Second Line Excerpt, Yes We Can (Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance)

Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance performing the third movement of Heather Maloy's "Second Line." The piece premiered August 7-9, 2008 at the Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville, NC.

Until recently, New Orleans has been known first and foremost for their music. This became second in line to images of a disaster zone after Katrina ravaged the city. The music scene is still strong in New Orleans however, and is at the heart of the reconstruction, the solid constant within a time of disorder. The Second Line is what they call the dancers who follow the musicians in a New Orleans parade. People think of Mardi Gras when they think of these parades, but these celebrations are the same as a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral. Death is considered a beginning not an end, a reason to celebrate. Maloy is using music recorded by a variety of New Orleans musicians who have lived through the disaster and are still fighting the devastating effects that the storm has left on their city. The Terpsicorps dancers not only represent the dancers of the Second Line, but they also embody the tenacity of the people who must face the 'death' of their city as they once knew it. The work is created as a statement of hope for the future, and like a New Orleans funeral, a celebration of rebirth. In this case, the rebirth is that of mankind's respect for nature.

Terpsicorps recently lost a dear friend and supporter, artist John Payne, and the work is being dedicated to the joyful, generous and loving spirit of this very talented man.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• asheville
• contemporary
• ballet
• dance
• heather
• maloy
• hurricane
• katrina
• second
• line
• new
• orleans
• terpsicorps
• theatre
• john
• payne
• yes
• we
• can