
[ Back to Contemporary ] -> [ Back to Storm Dog ]
Links to Learning More
Martha Graham
Ariel’s Daddy compares her to this iconic pioneer of dance and I meant it as tribute to her wonderful individuality and unconventional creativity. In 1926, Graham opened her studio and created a new genre of performance art—modern dance. Finding traditional story-ballet too physically rigid and limited in expression, she devised new techniques and innovative poses that were more angular, sculpture-like, and emotive. Inspired by modern painting, Native American dance-ceremonies, Greek mythology, and the American frontier, she would create 181 ballets over a 70-year-career, including Appalachian Spring (with composer Aaron Copeland).
Scroll to the bottom of this biography and you will see Martha Graham’s choreography for Appalachian Spring and her performing the role of the bride. https://interlude.hk/coplands-ballets-billy-kid-rodeo-appalachian-spring/.
More about Martha Graham:
https://loc.gov/collections/martha-graham/about-this-collection/?lolcr=blogloc
https://marthagraham.org/history/
Jazz great, Duke Ellington
The legendary big-band leader, composer, and pianist inspired generations of musicians, including Stevie Wonder in his song, “Sir Duke,” which so inspires our girl, Ariel.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Duke-Ellington
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/duke-ellington-about-duke-ellington/586/
https://www.pbs.org/video/weta-neighborhoods-duke-ellingtons-dc/
https://www.pbs.org/video/duke-ellington-american-music-v7dnwg/
https://www.pbs.org/video/history-detectives-duke-ellington-plates/
And one of my personal heroes, Bobby McFerrin, on the power of music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Ariel’s country:
Sky Meadows State Park (one of my favorite places in the world!) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afizGJmrPAY
https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/sky-meadows-state-park/VA/140182/overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf692ZXIMoE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrzevWLSszE&list=PL9ECE8E61D227FB1A
The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=103&v=3RKp9leNJzg&feature=emb_logo
https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/slide_player?mets_filename=sld6055mets.xml
Support Migrant Workers (like Marcus does!):
https://justice4women.org/?fbclid=IwAR1XQ4XnPWf6ZqGAWru4hAiOGa7NQ2en49DiTQkvD48Clhwg8Rv46tf0npA
