Turn down the lights, get cozy, and enjoy virtual performances from The Vanaver Caravan. We can’t gather in concert halls these days, but we can bring our concerts and social dis(dance) events to your homes. All virtual performances and videos will remain up indefinitely.
If you like what you see, and have the means to do so, please consider making a donation. Your generosity will enable us to continue to bring joy into the homes and hearts of many.
click on one of the images to start viewing our digital offerings:
Into the Light: A Tale of Hope
Opus 40 Site Specific Choreography Student Films
These four student films were choreographed and performed at Opus 40 by our SummerDancers (ages 8-16) in an exploration of what it means to express our feelings, our character, and our experiences through dance and movement.
During the creation process, students reflected on questions such as: How can we connect to our natural environment and dance with nature as our partner? How can we transform our fears and frustrations into beauty? How do we inhabit bodies and carry ourselves in times of change and upheaval? Each film explores a different aspect of these questions.
Each video was inspired by the natural and haunting beauty of Opus 40 and choreographed / performed 100% by the dancers, in silence. We are thrilled and grateful for the contributions from musical artists Natalie Merchant, Mel Hsu, Andrew Finn Magill & Sean Grey.
1. Together
On August 6th, 2020, The Vanaver Caravan's SummerDancers (young adults, ages 8 - 16) journeyed to the historic quarry sculpture, Opus 40, to explore what it feels like to reconnect to nature, ourselves, and each other. Music: “Baby Mine” by Natalie Merchant.
2. Explore
A series of completely improvised duets and solos created, performed, and directed by our 8-11 year-old SummerDance students. Music: “Half Light” by Andrew Finn Magill and Sean L. Grey.
3. Solicitude
This compilation explores the different waves of emotions that these four dancers have experienced since the quarantine began: anxiety, sadness, agitation... and those feelings that cannot be expressed in words, but instead, through movement. Music: “Rooftop, Yucson, AZ” by Mel Hsu.
4. Glitch
The week leading up to the filming of this dance was rife with technical glitches. But instead of getting bogged down by frozen screens, pixelated teachers, and power outages, this group of 8-11 year-olds decided to get really creative. Music: “Lulu Introduction” by Natalie Merchant.
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Natalie Merchant:
Mel Hsu:
Finn Magill & Sean L. Grey:
SummerDance Social Dis(Dance) Finale Flash Mob
Our SummerDancers worked SO hard every day, outside in the heat, wearing masks and weathering storms and tech woes galore to learn and create this gem. Filmed in New Paltz, NY, on the very last day of SummerDance 2020.
Happy Birthday, Woody Guthrie
Take a leaf out of Woody’s book with this reminder to help each other out and work together. Choreographed by Livia Vanaver and the CaravanKids—in the USA and India. Thank you to the Woody Guthrie Foundation for this wonderful opportunity.
A reminder to washy washy washy our little (and big) hands! Choreographed by Livia Vanaver and the CaravanKids —in the USA and India! Thank you to the Woody Guthrie Foundation for providing us with this helpful reminder.
A Mother’s Day Reel
When we can't get together, we can still dance together. Our dancers, located all over the globe (from California to the New York Island, Virginia to Johannesburg, and Vancouver to Melbourne) took to their backyards and living rooms to dance Hangman's Reel--one of our favorite pieces.
This dance was choreographed by Sandy Silva and Livia Vanaver, based on French Canadian Step Dance. Music recorded by John Kirk (fiddle) & Bill Vanaver (banjo) Dancers (In order of Appearance) Emily Vanston and Biscuit! (New York) Sophia Roberts (New York) Stella May Emerson (New York) Lily Horowitz (New York) Amber, Ryan, and Aofe Mann (New York) Miranda ten Broeke, and Huxley (New York) Livia Vanaver (New York) Joel Hanna (Vancouver) Rachel Prince (Johanesburg) Anna Librada Georges (Virginia) Alena Brocker (New York) Evita Arce (New York) Ramona Staffeld (Melbourne, AU)
Video: hashed together by Miranda ten Broeke Special Thanks: Katie Emerson-Hoss for planting this idea!
Stay safe, stay sane, and stay connected, folks. Happy Mother’s Day.
Pete’s 101 | Full Bardavon Performance
Proceeds from this virtual concert will be split 50/50 between The Vanaver Caravan (www.vanavercaravan.org) and the Hudson River Clearwater Sloop (clearwater.org). Both The Vanaver Caravan and Clearwater organizations owe their mission and vision to Pete Seeger, who pioneered The Vanaver Caravan’s Arts Ed programs and built the Clearwater Sloop for the Hudson River. Pete’s wisdom has always brought us together. Please consider making a donation towards the legacies that Pete Seeger helped to create.
VIDEO CREDIT NOTES: *Venue name correction: Bardavon Opera House *Dancer name correction: Brian Lawton and Samantha Lawton -Credit missing: "Guantanamera" Choreography by Talli Jackson
ABOUT OUR SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES: For the first installment of our series, we share last year’s performance of Turn Turn Turn: The Story of Pete Seeger, from the Bardavon Opera House. The show features special guests, Tom Chapin, Maria Muldaur, Happy Traum, Kairos, the Southern Dutchess Coalition Choir, and the Beacon High School choir.
Donate Now: www.vanavercaravan.org/funddrive
