“Freshwater is the thread that connects everyone and everything on planet Earth. Rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater are all impacted by how we live on the land. We at The Nature Conservancy appreciate Global Water Dances creative and dynamic campaign to raise awareness of this critical resource. Your efforts are reminding people of the importance of managing our water resources and uniting communities to take action for safe, clean water.”
– The Nature Conservancy
Mission Statement
We connect and support a global community of choreographers and dancers to inspire action and international collaboration for water issues through the universal language of dance.
History
The Global Water Dances as an idea began with a small group of students of non-verbal communications all trained in Laban Movement Analysis, with decades of experience in producing Movement Choirs, events that use community dance to create social cohesion. Participation in planning local events or Global Water Dances is open to anyone who loves to move.
The Project Global Water Dances is the brainchild of an international group of individuals certified by the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (LIMS) who attended a conference on Dance and the Environment in July 2008 at Schumacher College in England. This college is connected to the Dartington Estate, which is rich in modern dance history and Laban’s life. This original conference group makes up the Founding Members, and includes Karen Bradley, Richard Bell, John Chanik, Gretchen Dunn, Martha Eddy, Ellen Goldman, Marylee Hardenbergh, Antja Kennedy, Tara Stepenburg, Simone Hoever,and Daniela Schlemm.
Our first event took place in June 2011 and a total of 57 locations joined us for a 24 hour movement around the world. We are very grateful to Connie Publicover for allowing us to use her water droplet photographs as inspiration for our 2011 logo.
For more information about Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies, please follow these links:
Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies
