removing ourselves from the entertainment and realizing how beautiful it was to see so many representatives from around the world gather together and sing such songs of peace. Wednesday night was inspiring to say the least.
Update from Liv:
Our new found friend and colleague Tugay from Turkey playing music for children from the local villages around Auroville in an expressive arts workshop with Kripa Devi in her beautiful geodesic dome Sankalpa (which means intention or affirmation).
Follow Miranda's personal blog here!
"Love and Light" in India
"Dear Bill and Livia,
Kamura community is profoundly grateful to both of you for the beautifully unforgettable evening you have gifted us. You teach more than steps, always. I wish your tribe of musicians and dancers may grow and spread across the world so that a more compassionate and less violent life is possible. We are deeply inspired to learn more folk dances and songs and take them to people.
Hope to continue our conversations. Love and light.
Noushad
For Kamura Art Community
Calicut"
“Dear Bill and Livia,
Kamura community is profoundly grateful to both of you for the beautifully unforgettable evening you have gifted us. You teach more than steps, always. I wish your tribe of musicians and dancers may grow and spread across the world so that a more compassionate and less violent life is possible. We are deeply inspired to learn more folk dances and songs and take them to people.
Hope to continue our conversations. Love and light.
Noushad
For Kamura Art Community
Calicut”
Words from Liv:
01/24/17 9 am
We're on a cross country trip... across India from Calicut to Auroville. Noushad came to meet us at the Beach Hotel this morning and after a masala omelette and gathering the fallen nag champa flowers, we went off to see a mosque built in the 1600's.
We connected so deeply with the Kamura Arts Group last night in a workshop that lasted from 5-10:30 pm. 30 people, including Noushad's two young daughters and his wife, crowded into a humid room... one they filled with such good energy of curiosity and willingness. Because it was a work day, many people were arriving late, so several of us went out for chai and something sweet. My energy was low as I felt out the group, mostly men, to see what direction to follow. It wasn't the best workshop I've ever led I must say. We began with Nigun Atik and then partnered up for Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight (a fun mixer that displayed their "raring to go" energy). A "walk around" and "touch and go" had potential but the language barrier was too big to make them effective exercises. A Zen walk across the floor was very beautiful. Half way across the floor, I asked them to add their hands-- like flamenco floreas. This led into a walk around and some structured improv. We then tackled the song "Turn Turn Turn" as a choreography project, dividing up verse-by-verse into 5 groups. As always, the creative energy that is summoned up during the choreography process reminds me of how different it is learning a dance from making a dance. We spoke about how much we observe about ourselves through reflecting on the process and 'how I am'. The LBB and age old question 'Who am I?' seems to permeate the work I do more than ever... perhaps because it is my question that is guiding me. TTT was pretty awesome and I love the way this gift community truly shared their own gifts of themselves through their full participation. We spoke about Pete Seeger and how he inspired so many people to be activists. They asked if he was our teacher. I never thought about Pete in that respect... but truthfully I said "yes".
We took a water break including fresh pineapple juice (which is now my penchant) and after which, Bill spoke about Martin Luther King and we all sang "We Shall Overcome". Everyone agreed that these songs of the Civil Rights Movement are just as relevant today. One of the guys did a freestyle dance for us with complete abandon. So talented and open! Bill and I performed a bit, I donned my tap shoes for the first time here in India and did some clogging on stone whic led everyone into the Virginia Reel. I wish I had a video of that because it was the most bouncy and energetic VA Reel I have ever seen... especially after I encouraged them to take every opportunity to freestyle within the structure of the dance. My partner was Noussad's smart and energetic 6 year old daughter (who later informed him that she has a new friend!).
We all sat down again and for the next hour they took turns singing traditional songs for us. The spirit was flowing and the songs were stunning and heartfelt. Somehow this led into one last dance of the evening, "Sirun Yar" from Armenia. This evening was an unexpected gift. Eight of us went out for supper at a local place... the best fish biriani and curry and idliappum.
Their gift to us was a night at the Beach Hotel right on the Arabian Sea. Beautiful old style wooden rooms and hot shower... I take so much for granted at home!
Sneak Peak Into India!
Our three weeks in Udaipur were filled with creativity, strengthening community, and deepening relationships. Building towards ShaktiFest with David and Rita, Peace Pole planting on the Shaktipur land, learning traditional . . .
How we started out the new year!
Words from Liv:
Our three weeks in Udaipur were filled with creativity, strengthening community, and deepening relationships. Building towards ShaktiFest with David and Rita, Peace Pole planting on the Shaktipur land, learning traditional Rajasthani dance with Vijay Lakshmi (with pots on our heads!) kept us busy.
We woke to do yoga every morning at sunrise on the roof of Millets of Mewar Guest House with the VanaMoms and VanaDad Steve (who also provided the most awesome flute music for our performances). We enjoyed rehearsing and doing ballet barre with Margot at sunset on the other end of the rooftop, sunrise walks with Dr. Sareen on Fateh Sagar, eating amazing creatively and lovingly prepared organic food at Millets of Mewar restaurant overlooking Lake Pichola. We worked at a school for the blind doing percussive dance and music with Bharat and his students there.
Working in a school for the blind with Bharat and Bill.
On New Years day, we traveled to the village of Molela and performed in their first ShaktiFest Molela. We were thrilled to have tea with the Maharana and Maharani! We began to plan to teach a world dance/ global studies course at Bhopal Nobles College next semester at the request of the Maharana. We continued our planning for the future Shakti Academy of Dance and Healing Arts, dancing with the Kojis (seekers) from Swaraj at Tappovan, Shikshantur and also at Shaktipur. We love meeting new people every day who seem to all connect to the beautiful web of life in Udaipur and building towards a better more vibrant world together here.
Yesterday we got up early and Kabra-ji, our unofficial and totally essential tour manager, was there to help us pack out of the Millets of Mewar Guest House. Joel, Moo, Margot, Bill and I (and all of our instruments and baggage) packed into a car and off we went to Ahmedabad to meet Mallika Sarabhai.
Wonderful experience spending the afternoon at Darpana in Ahmedabad with dance legend Mallika Sarabhai. Rebuilding her beautiful academy and major amphitheatre. Bill and I attended her theatre company's rehearsal tonight. Feeling so grateful to be here together.
We arrived at Darpana Academy, founded by her mother and now directed by Mallika, and settled down to lunch at the cafe. Very worth googling and looking at YouTube clips and learning about the amazing and ground-breaking work she and her mother have done in Indian Dance. Mallika also played the lead years ago in Peter Brooks Mahabarata production that played at The Harvey at BAM. We got a tour of Darpana and watched some classes in Bharata Natyam, as the future structure of what will be their renovated amphitheater and then it was time for Moo, Margot and Joel to drive back to Udaipur.
Parting ways in Ahmedabad.
Joel was hoping to meet Mallika's son Revanna, as suggested by David and Rita. Oddly enough, an hour after they left, Bill and I were in the cafe and I wanted to take one of my notorious 20 minute catnaps. Bill looked around for someone to talk to and found this lovely young man eating dinner. After about 15 minutes we realized he was Mallika's son! Then her daughter came over to us and said, "I remember when you two taught a Master class/ workshop at Sarah Lawrence on the use of traditional dance and rhythms in creative work." What a small world. At 7:30 we got to see a rehearsal of their dance company in a medley of Indian folk dances. Beautiful, heartfelt and joyful. This morning we watched one of the dancers, a veteran of Mallika's company for 23 years, teach kalaripayatu, Indian martial art... amazing. Joel would have loved this too! Then I got to take a yoga class at Darpana before leaving for the airport. Meanwhile, yesterday on the way to Ahmedabad, I contacted Kashmirah Shah in the States who taught us our first Indian folk dances in 1990 and who gave us the set of beautiful Gujarati costumes that we use in our school dance residencies. Some of you may remember making the world dance videos with Kashmirah on the stage of Studley Theatre in the Old Main Building at SUNY New Paltz in the early 90's. We knew Kashmirah had grown up in Ahmedabad and wanted her advice about a place to stay. True to the warmth and hospitality we have experienced all over India, her cousin/ brother, Jaypal, met us this morning at the hotel, spent time with us and drove us to the airport to fly out to Kochi (next adventure).