Celebrating 200 years of Alachua County from Timucua to Tom Petty!
ROCK ON!
Dance Alive’s program October 10th is nothing less than a love letter to the county that has nurtured it for over 60 years. DANB celebrates its Diamond Anniversary with Land of La Chua and a Tom Petty Tribute Ballet while Alachua County celebrates 200 years.
The curtain opens with conflict over land. In this case between the Indigenous people, the Timucua, and the Spanish who first settled Florida. Next enters Gopher John, a war leader and interpreter during the Seminole Wars. (A fascinating person! Definitely action hero potential!) No, the program isn’t really a history lesson, but a glimpse into Alachua County that the directors have come to love since arrival in 1953.
Next, we give tribute to nature – the joy and beauty of where we live. Dancers fly across the stage to the words of Will McLean’s “My Soul Is The Hawk” before visiting the springs that are so much of what we love. This time the dancers drift across the stage backed by one of Margaret Tolbert’s magnificent “Spring” paintings while dancing to music composed by Stella Sung. Both artists from Alachua County with a world-wide reputation sharing their talents. So far, all the works have been choreographed by award-winning Choreographer/Artistic Director Kim Tuttle. Weaver Gaines will speak of his ancestor General Edmund P Gaines who fought in the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars and the Mexican American War.
The next work, “Another Time…Another Place” was created by Judy Skinner. Again, Alachua County centric, but this time in and around Paynes Prairie. This work is driven by the words of Alachua County’s award-winning poet Lola Haskins with images of our county in the 1800’s provided by the Matheson History Museum.
Following intermission, a Tom Petty Tribute Ballet! DANB has been given permission to use six of Mr. Petty’s works. What could be more appropriate for a Celebration of 200 years for Alachua County and sixty years for Dance Alive National Ballet!
Let’s Rock On!
Plan to visit the Fackler Foyer West during intermission and following the program.
Find out more about our fellow artists and friends – Lola Haskins, Stella Sung, and Margaret Tolbert. Explore materials provided by the Matheson History Museum, The Will McLean Foundation, Friends of Marjorie Kinnen Rawlings Farm, The City of Gainesville, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville Veteran’s Center, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Visit Gainesville/Alachua County.
Special thanks to the staff at UF Performing Arts and Visit Gainesville/Alachua County.
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